Chapter Eight
Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts
Harry suddenly gasped in pain, clutching his forehead as though a nail had driven right through. It lasted a moment, but in that moment Harry felt like his head was being ripped open from the inside out.
"You alright, mate?" Ron asked with concern, looking at his friend's pained face.
"Yeah," he said, rubbing the place where it had hurt, his scar, "Just a headache."
Harry continued to rub his scar, trying to smile as his new friends watched him worriedly. Truth be told, his scar had been hurting a lot in those first two weeks after his birthday, but the last two not even a tinge had come from the mark on his head. Then tonight…
Harry almost sighed, maybe he should get the scar checked out by a doctor in the magical world or something, they might know why it tends to hurt so much and then become completely un-responsive the rest of the time.
"Maybe you should go up to the Hospital Wing after the Sorting," Ron suggested, "Grab yourself a headache potion. I'll show you the way."
"Thanks," said Harry, "But it'll pass, it usually does."
"Usually?" asked Luna, tilting her head to the side curiously, "Do you get headaches often Harry?"
"Well, kind of, but-"
"Must be the Wagspurts," she said absentmindedly.
"Okay," he said slowly, genuinely feeling a little frightened. These things Luna kept talking about, they weren't dangerous were they? He'd never heard of them, but then, he wasn't exactly used to everything magical yet. He looked to the others for help.
"What are Wagspurts and should I be worried?"
His concerns were met with amused laughter.
HPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Ginny Weasley was suspicious, more than suspicious, she was damn right curious and even more than that, she had a feeling she was right. Harry Jameson, dark haired and green eyed, was the boy who saved her. Twice now! If he hadn't stormed the back of the train, the Death Eater holding her would never have been distracted like that and that poor little girl may have ended up with a bunch of Death Eaters. Ginny shuddered at the thought, the Potters had suffered enough in the wars against You-Know-Who, everyone knew that, losing their last remaining child would be terrible. Something the Death Eaters were probably taking into consideration, they obviously wanted to hurt James and Lily Potter and in the worst way imaginable.
She looked at Harry again, he was staring in awe at the sight of the castle coming into view and she couldn't blame him, she remembered First Year. How alone she'd felt that year, how the beauty of the castle had mesmerized her and how Tom had-
She shuddered, that monster in the diary. If only she had listened to her father and stayed away from objects where 'you couldn't see where it kept it's brain.' But that was the past and sitting in front of her was the very person who had saved her life, she was sure of it. No one else could have an identical scar like that, shaped like a bolt of lightening.
Ginny Weasely made a silent promise to herself, she was going to get to the bottom of this, she was going to prove it was him and she was bloody well going to be able to thank him at last.
HPHPHPHPHPHP
Harry stared up at the castle in pure awe, it was like something out of a fairytale, it stood proud even in the cloudy sky. He wondered what it was like inside.
"Impressive, huh?" Ron commented, grinning at his new friend, "Even better inside though."
"Oh Ron," Hermione chuckled, smiling at Harry, "So Harry, any thoughts to what house you want to be in?"
Harry tore his eyes away from the castle and shrugged, he hadn't really thought about it too much, but after his run in with the Death Eaters and Draco Malfoy's attitude towards him, he knew he which house he didn't want to be in.
"I don't mind really," he said, "Gryffindor sounds cool, but I suppose Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff wouldn't be too bad."
"I hope you're in Gryffindor," said Ron excitedly, "Then you'll share a dorm with Neville and me, right Nev?"
Neville grinned and nodded.
"Yeah!" he said enthusiastically, "That would be pretty cool!"
Harry nodded.
"I'll keep my fingers crossed then," he said, "So all I do is put on an old hat?"
"A magical hat, Harry," said Hermione, "It belonged to Godric Gryffindor himself and he was one of the founders of the school, along with Salazar Slytherin, Helga Hufflepuff and Rowena Ravenclaw. They were four friends who founded the school together over a millennia ago-"
"Hermione!" Ron groaned.
"What?" she asked indignantly.
"Walking Hogwarts; A History, much?"
"Oh honestly!" she huffed as the coach came to a stop in front of the castle. Harry and his friends exited the carriage and made their way to the Entrance Hall. Harry was just about to walk though and join his friends when he felt a hand on his shoulder, he turned in surprise and smiled.
"Professor McGonagall!" he exclaimed happily, "Great to see you!"
The older woman was looking at him in a happy, sad way, her usually strict gaze softened beyond belief. In fact, she looked like she was going to cry with happiness as she saw him. Harry blinked.
"Professor?" he asked, she still had a hand on his shoulder, "Are you alright?"
