Another World

Another World

Chapter 4 - Awaken Prince

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His voice rang through the still hospital wing, "Mum?"

Lily flew into a rage. "I am not your mother! Your bloody kind killed my son! And I will kill you, if you ever call me 'mum' again! I want to know what kind of sick joke Tom is playing at! Why is he after us again? Answer me!" she screamed at the very confused Harry.

His mum was dead, but if he was in a place where his dad was alive, then his mum was most likely alive too. From what she just said, it appeared that the Harry from this world was dead, killed by Voldemort.

And now they thought he was a-a... "Death Eater," he whispered to himself. He didn't want to even consider that his parents could think that of him, even if they had no idea who he was. They just couldn't believe he was evil.

Lily was livid at his words. She pulled her wand from her robes and pointed it directly at his head. "Is Tom teaching his little band of Merry Men to insult their victims instead of torturing them? I know you're a Death Eater, the scum of the earth. You could rot in hell for all I care. Damn it! You deserve to go to hell." Her biting words stung Harry; the venom in her eyes gave Harry no doubts that she was deadly serious.

A quiet disarming spell was heard and Lily's wand flew out of her hand, directly into McGonagall's who stood unnoticed in the corner.

Lily turned her temper onto the Deputy Headmistress, "How dare you! He's here to hurt my family and you have the audacity to give him medical assistance and protect him? Whose side are you on?" Contempt and anger were clear in her voice as she continued to glare at the older witch who stood calmly holding Lily's wand in her left hand and her own in the right.

"I understand that you are upset Mrs. Potter, Lily, but that is no excuse to hurt a child, any child. He is still a child, even if he is helping He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Name. We're not even totally sure that he is working for the dark side. He might just be another innocent pawn. It is up to no one but the ministry and Albus to decide and I will not have you going around and curing people under my care. Do you understand me?" McGonagall looked at Lily, who glared back at the older witch, then sighed, obviously defeated.

Harry breathed a silent sigh of relief. He was been getting worried that they would just hand him over to Lily so she could exact her revenge on him. Thank Merlin they weren't. He was safe for now; hopefully he would be able to convince Professor Dumbledore that he wasn't out to kill anyone, least of all his parents.

Their attention was diverted when Madam

Pomfrey came into the room from the nurse's office, followed by Talia, Peter and Maria.

"Good, you're awake; I was beginning to get worried. We have to run a few test to see what happened to you but I think it was just exhaustion; you were pretty drained of both your magical and your physical energy when Maria came for me." Harry was relieved to see the nurse. It was comforting that at least one thing hadn't changed in this world.

"Now, I have to ask you some routine questions, just to make sure that you don't have any memory problems from your fall. Now, do you know what year is it?"

"1995," was the prompt reply.

"Who's the Minister of Magic?"

"Cornelious Fudge."

"Where are you now?"

"I'm at Hogwarts, in the infirmary."

"When were you born?"

"July 31^st, 1980."

"Where do you live?"

"The smallest bedroom in 4 Privet Drive, Little Whinging, Surrey."

Madam Pomfrey glanced at Lily, gauging how angry the woman was at the moment, "What's your name?"

"Harry Potter."

Lily, who had been growing more and more uneasy, snapped at Harry's words. She had been edging closer and closer to Harry during the questioning and now she rushed at him, pushing him against the bed, placing her forearm against his chest, leaning in and stared deep into his eyes. Harry saw so much pain reflected in her eyes he couldn't help but flinch away.

"You are not my son you miserable little bastard! You killed my son, you and your kind!" She broke away from him, tears running down her face as she ran from the hospital wing, the door slamming in her wake. Six people watched as she left the room, all in varying degrees of shock, all for different reasons.

Talia, Peter and Maria were speechless. They all had had their own suspicions that they had an older brother that they had never heard about, but to have it confirmed by their mother, of all people, was shocking to say the least.

McGonagall was shocked. She had never been privy to the details of that fateful night. All she knew was that You-Know-Who had attacked a wizarding home, killing everyone that had been home, but had met his own downfall while he was at it. She had never realized that that house had been the Potter's house. Nor had she realized that Harry's death had caused Lily so much pain, which still ran deep.

Harry was lost in his own thoughts. In this world, Harry Potter was dead, that much was clear. And his parents had lived, had more children and lived happy lives. But it seemed that Lily had never gotten over the death of her first child. Leaving her suspicious, hateful at times and with far more pain then anyone deserved. Harry's eyes had become unfocussed and glassy; he looked a million miles away.

