The Problem With Rebirth
Warnings: bad language, fluff, sarcasm, and Snape's wit.
Let me know if you figure out who is who in this. I wanna see who can catch it. Cookies to those who can!
The views and opinions written in this story do not reflect the author's views and opinions...
Disclaimer still applies.
Chapter 2: Enter Said Royal Prat.
Grey blue eyes stared dazed into the sunlit day. Attention focused on the rolling green hills, laying beyond that window pane.
He swore he could almost feel the breeze on his face, running through his golden locks.
His slightly tanned skin ached to feel the warmth of the promised sun snuggle it's way into his pores.
His smaller than usual hand reached, but only met cold glass.
He knew that he'd be able to go outside soon, but for now, he had to stay in.
Arthur sighed, having always hated being stuck indoors. At nine years old, it drove him batty...
Well, more so than he believed he already was.
Carrying the weight of memories a few thousand years old, often led one to believe that they were slowly, if they weren't there already, being driven to the brink of sanity.
Arthur felt his eyes fall shut as he leaned his head against the glass, his breath fogging it up.
Again, grey blue opened to stare longingly at the scene outside his window.
He knew this was not the age of swords, but sometimes, he missed going outside for training. Not to mention the presence of all his knights. Never to mention the presence of one big eared, bumbling oaf of a man servant who happened to be one of the most powerful warlocks of all time...
Yeah... No anger simmering over the fact that Merlin had kept that hidden. None what so ever!
Yet, his lips cracked into a smile, and distantly, he swore he could hear Gwaine calling him 'princess' or Merlin calling him a 'royal prat'.
He sighed, and smoothed out his blue jumper, getting ready to go down to lunch with his... family.
He shuddered at that word.
When Uthur Pendragon had been his father, the man had been strict, harsh, and overly critical. Then again, that man had been raising the heir to the throne.
Christian Mycroft was tyrannical, and maniacal, and he wasn't truly raising anyone. He was a cold man, the owner of several large industries. His wife, Marissa Mycroft wasn't much better. He often wondered how it came to be that they had even conceived a child while both were as nurturing as the desert, let alone two.
Samuel, his younger brother was a different story. Bright eyed, curious, and naturally happy. The six year old boy was always into something. Samuel, or Sammy as he was often affectionately called by friends, was always positive, and excited about something. Despite how harsh their parents were, Sammy never lost that sparkle in his eyes.
Something about Sammy was strange. Things around Sam were usually normal... Except for several incidents of unexplainable events, some of which Arthur recalled with relish.
When Sam was about two, Christian Mycroft had gathered his family in the sitting room of their overly posh home. This gathering would usually mean family time for normal families. Mycroft family time meant punishment for Arthur, whom had done something to his father's distaste.
This time, Arthur had pushed another little boy down the stairs for picking on Sammy. The boy hadn't fallen far, only two steps, but the boy had cried to the teacher, whom then called his father at work to inform him of this incident. His father had not been happy to be interrupted at work, despite the fact that Sammy could have been seriously hurt by the boy picking on him.
That was the last summer they had spent in that day care.
He was about to be severely punished. Arthur knew that this didn't mean a spanking, or grounding like normal kids. No... This meant a severe beating.
Sure enough, Christian Mycroft rose his hand to Arthur, with the family gathered around. Just as that large hand came down to strike him, Arthur heard something shatter so close, and felt a couple of light taps atop his head.
Somehow, a priceless Ming vase had fallen on top of his father's head from the second floor. The weird thing is, this vase was no where near the bannister of the stairs. It was in a cabinet... A cabinet that had managed to come unlocked...
Sammy was the only one staring up at the second floor, where the cabinet should be...
Of course, that was only one of several instances, and usually these instances involved Arthur or Sam about to be injured.
Arthur had to wonder how Sam managed that, and often times, it led to him missing a certain big eared, nosy, kind man servant.
When Samuel's 11th birthday rolled around, it was not your ordinary morning. A white owl, twice the size of a normal one, arrived at Sam's window, during the morning, might Arthur remind you, carrying a strange letter. On the front of this letter read Samuel's name in emerald green ink.
