THE ROAD NOT TAKEN
Chapter 12: What do you think of breaking into Hogwarts
Disclaimer: All recognizable characters belong to their respective owners.
-TRNT-
Harry woke up in the room he had been occupying for the holidays. He was feeling well- rested and fresh, like he had just had a much needed night of sleep. He was feeling pretty strong too, not only physically but magically as well. His magic seemed to have changed, and he could feel it simmering from under the surface, ready to jump at his mere command. It had also grown tremendously, while it had always felt like some kind of river waiting to be unleashed, now the river was still there.
However, there seemed to be some kind of dam and behind it was a much bigger reservoir from which the river flowed and with just the least bit of prompting, the dam would be unleashed as well. The nature of the magic itself seemed to have evolved, it was familiar and yet somehow not, there was just a touch of something alien about it, something that reminded him of Loki's magic. And his body too seemed to have upgraded, he was more alive, and he was aware of every single part of it. His strength had grown, and he had no doubt that so had the rest of his physical attributes.
He sat up on the side of the bed and looked at the window. It seemed it was still too early, a bit of light was streaming through the curtains but not enough to illuminate the room. Checking his watch, he saw that it was just a few minutes after seven in the morning. He was just about to get up and switch on the lights when they came on as the door opened and Shevaun entered. She grinned at him when she saw that he was awake.
"I was beginning to think that you would never wake up." She said with a smile before she glanced at his chest. "Please put on a shirt, that is very distracting."
Harry looked down at his naked chest, it seemed he had grown even more while he slept. His chest and stomach were more defined, way more than they had been even before.
"Little old me, distracting?" He teased as he stood up and started 'stretching'.
Shevaun swallowed, but didn't look away. "Please stop that."
"What?" Harry asked innocently, it wasn't often that he got to tease his friend, usually the roles were reversed.
"That...showing of your ridiculously hot body." Well, she wasn't one to mince with words. "Aren't you supposed to be twelve or something?"
"Should be making thirteen in a few months." Harry replied as he finally slipped on a tshirt, not missing Shevaun's blatant disappointment. "How long was I asleep?"
"Almost two weeks." She said. "We are supposed to go back to school tomorrow."
"Two weeks?" Harry frowned. "I missed Christmas?"
"And New year's eve." Shevaun grinned. "As well as my promised kiss."
"What kiss?"
"Well, when you were sleeping, I promised you that if you wake up before New Year, I would kiss you at the stroke of midnight." She shook her head. "Apparently that was not motivation enough. Maybe I should have promised to bugger you instead?"
Harry chocked on his saliva and Shevaun grinned wider.
"What, you can dish it out but can't take it?" Harry just shook his head with a smile, this felt more like the Shevaun he remembered. "Anyway, we need to get something in you, dad wanted to see you as soon as you woke up but I don't think he expected you to wake up this early."
"So he is still here?"
"He hasn't left since that day." Shevaun snorted. "Whatever happened between you two certainly left an impression."
"He didn't tell you?"
"Not much, only that he needed you for something and wanted to see if you would be worthy." She shrugged. "From what I've seen, you passed beyond his expectations. He has been in his lab researching the magical world like never before. Probably searching through your lineage."
"And speaking of the magical world, how do you know about Harry Potter?"
Shevaun was blushing as she carefully avoided looking at him. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Oh, I think you do. I remember when your dad called me Mr. Potter, you were like, and I'm quoting here, 'You are The Harry Potter'" Harry's voice rose in pitch trying to mimick Shevaun.
"No I did not!" She huffed. "I don't even sound like that."
"You sure do." Harry smiled. "So, how do you know about me?"
"Well if you must know, I grew up on his...well your stories." She said, trying to contain her blush. "Dad has always been obsessed with you and he has an entire part of his study dedicated to you. He has news paper clippings that mention you, old tomes and all kinds of stuff about the Potters. He also has a collection of kids stories about Harry Potter and I grew up reading those."
"You have a crush on me." Harry concluded with a grin of his own.
"I had a crush on the boy-who-lived in the books who is clearly not you, dumb ass."
"All I keep hearing is 'I have a crush on Harry Potter.'" Harry was now outright laughing.
"Bugger off, Harry." She shoved him but he didn't even budge. "You're gonna find your way to dad's study then."
And with that she stomped off like some spoiled little brat, Harry's laughter trailing after her.