Maria was actually scared of her mother, physically scared. None of the kids had seen her so angry before. She had been sad lots of times, pain radiating from her as she sat in a chair or outside on the bench, but never angry. She radiated disappointment or frustration when they did stuff wrong, such as blowing up random parts of the house (which had only happened four times) or making a sibling disappear or go invisible.

But never had they seen such a display of anger that she had just shown. Besides, what was she talking about? Did they really have a dead brother? If they did, why hadn't they been told? Why didn't their Mum and Dad tell them about this boy who had been taken from them? Why did they just let the pain sit, colouring everything they said and did?

Maria was pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of the door swinging open so hard it banged against the wall. Peter and Talia, who had been talking quietly in the corner, turned around quickly, trying to identify the intruder. McGonagall and Pomfrey had left the children alone a few minutes earlier in favor of going Pomfrey's office in order to talk in private with few fears of being over heard. The office door was closed, with several sound proofing charms around it so they didn't hear the door open.

Harry was still sitting on his bed; his legs brought up against his chest. The same position Alex was seen in half the time. His forehead was resting against the tops of his knees and tears were beginning to stain the white hospital pyjamas. He looked the picture of misery.

He didn't seem to notice the door opening of the resulting bang and it slammed shut. But the other occupants of the room watched as the dark haired figure walked in, his head bent low in thought. After a few seconds he hesitantly raised his head, as if afraid to see what was in the room.

Talia was the first to move; walking across the room, she put one arm around Alex as he stood in the middle of the room stunned, staring at Harry. His awe and wonderment was written across his face, the same expression that Talia, Maria and Peter had each worn earlier that day, when they themselves had first laid eyes on Harry. Taking her arm from around Alex and putting her hand in his, Talia led Alex towards the spot where Maria and Peter were standing.

They stood together in a small group, a few feet away from Harry, staring at him. A person that they knew everything about yet didn't know at all. Peter looked up at his older sibling, giving them pleading looks.

"Please tell me you know what's going on," he whispered at them. He had no idea what to do. This was way past anything he had ever had to deal with before and it was frightening to say the least.

Both Talia and Alex shrugged their shoulders, still staring at Harry. Peter looked to his twin, her being the only one who had actually talked to this version of their Harry.

She looked back at him with an apologetic look, "I don't know Peter. I just don't know. When I talked to him in the hall he didn't seem to recognize me at all, he just seemed so confused and lost. This all might just be a side effect to gaining a body; after all he didn't have much of one before, so it must be a shock to his system."

The others nodded their heads. Talia glanced at Harry, who was now curled up even tighter the before and was rocking back and forth ever so slightly, mumbling something under his breath.

They looked at him, listening hard. Finally they were able to make out the words, "I have to get back. I don't belong here. I want to go home."

Peter looked back to his older siblings, then towards his twin sister, who had been born twelve minutes after him, much to his own delight, "I really think one of us should go and talk to him, find out how he got here, that sort of thing."

The rest of them nodded, again glancing at Harry. Maria looked towards

Talia was breathing deeply, trying to calm herself down enough to think clearly.

"I think that Talia should talk to him, after all, she's known him her whole life. Well he's known us all our lives too, but since she's the oldest, she will have known him the longest; which would mean that they would know each other the best. Well maybe not best, but-" she was interrupted when Peter put a hand over her mouth, effectively silencing her long enough for the others to speak.

"I think what the chatterbox means is that Harry will be more comfortable talking to Talia because she is the oldest and has therefore known him the longest and vice versa," Peter then released his sister, giving her a look that clearly told her that she was, as he told her often, a chatterbox.

Talia shook her head, "I don't think so, I mean Alex is only a year younger than I am and plus he's a boy, so Harry will be more comfortable talking to him, I think.... I mean that would make sense, wouldn't it?" she trailed off, obviously trying to get out of speaking to their guardian. In truth, she was scared that he wouldn't like her; after all they had never really met before.

Alex shook his head vigorously, "No. No way! I mean, I haven't really even met him, have I? Maria's the only one who met him in person, so she's already familiar with him. I really think that Maria should go talk to him."

He looked at his little sister, begging her with his eyes. Talia and

Peter looked at her too. Both nodded their heads in agreement.

Maria finally sighed with frustration. Throwing her hands in the air and turning her face up to the heavens she finally agreed. She grumbled her way over to him, mumbling something about 'Bloody cowards' and other muted curses at her older siblings.

