A/N: Howdy everyone! Check out the HAPHNE discord #fanart for the illustrations from my wife. As always, thank you to those who review, favorite, follow and PM! See you next week!
Disclaimer: I own nothing. Just happy to be here!
Chapter 22
Daphne was already moving as soon as the revelation that Dumbledore knew was confirmed. It hadn't been hard to anticipate, what with the increasingly irate expressions of the usually stoic McGonagall and cheerful Flitwick. No, the proverbial cord had reached the limit of its tension, and snapped the moment Harry discovered that it was a near certainty Albus Dumbledore knew Mad-Eye Moody had been an imposter.
Daphne barely had enough time to grab her younger sister and roll off the bed. Despite her fatigued body from hours of heavy sobbing, she managed to have the dexterity to pull the edge of the bed with them. Turning so she could take the brunt of the fall, Daphne grunted as she landed on the hard stone floor, Astoria atop her and screeching hoarsely in surprise.
The bed clattered down beside them, offering a makeshift shield. When Daphne, ignoring the pain in her throbbing elbow, managed to get out from under Astoria and peek over the bed, she realized just how pitiful her attempt at a 'shield' was.
Chaos had erupted in the Great Hall as the Professors, responding to some unseen signal, had arisen as one and began their offensive against he who was widely assumed to be the greatest Wizard to grace the world since Merlin himself. It seemed, at least this once, that assumptions were proving to be correct.
Albus Dumbledore was holding off three Heads of House with a casual ease, almost as if he were showcasing his abilities for a seminar on transfiguration. Severus, meanwhile, was simultaneously holding back the Astronomy, Ancient Runes, and Arithmancy professors.
The carnage had begun when both Dumbledore and McGonagall began transfiguring the staff table, chairs, and all other immediate objects into their animations of choice. Dumbledore focused more on humanoid animations, while Minerva focused more on animal animations.
When they ran out of material to work with, which happened within the first fifteen seconds, both began conjuring. Flitwick supported McGonagall initially before doing his best to keep Dumbledore on the defensive with a slew of curses. How the headmaster managed to continue his transfiguring against his best student and apprentice, McGonagall, while shielding and batting away spells from a three-time world dueling champion boggled the mind of every observer, both young and old.
Pomona Sprout, for her part, offered support in a rather odd way that was only truly appreciated by those dedicated to the art of Herbology. Most wrongly assumed that Herbology, at its core, was a way to provide all sorts of materials for consumption and Potion making. But there was an offensive side to Herbology that, when implemented properly, had deadly potential.
Sprout made excellent use of this as she began conjuring devil's snares, baby mandrakes whose cries were non-lethal but temporarily incapacitated, and a plethora of other fauna that few could identify. Dumbledore took it all in stride, banishing, vanishing, and overwhelming some with raw power alone.
The Great Hall thrummed with magic as each combatant fought without restraint. However, as the battle wore on, each Head of House understood that the only reason they were not lying dead on the stone floor was a combination of Dumbledore's benevolence and Father Time.
Age, it seemed, had slowed Dumbledore down just enough for the three to give him a good run.
Snape, too distracted by his own duels, was unable to offer support. The Potions master, however, held his own readily, showcasing his magnificent dueling skills. It was no wonder the man pined after the Defense Against the Dark Arts job. Severus Snape was a true master of both dueling and the Dark Arts.
And it showed with a striking clarity to those observing.
Babbling, Vector and Sinistra were no match for Snape, and the three found themselves frantically defending each other while Snape, for his part, sent nothing more lethal than a Stupefy their way.
The battle began to escalate when a blood-boiling curse was deflected by Albus where it cratered the wall behind the headmaster. The twinkle in the old man's eyes vanished and his neutral expression swiftly moved to what could only be described as incensed.
"ENOUGH!" Dumbledore shouted as a thunderclap echoed in the Great Hall, forcing many to clap their hands over their ears.
The shockwave of energy that pulsed from Dumbledore floored those involved in the magical melee, including Snape.
"Stand down, Minerva," Dumbledore barked, the kind voice replaced by one laced with power and authority. "You as well, Filius."
McGonagall stubbornly wobbled to her feet, wand in hand, while Flitwick, after a glance, mimicked her action.
"The next time you go down, you won't get up," Dumbledore said matter-of-factly.
McGonagall and Flitwick both grimaced but remained firmly opposed to the headmaster. Snape, grumbling, got to his feet, and dusted off his robes. There was an uneasy hush in the Great Hall as everyone held their breath, waiting for the battle to begin anew. There was no question who would win once it did.
One simply could not oppose Albus Dumbledore. Even Lord Voldemort himself dared not stand against Dumbledore in a fair fight. He was, after all, the only man Tom Riddle ever feared.
Suddenly, there was a laugh that echoed in the room, as the screen flickered and Harry Potter appeared, seated in his chair, thoroughly entertained.
"I assumed this would happen," he remarked casually. "Minnie, while I appreciate your rabid defense of my deceased Godfather, I'd appreciate it if you didn't proceed further. You as well, Filius. After all, Dumbledore is nigh unbeatable, even at his current age."
