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Dreams of Home Chapter 28
🕑 Added 2023-07-04 04:04:50 +0000 UTCChapter 28
Harry and Neville stood back to back as they were surrounded by Death Eaters. Long gone was the boy that barely knew which end of his wand was which. Now stood a man who battled next to another man who he looked up to. Together they were a force. The battle had started hours ago, and the fighting had been nonstop.
The two were currently dueling with Rodolphus Lestrange and Rookwood in a frenzy of spellfire all with the intent to kill. Harry wasn’t sure how many had been killed in the crossfire of their fight, but he was certain it was a few on each side. Both young men were determined to take down these inner circle Death Eaters. Enough blood had been spilt by these maniacs, which meant it was up to Harry and Neville to stop them.
They weren’t in the inner circle for nothing though, and weren’t backing down an inch. The battle waged back and forth, but at one point in the changing of the tide, Neville was disarmed and struck with the torture curse by Rookwood. Harry quickly surged forward in an attempt to protect him, trying to fight both duelists at once, but it was an impossible task, even for Harry.
The Death Eaters began to circle him, casting torture curse after torture curse at the defenseless Neville. Harry was panicking, trying to protect his fallen comrade, but nothing was working. No one was coming to their defense either, as they were too far into the enemy's line. Tears were rolling down Harry’s face as he listened to the agonized cries of a man he considered one of his greatest friends.
Time passed like an eternity as they bruised and battered Harry while continuously torturing Neville. He would do anything to make it end. Why weren’t they killing them? In a roar of rage and desperation, Harry cried out, “Avada Kedavra!”
A blast of green light left his wand striking Rodolphus in the chest, sending him spiraling backwards, lifeless. Harry was on Rookwood in an instant, however, the man who had been previously taunting Harry re-entered the zone, fighting him with everything he had.
Before either opponent could land a devastating blow the cold voice of the Dark Lord entered the grounds. The two wizards ceased fire immediately to listen to the words of Lord Voldemort who demanded a cease-fire. He demanded that Harry confront the man in the Dark Forest, and that they had ‘til dawn to bury their dead. At dawn, Voldemort himself would enter the battle, and kill every man, woman, and child.
At the end of the speech, Rookwood offered him a sarcastic bow and a demented grin before apparating away. Harry wasted no time in sliding over to his friend who was trembling with cuts all over his body, and blood coming from places he couldn’t even identify.
Harry scooped up the young man as he fell to his knees, “It’s gonna be alright, Neville. It’s gonna be alright. We are going to get you help.”
Harry shouted for a medic, but none were answering his cry. Harry began to panic, but a broken voice took his attention, “Ha-Harr-Harry. Don’t…don’t let them…take…who…you…are.”
With wide eyes, Harry looked at his friend who had his eyes locked on his face. Swallowing an impossibly large lump in his throat Harry cradled the young man closer to him, “Don’t give up on me, Neville. Help is coming. We are going to make it out of this.”
The life was leaving his friend’s eyes and Harry sobbed, “Please, Neville. We will build you a greenhouse. Wherever you want. You and Hannah, you two can raise a family together. If we build it down by the water somewhere you can even pull plants from the sea too. Wouldn’t that be great? Neville? Please, Neville. Not you too. I need you. NEVILLE!”
Harry shot awake in his bed, cold sweat covering his body. Tears were streaming down his face. How had he let that happen? How did he face Frank and Alice everyday knowing what he allowed to happen to their son? A son that they had died for. Their death was meaningless in the face of what happened to their child.
Shaking himself of these thoughts he rolled out of bed and immediately attempted to do push-ups to take his mind off what was going through his mind. It was Halloween. Today he would be leaving the castle to spend time with his family. This was a much-needed break on his end, because things in the castle had hardly been peaceful.
Elaina and Harry hadn’t even made it through the day after the attack before they were summoned to the Headmaster’s office. Needless to say, the meeting didn’t go as expected.
.o.
Harry and Elaina had received the message from Slughorn who looked grave when he passed on the message at dinner that Dumbledore wanted to speak with them. Standing outside the griffin statue Harry took deep breaths glancing at Elaina who looked terrified at what might follow.
Taking the girl's hand Harry squeezed it gently, “Don’t worry. Uncle Monty says he has your back, and he is on the board. So is Lord Black. They won’t expel you.”
