Title changed from An Alien World, to Would Love To Stay
A/N - Late. Again. Punishing myself.
I've actually had this chapter ready for quite a while, my computer's stupid. By the way , I've also changed the summary. I never realised how bad it was, like if I saw that as a summary I would click off straight away. Anyway, this chapter is longer . Wow.
Important to the story-
Also,I added a bit at the end about Snape. I've deleted this because I wanted his first sight to be more dramatic. He's not even gonna be at the table, so don't get confused. :)
AND sorry for the lack of interation between James Lily and Harry. I'll make up for it.
Just these conversations had to happen, they couldn't be avoided. Okay, thanks for reading and stuff.
Harry walked on ahead, although trying to avoid the death eaters and Dumbledore, he listened out for their footsteps upon the wooden block flooring. He was having an impulse to look back at them, but he fought his urge, and determinedly looked on.
'You could just look at them. See how they walk , how they act..'
' Yeah but that's not how my actually parents would act'
'Close though. You've never seen them this close before. This real '
Harry nearly growled at himself.
Eventually he reached Dumbledore's gargoyle which lead to his office on the second floor . He threw his hands deep into his pockets and swung around, looking at Dumbledore and Dumbledore only, who was beside the death eaters.
"Sherbet Lemon", the voice which was extraordinarily like Harry's but a little more boyish and carefree spoke. Harry still didn't look.
"I remember from yesterday ", James lifted his chin almost proudly. Lily scowled but was more focused on the back of the other teenagers head. There was something enchanting about him which Lily just didn't understand, the boy which Lily now knew to be Harry, as Dumbledore had spoke in the hall.
Dumbledore chuckled, " Well yes James, you have been in my office perhaps one too many times. Though the password has changed from your time"
James looked very confused once more for a moment, but then shook it off. Lily was amazed at how James hadn't caught on yet, the latter who now looked ready to speak again to Dumbledore. She reminded herself that she could be wrong, but she doubted it very much. They had to have time-travelled.
"Cherry bomb" At once, the gargoyle leapt aside and a circular ascending staircase was revealed.
Harry led the way , and entered the cluttered interesting office that Harry had always been interested in. The room was lit by soft candlelight on bracket on the walls -night had fallen. He felt a surge of embarrassment remembering smashing up Dumbledore's possessions the previous year, but he had much bigger matters to deal with at that moment. He walked over to Dumbledore's desk , and stared at the windowsill which was shimmering due to the moons reflection.
Taking a deep breath , Harry said in a forced calm voice ,"Sir, I'm sorry but..why aren't you dealing with them? They're death eaters.. They have to be".
Dumbledore shook his head, his expression quite troubled. He crossed the room and sat down forcefully, looking quite exhausted. Lines and wrinkles were emphasized now more than ever because of the luminous sources of light.
Dumbledore's blue eyes pierced Harry's green ones, " Harry , I know this experience-James and Lily Potter, Evans being here - is quite a shock. I realize how it may affect you -"
Harry couldn't contain his anger, and he interrupted him.
"Sir! These people- they're death eaters! The real James and Lily. They're dead, sir."
Dumbledore eyed Harry intensely. "Please Harry. I know this isn't good for you , and it is only normal that you should be shocked and disbelieving. But would you please let me finish?"
Harry moved his gaze to floor . He nodded.
"Thank you. Before an rush into things and risk getting things wrong - James and Lily, I would like some proof of your identity. I know you are just a confused s Harry, here, but all will be explained."
The said two walked forward to Dumbledore, so they were next to Harry. James's shoulders touched Harry's, and Harry hastily shuffled away to put some distance between them.
"Lily, please reveal your patronus. Lily was always very gifted , and if my memory hasn't dissipated I'm sure she could produce one I sixth year."
Lily took a deep breath, and then confidently announced "Expecto Patronum!"
At once, a silvery doe erupted from her holly wood wand and flew around Dumbledore's office.
She controlled it and after ten seconds it evaporated above one of the spindly tables.
