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Harry Potter And The Twists Of Fate | ||||||
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Category: Alternate Universe Characters:All, All Genres: Action/Adventure, Drama, Fluff, Humor Warnings: Extreme Language, Sexual Situations, Violence Story is Complete Rating: PG-13 Reviews: 475 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? Hitcount: Story Total: 324056; Chapter Total: 9609 |
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Chapter 18: End of another schoolyear The next morning, Harry, Hermione and Rose were allowed out of the hospital wing in time for breakfast. Ginny, on the other hand, had to remain for a few more days to rest. The other three spent a few minutes reassuring her that they would be back to visit later. The Potter and the Weasley adults had spent the night in the hospital wing, at their children’s side. Lily and James left after making their children promise to keep out of trouble for the remaining days of the term. Arthur and Molly returned to Ginny’s bedside after a quick breakfast. Harry, Hermione and Rose ascended to Gryffindor Tower to change clothes. Harry was surprised to find Ron still in their dormitory. “Hey, Ron,” Harry said, “Why aren’t you down at breakfast yet?” “I wanted to wait for you and Hermione, Harry,” Ron said, “And I haven’t thanked you yet for saving my sister.” He suddenly pulled Harry into a hug reminiscent of his mother’s, pounding him on the back.. Harry was surprised at first but returned the hug and pounded Ron’s back a couple of times. “You’re welcome, Ron,” Harry said, after Ron let go, “Remember, she’s my friend, too, almost like another sister.” He grinned at Ron. “Yeah, I know,” Ron said, also grinning, “Just so you know, Rose is like a sister to me, too.” “Speaking of sisters, just what did you say to Hermione last night?” Harry asked, raising one eyebrow, “She seemed put out by it.” Ron turned red as his hair, “Well, um, I just wanted to tease her. I mean, she’s brilliant and everything but she can be a bit intimidating with what she knows. I thought it would be fun to point out to her that there’s someone who can be her match in class.” “Well, she didn’t take that comment about fibbing very well,” Harry said, “You should apologize to her and say you didn’t mean that.” “You’re right; I didn’t mean that,” Ron said, “I’ll tell her I’m sorry. Where is she, still in the hospital wing?” “Nope, she’s just changing in her dorm. We can meet her and Rose in a bit.” Harry changed quickly and the two boys descended the stairs to the common room just as Hermione and Rose were about to step out of the portrait hole. “There you two are,” Rose said, “we thought you had already left for the Great Hall.” “Nope, sis,” Harry, “I was just explaining something to Ron.” He then nudged Ron and shook his head toward Hermione. Ron approached Hermione with trepidation. “Um, Hermione, I’m sorry for saying you were lying about being the first to think that the monster in the Chamber was a basilisk. I didn’t mean it. You’re the smartest person I know. It just gets a bit intimidating sometimes.” Hermione looked shrewdly at Ron for a moment before smiling a little, “Okay, Ron. I forgive you.” Then she pulled out her wand and pointed it at Ron’s face. “But don’t you ever accuse me of lying again.” Ron gulped and said, “N-n-never again. Right.” He scowled at the smirks on Harry and Rose’s faces. The four Gryffindors left the Tower and headed down for breakfast. When they entered the Great Hall, the noise caused by the gathered students suddenly dissipated. As they walked toward the Gryffindor table, the interrupted conversations resumed. The four sat down with relief and Ron immediately began piling his plate with food. Harry had sat down beside Neville. He turned to his fellow Gryffindor second year. “Neville, thanks for helping my sister get to the hospital wing last night.” Neville’s cheeks turned a little pink, “Think nothing of it, Harry. I was glad to help.” He leaned over to whisper to Harry, “It’s just one Marauder helping another. We take care of our own, right?” “Thanks just the same,” Harry said, “It’s a pity we haven’t had time for one last prank what with exams and all.” He turned his attention to the food, barely noticing that Rose was very intent on her own plate. A few minutes later, Professor Dumbledore rose to his feet and called for the students’ attention. “My dear students, as you may have heard last night, one of your number was abducted by the monster in the Chamber of Secrets. Well, I have the pleasure to tell you that that student is safe and sound and the monster destroyed, through the selfless actions of two of your peers. While I cannot