Nodding nervously, Elaina followed Harry up the staircase to meet the Headmaster who had the door open prepared for their arrival. Entering the office, they saw the older man sitting at his desk with a benign smile on his face welcoming them, “Ah, Miss Essex, Mr Potter, good evening. Please take a seat.”
The two did as they were beckoned and Harry stared up at the man expectantly, while Elaina was as stiff as a statue. Dumbledore took a deep breath saying, “First, I would like to say that neither of you are in trouble. Despite the number of school rules that were broken, I believe it is undoubtable that your intentions were honorable, and that you both aided in many lives being saved.”
Elaina visibly deflated at his words in relief. Harry continued to watch the man suspiciously as if waiting for the punchline, “However, leaving the grounds of Hogwarts without permission is a troubling offense. Despite your noble intentions.”
Harry frowned at the man’s words, while Elaina seemed to appear confused. Harry pushed the topic, “I don’t understand, Headmaster. Elaina and I are both of age. Adults in the Wizarding World. I had a responsibility to my family. Elaina is under the protection of House Potter, and felt obligated to do the same.”
Elaina looked at him in surprise as if the words he chose burned her, but he didn’t even glance her way while Dumbledore put one hand through his beard slowly, “Ah yes, Barty told me about this little caveat. Lord Potter was even in my office earlier for the first time in many years informing me of what happened, and how such circumstances came about. I can’t say I agree with the Potter family's choices, but they are standing firmly behind them. To that, I give them credit, and I also must say you were both very brave to answer such a call.”
Elaina seemed confused by the praise, but Harry eyed the wizard clearly trying to understand his game. Dumbledore did not disappoint as he continued on, “Lord Potter made it quite clear that he did not wish for Miss Essex to be punished for defending his family's ancestral home. Being from Godric’s Hollow, myself, I do not wish to punish you either. Seeing you are of age and acting in the stead of a house whose protection you are under, neither I, nor Hogwarts, has any grounds to punish either of you. None that would stand in the face of the Board of Governors at least.”
Harry and Elaina were both surprised by the Headmaster's words. Harry wanted more than anything in that moment to have been a fly on the wall in the meeting between his grandfather and Dumbledore, but instead was forced to listen to Dumbledore continue on, “I only wish to give each of you a warning. The Board was never going to stand for any punishment that I, in my position of Headmaster, could have tried to give to the heroes of Godric’s Hollow. However, I saw a concerning level of ruthlessness from each of you in the battle. Greater witches and wizards have fallen to battle lust before, and I strongly encourage each of you to consider mercy the next time you face an enemy that you so desperately outmatch. You never know when one day you may be at their mercy.”
Frowning, Harry looked the Headmaster in the eye, “I can agree that there is a time for mercy, Headmaster, but I am not sure when we are outnumbered 5 to 1 is a good time to show it.”
Dumbledore nodded his head in the direction of Harry, but kept his eyes on Elaina, “Some paths that are walked down are very difficult to go back on. I would like both of you to know that in the troubling times ahead, if there is ever any doubt about what is right, or what is easy, my door is always open. To either of you.”
A long pause passed, and Harry had to refrain from arguing before Dumbledore seemed satisfied with his message sinking in, “Very good. Now, Miss Essex at the insistence of Lord Potter you are granted full permission to be in Hogsmeade anytime you wish going forward. I only advise caution to you both from here. You never know who might have lost someone important to them in the battle from last night.”
Elaina had seemed troubled by the Headmaster’s warning, but Harry mostly wanted to roll his eyes at the man. It became apparent why the first half of the war with Voldemort went so poorly. No one was doing anything. A bitter part of the young man realized that it was because of their inaction that led to so many of his friends being killed. It was this generation's fault that the war lasted as long as it had. Not this time. Harry thought clenching his fist as he summoned his wand to his hand and departed his dormitory for the day.
At the instruction of his parents, he had taken the day off of training. It turns out this request was a blessing in disguise. Harry was exhausted. With the morning off he had intended to sleep in, but instead, he tossed and turned in the wake of memories that had turned into nightmares. Charlus and Dorea had wanted him well-rested for the evening, and he was uncertain of what the evening's agenda was, but he hoped they weren’t expecting too much of him.
Arriving down at the Great Hall he was still among the first to arrive. None of his friends from Slytherin were at his table yet, so he grabbed a seat on his own in the usual vicinity of where they sat when he began helping himself to breakfast. The conversation around the hall was muted in comparison to what it normally was, but with it being a weekend, Harry was unsurprised there were so few people in the hall.
