Fate's Manipulation

Chapter 2

London

The Place of No Magic

Torture. It was torture for James to hear about his son's life with Petunia and Vernon. He had never liked the pompous overblown couple. While Lily had been a free spirit, light and airy with a wicked sense of humor and a love of fun and good times, Petunia was harsh severe and unyielding. She had always disapproved greatly of Lily's foray into Hogwarts and the Dursleys viewed her life beyond school as an unfortunate incident. James could just picture their rotund offspring as his wife read from the book. Alternately grieving what he had lost and battling red-hot fury, James was only controlled by the fact that he held his younger son child on his lap. He was determined to remain calm and not scare the boy.

James' torture was short-lived as both his son and daughter started slumping against their parents after a half-hour of reading.

"Help me get them to bed, James?" Claire asked. James almost jumped up; the voice he had been expecting to hear was Lily's and she didn't exist here.

"Sure." His voice dull, he scooped up the sleeping boy and followed Claire and a sleepy Amanda upstairs. On his way out, he grabbed the first of the books about his firstborn.

The sleepy children settled in their bunk beds without any trouble and soon Claire and James were closing the bedroom door. Claire studied her husband for a moment. Things had seemed so much better before dinner, but now James wore the protective armor that kept him distanced from her. She winced, and sighed. Her faith in the marriage was fading by the day and their understanding only seemed to be a brief reprieve.

Claire studied her husband's strong jawed profile for an extra moment. He was fingering the book absently though his eyes were trained on the ceiling. She followed his gaze up, spying the luminous glow in the dark constellations that James had insisted upon adding when they had purchased the house.

"What are you thinking about?" She reached over to touch his jaw and was stung when he pulled away the minute her hand brushed his flesh. There it was again, the rejection that had been as big a part of the marriage as she and her husband. He couldn't even pretend that her touch pleased him.

James flushed with guilt at his knee jerk reaction. Why was being with Claire such a betrayal to Lily in his mind? She was a part of his past; he didn't even think she was alive. If so, she likely thought him dead and had moved on herself. "I was thinking…." His voice trembled; indeed his whole body was shaking. "About another place, another time. I just need to piece some things together, Claire. I'll see you later." He clenched the book in a bruising grip as he climbed the stairs to his tower office.

"And another woman." Claire added quietly. She didn't even try to hide the glistening tear that danced slowly down her cheek. She couldn't keep reaching out to him only to be pushed away. It wasn't fair to either of them.

James sank down into an overstuffed chair that faced a small window. His eyes were focused on the modern London skyline both staring at and past it. His mind was full of questions about himself, his families, their fates and he longed to read the book that he clutched, but after hearing about the Dursley's mistreatment of his son James wondered if he was ready for the truth. "Why did he go to live with those evil people? Even if Voldemort got Lily, we had Sirius to watch after Harry."

Emotion overcame James, and after a moment of resistance, he rested his head in his hands and sobbed for all that he had lost. There would be time later for coping. Now, he just wanted the sweet happy release of his salty tears.

Claire wiped angrily at the delicate tearstain that marred her cheek before gathering herself and marching up to James' office. He did owe her some explanation for the radical mood swings. As she prepared to knock on the heavy wooden door, she heard a small whimpering sound coming from within. It took scant seconds to realize that her husband was crying. Guilt stabbed Claire and she lowered her hand. Her husband was in significant emotional pain. There would someday be an explanation for his behavior. "Goodnight James." She whispered to the closed door. "May you find peace, darling."

~*~

Enchanted Cottage

Lily Potter looked around the interior of the small cottage and tapped her foot impatiently. The five faces that stared back at her wore various expressions of incredulity. She bit her lip for a moment before speaking again. "Can you please tell me where James and Harry are? I need to see them." Her voice turned tumultuous, uncertain, as no one immediately spoke.

"Lily…?" The low sandpaper voice of Sirius Black broke the pregnant silence of the cottage. He moved close to her and sank down to one knee, smoothly moving Snape further away. The man had been eyeing James' wife quite possessively and Sirius would not stand for it.

Their eyes met slowly and then with a soft cry, she wrapped her arms around the thin man. He squeezed her hard, then released her abruptly. "Did I hurt you?" His tone was urgent and she shook her head.

