Chapter Four:
Explanations
Harry awoke from his short slumber some hours later, in a cold sweat. Being at Sirius' childhood home seemed to make his nightmares that much more painful to witness.
He sighed; he had been doing that a lot lately, before he began getting up and stretching till he heard his back crack.
Looking over at Ron's bed, he realized it was empty. Mrs. Weasley had probably told them not to disturb him; otherwise Ron would have surely woken him up by now.
He went over to his trunk, which had assumed had been brought up after he had gone to sleep; he got his clothes out and went to take a shower. When he was done, it would be time to greet everyone, something he didn't know if he was entirely looking forward to.
Soon enough he had showered and dressed and was losing the battle he was having with his hair, trying to get the back of it to lie flat. He should have learnt by now it was an impossible feat.
'Mum sent me up to check and see if you were awake yet, as you have been up here quite a while , but now I understand that you were attempting to do the impossible, well your gonna have to try harder than that mate,' a voice called from the doorway.
Startled, Harry turned around to see a gangly, flaming red haired boy leaning against the dark wood frame, a smirk upon his lips. It was Ron.
'Oh shut up,' Harry replied, before smiling back at his friend.
'Good to see ya, mate, it's been bloody horrible with just Ginny for company around here,' Ron said, slapping Harry on the shoulder to greet him.
'It's good to see you too, Ron,' Harry replied.
'Well we'll talk later but right now, your breakfast is about to be eaten by the twins if you don't get down stairs quickly, and you can't have that now, could you?'
Harry smiled, that's Ron for you always thinking about food even if he wasn't the one set to eat it.
The two friends made their way down the staircase and into the hallway. They remained silent in the hall, as not to alert Mrs. Black, and made there way downstairs to the kitchen were lots of noise seemed to be coming from.
For some unknown reason, Harry felt nervous about seeing everyone again, which was slightly odd seeing as he had seen them all just two or three weeks before. But, in that time he felt he had changed quite a bit, things were different now. He had new goals, and had become slightly adapted to the fact that he was even less normal than he believed himself to be.
Without another thought, they both entered the kitchen and the talking ceased almost immediately.
Everyone looked up, to see he and Ron enter and after a moment of silence everyone greeted him and Mrs. Weasley beckoned for him to sit down.
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Back at Privet Drive, Finn was just finishing up explaining himself to Minerva, and telling her what he had been up to in the last fifteen years.
'And shortly after that, I decided to move closer to the London area and the closest affordable property I could find was here in Little Whinging, it came as a complete surprise when I found out that young Harry was my neighbor, but a delightful one it was, so that's it. So can you forgive your brother?' Finn finished.
Minnie who was sitting across from, holding a cup of now cold tea in her hand, just stared at him with a look of sorrow and understanding.
She knew that it had been hard for Finn, to adjust to the Wizarding World in general but after Cassie died, she had no idea how hard it was on him. She knew that he would be upset but she hadn't known until now why his grief had caused him to leave the world that he had grown to love so much.
'Oh Finnie, I'm so sorry, of course I can forgive you. I just wish that you could have told me all this back then,' Minerva said nearly close to tears.
'It doesn't matter anymore Minnie, it's in the past now. I've moved on, and am back and ready to kick some dark arse!'
'Julius Finn, Don't swear!' Minerva admonished.
'Coming from the queen of cuss!' Finn said knowingly.
'That was years ago, Finn. Set an example, your not a wild youth anymore!'
'No, that I am not. But being old shouldn't keep me from doing what I like now should it?'
'Well I suppose not, but you really shouldn't-'
'And you really should not, not,' Finn interrupted.
'You haven't changed a bit, Finn. Your still you annoying old self, just with a few more gray hairs,' Minerva replied with a small smile.
Finn smiled at her joke and they continued to chat and catch up on one another's lives.
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It was just after lunch time, Harry, Ron, and Ginny were all sitting in the living room playing a round of exploding snap, and Ginny was winning.
'It's not fair, she's cheating,' Ron complained.
'No I'm not, you're just a sore loser,' Ginny replied, grinning as she beat the two older boys again.
'Harry, mate this is humiliating. We're losing to a girl, a younger girl.'
