The Time Lord Child
Chapter One
The Time Lord Child
Missy knew that her pursuers were after her – the Shadow Proclamation had finally decided to catch up with her and “all her crimes in all her lives”. Missy sighed, the Shadow Proclamation had left her and the Doctor alone for so long despite the carnage that they both left in their wake. But that seemed to be changing now.
Why?
Could she use it?
Not the time because she had to do something first.
Missy looked down at the little boy in her harms. Wild dark locks, bright blue eyes, pale skin. He was so much like her, so much like him. The child’s existence had come as a shock to her when she realised what was happening to her.
Missy had cursed herself.
She had forgotten that annoying aspect of feminine biology so used to being a male as she had for thousands of years. It wouldn’t have mattered, of course, if she had copulated with a human or most species as Time Lord generally weren’t compatible. However, after Clara had departed from the Doctor for her eternal death the Doctor had been grieving and depressed so had sought her out for companionship. It was stupid and foolish and sentimental on both their parts but neither of them could ever resist each other for long.
Not since the beginning.
Not since the Academy.
And it never ended well. It always ended the same with darkness and devastation, with pain and heartbreak. Yet it seemed even after all these years they never learned. And, now there was a child caught up in everything.
Her innocent child.
Missy hadn’t told the Doctor, of course. As far as she was concerned, he did not need to know. She had given birth to a beautiful baby boy who she had named Polmossora, or in their tongue War Child or Little Warrior depending on how you said it. Missy found it fitting for who they both were – the child would always be a Child of War no matter what the Doctor liked to tell himself.
Of course, that it was just his family name. He would choose his true name when he was older just as the Doctor had chosen his, the sentimental fool, and the Master had chosen his. But for now, he was her little warrior. The most treasured thing that she had ever had which was surprising she had always thought children annoying. But not her little warrior.
But now she was being hunted.
She had lost her TARDIS some ways back.
She couldn’t keep her son with her and fight, so Missy found a children’s home in the middle of London and laid the boy on the mat and rang the doorbell. Missy promised the boy that she would be back before she knew it and fled the place.
'I'll come back for you,' Missy promised. 'I promise on the blood and ashes of my foes.'
Missy would never see her baby boy again.
**********************************************************************************
A month later a young couple came to the orphanage after indicating they were looking to adopt a child. They had visit four other orphanages already looking for a suitable child to have as their own. This here meaning a magical child under the age of five.
James and Lily had married a little over a year ago in 1979 when they were nineteen. James being the last of his line and in these times of war had wanted to have an heir. Lily who had wanted to be a mother especially now her parents had passed. Well, they both did and knew that they might not have the chance to.
But after a year and no sign of a baby coming along James and Lily worried something was wrong. They had gone to their Healer who had told them that James was infertile. It was a deep and shocking blow.
James knew that adoption within the Wizarding World was highly unlikely as most children would remain in the family if there was any family. There may be a few children of Muggleborns but even in war times that was few and far between. It was Lily who had suggested looking to see if there was any Muggleborns in the care system.
The plan was to adopt the child legally through the Muggle courts and then blood adopt the child so he would be a Potter-Evans as much as he was anything else. Then they would have their baby to love, cherish and be the Heir the Potters needed.
They were met at the door by the Head of the Institute, an older woman with sharp grey eyes wearing sturdy dark grey trousers and plain long-sleeved blue blouse. Smart, but sturdy which was smart as she wanted to make a good impression but was dealing with children.
‘Mr and Mrs Potter?’ the woman asked.
Lily and James nodded.
‘It is nice to meet you, I am Elaine Wheeler,’ the lady introduced. ‘Well, all your checks have cleared, and you we are good to start the adoption process if that is what you want.’
James nodded, ‘we want to see if we … connect to any child.’
Lily subtly checked her second watch which measured the ambient magic in the area. It was higher than usual which hopefully meant there was a magical child in the area. None of the other orphanages had given off such readings.
They wandered around for a few minutes with Lily going towards where the magic readings were highest. A little baby boy, probably only a couple of weeks old at the most. He had thick, curly black hair, bright blue eyes and pale skin. He was dressed in what might have once been a red onesie but was now just brown. He looked up at them curiously.
And his magical readings were off the chart.
‘What’s his name?’ asked James.
‘We called him Harry July,’ Elaine said softly. ‘Found him on the doorstep poor dear on the thirty-first of July. Couldn’t trace where he came from. We had a birth certificate made up for listing his birthdate as 31st of July, name Harry July and parentage unknown.’
‘He’s sweet,’ smiled Lily. ‘Hair messier than yours.’
