Abused and Broken
Chapter 1: Activity in the Veil
Lewis Croaker grumbled as he signed a form authorising the use of a time turner to some Hogwarts third year that didn't understand the existence of a bad idea. He'd checked and the girl was a Muggle Born, someone who didn't need to take Muggle Studies and Divination was a joke at best. Especially since the only Seer the Ministry had picked up on was killed by his own Uncle. Charles was still in Azkaban for killing his brother.
Croaker suddenly looked up, as Bode slammed into his Office.
"What is it?" Snapped Croaker, having no time for the man, especially since he was an acquaintance of his useless son.
"There's something wrong with the Veil." Gasped Bode, making Croaker jump up and storm to the Veil chamber.
The Veil was violently flapping around, as if a wind was blowing it. Which wasn't possible, since they were under ground.
"What did you do?" Snarled Croaker, glaring at Bode.
"I haven't touched it!" Protested the man, as the Veil gave a roar and multiple jets of light shot out of it.
Croaker watched as one of the lights impacted the floor near them, the light vanishing and revealing a blonde-haired woman who looked to be in her early thirties. Croaker and Bode stared down at the woman.
"Send an owl to the Minister, now." Ordered Croaker, "Tell him that the dead are walking amongst the land of the living."
Bode nodded, just as Marlene McKinnon woke up.
A&B
Harry clamped his mouth shut as he ran the tip of his wand over one of the cuts Vernon gave him before he blew Marge up. He'd made an effort to keep all of his wounds hidden, even looking up and creating a glamour to hide any bruising on his face. Harry watched at the spell caused the bruising on his abdomen to lessen, while the other cuts and burns he had once again flare to remind Harry of their existence.
"Celare." Muttered Harry, pointing his wand at himself, "Leni dolore."
Harry let out a sigh as all his burns, cuts and bruises vanished and ceased aching.
'No one can ever know.' Thought Harry, before heading over to the bed.
A&B
Amelia Bones silently rolled her eyes as Susan chatted with some of her house mates from school. The woman jumped as a loud crack came from the garden.
"Susan, take your friends upstairs, now." Ordered Amelia, immediately grabbing her wand.
Susan was about to object, but a look from her aunt made her comply without question. Amelia held her wand in front of her and exited the house, almost immediately a familiar wand was shoved in her face.
"How old were we when you broke your arm?" Demanded Edgar, glaring at Amelia.
"Eight, you pushed me," Answered Amelia, before pointing her want him, "What is the one thing I told you never to speak of?"
"I caught you dogging with Sirius Black." Answered Edgar, making Amelia lower her wand and slug him on the arm.
"How?" Demanded Amelia, looking at her brother, his wife and his other children.
"I don't know, the last thing I remember was dying." Answered Edgar, rubbing his arm, "I was vaguely aware of some others, the McKinnons and Benjy and Caradoc. I think there were some more, but I can remember much else. Amy, where's Susan?"
"She's upstairs, Ed, it's been twelve years." Answered Amelia, slowly turning to look back at the house, "There were a large number of children who were orphaned, some were even raised by Muggles."
"Any examples?" Asked Edgar, frowning.
"The most famous one is Harry Potter; he's being raised by his Aunt and Uncle." Responded Amelia, not noticing the look of horror on her brother's face.
A&B
Matron Strout sighed through her nose as she looked at the Longbottom's beds. A pair of Aurors who were tortured into insanity by Death Eaters shortly after You-Know-Who was defeated. The Matron froze when two orbs flew into the ward and vanished behind the Longbottom's curtains. There was a gasp and the sound of someone vomiting, before an emaciated Frank Longbottom stumbled past the curtain.
"W-where?" Rasped the man, before he collapsed.
Matron Strout stared at the unconscious man, before she ran to fetch another Healer.
