Harry Potter And The Twists Of Fate by bengpotter31
Summary: What if the fates let Harry's parents live that night he got his scar, plus gave him a younger sister and become friends with the Weasleys, especially Ron earlier. What would be different?
Rating: PG-13
Categories: Alternate Universe
Characters: None
Genres: None
Warnings: None
Challenges: None
Series: None
Published: 2006.04.18
Updated: 2006.12.24
Harry Potter And The Twists Of Fate by bengpotter31
Chapter 21: Start of term
Author's Notes: Chapter 20: Start of term
Flashback to the last chapter:
Lily said, “I’m pregnant.”
The other three Potters stood around in shock for a moment. Then, Rose squealed and ran up to hug her mother. James stood up with a dazed expression on his face. Harry leaned back in his chair, stunned by the news.
James walked up to his wife and put his arms around her shoulders as Rose stood back. He looked in her eyes and asked, “Really? We’re having another baby?”
Lily looked up at her husband with a smile and said, “Yes, James. After all these years, we get to have another little one.”
Harry’s face then broke into a grin as he thought I’m going to have another sister, or better yet, a brother. He then moved up to his parents and, together with his sister, hugged them.
After a few seconds, James said, “Hey, wait a minute. You better sit down, love. Harry, Rose, let your mother sit.” He pulled Lily back to the table and into a chair.
“Now, you just sit there, Lils,” he said, “Don’t do a thing. Blinky and the others will take care of everything. Why don’t you put up your feet?” He started to move off to the living room, “I’ll get you that stool in there to put your feet up on.”
Lily started laughing, “James, James, stop. I’m only a month pregnant. I’m not tired.”
Rose smirked as she watched her father fussing over her mother. She turned to Lily. “Was he like this when you had me or Harry, mum?” Her father stopped whatever he was doing to glare at his daughter.
“Oh, yes,” Lily said, a twinkle in her eye, “The minute he found out I was pregnant with either of you, he insisted I stop work and stay home.” She turned to James, smiling, “Come on now, darling, relax. We still have eight months of this. You’ll tire yourself out before me. Sit back and let’s just eat.”
James sighed and sat back in his chair. Then, he grinned, “I’m going to be a father.”
“Hey!” Rose and Harry said at the same time, “You’re already one.”
The following day, Rose and Harry told their friends as they came over for the last session of martial arts training for the summer. Ginny and Hermione were ecstatic at the prospect of a new baby.
“So, Harry,” Neville asked, “do you know if it’s going to be a boy or girl?”
“Nope,” Harry said, “Dad said it was too early. Maybe they’ll try to find out in another month or two.”
“I hope it’s a boy, mate,” Ron said, “That’ll even out the numbers. There are just too many girls lately.”
“Hey! There are not!” the three girls yelled at him. Neville and Harry just shook their heads at Ron’s lack of tact.
Sirius was quite happy when he was told of Lily’s pregnancy while he and the kids were getting warmed up for their session. He had always told James that two kids wasn’t enough and that he and Lily were still young enough to try. He told Harry that he and Remus would probably compete for the honor of being the godfather of the new Potter child when he or she was born.
Later, Harry was able to avoid pairing up with Ginny for sparring. He hadn’t yet figured out what was going on between him and his sister’s best friend/best friend’s sister. He was somewhat looking forward to going back to Hogwarts since it would be easier to avoid her there until he could understand what was happening. He needed to talk it over with someone.
That night, he knocked softly on the door of Rose’s room. Upon hearing her say ‘come in,’ he entered the room and closed the door quickly.
Rose was on her bed, leaning against the headboard, while reading a book. Looking up, she raised an eyebrow on seeing her brother. “What’s up, bro?” she asked him. She glanced at her clock, “It’s still to early to wish me happy birthday.”
Harry sat down beside her on the bed. “Sis, I’ve got to talk to you about something, something that has to do with me and Ginny.”
Rose put her book down and sat up fully, facing Harry. “What is it, Harry?” She raised an eyebrow, “Don’t tell me you two are dating already?” There was an amused tone in her voice.
