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Aftermath
Hayden opened his eyes. It was much more of a struggle than it ought to be, after all it was an action that he'd done every day for the past 11 years. His eyes felt heavy, like someone had glued them shut and he was now forcing them to open regardless. Then when he finally did manage to get them open he was forced to slam them closed again as bright white light flooded his vision, causing a throbbing feeling to develop in his head. Bracing him self, Hayden once more opened his eyes.
There was white everywhere. The wall's, ceiling and floor all shone with polish. The bed Hayden was lying on was uncomfortable and both the sheet's and mattress were white too. Looking around, he saw that there were other beds arranged in neat lines along either wall. One of them, a few beds along from his had the curtains drawn around it. It took a moment for Hayden's mind to catch up to him. He was in the hospital wing. Why was he...his memory flooded back.
Hayden sat bolt upright as he remembered the confrontation with Quirrel.
"Ah, my boy. Glad to see you awake," said a kind, Grandfatherly voice from his bedside.
Hayden startled and whipped his head around to see the headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, sitting in a visitors seat next to the foot of the bed. Hayden nearly collapsed with relief. If Dumbledore was here then the stone would be safe, and Voldemort would not dare to try anything. The headmaster was the only one who could make Voldemort afraid. Whilst Hayden did have some lingering resentment for the mans role in leaving Harry in the worst place imaginable, he also knew that the man had always treated him kindly, and offered good sound advice when Hayden had needed it in his younger years. Harry may not have trusted Dumbledore, but Hayden still had some faith in the man.
"Professor, the Stone...Quirrel he..."
"It is fine my boy. The stone is safe, and Professor Quirrel is no longer a threat to its safety," the Headmaster said calmly.
"Quirrel; is he...?" Hayden couldn't finish the thought.
"Dead? I'm afraid so my dear boy. It is regrettable, but his body was now too weak to have survived without Voldemort's soul. When he left, the Professor's body simply failed," Dumbledore said, reassuring him, "My boy, why don't you tell me what happened?"
It was phrased like a question, but Hayden recognized it for the command that it truly was. So he talked. He explained their discovery of Fluffy, their suspicions of Snape and his own near death in the quiditch match. He went on to tell the story of Norbert the dragon, and encountering Voldemort in the forbidden forest. He was so focused on telling his tale, that he didn't notice the slight smile on his face when he mentioned that they'd sent Dri back, nor that it increased when told that Hayden had played the flute given to him by Hagrid to knock out Fluffy, that Neville had solved the Devils Snare, and that Hayden had caught the key with the broom. Just like he didn't notice his headmaster's scowl when they reached the part about Harry blasting the chess piece.
"The troll was already knocked out when we passed it. Hermione solved the potions puzzle without much trouble but there was only enough for me and Harry to go through," Here he hesitated.
"Go on, Hayden," encouraged Dumbledore.
Taking a deep breath, Hayden continued "When we got into the last room, Quirrel was there in front of the mirror,"
#Flashback#
Hayden and Harry stepped over the flames.
They exited into a large chamber with tall stone supports around the edge of the room. In the center of the floor sat the Mirror of Erised, an amazing mirror that Hayden had discovered not long after Christmas. He had shown Ron, Neville and Dri (He figured Hermione wouldn't be interested in breaking the rule) all of whom had looked in and seen something different. Ron saw himself as quiditch captain and head boy; Neville got to see the image of his parents back to who they used to be and proud of him; and Dri had seen himself, Harry and Hayden, his parents, Remus and the little brother he'd been supposed to have before it was stillborn. Hayden had seen his family too. Happy together. He and his twin doting on Alice with Dri, their parents looking on fondly. Sirius and Remus joking with James like they used to.
But Harry had taken one look at the mirror and refused to see what he would have been shown.
