Chapter Five: What happened and where are we?
"What happened and where are we?" asked Harry, as he and the three young witches appeared in what resembled a vast train station shrouded in a dense white fog.
"My son, you, your cousins and the other pretty young lady standing next you have entered a realm between the living and those who have passed on," answered a tall, thin, black-haired man standing with his right arm around the waste of very pretty woman with dark red, long and thick hair.
"Dad, Mum, is that really you?" questioned Harry, staring longingly at the man and woman.
"Yes, Harry, my dear sweet son, we are your parents, James and Lily Potter," answered the woman with brilliant green and almond-shaped eyes, like those of her only son. "Now, come here so your father and I can fulfill the wishes that you, your cousins, and best-friend just requested."
"Dad and Mum, can I stay here with you?" asked Harry reveling in his parents' embrace.
"No, luv, it is not yet your time to pass on," answered Lily Potter, stroking her son's back. "You have many years ahead of you, and when it is your time to cross over, you will have seen seven generations of the Potter family follow you into the world."
"Harry, my son, your mother is most correct, however we must chitchat no longer, as our time together is very short and will be rapidly coming to an end, so we must give you some advice and warning," said James, placing a hand on his son's shoulder. "First, I must apologize to you and your cousins for keeping you apart. Had I told the Weasleys and the Lovegoods to let Albus Dumbledore know of your cousins' survival, then he could have left you with Ginny, Luna, and their families instead of with that irksome Spitoonia and her family of miscreants."
"You mean to tell us that all this time I could have been living with Ginny, Luna, and their families, instead of those bloody Dursleys," Harry interjected.
"Yes, my son, that is exactly what we are saying, and that is what your father and I want from this moment forward," explained Lily.
"Then, no matter what anyone else, including Professor Dumbledore, wants or says, that's the way it's going to be," stated Ginny.
"That is why your aunt and I wish for Harry to travel to Potter Manor where he can place the Potter and Peverell Head of House rings on his right hand," said James. "Son, this will grant you a quasi-emancipation, which means you will become the Potter and Peverell Heads of House. However, until you reach your majority, you must still have a magical guardian. Sirius Black is our first choice to be your guardian, followed in any order by the Weasleys, Xenophilius Lovegood, Remus Lupin, Amelia Bones, and Andromeda Tonks."
"What does that mean?" asked Harry.
"It means, you will be free from the underage restriction on magic as long as you do not perform magic in front of unknowing Muggles," replied James. "After you learn how to cast some magic, you could even show the Dursleys some of your new skills."
"Luv, don't be filling our son's head with your Marauder ideas," said Lily.
"Luv, I was just thinking we could have him lock your horse-faced sister and her walrus husband in the same cupboard they used to lock Harry in," said James. "I mean we bought the house they live in and I had Dad get Vermin his job, and they still treated our son worse than even the worst of our kind treat House-elves."
"I know, my dear, but as Harry has already decided to give my sister and her husband menial jobs in the country and a real dive to live, that should be more than enough punishment," said Lily. "My sister always hated it when we took trips to visit Dad's cousin and his family who lived in rural Hampshire, so being forced to actually live and work there will really wind her up. Besides, once Sirius is freed and he and Remus find out how they treated our son, I'm quite sure they'll ensure Petunia and Vernon rue the day they mistreated our angel boy."
"Yes, luv," said James, smiling at his wife. Speaking to Harry, he added, "Son, to get to Potter Manor, simply say, I, Harry James Potter, do hereby summon the Potter Chief House-elf, and he or she will appear to you and then transport you and anyone you wish to go with you to Potter Manor. Additionally, your quasi-emancipation will enable you to choose with whom and where you will live from now on."
"So, I could live with Ginny, Luna, and their families no matter what anyone else says," Harry queried.
"Yes, my son, you may," replied James. "One more thing you'll be able to do is to claim by proxy the Potter and Peverell seats on the Wizengamot."
"What is the Wizengamot?" asked Harry.
"The Wizengamot is Wizarding Britain's high court of law and parliament, and the Potter family holds the Peverell and Potter seats," answered James.
"I don't understand what that means, but I can learn," said Harry. "The Dursleys never let met me go to school, and when we get back to Hogwarts the four of us are going to use something called time turners so I can learn enough to start Hogwarts with my age group."
"Your abuse and lack of care at the hands of my sister and her horrid husband is why your father and I wish for you to leave them as penniless as you can and approve of your decision to give them lowly jobs and a run-down place to live," said Lily. "Now, please all three of you young ladies come here, so James and I may thank-you for helping our son."
"You are quite welcome, Aunt Lily," replied Luna, smiling as she hugged her aunt.
"As our time together is now coming to an end, we want you to tell Dumbledore that Peter Pettigrew was our Secret Keeper, and he was the one to betray us to Voldemort, not Sirius Black," said James. "Ginny, I don't want to frighten you, but I must tell you Pettigrew is an illegal Animagus, and he has been living with the Weasleys as your brothers' pet rat…"
"You mean my brother's pet rat, Scabbers, is really a wizard!" gasped Ginny.
