Harry Potter: Hidden heir.

Prologue

Harry lay on the ground, pinned under Quirrell's knee.

"Master," Quirrell whined. "I cannot hold him. My hands. My hands."

"Then kill him fool, and be done," Voldemort hissed.

Quirrell raised his wand.

Harry struggled, but couldn't reach Quirrell. He strained with all his might, but he couldn't reach the professor.

"Avada Kedavra," Quirrell said.

There was a flash of green light and Harry knew no more.

*HPHH*

Harry sat up and looked around the room he was in. The room was made of stone. Roughly carved wooden benches set against the far wall. Otherwise, the room was totally empty.

Where was he? How had he gotten hear? The last thing he remembered…

He froze. He was dead. He'd been hit by the same green light that had killed his parents. But if this was the afterlife, where was it?

A door behind him swung open. Harry spun to see two people standing there. The man had untidy black hair and the woman's eyes were the same emerald green as his own.

"Mum?" he whispered. "Dad?"

"Hello son," Lily said smiling gently as they approached him.

"I've wanted to see you for a long time," James said with a grin. "I just thought you'd be wearing clothes when we saw each other."

"James," Lily snapped smacking him on the back of the head.

Harry blushed and looked down. "I was clothed when I died," he said lamely.

"Just think about the clothes you want," Lily said.

Harry concentrated on a pair of plane black robes. He sighed in relief when they appeared on front of him. Pulling the robes on, Harry looked up at his parents.

"I'm dead. What happens now?"

Before they could answer, a soft wail came from the corner of the room. They all turned to look.

Harry gasped when he saw something like a humanoid snake lying there. It skin was raw and red as if it'd been flayed alive. It stared up at them, it's red eyes full of fear.

"What is that thing?"

"That," James said, "Is a piece of Voldemort's soul."

"His soul?" Harry asked. "What is it doing here?"

"It was inside your scar," Lily explained gently. "When he tried to kill you that night, a piece of his soul broke off and ended up in your scar. That's why your scar hurt whenever he was close by."

"So, what happens now?" Harry asked.

James smiled. "Now you go back. The killing curse destroyed that piece of soul in you. Ordinarily, you'd be dead, but there are circumstances that will allow you to return."

"Circumstances?"

James nodded. "You're gonna notice some changes when you go back."

"What sort of changes?"

Lily took his hands. "Before James explains, understand thatyou are still you. No matter what changes you go through, it doesn't change who you are. Do you understand?"

Harry blinked at her confusedly. "What do you mean?"

James sighed. "Have you heard the legends of the fair folk?"

Harry shook his head.

"The fair folk also called faeries or fae, are powerful magical beings that exist in a world parallel to our own. They come in all shapes and sizes and are very powerful."

"Okay," Harry said slowly.

"There are two main courts. They are the Seelie court and Unseelie court. Both have existed for thousands of years. They are not at war as such, at least, not anymore. They are in constant conflict. Are you with me so far?"

Harry nodded.

"Good," James said. "Your great Grandfather was Henry Potter. He met a fae noble one night. One year later, she brings him a baby boy Fleamont Potter, your Grandfather."

Harry's eyes widened. "Granddad was half-fae?"

James nodded. "Dad married Euphemia and I was born in 1960."

"This is where my part of the story comes in," Lily said clearing her throat. "As James told you, there are two courts. Long ago, before the time of Merlin, they decided to have a truce. The king of the Seelie court, Ilbhreac, and the queen of the Unseelie court, Nicnivin married and had a child."

"Okay," Harry said slowly.

"They named that child Olwyn ," Lily said. It was me."

"You're a faerie princess?" Harry asked.

"I am," Lily said with a smile, "Or at least I was."

"What do you mean you were?"

"I grew up knowing that I was the heir to both courts. I was going to be the one to unite Faerie and bring an end to the conflict. I was trained in all forms of magic, politics, and court intreague. Eventually, it got to be too much. In 1960, I cast a spell on myself. It sealed away my memories and most of my magic. I took on the identity of a young girl with no memories of who she was or where she came from. Eventually, I was adopted by the Evans family and grew up as their youngest daughter."

"So, what does that mean?"

