Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.
I solemnly swear I'm up to no good!
A Tragic Night in Godric's Hollow
Year 1: A Fateful Night that Changed it All
October 1981
England: Godric's Hollow
Potter Cottage
I never knew fear until I stood in front of my best friend's family home on the night of the thirty-first of October. The house was in ruins, it no longer looked like a young married couple living with their fifteen-month-old son lived there. The door was closed to the home, but with one push on the door it swung open. I hoped to find the house empty, that they had escaped, but the feeling of dread grew more as I stepped though the door. I looked around though nothing looked out of place. The inside the house was in darkness, somewhat abandoned.
I made my way up the stairs slowly, I could hear the sound of faint cries giving me hope that the family were alive but hiding. I climbed the stairs until my foot hit something; looking down I saw the foot of a motionless body, raising my eyes to see the pale face of my best friend I knew he was dead. The hope of finding anyone else was quickly fading but why could I hear crying? Bending down I closed James' eyes and walked passed to see the light of Harry's nursery. As I drew closer I could see the door to the room looking like it had been blasted open with a spell. I turned the corner into the room and saw what lay beside the crib was Lily, not moving. Walking over I saw she had the same pale face, she was dead. I looked up to the sound of a loud cry and there sat their son, my godson. I wonder how a toddler could be alive when his parent lay dead not far from him. I picked him out the crib and held him close.
"Hello my brave boy," I cooed to him as I looked him over.
He seemed completely fine until I saw what looked like a scar on his forehead shaped like what looked like a lightning bolt. The mark of what I can only assume to be a dark curse. Was it the killing curse? But where was the dark wizard that killed the little boy's parents? And how was I holding their son if that was the scar left by the killing curse? Leaving the Potter Cottage after wrapping a blanket around Harry, carrying him close to my chest. There was a large figure standing beside a bike, he turned to face me as I leave. Behind all the hair he looks at me with hopeful eyes and I just shake my head.
"We need to get him to Dumbledore," I told him as I got into the sidecar of my motorbike.
"Aye lad," Hagrid agreed with a nod as he quickly climbed onto the bike. "He sent me cause his monitoring spells done an' gone."
"Hurry Hagrid," I pleaded as I held Harry in my arms tightly. "It was Peter…he was the Secret Keeper…he betrayed us all…"
I couldn't stop the tears from falling as we left the ruins of Potter Cottage behind…
I didn't know how long we travelled; all I knew was that one moment we were on the road out of town and the next we were flying over Hogsmeade on approach to Hogwarts. The wards were up and holding strong but they allowed us entry without any fuss and soon enough we were coming in for a landing in front of the Great Hall.
Dumbledore was already there waiting for us…
"Madam Pomfrey is waiting in the hospital wing for us," he spoke clearly and led us into Hogwarts. The school was quite not a sole around it told me that it was curfew, and the Halloween feast was over.
This wasn't the jovial Headmaster that I knew from my time in school–oh no—this was the wizard that even Voldemort at the height of his power feared. I could feel the magic radiating off of the old man like a physical thing and had to force my legs to walk lest I fall behind. For a moment I wondered if he had read my mind before deciding that it didn't matter.
Harry was safe now…
After what felt like hours we arrived at the Hospital Wing and Madam Pomfrey quickly took Harry off of our hands. I wanted to stay and watch over him but I needed to speak with Dumbledore about Peter. We left not long after and made our way up to the Headmaster's Office, leaving Hagrid in the Hospital Wing to look after Harry as Pomfrey ran her tests on the boy.
"I'm only going to ask this once," Dumbledore started once he sat down on his chair. "Did you betray Lily and James?"
"No," I denied as I collapsed into the chair opposite him. "It was Peter," I gritted out in rage. "I told them to change Secret Keepers to throw Voldemort off. Damn it, I should have known that rat bastard would lead the snake right to them."
For a moment I envisioned running out of here and pursuing Peter. I'd hunt him down, break every bone in his body and kill him for what he had done tonight. James and Lily were dead because of him and his master. Only the thought of what might happen to Harry if something were to happen to me.
"I will contact the DMLE immediately and have them arrest Mister Pettigrew," Dumbledore nodded gravely. "In the meantime, we need to speak to Poppy about young Mister Potter."
I got up again and waited by the door as Dumbledore walked over the floo and called someone at the Ministry. I didn't know who he spoke to—probably Crouch or Moody—but soon we were on our way back down to the Hospital Wing. I'd worry about Peter later, for now all that matter was making sure Harry was safe and healthy.
