Chapter Seven: The Awakening

The next few hours passed slowly. The ticking clock was an ominous and slow annoyance for those that stayed within the house. Edward had left to see Bella while Rosalie and Emmett had gone to hunt. The rest were spread out between the living room and kitchen. Esme's cooking wafted through the air while Carlisle kept a close eye on both his son and the young Necromancer who had yet to take his unfocused eyes off the window. All of them knew from the paleness in his face and the haunted gaze that entered his eyes that his memories were preying on him. No attempts to pull him from them had any effect so they all remained vigilantly watching him as the memories consumed him.

Alice clutched Jasper's warming hands in her own cold ones. Even now, the empathy was running. It sent out mostly fear and despair so thick that often in the past four hours they would be forced to increase their distance. Other times the waves of love and happiness would bring them back like moths to a flame. His once honey blonde hair was now a vibrant light blonde that seemed to match well with his features.

"Harry?" Carlisle turned his head towards the young wizard when a soft cry echoed loudly in the room besides the two heartbeats that were loud to their sensitive hearing.

The teen was hunched forward, pain reflecting in his eyes. They winced when he whispered, "Sorry. The Second War was not pleasant." The wince of pain worried all of them, especially Esme.

"The Second War?" Carlisle questioned, eyes on the teen.

Sighing, Harry turned his eyes to face him. Carlisle nearly winced at the sheer grief reflected back at him in the emerald eyes now dim.

"When they attacked the school, many students stayed behind to fight. Some of the younger years ran back and fought despite being told to evacuate. A man who was friends with my father and his wife were killed just after they had a son, Teddy. He was placed with his grandparents. Many of my classmates are in the wizarding hospital, some will never heal." A small sigh of defeat seemed to escape him as he continued, "I left the country after learning that the family whom I considered my own were trying to get me to marry their youngest, a daughter named, Ginny, in order to get hands on the large amount of wealth that comes from being an old family line as well along with my other friend, Hermione. So I asked Severus to help me escape the country without being noticed." A dark looked flashed in his eyes but he shook his head to clear away the thoughts.

"But it doesn't matter now, " he went on, eyes burning passionately, "I always worried about what happened to Jasper and knowing he's safe and still wants me around; I could never be upset." A genuine smile flickered on his face before he spun his head to face the couch where Jasper now lay.

"Harry?" Jasper's weak voice floated in the air.

Harry jumped from the chair facing the kitchen window and rushed to his side. Concern flickered in his eyes as he felt for the soul that was realigning itself inside his son. Seeing the progress was going well, he focused back on the now jade green eyes watching him with fear shadowing them.

"Are the memories real, Harry?" The trembling words broke the hearts of all those that heard it. Carlisle and Esme crept closer to see how pale their son was despite the blood that flowed in his veins.

Harry ran his hand though the blonde hair with a sigh, "Alright, everyone. There will be one lifetime that you will remember completely with clarity. You may have memories of others but not many if at all. This is why realigning a soul takes so long."

Jasper looked away. Tears stung at his eyes as he whispered, "So it's true." Pain rang loud in his weakened voice as he held back the tears threatening to pour out.

Deeply concerned now, Harry asked gently, "What life did you remember the most?"

Jasper shook his head, unable to speak. Taking a deep breath he murmured, "Oz Vessalius."

Harry tilted his head to the side in surprise, "Your soul is at least two thousand years old if not more."

Jasper hissed at him, frustration bubbling, "Who cares how old it is!"

Harry frowned in disapproval and sharply shot back, "Mind your manners, son."

Sighing, Jasper clutched tightly on Alice's hand and refused to look up. Harry sighed and stood up as Esme placed a plate of food onto Jasper's lap. The teen merely stared at it blankly and only ate when Alice whispered softly in his ear.

Harry turned away, mind whirling with thoughts. Swaying slightly by the overwhelming emotions running high in the room, he sat down and sighed. His son was the reincarnation of an event that most people no longer remembered. Grief squeezed at his heart, if only he had been there sooner. He slid back into his memories of the smiling Oz who constantly gave him a purpose, even now as they had met in a different life.