Smiling sadly at Harry, she came to stand quietly by his bed. Slowly, she rested a gentle hand on his arm, causing him to jerk and look into her eyes. The depth of emotional suffering and pain that were held in those eyes astonished Maria. Suddenly she was hesitant to talk to him. Strange really, since ten hours ago she would have done anything to meet Harry, staring straight into the troubled eyes, determined to help him. Harry shouldn't have to put up with this kind of pain. He was a kind, generous, sweet, thoughtful person who always put her and her family in front of himself. No one deserved to suffer like Harry obviously suffered, not even Snape.

"So how are you feeling?" she asked, hoping that those words would at least get a smile out of him. How many times had he asked that of them?

"Not so good, but I've been in worse situations," Harry answered, cracking a small smile, causing all the Potters to smile back at him.

Maria plopped herself down at the foot of his bed, smiling a big smile at him. Alex, Talia and Peter came over quickly, now that the ice was broken, sitting in various places around him on his bed.

"So what are you doing here? Visible?" asked Talia, quite curiously.

Harry looked at her, hard, trying to figure out where he had seen her and what she had meant by the visible question. It dawned on him where he had seen her; she looked exactly like his mother; with her red hair, her smile, and face. Everything about her resembled the pictures he'd seen of his mother when she was his age. Even the dimple in her left cheek was like his mother's. All except the eyes; this held the blue of a stormy evening sky.

Harry suddenly realized that they were all still waiting for an answer.

He shrugged his shoulders.

"One minute I'm in bed and the next I'm here. I had only been here a few minutes when 'Ria found me," Harry frowned slightly, wondering how he knew her name. Suddenly he realized he knew all their names. The one that looked like his mum was Talia, Talia Rose Potter. She was the oldest.

Then Alex, he was only a year younger then Talia; in his third year at Hogwarts.

The twins were Peter and Maria; this was their first year at Hogwarts.

It was so odd that he knew all of this. Harry was getting more and more confused by the second.

"Harry, are you okay?" Maria's concerned voice broke his thoughts.

Harry looked at her, a smile gracing his face, "Yeah, I'm good."

They all smiled at him again, still marvelling at the fact that they were finally coming face to face with THEIR Harry.

Their tender moment was broken by Madam Pomfrey's office door opening.

Professor McGonagall stepped out, closing the door behind her. Walking over to the bed, she frowned at the four Potter children seated around

Harry.

They all became nervous about the look she had on her face.

Apologetic, worried, angry, sad and slightly hateful, she came to a stop at the foot of the bed.

She cleared her throat, going slightly red in the face, "Mr... Harry will you please come with me. I've talked to the Headmaster and he would like to speak with you. Children, please go to the Great Hall, it's time for dinner and I don't want you to be missed. I want you to promise that you won't tell anyone of this, not even your closest friends. We have to keep this private for as long as possible. Also, if your parents don't come and see you tonight, I don't want you going wandering around trying to find them; they will come to you when they have time."

McGonagall extracted a promise from each of them, knowing that she would not be pleased if any of this got out. Harry watched them go, his fear and trepidation rising with each step they took. They were the only people he felt safe around in this strange world and they were leaving him and he had no way to stop them.

Harry stood shakily to his feet, terribly afraid about what was going to happen. If Harry in this world was dead and the Potters were number one on Voldemort's list, Harry wasn't sure if he would believe himself. Would Dumbledore?

Slowly Harry followed McGonagall out of the infirmary and down the familiar halls towards the Headmasters office. She walked stiffly, looking straight ahead, only looking back every few minutes to make sure he was still with her. The silence was unpleasant and uncomfortable, even worse than when she had led him through the halls in second year. Finally they came to a stop in front of the stone gargoyle. McGonagall leaned forward and whispered the password into its ear so that Harry wouldn't hear. It shifted and the staircase up to the office was revealed.

Harry went first, slowly trudging up the stairs, feeling as if his execution was on the other side of the door. McGonagall knocked on the door with her usual three sharp raps and waited to hear Dumbledore's deep voice resound from the other side of the door.

"Enter," the voice was more grave then usual and the years showed in this

Dumbledore's voice, while Harry's Dumbledore always sounded cheerful and quite youthful.

The door swung open to reveal a rather haggard looking Dumbledore, who had almost no twinkle in his eyes. Now that wasn't uncommon with other people, but with Dumbledore it practically meant the end of the world. Harry gulped. He had half hoped that Dumbledore would believe him, but the look in his eyes told another story.

Harry looked down at his hands as if they were the most interesting things in the world. He was pushed in by McGonagall and seated in one of the chairs in front of the desk, across from Dumbledore.