Lily glanced at James before looking back at Harry. "The killing curse broke the spell I cast on myself. It's taken me a long time to regain my strength, but I can resume my original form now. It's time I resume my identity as Olwyn ,princess of Faerie."

"Wait," Harry stared at her. "You can resume your original form? What does that mean?"

Lily grinned. "You didn't think I'd abandon you for all these years did you? I've been watching over you even if I couldn't interfere."

"You did? Where were you?"

Lily winked and her eyes turned from green to amber. Her hair turned snow white. "It wasn't easy being an owl."

"Hedwig?"

Lily merely smiled as her hair and eyes turned back to normal.

"But how?" Harry asked. "You… well… died."

"When my mortal body died, I resumed my true form and regained my memories, but I was weak, too weak to stop Hagrid from taking you. Once it was clear Sirius was giving you up, I did the only thing I could. I shapeshifted into an owl and flew after the Motorbike Hagrid was using to take you to your aunt and Uncle. It took years for me to regain my strength."

"You said you watched over me."

"I stayed close to the Dursleys. I couldn't reveal myself. My coloring was too distinctive. All I could do was observe. I hated the way they treated you, but there was nothing I could do. I still hadn't recovered when it was time for you to return to Hogwarts, but I couldn't bare to be away from you any longer."

"So, you became my pet?" Harry asked incredulously.

Lily nodded. "I allowed myself to be captured and taken to Eyelops. It wasn't hard to get Hagrid's attention. He purchased me and this served too purposes.

First, I was able to be close to you. Second, the ambient magic of Hogwarts helped me recover far faster than I would've otherwise. Thanks to my time at Hogwarts, I am ready and able to rejoin the world again."

"So, I won't have to go back to the Dursleys?"

Lily smiled. "No. Her green eyes glowed faintly. "I believe I have the perfect punishment for my dear sister."

James gulped. "Never get on your Mum's bad side."

Lily turned to him. "You'll be alright?"

James nodded. "Oh yeah, I'll be fine. I just stayed to keep you company until you recovered. I'll go see Mum and Dad now."

"We'll see you again," Lily said. "Even fae die, eventually.

"Just not too soon alright," James said.

Lily nodded and kissed his cheek. "It's almost time to go."

"But I have so many questions."

"We'll have plenty of time to talk when we get back."

James looked into Harry's eyes. "When you get back, I have a message I need you to pass on."

"What is it?" Harry asked.

"Tell Dumbledore it wasn't Sirius. It was Peter. Tell him to ask Remus about our time at Hogwarts."

Lily frowned. "James, are you sure that is wise? Look at what he did to Harry."

"I have to believe he has Harry's best interest at heart."

"He left him for ten years and didn't check up on him. don't think I've forgotten about Remus either. I'll be having words with him as well."

"You know Remus. He probably thought he'd be a danger or some Rot like that."

"So, he put his self-hatred before the child of his supposed best friend. At least we know where his priorities are don't we?"

James ignored Lily's last statement. "It is time," he said standing up.

Lily took Harry's hand and they stood together. "How do we get back?"

No sooner had those words left his mouth, Harry found himself falling into a bright white light.

Chapter 1

Harry blinked and open his eyes just enough to see his surroundings. Looking around, he saw Quirrell pushing himself to his feet.

"Master," Quirrell said slowly. "Are you there?"

"Of course," Voldemort hissed. "Check the boy."

Harry tensed as Quirrell approached. He wouldn't have long. He held his breath as Quirrell drew closer.

As Quirrell bent over him, Harry punched him in the nose as hard as he could.

Quirrell drew back, grunting in pain as his nose blistered and blood flowed from both nostrils.

"Master," he howled. "He's alive."

"Obviously," Voldemort hissed drily. "Kill him, but this time, don't use the killing curse. I want to see his head separated from his body."

As Quirrell raised his wand, a snow white owl flew down and landed in front of Harry. Quirrell paused, staring at the bird. "What?"

The owl suddenly changed. Where the owl had stood was a tall slender woman.

She wore a simple white shirt and blue jeans. Her blond hair cascaded over her shoulders in soft waves. Her skin was as wite as snow and gave off a faint glow. Her green eyes glowed as if there were candles burning behind them. She stretched, groaning as her joints popped loudly.