Several people, Minerva and Filius included, stared at the screen in shocked confusion.
"You too, Albus," Harry scoffed. "I'd rather not have to use Hogwarts against you at this time. You see, we still have a few more memories to traverse before we come to the present day. Rather important ones, I might add."
Dumbledore appeared intrigued as the twinkle returned to his eye.
"You are playing a dangerous game, Harry," Dumbledore remarked.
"No more dangerous than the games you play, Albus," Harry retorted calmly. "Now, sit down and continue watching. All will be made clear soon enough."
Harry waved his hand and the school reacted. Craters in the stone wall and floor began restoring themselves, splinters and what little remnants of the animations began returning to their original forms and repairing themselves. A gentle breeze swept through the room and the conjured material vanished.
Within less than a minute, the Great Hall was restored as if a fight had never occurred. All at the wave of Harry Potter's hand.
"Now then," Harry steepled his hands and drew them up to his chin, "I calculated we might encounter this- er, interruption. I suppose now is as good a time as any for a break before we begin our foray into fifth year."
"Hooray," Croaker deadpanned off screen.
Harry snorted and shook his head.
"Off you go then," Harry made a shooing motion with his right hand. The same hand that now sported four Lordship rings.
The lights brightened as everyone remained frozen in place with gob smacked expressions, still trying to process everything that had occurred.
-GU-
"Holy fuck," Daphne exhaled as she finally released Astoria, whom she had been protectively cradling during the chaos.
"You can say that again," Astoria rasped, her throat raw from continual coughing. "Did you feel the raw power from Dumbledore?"
Daphne, like everyone else who had observed, was still trying to process the magical melee that had occurred. The skill, precision, and, yes, overwhelming power displayed was something one was rarely privy to, even in professional dueling circuits. To see Albus Dumbledore, even in his old age, unleash his true strength was both harrowing and awe-inspiring.
Daphne shivered and tentatively inspected her elbow, sure it was at minimum fractured from landing on the unyielding stone floor.
"Good thing Harry cushioned the floor," Astoria said with a small smile.
Daphne's head snapped up. "What?"
"When you pulled me off the bed," Astoria coughed weakly. "The floor was cushioned. Harry's doing, I'd assume."
Daphne blinked. Then she tested her elbow and found it was uninjured. She looked up at the screen to find Harry staring aloofly into the distance, his trademark lopsided smirk ever prevalent on his face.
"Thanks, by the way," Astoria leaned wearily on her older sister.
"Huh?" Daphne looked down at her sister.
"For protecting me," Astoria sighed. "I love you, Daffy."
Daphne turned her gaze once more to the screen, her eyes swirling with a myriad of emotions.
"I love you too, Tori."
-GU-
"After what I'm sure was a harrowing display of power and finesse, it is my unfortunate duty to remind you that Tom Riddle, also known as Lord Voldemort, is indeed back." Harry gestured magnanimously as he leaned back in his chair.
"You could have just said, 'I told you so'," Croaker offered from somewhere off screen.
Harry blinked and peered off to the side, presumably where Croaker was. "You know something? You're right."
"When am I not?"
"I told you so," Harry said to his audience while pointedly ignoring Croaker's retort. He then cleared his throat and sighed. "I suppose it's now time for our final foray, no? The end of fourth year, summer and up to this very day. Fasten your seatbelts…" Harry trailed off. "Oh, right. Half of you probably won't get that expression."
He chuckled and shook his head amusedly.
"Oh well!"
-GU-
"Fasten your seatbelts?" Daphne cocked her head to the side quizzically.
"It's what muggles use to secure themselves to their seats when they drive in automobiles," Astoria informed.
Daphne felt heat crawl up her neck. "Automobiles?"
Astoria huffed. "This is why I took Muggle Studies!"
"As if fa- fath-" Daphne felt her stomach turn as she tried to stammer out the word. "That bastard would have allowed me to take Muggle Studies!"
Astoria winced. "R- Right."
Daphne stared down at her hands as the screen began to display a new memory. She was dreading what was coming and having to watch from Harry's perspective. What she had said… It was unforgivable considering what Harry had gone through.
Not that I remembered any of it, Daphne thought sadly. But does that excuse it? Can Harry forgive me?
She slowly forced herself to look up as she sat on the bed beside her little sister.
Can I forgive myself?
-GU-
July 2, 1995, flashed across the screen. Harry, under cover of his invisibility cloak, made his way down to the Mirror of Erised, as he had each year. The loss of Sirius still weighed heavily on him. Several times, he'd thought he heard his Godfather's voice, or laugh, or entered the living area of the Room of Requirement and expected him to be seated at the dining table bemoaning how hot his tea was.
Harry never cared that Sirius-made tea was always too hot.
Merlin, what I would give for a cup of Sirius's tea… Harry thought bitterly. And to hug him one more time.
Then there had been the inquisition from Dumbledore regarding the events of the graveyard. Barty Crouch Jr. had indeed passed shortly after his capture, and Dumbledore had gotten limited information from the man, or at least that's what he'd told Harry when the two had spent a tenuous evening in the headmaster's office.
