Lonely
Natsu's head hurt like hell and his mouth was unbelievably dry. His entire body ached, and he could barely move. His stomach rumbled, and nausea washed over him in waves. He opened his eyes and found himself in a bed, tangled in blankets. Desperately, he tore them off and jumped out of bed, searching for something to throw up in. He spotted a small trash bin in the corner and rushed over to it, emptying his guts into the bin.
As he heaved, a door swung open, filtering in light from outside. A figure approached, but Natsu was too focused on the bin to look up. The figure knelt beside him and placed a comforting hand on his back.
"Oh, poor boy, are you okay?" a woman's voice asked gently, rubbing his back in comfort.
"N-no. I feel like shit," Natsu gagged.
"Mind your language, please," the woman said sternly.
"S-sorry," Natsu apologized before retching again.
"Arthur!" the lady called out.
"I'm coming!" another voice responded in a merry tune. As Natsu finally looked up, he saw the woman who was comforting him. She appeared to be middle-aged, with short ginger hair, green eyes, and a warm aura.
A middle-aged man with ginger hair and blue eyes hurried into the room next. "My goodness, let me get him a potion," he said, surprised, and quickly left the room. He returned with a bottle in hand and passed it to the woman.
"Drink this, dear. It'll make you feel better," she said soothingly.
"No, I don't trust you!" Natsu stated defiantly. "It could be poison."
"Now, boy, why would I want to poison you?" the lady asked, her voice calm and reassuring.
"B-Because..." Natsu began but was cut off by another wave of nausea.
"F-fine, I trust y-you," Natsu slurred, holding his hand to his mouth.
"Here you go then," she said with a warm smile, handing him the bottle.
Natsu drank cautiously. With every gulp, the pain in his stomach started to subside, and he felt increasingly better. Once he finished the entire bottle, the man named Arthur handed him some napkins to wipe his face.
"There you go, lad. How do you feel?" Arthur asked.
Natsu thought about it for a moment. The sickness had left his body, and he felt much better, though he was still a bit sore. "I feel alright now, thanks," he said, his voice steadying.
"Good to hear," the woman said with a smile. "I'm Molly Weasley, and this is my husband, Arthur. You're safe here."
Natsu nodded, feeling a sense of relief. Despite the unfamiliar surroundings, there was something comforting about the Weasleys' presence. "I'm Natsu Dragneel," he introduced himself, trying to process everything that had happened.
"Welcome, Natsu," Arthur said kindly. "Now, why don't you tell us how you ended up here?"
Natsu thought about it for a moment, but nothing came to him. Panic began to set in as he realized he couldn't remember anything—where he was from, how he got here, not even any memories beyond his name. His heart pounded in his chest, and a wave of anxiety washed over him.
"I-I don’t know… why... can’t I remember? No, no, NO!" he shouted, clutching his head as the headache returned with a vengeance. He began to breathe harder, but it felt like no air was reaching his lungs.
"Who am I? W-where am I?!" he stammered, spiraling deeper into panic. Molly quickly placed her hand on his shoulder and squeezed gently, her calm presence grounding him.
"Calm down, it’s okay," she said soothingly. "Unfortunately, I can’t answer your first question, but I can answer your second. You are in the House of Black, which is the headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix. You are also in London, England."
Natsu’s breathing began to slow as he focused on her words. The steady pressure of Molly's hand on his shoulder helped to anchor him, and he tried to absorb the information she provided.
"The Order of the Phoenix?" Natsu repeated, his voice shaky but curious.
"Yes," Arthur chimed in, his tone gentle and reassuring. "We are a group dedicated to fighting against dark forces in our world. You ended up here under unusual circumstances, but you're safe now."
Molly nodded, her warm eyes full of concern. "You've had quite a shock, Natsu. It's understandable that you're feeling disoriented. Let's take things one step at a time, okay?"
Natsu nodded, feeling a little more in control. "Okay," he said quietly, still processing everything.
"Good," Molly said, smiling reassuringly. "Now, let's get you some food and more rest. You've been through a lot, and you'll need your strength."
As they helped Natsu to a nearby chair, he couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and gratitude.
_____________________
Molly and Arthur helped Natsu down the creaky, wooden stairs as he tried to get a grasp on his footing. The hallway they descended was narrow and dimly lit, the old-fashioned wallpaper showing signs of age and wear. The scent of something delicious wafted up from below, teasing Natsu's senses and momentarily lifting his spirits, though the heavy weight of his lost memories still lingered.
Despite his excitement at the thought of food, Natsu couldn't shake the gnawing depression from his amnesia. Every attempt to remember anything felt like hitting an impenetrable brick wall. He was torn out of his thoughts when he accidentally tripped on a step. Arthur quickly pulled him back, preventing a fall.
“Thank you, sorry I wasn’t paying attention,” Natsu said, relieved.