Pacing and muttering in front of the mirror was, not Snape as they had suspected, but their stuttering DADA teacher, Professor Quirrel. He was murmuring under his breath, and he looked worried and anxious. Hayden could only pick up on parts of what he said but the gist of it was that he needed to find the stone and bring it to his master.
Hayden gasped audibly, which was enough for Quirrel to whirl around and face them and Harry, who was crouching army style and stealthily creeping towards the stone pillar, to face-palm dramatically.
"Well, well. The Potter boys. I wondered if I'd be seeing you here," Quirrel said without a trace if his usual stutter.
"The name's Gabriel. Harry Gabriel," Harry replied in a posh, deep voice while straitening his non-existent suit and tie.
Both Hayden and Quirrel looked at him like he'd just announced that one day unkillable, mysterious beings would take over America.
"Sorry," Harry said, grinning sheepishly "But you sounded too much like a muggle villain when you said that. I couldn't resist"
Hayden turned his attention back to important matters.
"But you. I mean, I thought Snape..."
"Ah yes. I suppose he does look the part. It was certainly easy to deflect suspicion with him swooping around like an overgrown bat," Here Harry's eyes had taken on a glassy look and he chuckled slightly. Hayden didn't even bat an eyelid. Quirrel was still speaking "Next to him, who would suspect p-poor s-st-tut-uttering p-professor Quirrel,"
"I did," Harry said waving his hand wildly, jumping up and down wildly "what do I win,"
"You knew? And didn't tell us?" Hayden demanded
"The fantasy of Snape being the thief was too good," Harry said before bouncing a bouncy ball off Hayden's head "Not like that, mind out of the gutter bro,"
"Enough!" Quirrel shouted.
"Ah but is it my friend? It matters little. You'll lose because you're no match for me. But at least you'll get the consolation of always remembering this as the day that you almost stole, the philosopher's st..." Harry was cut off from his rant as a banishing charm hit him in the chest and blasted his through the wall.
"You let the troll in on Halloween. As a distraction" Hayden realized
"Yes. I would have succeeded too, had Severus not suspected me already and headed me off on the third floor. I nearly succeeded in killing you as well, even with Snape muttering his little counter-curse. Had he not have knocked into me when his robes were set afire you would be no more than a bad memory,"
"Snape tried to save me," Hayden said in disbelief, before going for his wand. He didn't get very far.
"Foolish boy," Quirrel muttered as he waved his wand and used 'incarcerous' to tie Hayden up. "Now how do I get the stone? Is it inside the mirror? Should I break it?"
Then, a high pitched, rasping voice sounded from the back of Quirrel's turban "Use the boy," and Quirrel snapped around and hissed "Come here, boy," grabbing Hayden and pushing him in front of the mirror.
"What do you see?"
Hayden looked and saw himself, his arm wrapped around Harry's shoulder and his other around Dri. The older Potter's, Black's and Remus standing behind them, looking proud. Alice stood in front of the trio, toothily grinning up at them. They looked happy. And then there was a little boy, who looked a lot like Marlene and Hayden imagined that it was what Hector Black would have looked like had he lived. Suddenly, the mirror version of Harry winked at him and slipped a bright red stone into the mirror version of Hayden's pocket. The real Hayden felt a weight drop into his own pocket and resisted to the urge to bring his hand to it.
"I see myself. I'm quiditch captain. And head boy. I'm shaking hands with Dumbledore as he hands me the quiditch and house cups," Hayden lied. Quirrel made a disgruntled noise and threw him back onto the ground behind him. Hayden started to crawl away when he heard that voice again.
"He lies," it said
Quirrel turned and glared at him before maliciously snarling "Come here Potter!"
"Let me speak to him" the voice instructed and Hayden felt fear rush through him whenever he heard it.
"Master you are not strong enough," Quirrel said concernedly, and Hayden's mind went into overdrive 'Master. No it couldn't be, it can't...'
