January 10, 1997
Harry kicked off his sheets early Friday morning. He'd had another restless night; his mind unable to stop going over everything. His fight with Fleur, his issues with his mother, the diary of a previous student telling him that Hagrid had been the one to open the chamber. It was all too much.
With sleep eluding him, Harry put the early morning hours to good use. He sat on his bed with a few of the newest reference books he had chosen to go through. After leaving the Potions Lab, the diary tucked safely in his bag, he stopped by the library to return and pick out a few more books. He had to ask the librarian for assistance, but was able to find Fleur's suggestion. Rosette Belrose's Anthology on all things Reptilian. It was thick, and according to Madam Pince, an strangely ignored text.
As he flipped through the papers, Harry begun to understand why. The book itself was detailed with pictures, most sketches of the beasts along with a thorough description, followed by accounts from numerous sources that had encounter the creatures. However, most of the reptiles were consider myths, even in the wizarding world.
Such as, The Moha-Moha. A "monster turtle fish", the Moha-Moha was 30 feet long, with an enormous dome-shaped body, a long neck, and a twelve-foot-long tail. The Moha-Moha had a saurian face, with teeth or serrated jaw-bones. The skin was glossy and smooth as satin. It had its mouth open and visible above the water, and no visible nostrils. The rounded jaws were 18 inches long. The head and neck were a greenish white with white spots on the neck and a white band around a very black eye.
Harry wondered what it would be like to see such a creature, then again, Thestrals were a thing.
He continued to flip through the book, seeing a few familiar creatures he recognised from his other books, until he reached the snake section. A whole section just for snakes. Harry glanced over them as he read, the Runespoor, King Cobra, Horned Serpent, Boomslang, Black Mamba. All snakes he had studied before, but there was one listed he hadn't heard off. The Basilisk. He checked the page before flipping through until he found it. The image sketched onto the first page was what one would expect from a snake, but the yellow eyes made Harry uneasy.
Pulled from staring at the image, the door to Harry's room swung open. He snapped his head up to see Professor Flitwick standing in the door still dressed in his pyjamas with a rob wrapped around him. His cheeks were flushed.
"Professor?" Harry asked, wondering why his professor was suddenly there.
"Mr Black, how fortunate you are already awake." Flitwick kept his voice low, as to not disturb Dylan who was snoring quietly on the other side of the room. "Your father has arrived, your mother is in labor."
The words made Harry feel like his heart had leapt into his throat. He felt his mouth go dry and he didn't move, as he suppose he should have because Flitwick frowned and approached him.
He smiled warmly and said, "Don't be concerned, my boy, your mother will be fine. But you best get dressed, your brother is probably already on his way to the headmaster office."
Harry just nodded, unable to find a verbal response. He grabbed his wand and tapped his chest, transforming his pyjamas into jeans and a sweater. He summoned his coat from his cupboard before following his professor out of his room.
The walk from Ravenclaw tower to the headmaster's office seemed long. Harry felt waves of uneasiness wash over him and he wanted nothing more than to have Fleur with him. He wanted her to wrap her arms around him, press her head against his chest and tell him it was going to be fine. But he wasn't going to get that, not this time.
They reached the gargoyle, Flitwick spoke the password before leaving Harry to enter the office on his own. Inside he found his father and Remus, both who looked tired but excited, and also Harvey, who rubbed his eyes and was still in his pyjamas.
"You couldn't change?" he asked Harvey.
Harvey shrugged.
Harry sighed and waved his wand, changing Harvey's clothes.
Harvey sighed. "I don't have another pair."
"I'll change them back later," Harry mumbled.
Dumbledore, who was standing by his desk ushered them towards the floo. He said, "Give Lily my best, and do not worry about your classes, I will notify your teachers that you have been excused for the day."
Sirius and Remus both politely acknowledge the headmaster before moving the to floo. Remus went first, followed by Harvey. As Harry grabbed his handful of powder, his father asked him, "Ready to meet you little sister?"
His little sister. For the first time since Harry had learned about his mother's pregnancy he felt a swell of excitement. He nodded. "I am."
Two hours, they waited.
Harry was sitting beside his father in a small waiting area at St Mungo's. They had seen James once, only upon their arrival at London's wizarding hospital, but he had rushed off to go back to Lily after he had explained to them that her labor was progressing quickly.