Taking a deep breath, Harry swallowed hard as memories of what his previous Halloweens had been like. The troll, the writing on the wall about the Chamber of Secrets, Sirius trying to break into the Gryffindor common room, his name coming out of the goblet of fire, and of course the event that started it all was his family being murdered in 1981. In a new context, Harry recognized that perhaps the loss of Henry Potter had truly been the beginning of the Potter family's troubles on Halloween. Still, Harry couldn't help the feeling that the day was cursed.
“Are you alright, Harry?” A concerned voice asked over his shoulder.
Harry turned to see Lily looking at him with concern, and he felt a ball of lead appear in his stomach at the sight of the woman. He wasn’t sure it was possible, but he had not really wanted to interact with James and Lily today. It was too difficult. To think of the fate that would befall them stung Harry to the point he couldn’t find his words.
Lily seemed worried at his silence as she bit her lip, glanced around, and took a seat at the Slytherin table next to him placing a comforting hand on his arm, “Harry?”
Shaking himself out of his self-pity Harry offered an insincere smile, “Lily, sorry. I was lost in thought.”
The girl glanced skeptically at the pastry on his plate, “You were staring at that crepe for several minutes before I came over here.”
“I’m fine, Lily.” Harry said.
He noticed whispers were going up and down his table as they glanced at the new arrival, and she clearly realized she was not welcome, but she didn’t budge, “Harry…”
Clearly, the girl seemed worried about what she was going to stay but steeled her nerves before saying, “Everyone is worried about you. Ever since that night at Godric’s Hollow, you look like you haven’t slept. If you need someone to talk to, or someone to brew you a potion to help you sleep, I am here for you.”
The ball of lead just felt heavier at her words. The woman was worried about him, apparently, the others might’ve mentioned something as well taking a deep breath he offered her a grateful look, “I appreciate the concern. I really do. My lack of sleep does not have anything to do with what happened in Godric’s Hollow. I promise.”
Lily didn’t appear convinced, but removed her hand from his arm, “We are friends, Harry. You can talk to me.”
“I know, Lily.” Harry said as kindly as he can, “This is just a hard time of year for me. I promise I will be okay.”
Before she could answer him, Andi had entered the hall and could clearly see the writing on the wall of her housemate's discomfort as she bounded over to her friends, “Harry! Look at you, upsetting people so early on a holiday weekend. I’m so proud. Hi, Lily!”
Lily hardly took her eyes off Harry as she studied him carefully, “Hello, Andromeda. I’ll leave this stubborn mule in your hands. Maybe you can talk some sense into him.”
Andi looked curiously between the two as Lily stood up from Slytherin’s table, and walked towards her own with her head held high. Nate Greengrass took a seat across from Harry yawning, “I think Evans is the first muggle born outside of Slytherin to be brave enough to sit at our table, Harry. You are a powerful man.”
Elaina rolled her eyes as she took the seat next to Nate, “So half the house is terrified of him. Big deal.” Turning her eyes to her friend she offered him a nod of respect before saying, “Harry, I thought you would be gone already.”
“I will be leaving after breakfast. I was hoping to see James before I left.” Harry answered honestly.
The friend group had all been there that day inside The Three Broomsticks when Dorea had told them that Harry would be heading back to Potter Manor for the holiday. Harry had also convinced Elaina to join them for a day at Potter Manor during the Christmas Holidays. At first, she was hesitant, but she had expressed interest in seeing a magical home, and with Dorea writing her a personal invitation the girl finally caved to the request.
Harry and Elaina had really stepped up their training since that night in Godric’s Hollow. Once she realized she was not going to be punished by Hogwarts Staff the girl threw herself right back into the heat of their most intense training sessions.
Between training Elaina, keeping up with his own training, and staying up with the Slytherin Team quidditch practices Harry had remained busy. He had considered inviting Elaina to train with him in the mornings now that the cat was out of the bag, and half the castle knew they were training together during dueling club sessions anyway. If James was serious about being taught by Harry he would need the free time to work with his cousin. Particularly when the Marauders, Lily, or the other Gryffindors joined them.
Harry had zoned out through the remainder of breakfast until Andi bumped him gently and nodded her head towards the door indicating that James had arrived. Offering her a grateful nod he stood from his seat and went to speak with his cousin.
