A/N: Hello everyone. Yes, this is also a revised version and i tried shortening the chapter. You only know how well that worked.

Chapter 14: Meeting an old ally

Ayesha, Harry, Hermione, Dudley and Ron had come to the Great Hall next day for breakfast. Ron had pointed out that Professor McGonagall would be asking for the names of students who would be staying back during Christmas holidays and that way they would know Malfoy is also staying back or not. So, they had agreed.

The situation had not improved. In fact if possible, it had worsened. Students maintained distance from Ron, Dudley and Hermione also. Everyone was now sure that Ayesha was the Heir of Slytherin and had attacked Colin because he irritated Harry. Who knew, if any of her friends complained about others, she might attack them.

Before the breakfast, McGonagall had asked about the students staying back and pinned a note near the door of Great Hall for them to sign. Malfoy and his goons were staying back, so Harry and friends also signed the note. Holidays would be best time to get the truth out of him. Fred, George, Percy and Ginny were also staying back because Mr. and Mrs. Weasely were going to Romania to visit Charlie.

They were almost finished with their breakfasts when many owls came swooping in the Great Hall. They automatically looked up; Ayesha had told others about her letter to her uncle. There was no sign of Hobbit. But Hedwig had come with a letter. Harry opened it and read it aloud for others.

Dear Harry,

How have you been? Did you like your present? I forgot to tell you who I am from the photographs.

But that's no problem now as I would meet you face-to-face soon. Are you going home for Christmas of staying back at the castle?

Do reply back so I can plan accordingly.

See you soon.

Love,

Remus Lupin

Harry looked at others.

"Well … he's actually coming to meet you," said Ron excitedly.

"We can ask him about the Chamber of Secrets also," added Hermione.

"What about our plan?" asked Dudley.

"We can execute that on the first day of the holidays itself," replied Ayesha. "So, that's not a problem."

So, Harry quickly wrote him back a reply telling him about his and his friends' staying back at the castle. He tied it to Hedwig's legs and it soared out into the sky.

Rahul's reply came two days later. He had no idea about chamber of secrets, but he had written about few snakes which could petrify or kill in different ways. They all decided to check on all the snakes in library during the holidays. Ron came up with the easiest option – ask Remus. 'He was a prefect, after all," he had pointed out.

Meeting Remus was the only thing that kept them going through the week. At last the school ended and students went back home. Remus had not written them back, but they still decided to finish off the job at hand as soon as possible.

It was decided that only two of them will go, disguised as Crabbe and Goyle. Ron and Dudley were to go; they were almost as tall as Crabbe and Goyle, while others decided to have fun while they were gone. Hermione gave the boys cookies filled with Sleeping Draught to be fed to Crabbe and Goyle and take their hair. The boys did as told.

Ayesha had put the potion in five glasses. She handed a glass each to Ron and Dudley first, who added Crabbe's and Goyle's hair and drank the potion. Harry, Ayesha and Hermione watched anxiously as Ron and Dudley changed into Crabbe and Goyle. Encouraged, Ayesha added the potion to other three glasses. Ayesha added Hermione's hair to her glass, Hermione added Ayesha's hair to her own and Harry added Dudley's to his. A moment later, the transformations were complete. All of them cheered. Ron and Dudley quickly left the bathroom in search of Slytherin common room.

Harry, Ayesha and Hermione spent their one hour in the bathroom chatting and anxiously waiting for Ron and Dudley to come back.

An hour later, they did come back. And to say in short, they were disappointed. Malfoy knew nothing about who the Heir of Slytherin was. But he did tell them that it had been opened fifty years ago and a 'mudblood' had died at that time. They had hit a dead-end. Their only hope was Remus and according to Hermione – library.

The kids woke up early on Christmas; actually Ayesha and Hermione woke the boys up. Ayesha and Dudley had been living in Gryffindor dormitories since the holidays. They quickly opened their gifts and then went to the Great Hall for breakfast.

They were about to leave the Great Hall, when McGonagall came striding to them. She informed them that Dumbledore wanted to meet them all. Since Ayesha knew the way to Dumbledore's office, Professor McGonagall gave them the password and went away.