'Well as glad as I am that you have finally noticed my gender and age, I really need to go write a letter to Dean. So see you two later,' Ginny replied, before skipping away, up to her room.
Ron grumbled at that, he didn't much care for his sister's and Dean's relationship. Dean was his friend and Ginny was his sister and that was just not on!
Harry himself, wasn't sure if he liked Ginny and Dean together as they were. But he wasn't a member of the family or a close enough friend to Ginny toreally hold a meaningful opinion on the subject, so he let it go.
'So have you heard from Hermione? She said she was going to send you a letter,' Ron asked.
'Yeah, Pig showed up with her letter a couple days ago. She said she was looking forward to coming here, don't know why anyone would look forward to coming here personally, but' Harry began, before he broke off, he had once again managed to remind himself of the person who should have been there this summer, but who could never be around again.
'Do you want to talk about it, mate?' Ron asked, doing his best to be understanding, he wasn't exactly a saint when it came to comforting someone.
'Nah, it's just something I have to learn to deal with. So what's been going on around here?' Harry asked, successfully changing the topic.
'not much, we've been trying to get into the order's meetings all summer, but no go, mum's made sure that we can't even listen in with the extendable ears anymore. Though a rather, if nothing else, surprising event happened a day or so ago.'
Harry leaned in slightly, interested as to what happened.
Ron proceeded to tell Harry all about the old man, who had shown up, and how it had turned out that he was McGonagall's brother, who had apparently not been seen in the wizarding world for fifteen years.
Harry wondered.
'Hey Ron, what was the mans name?'
'Oh… er… I think it was Flam or Flim. Oh that's right it was Finn'
That proved Harry's suspicions, and he suddenly remembered how angry he was at Dumbledore, and Finn.
Sensing that his friend was mad, by the fury written in his eyes and his clenched fists, Ron cautiously asked him what was wrong.
Harry shook his head of his thoughts, no use blowing up at Ron or someone else that didn't deserve it.
'Nothing's wrong, nothing at all,' Harry muttered.
Ron could tell that wasn't the case, but didn't want to push his friend at the moment.
Just then Mrs. Weasley called from the doorway, 'Harry, Remus wants a word. He's in the kitchen,' she spoke in her motherly voice.
She knew what Remus wanted to talk about, and just hoped Harry was ready to hear it.
Harry, curious as to what his old professor wanted, nodded his head and stood up from his spot on the floor.
'See you later,' he called back to Ron, as he headed down to the kitchen to find out what Remus wanted.
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Severus Snape was walking through the corridors of Hogwarts, on his way to his quarters, with only one thing on the mind; Julius Finn.
He never would have thought he would see the man again, after fifteen years he hardly expected him to return. But then again, he had expected the same of black and yet twelve years later, there he had been.
When he had seen him, the other night, he couldn't believe his eyes. And instantly the memories of that night returned, he had let down Finn that night, let down one of his very few friends.
After all these years, he had been able to put it at the back of his mind, but seeing that constantly smiling face again brought it all back. It brought back the deceit and the horror that he had let happen and had even committed himself, that night.
As he continued to ponder, he became aware of an increasing burning on his left arm. He was calling again, and he, Severus, had to go carry out his obligation to Dumbledore and the Order once more.
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Finn and Minerva had been talking for the entire morning. Reminiscing about the old days, confiding what they had been doing in the past fifteen years, and over all just chatting like brother and sister would do.
Finn had wanted to know what Minerva had been doing these past years. He learnt that she had watched, taught, and let go of many students in the past fifteen years and how each and every child she had taught seemed to hold a place with her.
There was many Gryffindor's that through different circumstance's she had become quite well acquainted with, as well as several students from other houses. He never had quite understood just how hard it was to let go of a student after so many years of teaching them, and watching them grow into fine young men and women, and he didn't think he'd ever be able to fully understand it.
Minerva had said, that she had endured several Weasley's over the years, and though she had never outright admitted it to anyone –until now that is- she had loved teaching and watching each one of them grow into the fine people they were today, even the prankster twins who had found themselves in her office for reprimanding more times than she could care to count.
Finn had to comment those fifty odd years ago, she had been in the same predicament herself quite a number of times, Minnie just smiled at that.
