Hey everyone! Been a while hey? Sorry about that. But, I made a promise never to give up on this story, so here I am! I hope people are still interested in reading it, it's been a while.
Thank you to everyone who has reviewed. If you asked a question, I hope you can find your answer below.
Blue-lily295 - it wasn't really a question, but I just wanted to say that I agree with you. It's part of why I love Kurinoones Universe so much, Harry isn't the best guy but he tries. He's firmly in the grey area and has no plans of changing (and who doesn't like a little dark Harry).
Guest (asked if I plan to do more stories) - I would definitely like to. The one where Peter brings Harry back when he is ten wouldn't really fit into this storyline, but perhaps I could create an alternate timeline? Like, set a week before that story? We'll see.
Bookgirl18 - Yes. Once this story is finished, that's definitely the plan. Perhaps I'll do the second in the series, then that, then the third? Or maybe insert it in this story somewhere to give the rooms occupants hope for a brighter future? Let me know what you think!
- Thank you! I certainly don't plan on having Harry stay as Snape forever, and I'm contemplating whether to have a reveal or leave it till the end. Harry is using a Polyjuice potion, as a glamour is something Mad-Eye could see through. This means he will have to leave the room in the future, whether for good or not is yet to be decided. Draco took the potion from Lily's class for him, in case you're wondering where it's from, but that will be explained this chapter. I don't know if Remus would be able to smell him. He might think Snape smells different now (if he cares enough to notice), but I doubt that Harry's scent is the same now as it was when he was a baby. That definitely gave me something to think about though!
EvilSquirrelsFans - I agree. I feel that in his desperation to know more, he panicked. These people that he either hates or doesn't know are reading a book that is supposedly about his life, and he needs to know more. Once he calms down a bit he will collect himself, but right now it's all a bit confusing for him. (Unless he has a plan all along…)
DocJunior – Oh my favourite reviewer! Where do I begin. Firstly, thank you for all your reviews. As you can see, they help me a lot.
It's Polyjuice that Harry is using, which will be explained in this chapter. They will be leaving the room sometime in the future as well, for Dumbledore's sake. I believe that Harry is concerned with Damien but will not be in the room long enough to form an emotional attachment or develop a relationship with him.
Finally, I'm interested in the spell you mentioned; the one Dumbledore is using. If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to expand on it in this story if you could give me any details?
Thank you so much for all your kind reviews, I hope I never lose your support!
I think that answers all the chapter 11 reviews.
On with the story!
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Snape stirred, forcing heavy eyelids to open. Looking around the blurry room, he attempted to recollect how he got there. Where was he? His eyes scanned a path around the room focusing, inexplicably, on the claw marks embedded deep within the run-down walls.
"Snape!" A distant voice called, barely recognisable. It grew louder, more demanding, more persistent the longer he stared at the marks on the wall.
"Snape! Stop!" A hand grabbed his arm, startling him from where he stood, frozen in terror.
Yellow eyes glowing menacingly in the darkness, white teeth bared in a snarl.
"Snape move!" He snapped his gaze away from the snarling beast, from Lupin, towards the voice. Black hair, glasses glinting in the low light. Pale face. James Potter.
"He- he's a- "
"Move dammit!" Tugging him, he stumbled. The creature gaining ground on them, faster than they were. Stronger. They wouldn't make it.
"Come on!" The other boy pushed him ahead, moving surefooted in the dark tunnels where Snape stumbled. Flashes of red descended from his wand, hitting their pursuer. It howled. It did not falter.
"Climb!" Hands pushing him, he clawed his way up through the hole, the red light continuing to flash, lighting his way.
The other boy tumbled out after him, slamming his hand on the knot at the base of the tree. The Flailing limbs froze as they were.
"Snape look at me!" He didn't.
"You can't tell!" He did. Didn't he? He should. Others had to know. Lily- he had to warn Lily-
"Look at me!" A wand pointed menacingly. Potters face set like stone. "You won't tell."
But this wasn't right. Potter he didn't – he didn't have green eyes-
Snape shook off the last effects of the confoundus charm. He was in the Shrieking Shack. He had been stupefied by Potter. He was tied up, rope wrapping around his hands and securing him to a bed post that seemed more stable than it should. Probably repaired, just for him.
A body-bind kept him fixed in place – wait. A shiver encompassed his body as the spell abruptly wore off. Snape flexed his fingers to check. The Dark Prince, incapable of casting even the simplest of charms. 'Perhaps he's not quite as powerful as we fear.'
Snape looked around the room again, taking in his surroundings now that his mind was clear. The room was bare of any other occupants, Draco was missing too.
'That little-'
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A quiet murmur filled the room, excitement thick in the air. Finally, the book was beginning to give them results. Future James had just had his first reaction with his son, as admittedly one-sided as it was, and spirits where high. The framed photograph of Harry clapped and giggled, seeming to respond to the state of the room.
Molly stood, whispering a quiet reassurance to her husband when he looked to her in concern, before making her way to where Professor McGonagall sat. Speaking quietly with the woman and the Headmaster beside her for a moment, Molly appeared to come to. A decision and made her way across the room to Lily.
James and Lily sat in quiet discussion, voices barley above a whisper, well aware of Damien watching them intently from across the room. Unable to hear them, he appeared to be giving lip reading his best shot, barely blinking and stubbornly refusing to be pulled away into discussion by Hermione. The girl scoffed, before turning instead to Ginny to discuss the now known identity of her mysterious saviour.
Molly walked slowly towards the younger woman, taking in the sight of her. She seemed to be warmer, lighter, as though a great weight she had forgotten she carried had been lifted off her shoulders, leaving her in peaceful relief.
'The wonders the miraculous return of a dead son can do.' Molly shook her head slightly, wiping sardonic thoughts from her mind. As she passed her own daughter, she hesitated, hearing Hermione whisper furiously,
"You don't really have a crush on a guy you've never really met? Do you?"
From the corner of her eye Molly saw her daughter go bright red. Resolving herself to speak to her later, as a discussion right now would do nothing but embarrass her in front of her friends, Molly continued on her way. Arriving before Lily, she cleared her throat, smiling gently. "Lily dear" She began, "I believe it's time we sorted bedding for the night, don't you?"
Seeing the other woman glance hesitantly over her shoulder to where she came from, she clarified, "I've already discussed it with the Headmaster," here she glanced over her shoulder at the man, seeing him deep in discussion with Alastor Moody, nodding along to whatever the other man was saying. Both were gazing intently at Draco. Or was it Snape who held their gaze? Molly felt a flare of anger at the men, Mad-Eyes reaction to the texts coming to her. 'Harry is just a boy!' She pushed her anger down, focusing back on Lily. "Albus says that we can spend the night in here, as he doesn't wish to lose much time on the outside. However, he believes that in a few nights time we may all have to go back outside, so he can recuperate."
"It's a bit early isn't it." Sirius seemed incapable of not joining into a conversation that didn't involve him. Molly scowled. "We've only been here a few hours!"
"Yes, but they've been aa rather draining few hours, haven't they?" Lily stood, pressing a gentle kiss onto her husband's expecting lips. "Perhaps we shall get something ready, then see if the others are feeling up to reading another chapter?"
"That sounds perfect," Molly smiled. Lily clasped her hands together.
"Well. Let's see what this room can do."
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"They're looking."
"I know."
"Still looking."
"I'm aware."
"They're still- "
"Draco shut up about it!" Harry hissed at his blonde friend. "And stop fidgeting," he ran a critical eye over his friend's posture. "It's no wonder they look suspicious with you acting like that."
"Speaking of looking- "
"Don't say it."
