Their Beginning..
Chapter 2: Their Beginning..
Raising the boy who lived was.. interesting for Minerva. Harry was a wonderful mix of his parents. It was obvious from a young age that he inherited Lily's brains. He was miraculously smart, and sometimes even Minerva would find herself stumped because of the boys curiosity and brilliance. However, he was also very much a child of James Potter. Made even more evident by the time he spent with Sirius and Remus. He'd definitely looked like any other Potter. he had the Potters complexion and hair, tanned skin and messy black hair that seems unnameable. He also inherited their sharp facial features, and sometimes when she looked at his face, all she could see was the boyish face of James Potter.
But you could always find glimpses of Lily in him. His skin had so many freckles.. his face nearly covered in them, and the rest of him was no better. His eyes were just as green as hers, and oh.. his smile was so very reminiscent of Lily's.. the same smile she would give everyone near her when she walked into a room. Sometimes, when he would smile up at his guardians.. they would have to take a moment, trying not to cry at the memory of the lovely redheaded woman who birthed him.
Now, his knack for causing problems was something he gained from his godfather. Sirius doted on Harry every moment he was given, and when Harry got to be old enough, he started initiating a prank war of all things. Poor six year old Harry stood no chance, at least not until his Uncle Moony decided he needed a little help. No, the trouble they all caused when they were together gave poor Minerva grey hairs long before she should've been getting them. Still, she watched on the sidelines as they had their fun, amused by their antics. Harry was the only one brave enough to turn the pranks on Minerva...
~~~
Minerva had been having a normal day. It was a Saturday, and she'd popped in to her residence to grab something, knowing that Sirius and Harry were both home. It was the dark haired man's turn to watch the little devil, as he'd gotten a new broom for his 8th birthday, and couldn't be trusted alone for even a moment.
When she paused in her office, not hearing any sound from the outside, she got suspicious. Usually, when Sirius Black was in her home, there wasn't a moment of peace. Not even a second. So not hearing the loud giggles of Harry, or the joyous shouts of Sirius was.. concerning. Minerva opened her door, and stepped out to investigate, and as soon as she did, she was bombarded with water balloons. She blinked furiously, and was only met with the giggles of one Harry Potter. Sirius sat in the corner, holding his hands up in surrender, and pointed to the child. "It was him Minnie..." He spoke gravely, a serious tone in his voice as he put all the blame on the little one.
Harry just burst out into another fit of giggles. "Auntie Minnie, he bought them for me" Harry giggled, pointing back at Sirius. Sirius jumped up in indignation.
"You little snitch!" He shouted, feigned betrayal in his tone. He dashed forward, scooping up the small boy in his arms and swinging him around, hanging by his legs. "Oh, I'll teach you not to snitch!"
Minerva simply chuckled, casting a quick drying spell on herself. "You'd better watch yourself Sirius Black..." She said in warning, as she stepped back into her office. She couldn't hide her fond chuckles as she left.
~~~
There were some days that Minerva couldn't find someone to watch Harry, which in turn led to her bringing the child to school with her on occasion. Usually he would sit in during the lessons, coloring in his little books, or reading whatever child's book his Uncle Moony had told him to read. But sometimes, he would get bored and wander off. He just loved the Hogwarts grounds, and always somehow managed to find his way around perfectly. All the students knew who he was, and the older students would dote on him constantly, giving him treats and piggyback rides whenever he wanted.
That's why, as soon as the Weasley twins started at Hogwarts... well Minerva knew she was in for a journey. Harry was nine at the time, and he was brought into school with her about two weeks into the school year. Somehow, likely because Peeves loves to cause problems for her, he managed to meet the twins almost immediately. And, goodness did they hit it off. The twins decided they'd found a new honorary little brother, because in their own words, 'Why must we be stuck with the boring siblings when we could have you!'.
Harry would help them with their pranks, giving advice that Sirius had given him when he could. That's how they found the Marauders Map, one that Minerva wasn't supposed to know about but she did naturally, and how they'd managed to make enemies of nearly all the staff at Hogwarts. But Harry just loved the chaos, reveling in the shared mischief they caused together. Oh, they were inseparable when Harry was able to join Minerva at school. He would run off instantly to find the twins.