As he approached James he could guess that the teenager had been sleeping about as well as Harry had. The dark circles under his eyes gave him away, but if they were anything alike he assumed James would not wish to speak of it. Instead, Harry called his name, and asked to speak with him in private. James nodded in acceptance, and followed his cousin out of the hall. Before they were out of earshot James asked, “Looking forward to being home?”
“I wish it were under better circumstances.” Harry answered grimly.
When the two were out of the hall, Harry cast muffliato to give the pair some privacy as the young man sighed, “I just wanted to apologize that I can’t bring you with me tonight. I know things have been a little awkward with all the secrecy, but-”
“It’s fine, Harry, I get it.” James said, cutting him off.
Looking surprised, Harry raised his eyebrows at the boy who offered him an even look, “I didn’t get it before, but after that night, when they attacked my home, I get it now. When I read the papers, when I saw what you, your parents, and Essex did to defend Godric’s Hollow, I understood. You are all playing for keeps, and sharing information, even with me, can be dangerous.”
Harry was surprised by the maturity his cousin was showing, and nodded his head, “Thank you for understanding. When we start our training together I plan to tell you more. There is so much I want to tell you.”
“After the first match. We will begin.” James said with determination.
“We will.” Harry agreed.
Before Harry could walk away James pulled the boy into a hug, “I know what this day means to you, to our family. I am sorry, Harry. I wish I could remember him so I could tell you stories, but the only thing I have of Henry is a picture of him holding me as a baby. I can’t imagine what it is like for you, or what it was like for your mum and dad. We are family though, and whatever happens next, we will all do it together.”
Harry wished it were true. He wished James really did understand what this day meant to him. Henry was only the beginning of his troubles on this day, the rest has been left up to fate. When the two separated, James gave him a nod, and Harry felt the weight of his lies to his birth father. James was so understanding it was hard to imagine that would continue when he realized his family had been lying to him for months. A part of Harry wished to tell James everything, but he knew for the greater good it would have to wait.
Taking down his privacy spell with a wave of his wand, Harry threw an arm around James' shoulder as they moved back towards the Great Hall, “Together.”
The two separated when Harry marched his way to the staff table where Dumbledore and Slughorn were having a private conversation. Harry entered the conversation as politely as possible, “Headmaster, Professor Slughorn, my family requires me at home for the evening. I believe my Lord Potter has informed you both of the occasion.”
McGonagall, who was sitting nearby, shot her gaze towards Harry in surprise while Dumbledore and Slughorn both offered him sympathetic smiles. Dumbledore spoke first, “Of course, Mr Potter. Are you sure you do not wish to use the floo in my office?”
“I prefer apparating sir. The long-distance is good practice.” Harry answered easily.
“Very well.” Dumbledore said, looking slightly displeased by the answer, “Happy Hallows Eve, Mr Potter.”
“Give your parents my best, Harry.” Slughorn added.
Offering both men a nod, Harry began to exit the hall, but before he made it the voice of an older woman stopped him, “Potter.”
McGonagall was approaching quickly as she moved to catch up with him, “I will accompany you to the wards. There is a discussion I would like to have with you.”
.o.
Elaina frowned as Professor McGonagall followed Harry out of the hall, the latter of which seemed disturbed, “I wonder what that is all about.”
Andromeda followed the eyes of her friend before sighing, “From what my grandfather told me, Professor McGonagall and Harry’s father were very good friends in school. McGonagall probably just wanted to express her condolences to Harry and Charlus.”
“Her condolences?” Pandora asked.
Andromeda’s eyes flicked towards the door as if she expected Harry to be standing behind her, but she sighed, “I guess it isn’t a secret. I am surprised you don’t know, Dora.”
If Nate knew he said nothing, but leaned in when Andromeda whispered, “Today is the anniversary of Harry’s brother’s death. According to Harry, his family went into isolation from then on to protect him from catching dragon pox like his brother.
Pandora looked towards the door as if she wanted to chase her friend down and offer him a hug, but instead, she bit her lip, “Poor Harry. This day changed everything for him.”
Elaina looked at Andi closely, and the girl seemed to furrow her eyebrows in thought, but then shook her head, “What is it, Andi?”
At Elaina’s question Andi looked up in surprise, “Oh, it’s nothing.”
“Andi.” Elaina prompted.
“Look, it's nothing.” Andi said defensively. After a long pause, she finally shook her head, continuing, “It just doesn’t make much sense. Dragon pox only affects the young and the old. Why wait to bring Harry out of isolation? I think we all understand he is special now, but I just don’t see why they kept him from the world for so long. I can see why he didn’t come to Hogwarts, honestly. He seems bored in most of our classes.”