Harry had to snort about it being 'quick'. He was bored. There wasn't much to entertain himself with in a hospital. He was currently watching Remus teach Harvey the muggle version of exploding snap. It was quieter, more hospital friendly.
Remus had offered for him to join them, but he found the game rather silly and preferred to watch as Harvey and Remus slapped their hands down on a pile of cards.
Sirius shifted beside Harry and in a low voice asked, "How you feeling?"
Harry sighed. "Restless, and bored."
The corner of Sirius' mouth lifted. "I meant about being a big brother."
Harry nodded, rocking his whole body slightly. "I mean, I'm excited to meet her. She'll no doubt be amazing."
"And what about your feelings towards your mother?"
Clenching his jaw, Harry looked away from his family. He didn't want to discuss it. Last time he snapped at Fleur, he didn't need anyone else mad at him.
Sirius nudged him. "Harry, talk to me…please."
Harry stood, he didn't want to continue the conversation in front of Harvey. Sirius followed and said to Remus, "We're just going to stretch our legs."
Remus nodded and kept Harvey occupied as they walked away.
Harry dug his hands into his pockets and was silent until they reached a corner. He said, "I think that once the baby is here, Mum will go home and continue on with her happy life. Harvey will be a loving big brother and James will get to be the proud father of a young girl who will no doubt turn out to be just as clever as her mother."
Sirius frowned. "And where do you fit in all of this?"
"Me?" Harry heaved out a long breathe. "I'll be off on my own. Most likely brewing, maybe even living in a different country. And when my little sister hears the mention of Harrison Black, she'll comment on how that is the name of the brilliant potions master they study in class."
Sirius stopped Harry and placed his hands on his shoulders. "That is not how this will all happen!"
"Won't it?"
"No. Harvey loves you as his big brother, you really think he would just forget about you. And your mother, she does love you Harry. She is so proud of you. The reports she has gotten from Snape about your progress make her beam with pride. I heard her bragging to another expecting mother the other day in Diagon Alley about how talented you are."
The words were everything Harry wanted to believe, they were everything he wanted to hear, but no matter how much his heart wanted to accept his father's words his head wasn't going to let him.
Harry didn't say anything further. Sirius reached over and clasped Harry's shoulder and gave it a firm squeeze.
He said, "I know it's hard. I know that you struggle to trust your mother, but you will never be able to unless you give her a chance."
Sirius let out a sigh before squeezing his shoulder again and then letting go.
Harry turned his head to watch as his father walked back down the hall they had wandered down. His words weighed heavily on Harry's shoulders. Could it be that simple? All he had to do was try and trust his mother, give her that chance. It would give him his answer, wouldn't it? Harry could trust his mother to treat him equal. And whatever she did, he would have his answer.
His heart ached at the thought that his fears were right. That if he did take that step and his mother went back into her old habits of putting forth Harvey and his sister first, forgetting he was also there, he would have to suffer that pain all over again.
There had been so many weekends, so many scuffed knees, broken toys, bumped heads that Harry had sort out his mother only to be told that she was busy, that Harvey needed her, go and asks James. All he had needed was a moment of her attention, for her to press a kiss to the sore, to wrap him in her arms and comfort him. To tell him, it would be okay.
Harry was almost seventeen, he didn't need his scuffed knees kissed or his toys fixed, what he wanted was to talk to her. For her to help him understand things his father couldn't. Like Fleur. He had hurt the woman he loved and he didn't know what to do. His father was clueless when it came to women. He could have asked his friends, but he didn't really need the girls smacking him over the head for doing something so stupid. Harry had watched Carlisle being smacked by Jenna enough after he done something to upset Amelia, to know that admitting his own failure would lead to a number of slaps. And that isn't too say they wouldn't then provide a helpful next step, but he'd rather avoid the lump on his head. He wanted to send her a letter, without seconding guessing it, and ask his mother what he should do.
Pushing back his hair, Harry grasped at the roots and let out a heavy sigh. He turned on the stop, intending to talk back to his family—he had no idea how long his mother would be in labor for and didn't need them to come looking for him—when he spotted a young boy sitting on a chair against the wall. In his lap he held a baby. The baby was tiny, wrapped it a blanket and sleeping peacefully, the little boy smiled widely as he peered down at her. Beside him sat a middle aged man—no doubt his father—watching them carefully, one hand resting not far from the babe's head. The boy glanced up at his father and said, "She's so small."