"Please, I beg you. Tell me where your best friend and godson are. I need them Sirius. So much time has passed…" A fine film of pearly tears covered Lily's emerald gaze and they escaped one by one to slowly glide down the graceful curves of her face.

Sirius glanced back at Dumbledore and McGonagall for some sign or advice. Both looked misty eyed, but encouraged him to go on. He wasn't sure that he was the man to tell her, despite his relationship with James and Harry. As he turned back to Lily, her expression of anguish pierced him to the core.

"Lily," He began again. He sat next to her on the bed and pulled her against him snugly, yet with a gentle touch that he had forgotten in his earlier embrace of her. "Harry is just fine. He's a student here at Hogwarts. He's doing really well here."

She nodded. "And James. Where is he? Please tell me he didn't die all those years ago…."

Sirius looked at the ground then met her eyes. "We honestly don't know. We think he may be out there as well, but we haven't found him."

With a deep shuddering breath, Lily turned to Dumbledore.

"You, you were always so close to James. Where is he Professor Dumbledore? Where is my husband?"

Dumbledore moved closer to the bed and embraced her quickly. "My dear, it is so good to see you." He began in a tone of warmth, which quickly dissolved into a serious one as he addressed her predicament. "Sirius and Remus have been trying to find James. We feel that he is alive, that he is out there someplace. We will step up our efforts immediately. Do you feel any sense of him?"

Lily considered the words. "It doesn't feel as if he is gone entirely. I still feel him. Perhaps after losing all those years the connection between us is gone or perhaps I feel Harry instead."

"It’s not just Harry, Lily." Remus finally spoke up. "You both had that magic between you. It can't be gone. Sirius and I will find James wherever he is. I vow that to you."

Lily nodded slowly. "Please, he's the other half of my heart…." She swiped at her eyes before addressing the rest of the room. " I want to see Harry, please. And I know all of you have some questions for me."

~*~

Gryffindor Common Room

"I'm going to beat you at chess this time, Potter. A chocolate frog for the winner." Ron Weasley paused as he looked for an errant chess piece. "Here's that pawn. He always tries to get away from me." The small chess piece hitched up his tunic and gave Ron a dirty look as he was placed on the chessboard.

Harry Potter laughed lightly as he set up his men at the opposite end of the board. He and Ron had been playing chess every night for weeks now. Harry hadn't learned the intricacies of the game until coming to Hogwarts and found the nightly practice was a good way to hone his skills. It was also a good break from doing homework. Harry glanced over to a small table where Hermione and Ginny were studiously bent over a piece of parchment.

Ron followed Harry's gaze and shook his head. "Some days it would kill Hermione to have some fun."

"I heard that!" Hermione's head snapped up and she watched as Ron's pawns slowly made their way under the table. "Some of us have to get good grades." She sniffed.

"Well I don't care about my grades right now." Ginny announced. She nudged Hermione. "Come on, let's see if Ron trounces Harry again."

Hermione laughed but obligingly moved in closer. "Maybe if Ron doesn't find his pawns, Harry will actually have a shot at winning."

Ron looked confused for a moment. "They've escaped again. Man all battle stations!" He looked aghast as his sister and two best friends burst into giggles. "Well…they have." He dived under the table to capture the errant chess pieces before they made their escape total and irrevocable.

As the laughter died away, only Harry remained standing in the same position, an expression of half laughter frozen into his features.

"Harry?" Hermione pushed his shoulder gently. "Harry!' Alarm had entered her expression and alerted the Weasleys that something was amiss. "Harry come on you're scaring us!"

Hermione's sharp tone had Harry blinking. "I just…." He sank to the ground, holding his head in both hands.

"What is it?" Ron abandoned the chessmen to move to Harry's side. "Is your scar hurting again? Because if it is…"

"Its not." Harry whispered quietly. "I just saw something…."

Hermione, Ron and Ginny all moved closer, surrounding Harry in a circle that offered warmth security and privacy. "What did you see?" Ginny asked in a whisper.