~~~
Harry was told bedtime stories about his parents. All while he was growing up, Sirius would tell stories about his and James' adventures in school, and Remus would fill him in on whatever Lily would get up to, or what great things they did. Harry loved these story times, staring up at the men with stars in his eyes. He was always chasing after his parents in his own achievements and interests. One day, he stared up at Remus as he talked about Lily, and had to ask, "What was mum's favorite subject at Hogwarts?"
Remus paused at the question, clearly not expecting the nine-year-old to ask that. "Well... she loved all her classes.. but I think her favorite was Potions. She was an incredibly skilled witch when it came to anything, but especially Potions..." He said, remembering her being the top of her class, every year.
Harry thought for a moment, before the dedicated expression that him and James shared came across his face. "I'm gonna be the best at potions then!" He said strongly. "Next time Auntie Minnie takes me to school with her, I'll sneak to the potions classroom...!" And he sounded so sure of himself. The kind of confidence only a child of James Fleamont Potter could have...
~~~
Now, no one really expected Harry to actually sneak into the potions classroom. Severus Snape wasn't even informed of the 'threat' made by the nine-year-old boy. Snape had a somewhat strained relationship still with Sirius Black, but was on friendlier terms with both Minerva, since he started working as a professor, and Remus, which was a surprising feat on it's own. So one would think that Remus would inform his so-called friend of Harry Potter's interest in potions.
During classes one day Harry snuck into the first years class, hiding in a back corner while Snape taught. Of course the man noticed, because how could he not? When his excitable first year Slytherins were side-eyeing the small boy hiding on their side of the classroom. And he wasn't daft enough to miss the boy walking in. Severus decided to let Harry be for some time, as long as he wasn't getting into anything dangerous. But he would be stopping the boy from leaving before the next class, so he could return him to his guardian.
What did surprise him was Harry's small notebook as he actually listened to the lessons, taking notes on what he deemed important. A child, taking notes on potions, willingly wasn't exactly common. Especially the child of his enemy. But then Severus remembered that Harry was only half James Potter. The other half.. the eyes and smile and freckles and... well his eagerness to learn apparently. That was all Lily.
And if Snape smiled at the small boy when he pulled him aside later, no he didn't. Severus Snape was not soft. And he didn't smile. Especially at nine-year-old boys who gave him lip, with sassy remarks and bright eyes.
~~~
"C'mon Remus, you knoooww it would be fun!!" Sirius stood in front of his boyfriend, smiling as he pestered the man. Remus never even glanced up from his book, too used to Sirius's antics.
"Padfoot, I am not going to play Quidditch with you and a ten year-old-boy. I wouldn't do it in high school when you and James begged, I certainly won't now." Remus still didn't look away from whatever he was reading. Minerva was sat in the corner, watching the whole situation, with an air of amusement. Sirius had been begging for almost an hour now, and Remus hadn't budged.
"C'mon Moony!!" Sirius asked, with pleading eyes. Now, that in itself didn't make Remus consider. He'd seen his boyfriends puppy eyes many times in the years he'd known him. No, Remus paused because Harry followed up Sirius's plea with one of his own.
"Yea! C'mon Moony!" He laughed, throwing himself so he was hanging off Sirius's shoulders. The adults in the room froze, because in the moment.. all they could hear was James. James pleading with Remus to help him and Sirius with whatever trouble they planned to get up too. They always said it like that. Sirius would start begging, would call him Moony, and James would chime in after, hanging off his best friends shoulders as they begged him. It was so similar. Like deja-vu...
In the end, Remus gave in. Only for Harry though. No one could deny him when he truly wanted something, that much was true.
~~~
When Harry turned 10, his guardians decided they needed to start teaching him about the different branches of magic. About light and dark magic, and the different sectors. They explained to him what blood magic was, and that his mother was quite proficient in it. They explained that Uncle Padfoot was a dark wizard, but only in terms of magic, and that Uncle Moony and Aunt Minnie were light wixen. They explained that there are some forms of magic that wixen excelled in, and some they never could get the hang of. They explained all of it as best as they could. Then when Harry said he wanted to learn a little of all of it, they weren't opposed to teaching him.