Arthur watched as Sam's hand reached out to take the letter. As soon as the letter was out of the owl's grasp, the usually nocturnal animal spread it's large wings, and took flight.
Sam wasn't sure what this meant, but sure enough, his name was scrawled in elegant emerald green ink across the parchment like envelope. When Sam turned the envelope around, he found it sealed in red, with a strange emblem on the front. "What is this?" he wondered, studying it.
"Just open it already, Sam." Arthur urged, also curious as to what it could be. Sam just shot him a grin, and popped the seal open.
Reaching in, Sam's hand grasp the thick parchment. He tugged it out gently. On it, in the same emerald green ink, was written what seemed to be an acceptance letter to a school.
"Interesting way to send an invite." Arthur commented, reading over Sam's shoulder. Something screaming 'this is magic!' in the back of his mind.
Sam's face was alight with wonder, and pure fascination. "Is this even real? Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? I don't think that's a real place... but... Something is just screaming at me that it's right." Sam ran a hand through his dark hair thoughtfully. His bright blue eyes scanning the page for proof of fraud.
It was about that time that Arthur decided to break the stupor. "How is this even real?" Sam didn't seem to even register that Arthur was there...
He couldn't believe it. An invite to a school of magic? Sam knew he had to really think about this. This could be his true chance to make things right...
This could be his chance to earn that person's friendship...
His mind couldn't comprehend how close he was this time. He'd really mucked things up a thousand years ago, but now was his chance to fix it! Had fate finally decided to smile on him? Or was this the work of something far darker than fate?
He wasn't sure. He knew one thing. He had to go to Hogwarts to find out...
Wait... What was his brother trying to tell him? Oh yeah!
"-uel!" Arthur's latest attempt to capture his younger sibling's attention was failing. Sam had gone off to his own little world again. He sighed in slight frustration. Trying to have a conversation, and suddenly Sammy's not home.
He rolled his eyes. This happened a lot. He could count on his fingers how many times Sam had gotten lost just cause he spaced out.
Suddenly, Arthur's thoughts were cut off as Sam tackled him in a hug.
"I've decided! I'm at least going to give this a go!" Sam declared, his wide blue eyes shining. Arthur wanted to balk at Sam. "Are you daft? How is this even real?!"
Sam deflated before Arthur's eyes, and he hated when Sammy did that. "Awww... Sam, common. We will both look into this... Let's test it by seeing if this 'Diagon Alley' even exists! Sound fair?" he purposed.
He hated it when Sam lost that twinkle.
Suddenly, he was once again tackled in a huge hug. When had Sam let go? Ah well...
"Brilliant! I'll go get the driver!" Sam said, racing out the door while trying to pull on his green sweater, while also trying to shove the letter into the back pocket of his jeans. Arthur rolled his eyes.
While both of their parents were out at work, he supposed it wouldn't be to bad to take a dip around London, even if this 'Hogwarts' thing turned out to be a scam.
He'd get Sammy some ice cream to make it up to him.
Holy cricket! Diagon Alley was real!
Arthur could only gape and stare, still not sure how they'd ended up talking the owner into showing them how to open the way.
"Now you'll want to go to Gringots Bank to exchange some pound for galleons, sickles, and knuts. Stick to the actual Alley now! No wandering off, or you'll end up in some unsavory places! Don't lose each other now... Easy for muggleborns to get lost."
Arthur wasn't sure what this man was even spouting, but Sammy was nodding vigorously while dragging Arthur through the opening. Sam shot Tom a winning smile. "Thanks Tom!" he exclaimed before waving, and tugging his older brother through into the crowded cobbled street.
Sam was so eager to get to this bank, that he nearly knocked down some people. "Sam! Watch it!" Arthur hissed. Sam stopped and composed himself, taking several deep breaths.
Arthur was still in a state of awe. He was not sure if he'd hit his head on something and this was just the odd ramblings of his psychosis, or if it was real. Sure as hell felt real, smelled real, even sounded real. So his logical mind registered that it had to be real.
During his mental rambling, Sammy had managed to flag down an elderly lady wearing the most peculiar dress, and a pointy hat.