"Blimey, does it feel good to be me again."

"Who are you?" Voldemort hissed.

"That is not important," the woman said. "I will not allow you to harm Harry Potter."

Voldemort sneered. "Will you die for him like his mudblood mother did?"

"If necessary, but I don't think it will come to that. You are far to weak and broken to do anything. Tell me, is immortality all you thought it would be? Horris Slughorn did warn you that death was preferable to what you've done to yourself."

A brief look of fear appeared in Voldemort's eyes before the spirit's expression grew blank." "What did that old man tell you? I should've killed him when I had the chance."

"Slughorn? He didn't tell me anything. I haven't seen him in years. No, your mind is an open book to me. You are thinking about what you just experienced. You wonder if it was a nightmare, a halusination, or a premonition of what death will be like for you?"

"Silence," Voldemort snarled. "Quirrell," he commanded. "Kill her."

The woman waved a hand and Quirrell froze in place. "Master,' he whimpered. "I can't move."

"It's time to deal with you once and for all." Striding forward, the woman touched Quirrell on the forehead.

Quirrell didn't even have time to scream. In a flash of fire, he was gone. All that remained was a pile of black ash on the floor.

"Mum?" Harry whispered.

Lily/Olwyn turned to face him, brushing her white hair out of her face. She drew him into a hug, holding him tight.

"Now what?"

As if in answer to his question, there was a roar of rage. A red mist rose from the ash, taking the form of the same snake-like face that had been sticking out of Quirrell's head.

The face hovered there, glaring at the pair of them.

"Lily Potter," Voldemort hissed.

"No," Olwyn said. "Lily Potter is gone. You saw to that. "I am who I was meant to be once again."

"What are you babbling about?"

"I'm sure you will find out, but that doesn't mean I intend to make it easy on you."

With a roar of rage, Voldemort flew through the ceiling and was gone.

Harry suddenly felt so tired. His legs buckled and only Anwen's supporting arm kept him from falling.

"You're exhausted," she said lowering him to the floor. "You need to finish going through your changes and I need to deal with the Dursleys."

"You'll be back," Harry asked sleepily. "You want leave me?"

Olwyn kissed his forehead. "Never again. "I'll be back to speak to Dumbledore in a few days. By then, you should be awake."

Before Harry could ask any questions, his eyes closed and he drifted into darkness.

*HPHH*

Olwyn appeared on the street of Privet drive and glared at Number four. Smiling to herself, she cast a glamour, resuming the form of Lily Evans.

Sweeping her flaming red hair out of her face, she grinned widely. This was going to be fun.

*HPHH*

Vernon looked up from the newspaper as some one knocked on the door. Glancing at the clock, he scowled. "It's half passed ten. Who the ruddy hell would be knocking at this time of night.

Standing up, he strode to the door and yanked it open. "What the bloody hell do you…" he froze as he stared into a pair of emerald green eyes. The woman's red hair blew around her in an unfelt breeze.

"Hello Vernon," she said pleasantly. "I think we need to have a chat."

Vernon tried to slan the door, but it was as if the door had been glued to the floor.

"No no no," Lily said an icy smile twitching the corner of her lips. "That would be very rude of you. Now, don't you think it's terribly impolite not to invite someone in?"

Vernon opened his mouth. His eyes widened when he heard himself say; "Come in, make yourself at home."

Lily stepped inside, shutting the door behind her. "Thank you Vernon," she said calmly. "That wasn't so hard was it?"

"Who is it Vernon?" Petunia asked stepping into the hallway. Her pale eyes widened when she saw Lily.

"You…"

"Tunie," Lily said brightly. "It's been a while. How about a hug?"

Petunia stumbled back, her eyes wide with horror. "They said you were dead."

"I was in a way, but I couldn't allow you to get away with mistreating Harry. Now then, I've thought long and hard about what to do with you and I think I've come up with the perfect punishment."

Vernon and Petunia screamed as their skin bubbled and their bodies twisted and stretched.

HPHH*

"What did you say your name was?" the old farmer asked as he looked over the horse and pig.

"Olwyn ," Olwyn said brushing her hair out of her face.

