Disclaimer: I do not own anything. I do not own Harry Potter and Gods & Generals.
Hey, Everyone. I met my promise and uploaded another chapter before I go back to college. Now, recently, I have received some PM's on some confusion and plot holes that the last chapter had, so to help fix that it will be in this chapter. For those that I have a message with on PM, thank you for informing me about those problems and I hope that in this chapter that I have answered your questions at a very detailed level.
I would encourage everyone that if they see any holes or have any confusion, please PM me and I will give you a response with an answer as soon as possible.
Now, as a reminder to everyone, I will soon be going back to college and then after the spring semester be most likely doing the Summer Semester. However, that does not mean that I will not be updating. I will be posting a new chapter, it is just as everyone knows the rate will be slow. However, I promise to bring a new chapter at most every 6 weeks.
Also, one of the questions that I received in PM was about the nature of people that James will be with or more particularly their age. Especially since, I am moving James to 1993; where people like Hermione will be 13. If Hogwarts students are too young for James, then I will either do a marriage contract or aging spell or potion to help solve the problem.
Another thing is about the inheritance last chapter, I would like to say that I think that I should improve it a little. However, I am not sure how. So I was wondering if anyone could give me some ideas on that issue? Also, contracts and powers for the inheritance are going to be in another chapter. It is just that inheritance in the last chapter was the finical inheritance, I did not add the other stuff as I have not decided yet and plus the poll for the women in James's Harem is still in progress. So, I did not wish to cause any problems there.
Now, on to the chapter and please leave a review.
Potter Manor near Cardiff, Wales
September 1st, 1993
James woke up with the cold sweat on him as he heard screams of men after the sound of two loud explosions happened. He knew the meaning of those sounds, those where the sounds he heard during the famous fights of Falmouth. A battle that he still regrets to this day, where he did the most inhumane thing that he has ever done. James wished that he could go back and do something different. He could have had Rob move around Hancock and take him from the rear, but the Union Cavalry and Reverses would be blocking that move from being made. He could have used the tunnels to attack through Union from within, but he would not be able to get enough men through those tunnels at a good rate. It would be more of a turkey shoot. Every idea he had at the time and now would be another thing that a serious problem of initiating.
He looked at the pocket watch that he kept with him during the war and saw that it was Seven o'clock. Tonks had told him that the Hogwarts Express leaves the station at exactly Eleven in the morning. He already had everything packed. Although, he prayed to God that he was not bombed by crazy fans again. James had enough of them in the History books both in the Muggle and Magical ones. As apparently, the Wizarding World was lead to believe that James was the one to defeat Voldemort by this Albus Dumbledore, who somehow knew that James was still alive somewhere. No one knows how exactly the Old Man figured it out as he did not say. Then when he had returned to the present, the House elves told him that there must have been a glitch or something wrong with the Time Traveling Portkey; as he should have arrived at least some time in 1991. This meant that he was somehow off course by two years in where he should have been. James guessed that it was an intervention by God, as he can make ultimate decisions for the world. This gave him the assumption that God did as he believed that James is more needed ahead of the time that he should have been.
James also learned how everyone in that damn tavern knew who he was. By some stroke of luck, the Ministry of Magic detected his return through the magic inside the Portkey; where somehow his magic was also found in the signal that it gave off. Then Minister of Magical Cornelius Fudge decided to announce it to the whole country while showing off a picture of his late birth father's face to the Newspapers. James thought that he left the degree of stupid after Stephens conspired his 'death' with Booth, as he could tell that Fudge was looking for some public support to the Ministry. As people recognized his face by his father's face in the papers. He wished that idiot of a minister had not done that. However, it is too late now as everyone has a good idea on what he looks like. He told Tonks that Fudge will not have his vote in the next election. However, he was disappointed to know that the Minister is only elected by the higher officials of the Ministry. Those higher officials were the Wizengamot, who were the Legislative of the Ministry. Tonks compared to the British Parliament for James to understand, where basically government officials are in the Legislative Body. James at times felt that a Parliament like that should be elected by the people, not through the position that they are a part of. The Legislative Body is suppose to represent the interests of the people and being elected by the people is the best way to represent them. However, he was an American Congressmen; everything is different on how the people in European Countries want things done.
After the circus, he went to watching a documentary about him in the Historical Channel. He was surprised to hear what history had to say about him. Apparently, there were moments erected with his name; like a stone statue of him sitting on a chair in Washington. The Confederacy even still views him as a hero, a young hero that fooled the world into thinking he is of agreeing to be in Congress; but only in a good way. Apparently, the revelation of his aged led to the allowed age to vote to be 17 in 1870 during his Father's presidency. James could say that the law was a perfect idea, as young men that died during the War for Independence deserved that right. History even gave him many titles like the Young Napoleon of the Confederacy or the Young Fighter of Virginia. There were even ships in the Confederacy that bared his name; the built as a Battleship in 1913 was the largest and most powerful ship afloat for some time until the British built their King George the V Battleship Class as well as the . The Battleship C.S.S. James Lee would be bombed by the Japanese in Dutch on December 8th, 1941 to the pointed that it turned on its side and the crew in that was alive inside the ship was trapped in there for at most 2 weeks.