‘Hey, that’s insulting isn’t it Harry,’ smiled James. ‘My grandfather was known as Harry, do you think that's a sign?’
‘Are you interested in adopting him?’ asked Elaine.
‘Yes,’ they both said together.
---------------
Remus Lupin was excited to meet James and Lily’s new child, but worried that he would hurt the boy. He met Wormtail on the door who was also looking nervous and worried about going in. Wormtail’s anxiousness eased his own, so he knocked on the door. James met them at the door with a huge grin.
‘Moony, Wormtail, I’ve told you a hundred times you don’t need to knock,’ James said grinning. ‘Just come in.’
‘And I’ve told you a hundred times we’re at war – you should not be leaving your door open,’ Remus replied. ‘Especially now you have a baby.’
James rolled his eyes, ‘the wards will prevent anyone who means us harm from entering without being escorted onto the premises.’
Wormtail jumped.
‘Don’t worry, Wormy,’ James grinned. ‘We’re hardly going to invite a Death Eater in for tea.’
‘O-o-o-of c-c-c-co-course n-not,’ stuttered Wormtail.
James smiled kindly at Wormtail, ‘come in, come in, we want you all to welcome Harry James Potter into our lives. Sirius is already in the kitchen. Alice, Frank, Marlene and Mary are cooing over Harry, of course.’
‘Are you sure you want me there I am a mo-‘Remus began.
James’ eyes flashed, ‘you are not a monster! Sure, you are a beast to be around once a month. But so are the ladies.’
Remus snorted, ‘don’t let Lily hear you say that.’
‘Of course not,’ James smiled. ‘I value my life too much. But seriously Remus you are not a monster, and any child would be blessed to have you in their lives. And I want you to have a part of Harry’s life as much as Sirius, Peter, Marlene, Alice, and any of Lily and I’s friends. And a damned sight more than Lily’s harpy of a sister.’
Remus nodded and entered the living room where Sirius was holding little baby Harry. The child was tiny, looked to be a newborn with curly black hair and pale skin. He was staring at Sirius curiously as the man waved his hands in front of his face.
‘Hey, Moony you have a go,’ Sirius said.
Suddenly found himself with an armful of baby boy. The little boy looked straight into his eyes as though he could see his soul with those big blue eyes of his. There was something off putting about those unblinking eyes of his.
‘Hi, Harry, I’m your Uncle Remus or Moony,’ Remus said seriously. ‘How old is he?’
‘They found him on the doorstep four weeks ago,’ James said darkly.
‘Although, it looks like they haven’t been feeding him because he doesn’t look to have grown at all in the last three weeks,’ Lily said voice sharp.
Alice smiled, ‘I’m sure he’s fine and you’re just misremembering. The human mind if very fallible.’
Lily frowned, ‘I’m sure, Alice.’
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Two days later James and Lily stood in the lines of a ritual circle. Harry was between them held by Albus Dumbledore who they had asked to be the Binder of the ritual. Sirius and Mary were in the other two outer circles as the people they had chosen to be godfather and godmother. Albus put Harry down in the centre of the circle.
‘Latonae, Ioves et omnes dii hanc magam, magum et abiectio puerum benedicunt,’ Albus spoke, and the circles lit up a brilliant gold. ‘Videte hic coniugum amor erga se et prolem non sanguinis sui. In sacrificio sanguinis sui faciunt puerum sanguine et magico suo.’
James and Lily both cut their palms and let the blood run from their circle into Harry’s circle and into Harry. Harry began to cry the same golden light surrounding them, flickering in his eyes and body. James held his breath as they waited to see if the blood adoption would take.
‘Teste fratre et sorore non sanguinis, sed anime, qui hunc puerum manutenere et protegere pignore debet, mater et pater hoc facere non possunt,’ Albus completed and silver circles encircled both Mary and Sirius.
Then the golden light faded and Albus picked up the child and smiled.
‘Diis gratias agimus quod placitum nostrum accipimus,’ Albus completed.
Then he stepped out of the circle with them all following his lead.
‘It’s worked,’ Albus said. ‘Congratulations James, Lily.’
Albus handed them their new child who looked similar to how he had looked half an hour ago when they had laid him in the ritual circle. Except now his eyes were brilliant green just like Lily’s and his curls had flattened so now his hair looked just like James’. He was beautiful, he was perfect, and he was theirs.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Three months later Lily and James were in their home and playing with their baby boy, Harry. They had weighed him yesterday and he weighed only eight pounds, 13 ounces. He had only gained 1 pound, five ounces since they had brought him home. He was the lighter than a one-month-old should be. He was eating heartily and seemed happy and didn’t look ill except that he rarely cried but somehow James and Lily always knew what he wanted and when. James had laughed that it was because he had heavily bonded to his new parents.