“No! That’s not it,” he replied. He took a deep breath then let it out. “Ever since we got to Dumbledore’s office after getting out of the Chamber, I’ve felt feelings that weren’t my own. I’ve noticed those times were when I was with Ginny. During those two weeks I was grounded, I’d sometimes watch you two playing in the grounds and I could feel some sadness and nervousness that slowly gave way to joy, especially as I watched her laugh.”
Rose’s eyes widened, “What do you mean by that, Harry? Can you sense her emotions?”
Harry sighed again and looked down at the floor, “I don’t know, sis. Maybe, I can, it could be more than that. Ever since we started sparring, I could sense what she was going to do. When we play Quidditch, I’ve had an inkling of where she was going and what she was going to do with the quaffle.”
“If that was so, Harry,” Rose asked, “then why can’t you and Ron beat the two of us?”
“I don’t know,” Harry said, “There were times when she seemed to be doing the same to me. Lately, whenever our eyes meet, I get a stronger feeling of her and even sense what she sees.”
“Have you told anyone else, like Mum or Dad?” Rose asked, her eyes going wider.
“NO!” Harry said, “They might get mad, think I’m a freak or worse, a pervert.”
Rose placed a hand on one of Harry’s. “No, they won’t, Harry,” she said, “But they will try to help you figure out what’s going on.”
Harry sighed a third time, “No, not just yet. I want to figure this out on my own for now, okay? I just needed to tell someone, like you, my sister and her best friend. Just don’t you freak out on me.”
Rose sighed, “All right, bro. I won’t tell anyone yet. But you better tell her.”
“I will, eventually,” Harry said, “Don’t look at me like that. I need to wait for the right time. I don’t want her to hate me for it.” He got up to leave.
“All right, Harry.” Rose said, “Tell me if anything else happens, okay?”
Harry paused at the open door, “Okay, sis. Good night and Happy Birthday.” Then he left and closed the door.
Rose looked at the door for a few moments, then she sighed, a slight smile on her lips. “No, brother mine, I don’t think she’ll ever hate you.”
As he headed for his room, he felt relieved that he had told someone about what had been bothering him all summer. The realization that he was feeling some of Ginny Weasley’s emotions had appalled and frightened him at first but when he felt her happy, it just seemed to make him happy.
After the events of the past term, he was glad she was better. Still, the few times he had felt her feeling sad and tense had also made him sad. He marveled that she had held out against Tom Riddle’s manipulations for a while, whereas Quirrell had succumbed almost immediately.
Of course, he couldn’t tell Rose that he realized that he did fancy Ginny. Nope, not until he told Ginny herself. As to when he would, well, he wasn’t sure yet, maybe in a few years.
Rose celebrated her birthday with a lunch party the next day. All their friends were invited, including Melinda, Lisa, Luna and Colin. The food was great. They played some muggle party games and board games.
Rose loved the many gifts she got like a new magical plant from Neville and his sister, a wand holster of her own from Sirius and Remus and new clothes from Ginny and the Weasleys, but she especially loved the one she got from Harry and their parents — a new broom, a Nimbus 2001.
Harry felt a little jealous over his sister’s new broom, but laughed as he watched her zoom around above their backyard, whooping with joy. He was surprised when he only felt happiness and contentment from Ginny as she shadowed her best friend on her own broom, a Cleansweep 8, which was handed down to her from the twins.
Later that night, as they sat down to dinner, Harry decided to bring up something that he had been wondering about.
“Dad, how do I continue with my training while I’m at Hogwarts?”
James looked over at his son, “Well, the running and exercise is easy. All you have to do is get up early, like 5am. Just take a lap around Black Lake then do the calisthenics. You should have enough time afterwards for a shower before breakfast.”
Harry nodded. He was already used to getting up early. He looked at Rose, who nodded to him. Harry smiled. He knew she’d join him and get their friends to continue their martial arts practice. Maybe they could do that during the weekends.