"Right." Draco leaned closer to his friend, preparing to ask him what exactly their plan of action was. Harry hadn't shared many details, sending him to look for Polyjuice potion ("I'm not a bloody elf!" "Just go.") and adding his Godfathers hair to it upon his return. Luckily enough, Hogwarts's corridors had been mostly deserted, and gaining entry to Professor Potter's potion storage cupboard was relatively simple. Transforming into the greasy haired Professor, Harry had shrugged the man's cloak on over his own clothes and gestured for Draco to lead the way back. Draco doubted that he had thought this through, his friend had simply ceased to listen to reason after hearing about his biological family. Draco was somewhat glad for this, Harry needed to see their strange reactions himself in order to cast judgement. It just wasn't adding up…
Draco opened his mouth to ask Harry if they ought to step outside when he saw it.
"Harry-"
"What did I just say?"
"Harry, your hand."
Harry glanced down at it, cursing silently. The skin was beginning to bubble, his hour was up. Aware of the persistent gaze of the grizzled old Auror, Harry stood as slowly as he could. His instinct screamed at him to leap up and run from the room, but he resisted. This would draw even more unwanted attention to himself. He needed to get out of the room. He needed to get away. Harry strode over to the door, sliding his hand into the pocket of the robes he was wearing and wrapping it around his wand. Gipping it tightly he swung the door open, prepared to make an escape should he be stopped. No one moved, save for Draco who followed closely at his heels. Harry exited the room, allowing the door to swing shut behind him by itself.
"Where do you think you're going?"
'Shit'.
Draco didn't look down at the hand gripping his arm, instead watching with trepidation and despair as the door swung close on Harry's heels, black cloak swishing from the room. Steeling himself, he turned to face Alastor Moody, the man scowling down at him.
"I rather thought that was obvious." He replied, nodding towards the door. "I was following Professor Snape."
"He didn't ask you to go with him, kid." Mad-Eye leaned in close, hissing, "and I don't think that was Snape."
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Snape cursed. He had no way of knowing how long he had been trapped in the room. His arms ached, the constant sawing motion he had undertaken in a futile attempt to wear his bonds down with friction taking its toll. Back and forth, back and forth he went, taking stock of the room as he did. His eyesight seemed to be slightly blurry in parts, unable to focus properly on the darkest corner of the room. Muttering under his breath about the incapability of a certain wizardhe continued his scan. He looked forlornly at his wand, placed beside the broken mirror as it was. If only he could summon it to him, instead of being stuck like a helpless muggle as he was.
He didn't know how long he had before the Dark Prince returned, if he was even planning too. Snape had no way of knowing how much Polyjuice the boy had access to, his only consolation being that he needed to be kept alive for his hair to be of any use to the boy. Snape had come to the conclusion some-time after awakening that the reason for his current position was that his identity was being used by another. The absence of his cloak was what gave this away, the absence of Draco being what led him to believe Polyjuice was in play. Normally, the Dark Prince would have just cast a powerful glamour, but Draco would have warned him of the room's occupants, and their abilities. He would not risk Mad-Eye being able to see through a glamour. He didn't allow himself to be hurt by Draco's apparent betrayal of him, focusing instead on how he would get vengeance once he was released.
'If the boy's identity is discovered, would they come for me?' He didn't hold out hope for this. Dumbledore had been weakened by the spell he cast over the room, and Mad-Eye was distracted by rage. Besides, the Dark Prince was clever, he would not allow himself to be caught changing forms. 'Hasn't it been established that the boy's magical presence is able to be detected by even the most mediocre of wizards, though?' Snape frowned, sawing his arms faster. 'Perhaps Draco told him of this possibility, and he masked it.' Difficult, but not impossible. Anger flared within him at the thought of his Godson. 'Ungrateful little-'
SNAP
The bonds holding him in place gave way suddenly, Snape falling forward from the unexpected action. His head hit the ground, bouncing from the force. With a defeated groan, he slumped into unconsciousness once more.
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Lily walked with Molly over to a corner of the room. It was near the desk Draco had been frantically scribbling some 'Potions' work, apparently assigned to him by Snape for some extension. Lily didn't doubt he'd go to that man rather than herself for extra work, however it hurt more than she cared to admit. Especially now she knew of his connection to her son…
"How did you do this before?" Molly snapped Lily out of her daze. "With the kitchen." She clarified.
"Right." Lily looked uncertain. "I just… asked?"
"We'd like some rooms… Please?" Molly looked uncertain of herself, seeming to find the prospect ridiculous. A door appeared quite suddenly in front of the women, startling them into jumping. Lily reached out and turned the knob.
"Shall we?"
They entered through the door, into a corridor. Thirteen doors branched off from the corridor, six evenly spaced down each side with the final door placed at the end, directly opposite the door they just entered. Lily opened the first door on her right, peering in to see it was a reasonable size, containing two single beds within. Molly did the same with the door on her left, revealing a room of the same size with a single queen size bed inside.
"Let's count?" Lily asked.
"Right".
Finishing at the end and opening the door, Lily added the single queen bed inside to her count. Molly joined her.
"Six queen beds, one per room."
"I had three rooms the same as that, the other four all had two single beds per room." Molly nodded.
"Must be for the kids."
"So that'll be…"
"Fred and George to a room, Hermione and Ginny, Ron and Damien, Charlie and Percy."
"Draco can have a room to himself I suppose?" Lily asked. "A single queen bed? That two adults would have to share a room with the single beds…" Molly looked uncomfortable, like she was preparing to broach a subject she didn't like.
"Well, I thought Draco could take one of the single beds in a room, and we could leave the other one for..."
"For?" Lily raised an eyebrow.
"Well… for Harry. Should he ever join us." Molly rushed. "I'm sorry, it was aa stupid idea- "
"No." Lily beamed. "Molly thank you." She embraced the other woman, tears beginning to burn in her eyes. "That means so much to me, that you would- "She cut herself off, clearing her throat. Molly pulled back to look her in the eye.
"Of course, dear. Besides," she smirked, "perhaps one day he will be my son-in-law."
"Don't start planning the wedding just yet." Lily thought back to the hate Harry apparently had for them. She shook her head. "But you're right, he would want to share with Draco, if anyone."
Molly began walking to each room, pointing it out and calling out who would be in each. "That leaves Minerva in this one, Kingsley in this, then Severus, Sirius, Arthur and myself, Bill and Fleur, you and James of course, and…" she hesitated by the last room, gazing at the single queen bed that lay innocently within. "Remus and… Tonks?" Lily smiled.
"Well, it's about time something happened."
Happy with their choices, the two women left the corridor. Spotting a gathering at the other side of the room, they made their way over, passing the children fighting for a spot nearby ("Guys, we shouldn't get involved" "Come on, Hermione!"). Lily reached the group, frowning as she took in the sight before her. Draco, his arm tightly gripped by Moody, was scowling fiercely at the man as he hissed at him.
" – don't think that was Snape."
"What?"
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Harry shed the cloak he was wearing as he strode down the tunnel towards the Shack, running his hand through his hair and cursing. He needed more answers, but there wasn't time. The longer he pretended to be the greasy hair Professor the more dangerous the situation grew for him. He had to return to his Father, and hope his absence wasn't noted. As he walked, he thought on all he had learned. The Potters reactions certainly weren't what he thought they would be, and yet, they didn't seem to be- no. They were acting. That's all it was. A show put on for the sake of their youngest son, among others. What had Draco said his name was? Danny? No. Damien. That was it.
He had tried not to look at the boy for long, not wanting to draw attention to his curiosity. They looked similar, not identical – the kid took after his mother more – but had similar features, and the same black hair. Damien's hair was straighter than his own untidy mop, and he had his fath- Potter's eyes. The kid didn't look unhappy, he seemed healthy enough. 'But why would they treat him differently to how they did me?' Harry was confused. Did they not want him? Was he so despicable? What was wrong with him? 'Although,' he thought, 'he wasn't sitting with them.' Was it because he was uncomfortable in their presence, or because he preferred the company of his friends?
