Chapter 12

Not a thing had changed about the Hogwarts Express on the inside. The long hallways that held the eager Hogwarts students were as outdated in 1976 as they would be 15 years later when he would board the train for the first time. Harry smiled at the memories of meeting his first two friends on the express, and didn't dawdle long before drawing his wand, and instructing it to find his father with a simple family detection spell that Charlus had taught him.

Watching the magic work, Harry followed a small translucent blue line several feet forward, before a voice distracted him ahead, "Hey, Harry! Good to see you in the Hogwarts robes. They look good on you."

Looking up, Harry saw Andromeda Black walking towards him from a nearby compartment. Her mid-length curly brown hair and soft smile were inviting as she came towards him in her Slytherin robes. A smile immediately overtook his face at the sight of his friend, "Andi. It's good to see you."

The girl opened her arms offering him a hug, and he accepted easily. When they separated she grabbed his hand, "Come on, let me introduce you to some people before your cousin corrupts you."

Dragging him forward to the compartment she stepped out of, Harry was quickly introduced to the sight of some familiar faces, and one dark-haired beauty he was uncertain of, "Guys, this is the new Potter I was telling you all about. Harry Potter, this is Amelia Bones, Nathaniel Greengrass, Elaina Essex, and my best friend, Ted Tonks."

Ted stood first, the shadows of the kind man Harry had known in his time already evident on his face, offering his hand, "Pleasure to meet you, new Potter."

"You as well, Tonks." Harry answered genuinely. The good-looking Muggleborn boy was clean-shaven, and seemed well-groomed with his spiked hair. The seventeen-year-old Hufflepuff was a good man from where Harry was from, and he knew that he was destined to be killed by Snatchers during the second war if things didn't change. The thought nearly made Harry frown, but he kept a positive countenance as he took the offered hand.

"Heir Greengrass. A pleasure to meet you. I had a friend speak highly of your family. Nice to put a face to the house of Greengrass." Harry spoke with sincerity. Harry had only met the man once in his timeline. The leader of the neutral faction had a daughter in his year in Slytherin House. Daphne had never said a mean word against Harry, but they had not been friends. Nathaniel Greengrass had however joined them in the final battle at Hogwarts. Kingsley Shacklebolt vouched for the man, and Harry trusted the large Aurors' judgment when they fought together.

Nathaniel seemed surprised by the formal words, and then he grinned, "You can call me Nate, everyone else does."

Then there was Amelia Bones, and this woman nearly made Harry's heart skip a beat. Susan Bones was in his defense group, and they had become friends in his final two years at Hogwarts. He knew Amelia Bones was killed by Voldemort himself in his sixth year, and the woman resembled her niece enough that a grimace of pain flickered through his chest at the thought of what happened to his friend. The red-haired woman had an even expression on her face when she greeted the young man, "You're not going to make me curse you are you?"

The question surprised Harry, and his hand almost instinctively went to his wand in his defense. Andromeda rolled her eyes at her friend, but Harry held eye contact with the woman, "It's not necessarily on my to-do list Miss Bones."

"Your cousin sure does love to cause me problems." Amelia said sternly, "He jinxed my homework to be blank last year, and made my hair turn blonde the year before."

"You made quite the stunning blonde though, Amelia." Nathaniel joked.

The woman glared at her friend while Harry shrugged, "Pranks are not really my thing. I think your hair and homework are safe from me."

A grin crossed her features at this, "Good, I had to curse James ten ways from Sunday last year. He is lucky Professor Beery, my head of house, had seen me working on the paper in the library the night before, or I might have done permanent damage."

This made Harry feel more at ease around the woman. Susan had turned into quite the firecracker during their fifth year. The confidence of the DA really bolstered her self-esteem, something Amelia Bones was clearly not lacking. Harry had to admit the redhead was quite beautiful, and her confidence was appealing. Harry knew she was a respected witch in his time, and wondered just how competent with a wand she might be in her final year at Hogwarts.

Finally, Harry turned his attention to the dark-haired girl. She was certainly unfamiliar to him, and the last name Essex was not one he had ever heard in the Wizarding World. She had piercing eyes that stood out to him because of their variety in color. Her left eye was light blue, and her right eye was light green. It was extremely distinct, and Harry wondered if the girl had Veela blood. She was by far the smallest person in the compartment, but something about her made Harry think that she was dangerous, "Miss Essex, right?"

The girl nodded her head at him subtly, "That's right."

Andi grinned at her friend, "Elaina here is Slytherin's only Muggleborn. She is fierce with a wand though, maybe even the best duelist in our house."

Elaina looked annoyed by her words, but shook her head, "I had to be with all the supremacists in our house constantly harassing me."