It was only Fawkes and his soothing song that kept Harry from attempting to curse the old man.
Harry had managed to give a modified, yet thorough account of who was there and what happened. Dumbledore seemed triumphant when Harry explained the resurrection ritual and, once again, pointedly left out Cyrus Greengrass's involvement. Harry didn't mind keeping some secrets of his own, after all.
Besides, what was the point? The Daily Prophet had already labeled him as hysterical, half-crazed and, courtesy of Rita Skeeter, The-Boy-Who-Lied.
Great.
The result, of course, was the typical scorn, shunning and mockery that he'd endured all year being amplified tenfold. A particularly vicious rumor had recently begun circulation that Cedric Diggory's death may not have been an accident after all.
That one had sent Astoria into a towering rage that put her in the hospital wing for a full day. Harry froze mid-step and sighed heavily as he sagged against the nearby wall where he slowly slid onto his bum.
Sirius was dead. Nothing Harry could do would change that. Thank Merlin he had Andi, Tonks, and Ted to support and uplift him. He needed his family now more than ever, especially since they seemed to be looking to him for guidance now that he was to be Lord Black.
It was a burden that Harry was reluctantly prepared to shoulder. He owed it to Sirius, after all.
Dumbledore and his apparent agenda were a conundrum that Harry had yet to unravel. Even Rowena and Salazar were struggling with dissecting the facts. The headmaster clearly had a reason for wanting Voldemort to be resurrected. On that, Harry was adamant.
Dumbledore wanted Tom to be reborn.
But why?
Harry suppressed a groan as he forced himself to his feet once more and continued his trudge to the Mirror. He did his best to ignore the almost constant spasms his body now suffered from the over-exposure to the cruciatus curse. Andromeda had explained it was a miracle he hadn't been driven insane.
A part of Harry believed he had actually been driven insane. How else could you explain the madness that seemed to revolve around his life? Harry opened the door leading to the room where the Mirror was located and began his descent.
Would Astoria be okay? After all, the Dark Lord had succeeded in most of his apparent plans, hadn't he?
He had his body back.
He could circumvent the blood protection Lily Potter had granted her son.
The Wizarding World flat out refused to believe Lord Voldemort had returned.
In tandem, his supposed nemesis, Harry Potter, was being lambasted by nearly every news source.
Harry paused once more, having been ticking off his list of Lord Voldemort's successful plans on his fingers.
Not all the news sources… The Quibbler seems, surprisingly, in my corner, Harry mused. Well, that's a bit of a stretch. But I can give them kudos for being the closest to the truth in recounting the third task.
He shrugged and continued his journey, his thoughts returning to listing the machinations of the Dark Lord.
Voldemort had control over the Dark and Neutral factions of the Wizengamot through Lucius and Cyrus. Harry resisted the urge to swear at the thought of the two men. Outside of Voldemort himself, their curses had been the most painful that night.
His body spasmed just from the memory.
Cyrus… the bastard had shown his true colors and simultaneously incapacitated any ability Harry had to reveal the truth about him. The casual disregard the man had for Astoria was the source of a couple of Harry's nightmares the past week. That and what Voldemort had promised would happen to the Greengrass girls should Harry not play his game.
Harry froze once more, this time on the dais upon which rested the Mirror of Erised.
Daphne. That was a topic he fervently refused to discuss with Aunt Andi or Tonks. Just the thought of the golden-haired girl was a source of massive confusion. On one hand, he flat-out refused to entertain the notion that Daphne, his Daphne, could be capable of such betrayal and manipulation.
On the other hand, her behavior this week had only reinforced the internal dread Harry carried that Cyrus and Voldemort had told the truth when claiming that Daphne was indeed a servant of the Dark Lord and his agenda.
Once again, Daphne had taken to ignoring him with her icy demeanor and cold expressions. Mercifully, she wasn't hanging on the arm of anyone, although Harry didn't expect that reprieve to last long. If it weren't for Astoria, Harry wouldn't bother having his meals in the Great Hall, and thus could remove one of the primary occasions on which he saw Daphne.
But he couldn't leave his best friend, not when she still so staunchly and vocally supported him while ostracizing herself in the process. So, he took his meals alongside Astoria and did his best to ignore the rest of the Hogwarts populace. Although he did enjoy watching the Little Lioness get riled up and start tearing through the more aggressive accusers.
Shaking his head irritably, Harry approached the mirror. He would have plenty of time to dwell on these things while locked in his room at the Dursley's. There was no chance he was escaping that particular prison. Especially now, what with Dumbledore knowing and believing Voldemort had returned.
Kind of hard not to believe it when you helped orchestrate his resurrection, Harry sighed mentally. Okay, maybe not quite to the level of aiding the Dark Lord, but he definitely didn't impede any of Voldemort's plans…
Harry watched as the Mirror of Erised shimmered before displaying his heart's desire.
-GU-
In the Great Hall, Daphne felt her last wisps of hope fade into nothing as the image of Harry's heart's desire was revealed.