But it was. The voice remarked that it was "strong enough for this" and with that Quirrel began to pull his turban off. When he did, Hayden saw a sight he was sure would stay in his nightmares for years. Quirrel had a face sticking out the back of his head. It was deformed and ugly, snake like with crimson, reptilian eyes. Hayden instinctively knew who this was. This was Lord Voldemort.
"Hayden Potter, see what you've reduced me to. I confess it has been my greatest desire to kill you. Grant me the stone, and you shall live, both you and your blood traitor family," Voldemort said, and Hayden thought that he must be high on unicorn blood if he thought that there was any chance Hayden would go dark or even neutral and help him. And that's exactly what Hayden told him.
"Fool, there is no light and dark. Good or evil. There is only power and those too weak to wield it," the evil being hissed.
"I'll never join you. I'll never help you!" Hayden yelled
"So be it. Kill him!"
#Flashback End#
"What happened then, Hayden?"
"I ran. Quirrel lunged for me, I guess he forgot he was a wizard. I know I did"
#Flashback#
When those words were spoken Hayden instantly drew his Sig Sauer and placed six rounds into Quirrel's chest. a normal man would have died, Hayden knew thanks to the knowledge gained through Harry's lesson's. So it seemed that Voldemort's spirit was keeping the Professor alive.
Quirrel advanced.
But then Harry charged in out of nowhere, his blade gleaming in his hand and he slashed at Quirrel leaving a long slice of red along the mans chest.
"Go Hayden!" He shouted "Get the stone out!"
Then began a duel for the ages. Quirrel-Mort flung all sorts of curses and hexes at Harry who nimbly dodged each one. Sending a few of his own back when he had the chance. Quirrel at one point sent a killing curse at Harry. Most didn't learn about the unforgivable's until 6th year, though pretty much everyone knew that there was a killing curse. Hayden knew all about it. His parents thought that he should know what those three curses were in case any 'imperiused' Death Eaters decided to go for revenge.
Harry solved the problem of the green curse heading his way by wandlessly creating a pillar of ice in front of him. The curse impacted the ice and shattered it. Harry then banished the ice in the direction of Quirrel. Hayden meanwhile was firing more rounds from his pistol, rather than run like Harry said. He refused to abandon his brother.
Voldemort simply swished his wand and most of the shards of ice were deflected. A few small ones left small cuts across his skin, though, and he sent a larger one flying back the way it came and pierced through Hayden's hip. The boy fell to one knee and yanked the shard out. He gritted his teeth and fought through the pain to fire his last shot accurately. The bullet whizzed through the air and tore Quirrel's nose of. The man bellowed in pain and rage.
'Take that you smarmy git' Hayden thought, noted with some amusement that neither of the two faces had a nose anymore.
What Hayden didn't know was that Harry and his enemy were pretty much evenly matched. Voldemort and Quirrel both had more powerful magic than Harry, though in the latter's case it was only marginally. Further more they Quirrel had thirty years more experience than Harry and Voldemort had more than 50, not to mention a much wider knowledge of magic. While Harry was advanced for his age, he was no where near Voldemort's level. However his grace made up the difference. If he had access to all of Gabriels grace, he would have been able to wipe the floor with either of them. But as he had discovered with the troll, his body could not handle that much Grace. They'd discovered that he could only use about 50% of the Archangel power, leaving him just below the level of an average angel, like Samandriel. Added to the fact that he couldn't reveal to much, Harry was left on equal footing to Voldemort.
So Harry had taken the 'sugar drug' he and Dri had invented.
Now, Harry moved fast anyway. With the potion, he was almost impossibly quick. Which is why it was pure chance that after a grueling fight that left all parties exhausted and bleeding, Quirrel managed to fire a full powered bludgeoning hex that struck Harry straight in the stomach. Harry's speed meant that he couldn't stop in time to avoid it, and his momentum made the impact of the spell even greater. Harry was sent crashing into one the pillar's, smashing through it and causing the whole room to shake.
