At her worst, his mother could be downright intimidating. Even when pushed to her limit, she very rarely shouted. No, she would just speak in that low, icy voice of hers and stare until you squirmed.
They had left the hut and walked through the Village silently. Harry tried to speak, but every time he just opened his mouth she looked at him hard enough to make him swallow. It went on like that for some time, until Lily finally broke the silence.
''I am sure you remember what I said before. Things could get far, far worse. Not only did you sneak out, but you almost got yourself killed. What were you thinking?''
Harry flinched. ''I don't know.''
''You don't know?'' She whispered. ''And what was your plan, to run away from the Manor and live in the wild?
''No.'' Harry tried to meet her eyes. ''I was going to come back, before I-''
''Where you, Harry?'' She cut him off sharply. ''At first, before this, I was going to let you off the hook by the morning. But now, that has been thrown out of the window. You have done many, thoughtless, impulsive things, but this tops the list.''
''I'm… sorry?''
''Sorry is not good enough, not this time.'' She said coldly, ''And do you know where we are? Just ten years ago we would not be having this conversation at all. The Golden Bisons are a tribe of savages.''
He just shrugged.
She squinted down at him. ''We are leaving.''
''Okay, but can I at least get my clothes?''
That much was allowed. Harry returned to the hut, with Lily on his tail. Isabella was by the door, studying them.
''So, do you know where my clothes are?'' He asked.
She hesitated. ''I think so...''
And then, Nikolaus' head popped out from the door. ''I've got them, don't worry. Just come on in.''
Harry climbed up the staircase to the hut. Inside, his robes hung on one of the chairs. They didn't look damp, nor were they torn as he remembered.
''They're good as new. Esme was able to fix 'em just in time.''
''Thanks.'' Harry picked his robes up. ''I thought I was going to have to wear these forever.''
The man grinned broadly. ''That wouldn't be so bad, would it? There's an empty room just over there.''
Harry slipped into an empty room, and threw his robes on, throwing the tunic over his shoulder.
Upon entering back into the room where Nikolaus and his mother were, he pulled the tunic down and extended an arm. ''Here.''
''It's as good as yours now. We've got plenty here. It looks real good on you.''
''My son won't be needing it,'' Lily said immediately. ''We have enough clothes at home.''
Nikolaus and Lily held eye contact for what felt like an eternity.
''If you say so, but if you ever change your mind it's his. We've got a lot of spares.''
''Harry, it's time we leave,'' Lily said abruptly. ''We have been here for long enough.''
Harry shuffled in behind her. She left through the door, but he stayed with Isabella for a few moments.
''Your mom seems really mad.'' She whispered into his ear, while still keeping an eye on Lily.
''Yeah, well. She's always mad.''
At that, his mother checked over her shoulder, looking straight at him. He kept his head down, and joined her side. But it was only as they started to make their exit, did he realize it.
Isabella was probably the person his age he got along with the most. It was a funny thought, considering he knew her for half a day. But it was true. Vermillion Lane was filled with old Witches and Wizards, he and his sister were probably the only ones who weren't. And the few kids he had spoken to, were more interested in the tales of Lyra. And more often than not, he got into fights with.
Harry looked up to the sky, snorting. He thought. But who the hell cares?
They finally reached the gates: Secure looking, wooden, with guards hovering about.
''And don't you ever think of coming back, either.''
All three guards were, rather openly, glowering at Lily. But all she did was look back, seeming more irritated than anything else.
Waiting just outside the village, was Lyra. Standing by a tree, and looking everywhere but him.
''What is she doing here?'' Harry said hotly.
Lyra opened her mouth, but in the end, nothing came out.
''And what is going on here?'' Lily demanded, her hard green eyes flickering in between him and his sister.
''Of course, she didn't tell you. She was why I fell at all.''
''No I didn't, you little liar!'' Lyra finally looked at him, her face darkening. ''You fell on your own. If you didn't start messing about, you wouldn't have fallen.''
''No-'' Harry was cut off by his mother. ''Enough. We are not going to have a shouting match in the middle of a forest. Lyra, what happened?''
Lyra sighed. ''Okay, so. He was running, so I had to trap him in some ropes.''
''No, you didn't. You did that because-''
''Harry.'' Lily hissed. ''I don't want to hear another peep from you until your sister finishes.''
Harry listened, swallowing his words down. Lily urged. ''Go on.''
''So I stopped him by tying him up from a tree, now that's really, really important. But for some reason, he starts using his magic and swings about. I try to tell this idiot to stop, but he doesn't… and he falls.''
''Is that what happened, Harry?'' Lily asked calmly.
''Well, no. She did that because I took her stupid cloak. I was actually going to come back before she did that.''
