Chapter Two: Familiar Strangers

A/N: Just a quick note, —Final Battle— naturally show memories from the previous world whereas the unlabelled italic writing mostly consists of memories of Harry's life in this alternate world; both are in italics. I'm experimenting with their incorporation so please excuse any awkwardness, or kindly point any issues out. Thank you!

-Final Battle-

Harry was running out of breath, his energy was low; determination kept him in the fight. His return to the battle despite his opportunity to escape life had smouldered the remains of the Horcrux within him. It wasn't his time yet. "Locomotor Mortis" a Death Eater rasped at him. An old man, Harry identified him, Lithuanial Decedem. Dodging the attack Harry returned a "Stupefy", the power of which had been multiplied by Harry's resolve; Decedem fell with such a force that the ground, hardened by the many boots of battle, seeped in blood. He took a sharp breath, another death, another life lost, and at his hands. Commotion raged around him, teachers and students alike were duelling Death Eaters that had somehow managed to break the wards around the school. At least he had the home advantage Harry thought heading towards the castle. "Protego!" he shielded himself from the red flash in the corner of his eyes. Turning around his wand pointed at Nott. "Stupefy!" Harry fired, it charged at a "ProtegoHorribilis" and deflected on a fellow school mate. Dennis Creevey had been stunned. "Tarantallegra" Harry shot back. He cast "Rennervate" Dennis, why on earth was he here, he should have been evacuated, he had been in the DA, but even so…

Dennis came to, Harry held his hand out, and helped him up from the ground. "Thanks Harry," Dennis said warmly, the fervour he and his brother held for Harry shone through at that moment; dirt was smeared across Dennis' face, his cloak over his shoulder was absolutely shredded and his trousers around his knees were torn. Harry smiled at him proudly. He was still alive, still holding on. Dennis' eyes hardened and Harry found himself being spun around, Dennis was in front of Harry, and a green streak headed towards him. Before Harry could react the limp body in front of him gave way, though much smaller than him, the weight of this soulless shell pushed them both to the ground. Harry heard a laugh, cruel and familiar; and it was heading towards the castle.

Gently laying Dennis aside Harry got to his feet and ran as fast as he could down the halls of Hogwarts, with every twist and turn he took a flash of black ran out of his sight. The paintings eager to be as helpful as possible, at least those who had not been scathed or destroyed pointed in the direction of the culprit. That way, Harry followed them to the courtyard. There, Bellatrix Lestrange awaited him, and in the moment he burst open the door to the outside a Stupefy knocked him out of his senses.

Harry awoke in a cold sweat that morning. His sleep had been interrupted in the earliest hours of dawn and when he lost consciousness again he found himself surrendering to emotions so fresh that it felt as though his encounter with his loved ones had been nothing but a dream. Yet with the beating of his heart, in the sharpness of his breath he knew he was alive and awake; and given that his body was in a room paradoxically similar yet so very strange to him asserted his notion that he was in some alternate universe: another reality; a second chance. Feeling better, his breathing calmed and Harry rose from his bed feeling thankful that he hadn't made any noises, for it would be hard to explain what brought such a nightmare on.

Harry slowly pulled his body out of bed and gazed around in silence, letting it all wash over him. The previous night sunk into his mind, finally fusing into his being. Was it too good to be true? His parents alive? No scar? Well he might as well have claimed insanity but it was time to make lemonade. He got up and stretched, as an unforecasted smile spread across his face. A truly fresh start, he would accept what life was throwing at him. Harry excused the memories of the Final Battle to the furthest corner of his soul, fresh memories would open old wounds. Harry knew he wouldn't be able to deal with it, not now, not among these familiar strangers; Harry drew open the curtains and let the sun meet him without argument.