The issue was that they weren't able to teach him everything as in detail as one would want. They brought Severus into it, and he willingly agreed. But he recommended someone else's help. Now, everyone was sceptical when Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy were brought up. They used to be supporters of the very man who killed Harry's parents, and who permanently damaged harry's vision, (Trying to kill Harry himself.). But Severus was sure it would be a good idea. Especially because of the young Malfoy heir who was around Harry's age. It opened up many chances for them, and Harry could be taught more about his position in the political world by the Malfoy's, since his guardians, save for Black, could do it themselves.
The initial meeting went surprisingly well, Draco and Harry became fast friends despite their very different personalities. Draco was well-mannered and elegant, while Harry could be a bit brash and clumsy most of the time. That didn't stop them though, as they started talking immediately about similar interests like Quidditch, and Potions. Narcissa was immediately babying the small boy, and knew she would have so much fun helping him alongside her husband. Lucius was more.. hesitant, to help. He knew that he didn't have the best reputation with them, but eventually, he warmed up in his own cold way.
They worked on starting lessons with Harry, not only to teach him about every section of magic they could, but to help him prepare for Hogwarts, where he would be socializing with wixen from many different families, many of which would grow to be important people to have connections with. Draco swore to Harry that he wouldn't let him 'embarrass the Potter name' if he had anything to do with it. Harry just laughed at his new friends odd enthusiasm.
~~~
Before getting their Hogwarts letters, Draco made sure to introduce Harry to his circle of friends. Neville Longbottom, who Harry already knew of course, accompanied them as they traveled to meet the Parkinsons, Pansy Parkinson being the new friend Harry would meet. Pansy was excited to meet her best friends new buddy, and wanted to make an amazing impression on Harry.
By the end of that meeting, Harry looked Remus in the eyes and said, "She's quite scary. I like her.", with a content smile on his face.
Remus just sighed as he remembered James attracting dangerous women to their group, Marlene, Dorcas, Lily, hell even Pandora could be scary. He didn't know if he wanted to know what kind of danger magnet Harry would be.
Harry was also forced to befriend both Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott. Even more people he was so oddly different from, but he got along wonderfully with. Blaise instantly decided he liked Harry, and would be a friend to the chaotic boy, and Theo.. well lets just say he had always wanted to be friends with Harry Potter, just to spite his Father of course.
~~~
They day finally came for Harry to get his Hogwarts letter. He was jumping with excitement when an owl with the days mail arrived, and Sirius took his time going through it, putting on a surprised act when he saw one addressed to Harry.
"Oh my.. it seems someone has written to you Harry!" He said, eyebrows raised in mock surprise.
"Oh shove off Pads!" Harry scolded his godfather, before snatching the letter and running to the living room where his Aunt Minnie and Uncle Moony were waiting. He opened the letter, jumping for joy when he read his letter, already asking if him and Draco could do their shopping together. Of course they agreed to it, writing to the Malfoy's, to find out Draco had a similar demand.
As a surprise for starting at Hogwarts, and an extra birthday gift, Sirius and Remus decided to buy Harry an owl. a beautiful snowy owl as they remembered the boy ranting about how gorgeous the breed was. Harry named her Hedwig affectionately, and smiled as she pecked at his fingers, apparently quickly attached to her new owner.
After a long day of shopping, Harry was ready for his first day of Hogwarts, counting down the days until he could board the train with his friends.
~~~
Neville Longbottom's parents, Frank and Alice Longbottom, were tortured to insanity shortly after Voldemort's disappearance from the world. Death eaters Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan Lestrange, along with Barty Crouch Jr used the cruciatus curse on the couple until they were driven mentally insane. The only reason the death eaters even found the Longbottoms, is because they were under the guise of a false safety. That just because He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named was gone, meant they were finally safe again. And with Lily and James' deaths, how could they not come out of hiding to help their remaining friends cope?
Everyone was distraught at the news that the sweet Alice and ever brave Frank had been hurt so badly, especially Frank's mother, Augusta Longbottom. She took in Neville to make sure he was cared for and raised properly, and insisted on arranging regular playdates between her grandson and Harry Potter. Basically, Harry and Neville were raised to love each other like brothers. Because it's what their parents would have wanted in the end. Harry knew Augusta as Gran, even though they were not related at all by blood.