By this point, they had reached the dinning room and Harry sat down at the large table. One of the maids brought him food and he ate as he thought back on what Shevaun had just told him. His instincts were telling him to get as far away from these people as he could, Ranulph's obsession with him couldn't mean anything good for him. Harry finished his meal fast despite the large amount he had consumed and made his way towards the study.
With little to nothing to do here, Harry had toured the mansion numerous times and he was sure he could navigate it with his eyes closed. He was just about to knock when a voice beckoned him to enter. Seeing his raised eyebrows, Ranulph explained even as he went back to what he was reading.
"Your mere presence is so overwhelming that I was able to follow your movements all the way from your room." He said. "It is only thanks to the wards over the house that many others haven't felt it, otherwise we would have this place crawling with all sorts of creatures and people attracted by your aura. Not necessarily of the good kind either."
Harry idly massaged the ring on his finger as he considered if he believed the man or not.
"Your father's ring was specifically made to mask your kind of magic and normally would have been sufficient but I don't think your ancestors had you in mind when they made it." The man continued, pulling him from his thoughts. "I'm sure there is a way to adjust it to accommodate you but I can't seem to find anything specific."
Harry crossed his arms behind his back as he approached where the man was seated.
"How do you know about the ring?"
Ranulph looked up from the book he was reading and Harry got a good look at him. He looked the same as he had when Harry first laid eyes on him, curt, smart and immaculate. But Harry could see a weariness in the man's eyes, and just a tiny bit of reverence.
"Ever since you survived the killing curse, I've been quite intrested in you, Harry. I was sure it had nothing to do on your part and more with either your parents or family history." The man started. "And so I started researching about you and your family's long history, the more I found out the more I was convinced that the Potters were no simple wizards and witches."
"And why do all this? What do you benefit from it?"
"Sit, Mr. Potter." He said, gesturing at the chair directly in front of the table. Harry just crossed his arms across his chest and stared down at him. Sighing, the man closed the book he had been reading and looked back at Harry. "What I'm about to tell you, is hard to believe and I won't blame you if you get out of this place and never look back. All I ask is that you hear me out."
When Harry just kept staring, the man decided to go on with his story.
"A long time ago, I met a group of four brilliant people, people who later went on to establish the first magical school in Britain. They were bright and smart and most importantly, they had been blessed with magic. The things they did with their magic were amazing, and as they were looking for others like them, me and six of my friends somehow cheated our way into being admitted to the small group of magic scholars." He paused as if to let the words sink in. "We traveled together for some time, learning and discovering new magics, we were a tight group as we looked out for each other. By then, magic was feared and anyone who was even suspected of using it was given a swift death. And so the twenty of us looked out for each other, growing closer by the day untill we were almost as close as a family. But there was just one problem, me and the other six didn't have magic and it was only a matter of time before the others found out."
Harry frowned. "You lived with the founders?"
It was testament to Harry's bizarre life that the fact that the man before him was older than Hogwarts didn't even phase him. Ranulph simply nodded and continued with the story.
"Slytherin, the leader of the group by then and the smartest of the lot had been the one to find out. Rather than kicking us out, he suggested a ritual he had read about that could give us the ability to do magic. It was obscure, and would require quite a bit of sacrifice on our part but he assured us that it would work." The man's voice was flat, like he was retelling another person's story. "At that time, we would have done everything we could to have the ability to use magic, even if it meant making a deal with the literal Devil himself."
"The devil, you mean like Lucifer?"
"Thankfully, not." Ranulph shook his head. "Though, it was as close as anyone could ever get. Like he and Lucifer would be drinking buddies if they didn't hate each other's guts."
Harry took a moment to consider the fact that Lucifer, the Devil of the Bible could be real, before he shook his head. That fact alone opened up so many things that he wasn't ready to consider at this time and so he ignored the fact for now and concentrated on the man before him.
"As you have seen, it worked ans we got the ability to do magic. When the rest of the group found out what we had done, they banished us from the group. But we didn't care, we had magic and that was what mattered even though it had come at such a price that I never would have agreed to it had I know what it would cost me." He shook his head. "Would you like to take a guess?"
"Your soul." Harry said. "Is that why you're so obsessed with souls?"
"Yes, I guess." Ranulph chuckled. "But it was not just my soul that I had to give, we still had to sacrifice a continuous stream of souls to our Lord, otherwise, he would take us and everything we own."