“It’s no problem, lad. Just happy you’re alright,” Arthur replied with a reassuring smile.
Natsu managed a small smile in return and continued to make his way down the stairs. As they reached the bottom, his eyes widened at the sight before him. The kitchen was warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the gloomy stairway. The room was bathed in the golden glow of morning sunlight streaming through the windows, reflecting off the polished wooden surfaces and the array of colorful plates and mugs on the large table.
The table itself was laden with an array of breakfast foods—fluffy scrambled eggs, crispy bacon, golden toast, and stacks of pancakes drizzled with syrup. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee and the sweet scent of pastries filled the air.
The noises of clattering dishes and animated chatter ceased as Natsu descended the stairs, drawing the attention of everyone in the room. Sitting at the large wooden table were six kids, all staring at him with curiosity. One boy had untidy black hair and bright green eyes behind round glasses, another was tall and gangly with vivid red hair and freckles. A girl with bushy brown hair and keen eyes watched him closely, while a younger girl with long, fiery red hair blushed slightly as she looked at him. Twin boys with identical mischievous grins and sparkling eyes completed the group, their red hair making them easily identifiable as part of the same family.
“Wow, is hair really is pink!” One of the twins stated out loud.
As Natsu gulped, uncomfortable by the stares and whispers he received, Molly glared at the six. “Now children, it isn’t polite to stare,” she reprimanded.
The kids quickly averted their gazes, muttering apologies and returning to their breakfasts. Molly gave Natsu a reassuring smile and guided him to an empty chair at the table. The warm aroma of food was inviting, and Natsu's stomach growled in response.
"Come, sit down and have something to eat," Molly said kindly. "You must be starving."
Natsu nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. He sat down and was immediately handed a plate filled with scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. The sight and smell of the food made his mouth water.
"Thanks," he mumbled, still feeling a bit overwhelmed but grateful for the hospitality. As he looked over to the dark-haired boy, he thought about how he seemed so familiar. The boy caught his gaze and cleared his throat.
“Hello, I’m Harry Potter. What’s your name?” the boy named Harry asked awkwardly.
“It’s, uh, Natsu Dragneel," he responded. Gaining a closer look at Harry, he noticed a lightning bolt scar on his forehead. “Wow, nice scar!” Natsu exclaimed.
“Oh, uh, thanks. I don’t really see it that way though,” Harry said, rubbing the back of his neck.
“Why not? It looks awesome to me,” Natsu said questioningly. In fact, even Laxus had a cool scar like that.
Wait, who is Laxus? Natsu asked himself. He tried hard to remember, having hope that he could recall something, but once again the memory slipped away. Harry then spoke again.
“You don’t know who I am, do you?”
“You seem familiar, but no.”
“Well, I mean, he did get thrown out of a portal from God knows where,” the boy with freckles said.
“I’m sorry, say what?” Natsu said, surprised.
“Ronald!” the bushy brown-haired girl reprimanded, glaring at the freckled boy.
The freckled boy, now identified as Ronald, shrugged. "What? It's true."
The girl sighed, turning her attention back to Natsu. "I'm Hermione Granger. I'm sorry you had to find out this way," she said apologetically.
"Wait, I'm sorry, backtrack a bit. I CAME FROM A FRIGGIN PORTAL?" Natsu shouted in shock.
“Welp, Ron ruined the big surprise,” one of the twins chuckled.
“Fred, enough, please,” Molly scolded. She then looked at Harry and nudged her head for him to explain.
“As Ron said, you indeed came from a portal,” Harry confirmed with a sigh. “And if I may, Natsu, when you came through the portal, you asked where your friends were. Do you have any recollection whatsoever of who they might be?”
Natsu’s mind raced, trying to grasp any fragments of memory. He closed his eyes and concentrated, but it was like trying to catch smoke with his bare hands. “I... I don’t know. I kind of remember saying something about friends, but it’s all a blur. It’s like the memories are there, just out of reach.”
Harry nodded sympathetically. “It must be really disorienting for you.”
“Heh, you have no idea,” Natsu said, looking at the ground.
Suddenly, the door to the hall slammed open. Three men stepped out into the dining area. One was a tall, dark-skinned man in deep blue robes. The second was another tall man with a pale complexion, a skinny frame, and a black beard and hair. The third was a man who looked like he was in his middle age, with blondish-red hair and claw scars littering the side of his face. The man with the black beard spoke first.
“Harry, it’s time for your trial. Arthur, if you would. Please take him along with Kingsley.”
The dark-skinned man, Kingsley, nodded in acknowledgment. Arthur Weasley stood up, his expression serious. “You heard Sirius Harry, let’s go. We need to get you to the Ministry.”
Harry’s face tensed with worry, but he nodded resolutely. “Right. I’m ready.”
As Harry got up to leave, Molly stepped forward, giving him a quick hug. “Be strong, Harry. We’re all with you.”