"No!" Daphne sobbed into her hands bitterly, her shoulders heaving from the force of it all.
"Oh, Daph," Astoria sniffled and hugged her older sister. "I'm sorry."
-GU-
There were his parents, smiling and waving as always while Harry's older self stood beside them, an at-ease grin on his face. Sirius stood beside older Harry and had his arm slung around his shoulders while he laughed at something.
Harry sobbed when he saw his Godfather's eyes. Sirius always carried a haunted, hollow look from his time in Azkaban. How the man maintained a jovial, casual demeanor after twelve years of literal hell was beyond understanding.
But now his Godfather was at peace, and it showed in his eyes.
"I'm so, so sorry, Sirius," Harry hiccupped as he collapsed to the ground, his body spasming periodically. "But I'm also so very happy you're at peace and with dad."
Harry stared at the image of his dad.
"You saw it, right dad?" Harry asked, despite knowing the image wouldn't answer. "Sirius died defending your son. He's a hero, through and through."
He looked at his mother. "You couldn't have picked a better Godfather, mum."
Then Harry realized that the usual image of older Daphne and their daughter was blurred to an unrecognizable state. He frowned as he tried to pierce the haze that seemed to obscure the two figures which remained outlined in their usual place in the Mirror. Ever so slowly the images began to clear until older Daphne and what he still assumed was their daughter returned, both smiling and waving as always.
Harry withheld a sigh of relief as he stared.
-GU-
"Daph!" Astoria shook her older sister and pointed at the screen. "Look!"
Daphne peered up through swollen, reddened eyes and simultaneously gasped, sobbed, and laughed. The resulting sound could only be described as a garbling of emotion.
"Thank Morgana…" Daphne whispered in a small, tiny voice that seemed to come from very far away.
Astoria had to strain her ears to hear the next words Daphne uttered, so softly were they spoken.
"There's still a chance…"
-GU-
Harry stood and approached the Mirror until he was inches away. He heavily scrutinized the image of Daphne, checking every angle before he finally allowed a heartfelt sigh to escape him.
Well, it's definitely Daphne, Harry thought numbly.
"I sure hope you explained the Potter family magic somewhere, dad," Harry groused at the image of James Potter. "I don't understand any of this!" He waved his hand in exasperation Daphne and his daughter.
He took a stuttering breath and calmed his mind.
"You know, dad, I think the Potter family magic made a mistake," he admitted grimly. "Maybe you'll agree once I tell you what happened this year, assuming Sirius hasn't already told you."
And so, Harry spent several hours recounting his year. Not once did he anticipate a response or acknowledgment of his words. He knew, deep down, that the Mirror was simply feeding off his magic.
But he didn't care. He needed to talk.
"…Astoria looked gorgeous for the Ball, mum," Harry narrated with a wistful smile. "You would have throttled me, I'm sure." He snorted. "Okay, maybe I could have gotten away with a firm dressing down. I completely abandoned her when…" he choked back a wave of emotion. "You know."
Harry huffed and shook his head to clear it, then gestured defeatedly in the direction of the Mirror.
"That's why I checked, by the way. Although I'm sure you already knew that. I thought…" he swallowed heavily. "I thought maybe, just maybe that it isn't Daphne."
Several minutes passed by in silence.
"…Is it wrong to wish it was Tori?"
-GU-
Astoria felt her ears burning as she saw Daphne staring at her with a blank expression.
"What?" Astoria squawked, embarrassed.
"Do you?" Daphne twiddled her thumbs idly.
Astoria blinked as comprehension dawned on her. Then she coughed weakly. Merlin, she was exhausted!
"Sometimes," Astoria admitted sheepishly. "Harry is- well, he's my hero, Daph. He is always there when I need him, he treats me like a person and not like someone who is diseased or dying. Honestly, he is very easy on the eyes too, which helps." A gentle smile tugged at her lips. "He's my best friend." She turned to her older sister and offered an apologetic grimace. "I love him."
Daphne flinched. "Romantically?"
Astoria coughed into her hand, staining it red. She pulled back and looked at her blood-soaked hand contemplatively.
"If he wanted me to."
Daphne wanted to be angry, but she knew she had no right to be. If anyone deserved to be happy in this world, it was Astoria. She was going to open her mouth and give her blessings, not that Astoria or Harry needed them, when Astoria laughed mockingly.
"You're so dumb sometimes, Daffy."
"I swear to everything that is holy, Astoria Greengrass!" Daphne snapped.
"Yes, I love Harry Potter," Astoria waved off Daphne's threats, "as a brother. Maybe as we get older, and if I were still around, that could change… but I know the truth."
Daphne halted her impending tirade. "Huh?"
"Eloquent," Astoria rolled her eyes. "He's in love with you, Daph." Astoria reminded. "You are the one that can interact with that wonderful cloak of his. For whatever reason, Harry's heart is set on you."
Daphne blinked.
"Don't worry," Astoria rasped as she doubled over with another coughing fit. "It- It will be okay, Daffy."