"You may go, Minerva. If you can, find Lily and James and tell them

I'll talk to them tomorrow morning. Thank you for bringing him."

The silence was only broken by the soft click as the door shut behind the transfiguration teacher. In a cold voice he continued, "So do you wish to explain yourself?"

Slowly looking up from his hands, Harry met the cold blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore.

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The Black House

First floor Kitchen, October 12, 1995

Sirius woke up on the floor. Rosie and Devora were looking down at him from their positions by his head. Both wore concerned looks on their faces.

Groaning as he sat up, Sirius rubbed his head. Giving both girls a weary but comforting smile, he had them help him to his feet. Swaying a bit, he sat back down at the table, opposite Rosie and next to Devora.

Giving them another weak smile he took the tea pot and poured them all cups of tea, adding sugar and milk to the girls and a little bit of cream to his own. After taking a few sips of his tea he again turned his gaze on the two girls sitting at the table who were taking small, slow sips of their own tea.

Setting his cup down he looked them both in their eyes, "Now, you are going to repeat to me what you just said. I don't think I heard you right."

The girls again exchanged glances. Finally Rosie answered him.

"Well, we haven't exactly met him, we just know about him because he keeps saving our lives all the time and helps us when we're sad or lonely or angry. He's really quite wonderful when you get to know him," she finished, sounding rather breathless.

Sirius blinked, stunned by what he had just heard, "Repeat that again, honey. I still don't understand you. Are you telling me you've met Harry and he's saved your life? Is that what you're saying?" The disbelief was clear in his voice.

Again there was an exchange of looks between the two girls. That was starting to annoy Sirius.

Rosie cleared her throat, getting ready to speak again, "Well...

You see... Harry's like a ghost that protects us. A guardian you could say.

He's always been around, helps us when we're lost or comforts us when we're sad. That's why we were so shocked when Mum said that Harry was after us.

He's so nice, I don't think he'd ever hurt us."

The last sentence was almost a plea, begging to be confirmed. Hoping that

Sirius would tell them that Harry wouldn't even dream about hurting one hair on their heads. Though, both of them seemed to realize that wasn't going to happen. Their parents and all the other adults seemed to think that

Harry was going to hurt them, even though they were both positive that he wouldn't.

"Bella!" Sirius called up the tall mahogany staircase, "I have to go to Hogwarts. There's someone I have to see. Rosie and Devora are here....

Would it bother you too much to come downstairs so I don't have to shout to you?" He finished in a quite disgruntled manner.

Arabella Black, formerly Figg, descended the stairs, a small smile lighting up her face. Her Chestnut curls were pinned on top of her head and hazel eyes twinkled with mischief, "Well, Mr. Black, I wouldn't want you to lose your precious voice. We would all miss you bellowing about the house, wouldn't we?"

Sirius raised his left eyebrow, causing both little girls to giggle helplessly, falling to the floor. Bella smiled at her husband, causing him to break into a wide grin.

"So what were you screaming up at me before?" she questioned, curiosity tingeing her speech.

"Well, I have to go to Hogwarts. There's someone I have to speak to.

Lily and James were also called to Hogwarts so Devora and Rosie will be staying here. Is that okay with you?"

Bella smiled again, looking at the girls who were now sitting beside each other on the floor and talking with hushed voices into each other's ears.

"Well, off course! I'm sure Tris will be happy."

Sirius smiled at that thought. His youngest daughter always loved seeing Rosie and Devora. All three of them played make believe games that lasted for hours.

"I'm sure she will. Now they'll probably be staying for a couple of days.

Prongs' letter is on the kitchen table if you want to know the details.

But

I should go now. I'll send you an owl when I get there, okay?"

Bella nodded, smiling at her husband, "Of course, just be careful. Oh and say hi to Lil for me. I haven't talked to her in over a week and you know what yesterday was."

Sirius' eyes widened, "I had completely forgotten! I hope she's okay.

She never seems very stable after Halloween. But I really should go. I have a few questions I want answered," Sirius' voice hardened and his voice took on a steel edge.

He kissed each of the girls on the tops of their heads and shouted a good bye to his own children. Then Sirius swept Bella into a close embrace, kissing her senseless then placing her back on her feet, he apparated out of the house.

Almost instantly he appeared in Hogsmeade. Heading towards Honeydukes, he slipped down to the cellar and through the passageway. Making his way down the dark tunnel with only his wand light to guide him, Sirius began to worry. What if this Death Eater was truly powerful? Lily and James didn't need to lose anyone else and he was going to make sure that none of the Potters were hurt.

