I do not own anything. I'm just translating. The characters belong to the great J.K. Rowling. The story belongs to the amazing Brigi. Her e-mail: tbwtpbe [et] hotmail com

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THE BOY WITH THE PIERCING BLUE EYES

Chapter 39 – Two Silver Merlins (part 1)

James Potter's figure appeared out of nowhere and plopped down in front of his child. Putting aside his mischievous nature, he looked at the room then at his son with surprise mixed with parental rigor.

"So this is what you've been working on?" he said.

Harry knelt in front of him with his head bowed clutching his pants and not daring to look up. In the candle light a tear track was visible on his face. The boy was crying.

Lamerin didn't dare say anything; he was so stunned by the success of the spell. His heart was pounding though this time not with fear. He found the whole thing wonderful and wished he could see his mother. He couldn't answer either but felt goose bumps all over upon really understanding the double meaning behind his words.

'What does he mean this? How does he know…?'

He shook his head and swallowed as the figure turned to him with a somewhat incredulous look. He eyed him with amazement which made Lamerin blush. However, the staring stopped when Harry suddenly started sobbing softly.

The boy covered his mouth with one hand to muffle the noise but they still heard him. His eyes were red.

James, though he wanted to say something to Lamerin, changed his mind and floated closer to his child. He saw that the boy still couldn't, or wouldn't, believe his eyes so he sat close to him sadly. Sitting cross-legged with a bent back he tried to look at Harry between the boy's fingers. He knew how shaken his son must be but he didn't want him to cry. With a slight smile, he cocked his head and leaned closer as if wanting to touch the kid's messy hair.

"I didn't mean…" he said quietly. "I didn't want to… scold you… or something…"

Harry looked up with tear-streaked face.

"So you don't deny it…?" he said in a terrible voice. "You admit that you've been here all along… with me?"

"There's no reason to deny that," James answered with a familiar smile. "We've been with you ever since you were a baby… It's just that the living can't see the dead."

"Then what is Remus? Half-human?!"

"You could say that…" his father shrugged. "He didn't know that you knew…"

"So you take your son for a fool?! Think I would not notice the signs?!"

'Why is he yelling at him?' Lamerin mused. He couldn't find any other explanation than his friend being completely confused by this encounter.

"What are you talking about?"

"You'll go and tell Remus what a stupid thing we did! Instead of… being useful you do nothing but spy on people who don't deserve it! Go to the bad guys, to Voldemort and spy on them if you have so much free time!"

James' figure flickered and for a few seconds he just stared ahead then nodded as if coming up with a good idea.

"Why did you call me, son?" he asked kindly. There was no sign of anger after what Harry had just said.

"I don't know…" Harry groaned and fell to the floor in despair.

James grinned and looked away just to see Lamerin smiling too.

The young Snape slid a little closer but stayed near Harry and watched the man who caused so much annoyance to his father from afar.

"Harry, do you want me to leave you alone?" he asked quietly.

"No! Stay! Please…" he clutched his friend's arm tightly.

The elder Potter watched with weird admiration as his child drew strength from the other boy's presence. To get rid of the tense atmosphere he teasingly said; "You don't even look alike…"

Lamerin sent him a dubious look and his left eyebrow twitched slightly as he eyed the man wryly.

"Just like his father."

Harry sniffed and added with a smile; "You're really a lot like him… You take on more and more of his habits…"

Feeling that maybe his son was calmer now, James started talking.

"I know…" he waved his hand almost touching the boy's face. "…this can't be such a great feeling… to have me sit here while… So I just want to say… no matter how bad this situation is… don't feel uncomfortable… okay?"

Harry glanced at him.

"We didn't have much time to talk the last time either…"

The boy's face turned sad again; he remembered the events of the Triwizard Tournament… Cedric's death… Voldemort's resurrection…

"Don't! Please don't start crying again!" James pleaded. "I only want what's best for you… You're… my son and we've been watching over you since you were a baby… so I know almost everything about you… except the things you do in secret like this," he looked around. "Still… it's like we are strangers since… we never had the chance to talk… You grew up to be a great man…" he said suddenly.

Harry felt like his insides were tingling; the much-needed feeling of having his parents proud of him was finally experienced after so many years.

"I know you're angry now but only because you miss us and want to see us too. But don't wish for this. Remus had a really hard time getting used to it. And he didn't share it with you only to make it easier for you… Remus loves you very much."

"Yes, I know…"

"But don't forget that he had been alone and it's really difficult to get into the role of a surrogate father… life with you isn't easy."

They grinned at each other and Lamerin found them undeniably similar.