Quirrel turned to Hayden who now did try to run. He didn't get very far
#Flashback End#
"Harry was still unconscious after the banishing curse," Hayden lied " I turned and started to head for the exit. But he caught up to me. He wrapped his hands round my throat and started choking me but then his hands started burning. My neck blistered where he had his hands," he gestured to the slight burning no his throat
#Flashback#
Quirrel used some sort of flame whip spell and lashed it at Hayden. The end wrapped around his throat. The older twin's hand automatically flew to the whip therefore burning the palms of his hands as well as his throat. Quirrel yanked Hayden back towards him and the boy landed painfully on his back on the ground in front of the possessed man.
His DADA teacher knelt and gripped Hayden's throat tightly, squeezing, cutting off air.
#Flashback End#
"He let go, and I grabbed his face. I didn't know what was happening, just that touching me seemed to hurt him. He sort of went limp, Voldemort left him, and then I don't remember anything else.
#Flashback#
Hayden was about to give up. He could feel himself slipping away. But then it suddenly ended with a pained scream from both Quirrel and Voldemort.
Hayden looked and saw a sliver blade stuck into Quirrel's back and out of his stomach. At this turn of events Voldemort began wrenching himself away from Quirrel's body in order to once more escape death. Harry staggered into view, coughing up blood as he raised his right hand and pressed it against Quirrel's head. Hayden averted his eyes and clenched them closed. He'd seen what happened when Harry did this, and he had no desire to see it again. He also felt scared, because last time Harry had used this ability he'd disappeared for months.
As Harry's hand flashed a brilliant light; one that then proceeded to spill from Quirrel's eyes and mouth; Voldemort managed to pull himself out of Quirrel and sent a wave of energy at Harry and Hayden throwing the twins back against the floor harshly. Knocking Harry into unconsciousness, and dazing Hayden. Voldemort had unfortunately, to Hayden's mind, just about avoided dieing with Quirrel but had not left in time to avoid being weakened and hurt by Harry's power. The combined strain of death via smiting and the forceful exit of Voldemort's soul was too much strain for Quirrel's body, which promptly dissolved into dust.
The last thing Hayden heard before falling into blackness was hearing panicked voices coming from the entrance, and seeing the bodiless spirit of his would-be-murderer fleeing.
#Flashback End#
"Sir what happened?" Hayden asked, to keep up the pretense of him having killed Quirrel accidentally.
"Ah, it seems that your mother's love is more powerful than I predicted," Dumbledore said, wiping a tear from his eye.
"Sir?"
"You see, Hayden, when Voldemort attacked your family all those years ago, he offered your mother a chance to live, to step aside and she refused him. Out of love for you, she was willing to die. That love gave you a protection that deflected the Killing Curse, because it is the one kind of magic he cannot understand" Dumbledore explained.
"But she didn't so how did it work?"
"Magic, I have often found, is about the intention behind an action. She was willing to die for you because she loves you, and that is love in it's purest form. That is what gave you your protection. It seems that some of that protection still lay within your blood, and that is why Quirrel could not touch you," Dumbledore said.
"Yes sir," Dumbledore could convince anyone with that speech "What about Harry,"
Dumbledore's eyes lost their twinkle "It was very foolish of you to take him with you, my boy. He lacks..." he hesitated as if to show that he was carefully considering his words "...discipline or focus. A boy of reckless bravado and tricks, not a fighter. He was incapacitated early in the confrontation. Tell me, why did you choose him to go with you?"
Hayden wanted to shout that Harry had saved his life at least twice, but instead fiddled with the bed covers in nervousness "He was caught of guard. I took him with me because he was the smartest and most powerful out of everyone with me. Figured I'd need him to face Snape,"
Dumbledore hummed thoughtfully, before waving his hand over to the curtained of area "Your brother is recovering from his injuries over there. Next time, may I suggest young Ronald or perhaps Miss Granger. However I'm sure there won't be a next time, will there?" the man's eyes were twinkling like mad.