Then his name was on Aircraft Carriers, which showed James the turning of Naval Warfare as the sky can dominate the sea. Currently, the ship of this period that bears his name is one of three of the Confederacy's Supercarriers. James wished that they did not put his name on ships as he felt that he does not deserve that honor for what he did at Falmouth. During the documentary, he managed to keep his emotions to himself with Tonks in the house. He even remembering about the time he learned about the invention of the Automobile. To say he, at first, thought it was a Horseless Carriage, but he accepted the fact that the world has changed a lot since his 'passing' in 1867. He knew that the old world left is gone and transformed into something that he does not recognize. This means that it is something that he will have to adjust with.
Tonks was a good guest to have in his house, she is kind and cheerful to him. She has a heart of gold, but when one angers her heart, it can turn into a monster that has not mercy for its victim. Tonks likes the Historical Channel as well as, especially when it shows documentaries about the Confederate War of Independence or more specifically her ancestor Jacob Tonks. She even likes his Southern cooking. Although, he does not do it much with the House Elves in the house. It makes them feel like that they are not doing their job of taking care of their master, which gets them crying so much that it could overflow the Mississippi River.
He did wonder what kind of threat would want to hurt, besides the followers of Voldemort. It was then Tonks told him that Sirius Black had escaped, who was responsible for not only for the murder of 13 Muggle's but also for the betrayal of his parents to Voldemort, which led to their deaths and his arrival into the past with the family that he now misses very much. He escaped after being given the newspaper that announced his arrival back to the wizarding world. The last thing that the guards heard before he escaped the inescapable prison was him saying that "he's at Hogwarts." No one knows how he had escaped, some of the papers claim that it was dark magic. Tonks explained to him that the Minister was concerned that Black was now after James to finish what the Dark Lord had started many years ago before James was sent to the past. So, to make sure that he had public support Fudge assigned her as his body; especially with her abilities as a Metamorphmagus; which James had no idea what it was until she explained and showed her ability to him. As she transformed her mouth to look like one that a duck would have, which made James smile at the funniness of it.
James slowly returned to the presented as he heard a knock on his door. He knew that since he already has his pajamas on that, it would be alright to let the person in his room. He careful got out of them bed and yelled for the person to come in. He could hear the door open slowly. When he turned around, his breath was taken and began to feel the light head. In came, Tonks with one of the manors red bathrobes around her body. The robe was a perfect fit for her body, he could say for sure that many men in the South from his time would want her hand in marriage. Even with her abilities, she has the best looks that would be the envy of all the Southern Belle's. As she wore this, she was brushing her teeth. James wondered why must the Good Lord must torture him with such beauty that has an ability that shows a man's true self. Her eyes...Oh lord...Her eyes shown bright with the color of red that matched the robe that she was wearing. He stopped in his train of thoughts as she spoke to him with a heavenly voice.
"Wotcher, now! Did you have a goodnight's sleep, Har…I mean James?"
James nodded, slowly. As he grabbed his glasses and put them on. He may be partly blinded, but he can still see well.
"So, what time we leave for the platform, Tonks?" He asked as he was not sure how long it would take for his baggage to be loading in the Train.
"We probably need to be there by no more than 10:30. As it does not take long to load our luggage into the baggage cars and to find a seat. Most of the students do not board until the last minute just to say goodbye to their parents and relatives." She answered.
James nodded as he knew that he did not have anyone besides the House Elves to say goodbye. He felt a wave of sadness wash over him as he knew that he had to accept the fact that he really is alone in this world. An outsider with no one that he knew still living. Tonks saw his face and felt concerned.
"Are you alright?" she asked softly.
James nodded as he said, "I will be okay. Thank you, though."
"If there is anything that I can do for you, please let me know. I cannot handle to see a sad face like yours," she explained with a tone of concern.
"I will, thank you."
"Now go and get yourself cleaned. The Elves are almost done cooking breakfast and we need to leave by 9:45 to get close enough to the platform without being seen by Muggle's." She instructed him with her sweet and kind voice.
James nodded again, as she left to get fully dressed. Slowly, he looked to his small cabinet and opened the first drawer to pull out a small photograph. The photo was in black and white that showed him with his family before. He put his fingers on the faces of his now dead family. His family that is now in heaven and in the loving arms of the Holy Father. Oh, how he wished that he could be with them again. Just one last time is all he asks. But he knew that is impossible, a wish that will never be answered. He put the photo into a bag that he will take with him to the train. Slowly he walked into the bathroom to shower and crying for a little bit.