"Ah..Lily Evans. It is you" Dumbledore was staring at James and Lily.
"Of course , sir", Lily grinned
Dumbledore broke into a heart warming smile. Distantly from outside Hogwarts castle, Fawkes could be heard singing a lullaby.
" Sorry sir, I can't produce a patronus. I haven't practiced it, really..." James looked put out and Lily faced away rolling her eyes.
"That's a pity but perfectly okay James. Lily is enough proof to ensure you are both Lily Evans and James Potter. James and Lily, you were both today in the year 1976. Correct?"
"Yes sir".
"Well, you have somehow timetravelled to the year 1996. Do you know how this could've happened?"
James and Harry's jaw dropped wide open.
" I did think maybe we had it! The giant squid I think, touched us and there was a strange sensation. I thought maybe some things were different".
Harry shook his head in disbelief, "Sir..are you sure? It's really..."
"I am perfectly sure, Harry. The proof was right there. Hold on..there is a lot to think about. How you will return, leave that to me. For now, you will have to settle here as a regular student. Do you wish to carry on with your classes? "
"No sir".
"Yes sir".
James and Lily turned to face each other, both glaring daggers. Lily's was fortunately a little more dangerous.
"Yes sir. Please."
"Very well. I ask you one thing. Please do not concern yourself too much into the future. Finding things out which you shouldn't.. Can change the course of time. Time should be handled with caution , little is known about it. Steer clear from finding out anything about yourselves".
"Yes, professor".
"You may dismiss yourselves to Gryffindor tower. Going along with the sudden time-travel, your belongings should be up there. The password is Mulled Wine. Goodnight, and good luck ", he waved a hand to the door . As they turned their backs to leave, James was sure he saw Dumbledore's eyes watering and glistening with unshed tears.
Lily stayed glued to the floor and carried on speaking however.
"Sorry sir but.. " she turned to Harry and threw him a kind smile "What's your name? You look very much like Potter. I already know your first name is Harry." she stuck out a slim hand to shake his.
Harry was trembling, unrecovered from his shock and awe. It was his mother in front of him. His sixteen year old mother. Confirmed. He analysed the way she stood... The eyes just like his own...her kind smile...her smartness...her vivacious charm just as people had previously described...her hair worthy enough to. Be Weasley verified. And he was only just beginning to appreciate how much like his dad he was, except for some quirks.
"Harry?" her brow was furrowed. Harry flushed, embarrassed to have daydreamed.
'I must've looked like a fish'
He saw Dumbledore shoot him an amused and knowing look.
"Sorry-I-Er."
Then Dumbledore's expression turned to meaningful, as if he was trying to tell him something.
"Harry-Potter. I am related , but not much. I er, think I'm his sons...cousins...son. My hairs not usually this messy, I style it this way. And it's naturally blond".
"Oh. Nice to meet you. Fancy that Potter, your relative, however distant apart..wow..I'd love to meet some of my future relatives". Lily looked momentarily excited and she looked around the room as if expecting one to pop out of Dumbledore's cupboard.
"Woah.. that's really cool. We're related , and you're from the future. Can I get a picture of you before I leave?" James inspected him and Harry nodded eagerly.
"Are you in Gryffindor too?" Lily was truthfully very suspicious. She hadn't missed Dumbledore's look, and she was conscious of the way they were acting. But they would he lie?
"Yes".
'Great Harry. You look incapable of speech.'
"I'm afraid though, Harry can't show you there. Hell be up there later, but for now I must have a chat with him. Lily , you are in dormitory 6BA", Harry resisted glaring at Dumbledore.
"I'm sorry for asking , but why were you so angry in the hall? You were acting quite strange at the sight of us", she inclined her head, speaking low.
Before Harry could string together an excuse, Dumbledore saved him.
"Well Lily, I had told Harry to go forward , as you seemed like imposters. I hope you understand, people are on their guard very much, and I recognized the teenage you and Harry here investigated..he's a kind of helper for me. Before you leave, you must change your second name until you return to your own time so people don't make any connections. The resemblance between James and Harry is striking, so James's name can stay. Would you mind being, Lily Harling?"