"No sir. Sir, what about the stone?"
"Unfortunately, such an object as powerful as the Philosopher's Stone could not be risked falling into the wrong hands. It has been destroyed,"
Dumbledore explained that Nicolas and Perenelle Flamel had enough elixir stored to set their affair's in order, before they would die, but that "to the well prepared mind, death is but the next great adventure". Then he motioned to the bedside cabinet, where piles upon piles of cards and sweets were stacked from various students, most of them in Gryffindor.
"You missed the last game of the season," Dumbledore said suddenly "But one Adrian Black stepped up to the post of seeker and won the cup for your house, though it was extraordinarily close. I believe he has his sights set on the position of Keeper once Mister Wood graduates," and with that he picked up a Bertie Bott's but was dismayed that it was earwax flavor (and Hayden did not want to know how the man knew what that tasted like) before leaving.
Five minutes later, Hayden was eating a chocolate frog; which he didn't enjoy as much now that he'd tasted Thornton's; whilst reading the Iliad, which had been dropped off by Hermione when Harry suddenly appeared next to him with a rush of air that sounded suspiciously like wings. At the moment the boy was in his typical leather jacket and jeans with a black tank top. His hair was chestnut brown falling to the nape of his neck in soft waves.
"I hate that man," Harry said
Hayden didn't even bother responding to that one. Instead he commented "One day I will find out how you do that. Hermione's always going on about how you can't apparate in Hogwarts,"
Harry's face fell "I'll explain it to you over the holiday's along with some other stuff,"
By contrasted, Hayden's face lit up the whole room "You're coming with us for the holiday's?" He asked excitedly.
"For a while yeah,"
Hayden tackled him into a hug.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore paced in his office, fuming and dancing for joy simultaneously.
He was glad that his plan to push Hayden Potter into a face off against Professor Quirrel and Voldemort had worked. He had off course arrived just in time to save poor Hayden, but not in time to prevent the escape of Tom Riddle's specter. The Stone was destroyed as it should be. He was praised by the staff and the Potters for rescuing their oldest. He was glad that Hayden had sent the Black boy away at the start of the night's events, as the dark haired prankster was too independent, which could easily rub off on his weapon. He was ecstatic that he was friends with Longbottom and Weasley. Even Granger wasn't a problem; though she could influence Hayden she would be easy enough to manipulate. Her worship of authority and desire to help Hayden in any way possible meant that a suggestion from himself about how to achieve that goal would be taken as gospel.
It was all falling into place. They just needed to start an attachment between Hayden and young Ginevra Weasley. She was in Dumbledore's opinion the only girl suitable for Potter to be with.
The only thorn was Harry Potter.
When the boy was discovered missing from his muggle relatives he was relieved. Harry would never let his twin die, nor vice versa; Dumbledore could tell even when they were children. If Hayden died; as Dumbledore's plan required; then Harry would find a way to bring him back. Then if Harry died, Hayden could end up destroying Dumbledore's plan effortlessly by sacrificing his own life prematurely for the younger twin. And around and around the Potter's would go.
He needed to separate them. The question was how could he do it?
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
After an encounter with Hagrid in the hospital wing; during which he expressed his grief at telling Quirrel how to get past Fluffy and presented the two of them with a beautiful hand carved wooden sculpture of the two of them though for some reason Hayden couldn't discern the figure of Harry had two large wings stretched out behind him; the twins headed down to the end of year feast.
When they walked in there was a sudden hush, and then everybody started talking loudly at once. Hayden with slipped into a seat between Ron and Hermione at the Gryffindor table, with Harry completely ignoring the rules and sitting with him and Dri, and tried to ignore the fact that people were standing up to look at him. Dri himself was being hailed as the conquering hero by the Quiditch team, and the boy was loving it. As he received praise after praise from Wood and wrangled a massage from Angelina he could be heard murmuring 'I could get used to this'.