"Seeing that you have been alive for over a millennium, I'd say you don't seem to mind that much."
"I have certainly enjoyed the benefits. Immortality, luxury, ruling the world..." He shrugged. "It does make one feel much bigger than they are. Deciding which wars are fought, who leads which country, which company should grow...that much power would give anyone a god-complex."
"What changed, then?" Harry asked, even though he already knew the answer.
"I had Shevaun." He said simply, like that alone was enough, and quite honestly it really was. But he continued. "Having a daughter reminded me that despite all this much power I had at my fingertips, in every sense of the world, I was still just human, a human who belonged to another. And it wouldn't take a second for my Lord to decide to remind me of that fact by going after my little girl."
"And that's where I come in." Harry stated and the man nodded.
"The fact that you survived the killing curse piqued my interest. I know the inner workings of that curse much better than anyone because I played a big role in its creation." Harry gaped at the man before him and he smiled. "That will be a story for another day, but what you need to understand is that the curse, once it comes into contact with any part of your body, it severes the connection between the body and the soul, killing you instantly."
He paused making sure that Harry was following.
"The fact that you survived the curse could only mean two things, either you didn't have a soul or there was something else at play concerning you." Ranulph leaned back in his chair. "When Dumbledore dumped you with your relatives, I paid you a visit and confirmed that you indeed have a soul, which could only mean that there was something else that wasn't apparent to the naked eye."
"You were at my relative's house?"
"Yes." Ranulph smirked. "And since I didn't mean you any harm, I just walked right past the wards, examined you and left."
Harry just stared, not sure what to make of that.
"And so I looked into your family history, going as far back as I could, you certainly have a colorful history, Harry, maybe when you have time, you can take a look for yourself." Ranulph continued. "But I digress, I hadn't found much, but after our fight, I was more determined than ever, I've practically lived in here for the last two weeks but it wasn't untill last night that I found my answer."
"And what did you find?" Harry asked, unable to mask his curiosity.
"You are descended from an Asgardian."
"Asgardian?"
"They are the inhabitants of Asgard on which the gods of Norse mythology are based. They are a race of extraterrestrials similar in appearance to humans, but way more advanced than us in both magic and technology." Ranulph explained. "From what little I know, they are also physically superior to the average human in literally every possible way, traits that have been scattered within your lineage throughout the course of time though for some reason are much more dominant in you. You are as close to an Asgardian as any of your descendants has ever been, hell you're practically an Asgardian yourself!"
"I am Loki Odinson of Asgard!" Harry remembered Loki declaring when he had asked him, he hadn't given it much thought back then, but it would explain why the man had been interested in him in the first place.
"I'm not sure how that came to be but my research says so, the question is why the Asgardian heritage is so prominent in you despite the years of 'diluting' the blood with time." Ranulph was continuing, unaware of Harry's thoughts. "I imagine something happened to your father resulting in his seed being potent enough to produce a true Asgardian, but that question can unfortunately be answered only by him."
If that were the case, Harry was sure Sirius Black could answer it. And speaking of Sirius Black, Harry remembered that he had told to find him at his Aunt's and wondered what he had been doing all this time. Thinking of Sirius reminded Harry of his father's invisibility cloak, the only other thing he got from his father apart from the ring on his finger.
"What about the ring?" Harry asked. "Did you find out how I can adjust it?"
Ranulph blinked at the sudden change of subject.
"What...oh, the ring? Unfortunately no." He sighed, rubbing his temples. "But now that you mention it, I no longer feel the magic leaking as much as it was before. In fact, I can barely feel it at all and that's only because I know what I'm looking for and I'm familiar with it, maybe it just needed time to adjust by itself."
"Right." Harry muttered, knowing he won't be knowing for sure unless he learned to feel his magic and control it.
"Look, Harry, I know all that I've just told you is alot to take in and just as hard to believe, but you should know that I believe all of it, and I'm willing to bet my daughter's life on that belief." He stated earnestly, his weary eyes boring into Harry. "Which is why I wish to make a deal with you."
Harry didn't say anything, prompting the man to continue.
"I'll share with you all that I know, how to use your magic, how to fight, and anything you desire..." he said. "And all I ask in return from you is to protect my Shevaun when my Lord inevitably comes after her."
"And who is this Lord I'm supposed to protect her from?"