He wouldn't let that happen again; not after seeing what happened to Lily because of losing Harry. He wouldn't let that happen again. During all his brooding, Sirius had passed through the tunnel all the way to the other end. Slipping out into the hallway, he began to walk towards the hospital wing, where he knew the Death Eater would be.

Halfway there, he stopped dead in his tracks. He needed to talk to

Dumbledore first, so he could fins out how this had happened. How they hadn't heard anything of this from their various spies. It was unusual for

Dumbledore to let something like this get out of hand. Walking quickly in the opposite direction, Sirius looked at his watch.

"Damn!" he swore. It was almost dinnertime. He would have to hurry if he were to catch him in his office. Breaking into a run, he made his way towards the familiar gargoyle, dodging a few students who were on their way to the Great Hall. Finally he skidded to a stop in front of the stone sentry. Cursing under his breath, he tried to remember if he knew the password.

"Um... Oh damn! What is it? Sugar Quills, Blood Pops, Cauldron Cakes, Chocolate Frogs!? Oh bloody hell, just open up you stupid Gargoyle!" but it remained still, not budging an inch, "Oh! Oh! What's that muggle candy that he likes?" Racking his brain he tried to remember which muggle candy Dumbledore had always eaten. Suddenly it popped into his head. "Lemon Drops!" he practically screamed at the gargoyle. It sprang aside and Sirius ran up the stairs two at a time.

He slammed the door open and stopped dead in his tracks. There in the seat across from Dumbledore's desk, sat a perfect replica of James, hair and all. The only difference, apart from age, was his eyes. He had Lily's eyes. Suddenly Sirius had no doubt he was looking at what Harry Potter would have looked like if he had been given the chance to grow up. But he had never had that chance. Voldemort and his followers had taken away Harry and Peters lives before their time. And now, now it seemed as if they were trying a new tactic to get to Lily and James.

The Death Eaters eyes widened and in a low voice both men heard him whisper,

"Sirius."

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Lily ran from the hospital wing, tears of rage blinding her vision, but after seven years of mischief making she knew the halls like the back of her hand.

She ran towards the room that she and James had found in their sixth year.

It was by the north tower, hidden behind a picture of a fairy. You had to insult her in rhyme, and never the same insult in a week, to get in the room. It was a nice cozy room, a blazing fire usually resided in the grate while the cheery purple and gold walls seemed to radiate their own heat.

Big, plush purple couches sat around the fire. It was almost a mini common room.

James and Lily were the only people who ever went there. They had often spent the night, just cuddling together in their seventh year. Now it was the only place where she felt safe while at Hogwarts. The only place in Hogwarts where wasn't in danger of being interrupted. She reached the gold frame that held the beautiful scene behind the rather adorable purple fairy.

"Open up now, you stupid cow," she snapped at it. That had been one of their favorites back in sixth year.

The fairy giggled and blushed, "As you wish."

The portrait swung open. Plopping herself onto one of the velvet couches she put her head in her hands and began to cry. Little bits of memories floated around her mind, only causing her to cry harder.

"Mummy!" cried an ecstatic five year old Talia when she and James picked her up from her first day of school, "I had so much fun today! I even made a new friend!" Her enthusiasm was overwhelming, and soon Lily was swept into it.

She smiled down at her little girl, "Really? What's her name?"

Talia stared up at her with big blue eyes. Then she started to giggle; so much like Harry had when he was being tickled.

"It's not a girl, it's a boy! His name is Harry, isn't that a funny name?

Do you think so Mummy?"

Lily hadn't answered her eager little girl; she had just wandered away, leaving James to dry the tears that were spilling down the little girl's confused face.

That memory faded and another took its place.

Again Talia's face appeared. This time she was nine years old. Only five years ago, but she had changed too much. A very frustrated Talia stood with a six year old twin on each leg and a four year old Rosie in her arms.

A voice filled with irritation reached Lily's ears as she sat it the kitchen feeding a one year old Devora, "Why couldn't you have a kid before me Mum?

Maybe a boy? I mean, then he could deal with the kids and even Alex would listen to him!"

She had sent a bewildered Talia to her room instantly, hating the fact that

Harry had been killed, cursing Tom Riddle's name and praying that the kids would stop reminding her of Harry.

Lily cried even harder, curling up into a ball, the exact position

Harry was in at that moment. The memory slowly left her but she continued to torture herself by remembering more.