Fortunately, Dumbledore arrived moments later. The babble died away.
"Another year gone!" Dumbledore said cheerfully. "And I must trouble you with an old man's wheezing waffle before we sink our teeth into our delicious feast. What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were... you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts...
"Now, as I understand it, the house cup here needs awarding, and the points stand thus: In fourth place, Gryffindor, with three hundred and twelve points; in third, Hufflepuff, with three hundred and fifty-two; Ravenclaw has four hundred and sixty-six and Slytherin, four hundred and seventy-two."
A storm of cheering and stamping broke out from the Slytherin table. Hayden could see Draco Malfoy banging his goblet on the table. It was a sickening sight.
"Yes, Yes, well done, Slytherin," said Dumbledore. "However, recent events must be taken into account."
The room went very still. The Slytherins' smiles faded a little.
"Ahem," said Dumbledore. "I have a few last-minute points to dish out. Let me see. Yes...
"First - to Mr. Neville Longbottom, for excellent use of knowledge and intelligence to save ones friends for a terrible fate, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."
Gryffindor cheers nearly raised the bewitched ceiling; the stars overhead seemed to quiver. Most didn't hear Harry's "Hermione could have done it too," comment as they were too busy celebrating.
At last there was silence again."Second - to Miss Hermione Granger... for the use of cool logic in the face of fire, I award Gryffindor house fifty points."
Hermione buried her face in her arms; Harry strongly suspected she had burst into tears. Gryffindors up and down the table were beside themselves - they were a hundred points up.
"Third - to Mr. Hayden Potter... " said Dumbledore. The room went deadly quiet. "... for pure nerve and outstanding courage, I award Gryffindor house sixty points."
The din was deafening. Those who could add up while yelling themselves hoarse knew that Gryffindor now had four hundred and seventy-two points - exactly the same as Slytherin and just ahead of Ravenclaw. They had tied for the house cup - if only Dumbledore had given Hayden just one more point.
Dumbledore raised his hand. The room gradually fell silent.
"There are all kinds of courage," said Dumbledore, smiling. "It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to do the right thing even when it separates us from those we care about. I therefore award ten points to Mr. Adrian Black."
Someone standing outside the Great Hall might well have thought some sort of explosion had taken place, so loud was the noise that erupted from the Gryffindor table. Neville, Ron, and Hermione stood up to yell and cheer as Dri grinning widely disappeared under a pile of people hugging him. Hayden, still cheering, nudged Ron in the ribs and pointed at Malfoy, who couldn't have looked more stunned and horrified if he'd just had the Body-Bind Curse put on him.
"Which means," Dumbledore called over the storm of applause, for even Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were celebrating the downfall of Slytherin, "we need a little change of decoration," He clapped his hands. In an instant, the green hangings became scarlet and the silver became gold; the huge Slytherin serpent vanished and a towering Gryffindor lion took its place.
Hayden was about to protest that Harry had done the exact same thing he had, when the boy in question stopped him with a shake of his head.
"It's not worth it," he said and pushed Hayden towards the applauding Gryff's.
As Harry turned to leave he literally ran right into Terry Boot. Harry's first instinct was to walk away, but then he noticed how tired and pale Terry looked. He had dark purple bags beneath his eyes, and his skin looked like it was being stretched too much.
When Terry saw Harry, he started muttering apologies for bumping into him and went to walk away. Harry though grabbed his arm, having noticed something. Harry proceeded to drag Terry out of the Great Hall and into a small alcove not far from the main entrance, just next to the stairway. Once there he forced Terry to turn over his hand and pushed his robes sleeves up to his elbow.
{Christ, God DAMMIT}
{Oh hell.}
"Terry what have you done?"
The young Ravenclaw's arm and hand was covered from palm to elbow in small scars , ones the definitely came from a blade of some kind. That they were on the left hand when Terry was right-handed only reinforced Harry's suspicions about where the scars had come from.