Harry climbed through the trap door into the Shrieking Shack. He took in the state of the Hogwarts Professor. He looked to be in a deep trance, muttering unintelligibly to himself, glazed over eyes darting around the room. Harry sighed. Taking his wand out, he rapped it over his own head casting the Disillusionment Charm. With a sensation akin to having an egg cracked over his head, he disappeared, blending seamlessly into the darkest corner of the room. He banished the effects of the confoundus charm and watched as the man in front of him instantly sharpened, beginning to take his position into account. Rolling his eyes, Harry cancelled the body-bind he had placed upon the man. Snape sneered slightly, no doubt thinking him incapable of casting a proper charm, before beginning to saw his arms back and forth.
'Muggle' Harry sneered to himself, watching the man struggle. He watched as the man looked around the room, looking over him as though he wasn't there. His wand was right across the room, next to aa broken mirror and he looked at it miserably. 'Incapable of casting magic without a wand. What has my Father's forces come to.' Harry was rapidly losing patience, aiming his wand at the bonds holding the man in place and non-verbally casting a diffindo. Let him think he had managed to escape on his own.
SNAP
The bonds broke, and Snape came crashing down hard. His head bounced as he hit the floor. Letting out the most pitiful noise, he slumped over into unconsciousness. Harry wrinkled his nose in disgust.
'Idiot.'
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"What?"
Draco scowled at his cousin. 'Must they get involved?' The pink haired witch took no notice of him, however, aiming her question at the man holding his arm. "Mad-Eye, what are you talking about?"
"Yeah." Draco rolled his eyes, groaning internally. "And let Draco go, would you?" Sirius had joined in, leaping to the defence of his youngest relative. He didn't know if the protectiveness he felt had always been there, or if it was because of said relative's connection to Harry.
"I don't need your help." Draco paced away from the grizzled Auror once released, never removing his eyes from the man.
"Yeah, you do. So, shut it." Draco shot a glare at the man, startling when he noticed the crowd that had gathered. 'Brilliant.'
"I was just saying," Moody glared at Sirius, "that whoever that was," he pointed to the door Harry had just departed from. "Wasn't Snape."
"And who else would it be?" Lily looked exasperated with the man. He was yet to be forgiven for the comments he had made about her son, and likely never would be.
"Potter."
Silence, before;
"Don't be ridiculous – "
"Oh, come off it!"
"Really Mad-Eye!"
"-Think I would know if my own son- "
"Honestly why would he even come here!"
Draco slinked backwards in the crowd. He said nothing, happen to let the outcry around him silence the suspicious man. He stopped when Dumbledore stepped forward, a twinkle to his eye.
"Silence, please." The old man looked around at the faces in the room. "Settle now." He smiled bemusedly at Mad-Eye. "Alastor, whilst I do not believe that Harry himself would be able to get onto Hogwarts ground so easily, I do agree that something was wrong with Severus. As we discussed before," he peered over the top of his glasses at the man. "I was unable to detect any magical presence from Severus whatsoever. A fact I would normally deem suspicious. However," here he appeared to grimace slightly, "this may be because I myself am not quite as… aware as I usually am."
"Albus, who else could it have been?" Mad-Eye grumbled.
"It could have just been Snape, you paranoid old man!" Fleur spoke up from under Bill's arm.
Draco raised his eyebrows, surprised by the outburst. He was not to know that Fleur had joined the ranks of the Women-Determined-To-Mother-Harry and was not taking kindly to the man before her who seemed insistent of finding blame in everything the boy did.
"He's got you all fooled already," Mad-Eye warned surly. "You're all just pawns in his game." The corner of Draco's lips quirked up in a slight smirk before he regained his composure.
'Finally, someone's making sense.'
"– won't be fooled," the Auror was still speaking. "And if you know what's good for you- "
BANG
The door swung open, Snape hurrying through and closing it. He straightened his robes, looking as though he had run all the way to the room from wherever he had come from. Mad-Eye grabbed him, swinging him around to smash his back against the wall, wand jammed up against his neck.
"Who are you?" He growled.
"Severus Snape"
"Don't lie!"
"I'm not." Snape practically hissed.
Veritaserum flew into Moody's hand. He dangled the bottle in front of Snape's eyes. "I'm sure you wouldn't object to us making sure of that then?" Snape shot daggers from his eyes towards the man, but nodded his head, almost imperceptibly, all the same. He took the bottle from Mad-Eye, and, still with the wand pointed at his mouth, placed three drops into his mouth.
"Who are you?"
"Severus Snape."
Moody released the man. "And where exactly have you been?"
"You know where I've been." Snape answered, not looking at the man as he straightened his robes.
"Are we done here, Alastor?" Kingsley rumbled.
Mad-Eye looked to the man, his magical eye whizzing in his head towards the back of his skull to keep Snape in his sights. "We're done."
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Snape shot up from his position on the floor. Leaping to his feet, he donned the cloak now at his feet. 'The Dark Prince must have returned.'
Panicked, he grabbed his wand and leapt down the trapdoor. In his rush, he failed to recognise the presence of a memory charm in his mind. Rushing through the corridor, he stumbled, just as he did all those years ago. Pursued, this time, by a different monster.
He ran from the tunnel, stopping only to freeze the killer tree before he took off. Racing through the corridors, he sharply took the turns, making his way back to the room. He entered the door banging shut behind him, faced the crowd of expectant faces, opened his mouth to speak and-
Wait.
What was he going to say?
Pain flared up his back as he was swung into the wall. A wand held at his throat he was forced to take Veritaserum. Identifying himself with some confusion he refused to show, he answered the Auror's question of where he was to the best of his ability. 'Where was he? He had been in the room the whole time, hadn't he?'
Snape didn't register the occupants moving around him, moving to take his place on the couch. Minerva sent him a look of confusion as he joined her, seeing as he had been next to his Godson before, but didn't question it.
'What had happened?'
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Lily went over to where her old Headmaster stood, talking quietly with Arthur Weasley and Kingsley. Arthur smiled at her when she arrived, quietly excusing himself and going to join his wife, who was herding her children over to the corridor that had appeared to show them their rooms.
"Headmaster, we have everyone's rooms organised, would you mind…?"
"Lead the way, my dear." Lily smiled, gathering everyone to join Molly and the Weasley brood. Draco sulked over, having been fetched by Sirius. The man kept a hand at Draco's back to prevent him from walking off, and the boy kept eyeing it fearfully when he thought no one was looking. Lily frowned at this, resolving to speak with Sirius about it later.
"We have everyone's rooms sorted. Fred, George, Ron, Hermione, Damien, Ginny and Draco dear," Molly smiled at the group. "Would you follow Lily; she'll show you where you'll be staying. I'll show the rest of you to your rooms." There was a murmur of agreement, the one's whose names were called heading over to where Lily stood. Sirius gave Draco a gentle push, and the boy joined them, hanging back a bit. Lily showed the children to their rooms one by one, finishing with Draco. She pushed open the door, letting him take in the two single beds inside.
"Who am I sharing with?" He sneered.
"No one. Well, not yet anyway." Draco raised an eyebrow in question, so she clarified. "We thought that maybe Harry might want to sleep in here with you, if he ever joins us while we are reading."
Draco pushed down the panic he felt She didn't know. "Why would he want to do that? He can't stand you." Lily looked upset.
"I wish you would tell us why."
"You know why."
Lily opened her mouth to reply but was cut off by Remus's voice.
"There's not enough rooms!"
"Course there is Moony!"
"Sirius, there's only one bed in here!"
"Guess you'll just have to share with my dearest cousin, won't you!" Sirius laughed. "Hey, keep your paws to yourself, you hear?" Tonks turned bright red as Remus launched himself at the man, Sirius dancing out of the way. Lily sighed, going to break up the brewing argument and explain to Remus that yes, he was just going to have to share.