"Okay then, sir, it'll be no problem at all. Thank you. See you later, Harry. Headmaster , bye!"
"Goodbye, Lily".
She turned around and jogged out of the two oaken double doors.
Harry's mind was empty. All he could do was stare.
James was pretty much the same, but he had been watching Harry's longing stare also, and he narrowed his eyes toward him.
"James?" Dumbledore inquired as he concentrated on raising his wand in midair doing some complicated spell work.
"You'll be staying in 6GB, Harry's dormitory. Your one as well, as a matter of fact. You'll already find an extra bed to the five existing, I have just conjured".
So Harry had been staying unknowingly in his fathers old dormitory. Sirius (Harry shook himself, not allowing him to dwell on Sirius right this second) and Lupin would have been there too. Played games...slept there..all their Hogwarts years. He stared at James , much like he had done with Lily.
James didn't look too pleased with this arrangement , but he muttered an okay, said bye, and left the room; however not before he had sent quite a nasty look in Harry's direction. Harry was oblivious, despite having been squinting at James's every move with beady eyes.
"Well Harry, how are you feeling?"
Harry was feeling mind blown- moved deep down so much he could cry ; but ecstatic and excited to meet the parents he had never knew.
"I'm great, sir. Er- sorry for shouting in the Great Hall earlier though. I just assumed", Harry grinned embarrassed , as he looked out of the window to the deep midnight air, and then to the blood red coloured carpet. Anywhere but at Dumbledore. He was at haste ; and for ONE reason, he wanted to rush and get to know his parents straight away, despite his strange sense of shyness. Which Harry never had.
Dumbledore smiled sadly ,"You assumed naturally. Though do not worry for the acceptable reaction, as I am going to have to wipe everybody's memory's clean who witnessed today's events. It will be a little difficult with the quantity of people, but I will manage. So, take note that nobody will remember your parents, the scene, and they will be totally new faces"
"Wipe everybody's memory clean? Well, thanks sir. " Harry was gobsmacked at the extent Dumbledore would go to to keep Harry's parents real identity secret.
"It it is at topmost importance that you are aware that your parents will have to return very soon , and this is not permanent. You must not reveal anything about yourself , and try to shield them to anything about their future selves fed to them. They will be assured that they are exchange students.. I'm sure they will discover the truth soon enough. So Harry, keeping your distance is crucial-"
Harry consumed this information , and abruptly his happy cloud burst.
" ? I have to pretend that I'm not their son. I have to keep my DISTANCE?" anger coursed through Harry's veins once again that evening. Before he knew it, he had stepped forward a few paces,and was roaring so that his voice box was nearing Explosion. Though, this wasn't the deadly anger he had felt earlier.. This was recklessness. All he perceived from this was injustice; and Harry had felt this bitter emotion man times that summer, so now after hearing another wrong to him after being reunited with his mother and father- moderation was forgotten and reason flew straight out the window.
"Harry...If I apologize..I realize it wouldn't be enough, but just know, that if they were to discover their fate... It could be detrimental for their future. Your parents may decide anything. They could do anything to prevent events. They could decide to not even have you as a baby, Harry." Dumbledore's face had paled, and he looked stumped, for the first time Harry could remember.
"It's too hard, sir".
Harry was already regretting his outburst. Then, without daring to look at Dumbledore he mumbled : "It's too hard to go through with it again. To loose them soon enough. Just like Sirius". He swiftly fast walked out of the of the office to the exit, not daring to face his headmaster. It was too shameful.
"You will understand in the end, Harry. You'll accept it", Dumbledore called to Harry, though Harry was already pacing down the circular descending steps, off to Gryffindor tower to talk to his parents. Finally. Harry respected Dumbledore, and always listened to his advice and others, but what would it hurt to talk to them? He would drop no information about their future, why would he do that?
Dumbledore had a lot to think about and to do that evening.