''Is that true?'' Lily asked.
Lyra did not answer, but she didn't need to. Lily rubbed the bridge of her nose.
''I had thought you two had matured. I was wrong. Harry, if you didn't sneak out, none of this would have happened. And Lyra, why would you hang your brother from a tree? Even if it was an accident, you should know better. You will be starting your fourth year soon, and you are still pulling these stunts.''
''What makes you think it was an accident,'' Harry asked. ''She probably did it on purpose to get back at me.''
''What did you just say?'' Lyra growled. ''I did it on purpose, are you being serious? I tried to help you! I told you to stop it, but you didn't because you're an idiot.''
Lily's voice turned to ice. ''If it was intentional, then I will take this seriously. But I feel that you are just letting your emotions get the better of you. Now, I will ask one final time. Did your sister do it intentionally?''
Under her heavy stare, there was only a drop of hesitation''Okay, it wasn't on purpose. I think so anyway.''
''I see,'' Lily whispered. ''Then we are leaving. We will talk more when we return home.''
Lily grabbed a hold of him and Lyra, and they vanished into the wind.
It had been four days, and Harry Potter still was not allowed out of his room.
His room was large. There was a toilet and bath. One bed, soft and large enough to sink into. And finally, a balcony overseeing Vermilion Lane.
His things had been taken out, and by things, he meant his violin. There was never a lot to do in his room. Before, Harry wasted his hours away in the library or out in the woods, creating treehouses and forts. But that was all gone now.
It wasn't that he went hungry. The House Elves occasionally came in for meals, and that was probably the most exciting part of the first day. Ever since returning, he had seen Lyra once, and Lily even less.
It was the second day when he saw her. Lyra came into his room, a violin under her arms.
''What are you -- where did you get that from?'' He demanded, jumping off his bed. ''Put it back.''
''You really want me to put it back? I was going to give it to you, but I guess I'll just do that then. See ya.''
''What?'' Harry squinted up at her. ''You're really here to give it to me?''
''Why else do you think, I'm here, you little doofus,'' Lyra said. ''Consider it an apology.''
He snorted. ''An apology? Yeah, right.''
She clicked her tongue. ''Look, I'm not just going to go down onto two knees and beg for forgiveness, but I know I fucked up just a little. I'm sorry. I know it's real boring up here, so take it.''
He was lost for words, and just stared at it, looking if the strings had been cut, but they hadn't. It was his old one, that much was obvious from the faint, black marks on the sides.
''Going to take it or not?''
He took the violin. His fingers lined through the strings. ''Thanks.''
''No prob.'' Lyra went for the door and grabbed the nob. She turned to Harry one last time, her emerald eyes burning into him. ''But if you tell Mom, you're dead. And I really mean that this time. I know where you sleep.''
The days were still slow, but they went by quicker than before. His time was spent on the balcony, playing his violin as quietly as he could, sometimes late into the night.
Things could be worse. He thought. A lot worse.
On the fourth day, she finally entered his room. It all started on the Balcony when the door handle rattled. He bolted up and slid the violin under the chair, his back to it.
''What are you hiding?'' Lily asked.
''Nothing. I'm not hiding anything.'' Harry said, hurrying inside his room. ''Or let me guess, I'm not even allowed out on the balcony.''
She looked down on him. ''You are. Have you thought about what I said?''
''Yeah.'' Harry started like he was reciting a passage. ''I won't do it again. What I did was stupid. Very stupid.
''This isn't the first time you have said something similar,'' Lily noted calmly.
''Well, I really do mean it this time. I guess I'll just have to prove it.''
She studied him. ''I see. Then you can leave your room, but don't you think for a second that you can leave the house yet? The stunt you pulled was extremely, extremely stupid.
''I know Mom. I won't.''
Things were looking up for Harry Potter. At least slightly. He still wasn't allowed his violin back, and using his old one wasn't even an idea. Nor was he allowed in the library, but it was still better than being stuck in his room all day.
So he spent his days doing two things. Lounging about, or trying to get his mother's favors back. Her words rang in his ear. He cleaned when she was looking. Something that he had not done before. Not once.
And every day, he asked if she needed help with anything. The answer was always the same, a no. But it was the effort that counted.
One day he even had the House Elves make bacon and eggs, but they didn't serve it to her. No, Harry did. He made his way into the living room, where Lily was reclining in a chair.
''I didn't know you could cook.'' She admitted swiftly.
''Well, I do sometimes,'' Harry said with a straight face. ''And I know you like bacon and eggs.''
''The House Elves cooked it, didn't they?'' Lily asked.
Harry shrugged. ''Does it really matter?''
Lily sighed. ''I know you think of me as blind, but I really am not. You are still grounded, until I say so.''