“It’s something I have thought about a lot.” Nate admitted, “The Potters didn’t want to be harassed about their newborn so shortly after losing their oldest son, but after a few years why not come back in triumph?”
“Auntie Dorea did tell me that Harry was exhibiting accidental magic super-young. It would’ve been quite the stir in the Pureblood world to bring such a powerful member of the family forward.” Andi said thoughtfully.
Pandora sighed, “Just another mystery to add to the growing legend of Harry Potter. Do you think he will tell us the truth one day? He is our friend…”
Elaina thought back to the many times she wondered the very same question. The more she learned about Harry the more questions she had. Most of it just didn’t add up to anything, but she suspected even James did not know the answers to the questions they all had. Andi seemed to be thinking along the same lines, and she shook her head, “Who knows?”
.o.
As Harry walked across the grounds he waited for the older witch to say whatever was on her mind, but it seemed they were going to make it to the property line before she made up her mind.
The ward line was rapidly approaching, and Harry did not wish to be rude, but he was expected at home shortly. Before he could inquire about the woman’s thoughts she spoke, “It was one of the worst days of my life when I found out the fate that had befallen your brother. He was such a joy to be around. Having chosen a career over raising a family I saw Henry as one of my own. In fact, I often watched over him while your parents took an evening to themselves.”
Feeling slightly uncomfortable by the emotional woman's words, Harry shifted slightly, “I didn’t know you knew my brother so well.”
Offering Harry a sad smile she nodded, “There were many pictures of me around Potter Manor with little Henry, but I imagine your mother and father put them away to help bury the pain of losing their eldest child.”
Harry said nothing, but was glad Dorea was not here for this confrontation. He could feel the emotion spilling into his professor’s words, and he could only imagine what the empath might feel had she been present, “The loss of my godson is something I carry with me every day, Harry. I only wish I could understand why your parents decided to keep you from me.”
Your what? Harry thought as his eyes widened. McGonagall who was watching his expression carefully nodded, “You didn’t know. I suspected as much. Just another question I have for Charlus. Why? We were best friends in school. We were on the Gryffindor Quidditch team together. I was one of your mother's bridesmaids at their wedding. I have waited since the start of term for you to come to me with questions about your brother or parents. When you never did, I began to suspect the truth.”
This didn’t look good. Harry had greatly respected his head of house in his time. He could not however give up the secret without speaking to his family. An ally inside Hogwarts could be invaluable, but now was not the moment, “Professor, my family is keeping my secrets for a very good reason. They are doing this to protect me. They could not afford to think of anyone else in this decision. I am sorry that my family wronged you, but they have done so on my behalf.”
The woman’s eyes narrowed, “Explain.”
“I cannot.” Harry answered simply, “You’ve known my father for most of his life. Trust him. That's all I can say. If he didn’t have to keep the secret, he wouldn’t.”
The woman's temper seemed to be flaring internally. Harry could see it in her eyes and recognized it from when she found out that Umbridge had been using a blood quill on him. He knew the Scot’s temper would not hold if he stood around much longer, “I’m sorry, Professor, but my parents are expecting me.”
“Your parents are going to have a lot of explaining to do.” The woman said angrily.
“We all will, Professor.” Harry said as he stepped across the ward line and apparated away.
Comments
SilverMugs
I agree that at this point it looks like some explanation would be needed for Harry because of how he was integrated into the Potter family, but I really hope it isn't just some long explanation of him telling everything. There is no point in that, telling people about a future that no longer exists and putting things in character's minds. Like, imagine telling someone your age that they're your father, how strange and awkward would that make things? Never mind for anyone who you tell has a kid, or partner, or dies, those are not things I would think to outline. Then are your feelings your own? Or because your fitting a pattern? Pre-determined? Are you now always avoiding something? Or someone? That's why I think that the non-interference in personal stuff is usually a good way to go in time travel stuff, which I think has looked really good so far in this story. Let people be people, without the expectations of a non-existent future.
Beau Brown
I expect better next year good sir! Happy 4th!
Josh Watson
Update from American. Blew up a plastic barrel not any people tho.
Beau Brown
Tomorrow is a holiday guys so enjoy the early update! Americans, try not to blow yourselves up with fireworks. Cheers!