McGonagall let out a small laugh and nodded.
"Come with me, Mr. Jameson," the way she said his name was funny and Harry frowned slightly. He looked over at Ron and Hermione and shrugged.
"I'll see you later," he smiled at them as they nodded and headed off to the Great Hall. McGonagall turned and beckoned for Harry to follow her, her eyes still a little glazed over. She seemed a lot happier than usual.
"So," said Harry, as he was lead to a portrait, "I get Sorted now, right?"
The Transfiguration Professor nodded, leading Harry through the portrait and into a smaller room, she then turned to him, still smiling. Harry swallowed slightly, she was acting very odd.
"You'll stay here until we call you," she said, "Then you'll put the hat on and join your class mates in which ever house you are put. This room is directly behind the staff tables, I will see you momentarily."
She tried to speak like she usually did, but her voice broke ever so slightly, causing Harry to worry. She then left him alone, pausing before she left, she looked at him and smiled widely.
"Welcome to Hogwarts," she said, "Harry."
HPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Nick looked at Ally again, he was seriously worried, the girl looked like she was on cloud nine, but still, she was too happy. He couldn't stop thinking about the train, his blood was still boiling. The Death Eater who had spoken to him had been his own father, his own bloody father! Lucius Malfoy! Now he knew why his brother had been insisting the whole trip that he come sit up front with the Slytherins.
The git!
He watched Ally and Mickey talk excitedly on the boat and smiled slightly, at least it was over and they were safe, he couldn't have hoped for more. The rain started to fall, dampening his hair and clothes, he looked up at the lit castle and couldn't help but feel nervous and excited all at the same time. The waters on the lake were a little rough, but apart from that, the sailing was pretty much smooth, the grey sky illuminated by the moon light behind it as the rain fell.
They arrived on the shores a few minutes later and were lead to Professor McGonagall, she looked at them sternly.
"Now students," she announced, "In a few minutes you will be lead into the Great Hall where you will be Sorted into your various houses. While you are here your house will be like your family, your achievements with earn points, any rule breaking and you will lose points. The Houses are, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Gryffindor and Slytherin. I will be back momentarily."
She left them in a room by themselves.
The students started talking and asking questions to one another, everyone wondered what would happen next. Nick felt a pit in the bottom of his stomach, what if the Hat put him in Slytherin? What if Ally and Mickey stopped being his friend? What if he turned into something like his father and brother? He felt sick, he hated his family, he hated being a Malfoy, having to be told constantly that muggles and muggle-borns were filth, that pure bloods were the only true wizards and that he should be proud to not be sullied by mixed blood. His family expected great things from him, to work at the Ministry, make a department head, earn honour and respect. They'd never let Nick do what he really wanted and it made him sick. Nick felt a hand on his shoulder and forced a smile at Ally, she was looking at him with big, worried hazel eyes.
Before she could speak McGonagall came back and told them to follow her, they entered the Hall, looking up in awe at the enchanted ceiling and the floating candles. Nick glanced nervously at the Slytherin table where his older brother sat. Draco sat with a permanent smirk glued to his face, his lips twitched in agitation as their eyes met, cold grey on warm. Draco frowned at Nick's red haired appearance and sent a glare at the Gryffindor table. No doubt to glare daggers at the Weasley children, Nick wanted to laugh, his brother was always complaining about the Weasley's, the bright red hair he now sported obviously counted as a tribute to them.
They were lead down the Hall in-between the tables until they were halted and started gathering in front of a small stage. On the stage was a stool and a Hat. The next thing was strangest of all, the Hat began to sing.
"Oh you may not think me pretty,
But don't judge on what you see,
I'll eat myself if you can find
A smarter hat than me.
You can keep your bowlers black,
Your top hats sleek and tall,
For I'm the Hogwarts Sorting Hat
And I can cap them all.
There's nothing hidden in your head
The Sorting Hat can't see,
So try me on and I will tell you
Where you ought to be.
You might belong in Gryffindor,
Where dwell the brave at heart,
Their daring, nerve, and chivalry
Set Gryffindors apart;
You might belong in Hufflepuff,
Where they are just and loyal,
Those patient Hufflepuffs are true
And unafraid of toil;
Or yet in wise old Ravenclaw,
if you've a ready mind,
Where those of wit and learning,
Will always find their kind;
Or perhaps in Slytherin
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folks use any means
To achieve their ends.
So put me on! Don't be afraid!
And don't get in a flap!
You're in safe hands (though I have none)
For I'm a Thinking Cap!"
(Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone by JK. Rowling)
"Now," said McGonagall, as the song ended, "When I call out your names, you will come up and put on the hat; Adams, Sarah!"