Harry meant to sound calm, but his words still came out just a tad grated. ''I know that. But can I at least get my wand? I'm eleven now.''
She seemed to consider his words. ''You do remember what I said, don't you, Harry? You are still grounded.''
''I said I know that.'' He muttered. ''But I still need my wand, just in case I need it. Somebody could attack me, and I can only do a little magic without a wand. You know that.''
''You won't be attacked,'' Lily assured, leaning closely. ''Vermillion Lane is safe. Very safe.''
''Safe? Sure it's safe.'' Harry drawled.
''That was an outlier,'' Lily said, softer than he was used to. ''A one in a million chance. Nothing like that will happen again. But you're right. You do need a wand. You're eleven now, if we wait any longer it could get dangerous.''
His eyes lit up. ''Really?''
''You're still grounded.'' Lily reminded him. ''But as I said, you do need a wand. However, if you wander off or are out of line, we will be heading home immediately. We are just there to get you a wand, nothing more.''
It was midday, and Diagon Alley was absolutely packed.
Harry peeked inside the windows as they passed, looking at brooms, glittering gems, and cauldrons.
''We are here for your wand, not to have fun
He filed behind his mother, the thought of being sent home without a wand heavy on his mind. It was stupid though. He was eleven and could get it on his own. Then again, he was grounded.
They walked inside Ollivanders: A short, close-quartered shop where he could not help but gawk at the endless sections of wands. However, it wasn't just them inside.
Their backs were to him, so Harry could not see anything but their white blonde hair. But the younger of the two had a stubby, pale wand in their hands.
''This one is mine.'' The boy said pompously. ''It's obviously far better than the others. Just look at it.''
''No wand is better than the other, they're all beautiful in their own way. but yours is really quite marvelous. Excellent for jinxing.''
''Yes, yes, Mr. Olivander.'' The man said. He sounded incredibly smug. ''And how much will that be?''
After buying the wand, they slowly turned around. Lily and the man locked eyes, and Harry stared at the boy. He was pale as him, only with a longer, pointer face and slightly shorter.
''Mrs, or perhaps I should say Miss Evans. I was not expecting to see you here.''
''That goes two ways, Lucius,'' Lily said coldly. ''I thought you were overseas.''
''Do you know her, father?'' The boy asked.
''An underclassman at Hogwarts, that's all,'' Lucius answered swiftly. ''But yes, we were overseas. We returned recently.''
''Unfortunate,'' Lily said, rather bluntly.
''Unfortunate?'' Lucius asked silkily. ''I'm sure you would know that term well. Living as a Muggleborn in our society can be difficult. Of course, I hope you take no offense. This is your son, is it not?''
Harry scowled at Lucius. The boy scowled at him.
''He is,'' Lily said. ''But I'm sure you already knew that. Since you only returned to England recently, have you heard of what happened to Hunter Nott? I remember you two being close.''
Lucius stiffened. ''Yes….what happened to Hunter was truly unfortunate. He was a good friend of mine. He will never be forgotten. I am certain that his killer will be found soon.''
''I hope so too. We argued, but I'd never wish death on anyone. I would advise you to be careful though. The rumors say he was killed because of the suspicions of him being a Death Eater.''
Lucius frowned deeply. ''That can't be so. He was trialed, but it was proven that he was an innocent man. As I should know, he would never associate with such people.''
Her green eyes glimmered. ''Maybe, but whoever did it could have thought he was lying. I would still be careful if I were you. You were under suspicion once, weren't you?
Lucius' face darkened for a split second before he let a polite smile slip. ''I will take your words into consideration. Draco, your mother is waiting for us.''
Lucius and his son started to make for the exit. Draco barged by Harry.
''Watch it.'' Harry hissed.
''I don't think I will.'' The boy whispered, and then almost silently said. ''Mudblood.''
His face twisted. Lily put a hand on his shoulder, eyes drawn on the boy. ''Your mouth could offend someone one day, and your father might not be here to save you.'' She then faced Harry. ''We have been here long enough. It's time we finally buy a wand.''
As they left through the door, He and Lily stepped up to the counter.
''We're here to buy a wand for my son.''
''Oh, I know.'' Mr. Olivander said, and Harry only just noticed how pale the man's eyes were. ''I've been expecting you, Harry.''
He frowned. ''How do you know my name?''
Mr. Olivander ignored his question. ''But I wonder what wand will choose you today.''
''Choose me?'' He asked.
''Ah, yes. You don't choose the wand, the wand chooses you.''
He frowned again. ''A wand chooses you, really?''
''Mr. Olivander is right,'' Lily said. ''Finding your wand isn't the same as buying a Broom. There will only ever be one that is perfectly compatible for you.''