But the joke rang hollow.
Because both James and Lily were really worried about their son.
What if there was something wrong with him?
What if he was sick?
What if he was dying?
What if they were doing something wrong?
What if they weren’t feeding him properly?
What if the formula milk wasn’t enough?
That was why they had booked him in for a hospital appointment the next day at St. Mungo’s. They just hoped and prayed that Harry was okay. That there was some sort of fixable solution. Lily kept reminding herself that it was the Wizarding World and they had lots of potions and spells to maladies that the Muggle world didn’t have. They also had illnesses that Muggles weren’t susceptible to.
A knock came at the door making them both jump.
‘I’ll get it,’ Lily said.
James nodded distractedly who had Harry in his arms. The boy was reaching out to grab his father’s glasses. It was strange in some way Harry was very immature for his age and in other ways he was too mature. He was too small, but he was able to grab which he shouldn’t be able to do for another three months.
‘Who’s there?’ Lily asked wand in her hand not opening the door.
‘Albus,’ Dumbledore responded.
‘What was the first thing I asked you?’ Lily said.
‘You were eleven, first year, and had only been at Hogwarts for four weeks and you guessed my password and you begged for me to allow your muggle sister to attend Hogwarts,’ Albus said with a smile.
Lily breathed a sigh of relief, ‘come in, Albus.’
Albus’ eyes looked heavy, ‘thank you, Lily. And how is Harry?’
Lily bit her lip, ‘not putting on weight well. We have an appointment with the Healers tomorrow.’
Albus looked sad, ‘well, I hope everything is okay.’
They entered the living room.
‘Albus,’ James smiled not moving.
Harry stared at Albus unblinkingly and reached for the new person. He always liked being held by new people. It was like he wanted to learn the new people. For such a small child, he was very intelligent already.
‘Do you remember, Albus,’ chuckled James.
‘How are the three of you doing?’ asked Albus.
Lily sighed, ‘we’re worried he’s not putting enough weight on. We’ve got an appointment tomorrow.’
James nodded, ‘I’m sure they’ll have an answer for us.’
Lily could hear the prayer in James’ voice. They didn’t have an answer for Monty and Effy’s illness. They had died in St. Mungo’s and Lily knew that James was terrified that the same thing would result with Harry. Not that either of them wanted to voice their fears.
Please Merlin, God, or whoever was up there please make Harry be okay.
Harry was still reaching out to Albus.
‘Would you like to hold him?’ asked James.
Albus nodded smiling and carefully took Harry from his father. James made sure that Harry was secure in the old man’s arms before he sat down making sure he was still sat beside Harry. Lily smiled feeling love for James – he was such a good father, loving, caring and diligent.
‘I’m sorry to say that I am going to do nothing but add to your worries,’ Albus said.
‘What do you mean?’ asked James his voice hard.
‘I am sorry to say that a prophecy has been made,’ Albus said gravely as Harry reached out for the old man’s face causing Albus to chuckle. ‘Oh, hello, Harry.’
‘He does that with new people a lot,’ James chuckled. ‘I think he’s just saying hello. So, the prophecy what does it say?’
‘It foretells the vanquishing of V-‘Dumbledore stopped half way through the sentence.
‘Professor?’ asked James.
‘Hello, Harry,’ repeated Dumbledore. ‘I think your son is a natural legimens.’
‘That’s possible?’ asked Lily surprised.
‘Its rare, very rare,’ Dumbledore replied. ‘I’ve only met one other like that. But he is trying to probe my mind. I don’t think he means any harm by it he is just curious about a new mind.’
‘Of course, he doesn't mean any harm – he’s a baby,’ snapped James. ‘But … he’s been reaching out to grab everyone that he meets do you think he’s been doing the same to them?’
Albus smiled at the baby, ‘oh, most probably, he probably doesn’t even know what he’s doing. And I’m sure few would notice. He’s very subtle and not like any mind I’ve come into contact with.’
‘Oh,’ James said obviously realising something. ‘He rarely cries but somehow when he needs a change or food, we always know he needs us and what he needs. Do you think its legimency?’
Albus looked at the baby again, ‘yes, I think so. Certainly, when I let my shields down a little bit, I do get images of you mainly – he loves you – and an older woman – curly, dark hair, blue eyes and a Scottish accent. He misses her and is reaching out to find her.’
‘Do you think its his biological mother?’ asked Lily softly.