A small brown haired girl got up nervously to the stage, the Hat descended on her head, completely covering her eyes and a moment later-
"Hufflepuff!" the Hat yelled and everyone cheered.
"Barrette, Mark!"
"Ravenclaw!"
So it carried on, Nick stopped listening after a while until McGonagall arrived at H.
"Hollow, Michaela!"
Mickey gulped and calmly got up onto the stage, she looked very nervous, she sat down on the stool. The Hat was on her head a good five minutes before shouting-
"Gryffindor!"
Mickey's face broke into a smile and she went to join the Gryffindor table looking very pleased with herself. Nick cheered for his friend, the pit in his stomach growing and growing until finally…
"Malfoy, Nicodemus!"
Nick resisted the urge to gulp as well and went to sit on the stool, the hat came over his head and for a moment he couldn't see or hear anything, then-
"Malfoy, eh?" the Hat chuckled, "Not as cunning as your brother and father, but very smart, quite loyal too. My, I haven't had a child like you in over twenty years! Hmmm, friends with a Potter already? My, we are moving fast-"
Nick blushed.
"An interesting addition you'll make to the house," the Hat continued, "I pity you when your parents find out, but-Gryffindor!"
Nick couldn't believe it, he was in Gryffindor! The Slytherin table looked stunned, they were staring at Draco and then started yelling and hissing, cursing the Hat.
"It lies!"
"He's a Malfoy!"
"Silence!" Dumbledore bellowed, he looked at Nick and smiled, his eyes twinkling, "Go sit with your housemates, Mister Malfoy."
Nick nodded, suddenly feeling nervous again, he was a Malfoy what were the other Gryffindors going to think? He took a seat next to Mickey, and stared at his plate, waiting for the onslaught of accusations. Instead, he felt a clap on his shoulder, he looked up in surprise to see a round faced boy grinning at him, as were the rest of the table.
"Welcome to Gryffindor, mate," said the red headed boy from the train. Nick cracked a smile as Gryffindors started introducing themselves to him and congratulating him. Nick smiled, feeling a lot lighter than he had previously.
"Potter, Allison!"
HPHPHPHPHPHP
Half an hour later, Harry realised that he was without doubt, bored out of his mind. He could hear the entire Sorting and stood stock still as the names were called out, wishing he could see what was going on. He wondered why he just wasn't let in with the First Years, or told to sit at another table until it was his turn. He'd heard a Hollow, Micheala get into Gryffindor, a Bulstrode, Simon into Slytherin and the oddest thing of all. He had heard the whole hall go into hysterics and have to be calmed down when a Malfoy, Nicodemus was placed in Gryffindor. This had made him chuckle a little, Draco must have been happy about that one. He assumed it was a sibling or cousin and he silently cheered for the unknown boy. He sighed, waiting impatiently until McGonagall finally got to P.
"Potter, Allison," he heard her call, Harry waited on bated breathe, there was a pause and he strained his ears, afraid he would miss it.
"Gryffindor!" the Hat bellowed out for the entire hall to hear, it was followed by cheering. Harry grinned and punched a fist into the air, happy that Ally had gotten into the house she wanted. It would be his turn soon.
He didn't listen to the rest of the Sorting, it wasn't until he heard Dumbledore's voice that he froze.
"We have one more student who needs to be Sorted," he heard the familiar voice, "He will be entering his Sixth Year here and I am sure you will all help him along the best you can. Minerva?"
Another door suddenly opened and there stood Minerva McGonagall, she looked pretty excited.
"This way, Jameson," she said, again saying his name in an odd way, "It's time."
Harry suddenly felt nervous and he didn't know why, well, they hadn't called his name for one. He followed McGonagall out, the entire hall staring at him, he searched for a friendly face in the crowd and found plenty amongst the Gryffindor table. Ron gave him a thumbs up and Hermione smiled encouragingly, even Ginny Weasley was smiling at him. Harry gave a small grin and sat on the stool as he was indicated. He saw the hat as it was coming down towards him and frowned.
Where had he seen this Hat before?
He didn't even notice the red haired woman and the scruffy haired man with glasses who were seated at the staff table not far from him, waiting anxiously as the hat was lowered onto his head. For a moment there was silence and then…
"Well, well, well," a voice said in his head, "What an interesting story you have there, Harry. I believe this is not our first meeting."
"Are you talking to me?" Harry thought at the Hat, "Is this how I get Sorted, a Hat reading my mind?"
"Very astute," the Hat chuckled, "Two of you Sorted on the same night, your family is certainly full of surprises!"
Harry froze.
"W-what do you mean?" he asked shakily.