Eleven year old Alex stood at the top of the stairs, packing for his first year of Hogwarts. Even two years later the image made her laugh. His hair was even more mussed up then usual, he had three socks clinging to the bottom of his newly pressed robes and Talia had turned his hair acid green.

He stood at the top of the stairs glaring at his family, "Why did you have to give me an older sister? She's evil and she'll be no help when we're at

Hogwarts! I need an older brother! Why couldn't Talia have been a boy? Hmmm....? I mean really, would it have been so hard to give me a brother?"

James had smiled sadly. Talia had agreed with all her heart about having an older brother, just one year older then her. Lily remembered that she had run out of the house, stifling sobs, leaving James to try and clean that up with the kids.

The sobs slowly diminished and she began to relax into sleep. Hoping that

James would find her and tell her what Dumbledore had said. The fog of sleep had surrounded her and she was just about to drop off when a loud bang brought her back into the land of the living. She jumped to her feet, using all of her Quidditch training, and whipped her wand out. She pointed it at the body had that fallen on to the floor.

Letting out a laugh, James walked over to her and pulled her wand out of her limp hand, pulling her into a tight hug, "So, I guess I don't need to ask you what you were doing. You only get that defensive when you've been woken up from a good nap."

The amusement was clear in his voice as he gently teased his blushing wife.

Lily's face was quietly turning the colour of a tomato. James continued to chuckle deep in his chest, causing Lily to launch into giggles. Soon they were both laughing so hard they fell backwards onto the couch and then the floor. After several minutes of this childish laughter, the feeling of being completely free began to dissipate, leaving Lily curious about what James had to say about Dumbledore and their meeting.

Cuddled together on the big plush couch, Lily rested her head on James' chest, listening to his breathing and the thumping of his heart. The sounds were slowly lulling her off to sleep once more when she felt a tear fall onto her cheek.

Turning her head slightly she stared at her husband's face. James' eyes were closed, hidden behind thin gold frames. Tears were slowly slipping down his face, an innocent show of pain and sorrow in a world filled with violence, hate and prejudice. Suddenly Lily realized James was crying in his sleep, an unguarded and unchecked emotion in the depths of slumber.

It was all too much for Lily. In one day her world had begun to crumble and this pure show of pain, nothing added, nothing taken away to protect her, broke Lily. She too began to cry, heart wrenching sobs from the depths of her very soul.

The sound woke James from his slumber. Looking down at his wife, he pulled her into a tight hug, kissing her head, he just rocked her, letting all the pent up emotion of the day flood out of her. Eventually the sobs ceased and her breathing became even. Looking down at his sleeping wife, James sighed.

He would let her sleep; because tomorrow would be a big day and it would take all of their strength to get through it.

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James followed Dumbledore to his office. Moving slowly, Dumbledore sat down at his desk. James sat opposite the old wizard. Their eyes met in an unofficial staring contest. Finally James blinked and looked down at his hands. A few more minutes passed in silence; finally Dumbledore sighed and rubbed his forehead.

"I'm terribly sorry. I had no idea Tom was planning this, if I had heard even a whisper about this I would have informed you and Lily immediately. I am not in an easy position James; there is a young boy in my hospital wing who is unconscious. I have no idea why he's here or how he got into Hogwarts. He is completely drained of all magical energy. Not many things can do that to a person. And how did they know what to make him look like? Although he just looks like you, with a few differences. There are potions that can do that. I confess James that I don't know what to do. Lily will need your help in getting through this. I fear that all these events will reopen old wounds. Please know that if you ever need to speak to me about anything, my door is always open."

James nodded, slightly lost. Dumbledore always knew what to do but this time he didn't. It seemed wrong in so many ways.

"I think that you should go find Lily now, explain to her what I told you.

Meet me in my office tomorrow morning at 9 o'clock. Tell Lily that it would be wise for her to attend."

James noticed a twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes. That twinkle made James feel a million times better. That twinkle meant that everything would be okay, even if it wasn't okay now, it would be in the end. Both men stood and shook hands. James smiled at the old Headmaster and turned to leave.

"One more thing, James. You might want to look for Lily in one of your old hiding spots. She left the infirmary in quite a hurry."

James looked at the old man in amazement before returning the mysterious smile Dumbledore was giving him.

"Thank you sir," he said and turned to leave a last time. Closing the door behind him and stopping at the bottom of the stairs, James tried to figure out where Lily was. After visiting the Kitchens (and being attacked by many thankful house elves), the Gryffindor common room and the Quidditch pitch he was struck by inspiration. He ran toward the secret room.