A&B
In Hogsmeade, a woman in her early thirties stumbled towards the path that led to Hogwarts. Dorcas had woken up in an alley way and had a very heavy bin land on top of her, swiftly followed by a foul tempered cat. Dorcas was allergic to cats, she remembered Lily's face when she couldn't stop sneezing at that ginger cat with the squashed face. Shawshank? It ended with shank.
Dorcas was stumbling towards the school, when she walked into a large man with mass of hair on his head.
"Dorcas?" Asked Hagrid, looking down at the woman, "Yer supposed to be dead."
"I certainly feel that way." Sneezed Dorcas, before looking up at Hagrid, "I need to speak with Dumbledore, James and Lily are in danger."
"It's a bi' late fer tha'." Said Hagrid, before picking Dorcas, "Come on, I can ge' slug pellets some other time."
Hagrid got a total of three feet before Dorcas fell asleep.
A&B
Regulus gasped for air. He looked around and found himself in his old room. He vague heard his parents yelling. Regulus froze and suddenly felt himself. He was alive. His parents were alive. The Black got to his feet and headed for his father's study.
"SERVE HIM?! WOMAN, HE CAME INTO OUR HOUSE, DESTROYED HEIRLOOMS AND MURDERRD US AND YOU WANT TO SERVE HIM?!" Bellowed Orion Black, while Walburga glared at her husband.
"It was Sirius that got us killed, if he'd just done as he was told-" Walburga was cut off by Orion.
"AND LOOK WHAT'S BEEN PRINTED! HERE! THE LAST OF THE BLACKS, ROTTED AWAY IN AZKABAN AND WAS DRIVEN MAD!" Bellowed Orion, just as Regulus opened the door.
His mother turned and spotted him, "Regulus! Darling, are you alright?"
"Where's Kreacher?" Rasped Regulus, making the elf appear.
"Masters and Mistress!" Gasped Kreacher, jumping, "You've returned!"
"Kreacher, the Horcrux, did you destroy it?" Asked Regulus, as both his parent's faces lost all colour.
The House Elf froze, before rushing to the door and headbutting it multiple times. Regulus grabbed the elf and held him up off the floor.
"Kreacher, don't punish yourself." Ordered Regulus, keeping a tight grip on Kreacher, "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have assumed Horcruxes could be destroyed by elf magic."
"Y-you mean that bastard was creating Horcruxes?" Stuttered Orion, as Regulus set Kreacher down.
"He'd already made a few before the locket," Answered Regulus, as Kreacher fetched the item, "I remember Bellatrix cackling about something precious her dear master gave her, I just assumed he cuckolded Lestrange."
There was a period of silence, before Orion buried his face in his hands, "Sirius isn't going to let us hear the end of it."
"If there's any part of his mind left." Muttered Regulus, before looking at the newspaper, "Wait, he's broken out of Azkaban?!"
A&B
Fabien coughed, slowly sitting up and looking around.
"Gideon?" Coughed Fabien, getting to his feet, "Gid?"
"Here." Grunted Gideon, emerging from a pile of grass, "I had a soft landing."
"Lucky you." Groaned Fabien, limping over to Gideon, "I think I hit that tree."
"I call dibs on killing Crouch." Said Gideon, looking around, "Hey, Fab, I think Molly and Arthur live around here."
Fabien's face split into a grin, "Shall we pay them a visit?"
"You read my mind, Mate." Grinned Gideon, hooking arms with Fabien and marching through the town.
"Remember, we're looking for the Burrow and it's obscenely tall." Said Fabien, as Gideon looked around.
"I remember little Bill getting in the room on the top floor and Molly threw a fit." Laughed Gideon, as they reached the gate, "C'mon, let's see what they're up to."
"Oh, Molly-olly-olly-olly!" Called Fabien as he and Gideon marched through the kitchen door, "Oi-oi-oi?"
"Dragon? Artie?" Called Gideon, as he looked around, "Yoo-hoo, anyone home?"
"Hey, Gid," Fabien called over, "Look at this."
Gideon looked at his brother and found him with several bottles of alcohol.
