Hello everyone, thank you for the read and reviews as well as alerts.
All mistakes are my own, enjoy.
Chapter 14 We're a family
Harry having feel content that he was able to get back at Bellatrix for almost ruining his plan, had felt his head clearer than ever. He looked down at his list of plans.
- The path to enter Hogwarts - check
- Horcruxes - check
- EW - x
- PP - x
- Evd - x
"Ahem, Mr Evans care to share with the class what you're focusing on rather than this subject?" Professor Potter flicked his wands to call for Harry's notebook.
"Are you hungry? This is a list of meals." Professor looked skeptical, and Harry just shrugged 'there's a reason why I enchant that notebook.' "Very well, Mr Evans. Please take your notebook back and let's continue with class."
Harry was a bit surprised that professor Potter was letting him off the hook.
After class, Harry was having a general chat with Junior when an arm was on Junior's shoulder, Harry scrunched his face annoyingly when the person appeared to be non-other than Draco Malfoy.
"Hey Junior, "Draco smiled, "Evans" he nodded ignoring Harry almost entirely. "Plan for a friendly Quidditch match? You don't have any class, right?"
Junior shook his head, "Sure Draco, I'll see you later then Lucas!" Junior beamed and wave as he went to walk next to Draco.
Harry tried to ignore the bad feeling he has in his guts, he knew that after the incident the other day would have caused Draco to hate him, 'still the blonde could have been more polite', Harry thought annoyingly.
It was from then onward that Draco had always come in between Harry and Junior, whenever Harry was alone with Junior, Draco would pop out of nowhere, dragging Junior away with either Quidditch or Prefect activities.
It became incredibly frustrating for Harry that he had very little chance to know more of his twin, "Ugh, the pompous blonde git!" Harry shouted with frustration.
"What's wrong, Harry? Marine looked at Harry worryingly.
Harry sighed, "Just annoyed, Marine, don't worry. How's your way-home coming along?"
Sil exclaimed excitedly, "I think ...ss..s we're clos..ss...se..."
Harry told himself that this day would come eventually, he can't be a crybaby and hold on to them forever. He gave them a warm smile, "I'm glad." Still, he couldn't help it, he was fighting back his tears from falling.
"Anyway, I'm going out to the library for a bit, "Harry reverted his focus, "will be back soon."
"Okay Harry." Marine replied knowingly that Harry needed some time to himself.
"I miss...s...s.s... home, Marine." Sil spoke as he was still staring at the place that Harry stood, "But we ...s...sss...couldn't jus...sss..st leave him here..s... .."
Marine frowned, "I know, I want nothing more than for him to be happy, but I don't know what would happen to him if we take him with us. It's an entirely different world."
Both couldn't think of a way through the problem, leaving Harry vulnerable and alone was what they both worried the most.
At the Library
Harry wasn't sure if he could trace down an item requested by Tom or not, but he believed it was not beyond his ability.
Harry Accio-ed the 'Tales of Beedle the Bard', and the 'Most Powerful Magical Items'
'Ah-hah, here it is the Deathly Hollows." Harry trailed off as he continued to complete both books. "Ugh, well, this is going to be difficult."
"What is?" Harry pulled his head back, and saw Hermione, looking at him curiously.
"Oh hi, Hermione, I was thinking about exams, and..." Hermione pretty much ignored Harry's comment as she picked up the books on Harry's table.
"These aren't for exams, Lucas." Hermione eyebrows raised eyeing him skeptically.
"Of course not, I figured just might as well find lighter stories to reduce the stress."
"Hmm, an interesting way of study, I suppose. Well, I'll leave you to it. Oh, and don't forget tonight's meeting. ็ Hermione smiled as she went on a carry her big stack of books.
Harry nodded and continued looking at the story on the Elder's Wand, the latest-known owner is "Grindelwald?" He frowned, "...but he died."
Than as history came to him. He recalled Dumbledore defeated Grindelwald, "the wand!"
Harry tried to recall the wand that Dumbledore used but he was certain that if he had seen such a ridiculous looking wand before he would have remembered. "I'll have to figure something out."
Harry continued to read on the Elder's wand, and discovered that, 'so, this wand chooses its master, more like it just holds on to whoever holds it.' Harry continued to flip through the 'Most Powerful Magical Items' book where he saw a wand that caught his attention.