"Please excuse me, madam. Could you point me in the direction of Gringots Bank?" he asked her with a charming grin, looking ruffled as he'd nearly crashed into a few people when stepping into the alley.
Pink dashed across the lady's cheeks. "Of course, young man! Gringots is that huge building right there." she pointed in the distance where the imposing marble building stood.
Sam nodded his head, dark brown hair bobbing with him, his grin strengthening. "Thank you ever so much, madam! Please excuse me?" he said, nodding his head, and starting a brisk walk to the nearby building. He quickly made sure Arthur was still behind him.
His poor brother was mentally fried at this point. He couldn't blame Arthur. Everything they had ever known just got turned on it's head. For Sam, this was something new, and exciting. Not to mention his big chance.
He must remember to thank whoever sent that letter.
He shook off his thoughts as he almost ran into another group of people. Now was not the time to space out! He sighed, unable to control when he did that, but he'd sure as hell would fight through it in this place.
The Gringots building was breathtaking in it's intimidating structure. Sam had a moment of total awe, before dragging his still silent big brother through the doors.
The creatures inside were almost as awe inspiring as the building. Short, stubby, and rude! He heard a gentleman dressed in that peculiar dress, without the pointy hat, say something about goblins. That must be what these creatures are.
Approaching one, he threw caution to the wind, remembering that Tom had told him to tell these creatures that he was an "independent muggleborn". They would know what to do, and how to help him.
"Excuse me? I require help." he pointed out to one that was behind a tall standing. His small four foot standing felt even smaller next to the goblin's perch.
Said goblin snorted. "How may I help you?" he, or at least Sam thought it was a he, asked. "Yes... I'm an independent muggleborn." Sam started. The goblin scowled, and heaved a heavy sigh as he began to get off his perch.
Once down, he came around to stand sort of face to face with Sam. "Please follow me... Who is that?" he asked, nodding to the still mentally numb Arthur.
Arthur heard the question that creature asked, and his twelve years of breeding kicked in. His posture immediately straightened, his stance taking on one of a polite air. "Arthur Mycroft. His older brother." he introduced, giving the creature that could potentially eat him a polite nod.
The goblin just snorted. "Muggle then." he nodded, showing Sam and Arthur the way to an office. Arthur was just about to bristle, sure that 'muggle' was some sort of insult. Sam placed a hand on his shoulder, and shook his head while they followed their smaller guide.
Arthur gave a mental sigh. Sam was right. They were in a world they didn't understand. Arguing wouldn't help them in any way right now.
When they were led into the office, there was a slightly bigger goblin sitting behind a large desk. Behind him, was a well worn, double bladed, battle axe that was easily twice the goblin's size held up on a plaque.
Arthur suddenly felt uneasy, but the smaller goblin fled quickly. The bigger one motioned them to take a seat.
"Hello, I am Knotbear, chief officer financier for muggleborns. How may I help you?" he spoke with a polite, but still arrogant tone.
Sam only gave him a polite smile. "I am an independent muggleborn, and I just got my Hogwarts letter." he explained.
Knotbear nodded. "Then we will first need to make an account for you." he began. "Then we will need to exchange some pounds into wizard money, which I will explain to you." he said calmly. Sam's eyes widened as Knotbear went on. Arthur was keeping up, just barely.
Knotbear reached into one of the drawers of his desk, and pulled out a sheet of parchment, with a legal description written on it. "Normally, we require your guardians to sign this, but since you are independent, you will be considered under the care of an elder wizard who will be assigned to you. It's a new program under the Department of Muggle Relations. He or she will be your tutor, and if necessary, your caregiver until you've graduated from Hogwarts." he explained. Sam nodded, accepting this, and slowly forming a plan.
Arthur noticed the wheels turning in Sam's head. Dread would have draped over his shoulders, if he didn't know that his younger brother would involve him in his plans.
Sam and Knotbear went over several details, Arthur imputing when needed, and when it was done, Knotbear handed Sam a bag filled with hundreds of galleons. "Go get your school supplies. When your done, we will see about placing you and your brother in a magical home." he said softly. Sam's eyes were sparkling again, and Arthur worried a bit.