name the student abducted or the ones who saved her, rest assured they will be well rewarded with plaques for special services to the school. In addition, I have two more announcements. Since the events of the past month connected with the Chamber have been quite troubling to all and have probably affected your concentration on your studies, all exams are hereby cancelled as are classes for today. You will all relax instead and prepare for a spectacular feast that will be held tonight to celebrate the rescue and the monster’s demise. Now, enjoy your day.” The entire Hall erupted in cheers and applause, except for where Hermione was as she was getting upset over not having to do the exams anymore. Harry and Ron joined the cheering students, clapping each other’s backs. Fred and George appeared beside the two, each placing a hand on Harry’s shoulder. “Harry, we heard from Mum and Dad….,” Fred said. “….what you did for Ginny and we just wanted to say ….,” George continued. They suddenly pulled Harry into a hug, “Thank you!” Harry felt a bit embarrassed at this unfamiliar show of affection from the twins, but he awkwardly patted their backs as he mumbled “It’s okay.” The students soon left the Great Hall to enjoy the day. Harry and his friends spent the rest of the morning visiting Ginny in the hospital wing. No one brought up the Chamber or what had happened the night before. Harry sensed Ginny’s relief at that, but he wondered why he could feel it. After lunch, they allowed Ginny to sleep as she was still tired from her ordeal. The feast that night was a very satisfying one as the food was even better than the usual fare. There was a bit of tension in the air as the students seemed to realize that it was a perfect opportunity for a prank from the new marauders. However, Harry had told the others that he wanted the students to celebrate the end of the threat of the Chamber in peace so the night passed without any untoward incidents. The bonus of this was that the student body was not prepared for what happened a few days later during the Leaving Feast. Ginny was finally out of the hospital wing and looked quite happy, seated between Rose and Hermione. Anyone who knew the identities of the new marauders would have realized that this fact was as good a reason for the group of pranksters to celebrate as the fact that it was the eve of summer vacation. The evening looked normal enough as the students began eating the wonderful feast in front of them. However, about an hour after the feast had started, things started to happen in the Slytherin side of the Great Hall. First, their entire table was replaced by a stage. Then, the students of Slytherin house all changed. A third of them turned into clowns and began to jump around and juggle balls. Another third changed into acrobats and started tumbling and performing tricks on a set of seesaws and a trampoline. Finally, the remaining Slytherins, including Draco Malfoy and his two cronies turned into ballet dancers and started doing pirouettes and splits. The rest of the students were hooting with laughter and clapping their hands at the Slytherins’ antics. Snape was repeatedly waving his wand around, trying to restore the Slytherins to normal but nothing he tried helped. Finally, he simply sat back down in disgust, a scowl on his face. The rest of the professors tried to keep quiet but failed to keep silent or hold their laughter. Finally, the Slytherins finished their routines with a flourish and stood still, their faces red with embarrassment. When they found that they could move freely, the whole house ran out of the Great Hall, the laughter and applause of the other students ringing in their ears. Snape glowered at the Griffindor table for a full minute before rising from his seat, intent on following his students. Then, with a puff of smoke, his clothes changed to a pink ballerina outfit while his face acquired the look of a clown. He looked down at his new look then raised his head high and solemnly walked out of the hall, which had become quiet at the sight of the Potions Master’s change. The silence hung in the air for a good two minutes after Snape had left before being broken by a loud outburst of laughter. This was followed by applause and cheering as another sign magically appeared above the hall’s entrance, reading: THE NEW MARAUDERS ENJOY THE SUMMER! The students remaining in the Hall then resumed eating. Harry and his friends exchanged grins, the biggest one on Ginny’s face. It seemed a good way to end the term. A few days later, Harry was sitting at the writing desk by his bedroom window, laboring over his Transfiguration homework. He glanced out the window. In the garden below, his sister and Ginny were seated