The Lily Dragon as its name indicates, it was made of Lily stems covered in amber, the core of this wand was made out of a dragon's scale. The item is believed to be somewhere in Asia.
Harry found this interesting and realized that the Elder Wand is only popular around here because it originated from here.
Harry closed the book before he started to stretch his arms and back, he gave his eyes a gentle rub as he felt the couples of weeks have been hectic for him. 'Not to mention that I'll be alone soon.' He let out a big sigh. "Back to work, I guess." He groaned and head to the room of requirements as the DAs meeting took place tonight.
Harry grabbed his invisibility mock version cloak from his pocket to cover himself and head to the room of requirements.
When people started to fill up the room, they were chattering all over the place, Harry arriving there just on time leaned on one of the room's pillars, he crosses his arms and looks forward to today's discussion.
Harry noticed the professors along with Dumbledore were standing across the room with worrying faces, he squinted his eyes to look for the Elder's Wand.
"Is something wrong with your eyes, Lucas?" Junior sounded more worried than being skeptical, harry shook his head, "nah, just felt that my eyes were blurry." Harry left his gaze from the professors and turned to his brother instead.
"No more practices with Malfoy?" Harry asked looking around if Draco was near him in anyway.
Junior chuckled, "No, no. You should try flying, Dra..." Junior was cut off when professor Dumbledore cleared his throat and asked for silence.
"All, thank you for coming tonight, I'm afraid I have some grave news." Whispering sounds came from the crowd, Dumbledore raised his hand again as a signal to continue.
"Professor Snape is no longer with us." His eyes cast down to the floor with sadness in his voice, the crowd gasped and started to openly discuss the situation. Harry noticed that his mom's eyes and nose were all red and puffy with his dad pulling her in a tight embrace.
"Mom," Junior mumbled, Harry saw Junior looking at her worryingly. And then Junior was frantically looking around.
"Who are you looking for?" Harry whispered to his brother placing his hands on Junior's shoulder.
Junior stared back at him with worried eyes, "Draco, Professor Snape was his godfather."
"I see." Harry helped look around, "I don't think he's here, Professor Dumbledore might have told him privately?" Harry speculated.
Junior who stopped looking around, "You're right, you're really good at these things, Lucas."
Harry was going to reply when professor Dumbledore continued, "I also believe that it is high time that I close Hogwarts" Everyone gasped in shock, when people started to protest, Dumbledore continued, "Professor Snape is a professor here, his death during his time at Hogwarts proves that the wards here are not strong enough to protect anyone. I do not wish to see anyone harmed."
Harry was frowning, 'this could jeopardize the plan'.
"I will ask for the professors to help me check the wards and if we feel that it is safe enough, we will inform of the second semester. I will also notify this to the whole school accordingly."
People were muttering in panic, "If Hogwarts is not safe, where else would be, professor?" One of student asked, everyone nodding in approval.
"Voldemort's intention has always been purification of the Wizarding World, he does not want muggles to attend Hogwarts, he or his followers will try to eliminate you if you are here on school grounds. I do not wish that." Dumbledore sadly announced.
"An ideal world, but little does he know that the harmony of wizards and muggles can help prosper both sides of the world." Dumbledore cleared his throats, "You are all dismissed for today."
Dumbledore ended as he left the room with the other professors.
Some of the students left the room with worried faces, and some stayed to talk to Junior. "Junior what do we do? You're the Savior right? You must know." people flooded with questions.
"Guys, stop it!" Hermione said as she pushed the crowd off of Junior with the help of Ron. Junior tried to calm everyone down.
Harry frustratingly messaged between his eyes, "Ventus" Harry flicked his wand, a gust of wind pushing the students to the other side of the room.
"Stop this!" Harry announce loudly and firmly, "What is wrong with you? Junior may be the Savior but that doesn't mean he knows the future." Harry continued, the students were frowning.
"That's right, students. Junior wouldn't know, please don't put too much pressure on him." Remus said as he instructed the students back to their dorms. The students opposed to the statement but obliged, and head out of the room.
Remus also shoo-ed the golden trio as well as Harry out of the room. Harry recalled how Remus notice he was Phoenix, 'it's a good thing, I deleted all traces of Snape's magic.'