“Now as to your spell training,” James continued, “I’ve already spoken to Professor Dumbledore about it. Your new Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher will take over for that, since it may arouse suspicion if I drop by Hogwarts every week. At any rate, with your mum pregnant, I can’t be far from home for long.”
James ignored the glare that Lily was giving him. They’ve had several “discussions” already on his overprotective attitude.
“New DADA teacher?” Rose asked, “Who is it? Anyone should be better than Lockhart.”
James grinned, “Oh, you’ve got that right. Anyway, I don’t want to spoil the surprise. You both will see tomorrow.” He refused to say anything more and they started eating.
Later, Lily made sure that Harry and Rose were fully packed before they went to bed, as she wanted to leave early for King’s Cross Station the next day. Harry drifted off to sleep almost as soon as his head hit his pillow.
The Potters got to the station and Platform Nine and Three quarters with plenty of time to spare. Harry and Rose got a compartment near the end of the train and waited for the Weasleys and Hermione to arrive, greeting their other classmates and friends in the meantime.
Hermione arrived first, bringing her trunk and her new cat, Crookshanks. Rose had commented the first time that they saw it in Diagon Alley that it looked strange for a cat. Ginny had suggested that it may have kneazle blood.
Looking out the window, Harry saw Draco Malfoy walking toward the train in his usual arrogant manner. Harry noticed that Draco was accompanied only by his mother, Narcissa. He thought it strange that Lucius Malfoy wasn’t seeing his son off. Then, he saw a smaller boy walking behind Narcissa, looking younger than Draco. He had the same blonde hair as Draco, yet he walked despondently with none of the arrogant air as older boy. The boy’s face had enough similarity to Draco’s to suggest that they were related.
Great, Harry thought, another Malfoy at Hogwarts. He better stay away from me and my friends. Harry refrained from saying anything to Rose or Hermione.
The Weasleys arrived a few minutes to eleven, rushing to the train. The twins said hello to them before moving off to find their classmates. Percy sat with them for a few minutes, his chest puffing out to show off the Head Boy badge pinned there. Thankfully, he excused himself after seeing Harry and Rose weren’t impressed.
“I bet he’s gone off to find Penny,” Ginny said, giggling.
“Penny?” Harry asked. Her giggles sent his stomach into somersaults.
“Penelope Clearwater,” Rose answered, “She was the, um, Ravenclaw prefect who got attacked with Hermione.” She looked askance at Ginny and Hermione. The two didn’t bat an eyelash at her referring to the events last term. Harry, however, felt a momentary stiffening of Ginny, which passed quickly.
“Why would he go look for her?” Harry asked, more to draw the conversation away from those painful events than out of real curiosity.
“She’s his girlfriend,” Ginny said, giggling again, “I once caught them in an empty classroom, snogging. He’s been writing her all summer.”
“Eww,” Ron said. Hermione rolled her eyes at him.
“Do Fred and George know?” Harry asked, smirking.
“Not yet,” Ginny said, “I haven’t told them yet. I was trying to decide whether I can use the threat of telling them against Percy. That way, we can get him to back off whenever we pull off pranks.”
Harry was impressed. Percy had been suspicious when they pulled that prank during the Leaving Feast, glaring at him and Ron. He realized that the twins would find ways to torment their older brother and his girlfriend. Percy would do anything to avoid that, even let the New Marauders alone to do their pranks.
Harry grinned at Ginny, “Good thinking, Ginny. I believe this year will be a good one for the New Marauders. We just have to be careful about Snape. He probably suspects us but can’t prove anything.” He felt the joy in Ginny over his approval of her. Truth be told, he in turn felt happy about making her happy, not minding the fluttering in his stomach as he watched her face light up with a smile.
A little while later, the door to their compartment opened. Harry pulled his wand out, expecting Draco and his cronies, but was surprised with whom he saw at the door.
“Remus!” He cried, “What are you doing here?”
Remus Lupin smiled, “I’m your new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.”