Meanwhile, James spotted Lily further up the corridor.
"Lily! Wait up". James raced up the empty corridor to Lily, who turned her head and murmured with forced politeness.
"Yes, Potter?"
"Well-I -do you like that Potter bloke?" he registered how strange it was to talk badly of someone else using his own surname.
"Like? Well yes, I suppose he's okay. A little shy. Why do you ask?"
They continued to walk up the steps to the floor on which Gryffindor tower was situated.
"I think he's a bit of a creep myself. Didn't you- didn't you see his stance, and how shifty he looked? And he kept staring at you. Like you were a piece of meat". James clenched his fists as he tried in vain to persuade Lily.
Lily suddenly stopped walking, and froze on the , (only in slow motion to James) lifted her left arm and slapped James around his left cheek.
As she pulled away, her expression was horrified at her rash decision, having usually been quite a level headed girl, however she stood her ground.
"Potter. Why are you so mean to everybody?! Why do you have to -to stick your nose up at everyone you meet?! Why? What has Harry ever dome to you- you're own relative? You should be ashamed. You act so nasty to nearly everyone I call my friend! I though wed have to stick together..you're all I have here." her voice rose and she gabbled the last sentence.
James was slowly recovering from his daze, as he felt his flaming hot cheek burning and stinging . He uncomfortably felt guilt as Lily surveyed him with disdain.. And he felt ashamed at Lily's last sentence and the temperature in the corridor felt hotter. This wasn't a feeling he was accustomed to , or worked well with in fact.
"That's not true! Alice is okay, she's your friend. And we can still stick together, just because I don't like the creep doesn't mean we can't be friends, or more".
This angered her more.
"How is he a creep? This is exactly the point! You look down on everybody just because you feel like you can..like you own the place. I don't care how many girls you've been out with, and I don't care even if you're nice to me, because you're horrible to everybody else , and I will never be your friend. You're nothing but a big headed snob and I feel a little sorry for you".
With that, she walked off in a huff, leaving a hurt James behind, who immediately raked a hand through his messy hair.
'Gonna have to work on that, then. Have to work on being nice to Harry and prove that I'm not big headed. Because I'm not..y'know, she's probably just jealous because she hasn't ever had a boyfriend. Yep, just like Siri said.. she's jealous and playing hard to get. Just get Harry out of the picture...'
"Mione.. That was..How? ...I don't understand", Ron had his mouth hanging wide open, unseen as the commotion around him was major. The hall was buzzing with the talk of the past events, and most people were shouting rumors and standing up in their seats to get a better view of the doors which had been closed for over ten minutes now.
"Shut your mouth, you look like Crabbe or Goyle. Yes, Ron, I don't think any of us understand right now. You've asked me this about twenty-six times already. And yes..it was Harry's parents, I'm sure of it. Unless of course they were imposters. As Harry obviously thought...But why...They couldn't even be using polyjuice potion -you need a hair..." she trailed off , her fingers pressed against her temples , as they had been for a long time now so that her temples were dimpled with white finger marks and her surrounding head was deep in colour.
" Well there's no doubt about it , is there? They're obviously not his parents! I thought you were meant to be clever, Hermione. His parents are.. You know. They're- dead",Ron's ears sparked red , as he stared at Hermione over his forgotten dinner.
Hermione rolled her eyes at his tact, and then sighed exasperated.
"I know perfectly well Ron. But you're not really thinking. Why would death eaters become Harry's parents when everybody knows they're ..dead, and then walk straight into Hogwarts and start a row to get noticed? How would they have even gotten in here in the first place? No , I suspect something else. Death eaters would never in their right mind do that. What would be gained from that?"
"I'm not stupid Hermione. I know what death eaters get up to and why they would have no reason to march in here in plain sight as Harry's parents! But , his parents are dead! You're missing this! I reckon something else...maybe the death eaters thought they'd trick Harry into going somewhere with them...lie and say they really were his parents.." Ron trailed off darkly and was watching Hermione closely.