Meanwhile in the hallway outside of James's room, Nymphadora Tonks was really concerned about James. As she knew that there was something bothering the young man. Something that was very painful to him. She really wished that there was a way where she could be of some assistance to James. She remembered back when she was just a toddler, where her mother would take her to see the man when he was just a little baby. She smiled as she had a flashback when she would make funny faces with her abilities, which to Baby Harry or James to laugh and wanted to touch her. Both of their parents laughed at it. After James's parents were killed, she always wondered he went. Now, she wondered who raised him and taught him to be such a gentlemen. It had to be someone from the Confederate States of America, as James had that Southern Accent. As that accent is hard to fake, it was a natural one. One that his adopted parents or caretakers had when they raised him.
However, for some reason, he looked very familiar to her as someone else. Someone besides the picture of his dad in the newspapers, she is talking about someone that she had once read about in her father's book cabinet. She did not know why she thought of it, but her head was telling that there is something that is awfully familiar about James and the answer lies inside her father's Cabinet. But the only thing in her Father's cabinet were old history books that talk about all the popular wars that had happened in the world. She shook her head. No that would be any helpful at all. But she did think about at least checking whenever she has the chance.
Hogwarts Express on its way to Hogwarts
1:00 P.M.
To say that Richmond had the best Train service that he had ever seen was no wrong, on the way to the Platform was somewhere James had no idea existed first. The number Nine and Three Quarters sounded like a joke to him, until Tonks pushed him through one of the barriers between Nine and Ten. He was taken by surprise of the magic in the place and now he loved it. Tonks was showing him that there was more to magic than just a bunch of wand waving.
Although, he wished that he did not have to go to School; he could just do a Muggle job and live a happy life. However, he remembered that the House Elves had told him that as much that they can be a teacher to him; He is required to learn magic at a magical institution for at least 4 years when taught through tutors or home schooled. It was by luck that the Ministry accepted it for James, as Dumbledore wanted him in Hogwarts for all seven years of education in his school. However, his grades were very high through the homeschooling that he received in a truck that inside is like a small house and slows down time at a very good rate. This has what helped him be able to skip four out of the seven years in education that he needs to take. James decided to let it go, as he remembered that his birth parents went to this school. He figured that he will go just to honor them and everything that they did for him when he was a baby; he figured that he owned a huge debt for his survival during the confrontation with Voldemort.
The train comfortable for its size. The compartments were not large, but luxurious for a bunch of school students. He ran into many students that looked like they were his age during the war. A good portion of them was as uncivilized as the people in the tavern, many of them kept pointing at him saying things like "That's Harry Potter," "Why does he have that scar on his forehead?", "He looks old enough to be a teacher!" and many other things. That had really annoyed James, who wanted to pull out his Navy Revolver and shot every one of them. This generation really has no sense of humanity, civilization, and maturity. He damned Booth for causing him to meet these little brats that do not respect his privacy. He wished that he could meet another person that is not like these uncivilized children. Someone that was like Tonks, who luckily got him to the nearest compartment for safety. He guessed that Auror's hate Hound dogs as well as. He never did tell her that he has a Muggle Gun, he did not want to take the chance that she would take it away from him. He really wanted to have it with him, as he kept to his father's rule of protecting women at all times of travel; even though Tonks is here to keep him safe.
It was then he noticed the compartment that they had entered and locked was not empty. Inside there were two people. One was old and the other was young. The older one had brown hair with a little gray that showed his age, he had three scars that looked like that they were from claws on his face, and James guessed that he was somewhere in his late thirties. He wore heavy clothing that was a mix of brown and gray. James could not tell what the color of his eyes was as he was asleep. In fact, he was so asleep that he was snoring loudly.
James then turned his attention to the other person. He could only guess that his age was at least 15. He had brown hair that was darker than the old man next to him. The clothing he wore were the same kind of black robe that James is wearing right now. Only the difference is that he had the crest of the Hogwarts House of Slytherin. Tonks had him explained to him about a week ago over each of the four houses in Hogwarts. The young man's eyes were blue and his body was really skinny. James felt that he was similar to someone that he once knew. Someone from his time that he knew very well during the War of Independence; but he could not be able to put his finger on it. His answered came when the Young Man spoke.
"Hello, Champs. I guess that you are Harry Potter. Do not worry, I am not like those savages in the hall. In fact, it would be against my family honor and name to be like them. People should really learn to be more polite and respectful these days. I am glad that I was raised differently. My name is Jacob Freemantle, son of Mary and James Freemantle, and the Descendant of Colonel John Freemantle during the Confederate War of Independence; where he got the famous title as the Marquis de Layette of the Confederacy. I must say that it is an honor to meet you Mr. Potter and Miss…?" he stated in a perfectly English tone as he looked at Tonks in trying to guess her name.
