A Guest!
Dumbledore was having a blast. He successfully managed to get Daniel to accept his invitation! Though, some parts of their conversation had him confused.
Why would he need this special medicine to stay away from his hometown for longer than just a week? He never heard of a disease like that before and he just hoped that it wasn't anything serious. Well, in the worst case scenario they had Poppy who would heal his disease. Couldn't have him die on him now.
The old wizard glanced at Severus who was following his own train of thoughts "Have you used Legilimency on him?"
"Huh? Eh, yes but he has a very strong wall protecting his mind. Or rather a shield, it was as though his mind subconsciously provided this shield. I don't think that he's an Occlumence though. Maybe the fact that he was so close to ectoplasm over such a long period of time has something to do with it. Magic doesn't really work around that stuff, right?"
Dumbledore nodded in agreement "As interesting as that is we ought to tell the others that they should be expecting a guest in two days time."
With that the wizard grabbed the potions master and apparated them to number 12 Grimmauld place. He entered and Snape followed behind him, trying to ignore the curious children who openly stared at him with annoyance and hatred in their eyes. He knew that he wasn't loved and he honestly didn't care whatsoever but he still felt as though he was disrupting the peace by just showing up. Why was he even here today? Albus could tell the Order about Daniel by himself.
They entered the meeting room (kitchen) and Severus ignored both Sirius and Remus. Mostly Sirius though. That dog was grinning at him menacingly.
Everyone quieted down as soon as Dumbledore took a deep breath "Everyone, I have joyous news for you. Today I learned that someone we thought was dead is actually alive and well and he will be joining us in Hogwarts and live here until the term starts."
The Headmaster smiled at the round as if he expected them to be just as excited as him but the people just looked very confused and Dumbledore reminded himself that he didn't tell them the name of the person. He really was getting old.
"He goes by Daniel Fenton now after he was adopted but his birth name is Daniel Potter."
That got him the reaction he wanted. The Weasley parents gasped and Remus and Sirius could only stare, tears of joy silently rolling down their faces.
Remus was Daniel's godfather, a role he had accepted albeit begrudgingly. He didn't want to put the kids in danger with his other half.
Now his godson whom he believed to be dead was actually alive? Why didn't he know until now? He did hear that his body wasn't found so maybe it was his fault for not looking into it more?
The werewolf gaped at the Headmaster and noticed how stiff Sirius had gotten. His poor friend saw the death of the Potters still as his own fault and hearing that another Potter survived that night must have shaken up a lot of different feelings inside him.
Remus also didn't know what to think or feel but he did realize that he felt excited, he would be meeting his godson soon. He could apologize to him, what was the job of a godfather anyways? He only saw the twins a couple of times, not as often as Sirius did and he always felt completely lost when he saw the two helpless and weak infants. He always hoped that he would grow into his role but fate had different ideas.
Before he could get anymore nervous Dumbledore continued "We have told him about the war and Harry and what happened to his biological parents. He seems to be very powerful and I intend to get him caught up on the past four schoolyears in the coming one and a half months. So please support him in any way.
I will pick him up the day after tomorrow and hope that one of you will bring him to Diagon Alley so that he can get everything he needs."
Finally Molly spoke up "Are we going to get Harry here sooner as well? So that he and Daniel can get to know each other better?"
"Harry should definitely come here rather sooner than later, it's not good to keep him in the dark! I keep telling you that!", said Sirius agitated. Severus threw his arms up "Oh yes because you obviously get a say in this, seeing as you are aiding the Order so much and know better than Albus Dumbledore himself."
"Excuse me? What was that Snivellius? I don't think you get it but I just learned that my godson's brother is still alive and knowing Harry it would be much better if he were here and not with his 'family'. He keeps telling me how much he hates it there and that he feels left out. He deserves to be here. When Danny can come so soon then so should Harry," the animagus looked at Albus directly "this place is protected really good, he will be safe here."
The older wizard smiled warmly at his former student "I understand your concern but Harry is just fine where he is right now. Also, I think it wise to let Daniel get to know the magical community better before he and Harry meet. He didn't know of his status as a wizard until now. So let him get accustomed to it. Let him meet Harry's friends and let him meet you. More could be too much."
Sirius looked away. He was not satisfied with this arrangement and Albus' argument made little sense, but Snivellius was right. Unfortunately. He, the owner of the house, didn't get a say in this decision.
He sighed, at least he would get to see Danny and he noticed how he grew more and more excited. At long last, there would be a change in his dull life here. Oh, all the great things he could teach the boy! He started to grin and if Moony's concerned look was anything to go by, then he looked like a madman doing so.
Molly felt happy, after a couple of hard weeks she finally felt a little better. Hearing that Daniel was alive, whom she was told had died that fateful night as well, gave her hope. Hope that everything would turn out right, that there still are miracles. She also hoped that the boy could be there for Harry, Merlin knew he needed it. That poor boy.