"I…" Harry hesitated, wondering if he should share such a private vision with them. Finally deciding that he needed to confide in his friends, he began speaking when it happened again.

"I saw…I see…." He desperately sucked air in. "A man…. he looks just like me…. he's in a room…. he's crying."

Hermione rubbed Harry's shoulder gently. She had a feeling deep in her soul that whatever Harry was seeing was significant. She would have to check her books and see if they offered any answers.

Harry's eyes fixed upon each of his friends in turn. "Why is this happening and what does it mean?"

~*~

After a few self-pitying moments, James raised his head from his hands. He had so many questions that needed to be answered and so much to do. He fingered the books, hungry to learn

about Harry's life, yet fearful of what he might find. How could he sit idly by and read of his son's trials in life, knowing that he should have been there.

Maybe there was a way to get back….

James strode to a small safe and dialed the combination. His small sound of satisfaction echoed as he pulled out a small parcel wrapped in green velvet. He moved back to his chair and unwrapped the parcel with careful hands. There it was…. the tool that would bring him home.

James lifted his wand and smiled when he felt a slight tingle tickle his fingertips. He hadn't felt the pull of magic in so long that he wondered on occasion if he had imagined his former life. Moving his hand, James was pleased to see that his wand was still pliable. Even the mahogany wood still gleamed.

He whispered a few words that he knew by heart to begin. When nothing happened, James frowned. "Lumos," he said, trying a different tack, hoping that his wand would show him some light. When nothing happened again, he cursed quietly. He had allowed himself to be fooled by a wand that wasn't magic at all.

It was suddenly all too much for James. "Who am I? Where do I belong?" He spoke in a heartbroken tone. "Have I somehow imagined Lily and the rest? Am I just a very sick man who created a world of magic based upon a long forgotten children's book?"

~*~

"Why don't you rest Lily." Minerva McGonagall suggested gently. "We can get you come food then when you've rested for a short while we will summon Harry. He's only as far as the castle and can be here in a few moments."

Lily didn't seem to like this idea in the least bit, but she slowly nodded. "All right. I am hungry."

Dumbledore rubbed Lily's arm affectionately. "I have already arranged for some food from the kitchens. Professor Snape would you be so kind as to collect it for us. Only those in this room have access to the cottage."

Snape stepped closer and gave Lily a gentle smile and Sirius a furious look. "Certainly Professor. Is there anything else you desire Lily?"

Remus and Sirius could only roll their eyes at Snape's oily manner. Lily however, was not responsive to Snape's advances. "Only my husband, Severus." Her eyes took on a sad faraway look. "But thank you anyway. I am hungry and would very much like some dinner."

Snape turned on his heel without another word. The enchanted cottage door banged shut, almost hiding Sirius' sardonic chuckle. "You told him, Lily."

"It is merely the truth." She replied quietly, brushing his too long hair back from his forehead. "You look so tired and drawn. Is it true then? We're you accused of our murders? Did they send you to Azkaban?"

Sirius nodded. "I would have never betrayed you, Lily. Someone else was responsible. It was Wormtail." He fairly growled the last word.

Lily leaned back as if physically hit. "How could he have done this. I didn't know…. but yes it had to have been him. He was our Secret Keeper." She verbally reasoned things out. "He was our friend….why?"

Albus Dumbledore sighed heavily. "Sometimes the lure of the dark side and the power found therein is the ultimate goal, my dear. Peter was willing to lose everything and to condemn you, James, and Harry to death. How fortunate that it appears that he did not succeed." He paused for a long moment. "Now tell me how you removed that memory charm that had been placed on you?"

Lily blinked a few times. "I just don't know, Professor. I never knew who I was and I don't think that the family that took me in knew me either. When Severus told me that we were old friends I believed him because I had no reason to know otherwise. Yet when we were flying here all of a sudden my mind cleared and I knew my name, I remembered all of you and all the events of my past as well as my present."

"Hmmm." Dumbledore said quietly. He quietly excused himself to confer with Minerva McGonagall then began scribbling on a piece of parchment.

Lupin settled on the bed on the opposite side of Lily and embraced her warmly. "We missed you and James so much. Nothing has been right since that night."