'But on a serious note, Finn. We have to discuss what to do about Harry. He needs to know the truth, not the botched up version you gave him,' Minerva commented.
'Yes, your right Minnie. You're always right, you're the teacher. I'll talk to him, but I don't know when I can,' Finn replied.
'Well you can tonight, I'll drop you round headquarters and you can explain it all to him, and don't you dare do a half arsed job Finnie,' Minerva threatened.
'Language sis, honestly you're supposed to set an example,' Finn said raising the tone of his voice to scarily almost match his sisters.
Minerva just shook her head.
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Harry entered the kitchen, to see that Remus was already seated at the table there was an envelope in his hands and he seemed quite nervous.
Though Remus had been one of his guard members the previous night, he had not really had the chance to talk with him, seeing as Harry had still been quite pissed off at that point not to mention they couldn't risk it when they were flying. He was curious as to what Remus wanted to talk about, but Harry seemed to have the increasing feeling that he wasn't going to like this conversation much.
Remus looked up as he heard Harry approach, 'Harry, good to see you, how've you been?' Remus asked.
Harry nodded his head and muttered, 'I'm alright, I guess. What's going on?'
Remus sighed, he had hoped to prolong his reason for wanting to talk, but obviously Harry wasn't going to take the bait.
'Well I guess I'll just get to the reason I came then shall I? You see Harry, yesterday afternoon an owl arrived, addressed to you and me. It's from Gringott's and I have reason to believe that it's Sirius' last will and testament. And well… er… I thought that we should probably, you know open it sooner rather than later, and well um… what to do you think?' Remus blurted out quickly.
Harry sat for a minute or two, just processing what Remus had said. Was he ready to hear this? This letter would make Sirius' death seem so… final. Not that it hadn't been final from the moment that he had fallen behind that curtain but this would be his goodbye, was he, Harry ready to say goodbye?
No, he wasn't. It was too soon, Sirius had only died a matter of weeks ago, he wasn't ready to say goodbye, and he wasn't really even ready to be back here, at Sirius' home.
He shook his head at Remus, 'um… do you think maybe we could… er do this another time, I'm just,' Harry tried telling Remus but he was having difficulty forming the right words.
Remus seemed to understand though, 'it's okay Harry, we have plenty of time to open it. Tell you what; I'm off on a mission for a couple of weeks and how about we open it when I get back? Does that sound good to you?'
Harry nodded and then asked curiously, knowing he most likely wouldn't get an answer, 'What mission are you going on?'
'Well technically speaking, I'm not allowed to tell you, but I don't think it could harm you to know. I'm off on a quest to the highlands, Dumbledore wanted me to look into the Werewolf population up there, see if any of them are loyal to our side, we could use all the support we can right now, Voldemort is gaining more supporters everyday, and well its not been as easy for us.'
'But why not, I mean the people know he's back now right? I mean, don't people realize the danger we're all in if we don't fight back?'
'Unfortunately the majority of the public doesn't hold your courage or view Harry. They see Voldemort's return as a loss of hope, and many find its easier to give up before the get hurt, and throw in their support with the Voldemort as at least then they will have a better chance at surviving,' Remus answered bitterly, he too wondered what was wrong with those people.
Harry shook his head and looked down at the floor. How did those people not realize that by throwing in there lot with Voldemort they would never survive, not truly. They would be under orders from an evil sadist until they death had mercy on them. Their best hope was to join the fight against him, and hope that they could prevail. Harry just hoped that in time, people would see that, he couldn't hope to win this fight if nobody stood behind him. While it was down to him in the end, he wasn't to proud to say he would need help getting there, a lot of help.
'Harry, you okay?' Remus asked concerned.
Shaking himself from his thoughts he answered, 'yeah I'm fine, just thinking s'all.'
'Alright then, well I have to get going. I have a set portkey ready to take off soon. So, I'll see you when I get back then, all right?'
'Yeah, see you then. Bye Remus, good luck,' Harry said, he wasn't sure how he felt about Remus going off. He and Harry hadn't been as close as Sirius and himself but, they had gotten on quite wellin his third year. And though they had rarely had the chance to talk since then, he had always been a person whose company Harry enjoyed.
Remus gave Harry's back a friendly pat, smiled and said goodbye to him as well, before he apparated out of Grimmauld place, to where Harry expected was Hogwarts.