Sirius Black wasn't what you'd call a lonely man. He had his family, and that was well and fine. But he was also one of those people who would do whatever he could to help others. Thus he was one of the guardians listed for the Independent Muggleborn program.
As such, he wasn't surprised when Knotbear floo called him. "What can I do for you Knotbear?" Sirius asked, although he figured this was going to be interesting.
"We have a case. Two children, but only one has magic. They are in an abusive home, and even volunteered to offer confession under veritaserum."
Sirius frowned. He didn't like it when children were in trouble. "How soon do you need me to come down?" he asked.
"As soon as you can." Knotbear said, his voice firm.
Sirius nodded, and looked back towards his nephew, and two bond brothers with a shrug. "Looks like we are going to do your shopping early, Harry."
He turned before seeing Harry's face brighten, but he heard the almost whispered "yes!". He chuckled. "We will be there soon." he offered.
Harry had just turned eleven, and had gotten his Hogwarts letter, so they had to go to Diagon Alley to fetch his supplies anyway. Sirius figured this would be a side trip to see the boys, and see if they were compatible.
Harry played a big part in this. Three boys... Sometimes didn't get on very well. If Harry got along with them, Sirius would gladly invite them in. They could be serial killers for all he knew, but if Harry liked them, who was Sirius to deny Harry the chance for friends his age. Friends who had no idea who the hell Voldemort even was.
After getting everything set up, Sam was excited to go out and explore Diagon Alley. Arthur, having mentally caught up to it all, was also enjoying the sights.
"What did you need again?"
Sam frowned, and looked down at his letter. "Looks like clothing is first up." he said with a nod. Arthur nodded, wincing at what Christian Mycroft was going to think of well over 600,000 pounds missing from his bank account. Arthur shrugged. It was the least he owed his two sons for not being the father they needed.
They found Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions easily. Getting out, they found, was the harder part.
She wanted to measure them both for school robes. Arthur had told the madam that he was just accompanying his younger brother. She insisted he be remeasured for his fourth year robes. He then told her he was a muggle. She quickly dismissed him, fawning over how adorable and polite his younger brother was.
Arthur rolled his eyes. When once again on the street, bag in hand he dared ask. "What's next?" Sam gave him an apologetic smile for the way she'd treated him. It seemed that muggles were sort of looked down on here. "Books." His apologetic smile turned into an excited one.
Books were perhaps Sam's favorite subject. No matter what their content held, he'd read until his eyes fell out.
Arthur rolled his eyes. "Don't take to long. After this, we have to go meet our potential guardian." he explained.
He was better off talking to a wall.
Time had proven him right as Arthur and Sam dashed back to the bank. They were late.
When they finally made it to Knotbear's office it was to meet three strange men, and a young boy about Sam's age.
The first man was tired looking. His face scarred, but the smile on his lips was what caught your eye. His brown eyes were warm and inviting, his light brown hair swept to the side. His frame was slightly more built than the other two men, but he was shorter in stature.
The second man had glasses. His wild black hair was an untamed mess, but the grin on his face was more welcoming. His hazel eyes seemed to study them, but not intrude upon them. His lean build fit a runner. He was slightly shorter than the third man.
Said man was excited. That much Sam and Arthur could tell. He had shoulder length black hair. His slightly tan face was aristocratic, but the grin was warm. His wide blue grey eyes twinkling in mirth. His build was somewhere between the first and the second men, but he was easily the tallest.
The boy though... While almost a copy of the second man, his eyes are what caught Arthur's attention...That and the fact they were zeroed in on him. Those startling green eyes were unnerving the fourteen year old.
Blue grey met green, and memories pounded at the door Arthur had put up. For a moment, he swore he saw gold flash through them. Those eyes practically screamed 'about damn time!' at him.
"Samuel, Arthur. Let me introduce your potential guardian, and his family. Sirius Black, James and Harry Potter, and Remus Lupin." Knotbear introduced. "Gents, this is Samuel, and Arthur Mycroft."
. . .
And I think this is a good stopping place! :D
Let me know if you've caught on to it! Or just tell me your theories of who will be who. I so want to hear these. I bet some of them are interesting :D