"How can you be so sure?" Daphne whispered brokenly.
"Because he loves you," Astoria assured.
-GU-
July 3, 1995, appeared on the screen. Harry stood in the Room of Requirement, early in the morning, with his family around him. Andromeda, as was her way, was gently fussing about his clothes and appearance while Tonks stood off to the side twirling her wand. Ted sat at the table sipping a cup of strong tea, listening to his wife offer words of encouragement.
"We will get you out of that- that…" Andromeda trailed off, searching for the proper word.
"Shithole?" Tonks offered.
"Language, Dora!" Andromeda chastened.
"Aww, come on, mum! You know it fits!"
Andromeda sniffed indignantly as she attempted to get Harry's hair to flatten. It was a futile effort, but the struggle never deterred her, and Harry would readily admit that it soothed him when she did it.
"Dora here has been contacted to join the Order of the Phoenix," Andromeda continued after a subtle eyeroll at her daughter to acknowledge that maybe, just this once, her 'language' was appropriate. "With any luck, she'll be assigned to watch duty and we can begin working on smuggling you out."
"Worst case, I'll just take your place, Squirt," Tonks promised and held up a single finger. "One week tops."
"Once free, we will get you in touch with the Goblins," Ted called over the rim of his cup. "Accepting your Lordship rings will be nothing more than a formality now. I have already confirmed that Gringotts recognizes you as Lord Potter, Black, Slytherin and Ravenclaw."
"That's a lot of names," Tonks whistled with a teasing smirk.
"You don't have to take my place, Tonks," Harry said softly. "I wouldn't wish the Dursley's on anyone."
Tonks snorted. "They'll be in for a mean surprise if I do," she chuckled grimly. "Unlike you, I don't have the trace."
"Nor will Harry once we visit Gringotts," Ted chimed in.
Andromeda, finally satisfied with Harry's appearance, bent down and hugged him tightly. Harry didn't even flinch, and returned the hug, feeling a deep anxiety settling within his core.
He didn't want to leave his family.
"We're a mirror call away," Andromeda whispered.
Harry choked back a sob as he nodded into his aunt's robes. The mirror… It reminded him of Sirius. Merlin, how he missed that man! He felt a gentle tug as Tonks pulled him into an embrace and squeezed him with all her might.
"We miss him too, Squirt," Tonks whispered huskily.
Andromeda swiped at her eyes, sniffling.
"But we're here for you, Harry," Ted called as he too embraced Harry. "All you need to do is call."
"I'll fight the whole damn Order myself if they try and stop me from getting to you," Tonks promised savagely.
Andromeda sighed and didn't bother correcting her daughter. She checked her watch before gasping. "You'll be late! Off with you, dear!"
Harry felt himself being ushered out the door.
"You'll be at 12 Grimmauld Place?" He called over his shoulder, wanting to prolong his time as long as possible.
"Yes," Andromeda affirmed. "We just need to gather our things from here and we will relocate."
"Also need to ask Mama Claw and Papa Sal if they want to tag along," Tonks quipped, using the nicknames Sirius had come up with for the two founders of Hogwarts. It was a testament to how much Sirius had endeared himself to them that they didn't put up much of a fight when he used the nicknames, and how they allowed, and secretly preferred, to still be called by them.
"Gramps will want to stick with them," Harry felt a tiny smile tug at his lips.
His family shared a quiet chuckle before Andromeda's expression turned stern. "Off with you, young man!" she commanded imperiously.
"You mean, Lord Black," Tonks giggled and quickly yelped when Andromeda swatted her arm.
Harry fidgeted as he grabbed the door handle. "I- I…" he swallowed. "I love you all. Thank you."
Andromeda gave him a parting hug and kissed him tenderly atop the head. "We love you too, dear."
"Aww," Tonks fanned herself playfully, "you're going to make me blush!"
Harry snorted and pulled the hood of his invisibility cloak up.
-GU-
July 10, 1995, flashed across the screen. Harry stood before his window, staring out into the morning haze as the sun just began cresting the horizon. A vivid nightmare of the graveyard, where he relived his Godfather's death over and over, had awoken him. The tingling along the back of his neck and invisible tension in the air had set him upright instantly.
He was being watched, and it wasn't by friendly eyes.
Harry had grabbed his wand and immediately moved to the window, staring out and looking for any distortion or unusual person. Considering the neighborhood they were in, anyone out at this early hour would be suspicious. So far, nothing had stood out to Harry, but he kept his vigilance as his mind wandered.
It wouldn't be hard for them to find my records and ascertain my location, Harry mused. Voldemort could potentially bypass the blood wards since he has my blood flowing through his veins. I already know he has agents in the Ministry, so it's a sure bet that he knows my location.
A shimmer beneath a streetlamp drew Harry's attention. He felt the hairs on his arms stand up.
They're out there, Harry realized. Waiting. But what for?
The Order hadn't shown themselves openly yet, Harry knew. Dumbledore almost certainly would have had one of them alert the Dursley's to their presence, so as to not draw too much attention should they be caught loitering. Harry scoffed as his mind turned toward the Dursley's.