They went to Dumbledore's office discussing what might be the reason for this meeting. They became nervous when Ron mentioned that Dumbledore might have come to know about the Polyjuice Potion. Keeping their fingers crossed, they entered Dumbledore's office.

There was hardly any change in Dumbledore's office, noticed Ayesha. Dumbledore came a moment later and asked them to sit.

"First of all, I would like to wish you all a Merry Christmas," said Dumbledore, smiling.

"Merry Christmas to you too, Professor," answered Hermione for all of them.

Seeing the nervous looks on the kids' faces, Dumbledore smiled and said, "I have called you here for a surprise."

"Surprise?" cried all the kids.

"Yes," Dumbledore's smile had widened and his eyes were twinkling brightly, "There's someone who wants to meet you. Actually, he has come to meet Harry, but I thought it would be great if he meets all of you."

Harry had a feeling that he knew whom Dumbledore was talking about.

"Why don't you come inside and introduce yourself?" said Dumbledore, his face towards the door.

The kids turned their heads towards the door. It opened and came in a young man. He had brown hair and a very kind smile playing on his lips. He walked up to them and stood looking down at Harry.

"I know you," exclaimed Dudley suddenly.

Everyone turned to look at Dudley. The man was still smiling and Dumbledore was looking curiously at Dudley.

Dudley turned towards Harry. "Remember him, Harry? He was our teacher in 4th class!"

Harry looked at the man intently now. Now that Dudley had said that, he could spot few similarities. The smile! It was the same. He had been the only teacher who never thought of Harry as weird.

The man conjured a chair and sat beside Harry.

"How did you recognise me, Dudley?" he asked Dudley, kindly. "I thought I had changed myself considerably."

"Well … it was your smile," answered Dudley, sheepishly.

"You never told me that," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling, "Remus."

"You are Remus Lupin," all five of them cried.

Remus nodded. "I worked as their teacher," Remus looked at Dudley and Harry, "twice. Once when they were in Kindergarten and then when they were in fourth. Just to see how was Harry doing. After that I would simply walk by his house or school and have a look at him." Remus then turned to Harry. "You look exactly like James, Harry, but you have Lily's eyes."

Harry didn't know what to say.

"Why don't you five show him your Gryffindor common room," said Dumbledore, "It has been years since he had been there."

Remus beamed at Dumbledore. The kids got up and led Remus to Gryffindor common room. Nobody said a word on the way; they didn't know what to say. Remus, on his part, was feeling déjà vu. After so many years, he was back to his school. Old memories came back flooding to him. In next to no time, they were standing in the Gryffindor common room.

"It hasn't changed at all," said Remus, his voice full of emotions, "Nothing at all."

They all sat down and a moment later, Dudley entered with bottles full of pumpkin juice. He had diverted to kitchens when they all came to Gryffindor room.

Once everyone was settled with pumpkin juice, Dudley started the conversation.

"How are you, Sir?" asked Dudley. "Why did you leave?"

"Yes," added Harry, "Everyone liked you so much." At least I did.

Remus smiled. "I think, we need introductions first. I am Remus John Lupin. Call me Remus. I was here, at Hogwarts with Harry's parents. What about you all?" Remus asked turning to Hermione, Ron and Ayesha.

"I am Ronald Weasely," said Ron.

"Son of Arthur Weasley?" asked Remus. Ron nodded.

"I am Hermione Granger," said Hermione.

"And I am Ayesha Malhotra," said Ayesha.

"All Gryffindors?" asked Remus.

"No," said Harry, "Dudley and Ayesha are Ravenclaws."

"Dudley was a bit of shock, though," said Ron, winking at Harry, "We are still recovering from it."

Everyone laughed while Dudley playfully hit Ron on his head.

"Why you were er- kind of … looking out for me?" asked Harry, "I mean all this time."

Remus remained silent for a moment as if deciding what to say. "Just wanted to ensure you were okay. I knew Lily's sister didn't like magic. I didn't want you to be sent there but there was no other option at that time and as Dumbledore pointed out Dursleys were the only family you had. I was not sure how would she treat you. No offence," Remus glanced apologetically at Dudley, "but when I saw that you were happy and well cared for with the family, I felt relieved. I kept visiting you discreetly, though."

"Why didn't you come to our house?" asked Dudley.