The moment we entered the Hospital Wing I quickly rushed over to the bed where Harry was sound asleep. Hagrid was sitting in a chair beside him and Pomfrey was at her desk looking through some papers.
"So Poppy, how's young Potter?" Dumbledore questioned as we stood at Harry's bed.
"The only mark on him is the one on his forehead Albus, he's is incredible lucky," Poppy spoke at that Albus ran finger softly over the scar that lay on Harry's head.
"Indeed he is," Dumbledore smiled down at the sleep toddler whose life had just completely changed. "I think we can all agree what made that mark on his head but how young Potter is still alive is a question I can't answer."
"What happens now Professor?" I asked since I knew James didn't have any family and Lily only had her sister.
"It seems he will have to go his only living relative Petunia," Dumbledore answered.
"Like hell, I have met her and her walrus of a husband. They hated Lily for what she was, they will make his life hell. Probably lock him in a cupboard," I responded in outrage.
"That may be true Sirius, but it is our only choice," he spoke calmly and then sighed.
"No its not," I glared back as I felt my anger simmer. "I'm his godfather! I will raise him! There is no way he is going to those muggle roaches!"
"Sirius-" he started but I wasn't going to have any of it.
"No Professor," I declared. "I owe it to Lily and James to make sure Harry is alright. I will take him…"
For a moment I thought he was going to argue but then he smiled sadly and nodded. I needed a bigger place if I was going to raise Harry myself but I wasn't going to let him be dropped off with Petunia of all people. He deserved better than that and damn it I would make it better. I could never replace James and Lily, but he was my godson.
Maybe everything would be okay in the end…
July 1991
England: London
Grimmauld Place
My name is Harry Potter, and my life is certainly different to kids my age. My life could certainly been worse from the few things I've heard about my muggle relatives. The hate they had for my mother even after she had died. Until the age of five I lived with my godfather Sirius in a small two-bedroom flat until the death of his mother Walburga Black when he inherited the house, Grimmauld Place.
I grew up with stories of my parent when they were in Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry where in a just over a month's time I would be going too. I knew my parent had died but not long after I turned ten, Sirius told me how they had died.
Over the years I had heard the stories of the dark times and knew that I was famous because I was always stared at whenever Sirius took me with him to Diagon Alley or Hogsmeade, but it wasn't until that moment that I truly realised why I was so famous.
I know now…
"Happy birthday Harry," Sirius shouted bursting though my bedroom door and making me jump awake. "Today could finally be the day."
"Thank you Sirius," I said rubbing my eyes.
"Come on you have presents to open and breakfast to eat," Sirius cheered leaving my bedroom doorway heading back downstairs.
I could smell the cooking of food rising up the stairs and I knew Sirius couldn't be making it because that was his downfall, he couldn't cook even with magic. Dobby the house-elf that Siruis had gotten from the Malfoy's was likely cooking it. I got up racing down the stairs after Sirius, skidding to a stop in the kitchen.
"Happy birthday Master Harry Potter sir," Dobby squeaked while putting breakfast on the table. At the bottom of the table stood some presents.
"Don't worry that's not them all," Sirius smiled sitting at the table. "We are heading into Diagon Alley later on."
"I didn't expect any presents," I said getting a laugh from Sirius in response.
"You say that every year my boy," Sirius chuckled. He was right; I did every year for as long as I can remember. "Of course you are going to celebrate your birthday, I mean what did you expect? For me to be a right freak? Please, you should know by now that I'll always get you something for your birthday."
I sat down at the table eating breakfast while Sirius handed me my presents. There are a few things that he got me but the thing that stood out the most was when he placed a small box in front of me. I opened it and inside was a small mirror, only one side of was the image of the living room. I looked up at the wall to my right and there on the wall was another mirror hanging on it only this one had the image of his own hand.
"Sirius?" I asked curiously. "What is this?"
"That there is a two-way mirror," he explained with a smile. "As you can see, I've got the other one of the pair here. If you need to speak to me while at Hogwarts, just say my name and I'll be able to talk to you."
"I love magic," I grinned and quickly gave him a hug.
"It used to belong to your father," Sirius added sadly. "When we were in school, we used them to talk to each other whenever we got given separate detentions."
"This was my dad's?" I asked as I looked it over.
"Yeah," he confirmed. "Oh those were the days."
I'd heard stories of Sirius and my dad during their time at Hogwarts. It sounded absolutely brilliant, and I really wanted to go there too. Now I was eleven and I was expecting my Hogwarts letter any day now. Oh man it was going to be amazing; I just know it. On that note a bang from the hallway caught our attention and Sirius grinned wide at the sound.