"I won't say his name, names have power especially when it comes to a being as powerful as him. You will know once you grow into your powers as I know you have the potential of surpassing even him. However, invoking his name would be akin to summoning him and we both do not want that." Ranulph replied. "He is very powerful and I wouldn't stand a chance against him, but you would. With the right training and the right weapon, you could even kill him."
"I need to think about this." Harry said after some time.
"Of course, take all the time you need." Ranulph agreed. "I'll be right here waiting for your answer."
Harry left the study and walked to his bedroom almost in a trance, his mind still trying to process all that he had been told. He checked his watch and was surprised to see that he had been talking with Ranulph for no more than an hour. It certainly felt way longer than that, but he wasn't complaining. By his estimation, it should be just after 5:30 in the evening in London which worked just fine for him. He entered his bedroom and changed into clothes more suited for winter.
A thick pair of boots, a pair of sweater pants and tshirt and a black trenchcoat. He had just finished putting on the coat when Shevaun entered his room, she wasn't big on knocking.
"Hey, I thought we should go and visit that family friend of yours." She paused and took in his clothes. "Going somewhere?"
"Yeah, I'm going to wish my relatives a happy new year." Harry said. "You wanna come?"
"Are they the same relatives who live in Surrey?" Harry rarely talked about the Dursleys but what little Shevaun had heard painted them as some colorful lot. "I certainly wouldn't miss the chance of seeing the fellows that raised you."
Harry snorted. "I think they would take offense on the assertion that they 'raised' me."
"I smell a story there." She grinned. "Let me just change into something weather-appropriate."
And she was gone the next instant. Only a minute later, she was back wearing pants, a checkered shirt and a winter coat of her own. "So how are we getting there?"
Harry just smirked, took her hand and teleported them right infront of the Dursleys driveway. It was as smooth as he remembered, only the ridiculous drain on his magic was the only indication of the long distance they had covered. He barely managed to throw up his misdirection magic before he fell on his knees, breathing heavily.
"Yeah...we won't be going back...for an hour or so." He panted as he looked at Shevaun sheepishly.
"Are you sure this is the place?" Shevaun asked, gesturing infront of them.
"Of course, what do you_" Harry trailed off when he saw what she meant. "What the hell?"
He stumbled back to his feet as he took in what was before him. On the left, he could see Mrs. Figg's house, or atleast the half that remained, the other half was missing, along with his relative's house. Instead, infront of them was a crater of destruction, the only indication that there once stood a house there. There was some lingering magic in the air, it felt angry, like with the slightest spark, it would ignite and do more damage than it had the first time.
"Harry, we need to get out of here." Shevaun said softly, taking his hand. "Something doesn't feel right, here."
"I..yeah, you're right." Harry sighed, composing himself. "Come on, I know a place we can sit and I recuperate in peace." He took her hand and looked at the crater that used to be the Dursleys' house. "Teleporting for such a long distance has made me hungry."
"Sure." For once, Shevaun kept her snark in check. Harry didn't talk about the Dursleys much, not that he was the most talkative person, but he seemed to take extra care to avoid discussing them and Shevaun could tell that the relationship between them wasn't exactly for a model family. But they were the only family he had left, and now it seemed like they too were gone.
And for all his famed composure, she could see that it was affecting him, despite his well crafted mask, a mask she had learned to see through long ago. Feeling a shift in the air, Shevaun blinked and found herself in another place, they were standing infront of a dinner and like all things around, it was covered in a thin blanket of snow.
"Come on, this place sells the best burgers in Surrey." Harry led her inside, an excited look on his face. "And they're very cheap."
Neither of the two children seemed to feel the heavy air in the atmosphere, the guarded feeling that seemed to be coming from everywhere around them.
-TRNT-
Barely a second after Harry and Shevaun had disappeared, six figures appeared right where they had been standing. The figures were wearing dark robes and silver masks in the shape of skulls. They were as imposing as they were scary, and had anyone seen them, they would have gotten the scare of their lives, not that they would live long enough to tell anyone about it.
"Well, there's nothing here." One of the figures said.
"You don't say?" Another drawled, the sarcasm in his voice almost tangible. "Spread out, the brat can't have gotten far."
"But are you sure he was even here?" Another of the figures asked.
"You wanna take that up to the Dark Lord, Avery?" The second figure asked, voice as flat as before.
"Of course not, Snape." Avery shook his head. "I just can't imagine why he would come back at all, knowing what is waiting for him."