''Well, I know that,'' Harry muttered. ''But what do you mean by it choosing me?''
''Close your eyes and visualize your wand. It will come to you.'' Mr. Olivander said cryptically.
Harry arched a single eyebrow. ''What?''
''Listen to what he says.''
As his mother's words spilled over him, Harry listened. He closed his eyes and imagined a wand. Dark and long, with black flames firing out of it.
''My, my.'' Mr. Olivander said airily. ''This is intriguing.''
His eyes snapped open and he saw a wand. It was just in front of him, levitating in the air. He took it, and something sharp went through him, like a bolt of lightning running along his veins. And then, a dark light surrounded him, though it only lasted a second before fading.
''Intriguing how?'' Lily urged.
Mr. Olivander hesitated. ''Well, that particular wand has been in stock for a long, long time. Even when I was just a boy, I remember seeing it. My grandfather once said something truly peculiar about it.''
''Your grandfather?'' Harry asked while taking in the man's grey hair and wrinkles. ''So what did he say?''
The Wand Maker looked at him, far more intensely than before. ''Two things. That it was truly a marvelous, stunning wand, and that it was made with the blood of a demon.''
''Would you care to repeat that?'' Lily whispered coldly. ''It was made with the blood of a Demon?''
The man smiled weakly. ''Well, that is what my grandfather said all those years ago. But Demons are simply myths.''
Lily ripped the wand from him. ''This wand does look strange. They rarely if ever have markings on them.''
''Yes, yes. As I said, it's a marvelous wand. I would have never thought it would find an owner in its lifetime.''
''Well, can I have it back now?'' Harry said hotly.
She didn't give it back.
''And your grandfather said it was made with the blood of a Demon, did he use those exact words?'' Lily persisted.
''Well….'' Mr Olivander started slowly. ''He told me when I was a young boy, listening to Fairy Tails.''
''I said can I have it back?''
Lily sighed. She gave it back, and this time he held on to it tightly.
''So it's really made from a Demon?'' Harry asked quietly.
Mr. Olivander laughed lightly,
''Well, those were my grandfather's words all that time ago. But Demons only exist in Fairy Tails. However, it is one of the most beautiful Wands I have ever laid my eyes upon.''
''No, they don't.'' He squeezed his wand, ''But I guess it fits. People have been calling me a little devil for years now.
The sun began to fade, as Harry and Lily made it down Diagon Alley. It was silent between them, as usual. But he constantly looked over his shoulder, peeping at her.
''What is it?'' Lily asked. ''If you have something to say, then say it.''
''Nothing,'' Harry said. ''I've just got my wand, and it's August, so, Hogwarts?''
''No.'' She said, ''We already talked about this.''
''And why not?'' Harry demanded. ''I need to go somewhere.''
''Do you now?''
''Yeah, I do.'' Harry snapped. ''I need to learn magic somewhere, right?''
''You do.'' She peered down at him. ''But we can hire tutors. You are not leaving this September.''
It was impossible to hide his scowl now.
''And why? Scared I'll find out about your little secrets.''
''What was that?'' Lily murmured coldly. Her eyes were a dark, poisonous green.
''You know, your secrets. Did you really think I forgot about what you said? So, who's this Severus?''
Her face darkened even further. ''You are just giving me even more reason, on why you won't be starting Hogwarts this September.''
Harry grinded his teeth, but his voice came out quieter and more muffled than he would have hoped. ''I just want you to tell me. Is he… is James really my dad? Just tell me…''
She turned her back to him as if his words did not matter.
''Of course, he is your father.''
All Harry could do was stare at his mother, frozen in the road as she continued on. And then, he whispered so quietly even his own ears barely picked it up. ''Did you really just say that?''
She stopped as well. She stopped and faced him, her back to the shadow that suddenly appeared behind her. ''We are not talking about this anymore.'' And then, Lily whirled on her heel, to grab a hold of someone, a hood concealing their face. ''You should know better than to pickpocket. How old are you?''
The figure backed away, their hood falling. It was a girl who could not have been older than him. Her eyes were wide, and she bolted. Harry started to run after her, but Lily pulled her right arm out, stopping him.
''Why aren't you stopping her?'' Harry asked. ''She stole something, didn't she?''
''She tried, but was unsuccessful,'' Lily said. ''But I meant what I said, Harry. You are not going to Hogwarts. You have blown your chance.''
''But-''
''No buts. And do not try to argue with me. I will ignore what you said if you stop now, but if you continue...''
So it was set, for one Harry Potter. He would be staying home at Vermilion Lane for the next seven years, carrying on his momentous, slow life. But as they made their way home, he only had one thought occupying his mind.
There's no way I'm staying here. I'm going to Hogwarts, whether you like it or not, Mom.