As soon as Remus had left, Harry found no reason to stay in the kitchen and decided to head back to the drawing room and see if Ron was still there.
When he entered, he found that Ron wasn't around, but he decided that instead of going to look for him, he would use the advantage of having a free moment alone, and sat down.
He stared absentmindedly at the fireplace ahead of him, his mind still on what Remus had told him about the wizarding public. He just didn't understand how people could do that, how they could throw away their lives, and how they could throw away the youth's chance at having a future by joining ranks with Voldemort. It made no sense to him.
He wondered how he could help turn that around, and make the people have hope once again, and make them see that it was worth the fight. He would die before he saw Voldemort in control, and if what the prophecy said was true – which it was- he would die for that to happen.
He was broken from his rather troubling thoughts by someone entering the room. He looked up to see that it was Ginny.
'Hiya Harry.'
'Hey Ginny, finish your letter then?' Harry asked.
'oh yeah I did, I have to wait to send it though, Pig is still with Hermione and the orders owls are all off as well,' Ginny replied.
'Well, you know, you could borrow Hedwig if you'd like. I'm sure she wouldn't mind getting out of this house for a bit.'
'Really Harry? That would be great, thanks!'
'No problem'
'So, how's your summer been so far?'
'Well okay I suppose, it wasn't as bad as most are at the Dursley's,' Harry spoke.
'Ron mentioned that you had been spending time with a neighbor-friend?'
'Yeah, Finn. But he's not my friend, not anymore at least,' Harry muttered.
'Well why not?' Ginny pressed on, curious as to what had broken up the friendship.
'He lied about who he was, he knows all about the wizarding world and the Order, Ginny. And he didn't even tell me. And there I was sitting there telling him things, and he was no doubt reporting everything back to the Order. I felt like such a fool for trusting him and arggh why does Dumbledore have to be so damn secretive! I hate it!' Harry complained angrily.
He didn't know why he had suddenly become Mr. talkative, but Ginny was just easy to talk to like that. She wasn't like Ron or Hermione in that respect. They both would try to argue with him, but Ginny was more like… Remus.
She listened attentively and really heard what you were saying; it seemed that she was even able to hear what wasn't said. She didn't try to reason with him, just like Remus didn't, but she offered her opinion on the matter, asked reasonable questions, gave him advice and then left him to figure the rest out for himself. He liked that about her.
'Well, I'm sure that came as quite a surprise. You're sure that he was corresponding with the Order?'
Harry thought for a moment, 'well not exactly, but why else would he hide the truth from me, I mean he obviously knew I was a wizard.'
'Well, maybe he had another reason for not telling you, sometimes people hide the truth because they don't want people to know how much they've been hurt,' Ginny said rationally, giving Harry a pointed look.
Harry knew inside that she was right, he hadn't given Finn much opportunity to explain himself and he couldn't really be mad at the man, when he wasn't even sure if he had the right to be angry. He had lost his temper before, and by doing so forgot to consider that there may have been other reasons that Finn had kept this from him.
After a few minutes of silence, Harry looked over at Ginny and said, 'thanks gin.'
'Anytime, Harry.'
'So, where's Ron gone off to?' Harry asked, changing the subject.
'Oh, he's off writing a letter to Hermione,' Ginny said smiling mischievously.
'So are they still tap-dancing round each other?' Harry asked, smiling as well.
Ginny seemed surprised that Harry knew of his two best friend's situation.
'What, I'm not as blind as you and others may think, I can see it too, quite frankly I don't know who can't see it.'
Ginny giggled, 'Sorry I just didn't think you'd have noticed. And to answer your question, yes. They are both utterly clueless to each others feelings, they've been writing to each other since summer started, and Ron constantly is asking if she said anything about him to me. Honestly I think he thinks he's being discreet about it all but it couldn't be clearer that he worships the very ground she walks on! And she's no better.'
Harry shook his head with a smile on his face, he knew that his two best friends had liked each other for a while now; it was quite obvious to most except the very two that needed to realize it.
'And I swear if they aren't together by the end of the summer, then I'm stepping in and fixing them together myself!' Ginny finished.
'Oh this is sure to be an interesting ride,' Harry said with a smile.