Harry finally stopped his tears so James asked for the third time, "Why did you summon me?"

The young Snape ventured to speak.

"We… we wanted to see if Harry could use the spell right… we had to try it on someone who we were sure was deceased so we could try it on Fred, Fleur and Charlie…"

James recoiled.

"But they are not among us yet!"

"Among you?" the two boys asked stunned.

"Among the dead. They haven't arrived yet…"

Harry threw himself at Lamerin happily with so much force that they both fell back.

"So they're still alive…!"

"I couldn't bare it if Voldemort hurt them for being friends with me…" Harry moaned. "If they died… I would never forgive myself."

"Unfortunately, every family who supports Dumbledore openly is in danger. It's very sad what happened to the Weasleys… I hope their house can be restored."

"I have to finish Voldemort as soon as possible…" Harry muttered flatly.

"No!" James exclaimed, startled for the first time. "No, no, don't even think about it…"

He stopped because Harry looked at him thoughtfully.

"But… you know… I'll have to do it someday…"

"But not now!" his father protested. "You're still young and inexperienced! You'd be easy prey! Please don't do it! You see what he did to us… even though we were much older then you are now!"

James's pleading burned Harry's heart. He wanted to hug him one more time…

"Don't be scared for me… dad… I'll figure something out…" he smiled. "And who knows, you might meet me before my time comes…"

The man gulped.

"So you know about Sirius too?"

Lamerin's eyes narrowed at the mention of that name.

"You really are smart… you big child!" his father smiled at him.

He admired his handsome face and clear eyes then the ugly scar that was partly hidden by his hair. His eyes scanned over the broad shoulders and long legs… he found his child pretty.

"You could tell me something about… that girl…"

"…who can see you? My love life is… taboo," Harry said blushing. "I hope… you didn't…" he peered at his father.

"No, sometimes we need to sleep too," his father shrugged clearing away the disturbing thoughts of them being present in intimate moments.

The two boys smiled at each other. James finally turned to Lamerin.

"I think I'm late with an apology… on behalf of two people. Sirius and I regret how we behaved with your father in the past."

The young Snape wanted to say something rude to express doubts about the man's honesty but he didn't want to hurt Harry. So he could only stare at Potter with his almost girlishly pretty face, but the man felt guilty upon seeing the innocent figure.

"Well yes…" he finally said. "At some point, everyone has to grow up and admit their mistakes," he remarked sarcastically. Hearing that, James raised an eyebrow. "I'm sure dad has long forgiven you both."

"What a cheeky little brat you are," Potter laughed.

"From what I've heard about you, I take that as a compliment…"

"Dad…" Harry interrupted. "Do you know anything about Professor Snape…?"

Lamerin looked at him suddenly because he thought Harry wanted to know if his father was alive or not.

"Didn't you hear something… from Dumbledore? He probably told Remus more about this than to us… didn't he say if he was okay? I was really surprised when Remus said he was joining him…"

"Wait, why don't I know about this?" Lamerin snapped his face slightly pale.

"I didn't want to scare you…" Harry apologized.

"You should have told me! Something must have happened to dad…! Why didn't Dumbledore tell me anything?!"

"It doesn't mean that something has happened…" his friend tried to calm him. "It might be because… because your father found Fleur and the others… but can't bring them back alone… or something…"

"Or something?!"

"I-I think…" James interjected. "…there is no reason to panic. Dumbledore only told Remus to go after Severus… and not go for him… He must be on the right track…"

However, Lamerin seemed inconsolable.

"I think after tricking him today we can't really question him…" Harry sighed. "Would you tell him not to be angry?" he asked his father.

"I think he won't know what to say after I tell him I talked to you…"

The next day, Harry woke up feeling exhausted. They talked with his father until dawn and he finally managed to have his friend answer to questions with more than short biting words. Saying goodbye was painful at first, but knowing the circumstances he knew it wasn't for forever.

After the long deception, he returned calmly to his room where the other four boys were already sleeping soundly. Still wearing his clothes, he fell on the bed because the room felt a little cold. Covered up to his neck, he turned to his side and wondered about all that had happened. He was waiting for the sun to come up with a smile, not feeling like sleeping at all. From time to time, he wiped his face, because he felt tears but there was none. Then he thought that maybe his mother was sitting on his bed, caressing him and that was what he was feeling… he had the same experience as a child many times…

When he was closed up in that small, drafty wardrobe he often wondered why his parents left him alone in this unjust world. When he was so cold his fingers started to changed color, he often cried in his hopelessness. In these cases, he also felt the invisible hands caressing him, but he never really knew what it was. He thought it was some hair tickling him or a bug… He never would have imagined what he became certain of tonight.