"You're not a Jameson, a Green, a Riley or a Smith," the Hat laughed, "Now let's see. Hmmm, loyal, a hard worker, Hufflepuff might do, but no, a good mind, ready to learn, Ravenclaw? No, ambition, a thirst to prove yourself, determination, oh Slytherin would do well too. Oh yes, Slytherin…"
"No!" Harry protested, "Anything but Slytherin!"
"Not Slytherin hey?" the Hat seemed amused, "But you could be great you know? And Slytherin could help you on your way to greatness!"
"I don't need greatness!" Harry huffed, "I just need to be me!"
"Very wise," the Hat chuckled, "You would do well in any house, you know? Slytherin would do very well, but then there's more there, you've had me on before and that time you proved exactly what you are. Loyal, smart and ambitious you might be, but you are brave to a fault. So much like your father, he is brave too, and smart like your mother, a good combination there young one. You are truly too much like your parents to be put in any house but…GRYFFINDOR!"
The Hat was removed, but Harry didn't, his eyes were wide with shock. He looked at McGonagall.
"It said-it said-" he took a breath, "Professor, I need a word with that Hat!"
"Mister Jameson," she said, a glint in her eye, "You will sit with the house assigned to you, there is no changing."
Harry shook his head.
"You don't understand!" he said desperately, the entire hall had gone quiet now and was looking at him oddly. The Gryffindors looked confused most of all, some a little hurt.
"Mister Jameson-" McGonagall began.
"It said it knew my parents!" Harry shouted, louder than he had intended.
To everyone's surprise, the Hat began to chuckle.
"I almost forgot," it said and began to sing.
"Fifteen years ago it seems,
A darkened night on Halloween.
The Dark Lord attacked an infant boy,
And was defeated to our joy.
But then the boy vanished without a trace,
Yet still today he is held in grace,
The-Boy-Who-Lived has returned.
Tonight he stands before you here,
Not Jameson, Green, Riley or Smith.
Harry Potter has come to Hogwarts."
Everyone stopped. Everyone stared. Harry himself froze, looking at the Hat in bewilderment, had it just said what he thought it just said?
Then it started.
Clapping.
Slowly, the entire hall broke into a loud applause. There was cheering coming from every table, not Slytherin, but the other three were on their feet, cheering and yelling.
"Welcome back Potter!" he heard someone cry.
"Good on you, Harry!"
"Potter! Potter! Potter!"
Harry looked around numbly, he turned to the staff table, Professor Dumbledore was watching him with twinkling eyes. Harry frowned, unable to understand, to even comprehend what the Hat had said. Did it just call him Potter? Harry Potter?
"P-professor?" he asked shakily. Dumbledore stood and raised his hands, the hall fell into silence as he did.
"Yes, yes," he said, "A dear friend has returned, please take a seat Mister Potter, now, for some beginning of the year announcements, firstly, the Forbidden Forest is off limits to all students…"
He carried on talking, Harry blinked and shakily walked down to the Gryffindor table where he took a seat next to Ron. His friend thumped him on the back hard.
"Why didn't you tell us you were Harry Potter?" he asked.
"I-I didn't know," Harry said dully, "I-I-I thought I was-I mean-I really thought I was alone. I-"
He trailed off, not sure how to react, he was in shock. Potter? Harry Potter? That was his name? That's who he was? He looked down at his empty gold plate, tears starting to sting his eyes, but he held them back, the last thing he needed was to break down. Who was to say it was true? The Hat could have made a mistake, couldn't it? He felt an arm go around his shoulders and looked up into Hermione's smiling face, he took a deep breath and weakly grinned back.
"And lastly," Dumbledore continued, Harry turned to listen, "In regards to the incident on the train this evening, it is still unclear as to why the Death Eaters attacked. I know it is perhaps a little early in the school year, but I believe the following students deserve recognition for their assistance in keeping the train safe. Six students helped this evening, firstly to Mister Neville Longbottom, who managed to get the train moving again, I award Gryffindor house, twenty points, to Miss Luna Lovegood who assisted with the rescue of a first year student, to Ravenclaw, twenty points. To Miss Ginerva Weasley, who also helped with the fight, twenty-five points."
There was a round of cheering from the Gryffindor and Ravenclaw tables as well as Hufflepuff after each name was read out. Neville blushed at the mention but looked pleased, Luna smiled dreamily and Ginny turned red, but was smiling all the same. Dumbledore was not finished however.
"The final three students," he said, "Who together managed to get every student to the part of the train that was safe and still went all the way to the back to face Death Eaters and save their fellow students, I award fifty points to each, Mister Ronald Weasley, Miss Hermione Granger and Mister Harry Potter."