Amelia and Ted frowned, but Nate nodded his head in understanding. Andi just kept her smile though as she said, "She's vicious! I love it."

"No one has tested me in two years." She said with a slight smirk, "Perhaps you will get a first-hand encounter like your cousin, Potter."

Nate snorted, "That's a memory I would store in my pensieve permanently. Elaina took down Sirius and James at the same time after they turned her skin red. It was brutal, and I am sure they weren't able to sit down right for weeks."

Amelia and Ted chuckled at his words, while Andi looked immensely pleased with herself. Andromeda clapped her hands after this, "Excellent, now that you know a few people from most of the houses, hopefully, you will have someone to sit with after your sorting. Though I will be disappointed if you don't join me in Slytherin."

She finished that statement with a wink, and Amelia scoffed, "A Potter in Slytherin? Doubtful."

"My mother was a Slytherin, Miss Bones. I would be honored to follow in her footsteps if that is where the hat puts me." Harry stated with a sly grin.

Amelia turned pink for a moment before muttering about forgetting who his parents were, and Nathaniel asked, "We would be glad to have you. Andi says you are quite a sight with a wand."

Raising an eyebrow at the girl she blushed under his scrutiny, "I saw you and your dad dueling on the grounds when I arrived. I have never seen anything like it."

The others all looked interested in her words, while Harry frowned. Dorea had told him not to hold back, but at the same time revealing his strengths before the term even started wasn't his preferred way of making a name for himself. His silence seemed to perturb the girl as she began to apologize. Harry shook his head, "No big deal. I just didn't realize you had seen that. Dad and I can be quite vicious in our duels. I am surprised my mum let you watch."

"It was only for a minute." Andi said placatingly, and Harry nodded.

Amelia scoffed, "What's the big deal anyways? We all duel with our families, except Ted here."

Deciding not to grace the redhead with an answer Harry shrugged, before offering Andi a final smile, "I should go find Sirius and James. I promised I would sit with them on my first train ride. It was nice meeting you all."

The group took his departure with ease as the train began moving, and he stepped out of the compartment right into someone nearly knocking them over. Immediately Harry began apologizing, "Sorry I didn't see you when I was-"

Harry's breath caught in his throat. The red hair, and soft features were something he only recognized from photos. Before he could find his words the woman rolled her eyes at him, "I'm sure you didn't. Come on, James, we can't be late to our meeting."

Trying to protest, Harry said, "I'm actually not James."

The girl didn't even grace him with a look as she shook her head dragging him by the hand, "No way, Potter, you aren't getting out of this. Merlin only knows why Dumbledore picked you to be Head Boy, but you are not dodging. Let's go."

The feeling of his mother's hand in his own was a feeling he couldn't stop from rushing through him. Lily Evans. In the flesh. The woman who had died for him five years in the future was holding his hand, and all he could do was relish in the moment as she dragged him down the length of the train. No further words of protest could be made, and when they entered the cabin closest to the engine room a large compartment was revealed. Having not been a prefect in his time, Harry had never seen this particular compartment, but he grinned at the first sight he took in. James was standing at the very front of the compartment, and most of the seats were filled with the other various prefects. Harry's birth father looked up at the new arrivals and smiled widely when he saw the redhead enter the room, "Ah, Lily I was just about to send Alice to find you."

Then his eyes shifted to Harry who was offering him an exasperated look. Lily let go of his hand as if it burned her. She shook her head back and forth between the two, "What is…James Potter are you and those idiots messing with Polyjuice Potion? That's dangerous and-"

Harry immediately cut her off, "Ma'am, I was trying to tell you I am not James Potter. My name is Harry Potter. I am James' cousin."

The compartment was silent now. The eyes of each prefect darted back and forth between James and Harry, clear confusion written on the occupants of the room. Harry's birth father was grinning like a madman at the bewilderment of those around him, and his words reached his ears even though he said them quietly, "This was way better than any prank I had come up with."

Lily continued to blink, and looked back and forth between the two. She finally turned to James, "You never mentioned having a cousin our age…"

"Funny you say that, because I didn't know I had one till this Summer." James said grinning at the girl walking past her and throwing an arm around Harry, "This one has been kept a secret my whole life. It's all a long and complicated story I would love to tell you over dinner some time, but for all you other nosy sods it's a family secret."

"Now you, young man," James said pointedly, "I can appreciate your taste in company, but seeing as how you are not a prefect, you can't join this particular meeting. We can talk about polyjuicing you some other time to get you in if you really want to see what these exciting meetings are about, but for now, Padfoot is at the other end of the train. You should go join him and the others. I have a meeting to run."

James patted Harry on the shoulder, and gestured for him to exit the compartment. Lily offered him a final confused look, but no apology, as he shrugged and turned to leave without further words. He would have more time to meet with Lily in the future.