Even though he was exhausted, he practically ran to Remus' room after picking up his bag filled with toiletries. He ran like his life depended on it. He knew that Remus was leaving today and he didn't want to let him leave without saying good-bye.

The man was closing down his chambers when Harry approached him. Next to him stood Dumbledore and McGonagall and all looked up at the noise Harry was making. Remus wore dark robes and his hair was combed back. He only noticed the boy at the last moment when he collided with him; locking the man in a tight embrace. He could barely talk from all the running.

"Take… care…!"

"Potter, how do you know…?" McGonagall asked surprised.

However, Dumbledore touched her arm and shook his head. Through his half-moon shaped spectacles he watched the boy with his mysterious eyes.

"Harry…" Remus was visibly embarrassed. He noticed the happiness radiation from the boy's face but was unable to respond.

James told him everything that had happened and so he was prepared for anything; insults, questions, keeping distance… and in his nervousness he planned out what to say in each option but now, none of those proved to be useful.

"Promise me you'll come back soon and bring the Weasleys and Professor Snape with you… So we can finally talk… about them…"

Lupin, feeling touched, hugged him back and nodded.

"I'm always left out of the good stuff…" Sirius said bitterly as he leaned against the wall with folded arms. James chuckled and shook his head.

As Dumbledore invited the young professor with him, McGonagall adjusted her glasses the way she always did when getting into the strict professor mode.

"Go back to the common room, Potter," she hissed. "And not a word to anyone!"

"Of course, of course," Harry said as he looked past the woman and waved at Remus.

He turned around without another word and ran to the nearest bathroom…

Hermione shivered and pulled his coat tighter while wiping her nose with a handkerchief.

"I hate this weather…" she said wistfully. "One moment the snow is reaching your waist then it melts and everything is ugly and slushy… and people immediately think it's spring finally… but no," she continued feeling annoyed. "The cool air remains… and we get a cold… Why can't the weather be nice all the time? Like in the fall? The temperature is nice and the scenery is beautiful…"

"And you're birthday is in fall too," Ron grinned. "I bet that's why fall is your favorite season."

"Oh, Ron!" Hermione's head fell forward.

"Man, now he doesn't have a date on Valentine's Day…" Seamus said to Harry. They both laughed when Ron ran after the girl, trying to make excuses for himself.

As they walked to the vegetable garden near Hagrid's hut, Harry thought about how in love he was last year… how he didn't know what to do… So he fully understood Ron's concern.

He didn't tell his friend what he did with Lamerin a few days earlier. And no matter how much he wanted to, he couldn't share the information his father gave them about his brothers and Fleur being alive. However, whenever the topic of their disappearance came up, he tired to express his firm belief that they were alright. Even if Bill initially doubted his words, Mrs. Weasley, who had arrived to stay with her sons, admitted that she always felt it when something had happened to her family; and her instincts told her that her boys were alright. And since her role dominated in the family, this kind of attitude rubbed off on all of them which made Harry happy too.

"This way… this way…" the giant guided them. "Here's the path…"

Despite what he was saying, the students walked in knee-deep mud and tall grass which the Slytherins didn't fail to complain about.

"It's easy for Hagrid…" Neville groaned. "His boots are bigger than my entire leg…"

His boots were muddy and they were hard to get out of the mud. However, suddenly, instead of stepping next to his friends he fell back. Harry followed the unusual movement with his eyes and soon realized what happened.

Parvati, who was walking behind them with his friend Lavender, hoping the boys will make the road better suited for walking got stuck in a puddle. Since she couldn't get her leg out automatically, as she was about to take a step she lost her balance and with flailing arms tried to find something to hold on to. She grabbed Neville's robes and pulled the boy with her and they both sprawled out in the mud. While some tried to help them get up, others bypassed them and followed after Hagrid.

"You look like pigs," Justin laughed.

All sixth years were present because the Headmaster decided to have Hagrid teach them while Remus was away. Since there wasn't a classroom big enough for them to fit in this seemed to be the best option.

"Keep up!" the half-giant said to the students who stayed behind to help.

After they pulled Parvati's ankle out of the mud they ran after the others as fast as they could on the slippery grass.

"Well, it seems that everyone arriver more or less safely," Hagrid began his speech. "I didn't want to teach the topic I'm about to right now. It was an unexpected event… but it's a good opportunity to teach it. It's enough if it ruins my garden once… no need for more…"

He stepped aside and the tiny garden became visible that was hidden by his huge frame.

"Yuck, it's disgusting," Padma said upon seeing the big overgrown mushroom-like creatures as they dig into the ground with their tentacles.