on the grass, talking. Harry was glad that the girls’ relationship seemed to have recovered from the events of that dreadful night. Yet, somehow, Harry felt that Ginny wasn’t completely back to her cheerful and mischievous self. To him, her smiles seemed somewhat forced at times. He wondered if Rose had noticed this. As he pondered this, he heard a knock on his door. His father opened the door without waiting for an invitation to enter and let himself and Lily in. They sat on the edge of Harry’s bed, facing him. Harry ignored them and kept his back to them, as he resumed concentrating on his homework. Finally, Lily said, “Harry, please don’t ignore us. We aren’t punishing you for saving Ginny. We just wish you had gone to an adult for help.” “Like Lockhart?” Harry asked, his back still turned to them. “Well, maybe not him,” James said. When Harry didn’t answer him, he said, “Please turn around and face us, Harry.” Harry sighed and dropped his quill. He turned around to face his parents. “Come on, Dad, who would we have gone to? As far as we knew, Dumbledore was gone. We heard McGonagall tell Lockhart to go rescue Ginny. We didn’t know she was just getting rid of him before calling you. We were desperate. After the attack on Hermione, the thought of Ginny the same way or worse, dying, well, we just sort of panicked.” “Just the same, son, you should know you could have counted on me,” James said, “Nothing would keep me from helping my kids or their friends.” He placed his hand on Harry’s shoulder, “I would die for you.” Harry looked down and gulped, “I know you would, Dad.” He then looked up at his father, “I would, too, for anyone I care about.” James and Lily glanced at each other. After an uncomfortable silence, James said, “Well, you were lucky this time, son.” “I know, Dad. If it wasn’t for Fawkes, I don’t think Ginny or I would have gotten out of that chamber alive.” “Yes, that’s probably true,” James said, “Look, Harry, we didn’t come up here simply to talk about what happened. You see, it’s become clear to us that you may find yourself in this kind of situation again in the future and I think you should be better able to handle things. So, I’ve come up with a summer project to help you while away the time once you are done with your summer assignments.” “What sort of project, Dad?” Harry asked, his eyes narrowing. Well,” James said, looking warily at Lily, “I think you should learn a bit more of spellwork than you’d get at Hogwarts.” “You mean like the spells aurors use?” Harry asked, his eyes widening. “Yes, some of that,” James said, “Also, you should learn a bit of self defense, the muggle way, which means some of the martial arts. We aurors learn them as part of our training. I think it’ll do you good.” Harry grinned, “That’s brilliant, Dad. I’d like that a lot.” James grinned back, “I thought you would.” “Dad,” Harry said, “can you also teach my friends, at least the martial arts bit? I’m sure they could use it.” James looked thoughtful for a moment, “All right, Harry. I guess Ron and Hermione can join you when we do martial arts. In fact, I think its best if Rose also learned self defense.” “Um, how about Ginny?” Harry asked, his ears heating up a bit. James raised an eyebrow while looking at him. His mother just grinned at him, a twinkle in her eye. “Well, sure,” James said, “If Rose learns self defense, I guess she’ll insist her best friend also learn. I’ll talk to Arthur and Molly about it, clear it with them.” Harry smiled, “Thanks, Dad. It won’t be a boring summer, after all.” James laughed, “No, it won’t. Though I have to warn you, I won’t pull any punches. I expect you to work hard. I’m going to treat you like one of our auror recruits.” Harry gulped. He’d seen a bit of how his father worked the recruits. His mother looked like she was struggling to keep from laughing. His parents then got up from the bed and went out through the door. James looked back at Harry before he closed the door and said, “We’ll start tomorrow. We’ll be using the duel practice room.” Harry could have sworn he saw a twinkle in his father’s eye just before the door closed. Harry stared at the door for several minutes as he thought about the room his father had mentioned. That room on the third floor was one of the few rooms of Potter Manor he had never entered. His father and his uncle Sirius sometimes used it to train, but Harry and Rose had been told not to enter it when they were using it. Harry had always wondered what was in it. The prospect of seeing it for the first time elicited both excitement and dread in him. Grinning at the thought of learning things from his father, Harry turned back to finish his homework. |
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