The Weasley mother smiled sadly when she thought of what happened not even four weeks ago. Harry was just a boy and had been through so much. She would be there for him and that meant that she would be there for his brother as well. That reminded her: she would have to get an extra bed for Daniel to sleep in. He would have to share with Ron and later Harry.
After getting the news off his chest Dumbledore excused himself and left for Hogwarts. He still had a lot to organize and get done. And he already counted the hours to go back and pick up Daniel Potter.
.......................
Danny stood nervously at the entrance of the house. His stuff was packed, his room clean and in his rucksack were several ghost weapons, including two Fenton thermostats. He went over his mental checklist once again and hoped that he didn't forget anything important. He thought back to the conversation he had with his family this morning. They had breakfast together, something rare and they enjoyed every second of it:
Danny had just claimed the last toast for himself when he remembered something urgent "Mom, Dad, technology doesn't work in Hogwarts and I think using an owl would strain the poor thing, since it would have to fly several thousand miles repeatedly, so I had the idea that maybe I could get a phone that works on ectoenergy? I could charge it with my ghostpowers and that way we could stay in contact much better."
His parents had glanced at each other before Jack suddenly beamed "That is a great idea, Dannyboy! We will do that and send it to you when it's finished. Haha."
His sister looked at him approvingly "I'm surprised you thought of something like that little brother. I don't think you noticed but you've gotten more mature over the past few weeks and think things through. I'm proud of you."
Danny got a little flustered and smiled while rubbing his neck "Thanks, Jazz."
Afterwards they just sat together, Jazz and Danny talking about this and that and their parents working on a new invention that looked an awful lot like a phone.
Danny giggled when he thought about the weird faces he would probably receive for his phone.
Before he could go and check in the kitchen if there was some more leftover the doorbell rang. As if on cue the whole Fenton family entered the living room and looked anxiously at the door. Danny slowly opened it and was met by the twinkling eyes of his new Headmaster.
The man smiled and just entered, he looked approvingly at Danny's suitcase and stopped in the centre of the family's circle. He clasped his arms behind his back and continued to smile "I'm ready to take him with me if you are." He looked at Danny who swallowed hardly. It was time. He wouldn't be back until at least Christmas and when he did, he would have changed. He was certain of that.
The Fenton's hugged each other again. They have said everything they wanted to and talked about anything that could happen. No more words needed.
The halfa took a deep breath after closing the door behind him. He knew that they would probably use either a port-key or apparation. Another thing Frostbite was kind enough to tell him about. So Danny also knew that he would be in Britain in a few minutes already.
He blew a strang of his hair away and waited impatiently for Dumbledore to do something.
Finally, as if noticing his aggravation Dumbledore said cheerily "Well, grab my arm and try not to throw up, will you."
'So, apparation then' thought Danny and prepared himself for the apparently wild ride.
................
'Horrible, never again' thought the boy after they landed in some random street in Britain.
It was already dark outside so Danny didn't even know where he was. He looked around and noticed a park behind him and opposite the street they were standing at were old houses that must have seen better days.
He was handed a piece of paper before he could ask where they would be going now "Don't say what's on it aloud and only concentrate on the location.", said Dumbledore quietly.
He took it questioningly and looked at it. It read The headquarters for the Order of the Phoenix may be found at 12 Grimmauld Place.
Danny looked up and made out the name of the street they were at 'Grimmauld Place'.
He noticed the house numbers and got even more confused when he couldn't find number 12. There was 11 and 13 but not, oh, wait. There it was. Number 12 just stretched out between 11 and 13. It looked even older than the other houses and something eerie seemed to surround it. He walked carefully closer.
Dumbledore knocked on the door twice and after a few more seconds they were greeted by a woman with red hair and an apron around her neck. She smiled brightly at Danny "Oh, you look just like Harry. Come in, come on in, my boy. I am Molly Weasley. So nice to meet you."
She hugged him and if Danny weren't half ghost he would fear for his breath. Did no one ever think that hugging someone to death is a very real thing?
Apparently not.
Finally he was released and ushered inside and all his experiences to never judge something from its exterior because the interior would be beautiful, was immediately crushed. Everything was held in dark tones and the interior looked like it had seen way better times. Perhaps in the 17th century.
The whole air reeked of foulness and Danny instantly disliked being here.
He wanted to put his suitcase down because it was quite heavy (even though he had ghost strength). It must have been obvious because Mrs. Weasley took him up to his room. When he entered he saw three poster beds standing next to each other. One of the three was obviously inhabited and since he didn't know anyone here he chose the bed on the other side of the wall. He put his rucksack and suitcase down and just sat down for a second. Mrs Weasley had told him to come back down when he was ready, so he was glad for some alone time. He had the feeling that he wouldn't have much of that anymore.