"Let's start with someone telling me what these creatures are. No one? Yes, Hermione."

Harry looked at the girl who blushed like she did every time she had the attention of people as she answered.

"These are horclumps. They attack the gardens left unattended to find earthworms."

"How does she know?" Ron mused. "Her parents only have a Muggle garden and these things don't go near them! How can she recognize it when she had never seen one?"

"Well said, Hermione."

Several students watched the creatures while leaning on the railings. Seven or eight specimens lingered in the small garden enjoying its benefits. Harry saw Draco watching them with a distant grimace. However, they all felt disgusted when one of the creatures pulled its tentacles from the ground and tossed an earthworm into its moth.

"Uh…"Hagrid also looked like someone who just ate a lemon. "Well.. yes, that's how they eat. There's nothing else you need to know about them… everyone can see how harmful they are. Maybe one more thing; gnomes find them delicious… I'll go find some… You start drawing them."

While Hagrid walked along the edge of the forest, the students fished out papers and thick books to draw on. Unlike the other magical creatures the professor liked, this one was rather easy; it didn't run away from them, but stood in place as if rooted to the spot. Harry, despite not feeling talented in drawing, finished quickly. Though he grimaced slightly when he saw the detailed, professional job Dean did. He looked at his own again that didn't seem all that accurate anymore. Feeling disappointed, he tucked it away in his bag.

He thought about the upcoming Quidditch matches and training sessions as she leaned on the railing. He wondered about which houses will play first. Since Slytherin and Ravenclaw played last, it was obvious that Gryffindor was likely to be one of the teams in the next match… but who will be the opposing team…!

Harry found himself not wanting to play against any of them. His fight with Cho dampened his mood and he had depressing feelings whenever he thought about the Ravenclaw house. And even though the Slytherin team wasn't like they were at the beginning of the school year thanks to the players getting banned Malfoy's presence was still dominant.

Harry's heart wasn't so drained because of laziness; he just wanted to play against fairly playing opponents.

"Harry?"

"Aren't you coming?"

Harry suddenly noticed that everyone had set off to the castle and his prefect friends were waiting for him.

"I was just… thinking…"

"We can see that…"

"What's wrong with you lately?" Hermione asked. "You know you can tell us."

"Well…" Harry put his bag and coat down on the bench as they sat down in the great hall. "I think my world turned upside-down a little… I… talked to my father."

Ron choked on his food and began coughing violently.

Hermione could barely conceal her surprise as she almost slipped from the bench.

"What?" Ron asked after he finished choking. "What do you mean you talked to him? Did you dream about him or something?"

"Did you use some kind of spell?" Hermione wailed. "Oh, Harry, you know these things are very dangerous!"

"I know… Lamerin was there with me…"

"And why didn't you tell us?"

"You were sleeping…" their friend admitted though the excuse sounded ridiculous.

"But…" Hermione shook her head. "… you can't just borrow a book about that from the library… you need permission!"

"I know. That's why I stole it one night. But how do you know?"

"You wanted to borrow it too?" Ron looked back and forth between them.

"You stole it? But didn't you only take that one book they found under your pillow?"

"That was just a distraction!" Harry continued. "Or… I did it so that I could be invisible in the midst of all the attention! I had a little help… Lamerin… But you still didn't answer my question! Why did you want that book?"

"Obviously for the same reason as you," the girl said calmly.

Harry squinted for a moment at Hermione.

"Obviously. Just your sense of justice is too strong so you would never steal books."

The girl didn't answer only appeared sulky for a moment.

"Wait a minute!" Ron blurted out because he felt neglected. "Why don't I know about… all these? Why do you leave me out?"

"You have enough problems without these…"

"And we only wanted to help you."

"And your family…"

"Because we love you…" Hermione smiled at him to placate his anger.

"I'm so lucky," Ron said a bit embarrassed.

"So did you figure something out?" Hermione turned to Harry.

"Actually…" he began following Honeybourne with his eyes as the man entered the great hall. "Yes. They are alive."

The girl gasped while Ron slowly rose from his seat.

"Are… are you sure?"

"We have to trust my father… he seemed sure…"

Hermione hugged Ron tightly.

"So that's why you insisted so much…? What's with the 'intuition'…?!"

"There was no good time to tell you," Harry said softly. "I'm sure that's the reason Remus joined the professor… Maybe they found them."

"I hope they did," Hermione muttered against Ron's neck.

Harry almost sat down when Ron touched his arm.

"Hey… thanks a lot…"

The two friends tired to hug but that only resulted in crushing Hermione who was stuck between them.