"Sounds like the post is here," he said as he got up and walked out of the room. He returned a few seconds later waving a couple of letters in the air. "They're for you kiddo."
He handed them to me a moment later and I looked them both over. One was stamped with the Hogwarts seal and the other was plain white with my name on it. I opened the Hogwarts one first and read through it, my grin wide as I realised what it said.
Mister Harry Potter
Harry's Room
Twelve Grimmauld Place
England
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1.
Yours Sincerely
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Uniform
First-year students will require:
sets of plain work robes (black)
plain pointed hat (black) for day wear
pair of protective gloves (dragon hide or similar)
winter cloak (black, with silver fastenings)
Please note that all pupil's clothes should carry name tags.Course Books
All students should have a copy of each of the following:
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin TrimbleOther Equipment
1 wand
1 cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set brass scales
Students may also bring an owl or a cat or a toad. Parents are reminded that first years are not allowed their own broomsticks.
"Well, it looks like a trip to Diagon Alley is in order, huh kiddo?" Sirius grinned down at me. "Who is the other one from?"
"I don't know," I answered before opening up the second letter.
It was a birthday card styled like the chocolate frog cards with the picture of Harry himself in the center. It read 'To Harry on your eleventh birthday' at the top and at the bottom were the words 'from Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore.'
"Damn," Sirius grunted at the name. "Albus really needs to stop writing his full name down all the time because I don't know how long his old bones can keep up."
"He's not that old," I said as he remembered the old man's visits over the years. "He's like—a three hundred right?"
"…Maybe?" Sirius half-asked back looking confused. "You know I don't actually know how old he is," he shook his head a second later. "Never mind, we have other things to do than try to figure out Albus' age. Come on, better get dress and hurry. I'd like to get to Diagon Alley before the rush starts and we can't get in anywhere."
Yeah…
That would probably be best…
I finished my breakfast and took off up the stairs to my room. It wasn't long before I was fully changed and running back down the stairs into the living room. Sirius was already waiting there next to the fireplace with some very familiar powder in his hands. For a moment I hesitated before with a nod I took some of the powder and climbed into the fireplace.
"I hate this thing," I told him.
"Just remember what I told you," Sirius smiled back. "Try to stick the landing."
Easy for you to say…
"…Diagon Alley!" I yelled and dropped the powder.
The flames sprang up and engulfed me a second later. One moment I was in the living room of Grimmauld Place and the next I was flying through the air across the street of Diagon Alley. I rolled for a second before stopping a few feet away. Damn it! Every time! I pushed myself back to my feet and glared at the evil contraption even as Sirius casually walked out of it without so much as a trip up.
I really hated floo travel…
"You okay kiddo?" Sirius asked me.
"Oh I'm fine," I replied. "I just hate that thing."
"You'll get used to it eventually," Sirius said trying to reassure me. Personally I didn't think I'd ever like floo travel no matter what he said. "Okay, first stop is Gringotts and then we'll see about getting you your wand."
Gringotts…
Oh joy…
A few hours later we were finally leaving the bank—Gringotts—and I couldn't be happier. That place always gave me the creeps and that was before I'd even seen a goblin. All they seemed to care about was money and getting one over on a wizard or witch. Griphook in particular was annoying at the best of times but I still wonder how Sirius deals with them on a weekly basis.
Thank Merlin we were out of there…
"Ello Sirius, 'Arry," a familiar voice spoke up.
"Hello Hagrid." I smiled back as I looked up at him. He was huge—as in taller than Sirius huge—and that was saying something.
"How are you?" Sirius asked him.
"I'm fine thanks for asking," Hagrid nodded back before reaching into the large bag he was carrying. "I've got something for yeh," he said before he handed over a letter to Sirius and then a cage of all things to me.
A cage with the whitest owl I had ever seen…
"An owl?" I questioned as I stared at it.
"Her name's Hedwig," he told me. "Happy birthday."
"…Thanks Hagrid," I said with a smile.
She was beautiful…
"Well you do need an owl for school," Sirius nodded. "So what brings you here, Hagrid?"
"Hogwarts business," he answered. "Dumbledore sent me to pick something up for him at Gringotts."
"We won't hold you then," Sirius spoke in understanding and stepped aside.
"See you both later," he waved as he walked passed us and into the bank.
I wished him luck…
"Come on kiddo," Sirius said catching my attention. "We've got a lot of shopping to do."
We made or way around different shops getting measured for my robes at madam malkins, getting my books from Flourish and Blotts. After what felt like hours trying to get into different shops, we came to stop out of Florean Fortescue's ice cream parlour.