The father nodded. "You used to be just as small."
The boy scrunched up his nose. "Really?"
The father chuckled. "Really. But now you're all grown up."
"How long until she'll be grown up?"
"It will take a few years before she can be as independent as you. Emma's going to need our help to do things."
The little boy nodded. "I will," he declared. "I'll make sure she has everything she needs." He looked back down at the babe who squirmed slightly. "I'll be the best big brother you could ask for."
Harry couldn't help the small smile that propped up his cheeks as he watched the father and son. That little boy had all the confidence Harry wish he had.
When he returned to his family, Harry saw them standing. James was with them, a large smile on his face.
"Lily and baby are healthy," said James.
Remus moved forward and pulled James into a hug. "Congratulations, Prongs!"
"Thanks, mate."
Harvey stood in front of Sirius, bouncing slightly on the spot. "Can we meet them?" he asked.
James nodded. "Lily's asking for you, son." He turned slightly, looking around. "And Harry, where is he?"
"I'm here." Harry stopped a few steps away, his hands buried in his pockets.
"Come on," said James. "They're waiting."
The hospital room was bathed in bright morning light. It was ten o'clock in the morning in London as Harry and Harvey followed James into Lily's room.
Lily was sitting on the bed; behind her back a number of pillows as she held a small bundle in her arms and that she was softly humming too. She glanced up as they walked in, a smile of pure joy lighting her eyes.
"Hi mum," mumbled Harvey.
Lily shifted slightly and said, "Hi baby, how are my boys?"
Harry smiled. His mum looked blissfully happy. How could he be mad at her for having another child when she looked so overjoyed.
He said, "We're good. How are you feeling?"
Lily nodded. "Sore, but she was completely worth every second." She looked down to the bundle in her arms. "Did you want to hold her?" Lily lifted the bundle towards Harry.
Harry swallowed, his palms become slightly sweaty as he stepped up beside his mother's bedside. He wiped his hands on his pants before leaning forward to cup his little sister in his arms. Lily carefully slid her arms away as Harry took her weight.
Blue eyes stared up at him; squinted and narrow, she blinked before closing her eyes and letting out a small sigh.
"Harry, meet your little sister," said Lily. "Grace Anne Potter."
Harry smiled, "Anne? After your mum?"
Lily nodded.
He lifted his finger to stroke at his sister's cheek, it was so soft. "She's beautiful," he said.
A hand came to rest on his shoulder, and Harry glanced at James who stood beside him, a watery smile on his face.
It felt strange to feel so comfortable standing beside James, his mother's glowing smile and Grace in his arms. He could remember moments of the day Harvey had been born. It had been nothing like it was now. Sirius wasn't welcome at the hospital, so Harry waited at White Oak until Remus arrived to tell them Harvey had been born. Harry didn't meet his little brother until Lily left St Mungos and had returned home. But this time, he was here, with them. And it felt good.
They stayed with Lily for sometime. James went back to get Remus and Sirius once Harry handed Grace to Harvey so he could hold his little sister. Harry had laughed as Harvey panicked about dropping her. Harry had comforted Harvey saying he wouldn't let that happen.
But after some time, Lily needed to rest and Harry and Harvey needed to return to Hogwarts. Harvey followed the adults from the room as Harry walked with Grace in his arms over to the cot beside Lily's bed. He pressed a kiss to Grace's forehead before placing her gently down.
Lily reached her hand out and grasped his hand. She linked their fingers and gave him a gentle squeeze and said, "I love you so much."
Harry smiled. "I love you too, mum."
He leant over her bed and pressed a kiss to her head.
Just looking at Grace, seeing how much joy she was bringing to their family, Harry was going to try. He was going to put his trust in his family, in his mum, and fight for the happiness they all deserved.
Harvey walked with Harry through the halls of Hogwarts. Some students were at class, others were muling about the halls spending time with their friends. Harvey was chattering away at Harry, excitedly talking about how strange it was to hold a baby and how he couldn't wait to play with her when school finished for the year.