Natsu watched the exchange, feeling the weight of the situation even though he didn’t fully understand it. He could sense the tension and concern in the room. “What’s the trial for?” he asked, curiosity overcoming his caution.
Hermione turned to Natsu, her face etched with concern. “Harry’s being tried by the Ministry of Magic for using magic in front of Muggles. It’s a serious offense, but he had no choice. He was defending himself against Dementors.”
“Dementors? Ministry of Magic?” Natsu repeated, clearly confused.
“They’re the monsters that attacked you in the tunnel. They suck any happiness you have right out of you,” the man named Sirius explained. “And the Ministry of Magic is basically our government. However, the people that work there are as corrupt as can be.” Sirius then turned his head to Arthur and Kingsley. “No offense,” he added apologetically.
“None taken,” Kingsley responded. “The people I work with can be less than decent.”
Natsu processed this information, feeling a mix of amazement and unease. “Wow, that sounds... intense. Uh, good luck, Harry.”
“Thanks, Natsu,” Harry said, giving a small smile. Ron and Hermione then got up to see him out.
Natsu couldn’t help but feel a pang of jealousy and loss. The three of them looked so close and clearly cared for each other. And it wasn’t just them; the adults showed only affection and support toward Harry. Natsu wondered if he ever had something like that—people who were as close to him as family. If only his stupid memory worked.
“You alright there, boy?” the man with the scars asked.
“Yeah, it’s just I lost my memory, and now I miss people who I don't even remember,” Natsu said, looking at the ground. The man looked at him for a moment before sticking out his hand.
“My name is Remus Lupin, but you can just call me Remus,” he said openly.
Natsu took Lupin's hand and shook it, appreciating the gesture of friendliness. “Nice to meet you, Lupin. Thanks for, you know, being nice about all this. It’s been pretty overwhelming.”
Lupin nodded sympathetically. “I can imagine. It’s not easy being thrown into a completely new world without any memories. But you’re among friends here, and we’ll do our best to help you.”
As Remus got up to leave to also show Harry out, the twins slid down the bench to talk with Natsu.
“Hello there,” they said in unison.
“Hi?” Natsu responded.
“The name is Fred,” one of them said first.
“And my name is George,” the other continued. “We overheard your conversation with old wolf boy, and I must say you are a most curious specimen,” he said excitedly.
“What’s a specimen?” Natsu asked. Normally, when he asked these kinds of questions, Gray would call him an idiot. His eyes then widened as he tried to concentrate on any memory he could of that guy.
He could almost see a face—sharp eyes, dark hair, a perpetually annoyed expression. The image flickered in his mind like a shadow on the edge of his consciousness. He could hear a voice, slightly mocking but strangely reassuring: "Seriously, Natsu, how can you be this dumb?" It was a familiar banter, a dynamic that felt like home.
Natsu tried to latch onto the memory, to pull more details from the hazy depths of his mind. He felt a pang of frustration as the memory slipped away, like sand through his fingers. The harder he tried to hold onto it, the faster it seemed to vanish, leaving him with a sense of profound loss.
He looked up to the twins, who were talking to him while he wasn’t paying attention. They had apparently asked a question and were waiting for an answer. With a sigh, Natsu continued the conversation.
_____________________
As Harry finished his trial with the help of Dumbledore, who had apologized for this even happening, he felt a mixture of relief and lingering frustration. The courtroom, with its high ceilings and dark, oppressive atmosphere, had been stifling. As he stepped out into the brighter corridor, he saw a streak of pale blonde in the corner of his eye.
Turning his head, Harry noticed the Malfoy family and scowled. Lucius Malfoy, with his characteristic sneer and cold eyes, led the way, while Narcissa followed, her face an icy mask. Walking beside them was Draco, who was animatedly talking to a girl Harry had not seen before. She looked about his age, with golden blonde hair that put the sun even to shame. The way her hair cascaded down her shoulders was almost mesmerizing.
When she turned around, Harry saw that she had honey-brown eyes, warm and inviting, a stark contrast to the company she kept. She was quite gorgeous, and her presence seemed to command attention effortlessly. Given her striking blonde hair, Harry wondered if she might be Draco's cousin; the resemblance in their hair color was uncanny.
Draco caught him looking and, with a smirk, started whispering into the girl’s ear while pointing at Harry. The girl laughed, a melodic sound that echoed through the corridor, and Harry’s face flushed with anger and embarrassment. The laughter felt like a mocking dagger, twisting the tension he already felt. He clenched his fists, feeling the familiar rush of heat in his cheeks, but chose to ignore them, focusing instead on the path ahead.
Dumbledore gave Harry a reassuring pat on the shoulder, guiding him forward. The stark contrast between the warm, grandfatherly figure of Dumbledore and the cold, arrogant presence of the Malfoys was not lost on Harry. He took a deep breath, letting the anger dissipate, and carried on his way, determined not to let Draco and his new companion get under his skin.