'I have to move up my plan.' Harry thought silently as he walked passed the corridor, suddenly, Harry heard a faint moan coming from a dark alley between the corridors. He would've paid no mind until he heard Draco's raspy voice, "Junior are you sure with this?"
Harry clenched his hands, he didn't want to stay, but he couldn't move himself from the spot either.
A small moan, "I...I want to help you feel better." came the small voice of Junior, and then rustling sounds were heard. Harry felt his body lurching something out, he covered his mouth and ran to the dorms.
He quickly went into the bathroom to throw up in the sink, he did not want to know of his brother's sex life or Draco's. He washed his face and gave himself a big breath in and out to calm his nerves.
He leaned against the cold tiles in the bathroom, before shaking his head to get the fresh memory out of his head.
Harry quickly changed into his pajamas and head to bed.
Marine and Sil asked whether he was alright, Harry couldn't say anything but a nod as he pulled the covers snuggling his face into Marine's soft fur.
'Just as I thought, I will always be second to Junior.' was his thoughts before drifting to sleep.
It was already the week before Christmas break and Harry was busy preparing for his plan. He has been avoiding Junior and Draco ever since that night. Harry did noticed that Draco and Junior spends even more time together, not that Harry cared, really, except for the fact that he ended up constantly mentally telling himself to ignore them.
After all, nothing could come out of their relationship was what Harry kept reminding himself. Harry planned to visit Tom on the 25th, so he would have a couple more days on the castle grounds. Apparently, Snape was never on school grounds when he disappeared, so Dumbledore decided to continue opening the second semester, much to Harry's relief.
Harry just finished his exams for potions, as he reached his room, Marine pounced on him.
"Harryyyy, I, I mean we of course," as Marine noticed Sil's gloomy face suddenly lit up, "...we found a way homeee!" Marine and Sil shouted with glee.
Harry suddenly felt that his body was heavy and his heart was aching, he want to kept being a brat that he was and said "no" again. However, Harry realized the importance of not having a family especially one that is probably worried sick of Marine and Sil. "That's great guys." Harry forced a smile.
Marine realized that they were hurting Harry's feelings, quickly responded "I'm sorry, we sound so excited Harry." She said with a soft voice.
"No, no, you shouldn't be." Harry raised his hands and to hide his own feelings he pulled both Marine and Sill into a hug, "w...when will you guys leave?"
Sil and Marine looked at each other, before answering Harry, "It...it has to be tomorrow night, otherwise we have to wait for another year."
"I'm s...s...so...sorry that it .s..sseemed ss.s.s.s...so .s. ." Sil added.
Harry clenched his hands into a fist. 'You're almost an adult, get yourself together.' Harry encouraged himself. As much as he doesn't want Sil and Marine to go, they left their homes for almost a decade, 'it's not fair to them.'
Harry confirmed, "Alright guys, what can I do to help." Harry regained himself giving his family a warm smile.
"Morning Lucas! I haven't seen you lately." Junior said with a stretch and a yawn as they were heading for class.
"I guess." Harry shrugged, 'it's not Junior's fault why am I behaving like this?'
Junior felt like he was being brushed off, "oh-um, okay"
They haven't spoken much after that although Junior did tried to start a conversation Harry could only give Junior one-word responses.
Harry felt hard to keep up his walls of emotions. He was starting to fear that he's losing his Phoenix cover.
Harry stared into the night sky while he marched through the forbidden forest. Marine and Sil were leading the way.
The night was clear as the full moon shone above with scattered stars snow piling up giving a beautiful but lonesome scenery. Harry's heart felt heavy and his stomach felt uneasy, after all, this was the last day he would be with Marine and Sil.
The wolf wagged her tail as she was excited, Sil was literally beaming, and Harry couldn't feel a bit guilty holding them for ten years with him. This of course did not slip through the eyes of Marine and Sil.
"Don't be sad Harry. We couldn't be more happy being with you." Marine said with a gentle and loving voice.
Sil slithered up until he was coiling himself around Harry's neck, "We'll always...s... be here for you Harry, you are no longer the weak boy...s.s...s...". Sil rested his head on Harry's shoulder.
Harry was trying not to cry, they were the family he never had.