Stopping in front of the painting, he tried to think of an insult, "Oh, oh bloody hell, I don't have time for this, I want to see Lily. Uh... Open up you stupid, fat cow, because I need to see Lily right now."

The fairy giggled and moved aside. James stepped in and saw Lily curled up on the couch, almost asleep. Smiling, James crept towards her, just before he reached the couch, he tripped over a stool, falling to the ground.

When he stood up he found a wand pointing directly at his heart. James began to laugh; Lily had always been quick with her wand and had never taken well to being woken up. Put two and two together and you got one dangerous person in the morning.

"So, I guess I don't need to ask you what you were doing. You only get that defensive when you've been woken up from a good nap."

Lily turned bright red and she too began to laugh. They both laughed for several minutes, eventually toppling onto the couch, still laughing, as

Alex had told them many times over the years, like drunken fools.

Eventually they stopped laughing, but continued to snuggle, holding each other tight, letting the pain that the day had caused them wash away.

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Dumbledore sat behind his desk, staring intently at Harry, who sat in one of the chairs across from him.

Harry wasn't quite sure how to answer Dumbledore's question. How, in all of heaven's names, was he supposed to tell Dumbledore that he was really from another world, where his parents were dead and that the most evil man in history was after his life? How could Dumbledore ever believe him?

Harry doubted he would believe himself if the roles were reversed. Trying to figure out what to say, trying to find words to explain this without making himself sound completely insane.

"Well, Sir. To be frank, I don't think you'll believe me, even if you weren't slightly biased to begin with. At the moment, you believe me to be a Death Eater and anything I say will sound like a lie. You already believe one thing about me and you won't change that unless you have proof, which I don't have. So no sir, I don't want to explain myself, if it's all the same to you," Harry finished he speech, hoping that Dumbledore would let it stay at that and maybe, just maybe, let him go so Harry could try to find out what in the name of Merlin had happened.

He didn't leave it alone.

Dumbledore let out a sigh and rose to his feet, and he slowly walked over to his bookshelf, "Well then, it seems young sir, that I will have to use some spells I know. I'm sorry to say that not all of them are pleasant."

Harry felt a cold stab of fear in his stomach. He had seen Dumbledore angry at the end of fourth year, and he got the same energy from him now that he had got from him then. But this time the anger was towards him, not Barty Crouch Jr.

Harry cleared his throat, shifting in his seat, hoping to all that is sacred that something would happen to distract Dumbledore. In the next few seconds he got his wish answered, in a left handed sort of way.

At that moment, the door banged open and there in the doorway, stood

Sirius Black, in all his glory. He looked nothing like the Sirius Harry knew, this man was healthy, and his eyes seemed they would dance with mischief, had they not been clouded over by anger and hate.

For the first time, he saw why everyone was able to believe that Sirius had killed those thirteen people. He was so shocked at seeing Sirius like this, that he wasn't able to be truly afraid. He hadn't thought about Sirius being here in this world. It hadn't crossed his mind that because his parents were alive, then Sirius hadn't been blamed for their death, therefore never sent to Azkaban. In all his dazed thoughts he was only able to say one thing, which proved to be near fatal.

"Sirius," he breathed out, his voice sounding as if it were a million miles away.

Sirius' eyes became consumed with such rage; Harry flinched and looked away.

He had never been this terrified of his godfather before.

"You are a miserable piece of filth! How dare you talk to me! Do you realize what kind of pain your causing them? Or do you care? I bet you're just so happy to be doing as you're master orders. I hope you all burn in hell for what you've done. You don't deserve to be alive," during his tirade,

Sirius had moved closer. He came to a stop right behind Harry, who was now fully twisted around, facing the full fury that was Sirius Black.

"I-I... I'm so sorry," Harry almost burst into tears right at that moment.

He felt all the pain that he had been bottling up for the past 14 years and he began to cry. He curled up into a ball and rocked in his chair, just as he'd done when he was little, locked in the cupboard all those times.

Sirius stood for a moment, and then he grabbed Harry and threw him across the room, onto the floor where he lay dazed for a second.

Dumbledore moved to restrain Sirius but he shook the old man off and walked towards Harry with an almost territorial gait in his walk.

"Do you really think we're that dumb? We would never fall for that, so never try it again."

This time Dumbledore managed to pull Sirius to the other side of the room.

Harry slowly got to his feet, rubbing his head from where it had hit the wall. His eyes never left the two older wizards on the other side of the room.