"It'd be a shame for all this to go to waste." Mused Fabien, looking at the bottles admiringly.
"Yeah," Gideon paused, before pulling out his wand and conjuring two glasses, "a real shame."
A&B
In a destroyed cottage in Godric's Hollow and man with glasses, messy hair and brown eyes woke up and coughed.
"Lily?" Coughed James, rolling onto his feet.
"Over here." Came a weak voice. A red-haired woman with bright green eyes poked her head out of a room, "I can't find Harry."
James coughed again, "I'm going to fucking kill Wormtail."
Lily stumbled to her feet and looked around, the nursery was destroyed, everything was covered in dirt and mould. Lily froze, before looking at the mould. It had to several years' worth. James quickly made his way up the stairs, his wand in his hand.
"Harry's not here?" Asked James, looking around.
"No but look at the mould." Responded Lily, finding her own wand in her pocket, "The last time I saw mould like that was at Remus's."
"And that was several years' worth." Agreed James, before looking around, "If Harry's not here, then he's not dead."
Lily took a shuddering breath, "We should see Dumbledore."
James nodded absently, looking at the destroyed cot. He and Lily made their way out of the cottage and both disapparated.
A&B
Benjy Fenwick and Caradoc Dearborn both groaned.
"Hey, Ben." Called Caradoc, not looking at his friend.
"Yeah?" Answered Benjy, not moving from his place on the ground.
"Do you know how we got here?" Asked Caradoc, completely unaware of the muggle policeman walking towards them.
"Too much to drink?" Questioned Benjy, confused.
"Maybe." Conceded Caradoc, before groaning and sitting up, "That's the last time we try and drink Sirius under the table."
"This Park is closed at night, sir." Said the Policeman, making Benjy and Caradoc jump, "I'm afraid you'll have to find somewhere else to sleep."
"Right, sure." Nodded Caradoc, before kicking Benjy, "Ben, wake up."
"Ugh, what year is it?" Groaned Benjy, clambering to his feet.
The Policeman gave Benjy a funny look, "1993, the last time I checked sir."
Both Caradoc and Benjy froze and looked at the Policeman, neither believing what he said.
"Fuck off." The two said together.
A&B
Albus frowned as he listened to Professor McGonagall aired her grievances with Professor Snape.
"Albus, I've had numerous parents complain to me about Severus," Said Minerva, her glasses perched on her nose, "and don't get me started on the complaints I've had from the students."
"I'm sure they are merely exaggerating." Albus attempted to assure her.
"Albus, I know for certain that both Pomona and Filius have come to you with similar complaints." Snapped Minerva, "I honestly don't know why you keep him around; he takes pleasure in bullying students and shows blatant favouritism to members of his own house."
"I believe Severus is a good man, however, I believe it is safer to keep him a close as possible." Responded Albus, "I will speak with Severus; however, I will also try and get into contact with Horace."
Professor McGonagall nodded, before heading to the door, just as Hagrid burst in.
"Sorry, Professor McGonagall, Professor Dumbledore, bu' there's something yeh'll need teh see." Gasped Hagrid, his chest heaving.
"My dear Hagrid, whatever's the matter?" Asked Dumbledore, rising to his feet.
"Young Dorcas Meadows, Professor Dumbledore, she's in th' hospital wing." Said Hagrid, as Dumbledore's face lost all traces of humour and headed out of the room.
Professor McGonagall and Hagrid quickly followed after him.
"You are absolutely certain she was Dorcas Meadows, Hagrid?" Questioned Dumbledore, walking at a quick pace.
"As certain as I can, Professor Dumbledore, sir," Answered Hagrid, "I can't say I was thorough, as I don't remember any of the answers for those security questions you thought up."
"Did she say anything that convinced you that she was Dorcas?" Asked Dumbledore, as they neared the hospital wing.