Hermione growled in frustration, and kicked Ron's knee under the table.
"You're the one not thinking of possibilities! Even they know Harry's cleverer than that, and being sixteen years of age isn't very convincing, is it? It's obvious, isn't it? I think..dressed as school children.. They've timetravelled! They must have!" her face lit up with the realization.
" So they're here from the seventies decade? From the past?! Surely not.. it can't be that straightforward. And with a time-turner like your old one?!"
Ginny's face turned steadily white, and she glued her eyes to the end of the hall, looking at apparently nothing.
"Didn't you see how calm Dumbledore was? And I know he always is- but it's like he knew who they were definitely. And I don't think a time-turner could stretch that far forward in time, somehow. Anyway, why would they have one, you have to have strict permission". Hermione put her hand to her head in intense concentration.
" They were Harry's long lost brother and sister ! I heard , came all the way from Australia! That's why the man looked so much like him! Twins! " Lavender Brown squawked.
Ron turned around to see the Gryffindor's chatting amiably but speculating. Some were so excited , so worked up, they were standing, others actually sitting on the table amidst the food. A group had formed around Ron and Hermione .They were lounging around , facing opposite ways and craning their necks around to speak to each other.
"Listen, that's totally wrong Lav. I heard that they were actually death eaters, come to take Harry!" Parvati answered her.
"Pft, don't be stupid. As if they'd do that in Hogwarts ", Seamus had his brow raised as he flung himself animatedly into his seat having just walked over from the Ravenclaw table.
"Exactly. Stop being so consumed in the gossip", Hermione unexpectedly lifted her head to scold them. She wished she could stop the new juicy catch, but it was literally impossible as he scene was ongoing and they were all witnesses.
"Give it a rest Hermione".
"Though... the Ravenclaw's think they were ministry members..." Seamus awaited the gatherings verdict, rubbing his hands together.
Hermione snorted.
"Really? Ravenclaw's, said that? As if ministry members would be teenagers and in Hogwarts uniform! At a time like this especially. Not to mention, impersonating the dea-?" Hermione stopped dead in her sentence. She was reluctant to reveal that they were in fact Harry's parents; she thought ahead at the future trouble which could arise if people knew, although she was sure they'd find out very soon.
Seamus shrugged.
"I don't know.. they could have a reason.. they could be Unspeakable's" Ron added.
"What reason , exactly?"
Ron shrugged.
Lavender giggled at Ron, somehow finding a shrug hilarious.
"Oh really Hermione, it is the war after all. Loads of things are happening ", Parvati said as she nudged Hermione with her foot. She had changed seats and was now sitting on the table, dangling her legs in a sort of superior way.
" I know, Did you see that article in the Daily Prophet about them enfori things?! Ew...dead bodies.. " Lavender adjusted her butterfly clip , her expression appearing deeply upset.
Parvati visibly shuddered.
" How could they be related, though? I think we'd all know..." Parvati said looking looked awkward.
" O, I think they were related, they just looked so alike. He was angry though , I wonder why? He really does have a bit of a temper. Unexpected. He's always quite laid back , you know? I thought he was going to hit them. Boy..he was angry", Lavender finished as Parvati gazed on at a wandering candlestick dreamily.
Ron snorted at the laid back part.
"Okay guys, stop talking about him anyway.. You won't probably find out and he won't like you talking about him. He was upset enough already".
"I know, I mean you'll never guess what's really happened anyway", Ginny kept her eyes on the door.
Hermione didn't back up her best friends, instead she snappily retorted to Lavender's general remark in Ron's ear so nobody else could hear: "She really just contradicted yourself. Can't she hear? Exactly- he was angry , because they were related;his parents! Wasn't any of them listening to his words? 'How dare you be them' ; Harry recognised them... That is proof alone for you all that they're his parents. It's beyond me how no one's caught on yet-"
" Harry's in there right now, duelling with the people! My brother Dennis , he's in the year below me, he heard from the Slytherin's that they were from St. Mungo's! Apparently, Harry's mentally ill and they come to take him away!"Colin had butted in to the conversation over Seamus's shoulder and was looking distressed.