Draco looked back at the second bed contemplatively. He wondered if Harry would ever join them, as himself.
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"Right then." Arthur eased himself onto the couch with a sigh. "How's one more chapter sound, then bed?"
"But we're not tired, really." Damien stifled a yawn. James looked at the boy in amusement.
"Well, I'm exhausted. So, this will be the last chapter for now, alright?" Damien nodded his head.
"I'll read," Fleur picked the book up from where it had been lying, abandoned on the table next to Harry's photo. She cleared her throat and began.
"Second Chance"
James sat holding hands with Lily, watching her try to digest the truth. Lily had sat in complete silence as James had told her everything that had happened that day.
"I'm glad you told me. I would have been furious if you made me wait even a second longer."
Damien had been flooed to the Burrow and told that he was to spend the rest of the summer there with the Weasleys.
Fred and George looked like they wanted to speak but were interrupted by a fuming Damien.
"Speaking of furious…"
"Damien. It's harder to tell you than it is your mother."
"Why?" Damien looked furious. "It's not fair, he's my brother!"
"Well, you didn't even know he existed dear." Molly cut in here. "It would be harder for you to understand, and harder for them to tell it."
Damien would normally have been ecstatic at this news, since he always complained that he was bored during the summer and that he should spend most of it with the Weasleys.
"Thank god for that!"
"Why, don't you have enough brothers Ron?"
"Yeah, but I've always wanted a little brother Hermione. Err," he looked hesitantly at his sister. "No offense Ginny." Ginny scrunched her nose up, but said nothing.
However Damien could tell that he was being sent to the Burrow because something was wrong. He had tried to ask his tired and very crabby dad what was wrong but just got told that he was expected at the Burrow that very night so he had to leave immediately.
Damien crossed his arms. It wasn't fair.
Lily was glad that James had sent Damien to the Burrow. She could not have dealt with him asking awkward questions at this moment.
Damien looked up at his mother, trying to see it from their point of view. He supposed he would have asked a lot of difficult questions…
'Like, oh hey, why didn't you tell me I had a brother? Isn't that something I should know?' No, Damien was still mad.
Lily had tried not to let the news that her son, Harry, was alive overwhelm her but soon found that she was fighting a losing battle. Harry was alive! Her son, who she had spent every waking moment remembering, was actually alive and she would be able to see him, touch him and hear his voice once more.
Draco frowned. That didn't make any sense. Why would they miss Harry? They hated him. Didn't they?
Lily nudged James, nodding her head at the confused blonde. Sirius and Remus peered over too, the four exchanging glances. Why did Draco look confused when he heard this. Surely, he would know that a mother would miss her child…
Lily felt her prayers had finally been answered and thanked Merlin for this day. Lily was not even letting herself deal with the issue of who her son had become. The Dark Prince!
The reminder was a sombre one. Harry had done so many horrible things. Harry had killed people! Frank and Alice… It wasn't fair. Hadn't the Potters been through enough.
Lily sat holding hands with an exhausted looking James who had tears in his eyes and was looking down at the ground while finishing his story.
"I want to see him." Lily whispered to him after he had finished.
"Oh yes!" Lily exclaimed. "Please let me! I want to hug him and speak to him. Oh, I want to know everything about him! What's his favourite colour- "
"Lily- "
"It's green." Startled heads turned to Draco. "Slytherin green." The words did not appear to have been said out of spite, the information genuinely offered to the parents. Draco himself looked confused by his actions, conflicted. Lily offered the boy a warm smile, pleased, but knowing not to push for more.
"Lily, We can go and see him tomorr…"
Sirius scoffed. "Good luck, mate."
"No! James I want to see him now!"
"Lily, Hun, he won't be awake right now and he…well he won't talk to us." James said the last part with a heavy heart.
'Why do they care? What game are they playing?' Draco looked at the parents sitting on the couch together. 'They're all alone, and yet they're still acting… are they acting?'
He cursed Harry for leaving when he did. This was something the boy needed to witness with his own eyes.
"How do you know that? Maybe he has calmed down now! I don't care James I want to see my son." Lily had tears streaming down her flushed cheeks but her voice was steady and strong.
James gave in and nodded his head in agreement. Both parents got up and made their way to the headquarters of the Order.
"Oh, here we go." Percy whispered to Charlie, who nodded grimly back.
Madame Pomfrey was exhausted. She had finally managed to get the injured teen into a comfortable position. She was just about to tuck herself in on the sofa in the room, when she heard muffled voices downstairs.
"Honestly, you would think they would have the sense to keep quiet, the poor boy has only just gone to sleep." she muttered to herself.
James and Lily winced slightly at that. They hoped they didn't wake Harry.
She got up and walked hurriedly to the door and pulled it opened as quietly as she could. She had only taken one step out of the door when she was confronted with a very red eyed and angry looking Lily Potter, followed by James Potter. Poppy was good friends with Lily since they both worked for Hogwarts.
Poppy looked at Lily with sympathy. She didn't even want to imagine what the poor woman was going through right now. To be given back your son after fifteen odd years and under such distressing circumstances. Lily didn't even have to open her mouth, Poppy just put a hand on her shoulder and stepped aside.
"Just try not to wake him. He only just managed to go to sleep."
"Thank you, Poppy." Lily whispered, clutching James's hand in her own. He squeezed it tightly in return, knowing exactly what she was going through.
Lily forced a small smile then nodded and gave Poppy a thankful look.
Lily opened the door quietly and stepped in. She looked at the sleeping teen on the four poster bed. Her breath seemed to hitch up in her chest. Lily took small tentative steps toward the sleeping form of Harry. She had imagined thousands of times what Harry would have looked like if it wasn't for that fateful night. She had always come to the conclusion that Harry would have been very similar to James. As a child Harry had James' messy black hair, his cute nose and his lips. Never could she have imagined that Harry would be the spitting image of James.
James exchanged a grin with Sirius and Remus. He loved hearing that his son looked like him.
James had come in the room as well but was still standing at the door. He watched with tears in his eyes as his wife stood over their son. Lily had longed for this moment, had dreamt of it for almost fifteen years. James wished that the circumstances had been different so that they could take their son home.
'That's it.' Draco thought. 'I need answers.' Hesitant to disturb the peace of the room, he resolved to question the Potter's after the chapter was finished. The Slytherin just had to know their side of the story. Although, he had a feeling it would bring more questions than answers.
James still hadn't heard from Dumbledore after his meeting with the Minister and that had to mean bad news for Harry.
Lily watched how slow and peaceful Harry's breathing was. She greedily took in his face, his features, his messy hair, the way his chest rose and fell with the rhythm of his breathing. He looked so peaceful and deep in sleep that Lily couldn't have awakened him, even if she had wanted to. She sunk to the floor whilst keeping her green emerald eyes on her son.
"Oh Lily," Molly smiled at the girl. "I'm so happy for you."
"Harry, oh my, Harry." she silently wept while still gazing at him. Images of Harry as a baby flashed through her mind as she cried. Harry, when he just born, Harry at the age of three months, Harry when he first started crawling, Harry at the age of nine months when he first said 'Dada' and 'Mama', Harry on his First birthday party surrounded by everyone that loved him, Harry at the age of fifteen months when he was cruelly taken away from his parents and his home.
"What?" Draco snapped, drawing everyone's attention to him. "This book isn't real. It can't be real. None of this is real!" He stood from the couch.
"Draco, please- "Albus rose with him.
"NO!" Draco screamed. James and Lily exchanged panicked glances. "This isn't real! They're liars! They've messed with the book somehow! They don't want the truth to get out!"
"Draco sit down please-"Albus was cut off by James.