"Well. I suppose I'm never going to get anywhere with you. You've already decided what the truth is and I won't be able to change your minds. So

I ask that you use any means necessary to find out the truth because you won't believe my story otherwise. Will Vetiraserum work, or do you need something more potent?"

Both of the other men stood and stared at Harry, shocked at the fact that he was willingly accepting the potions and spells.

Dumbledore nodded, "That will do. I'm going to bind you to that chair so that you don't try to escape and I will go talk to Severus. Mr. Black, why don't you stay here, just incase. Do not touch him unless it is necessary.

I won't have you killing him and being sent to Azkaban for the night again. Now, I shall return shortly. Try to get along."

He left, closing and locking the door behind him. Harry sat with his entire body bound against the big chair. Harry shifted slightly in his chair, turning to look at Sirius.

"You look a lot like my Sirius," he said, without realizing what he was saying. Harry's eyes widened and he quickly closed his mouth, turning his head in the other direction, but not quickly enough to not see the confused look that pasted over Sirius' face. The rest of the time was spent in a strained silence.

Harry staring at the wall, hoping that he would wake up and all of this would just be some terrible dream. But he didn't wake up and he could still feel Sirius' eyes boring into the back of his head, make him shiver.

Things were not going well and he knew it. They didn't believe him and there was no real reason to think that they would ever trust him. How was he ever supposed to get home if they didn't trust him?

Harry's thoughts were interrupted when Dumbledore again entered the room, this time holding a vial of clear liquid. Walking over to Harry, he lifted the invisible bonds that held Harry in place and handed the vial to him.

Sirius came over to stand behind Dumbledore, glaring at Harry, his eyes practically willing Harry to die. Harry looked at the potion and then downed in it one gulp.

The potion first felt like fire running through his veins, then it turned to ice, chilling Harry to the bone. He shivered once and then a floating sensation came over him, not unlike the Imperio curse. Harry's eyes went blank and he felt himself detach from his conciseness. He stared at the scene before him, as if he was watching through the eyes of someone else, as if he was floating above Dumbledore. He watched as Dumbledore cast a few spells over him, silver light covered him and then soaked into his body, only leaving an inner light.

Dumbledore conjured two seats for himself and Sirius. They both sat and began to question him. Harry would have laughed out loud if the situation had not been such a serious one. Here he was floating over their heads and they were trying to talk to his body. He lost his laughter when his body began to answer the questions.

Dumbledore sat in front of the boy, his green eyes were vacant and it chilled him to see such lively eyes go so dead. Drawing in a deep breath he began the questions.

"All right, let's start with your name. Tell me, what is your full name?"

Harry heard himself answer in a distant voice, "My name is Harry James Potter."

Sirius looked about ready to attack the prone boy, but Dumbledore put a restraining hand on him, "Wait until the end before you judge Mr. Black.

Now how old are you Harry?"

Harry again heard himself answer, "I'm fourteen years old. I'll be fifteen next month."

"And who are your parents?"

"My parents are Lily and James Potter."

"Where are they Harry?"

"They're dead."

Sirius lunged at Harry but hit an invisible barrier. Dumbledore raised an eyebrow at the now blushing Sirius.

"Sorry sir, but I just couldn't let what he said go, I-" he was cut off when Dumbledore raised his hand.

"I understand completely, but please restrain yourself; otherwise I shall have to ask you to leave. Now Harry, how did they die and when?"

"They died at the hands of Lord Voldemort, on October 31st, 1981."

Both men stared in shock, how was this possible?

"Why are you here, Harry? How did you get here?"

"I don't know, I don't remember. I think Voldemort sent me?"

Dumbledore's voice grew hard, "Do you work for Voldemort? Is he after the Potters again?"

"I don't know if he's after them again and no, I would never work for Tom. He's evil and he killed my parents. Plus he would much rather kill me. My only guess is that he sent me here to torture me."

"Would you ever try to harm anyone in any way? I need to know if you're dangerous."

Harry glared down at the man but heard himself answering anyway, "I would never do anything to hurt anyone unless they were out to get one of my friends. Only Voldemort, he is the only one I would ever hurt."

Dumbledore nodded. He was sincere, "Well, it seems that you really are

Harry Potter. Most likely Voldemort transported you here from your world, your reality. I'm sure it was your Voldemort who sent you and not ours. Now we need to figure out what to do with you and of course, what to tell Lily and James."

Dumbledore turned to Sirius, "Would you like to tell Lily or shall I?"