"He is a Gryffindor, who knows how their feeble minds work?" The first figure said. "Either way, we need to hurry up, otherwise those idiots will show up as well."
"Lucius is right, Black and his lot must have a way of telling if Potter were to come here." Avery agreed and the others all spread out, leaving Snape standing alone in the spot they had arrived.
"Why is he here?" Snape spoke, seemingly to empty air.
"I have no idea." A disembodied voice replied. "I'll find him."
"I suggest you get to it, Black." Snape snarked. "Otherwise I can't promise what will happen if He finds him first."
They both knew it wasn't the Dark Lord they were talking about.
"Your concern is noted." The other man, Black snorted. "Say hi to your masters for me, will you?"
Snape didn't deign that with a reply. He waited for the other Death Eaters to come back and together they teleported back to the ministry of magic. He vanished the mask as he stepped towards the Dark Lord's throne.
"Severus..." His master said, his blue eyes boring into Snape. "Where is the boy?"
Snape looked at the man's handsome face, and without a hint of his thoughts in his voice replied. "We did not find him, My Lord."
Lord Voldemort's blue eyes flashed red for a second, a clear sign of his anger which never boded well for anyone but he controlled it. Severus belonged to another, and he was simply the caretaker, something which irked him to no end.
"And what are you doing to find him?" He asked instead.
Before Snape could say anything, another voice, more commanding and majestic than even the Dark Lord's spoke.
"You needn't bother yourself with Harry Potter, Riddle." Loki said as he materialized right next to the Dark Lord. "He isn't your problem, or have you forgotten about our deal already?"
"His mere presence could undo everything I have worked for."
"If all it takes to destroy you is a twelve-year-old with one year of magical education, then you're clearly not deserving of it." Loki was the only one who could speak that way to the Dark Lord and get away with it. Even now, it was obvious he was trying the other man's patience. "Harry Potter is no threat to you, Riddle. Once I get my hands on him, he will not be a threat to any other person for that matter. So you needn't worry, and I believe it's time to meet your counterpart at Hogwarts."
"I believe you're right." Voldemort said. "Gather everyone, Severus. Tonight we take over Hogwarts and Magical Britain will finally be mine for good."
Snape bowed and left, wondering how the two powerful men behind him had managed to work together all this long without killing other. Maybe it was because Loki was rarely around, only appearing in situations where he was absolutely needed. Severus knew that the other man was only humoring the Dark Lord and he would stab him in the back as soon as the need arose. Quite literally in fact as he seemed to enjoy stabbing people's backs.
He paused for second and sent a patronus to his second least favorite person in the world with only two words.
Hogwarts. Tonight.
-TRNT-
Shevaun burped loudly.
"Oh, God, I'm not eating anything for the next two days." She looked incredulously at Harry who was starting his six bugger. "Seriously, Harry? You're still going?"
"Trust me, I'm just getting started." Harry replied as he stuffed his mouth.
"How do you still have space in there." Shevaun had only eaten three of the giant burgers and she felt like throwing up at the mere sight of more food.
"It is a talent that only a few of us are blessed with." He replied. "Besides, when you're my size, it takes more than a handful of buggers to satisfy you."
"A handful?! Half of these buggers alone is a handful!" She rolled her eyes. "I just can't imagine how you're not fat with the way you eat."
"Magic." Harry shrugged.
"How did you even find this place?"
"Well, as I'm sure you have realized by now, me and my relatives didn't exactly have what you would call a healthy relationship. In other words, we ignored the other and hoped they would disappear." Harry said between mouthfuls. "So, there were times when I wasn't included on the meals and I would have to fend for myself. Money was hard to come by as well, so I searched for places I could get lots of food with little money and accidentally stumbled upon this dinner."
"And your life has never been the same ever again?" Shevaun laughed.
"Exactly."
They were silent for a couple of minutes and then Shevaun spoke again.
"So...I take it we are never gonna talk about what we saw back there?"
"This may sound...heartless to you, Shevaun but I honestly don't care what happens to the Dursleys." Harry said. "I'm thankful of the fact that they took care of me untill now but there was not much on the way of relations between us. They're like strangers to me, and the fact that they might be dead doesn't affect me as much as it otherwise would."
"You can't tell me you're not the least bit curious of their fate."
"Of course I am, but the truth is that I've had my full share of shocking revelations for today and I'd rather keep off any more untill tomorrow atleast."