Terry tried to stutter out some excuses, but one look into Harry's concerned eyes and he caved. Shakily, he pulled out the knife he'd used which Harry recognized as one of his own {Didn't pin Terry as being a master thief. Go kid!} {Not the time Gabe} and then threw himself into Harry's arms and sobbed out heartbroken apologies into Harry's shoulder. {What is it with people hugging today?} Harry wondered, but nonetheless wrapped his arms around the still taller boy. Harry could tell from listening to Terry and holding him that boy had been neither sleeping or eating well.
"...and I'm so, so, so sorry for what I said and did and I was and idiot. I was angry and upset but I shouldn't have ever said those things to Hermione 'cause she's actually really nice and I'm not a blood elitist but I was trying to hurt you not her and..."
"Terry it's okay. It'll take a while for us to get back to where we were, but we...we can do it," Harry said
Terry looked up at him with such hopeful eyes that even Harry, ever the emotionally stunted slightly sadistic sociopath with a thing for just deserts, struggled to imagine saying no to that look. "Really?" Terry asked softly
"Yeah. I'll talk to Dri. I guess that you'll need to say sorry to Hermione too; but maybe a bit more calmly," he joked, to which Terry smiled just slightly before hugging him again.
"Thank you," he whispered, before taking off to find Hermione.
Just before he was out of sight Harry called out "Terry," and then struggled to get the right words out "I..I'm sorry, too. For ignoring you,"
Terry just said "You're forgiven," and flashed him a grin just like the ones they used to share before Halloween, only more hesitant. Harry smiled back.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
They were in Dumberdore's office again. The headmaster had requested the presence of Hayden and Harry, who, upon arriving, were met with the sight of Sirius Black and James Potter snarling at each other. Lily was standing behind James trying to tell him that starting a fight wasn't worth it. Dri ended up coming in behind them and joined the two boys (one raven haired, one currently still chestnut) in goggling at the sight. Though the men hadn't been on the best of terms since Harry was sent away, they'd never openly fought.
"He is my son and will be coming home with me! That's final!" James said
"You've already proven that you can't do that job properly. His made his own choices for years and won't take kindly to you trying to control him. So do yourself a favor and don't try!" Sirius snapped back.
They looked set to continue, until Dumbledore coughed slightly, and gestured towards the three students "Gentlemen," he said "Our other guests have arrived. Harry, my boy, I asked everyone to join us to discuss your summer accommodation,"
"Does everyone get this excellent service or is it just me?" Harry asked sarcastically "By the way my name is Gabriel, I'm not your boy; you've got Snape for that; and finally in terms of Summer I'll do whatever I want, whenever I want, wherever I want,"
"No, you're coming home with us. I won't hear any different," James said firmly which of course had Harry laughing.
"You're about ten years too late to be a father to me now, Jamie!" Harry said brightly, before turning to Hayden "You usually spend the last two week's of summer with the Weasley's while James and Lily take a no-kids vacation, right? I'll spend that with the Diggory's so I'll be nearby. June and the first half of July I'll probably go traveling. I'll put up with the 'Parent's-of-the-Year' for our birthday, and from then until I go to Ced's I'll lodge with the Mutts,"
The last part of his plan produced an indigent shout of "Hey!" from the Blacks.
"My dear boy, why do you not want to join your family. As I have said many times, they love you and miss you," Dumbledore explained. He was the very picture of politeness and calm, but inside he was seething. Only the memory of what had happened to Severus; and damn the boy for making that comment; stopped him from just probing into the boys mind. Though he wanted to separate the boys, he was too fearful of what an unchecked Harry Potter could do. At least within the Potter home he could have several eyes kept on him.
"Stop. Calling me. Your. Boy. And while Hayden and I love each other platonicly, Alice is too young to remember me and my so-called parents only want me for the political clout that comes with the families I'm head of,"
"Families?" James exclaimed "Which families?"