He hoped, for Ron's ego's sake, that Ron got his act together and asked Hermione out soon. Before Ginny stepped up and asked her out for him, he knew that Ron certainly wouldn't appreciate the assistance, even if it was in his best interests.
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Finn had suddenly found himself getting nervous again. Minerva and he were getting ready to leave for Grimmauld place, and he was going to have to tell his story once again.
He realized that there was no way around not telling Harry, if he wanted to keep the boys trust and friendship, but it was still hard to think and tell someone what he had kept inside him for fifteen years.
'Are you ready Finnie?'
'As I'll ever be Minnie'
Minerva grabbed her brother's arm and side-long apparated them to Grimmauld Place.
Once they had landed, and were inside the hallway Minerva went to find Molly, who would know where Harry was. Finn was left standing alone, he waited patiently enough, until Molly and Minerva returned.
'Why it's good to see you again, Mr. Finn,' Molly said kindly, with a smile on her round face.
'As it is you, my dear lady. and please call me Finn, Mr. makes me feel old… well older,' Finn joked.
Molly chuckled and nodded her head in compliance, 'Harry I believe is in the drawing room, just go ahead up.'
Finn looked in the direction that Molly pointed and bid farewell to his sister and Mrs. Weasley, before heading up the stairs onto the first landing.
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Harry was sitting on the sofa, in the drawing room, waiting for Ron to return with his chessboard.
He was thinking over what Ginny had told him earlier, and decided that he should probably apologize to Finn or at least ask for a proper explanation.
He was about to go and send an owl, right then, when he heard footsteps coming up the stairs and then stop outside the doorway.
Harry looked over and was shocked to find that Finn was standing there, looking nervous and unsure on whether he should come in or stay where he was.
'You can come in you know,' Harry called to him, inviting him into the room.
Finn entered the room, nervous still and cautiously walked over to Harry.
'What are you doing here?' Harry asked curiously.
'Well I was… er… I wanted to try and explain myself, seeing as last time I tried I botched it up considerably. So do you think I can, you know tell you?' Finn asked, once again uncertainly.
'Yeah, of course, I was just about to send a letter and apologize, I'm sorry for screaming at you, I guess that was a bit irrational.'
'That's alright Harry, I'm certain that I deserved it with my effort of making things clear. So why don't we sit down and I'll tell you everything you want to know,' Finn spoke.
The two sat down, much like they had in the past few weeks, and Finn began his greatest and most distressing tale.
'You see Harry, many a year ago, when I was a wee lad of thirteen, my younger sister whom you know as Professor McGonagall had strangely enough received an envelope from the most curious school, the very one that she now teaches at. We were all quite surprised that such a thing as magic did in fact exist. Minnie was the first known witch in our family and for the most part we were all quite proud of her ability. We had always known that something was special about her, she had made quite a few things happen that held no explanation behind them at all, and that letter had explained it all.
'So for the next seven years, Minnie attended Hogwarts. And she shared everything that she learnt with us, she told us that she had learnt to duel, and how to charm objects to fly across the room, and make potions that could make all your hair fall out or heal a broken arm within seconds. It was amazing, to hear of this entire world that before then we had no clue of. I found myself falling in love with its magnificence, much like Minnie herself had.
'She had on several occasions brought me through the Leaky Cauldron, to experience a little of the new world that she was a part of. I so desperately wanted to be a part of that world as well; it had been a dream of mine since I found out about it when I was just thirteen years old.
'A few years after Minnie had graduated from Hogwarts, she had introduced me to a good friend of her's, Cassandra Milton. We fell in love, and I found myself suddenly surrounded by the magic of the Wizarding world. I was able to walk through the streets of Diagon Alley and Hogsmeade and not feel like a complete outsider. I watched Quidditch as if I had been doing so since I was a small child. I felt like I was now a part of that world, never minding the fact that I had not an ounce of magical capability.
'Eventually, Cassandra and I married. The first war began to pick up at the beginning of the seventies. And Dumbledore began gathering members to fight against the dark; the organization was of course The Order of the Phoenix. Well, Minnie and Cassandra were some of the first in line to join the Order. They had both experienced war with Grindewald, and knew the terror and damage of it. They had only been school children during that last war, and now that they were fully grown witches they wanted to help fight in this one.