"Tell us." The man stood, followed by his wife. "Tell us what you think is the truth. Draco opened his mouth, intending to spill it all,
"No." Dumbledore's voice was strong, steady, commanding. "No." He turned to the frustrated parents. "Everything will be revealed in time. But please," he turned imploring eyes towards them. "It cannot be revealed before then." Lily and James looked ready to argue, Damien preparing to stand and join in, when Remus tugged them back to their seats.
"Just let it go." He whispered.
Dumbledore turned to the blonde. "As for the authenticity of this book, well…" he smiled. "Your mother gave it to me." Draco stumbled back to his seat; mouth open in silent shock. Dumbledore nodded to Fleur, who resumed.
James walked over and helped his wife up from the floor and held her tight in his strong arms, whispering comforting words in her ear.
The two parents stood in the room silently crying over the discovery of their son, crying over the joy that seeing him alive had brought. But they also cried at what the possible future would bring. They both sat silently next to the bed. They were so unsure of the future, but they were determined that they were not going to waste the present. James and Lily spent that entire night just watching their son sleep.
Lily smiled at James, who kissed the top of her head. It seemed a dream, a wish they hoped would come true soon.
xxx
Harry awoke suddenly
"Oh, a look into Harry's mind," Fred grinned. "My favourite."
and it took him a couple of minutes to determine what had awakened him. He heard the clatter of dishes in the distance and the sweet smell of breakfast wafting to him. It was coming from downstairs. Harry looked around to find that Poppy was nowhere to be seen.
"She must have left in the night." he murmured to himself.
Harry closed his eyes again and took a deep breath. He felt a lot better than he had felt last night. He slowly opened his eyes and pushed himself off the bed. His feet touched the floor and Harry carefully pulled himself onto his feet. His ankle still hurt
"Well don't walk on it then!" Ginny scowled. "Honestly!"
but he knew that it would take a few days of drinking 'muscle replenishing potion' along with other potions, to bring down the bruising, before it would be back to normal. This wasn't the first time he had broken anything.
"Oh." Tears burned in Lily's eyes, a lump building in her throat. "Oh, my poor baby."
His back ached as he tried to stand straight but Harry ignored it. He knew that most of the members of the Order were probably away or having breakfast so now was the best time to slip away.
"Don't you dare, you little shit." Alastor growled, Charlie smirking a=over at him in agreement. He couldn't get away.
He painfully made his way to the door and slipped it open. After looking in both directions, and seeing no one around, Harry quickly made his way to the stairs. Harry was feeling the pain in his back worsen with each step but he ignored it. Harry put his foot gingerly on the first step and strained his ears to hear if anyone was around. He couldn't hear anything to suggest that he had company. He couldn't give up now. His ankle throbbed painfully as Harry put his weight on it. He reached the landing and took a cautious look around. He could hear some voices coming from a room on his right but the door was firmly closed, so he was safe. The landing was deserted. Harry quietly made his way painfully to the front door.
"That's too easy." Tonks frowned.
'This is too easy.' he thought
Kingsley chortled a bit at that, Tonks looking smug.
as he neared the main door. Why was no one watching over him and why were there no guards placed here at the front door?
'Maybe it's because they don't expect me to walk out the main door.' he thought to himself.
"Oh! Of course!" Tonks shook her head, disappointed in herself. "He won't be able to get past the wards without an Order member with him!"
"What does that mean?" Damien asked.
"Yeah," Hermione added. "What will happen when he tries?"
"Oh no." Bill looked worried as Lily gasped, James going pale. "He'll get thrown back."
Harry was now only inches away from the front door. He stopped and listened for any sounds alerting him to any possible approaching footsteps. Harry let out a ragged breath and made to open the door.
However, his hand had barely reached the silver door knob when an invisible force slammed into Harry and the already injured teen was thrown violently back.
Fred and George cringed dramatically, although no one paid them any mind.
He slammed into the opposite wall and crumbled onto the hard floor. Harry let out an anguished moan as he landed on his already aching back. He lay there for a moment, taking small harsh breaths, so as not to aggravate the pain in his ribs.
"Oh Harry."
Before Harry had a chance to get up he heard a voice just beside him.
"I should have warned you about that."
Harry looked up and found a very bemused looking Dumbledore
"Bemused," James snarled. "He's injured, Dumbledore!"
"Well it's always amusing to watch the enemy fail."
"Charlie!" Molly looked scandalised. He just shrugged, turning from her to focus back on the book. Lily looked outraged, fury building within her at the Weasley. Arthur frowned, resolving to talk with his second eldest.
and a few Aurors, standing a few paces away from him. Harry growled a little, Albus Dumbledore was the last person Harry had wanted to see right now, especially in Harry's current state. Harry bit his lip to stop himself crying out in pain, as he turned around onto his hands and knees.
Dumbledore watched as the injured teen tried to stand up and all the while glare at him. He watched as Harry winced and put a hand gingerly to his side.
"Help him!"
Dumbledore wanted nothing more than to go over and help him, but he knew what the outcome would be.
"He's too proud for his own good." Lily murmured. Snape sneered at this. 'Potter pride,' he thought.
Instead he stood silently and waited for Harry to find his feet. Only once Harry had stood up completely, and was now holding his head high, did Dumbledore speak again.
"This entire house has some very powerful wards in place Harry, only a member of the Order can come and go as they please, everyone else has to be escorted." He finished as the glare coming towards him was so strong Dumbledore was sure it had to hurt.
"Come Harry, let's go and sit down as I am sure you must still be recovering from yesterday." Dumbledore said with a little guilt in his voice. He did not approve of Sirius's plan to trick the boy
"Hey! It was the best idea we had!"
"Not anymore."
"Yeah, alright, alright."
and he certainly didn't think very highly of four spells on one boy.
"I don't think anyone does, Albus." Minerva looked over her glasses at the man.
"I'm not going anywhere with you!" Harry spat at him. His voice was still rough from his dry throat.
Dumbledore looked at Harry sadly. It hurt the age old wizard, how much hatred was directed towards him.
"It's only to be expected I suppose. Tom would have raised him to despise me above many others. Fear does terrible things to oneself."
Dumbledore opened his mouth to try and calm the angry teen down, but before Dumbledore could say anything Harry walked slowly towards the foot of the stairs and began climbing them.
"Harry, don't you think we should talk about the circumstances that have arisen?" Dumbledore asked gently.
Harry turned his head around and glared at the headmaster.
"I have nothing to say to you and I don't want to hear any rubbish from you either!"
The rooms members looked shocked at the blatant disrespect Dumbledore was being shown. Hermione's hands flew to her mouth as she gasped, James and Lily looking slightly uncomfortable. Draco rolled his eyes, and Damien gave a little smile.
'He's so cool.'
At once the three Aurors standing behind Dumbledore raised their wands at Harry.
"Oh, come on!" Tonks said. "Bit of an overreaction, isn't it?"
Harry looked taken aback for an instant. The look of fury on the Aurors faces was unnerving. Moody, Kingsley and Arthur
Arthur looked surprised to hear his name being spoken in such a situation, Kingsley looked accepting and Moody vindictive.
had never heard anyone speak to Albus Dumbledore in that manner. Dumbledore however raised his hand and motioned to the Aurors to lower their wands. Dumbledore had expected this from Harry. Harry at once turned and left without another word and slammed the door to his room.
Dumbledore returned to the dining room, with the three Aurors following, his head bent low, caught in thoughts of how he was going to get through to the angry teen.
"Good luck." Arthur snorted. "Angry teenage boys can be quite stubborn when they want to."
Harry had no choice but to return to his bed. He gingerly sat on the end of the bed and let out a deep sigh. He was in trouble now. Any time now the Ministry would come and make his arrest. He would probably be in Azkaban by tonight!
"Never." James swore.