"Well …" started Remus, "Once or twice I saw your mother and father and I could tell that they still didn't like magic. So, I decided against coming over to your house. After all, Harry was happy there and I didn't want to disturb that."

"What do you do now?" asked Ron. "Do you work at Ministry? How do you know my father?"

Remus laughed before answering Ron's volley of questions. "No, Ron, I don't work at Ministry; they won't give me work anyway. I handle my family's business along with my father's brother."

"What business?" asked Hermione.

"We run Muggle newspaper," replied Remus.

"What?" cried Harry, "You don't work in the Wizarding world?"

Remus shook his head. "No, I work along with my Uncle. My father, a Muggle, used to work with him earlier. After his death, I joined my Uncle."

They spent the rest of the day talking about Remus' school days, where he told the kids about James, Lily and their infamous verbal fights. He also told them about the pranks James, along with him and few other friends, had indulged in. Harry couldn't help but feel emotional hearing about his parents from Remus. He also brought the album Remus had sent him and Remus identified the people in the photographs and recalled the incidents related to the photographs.

At dinner, Remus sat with them and told them that they all would be going to Hogsmeade with him next day. The kids couldn't believe their ears; they were not allowed to go in there until third year. They went to their common room talking excitedly about the scheduled trip next day. Remus had gone to stay in the Guest House.

The next day went great. They explored whole of Hogsmeade with Remus. They bought loads of chocolates and sweets from the Honeydukes, drank butterbeer at Three Broomsticks, and bought stuff from Zonko's joke shop, though Remus didn't let them pay for anything.

"Seriously," said Hermione, glancing at the bags all of them were holding, "Let us pay, at least for few things."

They were at the Three Broomsticks, enjoying their butterbeer at the end of their eventful day.

Remus shook his head. "No," he said firmly, "I am feeling lot lighter, you know."

"And we a lot heavier," laughed Ron.

"How long are you going to stay?" asked Dudley, sipping his butterbeer.

"Just tomorrow," replied Remus. He noticed that kids' faces fell when they heard this. "Don't worry, we still have a day tomorrow to spend any way you kids like. How would you like to spend it?"

The kids immediately started discussing possible places they could go. Harry, however was quiet.

"Er – can I suggest something?" asked Harry, slowly.

"Of course," said the kids. Remus leaned forward.

"Can we go to Godric's Hollow?" asked Harry, gazing at his shoes.

"I will talk to Dumbledore," said Remus, slowly.

Remus noticed that the kids had gone silent, so he decided to change the topic.

"Tell me, why you all stayed back here at Hogwarts for Christmas?"

The kids immediately told him about the attacks that had been going on in the school. They even told him about Harry and Ayesha being a Parselmouths. Remus frowned when the kids told him about the way students were treating all of them.

"All things said and done," said Remus after the kids have told him everything, "but you still haven't told me the reason for your stay in school. In fact, in the light of the attacks, you all should have gone home."

The kids looked at each other. They were not sure whether to tell Remus about Polyjuice Potion. After all, they had broken many school rules. Finally Ayesha nodded at everyone and told Remus about it. Remus' immediate reaction after hearing was not what they were expecting. He simply laughed.

"Like father, like son," Remus laughed. "Were you thinking I will scold you for this? Can't do that, can I? When I myself had broken many school rules during my time."

The kids relaxed and what followed this, was an intense discussion about Chamber of Secrets. Ayesha told him about the monster and the list her uncle had sent her. Remus decided to look at it when they got back to Hogwarts.

"Ayesha," he asked Ayesha, "How come your Nanaji knew about Remus?"

The blank look on Ayesha's face told him that she had no idea about it.

"What are you talking about?" asked Remus, looking from Ayesha to Dudley.

Dudley explained him that Ayesha's Nanaji had told them about him, since they had no clue about him.

"We're not expecting it from him, of all the people," said Ron.

"What's his name?" asked Remus.

"Rahul Malhotra," replied Dudley, immediately.

Remus frowned. "I don't know anyone with --"

"Er- - Dudley," stuttered Ayesha, "His name is Rahul Sharma."

"What?" all kids gaped at her.

"Rahul Sharma did you say?" said Remus, "I don't know him as well. I only know of one Sharma … Sanjay Sharma. He taught us Potions for two years."