"Mmm," the farmer hummed walking around the pig one more time before stopping at the horse. "And you said your Dad took care of these animals?"

Olwyn nodded. Contrary to popular belief, the fae could lie. They just chose not to.

The farmer grunted. "The pig is really too old to kill, but maybe if we castrate him we could make his meat edible."

The pig let out a terrified squeal but didn't move.

"Silence Vernon," Olwyn said coldly.

The farmer chuckled. "almost like he understood you. I've got a sow. Maybe I could get a bit of good out of him first." He turned to the horse.

"The horse," he began. "What'd you say her name was?"

"Petunia," Olwyn said.

"Good name for a horse. Anyhow, she's a bit too old to train. If you've got some papers, I may be able to breed her with a stallion."

With a wolfish grin, Olwyn pulled a stack of papers from the pocket of her jeans. The farmer blinked at her.

"Deep pockets," he said.

"Olwyn nodded. "I think you'll find all you need there."

The farmer flipped through the papers, his eyes glazing slightly. "Y-yes," he stammered slightly. "Everything is in order. How much did you say you wanted for them?"

"Don't care. I just want to get rid of them. My father loved them, but I'm not the farming type."

The farmer chuckled. "It's not for every one. "Tell you what, I'll give you 1000 pounds for both. The pig is old and the horse is untrained you see."

Olwyn held up a hand. "Honestly, you don't have to explain. I could care less if you're cheating me or not. These animals have been nothing but trouble since I've had them. A thousand pounds it is."

The farmer nodded. "I'll be right back."

As he walked away, Olwyn glared at the pig and horse. "I'll make sure your son has a good life. I won't harm children, unlike you. Who knows, maybe he'll grow up to be a productive member of society."

She smiled cruelly. As she spoke, magic laced every word. "You are to never harm the farmer in any way. You are forbidden to end your life by your own actions or lack there of. You are to obey the farmer in whatever he commands you to do. These are my commands."

"Saying good-bye," the farmer said as he walked up and handed her a stack of bills.

Olwyn grinned, her green eyes sparkling. "Actually, I was laying a curse on them."

The farmer chuckled. "I suppose you don't want to be kept informed about them then."

Olwyn shook her head, glancing at the pig and horse one last time. "No, I just want to forget about them."

As Olwyn walked away, she smiled to herself as the pig and horse squealed in distress. She would have to check and see how they were doing in a few years. Who knew, maybe their time as animals would help them to be better people.

*HPHH*

Harry woke slowly. He winced. Every muscle felt as if it'd been stretched to it's breaking point. Looking up, he saw Dumbledore leaning over him.

"Good afternoon, Harry," Dumbledore said his blue eyes twinkling.

"Sir," Harry said. "Voldemort, the stone."

"Calm yourself Harry," Dumbledore said placing a hand on his shoulder. "Quirrell didn't get the stone. Voldemort has fled. Everyone is safe."

Harry nodded. "Quirrell hit me with another killing curse,' he said quietly.

"Yes," Dumbledore said slowly. "Madam Pomfrey told me as much. That would explain some of the changes you've gone through."

"Changes?"

With a flick of his wand, Dumbledore conjured a mirror. As Harry stared at his reflection, his eyes widened.

He was slightly taller and his face was more angular. His untidy black hair was streaked with white and silver and his eyes seemed to have brightened.

"What happened?" he asked.

Dumbledore chuckled. "Your guess is as good as mine, but Madam Pomfrey says you are in perfect health. She has instructed that you remain here until the leaving feast. Your friends will be relieved to know that you are alright."

"Sir," Harry asked. "What will happen to the Flamel's?"

Dumbledore's smile faded. "I have had a long chat with Nicholas. After this incident, he has come to believe that the Philosopher's stone is far too dangerous to exist. It has been destroyed."

"But, won't he and his wife die?"

Dumbledore nodded. "They have enough elixir stored up to keep them alive for another year or two, but once that elixir runs out they will die."

Harry was quiet for a time. "I don't know if I could do it," he said finally. "Choose to die I mean."

Dumbledore patted his shoulder. "You'd be surprised what you can do when you have to."