'At that point, I had found myself in a bit of a tight spot. While I had never shown any evidence of being magical, its world was my home too, and I also wanted to do my part in saving and defending it. But without the magical capability that was a bit of an issue, I couldn't very well fight fully capable wizards and witches with nothing but my own fists!
'I decided that I would go to Dumbledore, and pledge my service to whatever cause I could actually help with. Dumbledore took me up on my offer and I became a member of the Order. Dumbledore had the perfect job for me. I became somewhat of a Muggle communication and relations advisor. Basically it was my job to help the other Order members deal with Muggle attacks, the Muggle customs, currency, attire –for if and when they went undercover. I was also in charge of the maps, since I knew the Muggle World the best; I was in charge of telling the Order members where exactly they needed to send unauthorized portkeys, members, etc. It was a highly looked upon job, with out it many of the members missions could have been blown. During attacks, it was just as important, since no Order member was authorized to Obliviate Muggles, and theycouldn't use their wands in a situation where Muggles were present, they needed to know how to act accordingly.
'I loved my job, it had allowed me to further connect myself with the world in which according to blood and all I did not belong to. In the next decade or so, the war worsened people were dying left, right and center. Order members were dropping like flies. Hope was beginning to die out; people were running scared, right into Voldemort's clutches.
'In late September of 1981, eleven or so years after the war had first commenced, someone came barging into my house, it was Voldemort and a small group of Deatheater's,' Finn shuddered suddenly, his face paled considerably.
So far his story was going well; he was able to suppress his sadness and anger at the dark side for picking away at the world he had loved and at the people who had become such close friends.
'What happened Finn? Please, tell me,' Harry asked, sitting in his chair a blank look on his face. Already Finn had given him more insight into the first war than any text book or person had ever done.
Finn's facial features, as he had described the first war were full of pain and deep loss. Harry was having a hard time knowing that this time around it would get to be the same, if not worse and it was already beginning.
Finn took a deep breath, swallowed and continued on.
'Cassandra and I were caught unaware; we had just been sitting down for dinner, when they had come. I was immediately placed under the Cruciatus Curse. It was pain unimaginable to me, I felt as if ever fiber in my being was aflame and I was helpless to put it out. Eventually the constant burning ceased and I stood up, shakily to find- to find my wife on her knees at Voldemort's feet, facing me. Voldemort had his wand pointed – pointed at her neck.
'At that point, I tried to reason with him, I told him pathetically that I would do anything if he would just let her go. She was my everything I couldn't bare to lose her. He asked me for information about the Order, and what exactly was its purpose; he was aware that both of us worked for the organization and he knew who we were, that I was a muggle and she had been muggle born. I hesitated, next to my family, the current cause of destroying what was plaguing the Wizarding World was all I had.
'My wife begged for me not to say a word, that she wasn't that important, she told me to run and save myself. To leave her. But I couldn't lose her. Nor could I give away the order's secrets, I would be betraying everyone I knew and I couldn't live with myself after doing that. So I tried to lie, I told him that we were an organization for International Wizard Relations, that we were trying to bond the nations together more.
'I almost thought that he had believed me, but it wasn't so. He entered my mind, just enough to detect the lie. He exited and spit at me, he called me 'filthy muggle scum' and said I'd pay forthat, and I did. I tried begging more, but it was no use in his eyes I had my chance and was foolish enough to waste it. And with that he – he murdered my wife.
'My wife fell lifeless to the ground, I watched the light leave her brilliant eyes and all I could think was my stupidity had led to her demise. I at that point wanted death as well, so I could be with her again, I couldn't bear life without her by my side. But apparently Voldemort had thought the same and had spared my life that day to have me live with the very worst of torture.
'After Cassandra's funeral, I decided that I couldn't take this anymore. I no longer had a purpose in the wizarding world, at least in my eyes I didn't. It was giving me nothing but more grief that I just couldn't take. I began cutting off my ties with the wizarding world, I threw out every wizard thing I owned, the robes, the chocolate frog cards, the candy anything that would be a reminder. I stop corresponding and communicating with my wizarding friends, and even my sister, and eventually I disappeared from that world all together, and went back into the one I was born into.