Making his way back to where he came from Harry began to wonder just who else he might encounter on this train ride. It took some time, but getting to Padfoot proved to be a longer journey than he may have guessed. By the time he entered the compartment, Sirius had his head against the window with his mouth partially opened sleeping like the dead. Young Remus Lupin still had the scars on his face, yet he looked at ease reading his book. Peter Pettigrew was not the same mousey man he had met in the future. This young man had a head full of brown hair, and didn't seem flighty. In fact, the young man had a tray over his lap, as he was attempting some type of transfiguration with his wand. None of the marauders flinched at his arrival, and Harry decided to go along with the silence, and took his seat next to Sirius glancing at each of the men.

Without even glancing up from his book Remus asked, "That was a fast meeting. How'd it go with Lily?"

"Well, she dragged me across the train, and berated me for absolutely no reason." Harry answered, and at the sound of his voice Sirius jerked away, Remus' eyes shot up, and Peter quit attempting his spell, and all eyes went on him.

Holding back his grin Harry sighed, "I tried to tell her that I was not James, but she didn't believe me. Prongs had a good laugh by the time she dragged me before him. It was like a deer in headlights if you will."

Sirius cackled at his joke, "Oh, I bet Evans had a conniption!"

"I think she was too stunned to do anything." Harry said with a full-fledged smile. "Prongs pulled it off as a subtle joke, and kicked me out of the compartment."

Remus' eyes were still wide, and now it was Peter's turn to be staring with his mouth open. Harry frowned at the two, "What, never seen the Potter genes at work before?"

Remus blinked a few times, while Peter shut his mouth. Sirius however was just watching with a Cheshire cat-like grin on his face, "Marauders, I believe we may have mentioned a thing or two about James' new cousin. I told you they could be twins."

Peter pointed an accusing finger, "I thought you were having us on!"

Remus nodded quickly, "I admit, so did I."

Harry offered a hand to Remus first, "Harry Potter in the flesh. I've heard tons of things about you lads."

Remus dumbly took the offered hand continuing to stare at Harry as if he was a magical wonder, while the green-eyed boy tried his best to keep an even smile on his face when he offered his hand to Pettigrew. Harry had sworn to himself that he wouldn't treat the boy badly, but the first sign of betrayal would cost the boy his life. The youngest Potter would either ensure the boy's loyalty or execute him if necessary. The line of forgiveness would be much smaller in this timeline in Harry's book, especially where the rat was concerned.

James entered the compartment next with a dreamy smile on his face, "Harry, I have to thank you for that beautifully executed prank. Your first one, and we haven't even reached Hogwarts yet. I am so proud! The entire compartment was silent from the shock of your arrival during the whole meeting. I really looked like I knew what I was doing up there!"

Squeezing next to Harry, James grinned at the bewildered looks on his best friend's faces, "Guess I wasn't too late to see all the action. These chaps look like they have been petrified."

"I don't think it has fully set in." Harry agreed, "Until you walked into the room. I think they were still trying to figure out how you changed your eye color without a potion."

"It was the voice that picked my attention." Remus muttered unhappily, "You may look similar, but I can tell you apart by your voices immediately."

Peter nodded his head rapidly, still staring at Harry in awe, "So you really went to Ilvermony?"

"Not exactly." Harry answered, "I had a house I was sorted into, but I only took my exams through the school. We couldn't risk my exposure to the world before my family was ready."

"I still can't believe mum and dad kept it from me all these years." James whined, "I thought I could read them super easily. It couldn't have been easy keeping you a secret."

"Why were you kept a secret? From James of all people. Shouldn't he have known he had a cousin?" Remus asked suspiciously.

Harry frowned for a moment before drawing his wand, and flicking it toward the door, "I can't have people eavesdrop on this conversation, but I know you three have been the family James never had an opportunity to have, so I will trust you all more than most. I only ask that you protect the Potter family, and its secrets. I would not take a betrayal lightly. James said I can trust you, so I will take your words as Marauders that you will not betray his family's secrets."

All four pairs of eyes widened at his words, and Remus looked to the door in surprise, clearly not expecting a ward to be summoned with such ease. Harry knew that his demonstration was well beyond the ordinary wizarding level, but he couldn't take risks. Peter and Remus both looked at James as if looking for his guidance, while Sirius nodded at once, having a vague idea of what Harry was referring to, "We wouldn't do anything to put James or his family at risk. Your family has done a lot for me, Harry."

Harry's eyes then turned to Remus who immediately nodded, "The same for me. If it could put James in danger I won't say a word."

The serious expression continued on to Peter who seemed slightly nervous to be under Harry's scrutiny, but nodded, "My word."