Things had been, well, different. Harry had come home and immediately stood up to Vernon. Gone was the weak, malnourished boy. Harry now carried a physical strength that allowed him to stand his ground, and radiated with palpable power that even the muggles could feel.
It had been the name 'Voldemort', however, that had evoked change. Petunia, despite her aversion to Harry and his world, knew the name, and looked ill when it was spoken. Harry was locked in his room after a short, terse discussion where Petunia asked clarifying questions.
No one questioned where his wand, trunk and Hedwig were and Harry wasn't going to openly reveal that his wand was invisible due to his wrist holster, his trunk shrunken in his pocket, and Hedwig safe with his real family.
Harry's stomach clenched, causing him to grimace. He instinctively pulled the hood of his cloak up, feeling much safer knowing he was now totally invisible. He double-checked to ensure everything he owned was on his person until he returned once more to the window.
Surely Dumbledore would have his agents working within the Ministry, Harry mused. Maybe I'm giving too much credit to the 'Old Goat', as Sirius called him. Or… Harry blanched. Shit. The Greengrass family knows exactly where I live. I told them.
Vernon and Dudley loudly disparaging Harry echoed through the thin walls, causing Harry to grind his teeth. He desperately wanted to go home!
And then it hit him.
Oh no- Home! Harry thought with growing dread. The blood wards! They only work so long as I consider this place home!
This feeble connection was all that remained of the protection Dumbledore had erected. Harry felt his core vibrate as the magic around him crumbled and dissipated. Although Harry had never truly considered the Dursley's as family, or their place of residence as his home, it had been all he'd known.
In some convoluted way, it was home. The introduction to the Black family, however, had changed that over time, and now Harry knew the truth that he'd only just formally recognized.
This is not my home.
Harry jerked the window open right as the wall his bed sat against exploded in a shower of debris. Harry dove out the window and rolled down the roof just before a fireball entered the open window and set the upper floor of the house aflame. Harry ceased his momentum before he plummeted from the roof.
A quick glance below showed numerous Death Eaters, all masked, firing curses at the house. Not wanting to stay and defend the place, Harry grasped the edge of the roof and hung before dropping down heavily onto his feet. The wall behind him exploded and Harry was sent tumbling forward.
His ears rang from the concussion of the blasting curse, and Harry once again thanked Merlin for his personal Deathly Hallow as he stood and began sprinting away from the house. He didn't even register the screams of his relatives as they were tortured as they exited the house.
A sudden, harsh pain erupted in Harry's scar, and he was unable to prevent the gasp from escaping his lips. He clutched his head as he stumbled and fell to the ground.
He's here! Harry thought frantically. I need to move!
"Harry Potter!" the voice of the Dark Lord called mockingly.
Harry didn't look in the direction of the snake-faced Voldemort as he forced his arms and legs to cooperate.
Fawkes! Harry screamed mentally.
A tsunami of magic washed over Harry, permeating the area in a dark aura. Voldemort laughed.
"You cannot hide from me, Harry Potter!" Voldemort taunted.
Harry cursed as spells began flying in his direction. His Ravenclaw side was working in overdrive as he understood what the Dark Lord had done.
Just because my soul is hidden doesn't mean my mass is hidden, Harry thought as he sprinted and hurtled over fences just before they exploded around him. All one would have to do is cover me in ink or some other substance, like flour, and I would be 'visible' to them, or at least my outline would be.
A red flash rocketed past Harry until it impacted a tree and sliced it in half.
Or, in this case, Tom's magic… Harry growled as he dove over a fence and rolled back to his feet. What am I doing?!
Harry turned, with his wand in hand, and prepared to fire off some rather nasty curses when he hesitated.
This is what they want, Harry realized. They want me to use magic.
Snarling, Harry turned on his heel and continued running, desperately trying to come up with a plan as he heard the cracks of apparation around him.
"DOBBY!" Harry yelled, abandoning all pretense of stealth.
A distinctive crack echoed ahead and Harry saw, roughly one hundred meters away, the floppy ears of his house-elf friend. Hovering above him, wings flapping slowly to keep him aloft, was Fawkes. A bright orange beam of light, like a beacon, emanated from the phoenix, allowing Harry to see a glimmer of hope.
Harry's sprint was fueled by desperation as he saw Voldemort in his peripheral send a killing curse his way. He dropped to the ground before jumping back to his feet, the motion reminding him of his countless hours with Tonks yelling at him while he exercised.
Harry didn't have time to thank Merlin for Tonks as he was forced to deflect a trio of stunners sent from nearby Death Eaters. Another killing curse forced Harry to dive behind a tree which exploded when the green light impacted it. Again, Harry was back on his feet and sprinting for all he was worth.
"You cannot escape me, Harry!" Voldemort crowed as he apparated nearby and instantly sent another killing curse at Harry.
Harry narrowly avoided the curse, but a sickly yellow curse impacted him right as his mind registered what it was. Voldemort screamed, outraged, and the next killing curse that left his wand was sent at his own Death Eater.