After he felt ready he descended down the stairs towards the kitchen and grew even more excited. He would meet his brother in a couple of seconds! He would finally meet him. Danny wondered shortly what Harry would be like. Was he a brat because of all the fame? Or was he humble? Only one way to find out.
He opened the door and was met with a calm and warm atmosphere. Several people he didn't know were sitting around a large table and in the back corner was a big fire place. The kitchen smelled nice and Danny remembered how hungry he was. He looked at the people but besides Mrs Weasley they were all strangers. There were four, no six, other red heads with freckles and a girl his age with bushy brown hair. Next to her sat a girl with blue hair and next to her was a man with a lot of scars and a weird looking eye that seemed to have its own mind.
Then there was a man with shaggy clothes and brown hair that had grey strakes in it, however, Danny could tell that the man wasn't that old. Next to the man sat another one with black hair and dark gloomy eyes. Danny couldn't put a finger on it but he could tell that the man had seen stuff no one else had and he pitied him.
All of this went through his head in just two or three seconds and in that time the girl with the bushy hair and a boy with red hair had jumped up and crushed him in a hug.
"Harry!", yelled the girl and before he could say anything she continued, not looking at him "We are so, so sorry. You must be mad at us but really, we wanted to tell you everything that's been going on so far but Dumbledore made us promise and..." She halted and took a step back. The boy next to her had pulled his wand out and pointed it at Danny "You are not Harry, who are you, impostor!"
The halfa held his arms up in self defence "I'm Danny and I'm not an impostor, honest. I just arrived here and never even met Harry." The two looked at him incredulously and the girl said, while pointing an accusing finger at him "Then why do you look so much like him? You seem to be our age and really, why would the Order let you in here!"
At this point the man with the shaggy black hair decided to chime in, after noticing the stiffness of the other children in the room who weren't told about Danny yet.
"Hermione, please. And Ron, put your wand down, the boy isn't evil or anything. He will be staying with us until school starts and then he will join you at Hogwarts. His name is Danny- or Daniel and he is in fact Harry's twin brother." , the man halted and looked at Danny warmly "I am Sirius Black, the owner of this wonderful house and your brother's godfather, nice to see you again. Alive at that."
After dropping that bomb everything went quiet. The children stared at each other and Ron and Hermione backed off, disappointed that Harry wasn't here yet.
The girl with the red hair spoke up "So, Harry has a twin, huh? That is surprising. He never mentioned you. Where are you from? You sound like an American."
Danny rubbed his neck nervously and remained awkwardly standing in front of all these strangers "Well, I guess I should tell you about myself then. I don't know any of you and I learned about this whole wizarding thing two days ago-", that got him a couple gasps of surprise and the twins looked at each other mischievously, Danny tried to ignore it "and I did live in Illinois for as long as I remember. I grew up in Amity Park as a Fenton, the family that adopted me almost 14 years ago. I was told that Lily and James, my biological parents, wanted to bring Harry and me someplace safe. Different people Lily knew and trusted. They only managed to bring me away before they were killed by Voldemort-"
Almost everyone flinched when he said that, leaving Danny confused "So, yeah. That's why I never knew about my heritage until Dumbledore came and told me about it. I decided to come here to meet Harry and try this whole magic thing but for some reason he isn't here even though I was told I would meet him here."
He turned to the adults accusingly and Mrs Weasley and the younger girl avoided his glare. The guy with the black hair- Sirius?- smiled knowingly at him "I knew you would say that. Unfortunately even we don't exactly know when Albus will allow us to bring him here. He is staying at his Aunt's and Uncle's right now. The Dursley's, as he calls them. But, I think we should all introduce ourselves to you. As said before, I am Uncle Sirius, you can call me Sirius- or Snuffles."
Danny looked at him amused. He never expected to meet more family other than Harry here. Even if they are not blood related, it felt nice.
One after another introduced the witches and wizards their names, in the end he knew the Weasleys (Bill, Fred and George, Ron, Ginny and Arthur), Hermione Granger, Tonks who didn't like being called Nymphadora and Alastor Moody or Mad-Eye, which would explain his eye. Finally he looked at the last unknown person in the room who shifted nervously "I am Remus Lupin. I was a very close friend of your- of James and still am... friends with Sirius. I am also your godfather, so please call me Remus." Suddenly Sirius chimed in "Or Moony! Call him Moony, please!"
The two started bickering and Danny chuckled. He didn't know what to say about having a godfather that didn't seem to be hell bend on making him his son and for him to renounce his own father, it was definitely nice though. He laughed with them and finally took a seat. He mostly talked to Tonks, Remus and Sirius for the remainder of the night, not noticing the side glances the other teenagers threw at him.