He had to get out of here, but how? He was not ready to face the wards again. He didn't think he would be able to get back up again. He was brought out of his thoughts by someone knocking and entering his room. Harry opened his mouth to hurl abuse but stopped when he saw Poppy enter, looking a bit tired. Harry managed a weak smile when he saw her shriek and come running towards him.
The students exchanged looks, knowing how Madame Pomfrey could get when you were injured.
"Harry! What in the name of Merlin are you doing up? Lie back down this instant!"
She pushed Harry under the covers and started fussing over him.
Lily bit her lip. 'I wish it was me.'
She checked over him and once she was done, listing all the injuries that were still worrying her, she sat back on her chair, looking exhausted.
Harry sat up in bed and smiled at her.
"Interesting. Maybe Poppy could help us when the time comes," McGonagall stated.
"Finished are we?" He asked
"Yes" came a weary answer.
"Good. Now tell me how am I going to get out of here?"
"You're not." Moody grumbled.
Poppy looked over at Harry with sad eyes.
"Harry, please, you know you can't leave."
"Poppy, you don't understand. I can't stay here. It's not safe for me.
'Yes, it is!' Fleur wanted to scream, but kept the thought to herself, reading on.
If I don't leave now, by tonight I will be in Azkaban." Harry stopped so that his words took effect.
Poppy looked really uncomfortable, she was wringing her hands and kept shooting worried looks at Harry and then at the door. Finally she got up and walked over to him.
"Harry, if it were up to me then I would help you.
"She can't be trusted." Moody stated.
"I trust her with my life."
"That's good for you, Albus. But she can't be trusted with this."
I owe it to you. But the fact of the matter is that even I can't help you leave. I'm not a member of the Order yet so I can't escort you out."
"If we do employ her help, it should be before she is inducted into the Order." Kingsley stated. "That way her position will remain as it is in the book."
She looked at the sad face of the injured teen and felt her heart break. She knew that Dumbledore didn't want Harry to come to any harm but did Dumbledore have the authority to save him from Azkaban? She would rather not think about it at the moment. Instead she pushed the bangs away from his forehead and smiled sadly at him.
"I am truly sorry, Harry."
Harry merely shrugged at her and stared at his hands in his lap. He would have to come up with a different plan.
"Or, you could just accept it. Just a thought."
"Hush, Fred."
"Shove it, Percy."
xxx
Dumbledore sat with the members of the Order around him. Most of them had been eagerly awaiting his return to find out the fate of Harry. All Dumbledore could tell them at this point in time was that the Minister would get back to him regarding Harry's fate. Tonks and Molly were still trying to clear away the breakfast dishes,
Molly smiled at the other witch, thankful for her help.
while Arthur was busy talking with James, Sirius and Remus. Dumbledore sat speaking gently to Lily who still had red, puffy eyes and seem to be now sitting in a daze. Moody and Kingsley were sitting in one corner, apparently lost in their own thoughts.
Lily looked around her as Dumbledore left her side to speak to Molly. She sat thinking hard about what Dumbledore had said to her. He was trying to reassure her that Harry would come to no harm. As long as Harry learnt the truth about whom he is and who Voldemort is, then Harry would surely come back to the Light side.
'Is that so?' Draco pondered. 'We'll see about that.'
Lily didn't particularly care about this right now. Her main focus was to go upstairs and see her son. She had been practically dragged from the room by James so that she could rest. She slowly got up and started preparing a plate of breakfast.
"That might not be the best idea, love."
James saw this and stood up to come next to her.
"Lils, I don't think he…"
"Don't, James. Please just don't." Lily said in an emotional voice.
James looked at his wife. 'Okay,' he thought. 'I've got you.'
James stopped talking and instead put a reassuring arm around Lily's waist. He gave her an understanding smile and reached over to pour some pumpkin juice in a glass for Harry.
James looked pleased with his future self's actions.
Both parents headed out of the door while everyone else in the room sat quietly, not really knowing how to react. Moody growled a little and then went back to his quiet thinking. Everyone else decided to ignore the 'breakfast in bed' situation and went back to what they were doing.
Moody shook his head in disappointment at James. 'He should know better.'
James and Lily made their way quietly up the stairs. Both were nervous to speak to Harry. They stopped outside his door and gave each other a nervous look. They pushed the door open, but stopped, as both their hearts had just missed a beat. They saw Harry sitting up in bed talking to Poppy.
"What's in this one?" Harry was saying as he held up a small vial containing a black coloured potion.
"Wings of dragonflies, crushed beetle legs and..." Poppy started.
"Okay, don't tell me."
Laughter sounded in the room.
"Then why do you ask?"
"Just curious."
Harry gave Poppy a cheeky smile as he downed the black coloured potion in one gulp. He gave a dramatic shudder.
"Eugh, I hope you realise how awful that was." he said looking at Poppy.
"All her potions are awful," Damien sighed.
"Yeah, I reckon she does it on purpose." Ron shuddered.
"Everything's a conspiracy with you two, isn't it?" Hermione shook her head at them.
Lily and James couldn't help but smile. This was the first time that Lily had heard her son's voice. She was momentarily taken back at how similar it was to Damien's voice.
"Wicked!"
James had of course heard Harry's voice before but it was always in a confrontational tone. This was the first time he heard Harry speak in a somewhat normal tone.
James and Lily had opened the door and had now stepped into the room. Poppy and Harry both turned to see who had joined them. Poppy gave both, James and Lily a bright smile, but Harry's expression darkened and after glaring at both James and Lily he looked away from them.
James and Lily looked upset, but did not speak.
Poppy noticed Harry's reaction and quickly excused herself, saying that she had to rush downstairs for a moment. Harry didn't even look at Poppy, as she hastily left the room. James and Lily were both feeling immensely uneasy. Harry didn't even look at them. He continued to gaze at his own hands which were lying in his lap. Lily took a brave step and allowed her shaky legs to carry her over to the bed. James followed her reluctantly.
Sirius crossed his fingers, hoping that it would all go well. He knew, however, that it wouldn't.
Lily put the plate of food on the bedside table and looked longingly at Harry. The raven haired boy didn't even spare her a glance. Now that Lily could see Harry's eyes she felt her heart swell with happiness. 'He definitely has my eyes!' she thought to herself.
Lily mustered up a smile at that. It fades quickly from her face. The tension was building in the room, everyone anticipating a negative interaction.
James had joined Lily at this point and placed the glass of juice next to the plate of breakfast.
Lily couldn't hold herself back any longer. She reached over and tried to touch Harry's face. Harry flinched away from her and threw her such a dirty look that it made Lily take a step back.
Draco nodded, having expected such a reaction. The hurt look on Lily's face made him do a double take, though. She seemed so confused…
"Harry! What's the…" Lily was cut off as Harry ripped the bed cover away and pulled himself out of bed. He stood and glared at Lily and James.
"Harry, please lie down you're not completely healed just yet. You'll hurt yourself." James tried.
"Quite disappointed aren't you?" Harry said and Lily was visibly shaken at hearing the venom in Harry's voice.
"What?"
James looked at his son in shock.
"What do you mean?"
"Didn't really expect for me to survive did you!" Harry exclaimed and this time Harry had a strange gleam in his emerald green eyes. It looked almost as if there was some hurt mixed in with the rage that was burning in his green orbs.
"Oh, baby, what has he told you?"
James and Lily both were stunned by Harry's accusation.
"Harry, how can you say that? You know what happened was an accident, I would never have attacked you if I had known that you were my… "
"I don't think," Remus stated, looking at Draco expectedly. "That Harry's talking about his capture. James and Lily exchanged a worried look, one Draco caught and, unfortunately, misinterpreted.
'Worried the truth will be discovered, no doubt.' He seemed, momentarily, to forget about his mother's involvement in the whole thing.
James faltered here. He still couldn't bring himself to say that Harry, the Dark Prince, responsible for so many deaths and torture, was his son.
"James! How could you! He's our son, no matter what he's done!"