"Come I think we have a done enough shopping for now let's head here and get some ice cream for your birthday," Sirius said walking us into the parlour.
Thankfully there was no queue today and soon enough we were sitting at a table outside eating ice cream. Sirius ended up eating some kind of magic ice cream and suddenly looked as if he had a white beard and moustache. Apparently, it was named the 'Dumbledore Special' and I could see why.
"Hey Sirius," I grinned. "I moustache you a question."
"Mustchu?" he grinned back before eating the rest.
Thankfully I just had plain old vanilla ice cream with raspberry sauce, you know the classic. Somehow I don't think that I would look right with a long white beard and moustache. Sirius would never let me hear the end of it, I'm sure. Besides, they were for old people, like Sirius and Moony.
"Hello Sirius," a new voice spoke up from our side.
I turned around having just finished the last of my ice cream and all I could see was orange. There were seven people standing there, each one with bright ginger hair. A mother and father along with who I assume to be their children, four boys and a girl.
"Hello Arthur," Sirius greeted back. "Molly, it's good to see you again. Here for school supplies I take it?"
"Unfortunately," Arthur responded with a sigh. "We slept in and now it's the morning rush."
"I wish you luck," Sirius spoke in understanding. "We got here early so we've managed to get almost everything before the crowds started to show up."
"Thank you dear," Molly said with a smile. "Come on Arthur, we need to hurry or we'll be here all day."
"Yes dear," Arthur nodded and gestured for his family to keep moving. "I'll see you at the Ministry, have a good day."
"You too," Sirius waved as they left.
I watched the family walked off, disappearing into the crowded street and towards the shops further in. Idly I noted the lone girl of the clan lingering back a bit and looking right at me before her face turn red and she darted after her family. Why was her face red? Was she sick? I hope she was okay…
"Hey Sirius? Who were they?" I asked my godfather.
"Them lot?" Sirius blinked. "They're the Weasleys, good people, friendly, well most of the time they are. Arthur works in the Ministry and Molly always has her hands full keeping the kids in line. I'm sure you'll see them at Hogwarts in September or most of them anyway. I think their youngest isn't at Hogwarts age yet but I'm not sure about the others."
"…I guess I'll have to wait and see then," I shrugged and stood up. "Where too now?"
"Now? Now we go get you a wand kiddo," Sirius answered with a grin.
A wand…
Finally…
The visit to Ollivanders was interesting to say the least and certainly not in a good way. For one thing the bloke surprised the hell out of me by showing up out of nowhere. Sirius had left me at the entrance to the shop saying he needed to go and take care of something. I didn't mind, or at least I didn't until I actually met Ollivander himself.
He was…eccentric…yes…let's go with that…
After an hour of trying different wands to see if any of them were compatible with me—most of which ended up with my magic lashing out and causing a mess—I finally found a wand for me. It was eleven inches with a Phoenix Feather for its core and made of holly. The only problem with it was the fact that apparently its 'brother' wand belonged to the dark wizard that killed my birthparents.
So yeah…
That kind of put a downer on the whole 'get a wand' thing I'd had going…
"Hey kiddo," Sirius spoke up as he approached. "You okay?"
"I'm fine," I replied quickly. "I got my wand."
"Great," he grinned back. "Ready to go home?"
Home…
"Definitely," I nodded. "Let's get out of here."
Thankfully this time we didn't use the bloody floo to leave—thank Merlin for small mercies—and instead Sirius Apparated us away after grabbing my arm. It felt like being squeezed through a tube but it was still preferable to floo travel any day as far as I was concerned. We soon found ourselves back at the front door of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place and Sirius quickly unlocked it.
"Dobby!" Sirius yelled through the hallway. "We're back!"
"Welcome back Master Black, Master Potter," Dobby the House-elf greeted cheerfully.
We entered the living room and suddenly I was hit by the sight before me. Banners and balloons were everywhere all with the number eleven on them. I smiled even more when I glanced at the table and spotted a big chocolate birthday cake lying on it. There was an image of a broom on it along with eleven candles that were lit waiting to be blown out.
"Happy birthday kiddo," Sirius said with a smile. "Go on and make a wish."
I wish these days could last forever…
I took a deep breath and then blew as hard as I could, snuffing out the candles all at once. I laughed and cheered when they were all gone out and hugged Sirius tightly. This was the best birthday ever!
"Now for your last present," Sirius spoke with a grin. "Ready for it?"
"What is it?" I asked confused.
What could it be?