"Just call me Tonks" Tonks answered with sincerity.
"Miss. Tonks. A beautiful name for a charming Woman." He said.
Tonks never had blushed so hard before. Meanwhile, James was surprised. Here he found another person relate to someone that he fought with in the War. Either he has gotten lucky or God is trying to help him adapt to this time period. He can say that without a doubt that Colonel Freemantle's Family is still the honorable one that it was in his time period. He wondered who else was going to meet at the school.
"So what brings you here Tonks? You looked like that you are old enough have already graduated from Hogwarts. I do not mean to be rude to you, of course. It is just that I am curious." Jacob asked with a kind voice.
"Well, the Ministry assigned me to be the bodyguard to Harry where every he goes. Yes, I did graduate Hogwarts and it was in 1992." She answered.
"Ah, that is understandable with the Ministry. Especially with Black scurrying around the country. They say that he is heading to Hogwarts to kill Mr. Potter. However, I doubt that he will take this train to get there. It is too risky. He would have to walk there, because the areas to walk to there are rarely checked for anything dangerous." Jacob replied.
"I hope that you do not mind me asking, are you a Muggle-Born? Because if you are, then let me also ask is how did you survive being in that house filled with Pureblood Supremacist?" Tonks asked with a serious tone.
Jacob chuckled as he said in his English accent, "Well, Miss. Tonks. The answer to the first question is yes. I am a Muggle-Born. The answer to the second question is that it takes all of the courage and willingness to handle insults. My father is a politician and has to deal with verbal insults from his opponents. He managed taught me many of his techniques to remain calm, as I wanted to be just like him."
James remembered Tonks telling him about how that there was a lot of racism given from Purebloods, who wanted to be rid of the Muggle-borns in the Wizarding World. As they have the belief that they are better than the "Mudbloods" as the word that they called them. To say James thought it was just that one little shit named Draco Malfoy that was a racist, now he felt like he was back in the days of extreme racism towards slaves. Lord, why must he always have to face problems like that. He can just leave in peace with people that are civilized and respectful.
"Who is that beside you?" James asked.
Jacob looked at the man and said, "To be honest, I have no clue. Lord knows, I do not even know why he is even here. I mean the reason I choose to sit in this compartment was to avoid Malfoy and his fat goons. I highly doubt that the man is a student. Maybe he is the new Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. I mean every year the school needs a new one as something bad always happens to them. I say last year's Professor turned out to be a fraud, during the Chamber of Secrets Crisis. Hell, I was the one with Neville when we found him packing his bags and had to force him to follow us into the chamber after we followed Ginny to it. Poor girl, she was possessed by the demon Tom Riddle and compelled to do his bidding. I hope she has gotten the proper help needed to recover from it. Then the year before, we had Quirrell; who completely fooled us with his bloody stuttering. He had the Dark Wanker Voldemort or Tom Riddle literally on the back of his head from what Neville told me. Good thing Dumbledore arrived in time to save Neville. Quirrell was close to killing the poor boy."
James was now concerned. It appears from what Jacob has been telling him, Voldemort has been making attempts in the castle to kill people. He did not know much of the Chamber of Secrets, but, by the way Jacob has been explaining it that Hogwarts is not safe. Hell, Children should not be there after what happen. How could this place still be opened after everything that he just heard? Were people in the Wizarding World foolish or greed for the money in the tuition that parents pay for their child's education?
"That is Remus Lupin. I remember him from my childhood, before the…" Tonks stopped as if it was something that she felt ashamed about.
"Nevermind," She said sadly.
James was concerned for her. It had to be something dreadful if she was feeling like. Something that could hurt her and her family.
"Well, seeing that he is asleep. I will say these word. He better be a good teacher with good knowledge of the subject that he is instructing, a good guy with high morals, and does not bloody stutter. If not, then I will pack up my bags and swim my arse across the Atlantic to learn at the Richmond Institute of Magic." Jacob said.
James and Tonks chuckled at him. As James could see that Mr. Lupin had a small grin on his face. This told James that the man was not asleep and just faking it.
Then the door to the compartment opened, revealing a plump woman with a cart of sweets in it.
"Anything off the trolley dears?" she asked.
Jacob looked at James and asked if he had any wizarding candy before. James shook his head and said that he did not want anything. Jacob looked at Tonks, who said that she will have some Sugar Mice; while Jacob asked for a Chocolate Frog.
Hours went by as the weather outside began to get rougher. However, that was not what James concerned. He began to think of everything. How his life was now in a different world, the world where everything he had known has changed to something else. He wished that he was home, back home in 1867. Everything different is too much for him to handle. His nerves were getting to him. Then it all stopped when the train came to a screeching halt. The train stopped so hard that it nearly threw Jacob to the other side of the compartment. Then the next thing James knew was that the lights went out. The only light he could see was from the window. However, the strength of the light from it began to reduce as it was suddenly covered with ice. James did not know how it happened, but it did. James started to feel cold and see his breath as the cold intensified.