"I know, Lily it's just hard- "
"No dad." Damien cut him off. "How are we supposed to get Harry to accept us if you can't even accept him?"
"I- "James looked to Sirius, helpless. The other man shrugged, and James sighed as Fleur continued.
Harry was now staring at James with so much loathing that Lily had to look away from her son.
"Just understand this Potter! I am not you son. You son died many years ago. I am Lord Voldemort's son."
Lily bit her lip, avoiding the concerned faces in the room. 'He just doesn't understand is all.' She wrapped her arms around her middle, offering comfort to herself.
Lily and James were speechless. They had expected Harry to be rude and difficult to speak to but they had not prepared for such hurtful words. Lily and James both took a tentative step nearer the furious boy.
This time Lily tried to speak to him.
"Harry, please listen to us. I know that you must be really angry and confused right now but you must understand. We are your parents. V-Voldemort isn't your father." Lily tried desperately.
"Please baby." Lily whispered brokenly.
Harry turned his icy glare towards Lily and spoke directly to her.
"You may not think so, but in all essence he is my true father. He is the one who brought me up. Just by bringing someone into this world does not make them a parent."
Harry smirked inwardly as he saw the tears appear in James and Lily's eyes. It felt good to show them their place. Without saying another word to either of them, Harry made his way painfully over to the en-suite. He slammed the door closed to the bathroom and sunk to the floor. He didn't really need to use the bathroom. He just wanted to get away from the Potters.
Lily gasped, her lip trembling as James wrapped her in his arms. Damien looked to the floor, Hermione grabbing his hand in comfort as his eyes burned. His parents may have let him down, but he hated to listen to the way they were being treated. He hated watching them suffer.
Lily and James sadly made their way out of the room and down the stairs. They went into one of the rooms and tried to comfort one another in a vain attempt to mend their broken hearts.
xxx
Moody watched as Dumbledore engaged in a conversation with Arthur and Kingsley. His magical eye had whizzed to the back of his head and saw the Potters reach the bottom of the stairs and go into the room adjacent to the kitchen with miserable looks. He knew that Harry was now alone as Madame Pomfrey was also busy giving instructions to Remus and Sirius on what potions Harry was to continue taking.
Remus and Sirius exchanged startled looks. Neither had a child, and neither felt prepared to take on such a huge responsibility. Babysitting was all well and good but… they both hoped that the James and Lily of the future would receive instructions as well.
Moody got up and left the room discreetly.
Frowns crawled over everyone's faces. This wasn't good.
He had arrived outside Harry's room in a matter of seconds.
"Stay away from him," Lily hissed.
Moody knew what he had to do and he was prepared to go to any length to succeed. He opened the door and stepped inside, locking the door behind him.
Harry snapped his head up to see Moody stump into his room. For a moment Harry had thought it was the Potters again. Harry threw Moody another glare and went back to staring out the window. He was currently sitting up in his bed. He ignored Moody until he sensed the Auror standing over him. Harry sighed and tore his gaze away from the window.
"What!" Harry snapped at Moody.
"Oh Merlin."
Moody didn't respond. He was staring at Harry as if restraining himself from strangling the boy sitting before him. Instead of speaking to Harry, Moody reached into his robes and brought out two items. One was his wand and the other was a small vial. Harry eyed the wand apprehensively before turning his gaze to the small vial of potion. He looked disbelievingly at Moody and asked him.
"You really expect me to drink that willingly?" Harry mocked Moody, knowing full well that he shouldn't anger the crazy Auror.
"Harry!"
"You can drink it willingly or I can force you!" spat Moody, barely able to keep his hands steady from suppressed rage.
"What is it?" Ron asked.
"Veritaserum." Tonks answered grimly.
Harry felt the anger inside him reach boiling point. He once again, climbed out of his comfortable bed and stood face to face with Moody.
"Think you're a great powerful Auror because you can exert force on an injured teenager. You had to tie me down before you even tried to hurt me, so excuse me for not being remotely afraid of a coward."
Lily moaned in despair, James looking up to the heavens as if it held the answers he was looking for.
Harry kept his voice down, even though he wanted nothing more than to scream abuse at this Auror. Moody was shaking now with anger. He leaned forward so that his face was barely inches away from Harry's.
"You'd better be careful with that mouth of yours boy. I'm not like Dumbledore. I'm not going to let you speak to me in that tone. You may be James's son but to me that makes no difference. You're a bloody heartless murderer and that is how I am going to treat you!"
"Don't touch him!"
"Leave him alone!"
"Alastor!"
The words had barely left Moody's mouth when Moody reached over, and in a flash, he grabbed Harry around the neck.
Lily screamed, a hex rushing towards Mad-Eye. This time, he dodged, feeling that his actions were justified.
Harry gasped and at once tried to free himself. He turned around so that he was facing away from Moody and elbowed him in the stomach. Moody gasped as the air was forced out of him.
"Yes!" Damien hissed.
He loosened his grip on Harry and the raven haired boy twisted away from him. Once free Harry turned around and focused all his attention towards Moody. The Auror stood up, still gasping for air and saw Harry make a swift hand gesture, Moody felt an invisible force slam into him and he was lifted of his feet. Moody was thrown across the room.
Draco smirked, pleasure filling him as he listened to his best friend fight back.
Moody was now positively pissed. He got up and pointed his wand at the boy.
"REDUCTO" He bellowed and at once a jet of light left Moody's wand and hit Harry straight in the chest.
The colour dropped out of Draco's face. The Potters anger crackled the air with its energy, Dumbledore's warning presence the only thing keeping them from attacking their long-time friend. How could he betray them like this? Hurting their son?
Harry felt himself fly across the room and land painfully on the desk in the far corner of the room. Before Harry could blink away the red spots in front of his eyes he felt Moody's hand grip around his throat again and Harry was forced over to the bed and thrown onto it violently. Harry felt bonds across his wrists and ankles at once, as he was restrained. Harry looked over at Moody with fury. He couldn't blast Moody or protect himself without the use of his hands. He watched helplessly as Moody came nearer to him and opened the vial.
Lily looked as sick as Draco felt, hearing Harry be abused in such a way. 'Where are we?' She thought, willing someone to come to Harry's aid.
Harry didn't even have to guess what he was going to be forced to drink. Vertiserum, the truth potion. Harry found himself breaking into a cold sweat. He knew what questions were going to be asked. His father's location and the inner circle members' identities. Harry tried to wrench himself free from the bonds holding him but was unsuccessful.
Kingsley shook his head. The information would be useful to get, but not like this. Never like this.
Moody approached Harry and grabbed the teenagers chin roughly as he prepared to spill three drops into his mouth. Harry clenched his jaw tight. There was no way he was going to let Moody give him that potion.
"You will drink this boy and you will spill all your nasty secrets about Voldemort!" Moody hissed at Harry.
Moody tried to wrench open the boy's mouth but was finding it difficult with only one free hand. In his frustration he backhanded the stubborn boy and tried again to force the boy's mouth open.
James was searing with rage, his wife and friends doing nothing to temper him. He wanted to kill Moody, wanted to hurt him more than he had ever wanted to hurt someone before.
Harry felt tears stinging his eyes as he recovered from the slap. Harry's jaw was hurting and felt like it was on fire. His face burned at the spot where Moody had slapped him. However Harry still refused to open his mouth. He was trying to get away from Moody as much as he could. Just before Harry's body gave in and his mouth relaxed slightly the door to Harry's room burst open and a furious looking Sirius came striding in.
"Thank you, Merlin!" Lily gasped.
Sirius took one look at Harry and Moody and in an instant Sirius was pulling Moody away from Harry. The Veritaserum was still clutched in Moody's hand. Harry could have cried with relief.
"Oh Harry."
He watched as Sirius dragged Moody away from Harry all the while screaming at him.