Albus smiled, ‘yes, I believe so. His love for her doesn’t mean he loves you any less.'
Lily smiled sadly and took her son back from Albus, ‘we love you so much, Harry, even though your first mother is gone we’re here for you.’
'Strange for an older woman to abandon their children in such a way ...' murmured Albus. 'It is far more likely to be a young woman ... still there's plenty of reasons one may do that. May I ask were any parents detected?’
Lily shook her head, 'no. Only squiggles. How would that happen?'
'Could be disowned,' Albus murmured. 'Either that or it's a language we can't read.'
James nodded, ‘Albus, what was the prophecy about?’
‘The vanquisher of the Dark Lord,’ Albus said seriously. ‘According to a prophecy a child born at the end of July, born to those who have thrice defied Voldemort will have the power to vanquish the Dark Lord.’
‘And you think its Harry?’ asked Lily.
‘Harry wasn’t born to us,’ James said sharply. ‘I mean he’s ours, but he wasn’t born to us.’
‘And we don’t even know when he was born!’ Lily said sharply. ‘Yes, the thirty-first of July is what is written on his birth certificate but that’s just because that’s when he was found.’
‘I know,’ Albus said. ‘But I don’t know if he does.’
Lily swallowed that retort.
‘Harry’s not the only child,’ admitted Albus.
‘Neville,’ Lily said.
Albus nodded, ‘Neville is the more likely recipient, but I still want you to be careful.’
‘Of course, we will,’ James said.
Lily nodded, ‘we already were. I’m a Muggleborn, we’re members of the Order and its war, of course, we’re being careful.’
Albus nodded, ‘I’ll see myself out.’
********************
The next day James was holding Harry again clutching their baby close to his chest. Lily was rapidly tapping her feet against the floor of the waiting room trying to release some of the stress and anxiety she was feeling. James felt the same; he hated hospitals, and he was trying not to think about his parents going into hospital and never coming out.
‘Harry Potter,’ a young trainee mediwizard probably no older than James and Lily.
James and Lily stood up and followed the medwizard to the Healer’s Office which was painted brightly with childish cartoons from the Beedle the Bard and Marty Miggs and other children’s books. An older woman with white hair and smiling eyes around her pale blue eyes.
‘Good day, Mr and Mrs Potter,’ Healer McCullough said with a thick Scottish accent. ‘And this must be Harry. Tell me what has been happening.’
‘We adopted him three months ago,’ James said.
‘And his birth parents?’ asked Healer McCullough.
‘We don’t know,’ James said.
‘We adopted him from a Muggle Care Home,’ explained Lily.
‘We assume he is a Muggleborn or possibly the half-blood son of a Muggle,’ James added.
Healer McCullough nodded.
‘Since bringing him home he has only gained one pound, five ounces,’ James explained. ‘He only is eight pound, thirteen ounces like a one-month-old. He seems happy and healthy and he’s eating regularly. Doesn’t cry much but we worked out that he is a natural legimens and is … somehow broadcasting to us what he wants.’
‘Interesting,’ Healer McCullough. ‘Well let’s start with a check of his vitals – temperatus lectio. Mmmh, that can’t be right … it says he is hypothermic, but he shows no signs. Ratus Cordis.’
Twin thumps, thumps sounded in the room.
‘According to this your son has two heartbeats,’ Healer McCullough said. ‘I am going to take a sample of his blood and check him in with Healer Mary Summers. She is an expert in non-human paediatrics.’
‘Non-human,’ James said weakly.
‘Yes, between his temperature, having two hearts, his slow growth and telepathy I think he is most likely to be non-human,’ explained Healer McCullough. ‘Two hearts is not a species I recognise but Healer Summers is a world renowned expert on non-humans she will help you.’
‘What does it mean for his low weight?’ asked James.
‘Well not all species age at the same rate,’ explained Healer McCullough. ‘So, him appearing much like a much younger infant may make sense. But until we can identify his species its difficult to determine what is his normal. I’m not an expert on non-humans and I have never met an infant with your son’s readings.’
James and Lily looked at each other not feeling relieved at all.
‘Can I schedule you in for an appointment with Healer Summers as soon as possible?’ asked Healer McCullough.
‘Yes,’ James and Lily said at once.
Translation of the Ritual:
Leto, Zeus and all of the gods bless this witch, wizard and outcast child. See this couple's love for each other and child not of their blood. With the sacrifice of their blood make the child their own by blood and magic.
Witnessed by brother and sister not of blood but of soul who pledge to support and protect this child should mother and father be unable to do so.
Thank you, gods, for accepting our plea.