“Really?” Rose asked. When Remus nodded, she leaped up and enveloped him in a hug. She seldom saw her godfather and was quite fond of him. Then a worried look shadowed her face. She looked up at him and whispered, “But what about your condition?”
“Oh, that,” Remus said, softly, “Don’t worry about it. Professor Dumbledore has that covered. There’ll be someone covering for me during the full moon.”
At this comment, Hermione, Ron and Ginny turned and looked at Harry, a questioning look on their faces. Harry just shrugged his shoulders. Then his eyes met Ginny’s just as the word and image of a werewolf crossed his mind. She gasped but didn’t say a thing.
Ginny looked back at Remus then moved backwards in her seat. Only Harry seemed to notice, a frown forming on his face. Did she read my mind?
Remus chatted with them for a few more minutes before excusing himself to return to the teacher’s compartment.
As soon as he left, Hermione turned to Rose and said, “What was that about the full moon?”
Rose sighed and turned to Harry. Harry waved his hand at her, giving her permission to speak. He waved his wand to cast a silencing charm around their compartment, one of the spells his father had taught him this summer.
“All right, you three,” she said, “what I say here doesn’t leave this compartment. Don’t say anything to anyone, not even Fred and George. Not a word, okay?”
The two Weasleys and Hermione nodded their heads.
“Uncle Remus is a werewolf,” she said, sighing at the looks of horror on Ron and Hermione’s faces. She noticed that Ginny didn’t react at all. “It’s not his fault. He was bitten when he was very young, even before he started at Hogwarts.”
“Do your parents know?” Ron asked, shakily.
“Of course,” Rose answered, “He’s one of their best friends. They knew about it when they were studying at Hogwarts. They told us three years ago. We didn’t tell you lot then since we saw no point in it. You’d never meet him during a full moon. He locks himself in a house somewhere on those nights. I guess Professor Dumbledore arranged something to keep him safe during the full moon.”
“Wicked,” Ron said, “imagine being friends with a werewolf while at Hogwarts.”
You don’t know the half of it, Ron. Harry thought. He hadn’t brought up the fact that his father and Sirius were animagi and why they were animagi. Rose hadn’t either. James had told them about it at the same time that he had told them about Remus. Right now, Harry didn't think it important for his friends to know about that and it seemed so did Rose.
Neville joined them in the compartment an hour later and the six friends spent the rest of the trip chatting and playing around. Harry allowed himself to be trounced by Ron in Wizard chess twice. They also played several rounds of Exploding Snap.
Hermione revealed that she was taking four of the electives — Divination, Care of Magical Creatures, Arithmancy and Ancient Runes. Harry was glad to have her in all three of his classes, but wondered how she could cope with so many subjects.
The train pulled into Hogsmeade Station on time. They managed to fit in a carriage with little difficulty, though the tight fit caused Harry to press closely on Ginny, causing them both to blush. Rose smirked at this but didn’t say anything.
They soon arrived at the castle and headed for the Great Hall, taking seats near each other at the Gryffindor table; Harry, Rose and Ginny on one side, Neville, Ron and Hermione across from them. Harry barely listened to the sorting ceremony until he heard a certain name.
“Malfoy, Tiberius Augustus,” Professor McGonagall called out.
“What!?” Ron said, “Another Malfoy?”
“Looks enough like him to be his brother,” Rose said, “I bet he’s as arrogant as Draco.”
“I don’t think so,” Ginny said, “Look at him. He looks almost scared. He’s smaller and thinner than Draco was at that age.” Harry could see she was right.
Ron snorted. Hermione glared at him.
“I agree with Ginny,” Hermione said, “He’s not as sure of himself as Draco.”
Ron snorted again, “One Malfoy is the same as another.”
Harry watched as the blonde boy sat apprehensively on the stool and Professor McGonagall placed the sorting hat on his head.
A full minute passed and the students started to get restless. Harry saw that Draco was frowning. Harry remembered that the hat had sorted Draco into Slytherin almost as soon as it had touched the blonde boy’s head.
Then the sorting hat shouted out, “Gryffindor!”
The whole Hall was suddenly silent.
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