If the applause before had been loud, this time it was deafening. Hermione and Ron flushed as well, Harry went slightly pale. He looked up in surprise at the Headmaster, but his eyes were drawn to another pair. This pair was seated between Professor Flitwick and Hagrid, both of whom were clapping hard, they were looking directly at Harry, smiles on their faces. Proud smiles. Harry blinked, he knew them, didn't he?
His eyes locked on the woman, green eyes looked back at him and he swallowed hard.
"Lily?" he whispered.
Was this even possible?
A red haired woman and a black haired man, he remembered thinking of them that night when the Dementors attacked, they were his happy thought, them and-
"Harry!" Harry looked round in surprise and was enveloped in yet another hug from Ally Potter who had gotten up from her seat to come see him. Harry was shocked, that's right, Ally's face had been in there too.
"I knew it was you!" the little girl cried, "I knew it!"
Harry froze and let go of the little girl, she looked at him in confusion, her hazel eyes wide. Harry's world was spinning and the smiling faces of the crowd were swirling around him, their clapping pounding on his ears.
"Ron, mate?" Harry said softly.
"Yeah?"
"Do you mind catching me?"
"Why?"
"I think I'm going to pass out."
Sure enough, Harry James Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, the one to defeat the Dark Lord when he was barely a child, the biggest mystery in wizarding history, passed out onto the floor of the Great Hall.
"Harry!"
HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Frank Longbottom sighed as he set the vase of yellow roses on his wife's bedside table. They had once been her favourite, now, he wasn't so sure she even cared any more. He smiled sadly as he watched her with the other patients. Playing games like a child. Her round face always so thin and pale now, the once beautiful hair that had crown her now reduced to a short, grey and wispy mess on her head. She looked up when she saw him entering and Frank held his breath as he always did. He knew it was false hope, fifteen years of false hope, but he couldn't give it up. It was all he clinged to whenever he and his son Neville visited the hospital, the brief and fleeting belief that maybe someday she would look at them and know…
Know they were her family.
No recognition sparked in her eyes and soon she returned to the strange game she was playing with the other patients. Frank let out his breath, defeated by the notion that this was his life now. He used to be an Auror, a fighter for the light, he and his wife upheld those ideals, they fought for a future for them and their son.
And what had happened?
Alice would never know and never understand the pain her family felt having to go on without her and worse still, instead of suffering from loss of her death, they suffered because she was alive but nothing in this world would ever bring her back to them. In his most depressive moods, Frank had stooped so low as to blame Alice for not being strong enough, for breaking under the Cruciatus curse.
He would hate himself for it afterwards.
"I miss you," he said softly, taking her in one last time before he turned and left the ward.
"Just a short visit this time, Mr Longbottom?" the nurse at reception asked a little worriedly.
"Yes," said Frank, forcing a smile, "She seems quite content with her friends this evening, I wont disturb her."
The nurse looked at him with sad, but understanding eyes and nodded. She returned to her work as Frank walked away, but he could feel her gaze following him as he left St. Mungos. He sighed, finally stepping out of the magical hospital and preparing to disapparate home.
"Frank!"
He turned in surprise to see the great man that was Kingsley Shacklebolt coming towards him, a jovial look on his dark face. Frank smiled in return, waiting for his old friend to catch up to him. He and Kingsley had joined the Aurors around the same time, but that was a long time ago and Frank wasn't part of that world anymore. It had been a long time since he had heard anything from his old Auror friends.
"Evening Kingsley," Frank greeted him, "What brings you to the hospital?"
"Checking up on one of members in my squad," Kingsley explained, "Got a nasty slash to the chest trying to detain a new born werewolf."
"Good Merlin," Frank's eyes widened, "Will he be okay?"
"Oh, he'll live," Kingsley said, "Luckily the werewolf only managed to take a swipe at him with its claws, no bite."
"What happened to the werewolf?"
Kingsley's eyes suddenly grew sad and he sighed.
"We were given the order to kill," he said softly, "The poor bloke reverted back to human form before his corpse hit the ground."
"Fudges new laws, huh?" said Frank, shaking his head, "I don't understand the man, the wolf curse in no man's fault, those men and women should be treated as victims, not threats."
"Its been hard since Greyback escaped from detention a fortnight ago," Kingsley added, "Potter thinks it was an inside job and I'm likely to agree."
"Shouldn't he have been in Azkaban?" Frank asked with a frown, "And why wasn't the public informed, he's dangerous! Not to mention an old follower of Voldemort."