He could see that everyone else was cold. He looked to the man, who was still 'asleep.' James really doubted that anyone could sleep through this; so he just shook his head at the man. His thoughts stopped as the train shook back and forward, like as if something was trying to push it or break in. James was now concerned, as this was not something that was broke in the train. It was something trying to get into the train and do god knows what. When he heard the door to their compartment open, he quickly pulled out his wand; ready to cast a spell on whoever was trying to get inside.
"Wait, I am a friend of Jacob's," It said in a scared and male voice.
Jacob stood up as he recognized the voice and said, " Neville, is that you?"
"Yes, it is me. I just came back from Hermione to check on you." The voice responded.
James watched as Neville sat next to Jacob. The dark was preventing James from describing the looks of Neville. Then James heard a noise coming down the hall. The noise that he heard frightened him, as it sounded like something that came from hell. Something not human, something like a demon. Quickly, he closed the door and locked it. He had Tonks move aside as they both pointed their wands at the gate. Ready to take down whatever it was inside the train. They could see the black figure of something. Something that is definitely not human or unholy in James's opinion. It looked like something that in a black robe with a skeletal figure. Then came the greatest shock to James, as he saw that it had somehow unlocked the door and opened it. As it was looking at each and everyone in the compartment. James could see that it had a hood covering its face, with only a small hole for a mouth. It continued to make the demonic sound that James heard it achieved in the hall. James wondered what it was going to do next, now that it found people in this compartment. Until it turned its attention towards James.
Then suddenly, James began to feel colder. His head and mind were losing strength. He felt like something was being sucked out of him. Then things started to get worse. Voices were being heard in his head.
"Run Lily, It's Him. Take Harry and Run. Start the Ritual."
"Please, not Harry! Please Kill Me Instead of Harry! Please!"
"Move Aside, You Silly Girl!"
It did not stop there as he began to hear memories and sounds from his past.
{BANG}
{Screams}
"Sic Semper Tyrannis!"
"Long Live The South!"
He then heard the sounds of his adopted mother crying loudly. He barely remembered hearing her as he was in and out before the operation on his chest. Then the next thing he knew was that his world went black.
When he opened his eyes, he felt the air turn warm again. He then heard the sound of the Train's whistle blowing. He looked around and saw concerned eyes looking at him. Everyone in the compartment was checking him to see if he was alright. He heard Tonks ask him if he was alright and he responded that he was fine. He heard Jacob ask if he was sure; to which James responded even stronger that he was fine. He saw that Mr. Lupin was awake and pulled something out of his pocket.
"Here eat this, it will help," He said as he handed him the item.
James looked at it for a second, trying to determine what it is. It was soft but a little hard with a sweet smell to it. The item was shaped like a rectangle with one side being rough and the other very smooth.
"It is alright. It is just chocolate. " Lupin assured him.
James nodded. Slowly, he took a bite and found it very delicious. It had a sweet texture, unlike anything that he had ever tasted. It was like nectar of the gods. He began to feel much better than he was earlier. As he gathered more strength, he looked back to Mr. Lupin and decided to ask him a question.
"What was that thing?"
"That was a Dementor. One of the Dementor's from Azkaban. They guard the Wizard prison. I suspect that they entered the Train to see if Sirius Black was in here. Do not know why they tried to suck your soul out, but I promise that you will be fine now. They left now after I banished them. Now, I am going to speak to the conductor. We will be arriving near Hogwarts at about two to three hours. Now, just keep eating that chocolate, you will feel better." He said while walking out of the compartment.
James nodded as he felt that Train speeds up to the rate that it was going before being stopped by the Dementor. He looked at the others in the compartment and decided to ask them a question.
"What happen while I was out?"
He heard Neville speak, who was a skinny boy who looked 13 with blond hair and wore the crest of Gryffindor on his robe.
"Well, when the Dementor came in, you sort of went out like a light. Then as soon as you fainted, Mr. Lupin came up and casted some sort of spell. Then it just left, as the spell gave off this bright light. Like it was poison to it."
"Are you sure that you are alright?" Tonks asked again.
"Yea. I am alright. What about you guys?" he asked looking at them.
They are replied saying that they are fine. A little shaken, but fine.
Meanwhile, James could not help but think of what had happened and heard from this encounter. He wondered why he heard the memories that he had, especially with it having him understand his parents death and his own assassination from Booth. He even questioned the humanity that the Ministry has towards using these demons from hell as the guardians of a wizard prison. Surely the UN would not approve of this. Hell, even he thought that the utilization of these monsters is a crime against humanity. These demons should eliminated. He could say that this would be the only time, where he believes that an entire race of something should be extinct. As these things do not have a care in the world that suck a soul from, but only that they get one; whether it is collateral damage to the Ministry or not.