Shit. Harry thought as he began to choke. Black Lung Curse.
His vision blurring, Harry used the momentary distraction the Dark Lord was causing to sprint the final leg to the beacon of light, where Dobby and Fawkes were waiting. The wide-eyed house-elf quickly grasped Harry's hand and popped away, with Fawkes following in a flash of flame.
-GU-
"It's not your fault, Daphne," Astoria whispered as her older sister rocked back and forth while sobbing into her knees. "Cyrus would have known from the letters and reading your memories."
Daphne heard none of it, lost in her own world of guilt and grief.
"Harry survives, Daph," Astoria pressed on, "you know he does. It's okay!"
"I know that, Tori!" Daphne snapped. "It doesn't change the pain he's gone through."
Astoria sighed defeatedly. "No. It doesn't," she agreed solemnly.
Astoria coughed weakly, but the action felt as if she was driving a knife into her chest. She wasn't sure how much more her body could handle. Every motion hurt, every breath was raspy and burned her lungs. The blood replenishing potions were barely working now. Astoria knew, from experience, that they had diminishing returns with consecutive usage.
But none of that mattered to Astoria. Daphne needed her. Her poor older sister had been terribly violated mentally, and Astoria was only able to offer minimal encouragement at this point.
I hope you have a plan, Harry, Astoria thought wearily as her vision began to blur. Because I don't think I'll live through this if you don't.
"It'll be okay, Daffy," Astoria gasped, her chest constricting painfully. "You'll see."
-GU-
"Dora! I need the Black Family Grimoire!" Andromeda bellowed.
Tonks hesitated, only for a second, before sprinting up the stairs.
"Stay with me, Harry!" Andromeda said firmly.
Harry was trying to expel whatever was clogging his throat, and finally managed with a violent effort to retch black sludge. He took a desperate breath, coughing brutally, his body convulsing.
"Faw…kes…" Harry gasped.
The phoenix landed on Harry's chest and cooed sadly before leaning down. A single tear dropped into Harry's mouth before, with a screech of protest, Fawkes combusted into a pile of ash.
"Damn it!" Andromeda swore as she ripped the grimoire from her daughter's hands and began furiously turning pages.
"He's going to make it," Tonks said with a quaver in her tone. "Right, mum?"
"He will," Andromeda said savagely as she found the page she wanted and began chanting while waving her wand. "Hold him down, Dora."
"Yes, mum," Tonks dropped down next to Harry and restrained him while he struggled for air. "It's going to be okay, Squirt."
"He needed at least three phoenix tears," Andromeda muttered. "One will only buy us time."
Tonks swallowed heavily and Harry could see tears forming in his cousin's eyes. He weakly reached up with his hand, only to have Tonks swat it back down.
"You are going to make it!" Tonks commanded. "We still have to have our movie marathon, remember?"
Harry wanted to respond, but his need to breathe, and his inability to, caused his body to begin panicking. Tonks struggled to contain Harry as her mother slowly began countering the curse Harry had been struck with.
What followed was three hours of agony for Harry, as Andromeda began forcing his lungs to expel the black sludge that threatened to suffocate him, while simultaneously healing the damage being done. Harry spent the entire time fighting for his life, clawing at his throat, and vomiting until his esophagus felt as if it had disintegrated.
Despite his body's instinctive reaction to survive, Harry felt a sense of peace and calm as the blurry images of his family edged their way into his line of sight.
Tonks, red-faced, sweating, and panting as she kept Harry restrained. Andromeda had not allowed the use of magic to restrain him, not wanting to risk interference with the counter curse.
Andromeda, thin-lipped, serious, and eyes riddled with concern as she methodically moved her wand and chanted.
Fawkes, flapping his wings and chirruping encouragingly despite his adolescence.
Dobby, popping back and forth with whatever was needed to support the Great Harry Potter Sir.
He was safe. He was home.
-GU-
July 15, 1995, appeared on the screen. Harry sat at the dining table at 12 Grimmauld Place with Ted, Andromeda, and Tonks. The three were eating breakfast in a comfortable silence, although there was a tension in the air with recent events. It had taken three days for Harry to fully recover, even with Fawkes providing more tears once he'd matured.
The phoenix had yet to depart and spent most of his time sitting atop Harry's shoulder and softly singing a soothing song. Harry was not inclined to tell Fawkes to stop and hoped the phoenix would hang around until term started at Hogwarts.
Hogwarts. What a discussion that had been yesterday. Andromeda and Tonks both insisted he go back, despite his animosity to Dumbledore. Andromeda was convinced it was only a matter of time before Bellatrix Lestrange was freed from Azkaban, and 12 Grimmauld Place would not offer security once that occurred.
Which led to their next debate. Harry did not want his family to be at risk and was adamant that they undergo the Fidelius and avoid the incoming conflict. He understood that Voldemort would never stop hunting him, and firmly believed that separating himself from the Blacks was exactly what was needed.
After all, Voldemort had been in his head. He more than likely knew about Andromeda, Ted and Tonks being involved. To Harry, at least, it wasn't worth the risk of their lives to remain out in the open.