Like many who had fought with the Order of the Phoenix so long ago, neither Kingsley nor Frank flinched at the use of the dark wizard's name. It was inbreed almost, there was no fear for the murderer and monster left in them, only anger. Anger that still steeled Frank's heart from the world. It had been his last act as an Auror to ensure that his wife's torturers had seen justice. Barty Crouch Jr. and the Lestranges. The filthy Death Eaters who had ruined their lives, now all held a cell in Azkaban and good riddance to them .
"He was taken to a different cell for the full moon change," Kingsley explained, "A cell lined with silver, it's the safest deterrent we had. The Dementors don't effect other magical creatures, it would have been easy for him to get out of Azkaban. The cell is hardly guarded, Fudge doesn't see any point taking a werewolf's silver allergy into consideration. And as for the public…well that's Fudge again. He doesn't want the pubic to know of his incompetence this close to voting season."
Frank shook his head, unsurprised by the lack of common sense the Minister for Magic held. In the years since Voldemort's down fall, the new Minister had taken it upon himself to appear as the law that stands between peace and another dark wizard like him trying to take over. Laws had been increased, silly things in most parts, but important in others. Sometimes the new laws made one wonder if Fudge himself wasn't trying to control the wizarding community of Britain. There had especially been an increases in laws regarding those of half human origin. Werewolves for one, centaurs were another, their herds reduced to living in reservations all over magical Britain. Even the merfolk had taken to hiding from the prying eyes of the wizards more often than not.
Frank could remember a time when he had been at Hogwarts and every now and then you would see the mermaids who lived in the Black Lake breach its surface to watch the students of the outside world. Now, as Neville had told him, the only life you ever saw coming out of the Black Lake was the giant squid. Frank blamed the half human laws on Fudge's secretary, Dolores Umbridge. The woman was well known for her dislike of half breeds. He wouldn't be surprised if it turned out she was a Death Eater herself, with all her ideas of pure blood and lineage.
"By the way," said Kingsley, "Tell your son thank you for us."
"Huh? What?" Frank asked, confused.
"You havent heard yet! I just filed the report myself," Kingsley raised an eyebrow, "Earlier this evening the Hogwarts Express was attacked by a group of rogue Death Eaters."
"What!" Frank's eyes widened with immediate panic, "Is Neville alright? Is he hurt?"
"No, no," said the dark Auror with a chuckle, "Your son was very helpful in stopping them. Some of his year mates went to the back of the train to hold them off and he went to the front to help the driver. I'm not sure how he did it, but he managed to get the train moving again, making it harder for more Death Eaters to board. Very resourceful, like his old man."
Frank forced a smile at the comment, but inside his stomach was churning with worry. What if one of the Death Eaters saw it was Neville who helped? What if he became a target? What if they wanted revenge on him? What if they did to him what they did to his mother, to Alice, his beautiful Alice?
Neville was such a gentle boy, so much like his mother it hurt to look at him sometimes. The same round, happy face and the same kind eyes. Neville had always had trouble with magic, always been weaker than his classmates. Frank admitted he had secretly hoped at one stage that Neville really was a Squib, at least that way he could keep him at home, keep him safe. He had been both proud and scared to death when Neville received his Hogwarts letter. It was harder than he could have imagined, Alice should have been there, should have stood right beside him as he watched their only son tear open that envelope with excitement and happiness.
"I'll tell him," he said instead, forcing the words out as civilly as possible, "If you'll excuse me, Kingsley, I promised my mother I'd drop in on her after dinner."
"Of course," Kingsley nodded with understanding, "I hope you'll send her my best wishes."
"Will do," said Frank, "And thanks."
"Bye Frank," Kingsley waved as he entered the hospital.
"Goodbye," Frank watched as his old friend disappeared and sighed, "Oh Neville, I hope you're not in any trouble."
HPHPHPHPHPHPHP
Harry opened his eyes slowly, blinking at the blurry world around him, everything was white. He sat up, reached to the side of the bed for his glasses. He felt around only to feel a hand rest itself on his, Harry stiffened slightly in surprise and looked up to a blurry figure.
"Sorry," he mumbled, "I need my glasses."
The hand let go of his for a moment and he felt his glasses being pressed into his hand. He smiled at the blur.
"Thanks," he said softly, he put on his glasses and turned to the blur. It was the red head woman with emerald eyes, smiling at him, her eyes were a little red, like she'd been crying. She was older now, but, Harry realised with a jolt that it was her.
The woman from his photograph.
"You-you-you're-you're-" he shook his head and took a deep breath to steady himself, "Are-are you Lily?"
She looked surprised and nodded, still smiling at him.
He blinked.
"Wow," he whispered.
"Yeah," she agreed with a watery chuckle, "Wow.."