Before Hermione has time to shout an extremely irritated plea for the rest of her peers to shut up and to reason with their stupid and highly unrealistic gossip, Dean replied.
"That's just the Slytherin's mate. Harry's not ill. And they were shouting like teenagers, definitely not healers.." Dean smirked.
Neville also appeared out of nowhere and timidly spoke to the group, "I was at the Hufflepuff table earlier. They think that they are Harry's teenage parents, and that they've timetravelled..what do you think?"
There was a pause beyond the select group for a moment.
"QUIET!" at this rumble from professor McGonagall, who was now standing up and fixing a cold stare upon the students, everybody scrambled back into their seats.
In the now deafening and tense silence, McGonagall snapped "You will be dismissed shortly. For now, sit quietly and actually finish your dinners instead of gossiping about silly petty rumors... None of us know the situation, so please don't interfere with matters that are not your concern", she had a stern look, though she looked harassed and her eyes were glazed over.
Just that moment, Dumbledore burst through the doors, looking uncharacteristically stunned. He marched up the hall, his buckled boots tapping a hoof sounding rhythm in the midst of the eager silence, and turned round to face everybody's awaiting faces with an impassive expression,
He raised his wand-
"Obliviate".
And that was all anybody could remember. Dumbledore said his announcements as usual, the attention on his shrivelled burned hand once more.
"Right! Let us all go to bed for a kip so we can settle our stomachs and be ready for the first day of a new year at Hogwarts tommorow- Off you go!"
They all stood up, after Ron had exclaimed after peering at his wristwatch , how late it was, and had the dinner overun and the announcements been on for that long?
Ginny hopped up and began to race out of the hall.
"Wait, Ginny where are you going?" ,Ron stopped her, a hand on her shoulder.
She turned around to meet them ," Off to meet Dean! He's expecting me.." she was then slightly put-off and seemed a bit deflated to see that Harry wasn't with the group, so much that she interrupted Ron's growl of anger at her speech.
"Where's Harry?"
Hermione , Ron and Ginny scanned the room, with no such luck.
"I-I dunno. You don't think he's gone off somewhere, do you?"
Hermione's face sparked with concern but anger as she mumbled ," He was here just a moment ago. He needs to stop going off on us! It's getting out of hand. He might do something stupid".
"Sirius has hit him hard." Ron swallowed and looked away, uncomfortable.
Alert, she grabbed Ron's elbow and dragged him towards the exit of the Great Hall, which students were now milling around in a clump to get out.
Ginny was left behind, as though Dean was forgotten.
A/N- As you can see I decided to go ahead with the obliviate idea. It seemed the most suitable thing to do..I don't think Dumbledore would do it, but he kind of would have to in that position. Death eaters would definitely find out about the parents. And, sorry if the gossiping scene was a little bit of a waste of time, because they can't even remember any of it anymore. Well obviously they'll all find out in the end again. I hope the way I'm portraying James isn't upsetting anybody, I just imagine him with this cocky attitude until Lily fixes him up. I love James so don't get the idea that I'm a hater.
And also, catch the Hinny hints ?:) Next chapter there is more interaction, and less dialogue.
LOOOOOOVE REVIEWS. PLEASE DO. Bit o angst there. Reviews are at the end because of annoyance.
loula568- I FEEL THE LOVE. FEELING IT REAL GOOD. Omg you are so nice, thank you so much.I'L MAKE SURE TO LOOK AT SOME OF YOUR STORIES. I really do try to make it realistic.
Starkid191- haha thankyou, I actually got kinda scared there. Thanks for reading, I love James and Lily so much.
AvengersGirl-LokisSpy - Teelll me about it. Ugh, haha , thankyou for reading and reading and your advice about the obliviate thing, I had to do it for the plot, but I understand how it could be unrealistic. TA
Keep reviewing with lots of criticism, they make my week :')