Outside of Hogwarts
8:00 P.M.
The castle was beautiful. James could see that everything in the castle was medieval. The stone walls looked like they were centuries old. Even the sight of it outside when he rode the carriage that was being pulled by a horse with wings. He could say for sure that this place is magical and that was just from seeing the external portion of the castle, after seeing it from all the way from the Hogwarts Express. The area was large and put on good land; as there was a lake that was connected to the sea, which is west of the property. There was also a large forest that was near the castle, with a kind of creepy vibe to it. James believed that it was probably a good idea to not go exploring there as it had the signs of death awaiting anyone willing to go inside the forest. He did not why, but he had that feeling of it.
When he left the train after it stopped on a platform not far from the school, he really did not like the idea of going on a boat to see the view of the school. As he saw what he could describe as a giant direct the First-year students to the boats. James did not know how to swim, in case worst comes to worst. So he told Tonks that he was going to follow the other students to the school. At first, she felt that he should take the boat to the school, but allowed it as she remembered her job and after James explained to her about his inability to swim; which at times activate a fear of drowning on him. He never did learn how to swim back in his time; as the Potomac was too deep for him to swim in normal conditions. James did really enjoying the comfort that the carriage ride to the castle offered as it helped fall asleep on Tonks's shoulder until they arrived after about fifteen minutes. As she woke him up, which led to him realizing whose shoulder he was sleeping. He continuously apologized to her as he felt very ungentlemanly to her. She said that it was alright and that it did feel good, though; where she then blushed after realizing what she just said.
He followed her into the castle, where she led him to the entrance to the main hall. As the students and teachers were already in there, as he noticed that somehow he was late for something. The reason was he heard names being called out at the front of the room, where they were the first-years huddling up at the front as their names were being called. The room was spectacular, with its ceiling being concealed by the some sort of illusion of the night sky; with stars that made it more real to James. He even noticed that there were four long rows of tables in the Great Hall, which were filled with lots of students that are of each school house. He could say for sure that this Castle and school was amazing by everything inside of it. Particularly with the Ghosts floating around. He kept walking forward, as he heard Tonks whisper to him.
"I will wait by a corner. Now, know this, do not worry about what others will think about the house that you go into. It is only about you. I think that your parents would still be happy for you, even if you were placed in a different house than they were in."
James nodded as he waited for five minutes to hear his name be called.
"Potter-Lee, Harry"
Slowly he walked up to the woman with the green wizard hat and glasses; while hearing the other students talk.
"The Harry Potter?"
"Harry Potter? The one who defeated You-Know-Who and disappeared all these years?"
"Why does he have that scar on his forehead?"
"Why does he have Lee after his last name?'
"Where do you suppose he has been for the past years?"
"Fighting for the Independence and survival of a nation!" He thought to himself after hearing that last question.
The woman instructed him to sit on the stool. The kind of seat that reminded him of teachers during his time would have delinquent students sit on near a corner. He carefully placed himself on the stool noticing that everybody in the room was looking at him. They were staring at him to find out what house he is going to be in. He saw Jacob in the Slytherin table waving at him. James smiled at him, as the woman placed a very old hat on the top of his head.
Then he heard a voice in his head said, "Well, Well. Very Interesting. Very Interesting."
James looked around and did not see anyone speak.
"Do not worry, Mr. Potter. It is just me the Sorting Hat. Or should I call you Congressmen or General Lee, instead of Mr. Potter?" The voice continued.
James began to get concerned as the Hat knew his history. He wondered if the Hat was going to tell everyone his greatest secret.
"You have nothing to worry about, Mr. Potter. I am bound by the magic of the founders to not reveal anything about students unless it concerns their safety and health. I cannot even betray the heir of three of the houses."
James wondered what the hat meant on that last part, until he remembered his inheritance. He had control of three vaults to the founders of the school: Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor.
"Ah, but you have control of more than just. Look for the Come and Go room, which is where you find out more about what you do not already know. Now, on to the sorting. Where was I? Oh, yes. You are a very interesting and challenging person to sort. You have a high strength of Loyalty that fits as a Hufflepuff, particularly to your State of Virginia. But you have the Intelligence of a Ravenclaw from your intelligent during the war and the Courage of a Gryffindor from your determination to defend your State. However, you have the cunningness of Slytherin; especially with what you did at Versailles and Falmouth. This causes me a problem as all of those traits are all equal to each other; which means that I cannot be able to choose on what is best for you. So, I think that the best way to solve this problem is by allowing you to choose your house. Now, which one do you wish to be in?"