"She was all stuffed up, like she used to be after meeting with Lily Potter's cat, she also said the Potters were in danger and she need teh speak teh yeh." Responded Hagrid, just as they rounded the corner and bumped into a couple.
Albus stared at the two people in front of him. James and Lily stared back, before James withdrew his wand.
"How old was I when you approached me about joining the Order of the Phoenix?" Demanded James, glaring at the group of three.
"You were eighteen and just finished Hogwarts," Replied Dumbledore, smoothly, "I do believe I interrupted you and Lily."
James pointed his wand at McGonagall, "Turn into a cat."
Professor McGonagall simply glared at James over her glasses, "Potter."
James froze, before shrugging and putting his wand away, "Okay."
Professor Dumbledore looked at them, "What is your Animagus form?"
Professor McGonagall gasped, as James shifted into a stag and back.
"Dumbledore, where's Harry?" Demanded James, looking at the headmaster.
"Harry is perfectly safe," Assured Dumbledore, "I placed him in the care of his aunt and uncle."
There was a moment of silence, before Lily erupted.
"YOU DID WHAT?!"
A&B
The Weasley's all sighed as the Burrow came into sight.
"It was nice to see Bill and Charlie," Said Mrs Weasley, "but it's nice to be home."
Arthur was prevented from answering by two, very drunk, voices started singing;
"Oh you can search far and wide,
You can drink the whole town dry,
But you'll never find a beer so brown,
As the one we drink in our hometown.
You can drink your fancy ale,
You can drink it by the flagon,
But the only brew for the Brave and True,
Comes from the Green Dragon!"
Molly froze at her brothers' voices. Arthur immediately drew his wand and strode towards the house. There was a brief silence, before they heard Arthur bellow.
"I WAS SAVING THOSE FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS YOU BUFFOONS!"
Arthur reappeared, dragging two very drunk Prewetts, clearly too drunk to either lie or pretend to be someone else, "But we're here! It is a special occasion!" Protested Fabien.
"Molly-kins!" Crowed Gideon, struggling to stand.
Fabien threw up.
A&B
Harry deposited his school supplies into his trunk, carefully making sure the Monster Book of Monsters was restrained properly. Harry had spent his time wandering around Diagon Alley, exploring the different areas. Somehow, Harry had been talked into buying another wand by some bloke operating a stall in the mouth of Knockturn Alley.
Oak, 9 ½ inches, Dragon Heartstring, unyielding. Harry remembered the conversation he had with Mr. Olivander after he bought the wand.
"I'm not going to ask how you were convinced to buy another wand," Admonished the Wandmaker, "The one I supplied has served you well, has it not?"
"It has," Answered Harry, nervously fidgeting, "but in the previous year, someone took my wand after I put it down."
"Then don't put it down." Retorted Olivander, before examining the wand, "Hm, Oak, a good wood for trying times, very loyal. Values strength. Rather short, so easy to conceal. Funny, I had a wand just like this stolen from me by Mundungus Fletcher."
"Does he have messy red hair and a smell awful?" Asked Harry, making Olivander freeze, "He's in the entrance to Knockturn Alley."
Olivander moved faster than Harry ever expected of him. A flash of blue and several wand boxes later, Olivander was putting the stolen wands back in their original places.
"Of course, I can't take back all the wands he stole," Muttered Olivander, "and the prices he was demanding for them. Mr Potter, allow me to create a holster and servicing kit for your new wand, as 32 galleons is just extortion."
Harry found himself nodding, "Would you like me to tell others about what Mundungus did?"
"No need," Answered Olivander, putting the servicing kit together, "A journalist saw everything."
Olivander tied the kit up and handed it to Harry.
"Mr Potter, may I see your original wand?" Asked Olivander, prompting Harry to hand it to him.
It was the first time Harry properly looked at his wand since he bought it. Instead of the smooth, almost plain, shaft of wood, Harry's wand resembled a branch that had been carved.
"Yes, yes, you are coming along nicely." Murmured Olivander, before handing Harry's wand back to him.