Harry went with Neville nearly every time they visited his parents. Harry comforted his brother every time his parents mindlessly handed him those gum wrappers, and even started to learn origami to create pretty shapes with them. Eventually, Neville had a jar full of gum wrappers, and when him and Harry would hang out, they would come up with different projects, sometimes just making tiny paper stars with them. The boys knew that the doctors all said that it wasn't possible for Neville's parents wouldn't ever recognize their own son, let alone their old friends son, but... there was something about the way Alice Longbottom seemed to light u at their company. Something in the way Frank Longbottom's head always seemed to face the boys. And sometimes.. sometimes Harry swore they would stare at him. Like they were seeing something that wasn't there.
After Harry and Neville got their letters, their Gran took them to visit the Longbottoms in St. Mungos. The boys walked up to the bedsides of Alice and Frank, voices soft and expressions gentle. They told the mindless adults that they got their Hogwarts letters. That they were about to start the next chapter of their lives. Even Augusta herself couldn't deny that her son and daughter-in-law were glowing. They were still as mindless as before, muttering unintelligible words and handing the boys those gum wrappers, but they seemed happy. As happy as they could. Neville swears that his mum squeezed his hand just a little tighter than usual when they stood to leave.
~~~
Finally Harry stood in front of the train, Neville bedside him as they hugged their families goodbye. Gran was there for both boys, as well as Sirius and Remus. Minerva was already at the school preparing to the coming year, but she knew Harry was taken care of in his Godfathers hands. It was all happy hugs, and promises to come home for the winter break to celebrate Yule with their families. Harry could see a family of redheads doing the same with their young ones, amongst the crowd of families excited for their kids school years.
Harry and Neville finally boarded, finding an empty compartment fairly quick. Eventually, Draco found his friends, Theo, Pansy, and Blaise behind him. They entered the compartment, Theo sitting on one side of Harry while Pansy took her seat on the other. Draco sat bedside Neville. They caught up until a somewhat lanky red-headed boy knocked on the door.
"Would it be alright if I join you?" He asked the group. Harry immediately agreed, knowing they had space. The boy sat down, introducing himself. "I'm Ron. Ron Weasley." He said, looking up at the rest. Everyone else introduced themselves first, Draco trying to seem more elegant than he usually was in conversation. Then it was Harry's turn.
"I'm Harry then. Harry Potter." Harry said with a large smile, reminiscent of his fathers, and held a hand out for Ron to shake. Instead of shaking his hand however, the boy just stared in shock.
"Harry Potter? As in the Harry Potter!?" Harry grimaced slightly.
"Well.. yes, but I am still just Harry. Please don't do all that, it is far too old by now." Harry's hand was still reached out, and Ron had the grace to at least look embarrassed. He apologized, taking Harry's hand and shaking it. "I hope we can be friends then!" Harry said excitedly.
The rest of the train ride was peaceful, quiet conversation between the group, Harry, Pansy and Theo formed a somewhat cuddle pile as they got some rest before arriving, Draco and Blaise were having a conversation on their bets on where everyone would be sorted, and Neville chatted to Ron about whatever came to mind. When they got there, changed into their school robes, they stared excitedly at their surroundings.
The sorting started as one would expect. Draco, Blaise, Pansy, and Theo all got into Slytherin, because of course, Ron and Neville were sorted into Gryffindor which had Harry cheering for the two, as they'd both said they wanted the house. Finally, Harry's name got called. The whole room broke into whispers, but Harry just looked up at Minerva and smiled. He glanced at Snape up at the teachers table, and sat down on the stool, the hat being placed on his head.
It didn't take much deliberation for the hat to call out, "SLYTHERIN!", but instead of the loud cheers and claps everyone else got, the great hall was silent in surprise. A Potter in Slytherin? Surely not? Eventually Harry's friends in Slytherin and Gryffindor started clapping for him, Minerva joining in alongside any friends and teachers he'd made during his years exploring the school. The Weasley twins actually stood up and started whooping and hollering for them, which earned a glare from Minerva but they didn't care. The whole Slytherin table clapped as Harry sat down beside Draco comfortably, his once black robes now an emerald green and silver.
Harry couldn't wait for this year, even as his scar began to sting in a weird way it never had before.. maybe he should talk to Aunt Minnie when he got the chance?