The kids were still gaping at Ayesha, while Ayesha was staring at Remus. Remus didn't understand the reaction of kids.

"What?" he asked.

"Uh – oh … nothing," Ayesha recovered first.

"Yeah … n-nothing," said Hermione shooting a stern glance at the boys.

Remus wasn't convinced but didn't press the matter. He paid the bill and they left the Three Broomsticks. They talked about Chamber of Secrets all the way to the school. They said their good-byes after dinner to Remus and went to Gryffindor common room.

The moment they had taken seats in the Gryffindor common room, Ron rounded on Ayesha.

"What was that now?" asked Ron with a slight frown on his face.

"Er – what?" asked Ayesha, confused.

"How come your Nanaji is Sharma and you Malhotra if you two are blood relatives and he is your paternal uncle?" asked Hermione.

"Oh … well … Nanaji changed my last name to Malhotra," replied Ayesha, sadly. "I don't know why what Nanaji always has this feeling that one day Voldemort would know I am his grand-daughter. So, he took all the precautions and one such was changing my surname." She quickly added seeing the scowl on Dudley's face, "I would have told you about this but it never came up in our talks."

"Yeah … it never," said Harry, thoughtfully, "And do you know Sanjay Sharma? I mean, since you are also Sharma."

Ayesha didn't answer straight away. She was staring at her toe-nails. Harry exchanged dubious looks with others who were also looking anxiously at Ayesha.

"He … he is my father," whispered Ayesha, still looking down. Everyone was clueless as to what to say. Ayesha continued, "Sanjay Sharma, my father. Gauri Malhotra was my mother and Ishan … my two month old brother." She added fondly, "All I remember of him is his cute little nose."

This was the first time Ayesha had told them about her family; she never talked about it.

"D-do you remember your p-parents?" asked Ron. "I mean you were only one year old."

"I have few memories," said Ayesha, looking up, "Well … that's because I started having nightmares every other day from the age of three … of screams, different coloured lights and cruel laughs. They were starting to disturb me a lot. By the time I was eight, I was having them daily. I just couldn't focus on anything else and would wake up every night. Madam Lara took me to a psychiatrist --"

"Sorry to disturb," interrupted Ron, "but what is sayik--ik?"

"A doctor who deals with problems of mind," answered Hermione, curtly.

"Yeah," continued Ayesha, "So she took me to the doctor and … well … he kind of got me into some sort of trance, I think. Whatever it was …" Ayesha's voice was now a whisper, "but I re-lived the whole incident of the night Voldemort killed my parents … that was what was haunting me."

"What was the point of all this?" asked Dudley, angrily, "Earlier you were seeing things in bits and then that doctor made you see the whole thing. It would only worsen the condition."

"Surprisingly it didn't," said Ayesha calmly, "the frequency of those nightmares reduced considerably. Now I have that nightmare once a while … I don't think I will … ever get over it"

Harry, Ron and Dudley clearly wanted to ask more but a glare from Hermione and they kept their mouths shut.

"We better go to sleep, I think," said Hermione.

"Yeah," said Ayesha, getting up, "I am tired … very much." Waving the boys goodbye, Ayesha went up to the girl's dormitories, lost in her thoughts.

"It must be horrible …" said Harry, staring after Ayesha, "to have seen how your parents died." He shuddered at the thought.

"You bet," nodded Dudley, gloomily.

Next day, Remus announced the kids that he had got the permission from Dumbledore. Now that it was confirmed, Harry couldn't name what all he was feeling. He was nervous and excited at the same moment. He wanted nothing more than to go there and yet was dreading it. Harry dabbed his eyes with the hem of his sleeve.

The emotions Harry was feeling must have shown on his face as everyone was gazing at him, strangely.

"When are we going?" was all Harry could ask.

"Today," replied Remus, "after lunch … we will take a portkey. Be ready at one."

They ate their breakfasts in silence. Remus then left for some talk with Dumbledore.

Hermione cleared her throat. "Er – Harry, I-we would understand if you don't … want us to come with you."

Harry looked at Hermione; his eyes were still glistening with tears. He couldn't say anything. He didn't know what to say. He finished his breakfast and before walking out of the Great Hall said, "I don't mind you all coming with me."