Ted cleared his throat as he set down his fork. "We'll head to Gringotts today, Harry," he said softly. "It's time to assume your Lordships."
Harry nodded and gave a small smile before reaching up and stroking the phoenix's plumage.
"Are you tagging along with me, buddy?"
Fawkes chirped and dipped his head.
"Merlin, that bird is smart," Tonks remarked with a raised eyebrow.
"You are sure he's not able to communicate with Dumbledore?" Andromeda queried as she took a sip of tea.
Fawkes preened and squawked indignantly.
"Fawkes is a free creature," Harry shrugged, earning himself a light peck from the phoenix. "I trust he is keeping our secrets, just as he keeps Dumbledore's."
Ted nodded and stood while Dobby appeared and began clearing the table. "It may be best if Fawkes takes you directly to the waiting room. The Floo Network is likely being monitored by both sides." Ted nervously smoothed his jacket. "That is, if Fawkes is willing, of course."
Fawkes cooed and nodded.
"Sounds like a plan to me," Harry said and tenderly stood, his body still aching from recent events. He walked over to Andromeda and hugged her tightly. "You know I love you, Aunt Andi," he said huskily. "I only want you all to be safe."
Andromeda teared up and raised her head defiantly before finally exhaling and embracing her nephew. "We will discuss it more later, Harry. I love you too, dear." She fondly ruffled his hair and gave him a gentle shove. "Now off you go."
"Are you sure we can't come, dad?" Tonks asked.
"It will be best if it's just Harry and myself," Ted replied. "But even the Death Eaters won't cause trouble in Gringotts. No one wins if we have another Goblin War."
Ted threw a pinch of powder into the fireplace and vanished in a flash of green fire. Harry gave a parting wave to his cousin and aunt before nodding at Fawkes and vanishing in a flash of fire.
-GU-
"Do you have any questions, Lord Potter?" Agnok asked hours later.
Harry looked over to Ted, who sat beside him.
"Don't look at me, Harry," Ted smiled, but it was obviously forced. "This is…"
"A lot." Harry agreed. He turned to look at Agnok, "Could we have a moment, Agnok?"
The Goblin gave a gracious nod and departed, leaving Ted and Harry alone in the office. Harry leaned back in his seat and exhaled heavily before wearily rubbing his eyes.
"Where do we even start, Uncle Ted?"
Ted hummed aloud before sitting up straight. "Sirius left everything to you, as we expected. You are now Lord Black and own all the Black family estates, as well as Kreacher."
Harry nodded numbly.
"Additionally, you now have access to Castle Slytherin and Ravenclaw," Ted pointed out. "With Rowena and Salazar's portraits, we should have the knowledge we need to visit and avoid complications."
Harry felt a tremor of excitement at the thought of visiting the ancient abodes of Salazar Slytherin and Rowena Ravenclaw.
"The Potter will was…" Ted trailed off, searching for the proper word.
"Illuminating," Harry input with another sigh.
As expected, his parents' will had explicitly stated Harry was to go to either Aria Greengrass or Sirius Black. Under no circumstances was he to go to the Dursley's. Of course, everything was left to Harry, not that he could do much with Godric's Hollow, and Potter Manor had been destroyed during the First War when Voldemort killed Charlus and Dorea Potter.
But the will was indictment enough on Dumbledore. He had essentially committed a form of attempted line theft by putting Harry in such an abusive environment. Harry was still mulling over the implications and how he should respond now that he was a Lord of multiple houses.
Agnok, on the other hand, had been furious and spoken at length with a guard in their native tongue. What was determined in that discussion was unknown to Harry, but it didn't bode well for Dumbledore, should he ever be detained successfully.
"No word on the potential fifth Lordship," Ted added softly.
"You are certain Sirius had found something about it?"
"That's what he'd shared with us the day before the tournament," Ted nodded. An uneasy silence followed until Ted trudged onward. "Harry, you really should go into his room."
Harry flinched. Aunt Andi had said the same to him. Only he could access the former Lord's room, apparently.
"I can't," Harry whispered in a strained tone. "At least, not yet."
"Give it time then, Harry," Ted consoled with a gentle pat on the shoulder.
Fawkes, who had been sleeping atop Harry's shoulder, his head under his wing, awoke with an agitated squawk, forcing Ted to hastily apologize. Harry chuckled and nuzzled the phoenix with his finger, enjoying the feeling of the warm, soft plumage.
"Not yet," Harry said softly. "But I promise I'll visit his room soon."
Agnok chose that moment to return to his office. The Potter account manager briskly made his way to his desk before seating and clasping his hands together.
"I take it you have made ample use of your time, Lord Potter?"
"Yes, thank you Agnok."
"Is there anything else Gringotts can do for you, Lord Potter? Any questions you need answered?"
Harry stood, provoking Ted and Agnok to do the same.
"There is one thing," Harry flexed his right hand which proudly displayed the Lordship rings. He would have to will them invisible once he departed.
"Name it," Agnok intoned.
"I'd like to see the Potter vault."