"I know." Lily stroked his hair gently. "How could it be? Only when we're whole again can we begin to move onward. Now, tell me about my son. Is he a rogue like James was…" she blanched. "Like James is."

~*~

"Oh Harry." Ginny frowned. "You're ok, really! Do you have any idea who the man is?"

Harry thought deeply about that. A smile slowly formed upon his face. "I think maybe I knew the man. He just seems familiar and somehow comforting to me and I'm not exactly sure why. Maybe I need a better view of him or something." He trailed off and then shrugged apologetically. "I just can't conjure up who he is."

"Who was he?" Hermione prodded. "Think Harry, think really hard about it. Come on Harry. I have a feeling about this."

Harry nodded and obediently closed his eyes. He concentrated on the memory of the image when suddenly another one came to him. He watched a beautiful redhead with stunning green eyes sitting on a bed talking to some men and touching them very affectionately. There wasn't any romance to this vision, but Harry could almost feel the warmth coming from her. As he strained, he could almost make out the figures that surrounded her when the vision dissolved to show a man with a magic wand. The man was trying desperately or so it seemed to create a spell, but was unsuccessful. His frustration growing with every failed spell, he started cursing and flinging books around. Harry had to smile when he saw one had the Hogwart's Express adorning the cover of it. As the vision progressed, the man went from frustrated and angry to mournful and anguished and Harry shook his head, trying to rid himself of the conflicting emotions that this image arose in him. Just then, the man looked up and the vision faded. Harry gasped and ran toward his dormitory.

"Harry?" Ron yelled. The three friends all shrugged and ran after Harry. "I'm getting really worried about him. I hope St. Mungo's has a room ready." Ron muttered as they clattered up the stairs. They found him in his room, holding up a picture and staring at it in deep concentration.

"Harry what is it?" Ginny sat next to him and looked at the two people waving in the picture. The picture obviously meant a lot to Harry; he was holding the picture delicately and almost reverently.

"These are the people I saw. These are my parents, but they looked older, like they would now, not like they did here at their wedding. What do you think it means?"

Hermione handed Harry a piece of parchment and a quill. "Why don't you write someone and ask if they have any ideas? I'll go to the owlry and get it sent for you." She kept her gaze riveted on Harry. This was nonstandard behavior, even for him.

Harry took the quill and parchment and chewed his lower lip slowly. "I'll write Sirius. Since he knew my parents so well, maybe he'll have some insight for me on what all of it means. I'm starting to really need answers here." He scrawled a note and handed it to Hermione. "Can you have Hedwig get this to Sirius for me. Maybe he can tell me why I'm having waking visions of my parents."

~*~

Sirius and Remus looked at each other and shared a smile. "Harry is about as adventurous as James, but he manages to stay ahead of trouble." Sirius began. "He has James' charm and your brains and those together are a perfect combination."

Lily leaned even closer. "Tell me about him please."

Sirius grinned and pulled out a slightly tattered piece of paper. "I'll do you one better, Lily. Here is a picture of him, with his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger."

Lily fingered the photograph and stroked her son's face. "He resembles James so much. The scar." Her finger traced the lightning bolt slowly. "He got this that night didn't he?" She glanced up to see Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall at the door, preparing to send a missive to someone. Lily hoped that it would solve some of the mysteries surrounding her family.

Remus nodded and looked away. "It's a mark that makes him feel quite awkward, but I hope that one day he'll view it as a badge of courage."

Sirius cleared his throat. "Speaking of that night how did you and James…" he trailed off awkwardly. "We all thought….. how did you…."

Lily sensed his discomfort and patted his arm gently. "I don't know. Perhaps that is a question James can answer or maybe Profess…" She faltered as a snowy while owl sailed in the open door and alighted on Sirius' shoulder. "You've got a letter." She observed. Her train of thought was gone, replace with a hope that the letter contained information from Harry.

"That's Harry's owl." Remus confirmed in answer to Lily's unspoken question. "What does he have to say?"

Sirius opened the parchment and began reading. "Sirius, I need to see you. I'm having some visions of my parents. Well, not them but what they would be like today. Can I talk to you about it? Harry." He let out a long breath of air. "Lily, I think that it's time for you to see Harry."