'The only Wizarding item I continued to get was The Prophet. I wanted to be aware at least of what was occurring with the war, if a friend had perished. I may have left coldly but I wasn't cruel. I wanted to know what to know if or when another irreplaceable life had been taken.
'Then one day, a couple months later I received the prophet by owl as was usual, it was the last one I ever received. I can remember the headlines clear as ever:
YOU-KNOW-WHO DEFEATED BY THE BOY-WHO-LIVED!
LILY AND JAMES POTTER DEAD!
SIRIUS BLACK CONVICTED OF ASSISTING IN POTTER DEATHS!
'You see Harry, I knew you parents quite well. I met them through the order; they were such a lovely couple. Young and bright-spirited, and so very brave. You were just a wee tike back then, but my you were a handful. I was terribly distraught when it was announced that they had died. And after that issue, I saw no reason to stay connected with the wizarding world at all, Voldemort was gone, very few of my friends were still alive, there was little left for me there, and with Cassandra gone I felt like I had no place there any longer.
'For the next fifteen years, I spent my time reconnecting with the muggle world. I was selfish enough to not even visit my sister; it hurt me too much to go back even to see family. I traveled the globe for a year or so, trying to clear my head, and forget it all. And eventually settled into a town up north and became a chef- an ambition of mine as a small child. But it was never the same, and I found myself constantly missing the spark of the magic that had lit up the wizarding world. I missed the charms, and animals, and the people and the very air that was magical. But I just couldn't return. I lost all my courage and bravery that night, when I watched my world being ripped away from me.
'Then just quite recently I began to notice strange occurrences, ones that clearly had wizard written all over it. I saw on the news an entire block of houses had blown up in Yorkshire, and I just felt that once again evil was stirring and it had a magical core to it.
'I decided that I needed to help. I had hidden from everyone for far too long, and I needed to find my way back to the world which I still loved, though it was associated with horrible times for me, I still couldn't help but love it. And I wasn't going to hide anymore.
'I decided to move back closer to London, and the closest affordable property I could find at short notice was in fact #6 Privet Drive, Little Whinging. I moved in just about a week before you returned from Hogwarts. I had yet to contact any wizard or witch as I had no way of doing so, and being mere muggle I didn't have a wand or anything that could help my situation. My best option was to wait until the new school year and try and catch a wizard at the train station who could help me out. You see Harry; it was only by pure coincidence that the very house I chose was to be the one neighboring your relatives. I wasn't spying on you Harry nor corresponding with the order; I was merely getting to know you again, that's the truth,' Finn finished up; he looked at Harry with eyes that pleaded with him to understand.
Harry was still sitting in his seat, staring wide-eyed at Finn. He couldn't believe the tale he had just heard it surpassed any that Finn had told him to date. Poor Finn had lost his wife and the only magic in his life all because of Voldemort. Harry was surprised that Finn had so much of a connection with the wizarding world. Finn appreciated the wizarding world more than anyone Harry knew, and he wasn't even a wizard!
Finn had known his parents, and he must of known Sirius and Remus as well. To say the story was overwhelming, was putting it lightly. He wondered as he often had, what things would be like nowadays had his parents not died, had Cassandra-Finn's wife- not been murdered but he just couldn't imagine something so out of reach. But one thing was for certain Harry certainly believed Finn now, and he didn't blame him for not telling him all this when they had first met.
'So then,Harry, do you forgive an old man?'
Harry sat in silence for a minute, 'On one condition.'
'Of course, anything'
'You tell me all your stories about you and Professor McGonagall growing up, it'll be good to have that in case I forget an essay or two,' Harry said with a smile.
Finn chuckled and said, 'Of course, me boy, I couldn't think of any better use for a story.'
A.N. thus ends chapter four. I hope you all enjoyed. I liked writing Finn's story in this chapter so I hope that you guys enjoyed the read.
I do apologize that this was so late, but I am afraid that the updates aren't going to be consistent, they will be frequent enough, but I just can't update as quickly as some of you might like. I have a life that needs living as well! So anyways I hope you enjoyed and please please please leave me a nice long review, I put a lot of time into writing and I really enjoy hearing your feedback on it!
Cheers,
Petroleumjellydotone.