Three of them continued to the forbidden forest silently, as Harry couldn't help feeling like a part of him was disappearing.
They reached a part of the forbidden forest with a medium size waterfall which water was flowing and some parts were frozen, the reflection of the full moon shone in the small river trail.
"This is the place." Marine announced as she continued to river bank near the reflection of the moon, she pulled out parts of her fur throwing it to the river. Both started a chant in a foreign language as the weather around them started to change with dark clouds forming above the sky blocking the moonlight.
Marine ran back to pounce on Harry, she licked his face lovingly, "Don't ever forget us, Harry." tears forming in her eyes. Harry who was holding his tears nodded vigorously as he held the wolf in a tight hug. Sil nuzzled his head on Harry's cheek as he moved to coil around Marine's neck instead.
The clouds formed into a dark cluster as a blue light started to suck in the clouds and formed into a floating reflective sphere.
Marine nodded, "It's time, for us to go, Harry." When Marine was standing near the river bank ready to jump into the sphere both shouted in unison, "We love you!"
"I love you guys too!" Harry shouted as tears flowing down his face, he saw his family jumped into the sphere and with that the sky became clear again. The night was so calm and quiet that it made Harry felt even more depressed. He wiped his tears, and began to head back to the castle.
Harry never felt truly alone until today, he was busy preparing for his luggage to head back to Riddle's Manor when he noticed a photo on the headstand.
It was of Marine and Sil, moving with a big smile on their faces. Harry didn't know how those two were able to take a photo of themselves but he kept the picture in his shirt's pocket next to his heart where they belong.
His plans were halfway through, and the most important evidences are to be discovered.
When Harry left the dorms, he went too grabbed breakfast at the Great Hall, only to be greeted by a vast space with very few people as most have already left.
Harry saw Junior sitting next to Neville.
When Junior noticed Harry, his brows were tied into a bow, like he was unsure of saying hi.
So Harry started the conversation, "Merry Christmas." He said to both before plopping himself down and grabbing some buns on his place.
"Merry Christmas" both responded, Harry noticed Junior's shoulders relaxed as he gave Harry a smile.
"So, not heading home?" Harry asked, as he ate his bun with butter and marmalade.
"I'm leaving this afternoon," Neville grinned. "I really miss my parents and grandma."
"I'm waiting for my parents as well, we'll probably head home sometime tonight." Junior responded.
"That's nice." Harry put on his mask, with Marine and Sil gone, he could fully focus on his assigned tasks.
"So does Professor Dumbledore always stay here during the holidays?" Harry asked for information.
"Hmmm, good question. But I don't know." "Me neither." Both responded Harry with a shrug.
Harry didn't press on further, he decided to manage his plans as best as he could.
"Alright guys, happy holidays and see you." Harry stood up with a wave he left the school grounds.
Harry headed to Hogsmeade, he opened the door to 'Cerberus' then headed to the second floor.
"Your requested items, Harry." Professor Snape changed his appearance, his usual back slimy hair was cut short, and he altered his nose to a smaller one making him looked fresh and clean.
"That's a refreshing look, you've got Professor." Harry plopped down, the requested Horcruxes were place on the tea table in front of Harry who was sitting across of Snape.
"Hnn, yes, I need to change my appearance for the time being." He then continued. "Anything else, you need my help with."
"Yes, Professor. I heard you are skilled in both Occlumency and Legilimency." Harry grinned, Snape did not respond any further.
"Could you gather some information from Pettigrew?" Snape frowned.
"Wouldn't it be easier for you to do so? He's just an idiotic rat." Snape rested his chin on his hands that were clasped together.
"The thing is professor, I think he's just acting. He maybe more than meets the eyes." Harry looked at professor Snape with full seriousness.
"I see. If you think that's the case, he could be very tricky to access. He may prepare multiple layers of his mind to distract us or give us incorrect direction."
"You're right. He's far trickier just like a rat he is. I will figure something out, please hold on to both items until then. Merry Christmas, Professor." Harry then stood-up and apparated himself to Riddle's Manor.
As he reached the manor, he was greeted by a familiar voice, Harry greeted Tom in Spanish.
"Merry Christmas, Tom."
"Welcome home, Harry." Tom grinned.
To be continued.