It all felt normal, too normal, that Harry almost felt like all his fears could disappear but he knew that wouldn't be complete true. He still needed to sort things out with Fleur and he also needed to work out what was attacking students.
They reached the Gryffindor common rooms and Harvey stopped. He turned to Harry and said, "Can I get my pj's back now?"
Harry smirked and nodded. He waved his wand and the clothes snapped backed to his matching set of striped pj's.
Harvey smiled. "Thanks."
Harry nodded. "I'll see you later, stay out of trouble."
Harvey's smile dropped. "I have tried," he said.
Harry knew he had. When they had promised each other to have a normal year, neither of them could have imagined what would happen. Discovering they both could speak parseltongue had caused a number of issues for Harvey, especially with the whole school discovering his gift. Ron had dragged him into trouble because of his suspicions.
"I know," said Harry. "Things have been tricky. Just try and stay out of it. If anything does happen, come and find me, okay?"
Harvey nodded. "You'll be my first stop, unless I find a Professor first."
Leaving Harvey, Harry returned to his own dorm. There were things he could attend to, however, he found himself wanting nothing more than to get a few hours of sleep. He had been tempted to head down to Snape's lab and work on his project, but decided against it. Harry was surprised that Snape hadn't already chased him down for taking the diary from his office, but knew if Snape had noticed he would be in for a tongue lashing he just didn't want to listen too.
Harry walked into his room and paused upon seeing Hedwig. She was resting on her perch, cleaning herself. On his desk sat a neatly tied letter. Fleur had responded.
He approached Hedwig and stroked her gently. She chirped at him and nibbled his finger. He smiled warmly before retrieving a treat from his desk draw and feeding it too her.
Harry picked up Fleur's letter and sat down on the edge of his bed. He untied the string before breaking the seal. The letter was only one page.
It read:
My dearest Harry,
I understand completely that I pushed you when I shouldn't have. Thank you for apologising for your reaction, and please accept my apology for upsetting you. I want nothing more than your happiness and to see you share the relationship you so desire with your mother.
Please know that I am not upset with you, that I love you, but I believe you need to take some time to sort out your feelings and to come to terms with what you wish to do. I don't want to cause you more pain by trying to help you. When you feel ready, I would love to receive a reply.
With all my love,
Fleur.
P.S. I am sorry my response took a few days. Hegwig arrived during some horrible weather and I wanted to give her a chance to rest before she returned to you.
Harry sighed, his shoulders dropping. It was going to be okay. He hadn't completely ruined everything.
Letting himself fall back, Harry held the letter to his chest. It felt stupid to have felt so agitated over something so small. They had argued. It was what couples do, was it not? Carlisle and Amelia argued frequently, it would be odd if he never disagreed with Fleur. Then again, it hadn't been an argument. He had yelled at her.
Harry groaned and pressed his hands to his face. He was over-thinking. He sat back up and placed the letter on his bedside before moving to take off his shoes. As he removed his clothes and pulled back his blanket, he found the book he had left when Flitwick had come to fetch him. The book was still sitting open on the last page he had read. The page about basilisks. Sitting down, he placed the book in his lap and looked at the picture. It was a terrifying beasts.
The page read, 'Of the many fearsome beasts and monsters that roam our land, there is none more curious or more deadly than the Basilisk, known also as the King of Serpents. This snake, which may reach gigantic size and live many hundreds of years, is born from a chicken's egg, hatched beneath a toad. Its methods of killing are most wondrous, for aside from its deadly and venomous fangs, the Basilisk has a murderous stare, and all who are fixed with the beam of its eye shall suffer instant death. Spiders flee before the Basilisk, for it is their mortal enemy, and the Basilisk flees only from the crowing of the rooster, which is fatal to it.'
It chilled Harry's bone to think that merely by looking a basilisk in the eye, one would die. A massive snake, growing to an average of fifty feet, was horrifying enough, but the beast didn't even need to strike, merely look.
But no one had died. All of them were only petrified. Harry shifted his hand and continued reading.
'If one wanted to avoid the gaze of such a beast, looking through a reflection would help to avoid direct eye contact. But beware, for even a direct look at the beasts stare in a reflection can leave one parallelized.'
Harry's eyes widened. It couldn't be? A Basilisk in Hogwarts?