Ready now, Harry ran down stairs, and came short of the kitchen where the smell of a cooked breakfast, not prepared by himself, incomparable to Mrs Weasleys, but damn decent in its own right, hooked his nose. James was reading the Daily Prophet, Lily also was leaning over his shoulder, both were looking at the paper, as their teacups were spinning softly in their saucers. A wonderful portrait, Harry framed the moment with his mind, feeling a fool for how often he had found himself smiling that morning. "Looking good today son", a warm smile greeted him, noticing him standing askance, "Come on, we have plans after breakfast. Nice to see you dressed, usually you don't come down for ages and ages, perhaps the bludger knocked some sense into you? We'll be needing to get you a wand, to defend yourself—"

"Shhh!" Lily interrupted, "breakfast is getting cold."

A short while later Lily disappeared into some recess of the house, and James patted Harry on the back. "Come on then, shall we go get you a new wand then, oh yes you'll need your…" Harry's dad stopped as an owl flew in through the windows. "Lily I think Harry's OWLs have arrived" A squeal was heard from what was surely the other end of the house which was followed by a frenzy of footsteps. His parents looked on eagerly at Harry; he had only just released the owl of its burden, his OWLs however left his hands trembling. For some reason he was terrified, an insight into his other-wordly self. He opened them, and was shocked at what he saw. For Charms and Potions he had an Outstanding, but for Defence Against the Dark Arts he'd only scraped what seemed like an Acceptable. He scanned the rest and found them the same as they had been last year, but before he could say anything the letters were snatched from his hands. "Oh well done Harry, its a shame about Defence Against the Dark Arts, but since..." Harry's mind blanked out, pondering to himself, his mind answered his unasked questions in a manner that felt strangely familiar, yet like déjà vu, Harry was acutely aware that he had not lived in this moment.

"Harry you must do better, especially with Snivellus breathing down your neck!" James put his hands on Harry's shoulder. "Professor Snape's being a git, he's bound to down grade you so you'll be getting extra tutoring from a class mate of yours, Miss Chang." As butterflies flittered up his stomach Harry realised despite the advantage of proximity there was no way this would improve his abysmal grades in Potions. Harry swatted James' hand away. "But, mum, why don't you tutor me? I hear you were great at Potions." Ever since that outburst Harry almost regretted this plea for next thing he knew he was dragged into an intensive course that realised the red-headed name and repute. By the end of that summer Harry knew everything about anything to do with Potions, well at least for his year group.

Harry felt his eyes come back into focus. That explained the good Potions mark Harry's mind remarked, it seemed this world's Harry and his, Harry's, minds were merging. He suddenly found himself respecting and fearing his mother with regards to her Potion's skills. He frowned thoughtfully when a smack on the shoulder politely lifted him out of his thoughts.

As Harry and his father walked down Diagon Alley, Harry sighted some red heads he'd thought he would never see again. There they were in front of him, flesh and soul. He stopped short in front of them. Here were Ron, alive and well; Fred, George and their parents; but the head he was longing to see was replaced by a skinny boy, as short as the twins, in fact a pathetically frail looking boy with those familiar browns eyes. His hair was tied back and he seemed to be drowning in his cloak. As their eyes connected Harry's mind started prickling at the memory of the dead. As they walked nearer the brown eyes that he had been unable to avert attention from Harry couldn't help but murmur Ginny. The boy turned and looked at him, his eyes were strange looking, as though in a daze. "Oi Johnny hurry it up will you?" As the boy turned and left him Harry's heart gave a jolt of realisation and he turned again to discover that the red heads had found themselves missing in the pre-term crowd. Harry's father looked at him curiously; "That boy was looking pretty queer. Arthur's boys they were, a decent bunch, one of them is your age; now why don't you ever talk to him Harry, instead of hanging around with that Slytherin?"

"Nah", Harry found himself shrugging it of, "Ron just seriously dislikes me." The alternate Harry's mind proved this true.

"So d'you like, er like like Hermione then, Potter?" Ron asked him in the Gryffindor Common room where they had been the only ones left without a partner.

"Nah, of course not we're just best mates is all."

"So you wont mind if—"

Just then Hermione came into the room squealing and lunged at Harry, "thanks for the present Harry, I love you." Harry remembered it clearly she had meant it in the ways best friends did; but just then Ron glared at him and went to his dorm. Harry had just dismissed him, turning to Hermione he wished her a happy birthday.