James began to think. He did not what the Come and Go room is. It was something that he will ask Tonks about later. As he started to think about he is on this stool for, which is to be sorted into a house. James decided to look at the ups and downs in each one of them. He did not mind being in Slytherin with Jacob, but he was afraid that he would kill Malfoy with his pistol one of these days; which could be very soon. He looked over to Gryffindor, the house that his birth parents were once sorted in. He did not mind being in that house, the only problem was that he recognized most of the hound dogs from the train in that house. Well, excluding Neville, of course. Neville did not do what his housemates did. However, he decided it would be best for his health to not be placed in that House. Either Ravenclaw or Hufflepuff would be a better choice. They have their advantages, but he could not see anything against the two houses. He began to think more of his past and thought which House was one that fits his career during the War. It was then he made his made choice, loyalty to his state of Virginia is stronger than any of his other traits.
"I wish to be in Hufflepuff," He told the hat.
"Very well, if you are sure. Then better be…HUFFLEPUFF." The Hat said, yelling out the last word as an announcement to the school.
Everyone clapped as James stood up and walked to the Hufflepuff table; where many people in the house welcomed him in their house. James felt happy after that was over while noticing that as soon as he took a seat Tonks came over and sat right next to him.
"Congratulations on making Hufflepuff. You know it was my house during my days here at Hogwarts."
"Really?" he asked.
"I am not kidding you."
James nodded as he decided to watch as the sorting continued for ten minutes, where all the rest of the first years were sorted into their houses. As Hufflepuff got a couple more new members in its House. Then suddenly, food appeared on the tables out of thin air. James could say that he was for sure surprised and amazed at the beautiful things that Magic can do. All the students quickly grabbed some food and put them on their plates. James could say that this was not a dinner, it was a feast as they were so much food that it could feed a homeless man for at least a year. After the stool had been put away by disappearing like how the food on the table appeared on the table, James looked over to the table where all the teachers and staff sit. He noticed one of them was looking at him with a hateful glare. It was not like a glare that he hated his looks or anything, but it was one of those glares that told James that he hated everything he stood for. The man had black hair with a lot of grease, a hocked nose, eyes that were as dark as one's soul could, and a black robe. James was concerned if he had done something to cause the man to hate him that bad. He asked Tonks if she knew anything about the man.
"Oh, you mean Snape. Do not worry Harry. He just hates everyone that is not in Slytherin. But expect him to be a prick to you in Potions because that is what he teaches and be favorable to his little snakes as Head of Slytherin. No offense to Jacob, of course. It is just that has a bad name for being known to have been the house that has had the most Death Eaters during You-Know-Who's time of terror." She informed him.
James wondered what turned that man into who he is, and was concerned about if there really is fairness inside this school. Teachers are supposed to be equal to all students. James really hated it when people called Voldemort names like He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named or You-Know-Who, as that is what still brings the fear of him in this country. It should be time to move on and not continue to live in fear. However, he doubts that he convince everybody in the world with that message. He then turned his attention to an old man with lots of white, he looked ancient, had a weird type of robe, and spectacles. The old man was talking with the woman that had taken part in the sorting. He had no idea who that was and trying to find out while everyone was eating.
"Oh, that is Professor Dumbledore. He is the Headmaster of the school and along with other titles as well as duties that I cannot remember because there are so bloody many. He is a genius and a little nutty at times. But he is alright." Tonks explained to him, as she began to eat some mash potatoes.
James nodded as he went to eating. However, he decided to eat like gentlemen. Like wearing a napkin around his neck and eating slower than everyone else in the tables. This got a few stares directed at him from the students, which he ignored. As he was raised to be a Southern Gentlemen and no one will change that from him. He continued eating for the next hour until he heard the tapping on a glass by a spoon. He and everyone else turned their attention to the person making the noise. It turned out that it was Headmaster Dumbledore. James could only guess that he had an announcement to make. It ended up that James was correct, as the Headmaster stood up to begin speaking.
He welcomed everyone the first years and the old students back to Hogwarts. He gave his reminders that no magic is to be used between classes and corridors, that there are certain items banned by the Caretaker of Hogwarts, and that the forest outside is strictly forbidden. He then continued on that Remus Lupin, who was the man that helped James in the train, is this year's Teacher in Defense Against the Dark Arts. He then explained that for this year the Keeper of Keys and Grounds of Hogwarts Rebus Hagrid is the Teacher for the class in Care of Magical Creatures. Both professor's received claps from everyone in the school, except a good portion of the students in Slytherin. James could tell that it may have to do with the fact that the man is very tall. Abnormally tall, as no regular human could ever get that tall. However, he had nothing against the man; he looks like a person that is gentlemen that would fit in with a southern society. He wondered if the man has ever since the beautiful land of Virginia, as he developed the belief that he has done a lot of traveling around the world.
James then turned his attention to Dumbledore as he continued on about the Dementors, as they are here to guard the School from the wanted criminal Sirius Black.