Harry held the traitor's eyes a little longer, before nodding, "When I was born a prophecy was made. It basically said that I would have a role to play in a big fight that would occur in my lifetime. My parents were terrified to lose me after they lost my brother to dragon pox, so as a result they took me, and fled the country. Raised me in secret, and after I exhibited my first bit of accidental magic they knew something was different about me. Basically from the time I was old enough to walk, I had a wand in my hand learning to cast and control magic. They have been preparing me for my role in this prophecy, and I intend to fulfill it one day. My father was a war hero in the Great War, and if I must I will follow in his footsteps and carry on his legacy."

The Marauders were each hanging onto his words, and to break the tension Harry leaned forward making them all do the same, and he whispered the word, "Boom."

All four sets of eyes widened, and Harry laughed, making them all flinch, making him laugh even harder, "Relax, guys. I am not all doom and gloom. Just know that my past is my own secret to keep. What you just learned is all I plan to reveal. To the rest of the world, I was merely a family secret, raised away from Britain to be kept safe from dragon pox. The world will soon learn of my abilities with a wand, and we will face those consequences as they approach us. Big changes are coming in this country, and if I am being honest, I came back to protect James as much as I did for any other reason."

James frowned at his final words, "I don't need protecting."

Holding up a hand placatingly Harry shook his head, "Think of it more as I am here to have your back. I won't be hovering by any means, in fact, we may not even be in the same house. My parents have a little wager going between them, and I am honestly not sure who will win. They both encouraged me to open myself up to the sorting hat, and allow it to guide me wherever it feels I would do best. Regardless of that though, I will be here to look out for you as my brother should've been able to do had he been around today. We are all the family we have even remotely close in age. We have to look out for one another."

In acceptance, James nodded, before Remus let out a deep breath, "Things are happening out there. My father seems more nervous than I have seen him since…well it's been a long time. I can tell he is contemplating fleeing."

Peter shrugged, "I can tell my mum is thinking the same thing. She asked if I had ever considered finishing my magical education abroad. I think everyone is seeing the signs of something coming."

"What is coming?" Sirius asked, "Harry, obviously you know something or you wouldn't have come out of hiding. What is it you know?"

Frowning Harry retorted, "You are going to have to trust me when I say I can't speak of it. I think it would just be best if you all continue to look out for each other. With the sightings of these men in black cloaks and masks we don't know who our real friends and enemies are. We must remain vigilant."

"We always look out for our own." James said boastfully putting an arm around his cousin and Sirius at the same time, "But that is enough talk of all the changes coming. This is our last year at Hogwarts, and-"

James stopped when Harry frowned and drew his wand. He felt an intruder trying to push into his wards, and with a snap of his wrist, he wandlessly dissipated his creation, and slid the door open in a single swipe revealing a redhead with her wand drawn.

.o.

Lily could still hardly believe that she had embarrassed herself so badly on her first day of being Head Girl. She hadn't even made it to the school yet and she was accosting a new student. A new student that looked just like James, she thought morbidly. She was thankful the green-eyed boy she dragged across the train had not kicked up a fuss about being hauled along after her. Her cheeks colored at the embarrassment of what she had done, and knew she would need to apologize to Harry as soon as possible.

The further she made her way down the train, the more she wanted to smack herself at her own idiocy. It was not often the red-haired Muggleborn was left floundering, but it was obvious now that the teenager she dragged across the train was not the same as James. It started with his eyes, which were a vibrant green. That should've been an immediate giveaway. Even a bad batch of polyjuice would've made their eye color the same.

The young man had not even made a joke at her expense! She could hardly believe the teenager was related to James Potter. Then again, James had not made fun of her in front of the other prefects like he could have. In fact he just complimented Harry's taste in company, made him leave, and then carried on the meeting like nothing happened. Maybe the boy who had caused her so much grief over the years was finally growing up.

His twin-like cousin had even been polite in his rebuke to her when she dragged him across the train. Alice had laughed at her all the way to their compartment when she had told her friend what had happened, and it was time to face the music.

Taking a deep breath she exhaled, and only hoped that the Marauders would not give her too hard of a time for her mistake.

(A/N) A nice meeting of Lily Potter, as well as a first hand look at a few OC's as well as the bulk of the characters who are going to play a major role in the story. This of course is not everyone, and new players will and come and go from the story, but what we have here is a big introduction! If you want to read through Chapter 17, which is a particularly fun chapter, you can join me on Discord today for free by just deleting the space out of the link below. If you want to catch up with what is going on with Harry at Hogwarts you can read all the way to chapter 23 by joining me on patr(eon) for just 1$ a month. That is all for now guys, cheers!

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