"So um-that is-are-are-are you my-my-"
"Your mother?" she nodded, "Yes, Harry, I am."
He looked at her and gave a weak smile.
"I always wondered," he said softly, looking down, "Always wondered about you from-from my photograph, but I-I never thought…"
"Never thought what?" she asked.
He looked up at her, his eyes were stinging, but he wouldn't let the tears go, he couldn't.
"That I'd ever meet you."
He looked away again, the tears built up, but he wouldn't let them fall, he felt a soft pressure next to him. He looked up and suddenly arms encircled him. He froze for a moment, the only people who ever hugged him were Mrs. Figg, a few of the neighbour kids and recently, Ally, but never had he been hugged by his own mother.
"Mum," he whispered softly. The prefix felt strange on his tongue, for years he had always referred to her as Lily when speaking or thinking about her, seldom had he ever called the woman in the photograph 'mother' or 'mum.' It was foreign, alien to him, but he liked it, he liked it a lot.
Attentively, as though afraid he'd frighten her away, he returned the hug. He heard her sob and hug him tighter, laughing as she did. Harry buried his face in her shoulder and let the tears fall, his glasses were knocked skew, but he didn't care. He was hugging his mother…
"We found you," she whispered, "After fifteen years, we finally found you."
Harry's heart beat faster, he hadn't been abandoned then, like he had once feared long ago, he had been lost.
Just lost.
Now he was back, back with his mother.
He didn't know how long they stayed like that, eventually Lily drew back, wiping away her tears and smiling. Harry did the same, adjusting his glasses, he ran a hand through his hair absently.
"I-uh-I passed out in front of the entire school, didn't I?" he said a little sheepishly. Lily laughed and nodded.
"You're friends were very worried," she said, "A Ron and Ginny Weasley and a Hermione Granger, I believe."
Harry nodded, oddly pleased they had worried about him like that. He'd never had people do that for him.
"So where am I?" he asked.
"The hospital wing."
Harry grimaced out of habit, he hated hospitals in general.
"Some first impression, huh?" he joked.
"You know," she said smiling, "Our first day, your father accidentally walked into a wall and knocked himself out."
Harry blinked.
Father?
Slowly the realization dawn. All these years he had pictured his father in different ways, sometimes he'd have dark hair and glasses like him, sometimes he was a red head like Lily and in others his eyes were blue or brown or green. It didn't matter suddenly, all those pictures in his head had been dreams, imaginings. It was all wiped away when he realized something vitally important that made the fantasy turn to pure reality.
He had a father!
"Really?" Harry smiled nervously, "H-how did he manage to do that?"
"I was gazing at the most beautiful creation the Lord ever made," came a voice from the doorway, "This ethereal beauty which no other could surpass, with her deep red hair and freckled nose, her deep, emerald green eyes and her tiger of a temper, was called Lily Evans."
Lily went red and turned to the man who was now entering the room, Harry looked at him too. He had messy dark hair and fierce hazel eyes, he wore horned rimmed glasses that were slightly askew and he looked a few inches taller than Harry stood. He looked like an older version of Harry.
"Unfortunately," the man continued grinning, "I was walking and a wall got in my way."
"Oh James," Lily rolled her eyes, but she was smiling all the same.
James chuckled and looked at Harry, his hazel eyes moist too.
"Hey there kiddo," he said softly, "Been a while."
Harry looked at him. This was him, right? This was his dad? He could see where he got his messy hair from and his general facial features. It was strange, this man was part of the family he wanted to know, part of every thing he wanted to have for so long.
Now he was here.
"D-dad?"
James Potter smiled and nodded slowly. Within a second his had covered the space to Harry's bed and was hugging his son. Like with his mother, Harry was surprised at first, then he returned the hug. His eyes were still wide as the older man hugged him. His father started muttering furiously as sobbed.
"I'm so sorry Harry," he cried, "I should never have let you disappear that night, I should have checked that night in the tunnels to see if it was you, I should have realised-"
"It's okay," Harry didn't know what else to say, "It's okay."
More arms encircled them and for the first time in fifteen years the Potters were hugging their son, they were hugging their little Harry. He sighed into his parents arms, feeling happier than he had in a long time. Eventually he drew back, all the questions he had ever wanted to ask his parents seemed to escape him in that one, perfect moment.
"So how long was I out for?" he asked instead.
Lily and James looked at one another in surprise and smiled slowly.
"Just an hour," said Lily, her eyes warm, "We can still catch desert if we hurry, and you'll want to get settled in your house. You're starting school tomorrow-"
"Or we can ask the kitchens to bring up some food," suggested James, "You must be hungry and-"
Harry smiled a little sadly, school, that brightened the mood so much.