Dudley started to rise from his seat to go after him but Ayesha stopped him.

"Let him be alone … for sometime."

They met Remus at quarter to one in the Quidditch pitch. Remus disillusioned them and himself before they took the portkey. Within minutes, they were standing in the middle of the snowy lane. Houses that lined the lane were decorated with Christmas decorations. Remus took them aside behind a huge tree. Looking around for any sign of people, he tapped his wands on all of them to remove the Disillusionment Charm.

They were passing by a church when Harry bumped into Remus. He had stopped. Harry followed his line of sight and saw a war memorial. As they had passed it, it had transformed from an obelisk covered in names to a statue of three people: a man with untidy hair and glasses, a woman with long hair and a kind, pretty face, and a baby boy sitting in his mother's arms.

Harry stared at it for long time. It was strange to see himself carved into a statue with his parents and without any scar. He felt a slight nudge in his arms and saw Dudley prodding him to move. Remus had already moved ahead.

Harry saw Remus pushing open the gate at the graveyard. Now that he was so near it, he was feeling unsure to visit his parents' graves.

He was brought out of his musings when he felt a hand holding his own. Perhaps Ayesha had read the uncertainty in his eyes, because she was holding his hand and taking lead, pulling him forward.

They entered the graveyard. Remus had already reached Harry's parents' graves. He was standing there, staring intently at the graves. Harry left Ayesha's hand. A new excitement flooded him. He quickly made his way towards the graves. Nearer he got the graves, heavier he felt.

There it was, made in white marble and the letters shining …

JAMES POTTER

BORN 27 MARCH 1960

DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981

LILY POTTER

BORN 30 JANUARY 1960

DIED 31 OCTOBER 1981

The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Harry read the words slowly. He didn't realise when he bent down. He was on his knees, looking longingly at the graves. His parents were lying there, beneath the stones, unaware that their son was standing there and looking at them. Tears rolled down his cheeks. He so much so wanted to see them, talk to them, hug them … so much he wanted to be with them right now …

Remus conjured a garland of roses and gave it to Harry who placed it on his parents' grave. He wiped off his tears with the back of his hand and got up. He looked up at Remus. Remus placed his hand around Harry's shoulder and led everyone out of the graveyard.

Silently, they made their way towards Harry's house. The moment Harry laid his eyes on the house, he sped up. There in front of his eyes, stood the cottage. Most of it was still standing, but the right side had been blown apart.

He stood at the gate, gazing at the wreck of what must once have been a cottage just like those that flanked it on either side. He grasped the thickly rusted gate, not wishing to open it, but simply to hold some part of the house. A sign rose out of the ground in front of him, up through the tangles of nettles and weeds, like some bizarre, fast-growing flower, and in golden letters upon the wood it said:

On this spot, on the night of 31 October 1981,

Lily and James Potter lost their lives.

Their son, Harry, remains the only wizard

ever to have survived the Killing Curse.

This house, invisible to Muggles, has been left

in its ruined state as a monument to the Potters

and as a reminder of the violence

that tore apart their family.

All around these neatly scribbled letters were messages written by people who had come there. Some had written their messages with everlasting ink while others had carved the messages; all wishing Harry luck in his fight against Voldemort.

Harry turned around to see his friends and Remus looking at the sign and him. He beamed at them.

"Can we go inside?" Harry asked Remus.

"Would you like to, Harry?" Remus asked him. "It has been like this for 12 years now." He glanced at the weeds and rubble inside the gate. "I doubt we will be able to make our way inside."

Harry's shoulder drooped.

Remus noticed it, for he added, "You can come here in summer, Harry. I will have it all cleaned by then."

Harry turned around and hugged Remus fiercely, drawing strength from him. Dudley patted Harry's shoulder sympathetically. Ayesha, Ron and Hermione were looking at the house as if paying a silent tribute to it.

They roamed around the streets for few hours, talking, shopping and looking around. Remus recounted few of his visits and the fun he had had there. By the time they returned back to castle, Harry was in a cheerful mood.

Harry slept very peacefully that night. Throughout the night he had dreams of his parents but they were not marred by Voldemort's cruel laughs or his mother's screams, but they were full of happy moments, the moments which would have been his memories, had his parents been alive.