Harry nodded. "Sir," he said. "I need to tell you something."

"Oh?" Dumbledore asked.

"When I was hit by the killing curse, I met my parents."

Dumbledore raised an eyebrow. "Did you? What did they say?"

"They said Voldemort put a bit of his soul in me the night he killed me. That's why I didn't die when the killing curse hit me."

Dumbledore's eyes widened. "Really? And now this bit of soul is gone?"

Harry nodded. "They also told me to tell you it wasn't Sirius. It was Peter. They said to ask Remus about their time at Hogwarts. What does that mean? Who is Remus?"

Dumbledore stood. "Well, you have given me plenty to think about. I am afraid I can't answer your questions just yet, but I will tell you that you've been given a gift most wizards would envy. You were able to speak to loved ones that have gone on. Cherish those memories and never forget that your parents love you."

Harry nodded and watched as Dumbledore left the room. There was something going on here. He just hoped his Mum would fill him in when he saw her again.

*HPHH*

The rest of the term passed without incident. Harry told Ron and Hermione about his conversation with Dumbledore, but left out what had happened when he was hit by the killing curse. He also didn't tell them that his mother was back. After all, how did you tell someone that your mother was a faery princess and had been pretending to be an owl for ten years?"

As they boarded the Hogwarts express, Hagrid stopped Harry.

"I wanted to apologize for what happened," he said with tears rolling down his cheeks. "It was my fault."

Harry hugged the big man. "I never blamed you. Quirrell was possessed by Voldemort. He would've found a way to get passed Fluffy. At least this way, Fluffy wasn't killed."

Hagrid shuddered at the mention of Voldemort's name. He wiped his nose with the back of his hand. "I got you something. I contacted all your Mum and Dad's old school friends. I knew you wouldn't have any." He handed Harry a leatherbound book.

Opening the book, Harry stared at pictures of his parents smiling and waving at him.

"Thanks," he whispered.

Hagrid drew him into a one-armed hug. "Go on, I know you'd like to stay at Hogwarts, but I can't hide you in me cabin all summer. Someone would be bound to notice."

"Would you really try?"

"If I could," Hagrid's smile faded. "I know what it's like to be mistreated. I don't like seeing anyone go through that."

"Thanks," Harry said touched.

"Keep me posted. If I don't hear from you for three days, I'm coming to see what's up."

"Hagrid," Harry began.

Hagrid held up a hand. "I don't reckon you've had anyone to be there for you all these years. It's time someone was. Now go on, the train is about to leave."

Harry stepped aboard the Hogwarts express and turned to wave at Hagrid, but he was already gone. He chatted with Ron and Hermione, ate sweets, and generally enjoyed the trainride. As they approached London, Ron turned to Hermione and him.

"Come and stay this summer, both of you. We've got the room and Mum would love to meet both of you."

Harry nodded. "We'll see."

As they disembarked the train, Harry noticed a guard standing by the barrier allowing people to go through in one's and two's so as not to draw attention from the muggles.

As Harry stepped through the barrier, his mother was there to greet him.

"Have a good term?" she asked as she drew him into a hug.

"Fair," Harry said.

"Mum," Ron's little sister, Ginny squealed. "Look, it's Harry Potter."

"I see Ginny," Mrs. Weasley said. "Don't point, it's rude."

Mrs. Weasley approached Harry and Olwyn. "You must be Harry's aunt."

Olwyn smiled. "He's more like a son to me than anything else."

Mrs. Weasley smiled. "I'm glad to hear that."

"Thanks for the jumper and the sweets Mrs. Weasley," Harry said.

"It was no trouble dear. No trouble at all.

"By Harry," Hermione said.

"See you mate," Ron said.

Harry smiled at his friends as he wheeled his trolley towards the exit. Once they were out of earshot, heturned to his mother. "Where will we be staying?"

Olwyn smiled. "I've got a little cottage on the outskirts of Elfame. "We'll go there for the summer until I can purchase something in this world." As she spoke, a circle of light opened in front of the trolley.

"Eave it here," Olwyn said shrinking Harry's trunk and picking it up.

As Harry followed his mother into the portal, he sighed. "Whatever would come, it had to be better than what he was leaving behind.