"Well, that's too bad then. Because they're just starting." " A voice said, making the two jump to their feet. There was a shimmer in the air and a man appeared, stowing something silvery in his pockets. "Hello, Harry. It's good to see you again."
Before them was a tall man with long, black hair and grey eyes. He was quite good looking, and he was giving the two of then a roguish smile as he waited for their reaction. He was certainly looking much better than the last time Harry had seen him.
"Sirius Black?" Harry asked and the man spread his arms, his smile growing.
"In the flesh."
"How did you find me?" Harry demanded, not lowering his guard.
"This." Sirius Black showed them something, it looked like a silver cigarette lighter. "Dumbledore said it's connected to your family ring and the only thing that can find you if you're wearing the ring. And only if the holder is on the same continent with you."
The two children kept looking at him suspiciously and he sighed.
"Look, I know you can tell when someone is lying to you Harry and that you know I'm telling the truth, but we need to get out of here." He said. "Things have changed alot since you were in England, and let's just say you have got quite the price on your head. I'd rather we don't stay long for someone to try and collect it."
Harry nodded. "Alright, I've got a number of questions for you." He turned to Shevaun and offered. "I can take you back if you want."
"I wouldn't mind staying if that's okay with you."
"Alright, let's go then."
"Uh, who is the bird?" Sirius asked.
"This is Shevaun, my_"
"Girlfriend." She finished for him. "I'm his girlfriend, he gets a bit shy introducing me thinking no one will believe him."
"I like you already." Sirius grinned as he passed them a string. "Hold onto this tightly and don't let go untill you feel the ground below you. Oh and memorize what's on that paper.
Once they had both looked at the piece of paper, they nodded and Sirius activated the port-key and the three disappeared from the dinner.
-TRNT-
They appeared on a set of worn stone steps, almost immediately, a door materialised from a previously blank wall. Its black paint was shabby and scratched. The silver doorknocker was in the form of a twisted serpent. There was no keyhole or letterbox. Sirius, pulled out his wand and tapped the door once. Harry heard many loud, metallic clicks and what sounded like the clatter of a chain. The door creaked open and Sirius led the way inside announcing loudly.
"Welcome to my humble abode!"
Harry stepped over the threshold into the almost total darkness of the hall. He could smell damp, dust, and a sweetish, rotting smell; the place had the feeling of a derelict building. He looked over his shoulder and saw Shevaun right behind him as she reached blindly, as her sight wasn't as sharp as Harry's. He saw Sirius click the little lighter thing and the entrance hallway was flooded with light.
Leading them inside, he paused at a door and told them to wait for him. Harry took the opportunity to look at Shevaun.
"You're okay?" He whispered to her and she nodded. "If you feel uncomfortable in any way, just tell me and I'll get you out of here in a second. And don't let go of my hand."
"I know." She nodded. "Or maybe you just want to keep holding my hand."
"You're the one who introduced yourself as my girlfriend." Harry grinned. "Maybe they'll let us sleep in the same bed?"
"You'd like that, wouldn't you?" Shevaun teased right back.
"Alright you lovebirds, you can come in." Sirius interrupted them before he paused. "Wait, you're a witch, right?"
Harry snorted. "A little late to ask that, don't you think?"
"Heh, you know what they say, better late than never."
"I don't think that applies here." Harry shook his head as he led Shevaun passed the older man. "Even if she wasn't there is nothing you could do, she has already seen alot."
"Then just obliviate her." A gruff voice said from the hall they had just entered and the two children stopped, Harry stepping infront of Shevaun pushing her against a wall.
"I'd like to see any of you try."
"Hold your horses there, Romeo, nobody will be obliviating anyone, alright? Let's just calm down_" Sirius started but he was cut off by another tired sounding voice.
"Sirius, you brought a muggle into the house, what were you thinking?"
"Well, how was I supposed to know that she was a bloody muggle?!"
"First of all, the bloody muggle is right here." Shevaun said, stepping around Harry but not letting his hand go. "And secondly, you wouldn't be able to obliviate me even if you tried, my father has warded me against all sorts of mind magic. And you..." she rounded on Harry. "I can protect myself, thank you very much."
"Shevaun may not be a witch but she has known about magic since she was a kid." Harry said, completely ignoring her. "If her being here is going to be a problem, you can tell us and you will never have to see us ever again."