"Yes, he is, dear," said Lily. "Peter Pettigrew is a Death Eater and very dangerous, and we don't want any of you anywhere near him. He's the one who betrayed your birth parents and uncle, as well, and we want him punished for his misdeeds."
"Oh no, Ginevra, Peter Pettigrew is at your house with your brothers; we have to wake up so we can warn your parents," said the normally calm Luna, as she started to panic.
Five
"Professor Dumbledore, Peter Pettigrew was our Secret Keeper, and he was the one to betray us to Voldemort, not Sirius Black!" shouted Harry, as he was the first one to awaken from their enchanted slumber.
"Daddy, Mum, Scabbers is really Pettigrew in his Animagus form, and he's a Death Eater!" shouted Ginny, awakening shortly after Harry. "Mum, he's the one who betrayed my birth parents and your twin brothers, as well."
"What do you mean?" asked Molly. "Black murdered Pettigrew."
"Molly, I believe these children are telling us the truth," remarked Albus. "Unless I am mistaken, there is no way young Harry could have known who Peter Pettigrew or Sirius Black were, and this makes me believe what they have told us is true."
"Mum, Daddy, Professor Dumbledore is right, and there's a Death Eater at our house right now," added Ginny.
"How do you children know this?" asked Minerva.
"Somehow the four of us just went to what Uncle James said was a realm between the living and those who have passed on, and while there, we met him and Harry's mother," answered Luna.
"And, while we're standing here dawdling about, there's a Death Eater at the Burrow with my brothers," said the very worried and exasperated Ginny.
"Arthur, I believe it would be in our best interests to travel to your home and investigate these youngsters' claims," said Albus.
"If my babies are in danger, then I'm coming with you," said Molly.
"No, Molly, dear, if you go storming into the Burrow like you often do, then Pettigrew may realize what we're up to and escape," said Arthur. "Albus and I will make sure the boys are safe before we do anything."
"Molly, if what these children have told us is true, an innocent man has been sentenced to a horrific fate, and we must do all we can to see he walks free once more," said Albus. "I give you my word that your sons will be perfectly safe and no harm shall befall them. Additionally, these four youngsters have yet to visit their vaults and must be taken to purchase the supplies they will need for the next month, and I would greatly appreciate it if you would assist them in this manner."
"Ginny will be fine with Hagrid, Minerva, Xeno, and the Grangers, so I'm coming with you," stated Molly. "I promise to stay out of the way when you and Arthur apprehend the rat, but I'm coming with you, and that's final. Besides, I want a piece of the traitor, and if you capture him and haul him away while I'm not there, then I won't get the chance to avenge my brothers."
"Minerva, Xeno, and Hagrid, please take these youngsters and the Drs. Granger down to their vaults,' said Albus, tapping the rope one more with his wand. "Minerva, when you are done here, simply have everyone hold on to this rope once more, and after you tap it thrice with your and it shall take everyone back to the Hogwarts entrance gate. Everyone is welcome to spend the night in the castle, and Arthur, Molly, and I will see you when we return."
"Which vault do you wish to visit first?" asked Thornbush.
"Dad told me to summon the Potter Chief House-elf, and he or she will appear to me and then transport me and anyone I wish to go with me to Potter Manor, so I could put on the Potter and Peverell Head of House rings," answered Harry. "Could we do that first?"
"As you Mr. Potter are the heir apparent to the Lordships of the Most Ancient and Noble Houses of Potter and Peverell, you are then entitled to claim what is rightfully yours, so yes you may call on the Potter Chief House-elf," replied Thornbush.
"Then, I Harry James Potter do hereby summon the Potter Chief House-elf," Harry stated.
"Master Harry, how may Phillip, your most humble servant serve you this most joyous of days," replied a 3 foot tall creature, with spindly arms and legs, and oversized heads and eyes, appearing next to Harry.
"How do you know my name?" asked Harry.
"Only the current Head of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter may summon the current Potter Chief House-elf," answered Phillip. "How may Phillip be of service to Master Harry?"
"Could you take me and whoever else I want to Potter Manor so I can place the Potter and Peverell Head of House rings on my right hand," answered Harry.
"Phillip can take four children, two children and one adult, or two adults at a time, but Master Harry must go with whomever I take, however Master Hagrid is much too large for Phillip to take" answered Phillip. "When Master Harry has claimed his rightful place as the Potter and Peverell Head of House, then Master Harry may by his word allow others entry into Potter Manor."
"Would you please take me and the three girls to Potter Manor?" asked Harry.
"Mr. Potter, it's not that we don't trust Phillip, but we would prefer if an adult were to accompany you on your first visit to Potter Manor," said Minerva.
"I choose to allow Ginevra or Hermione to first go with Harry," said Luna.
"No, Luna, you or Ginny/Hermione may go first!" shouted Hermione/Ginny.
"How about we allow Professor McGonagall to go alone with Harry, and then he can send Phillip back to take all three of you at once," suggested Lionel.
"Okay, Daddy/Mr. Granger," the three girls chorused.