"Sir, what do you mean 'coming along nicely'?" Asked Harry, confused.
"When a Witch or Wizard approached the age of fourteen, their wand, or in your case wands, will change to suit their master. This change is permanent and will not go through the same process if the wand is won or stolen by another." Answer Olivander, before giving Harry a piercing look, "Please inform Hagrid that I will need to examine his umbrella, so I can make sure he doesn't accidentally blow himself up."
Harry's ears had gone very red, and he'd left Olivanders very quickly after that.
A&B
The Stevens family all woke at once. Wulfric and Mercutio both turned and threw up, while Selena coughed. The woman looked at her son and nephew and saw they had both gained eight years. Both Charles and Xavier were gone. Her two eldest were either at Hogwarts or missing when Xavier murdered them all.
Selena froze, she and the boys had been murdered by her husband, the very same husband who'd sworn to protect her and his young. Selena quickly scrambled to her feet, before looking around her. They were in some forest, probably the same one that was near their home. The witch sighed through her nose, before helping the two boys to their feet and heading north, towards their home.
A&B
Lily held her face in her hands. James and she were in the Hospital Wing, where Professor McGonagall had told them about Harry and his first two years at the school. She's also made them aware of Severus's 'grudge' against Harry.
The only time Severus had acted in Harry's defence was in his first year quidditch match. Then, of course, Severus had made his way into the Hospital Wing. He'd then acted as if he was entitled to Lily's affection. Needless to say, Lily had not taken that well.
"You demanded your master kill my husband and son just so you could have me!" Screamed Lily, as Severus stood in front of her, "You went on and on about how James and Sirius we're needlessly cruel to you, but you were doing the same, if not worse, with your Death Eater friends to other students like me!"
"Please, Lily," Snape had tried to plead, "When I saw the boy, it was as if Potter had come back to haunt me."
"And Neville? Susan? Literally any other student that wasn't in Slytherin?" Demanded Lily, her voice going from a raging fire to a cold fury, "What did they do to 'deserve' your anger? Standing against your Precious Dark Lord?"
Snape just stood there, silently pleading to Lily.
"I thought you were a good man." Confessed Lily, swallowing thickly, "But you've just proven to me that you're just a petty bully."
Now, Lily sat with her face in her hands, while James had left with Hagrid to find Harry. The Ministry had already contacted her and James, with James being offered a place in the Auror office. Lily pulled her wand from her pocket and turned the wood over in her hand. She wanted nothing more than to be with James, but she had to wait on the results of a test that she asked Madam Pomfrey to do on her.
"Mrs. Potter." Said Madam Pomfrey, making Lily jump, "I have your results. It seems you were right, the Veil returned you in a similar state as you were when you died."
"Does that mean…?" Lily found she couldn't finish the sentence.
"Yes, you're indeed pregnant." Confirmed the Matron.
A&B
James ducked into the Leaky Cauldron and looked towards the bar. He spotted a newspaper sitting on a stool.
BACK FROM THE DEAD – AT LEAST TEN MAGICAL FAMILIES NOW BACK AMONG THE LIVING
James winced, before walking up to the bar.
"Ah, Mr. Potter, what can I get you?" Asked Tom, hurrying towards James.
"I'd like to see my son, please Tom." Responded James, leaning forwards, "I heard he's staying here."
Tom froze, before getting a closer look at James, "Dear god, you're alive."
"I need to find Harry, Tom." James pressed, making the barkeeper jump.
"Right, of course, this way." Rushed Tom, taking James up the stairs and towards the rooms, "I placed him in room no. seven. It might not be secure, but Black will have further to go."
"I wouldn't worry about Sirius," Muttered James, "he's not what everyone thinks he is."
James followed Tom to the room seven, the old man knocking on the door, before opening it. James froze at the sight of Harry, with his shirt off, and his back covered in bruises.
"Hello, Harry." Said James, his throat dry, "There's, there's a lot to explain."