"How dare you Moody! What in the name of Merlin did you think you were doing? Get out from here! Get out!"
"Thank you!" Lily sobbed, hugging her son's saviour.
Harry saw Moody fighting back until he spotted James and Dumbledore come into the room. Dumbledore took one look at the state of the room and with a flick of his hand he released Harry from his restrains. Harry quickly sat up in bed and tried to get his thumping heart to calm down. Dumbledore motioned for Moody, Sirius and James to follow him. As they left the room James approached Harry and looked at the raven haired boy, eyes full of concern.
"Harry, are you okay?"
Harry realised that he was shaking.
The rooms occupants looked uncomfortable; hearing Harry sound so scared. He seemed so unshakable, so confident. This just cemented in the fact that he was just aa boy, still underage.
The students looked at Moody with fear, the man they once thought of as a protector being seen in a new light. He hurt someone their age without hesitation, and they would be lying if they said it didn't bother them.
He quickly wrapped his arms around his own shoulders and took a deep breath to stop the shaking. He looked away from James and flinched away from James's outstretched hand.
"Let me help you, please."
James looked at his son compassionately and headed out the door closing it softly behind him.
Harry collapsed onto his front and covered his face furiously into the pillows. He had never been so angry in his life. Never before had anyone dared to touch him like that. His father had never let anyone hurt him, not even in the slightest.
The Order members blinked in confusion.
Harry turned over and lay on his back. He tried to steady his breathing and calm his thumping heart. The truth was that he had never been so scared before. Not scared of being harmed. Physical pain had always been a part of his life, no it was fear of what would have happened if Harry had been forced to drink the truth potion. All of his fathers secrets, his plans, his location everything would have been exposed.
'No, I can't allow that to happen. My father must not be jeopardised.' He thought to himself.
The unconditional loyalty he showed made Dumbledore uneasy.
His head was thumping and the pain from his ribs and ankle was making Harry feel sick. He rolled over onto his side and let his worried mind drift off to sleep. His last coherent thought was 'I'm not going to let them slip me Vertiserum'.
"If he starves himself now," James warned, glaring at an unrepentant Moody.
xxx
James was furious with Moody. He rounded on him in the dining room.
"What the hell Moody! Why did you treat him like that for?" he bellowed at the Auror.
Dumbledore was also looking at Moody through very angry eyes. Moody however did not notice this.
"I treated him how he deserves to be treated! He has done atrocious things and I am sorry James if you feel he can be excused because he's your long lost son, but the rest of us have to do what's right!"
"That's not fair." Sirius glared. "You have no right!"
At this the room quietened down instantly. James was eyeing Moody murderously and behind him Sirius and Remus were also looking shell shocked at Moody's remark. Lily looked away from them trying futilely to hide her tears.
"Moody, I have never said he should be excused, you have no right to accuse me of that. I was friends with Frank as well! I mourn his death too, but that doesn't mean you have to lose control like that."
"You're too quick to forgive. If he wasn't your son- "
"But he is, Alastor! He's my son! I won't let you hurt him!"
Moody merely grunted at this and started towards the door.
"I'm not the one who has lost any control. You are the ones who are letting a murdererroam around the entire headquarters as if he owns the place!" With that said Moody left the room and headed out the front door.
James and Lily were stunned. A murderer, Harry was a murderer.
Damien shuddered at the thought, and he wasn't alone. Ron and Hermione exchanged looks, Harry was their age, and he'd killed people!
The entire truth about their son hadn't quite registered with the distraught parents. Harry had no hope in this world. He was going to go to Azkaban. Lily had completely dissolved and was now sobbing hard while Molly and Remus tried to comfort her. James was still left standing at the spot. He was looking at the door with a defeated look on his face. Sirius and Dumbledore managed to pull him and make him sit on a chair.
Molly, Arthur, Kingsley and Tonks got up quickly and took their leave, wanting to give the family some privacy. Everyone knew that Sirius and Remus were a part of the Potter family.
Remus and Sirius smiled softly at this, looking at the distraught Potters. They knew they had to be strong, for them.
Once they were gone Dumbledore spoke up.
"James, Lily, please try not to give up hope. I know this is an extremely difficult time for you but you have to keep strong, for Harry's sake."
"We will be."
Sirius looked at Dumbledore. This wasn't right. He shouldn't be giving them false hope.
"What?"
"I'm just worried Pup," Sirius looked at the boy. "I'm worried Harry will be put in Azkaban."
It was clear what was going to happen. The Ministry were going to come for Harry, and even Dumbledore wouldn't be able to protect him.
"Dumbledore, what possible hope can we have? The Ministry won't leave Harry, you know that as well as everyone else." Sirius said in a defeated voice.
Dumbledore simply smiled at them which made the four depressed adults stare at him in annoyance.
"There better be a good reason for your amusement, Albus."
"My dear, Sirius, there is always hope for without hope there is nothing. I know you all may think of me as foolish but I do believe Harry will be safe from the Ministry."
James lifted his head and looked directly at Dumbledore. Curiosity overtook him and he asked the question everyone wanted to know
"Dumbledore, what became of your meeting with Fudge? Why have they not come for Harry yet?"
Dumbledore's face broke into a tired smile.
Everyone looked interested in what the old man had to say.
"Well the outcome is still to be determined. The Minister is considering some things. He has had reports on how Harry battles, his powers, the unknown spells and the strength the boy possesses. All of this indicates that Harry is special. You all are aware of how the Minister feels about the prophecy. Harry may not be the 'chosen one' in his eyes but he has to admit that Harry is a very powerful wizard with exceptional talents. It is clear that whichever side Harry will be on will have a great advantage in this war."
"Do you really think he could be convinced to be on our side though, Professor?"
Albus smiled. "I do, Miss Granger."
Sirius spoke up at this.
"About that Dumbledore, any ideas why Harry can do all those things especially at his age."
Sirius was of course referring to the strength Harry had shown when he sent most fully grown Aurors flying across the room by a simple kick. Sirius ran a hand across his still bruised ribs.
"I didn't even think about that." McGonagall looked worried. "How can he do all those extraordinary things?"
"Well I have one theory. You see Harry is a direct descendant of Godric Gryffindor. That would make him more powerful than most his age. However, with Voldemort…" the room gasped at the mention of his name, "…marking him as his own heir he has made Harry the last descendant of Salazar Slytherin."
"Woah." Stunned silence filled the room.
James and Lily sat horrified at this. Their son was the heir to Slytherin.
"There's nothing wrong with Slytherin." Snape looked offended.
"Harry is now the heir to two ancestral lines. At the age of sixteen he has strengths and skills that match most grown ups. He has powers that will become legendary when he comes of age. How he uses those powers will depend on whether Harry will accept the truths that await him."
"Woah!"
He looked directly at Lily and saw the tears flowing freely again.
"Look the Minister will be foolish to just throw Harry into Azkaban. Fudge wants to win this war. He has suffered immensely at the hands of Voldemort. He wants to bring him down and if Harry can help then the Minister will not let that opportunity pass by." Dumbledore finished looking at the sad faces around him.
"I hope so," James looked down at his hands. "Merlin, I hope so."
"When do you find out what the Minister has decided?" James asked in a shaky voice.
"Soon James, until then try and relax. Get Harry to open up anyway you can. It is imperative Harry realises that we are not the enemy."
Titters filled the room at this.
"Yeah, Moody really helped with that!" Sirius muttered to Remus.
"Hmmph! Well Moody gave us quite a helping hand there!" Sirius whispered as Dumbledore got up and made his way out of the room.
Fleur closed the book and placed it on the table. One by one, the rooms occupants left to get a fitful night's sleep.
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Ta Da! As always, please review and let me know what you think!
God, what a monster of a chapter (you guys deserved it though)
Mythology-Is-My-Religion