Sirius gestured for Dobby towards the table and a second later the House-elf snapped his fingers. A second later something appeared on the table next to the cake and I gasped at the sight. It was broom! Not only that it was a Nimbus Two Thousand! This was the best broom around!
"First Years aren't allowed their own brooms in Hogwarts but there's no rule saying you can't have one outside of Hogwarts," Sirius reasoned.
"Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!" I laughed as I hugged him.
"Anything for you kiddo."
September 1991
England: London
King's Cross Station
We arrived at King's Cross Station at ten to eleven on the first September, the day I would be getting on the train to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. To say I was nervous is an understatement, I haven't spent a single night away from Sirius since my parents died. It didn't help at the fact we overslept so it was a quick run though the barrier onto the platform ten minutes before the train was due to leave.
"It's going be so strange not having you around kiddo," Sirius sighed hugging me.
"I'm going to miss you Sirius," I said hugging him back. Sirius lifted my stuff on to the train.
"Please look after yourself and don't get in trouble. Have you got the mirror?" Sirius asked.
I nodded giving him one last hug before the train whistle blew. I made my way up the train looking though the window of the compartments for a empty compartment but I had lucked out. I found one that had three boys sitting inside, two older ones looking like they were identical and a younger one around my age. I vaguely recognised though it took me a second to realise where from. They were some of the Weasleys that Sirius and I met in Diagon Alley when we went there for my birthday.
"Would you mind if I sat in here the rest are full up?" I asked opening the door sticking my head.
"No of course not take a seat," one of the older boys answered. "I'm Fred and this is my twin brother George, we're in third year. We also have another brother Percy the prat on the train, and this is the runt of the family our little brother Ronald."
"It's Ron not Ronald, and you're Harry Potter aren't you?" the youngest asked. I could tell that the twins seemed to like winding their little brother up.
"Yeah that will take some getting used to, everyone knowing who I am," I sighed. Sirius had prepared me for people knowing me but it was still strange.
"Be thankful our little sister isn't old enough to be at school yet," George laughed as I give him a strange look.
"Why" I asked confused.
"Well let's just say our little sister has quite the crush on you," Fred answered.
"You mean she has crush on the Boy-who-lived," I said annoyance. "Not me."
"At this point we are not sure," Ron added.
I could tell by this point I was going to hate the name the Boy-who-lived, being famous for losing my parents. I was brought out of my thoughts by the compartment door opening.
"By any change have you saw a toad?" a bushy haired girl asked us all. "Longbottom has lost it."
We all shook our heads as she growled in annoyance and slammed the door. I had heard of Neville Longbottom from Sirius; he's being raised by his grandmother after his parents were torture and hospitalized. Someone I have something in common with, being essentially an orphan.
"Anything off of the trolley dears?" asked the trolley lady as she appeared in the doorway.
"No thanks," Ron replied quietly and gestured to the rather small sandwich in his hands. "We're okay."
Was that even a sandwich? Looking over I saw that both Fred and George were trying their best to not look put out despite the fact they also seemed to have the same kind of sandwiches. Maybe I was spoiled by Sirius but I liked to think there should be more food with their food.
"We'll take four of everything thanks," I spoke up and pulled out a handful of galleons. Sirius and I certainly weren't rich but we weren't poor either. "Keep the change."
"Here you go dear," she said as she handed the collection of food over.
It was a lot of chocolate…
"You didn't have to do that mate," Ron told me.
"Don't sweat it," I shrugged before unwrapping my chocolate frog. "I'm starving."
"Cheers mate," George said with a grin.
Almost as one the three Weasleys started eating whatever they had and it wasn't long before most of it was gone. Ron however tried to open his own chocolate frog but once freed the animated frog leaped out of the still open compartment door and into the corridor. A hand quickly grabbed it and passed it back to him. It was the girl from before, the one who asked about a toad.
"That is not the toad I was looking for," she said with a sigh. "My name is Hermione, Hermione Granger, and you are?"
"Ron," he replied before taking a bite of the chocolate frog.
"Charmed I'm sure," she spoke dryly and looked the rest of them over.
"I'm Harry," I introduced myself.
"I'm Fred and he's George," both of the twins added at the same time. "Wait, I thought I was Fred?"
I could tell I was going to be confused a lot whenever they were around…
"I think you should all be getting changed we will be arriving soon" she suggested before turning and leaving.
"She's a bossy one," Ron grunted as we all got up getting our stuff to change into.
Author's Notes:
Hello everyone, this is a story I've written base on what would happen if Sirius raised Harry. The overall storyline will of course be along similar lines to canon but there will be noticeable differences. I hope you enjoy.
Please Read and Review.
Mischief Managed