"No one will be obliviating anyone!" Sirius repeated.
"Yes, that has already been established." Harry agreed loudly, glaring at the heavily scarred man before lowering his voice. "Look, I just want to ask you a few questions, isn't there somewhere we can speak in private."
"First of all, no one is going to harm you or your girlfriend, Harry, we are all on the same side." Sirius stated. "Secondly, alot has happened since you were last in England, we are going to explain to you and we ask is that you hear us out. After that, you can ask all the questions you want."
Harry nodded and they sat down at one end of the table while the other wizards and witches sat on the other side. Sirius sat down too, and started his tale.
About 10 minutes later.
"Let me see if I've understood everything." Harry started, leaning forward. "Even with the Cloak, you only managed to escape after three weeks?"
"Yeah, there weren't that many opportunities, and I needed to have a plan for when I got out." Sirius argued defensively but Harry just waved him off.
"So you camped at the abandoned Dursleys' house untill it was attacked on Halloween by Death Eaters and that was how you knew the Dark Lord had been resurrected?" Sirius nodded. "Why was it abandoned in the first place?"
Sirius who seemed to be the self appointed spokesperson of the group answered.
"Well, apparently when you ran off to America, the wards over their house collapsed and Dumbledore arranged for them to be moved."
"Well, that's a relief." Shevaun said. "I could tell it was bothering you even if you tried to hide it."
Harry just rolled his eyes though he didn't deny it.
"The Dark Lord was resurrected on Halloween but didn't do anything untill Christmas where he attacked and captured the ministry along with any top officials who weren't on his side already." He continued. "Meanwhile, a basilisk was attacking students in Hogwarts until the one controlling it took over the castle, imprisoned the professors and put it under lockdown. That about covers it?"
"Yes."
"Okay, and what does it all have to do with me?" Harry asked.
"Apart from the fact that Voldy will come after you because of the prophecy, the bloke at Hogwarts says that he will only let the students go if you were delivered to him." Sirius answered, once again putting Harry on guard. "Well, all the students except for the muggleborns."
"And what about the muggleborns?"
"He will kill them." The scarred man spoke for the first time since Harry had sat down. "Reports say that he feeds one to his basilisk every morning and evening."
Shevaun gasped, looking at Harry and whispered. "Isn't your friend a muggleborn? Hermione Granger?"
"Yeah...she is." He had told her a bit about the group of kids he used to associate with while he was at Hogwarts. Especially about innocent Tracey, the one he had been most fond of.
"From what we know, your friends are all still alive." The tired looking man, Lupin said.
"I believe now you understand why I had to get you off the streets fast, any parent out there could try to capture you hoping to get their child back." Sirius added. "But you will be safe here. The house is unplottable, and you will stay here untill this mess has been dealt with."
"Right." Harry said, standing up. "Can I have a moment, I need to think about this."
"Of course." Sirius said, standing up. "Come on, I'll show you to your room."
Without letting each other's hand go, Harry and Shevaun followed Sirius up the stairs untill he led them to a room that apparently used to belong to his brother. It looked like it had just been cleaned and prepared just a few minutes ago. He left the two kids alone, and just after he left, Shevaun made a gesture with her hands and muttered something under her breath, Harry immediately felt magic being cast, drowning out any sound from outside.
"So, what's the plan?" Harry looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "I know you Harry, you aren't one to sit and let the adults 'handle' it, especially with your friends' lives on the line."
"Friends is stretching it a little but yeah, their lives might be in more danger than the others because they associated with me, given this guy's apparent obsession with me." He grinned at her. "What do you think of breaking into Hogwarts?"
Shevaun grinned even wider. "I'm insulted that you even have to ask."
Without another word, the two disappeared, leaving wisps of golden smoke just as the door opened and Sirius stuck his head through the door.
"Hey Shevaun, Molly say_" On seeing the empty room, only three words came into mind. "Oh, bloody hell.'
-TRNT-
AN: Hello to you all, it's been a while, I've been quite busy a d couldn't get time to write but I needed to give you guys one before Christmas or the end of year. Infact, I typed this chapter on my phone in between breaks so expect some mistakes. I'm still looking for a beta, even though at this point I'm starting to think I'll never get one.
Next chapter, we see some action, alot of it actually and more revelations of what has been happening in magical britain. See you then, Merry Christmas and a Happy New year!