"You'll have to wait and see, Jamesie!" Harry gleefully sang.
Dumbledore sighed seeing that the two Blacks currently present both supported his plan. He was defeated this time, but he vowed to continue trying to get control over that blasted boy.
James however, wasn't as smart "Regardless I'm your guardian, and I say you're coming home,"
Harry snorted and turned to Lily "I congratulate you on your intelligence. It's clear only you have any in that relationship," he drawled before facing James again "I'm head of families, moron. Which means I'm emancipated and therefore not under anyone's guardianship but my own. I disowned myself from your house, so you can't use your headship against me. So, with that in mind, how are you going to make me?"
James was, by some miracle, smart enough to give up following that revelation.
0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0
The next day, the exam results were released. With everything that had happened, many had forgot that they were due. Hermione, naturally, done exceptionally well in every class topping the year in Potions and History, as well as overall. Neville had done terribly Potions but his excellent top of the year Herbology mark had brought his overall grade up and passed him into second year.
Ron had just barely scraped through. Had he gotten even one less mark in any subject, he would have been forced to re-take the year.
Terry was of average marks in everything. In the theory portions of the testing he'd done very well, but his virtually hopeless practical application had drastically decreased his mark.
Dri had done pretty well. He topped Transfiguration and Astronomy with practically no effort despite falling asleep in every lesson of the latter. He scored high on Charms and DADA, and History was average. Despite that his Herbology and Potions were pretty low, he had managed to grab the number six spot overall.
Hayden was right below his God-brother. He'd not topped any classes but the only one he hadn't done better than Acceptable on was Potions. He'd also snagged a top ten position, landing himself in seventh. Harry's complete disinterest in Astronomy had become apparent as well as his utter failing in practical Herbology. He had managed to become number five in the year though, thanks to his excellent Transfiguration, and getting the top mark in both DADA and Charms.
The other top ten spots were occupied by: 2) Daphne Greengrass, 3) Theodore Nott, 4) Anthony Goldstein, 8) Draco Malfoy, 9) Michael Corner, 10) Dean Thomas. Most years, the top ten positions were taken by ravens and snakes, with an occasional badger. This was the first time in fifteen years that Gryffindor had gotten a member of their house into the leader board. By chance it had also been fifteen years since they'd had four members at once gain a position in the top of the year spots (the last had been Lily Evans, Sirius Black, James Potter and Remus Lupin).
Meanwhile, Harry and Hayden had kept up their training. Hayden continued to spar with demons Harry either created or captured and scared into training. He'd also been given a rundown on the basic's such as some stance's and movements. Not only that, but thanks to Harry's rigorous training Hayden could strip and clean a hand gun in a decent amount of time. There was room for improvement, but he was doing well. In terms of accuracy, there wasn't much Harry could do to help. Hayden was already a pretty good shot with not only bullets but also throwing knives and arrows (from any type of bow they'd tried so far). All Harry could do was let Hayden refine his skill with the target range in his training room.
Finally, Hayden was physically fitter. He was faster, stronger and had more stamina than he'd had before Harry's training, and likely more than most in their year or even the year above.
However, Hayden wasn't thinking about that as the Hogwarts express pulled away from Hogsmede station at the end of the year. He was focused on the fact that he wouldn't see his brother for weeks with no way of contacting him. What if he needed him?
Harry noticed his worry, and soothed it "If you need me, just call my name. I'll hear you,"
Hayden believed him.
End of first year! You know what that means. The poll is finished. So go check out those results and see who we'll be seeing. The top three characters will appear in order of rank from number 1-3.
That's it for now. Please review. It'll make my day and probably speed up the time until my next upload. No challenge this time.
And I'll post a new poll for pairings. If you think of any you want to see, tell me and I'll add it.
That's it for now. Thanks for reading. Yozza Out!