"Yea, but what is protecting the school from the savage Dementors?" He thought, as he still thought that these demons should not even be on this earth.
In his mind, the monster should only be staying with the Devil in hell. The Dementors should only guard the realm of hell, not anything that is of the living. He did know what that idiot Fudge was thinking, but he is really close to wanting to tie the fool to a tree and execute him with his Navy Revolver. The only problem with that is it would damage his Southern Honor and would make him as bad as Sirius Black. Although, James did want to find Black and bring him to justice for the betrayal that he has done to his birth parents. A man that betrays his best friends deserves nothing but death, where he face judgment from the Holy Father. He heard Dumbledore explain that it is unwise to leave Hogwarts grounds at night and to provoke the Dementors, as they feast on happy memories.
Dumbledore then finished off his speech by having the entire school sing the Hogwarts anthem, which the lyrics were painful for James's ears as every student had their own tune to it. He swore that he heard someone make a sad like tune that sounded like he was at a funeral. He did not know who made that, but what he did know was that it came from the Gryffindor table. James was glad that it was over, when Dumbledore dismissed them as he explained that it was time for everyone to go to bed. Tonks thought that it would be beneficial for him to follow the first years, but James told her no. he had enough of the Hound Dogs for today and hopefully for the rest of his life. However, he doubted that last part. Tonks understood James as she decided to take a detour to the Hufflepuff Common Room. She showed him the grand staircases, which gave James a real shiver as he hated heights. She then showed him Library, which was beautiful and filled with loads of books that he will read in the future.
By the time, they reached the kitchens it was almost Eleven O'clock. James wondered at first why they were in the kitchens until she led him to a large stack of barrels. The barrels were piled on their sides, where James could see the lids on them. He watched as Tonks tapped the middle lid on the second row from the bottom. However, she tapped in a tune that James could tell was in some kind of name. He played a lot of tunes on instruments during his time and could tell when it is of a word.
He watched as the lid to the barrel opened to show a hole that is large enough for him to crawl through. To which Tonks told him that is what he has to do. Although, James told her to go first as she is a Lady. After they crawled out of the other side of the entrance. James was shown a beautiful room filled with lavish couches, a large fireplace with the moving painting of a beautiful woman above it, and with many plants all over the place.
"So, what do you think of it?" Tonks asked with a smile.
James looked at her with a smile as well as saying "It is beautiful. It is probably the closest thing to heaven that I will get."
Tonks yawned as said, "Well, I am going to sleep in the Girls Dormitory. At least, that is what Headmaster Dumbledore said that I would for now. You will be sleeping in the Boys Dormitories, the entrance to it is at that the right tunnel covered by that lid."
James nodded as he said, "Thank you, Tonks. Goodnight."
Slowly, he opened the lid and crawled through the tunnel; as he was looking forward to a goodnight's rest. He really needs it.
I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Also, I would like to let everyone know that when the week that I am off of college and work for a week; I will use that time to fix any grammar errors or anything else that has to edit in all the story's chapters. Maybe, I will even add some extra stuff if needed. I do not know when that week is, but when I find out; I will post an update about it for everyone. If there is anything that needs to add or fixed, please let me know through a PM.
Again, I would like to thank the people that have informed me of the plot holes that I accidently left in the last chapter. And I encourage them and everyone, to please PM me should there find any plot holes and I promise that I will reply to you. I promise to do my best to even fix those plot holes.
Another thing, if there is anyone from the United Kingdom, If I must understood on how Parliament works and got it wrong; please let me know. I am not very good at understanding on how your government works and if I had insulted you in any way; then I would like to apologzie. i would have used Wikipedia, but as a college student in a History degree program I have developed a belief in not using it until I know the sources used are reliable. I even used some of the stuffed that I have learned in College inside this story.
Also, I am pretty sure, some of you wanted to vote on what house James goes in. However, I thought it would be better for the story that James goes into Hufflepuff, as I drew many connections to his past and character. However, in the future, I can do something where a new house is created. If you want to do that then let me know in the comments.
One last thing, I would like to remind everyone about that challenge that I have posted. Here are the details:
Required:
Harry must be either raised by a famous person or reincarnated of a famous person.
If Harry is raised by a famous, he must return to his timeline during or before any of the school years.
Harry must somehow change the Muggle World, Magical World, or both. If he is raised by a famous person, he can change the past, present, or both.
Relationships: Harry and anyone female or Harry/Harem. Absolutely no slash.
Allowed and Your Choice:
Harry can go to war against the Ministry of Magic.
Harry can have any Royal titles of any kind.
Manipulative Dumbledore
Blashing from the Weasley's
Super Harry/ Godlike Harry
If Harry is sorted at Hogwarts, he can go to any house (or even new ones).
Harry can go to any magical school.