"Can I ask you something?" he said quietly, "How did you find me?"
It was Lily who smiled, she dug into her pocket and brought out a picture, unfolding it and showing it to Harry.
"Remember this?" she smiled.
Harry gaped and nodded, taking it from her gently.
"Sirius found you," he smiled, "Thank goodness."
"Speaking of which," said James, he turned and called, "Hey Padfoot! You can stop eavesdropping now, Harry's awake!"
"Someone say my name?" Sirius Black ran into the room and up to Harry, took one look at him and grinned. He was followed closely by one Remus Lupin, who was watching the scene with a small smile on his tired face.
"Hey there Prongslet," Sirius chuckled, "Finally got that cap off, huh? Now it's time to teach you everything you've been missing out on, mainly pranks!"
"Typical," Remus muttered, rolling his eyes.
James and Lily smiled at on another, James began to laugh, Harry looked up in surprise and tilted his head to the side. Prongslet? Then, did that mean his father was the same 'James' from the tunnel? Prongs?
"Wait a minute," he muttered, "You're Prongs!"
His father looked taken aback for a second before he roared with laughter and pounded Sirius on the back.
"Padfoot, you dog," he said, "You've been telling Harry about us?"
"Only the good stuff," Sirius winked.
"No," said Harry, "I mean, back in the tunnel in Surrey, you were the James they kept calling Prongs. You were right there-you were right in front of me and I-I-"
"Harry," James began, "Neither of us could have known."
"No," persisted Harry, looking at his father desperately, guiltily, "I should have recognised you! We look like we're related for Merlin's sake, its my fault."
"No Harry," said James, placing his hand on his son's shoulder, making him look up, "It's mine. Never ever blame yourself for that Harry, never. Promise me."
Harry stared at the man for a long moment. It was strange, he didn't know him, his own father and yet, there was something in those hazel eyes that were comforting. Trustworthy and caring even.
"But-"
"Harry."
Harry blinked before nodding slowly, he swallowed hard, feeling deep inside that just from this man's words he had been absolved from guilt. Was this what fathers did? Make their children feel safe and comforted? He wasn't sure, but he was glad if he had the chance to find out.
"I promise," he muttered softly.
James Potter gave a sigh of relief and patted his son on the shoulder. Sirius and Remus were watching the scene with interest, at how easily James and Harry seemed to understand one another, even after such a brief meeting. Lily was smiling, happier than she had been in a long time, after all, her family was finally complete. James was enjoying the brief connection he had had with Harry and Harry himself was feeling lighter and happier than he had in a long time.
But in the back of his head a fear started form, a cold feeling he couldn't shake.
Was this real?
Revision 8- Frank is ALIVE and SANE! LOL!
And someone please correct me on Luna's imaginings, cause I can't for the life of me remember what they were actually called. It started with a W though, I think.
No killing me for slow update of revision, I wrote frickin' 5 exams this past week and have two more weeks left of the same…scratch that, KILL ME PLEASE!
Also, yes one of the couples in this fic is going to be Harry/Ginny. But they're not really going to get together for a while, its not a major part of this story. I'll probably have more Ron/Hermione moments than Harry/Ginny and even then, its fairly minimal. I suppose at the moment you could say Harry will start, and by start I most certainly do not mean immediately, developing a crush, but like I said, not a major plot twist.
And I was going for instant recognition on the train, not attraction, recognition is possible, I mean, you don't really change that much, facial features wise, between twelve and sixteen.
But if I really have to explain Ginny and Harry's emotions over all this it will be; Ginny is suspicious and Harry is flip scared of Ginny because of what she represents. The reality of his so called dream. Don't expect a blushing Harry again for a while, that is, unless another awkward situation arises…
Random Authors note:
Title: Shadowed Past-I never did explain the choice and I remember someone asking because they thought it was going to be some angst-y Harry with a troubled past on the streets who was way too depressive and angry at the world. (I could probably have written him like that, but I find the whole 'tortured soul' concept over used and a little boring, not to mention annoying.) The first time I posted this they thought he should be-I don't know, angrier? At Lily and James or something. It kind of confused me cause I thought I'd put it across pretty clear that Harry had been looking for his parents too. But I'm getting off topic now. Anyway, the choice of title was not because he was a Shadow boy or whatever, by Shadowed, I meant Hidden. Shadowed does have more connotations than evil and tormented, you know? Harry didn't know anything about why he ended up on the streets or why his parents weren't there, so his past was a mystery to him, hidden from him. But Hidden Past as a title just didn't sound as cool.