Well it seemed him and Hermione were friends in this world, Harry thought drawn out of his flashback, and brotherly feelings rushing through him as he thought of Hermione. He noticed that they were standing in front of Ollivanders. As he and his father went through the procedure of going through what seemed like every box in the shop, Harry had a terrible sense of déjà vu.

Ollivander looked at him, "Well Mr Potter, this wasn't nearly as difficult the first time was it, I wonder, hmm, I wonder indeed.. No, perhaps it would be best not to But then again your parents..."

Harry was pretty sure he knew where this was going, "I'll try anything sir, even if you're not sure you never know if you don't try. Besides, the prospects of getting through school without a wand seem small."

Ollivander gave him a piercing look and came back. Yes Harry thought smiling to himself, -this did not go unnoticed by Ollivander- this was his wand; and as he reached over to take it the warmth that he had felt missing since the end of the final battle started to return to him slowly but surely.

"Such a responsibility" muttered Ollivander, Harry didn't question the old man's mumbling, knowing the answer but his dad revived the question hanging in the air

"Well, you see Mr Potters, this wand is the brother of the wand that belongs to Voldemort, (no one in the room flinched) and I had thought it would go to the one destined to defeat him as brother wands do but alas here we are, now that the truth's out do you want to accept this wand? I doubt you will find another wand suited to you in this shop."

"Yes I'll take-" Harry started

"-No!" James interrupted.

Harry and his dad stared at each other. "But dad," Harry started out reasonably, "I can't fail this year, how do you expect for me to pass without a wand."

"You can use mine"

"Mr Potter, you know it doesn't work like that," Ollivander said.

"Dad, what am I going to do with it? Blow up a building? Seriously. I won't show it off."

"Fine, but don't tell anyone. Keep your head down, last thing Lily needs is for you to be in trouble, 16 years ago she barely recovered, and if you give her a fright-"

"Thanks dad." Harry cut him off, he was lucky that his parents weren't alive in the sense that Neville's had been. And did his father really think that he was going to flaunt his wand?

The pair left the shop with an air of disagreement about them; leaving behind a suspicious Ollivander who was about to head to the ministry to register the wand.

"One last thing dad. My eyes have been feeling quite irritated by these contacts. Can I wear glasses instead?"

James rolled his eyes, "of course you can Harry. We wouldn't have brought you contacts if you hadn't begged us for them on your 13th birthday. Let's head over to the Specs shop then."

At the opticians, the optometrist, using a series of charms, measured Harry's vision. He then showed Harry the selection of glasses. None were quite the same as Harry's pair. The optometrist then took down key notes on Harry's ideal glasses and advised that a custom pair would be delivered in a week. Harry was relieved; he just didn't feel himself without his glasses.

As the day started to wane Harry's mum joined them and the three were found sitting up at the ice cream parlour. "So who was this Ginny?" Harry's dad asked, lightly teasing him.

"No one," Harry muttered sadly. It seemed that there were drastic differences in this world, mainly the fact that Ginny was a boy in this world, a boy called John.

"A good thing then, since your mum is taking over the Potions post." Harry looked up surprised. "Harry, your mum has been anticipating it all summer. Snape finally got his dream though, the great git."

Harry sat at home, his would-have-been but now was home Potter Manor a simple five bedroom family house with sprinkles of magic quick fixes in every nook and cranny. He pondered over the day's events. His dad had taken to giving him odd looks since his visit to Ollivanders, and Harry suspected it had something to do with his wand. Also, the fact that Ginny was a boy, it was odd, somehow this just seemed too surreal, Harry could barely get over a chasm that had been haunting him. Harry had been keen to pick up the pieces and at least make a start with old friends. It wouldn't be easy it seemed. Ron wasn't his friend because Hermione was, Harry knew Ron was dense, but really? At this Harry started exploring his room for something, anything like an old shoe box. "Aha!" he said aloud when he found what he was looking for. The shoe box acted as a keepsake for letters and items. Perhaps he'd find a few from Hermione, it would help him understand whether she had the same personality in this world. He drew out a parchment, which had handwriting that looked like Hermione's. He set about reading them. The recently dated letter read:

Hello Harry,

I can't believe that summer's halfway through, but I can't wait until school starts again this year. I visited Diagon Ally today, Flourish and Blotts have bought in a new extensive collection with a few books worthy of light summer reading. Actually there was an interesting one about the ancient Egyptians who were interested in the process of assimilation to the extent that-

Here Harry stopped reading and skipped forward a few paragraphs.

Have you read the Daily Prophet recently, rubbish I know, but it has an official confirmation in it from Fudge about the return of Voldemort; apparently though Dumbledore was convinced he'd returned the first year after that whole Philosopher's stone incident but no one believed him. Fudge seems in over his head. Yes I know what you will say Harry, I doubt Draco is one of the Death Eaters and it's unlikely he has recruits in the school. I saw him in the alley today and he passed without a second comment. Rather odd, another odd thing is that Diagon Alley was still as busy as usual, you'd think people would take a few safety precautions since the return of Voldemort. I don't know what to consider, do you think he's a real threat Harry, I mean, I know he was all those years ago, he went after your parents didn't he? But I hear Neville Longbottom defeated him as a child so he couldn't have been all that powerful. But I've read that he was the greatest evil wizard ever (more so than Grindleward) so…

Sorry Harry to bring you down, have a good summer! Enjoy all those quidditch games.

I miss you.

Love Hermione.

P.S. don't forget to notify me about your owls!

Bye.

Apparently she hadn't changed Harry thought shaking his head smiling. But the concerns over Voldemort were recent and fresh, yet judging from Diagon Alley, no one was taking it as seriously as they had originally. Even Hermione questioned his power. Did that mean Voldemort was genuinely weaker, or maybe he was planning something. Wow, he thought, as it sinked into his head at last. Neville was the Boy Who Lived. He wondered how Neville was dealing with everything. Beneath Hermione's letter there was another one, its handwriting unrecognisable. The scrawl was delicate, excessively cursive, and it was exceedingly hard to decipher for all the loops. Harry started to read:

Harry!

How are you doing? Halfway into the summer and here it is the grand plan. The icing on top the cake, the creme de la creme. Okay maybe I'm exaggerating but I figured us another prank that will have the Weasleys mopping the floor clean of their tears, literally. Soon we'll be able to beat them at their own games and then initiation. So Potter get your head back into the game.

Father's being a great git recently, going all shady, getting up to all sorts. Ever since the newspaper article revealing the return of Voldemort. Oh come of it Harry, why flinch, your parents are sodding great Aurors for goodness sakes. I know what you're thinking, just because I've been reared amongst the finest evil minds of the country doesn't mean I'm not a genius. Everyone refuses to acknowledge him yet, but trouble's brewing. I'm sure of it.

Well anyway Harry, I'm of on holiday to Spain for the next two weeks, I know, me the shady one in sunny Barcelona, yeah I'm dragging the great-git-who-knows-naught along but it'll do wonders for his complexion don't you think?

See you at Hogwarts.

Blaise

PS. Stay outta trouble.

Blaise, Harry pondered over this trying to recall who he was. Harry's memory eventually placed him, he'd joined Dumbledore's Army for a few months before disappearing from Hogwarts suddenly. The next he'd seen him was in the Final Battle, with Lestrange, trying to kill Harry. So they were friends in this universe, in fact quite close it seemed considering his dad's earlier comment about that Slytherin friend of his. Harry wasn't sure if he could pretend to be friends with him, a feeling of loathing bubbled its way up to Harry's throat. It had been him after all that had killed Luna.

A/N: 20/01/10: 07/05/13: Re-Edit, thanks for reading ^-^

Disclaimer: HP and its world belong to JK, this is only a fanfic.

~iLoveLilies