Saturday, October 25, 2008
Story (I copy and paste from internet) - Chapter 1 - 'ALWAYS REMEMBER WHAT YOU CAN'T FORGET'
CHAPTER 1
Thirty-five year old Harry Potter paced the waiting room of St. Mungo’s
Harry glanced around at the large group of people in the room. This was mainly due to the size of the Weasley family, and the fact that all of his brother in laws and their wives had brought their children. Not to mention the family friends that might as well have been relatives. There was an excited buzz going through the room as the clock struck midnight and everyone realized what day it was. July 31st.
The Potter girls were distinguishable by their eyes. Vivid emerald green and almond shaped, all three of them had Harry’s eyes. His oldest daughter,
Nicole Lily, who had just completed her first year of school, was an image of her mother, except for her eyes. She was at the top of her class, but she had a flare for mischief. As she looked up at her father, her face was lit up by a beautiful smile. In
Looking back on his life, Harry glanced at the two people who had been there through it all. Ron Weasley took his wife Hermione’s hand and answered a question his son had just asked him. Arthur Bilius Weasley was as tall and gangly as his father had been when he was fourteen, with the red hair, freckles, and blue eyes common to the Weasley family. A grin spread across Harry’s face as a mane of brown hair sped past him. Jane, Hermione’s four year old carbon copy, was a completely wild girl. He’d never really gotten over the fact that someone who looked that much like his sensible, academically driven friend could be that crazy. He had a feeling her and Genevieve would get along fine.
“Hey guys.” Harry said, sounding bedraggled, as he slumped into a chair beside them.
“Are you okay? You look horrible.” Hermione had always had a habit of acting like his mother.
“Thanks.” Harry replied sarcastically. “No, really, I’m fine, but the sooner this is over the better. I can’t stand the waiting.”
“Yeah, but its your birthday. What are the odds of your son being born on your birthday?” Ron pointed out.
“That is kind of strange...”
“Hi Uncle Harry!” Arthur said.
“Hi Arthur. How’s school going?”
“Great, can’t wait to get back.” He said as he made his way over to the other kids.
“Harry, did you get that memo I put on your desk a couple of days ago.” Ron asked. He was an auror as well.
“Yeah. Why do you even bother writing memos? You work two feet away from
“I don’t know Harry, all the...er...seasoned professionals-“
“Old duffers.” Ron interrupted.
“Seasoned professionals.” she corrected, glaring at him, “Well anyway, they’re dreadfully slow.”
“No hurry, it’s just getting awfully boring staring at the walls all day.” he joked.
“JANE, could you please come over here and sit still for two seconds!” Hermione called, noticing that her small daughter was knocking things over and poking the other children.
“Good luck.” Harry muttered before getting up to continue his rounds. As he made his way over to Arthur and Molly Weasley, he saw they looked almost as nervous as he felt.
“So, are you two ready to grandparents...again?” he asked.
“Oh certainly. You know how much I love this.” Molly replied.
“How are you holding up Harry?” Arthur asked.
“Oh, reasonably well. At least I haven’t passed out cold this time.” Harry replied, suddenly remembering Nicole’s birth. The healer had rushed in to say there had been a problem, but Harry had never heard the last part of her sentence, for he had been unconscious on the floor of the waiting room. It turned out that their paperwork had been confused with another couples’ and by the time Harry came to it was sorted out.
“Yes, well we all got a fright that time.”
Harry resumed his pacing, wondering what was taking so long. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see the long blonde hair and comforting smile of his oldest niece, Renee. Bill and Fleur’s only daughter would soon be starting her seventh and final year at Hogwarts.
“It’ll be okay Uncle Harry. Auntie is strong. Oh and happy birthday!” she said cheerfully and Harry grinned at her.
“I believe congratulations are in order. Head girl is quite an accomplishment. Liz is looking forward to being bossed around by you.”
“Oh, I’ll try to go easy on her.” she smiled. “But really, I’m sure Liz will be my best prefect. I heard she got ten O.W.L.’s. Or else, I have embarrassing baby stories, you know.”
“Oh, I’ll make sure to remind her.” He felt a tap on his shoulder.
“Harry, it’s been a while since I’ve spoken to you. How’s the auror office holding up?” Percy asked him smugly as he shook his hand. It was still like being introduced to the mayor. Percy was the only one of the Weasley children that was unmarried and his relationship with the others was still on shaky ground. Harry, however, had chosen to let the past go. They’d all made mistakes during the war.
“Great, as always.” He was a tad annoyed Percy had decided to talk about work. He must know after all, he worked a floor above them in the minister’s office. But that was Percy. “Not a lot for us to do right now.”
“Oh, we’re quite busy, you know.” he said smugly. “The minister is always asking for our opinions on reforming laws and other matters of great importance.”
Alaster “Mad-eye” Moody, an ex-auror himself, had chosen to walk through the door at this time. Harry, slightly glad for an excuse to get away from the Junior Minister, greeted him cheerfully. Mad-eye was getting on in the years, but he was still energetic, and he hadn’t missed the birth of one of Harry’s children yet.
“Constant vigilance, Alaster. So how’s retirement.”
“Mercifully quiet. I don’t think I’ve been followed.”
“I’m sure you haven’t.” said Harry, amused. Old habits die hard.
“Urgh, this eye keeps sticking! Excuse me Harry, I need to go find a glass of water.”
“Harry, old chap, we haven’t seen you in two days!”
“Can I have your autograph?”
He turned with some apprehension to face the Weasley twins, thirty-seven years old, but not quite grown up yet. It was to be expected though, they did run a joke shop. Harry had a suspicion that they wouldn’t have any rules in their house if it wasn’t for their wives. Fred and his wife Angelina shared a large country home with George and his wife Katie. Fred’s twin boys, Andrew and Ryan, were entertaining the younger children with stories of their adventures in their three years of Hogwarts, with help of George’s son, David. They were all red head menaces on the Gryffindor Quiddich team. It was no surprise, seeing as all of their parents had been Quiddich players in their day.
“So how’s the daddy of the day?” asked George. He was holding his blonde ten year old daughter, Daniella’s hand.
“The daddy of the day is pretty nervous.” Harry replied. “How are you guys, Angelina, Katie?”
“We’re all great and soon you will be too.” Fred answered.
“Oh, I wanted to thank the boys for looking after Nicole this year. She told me they yelled at some Slytherins who were giving her a hard time.”
“Yes, well our sons don’t really mind yelling at Slytherins.”
“Well they do take after you.”
“Unfortunately.” Angelina said from behind Fred and they all laughed.
“Yeah, well I heard the Malfoy boy was one of them.” Katie mentioned. She had a certain distaste for the Malfoys ever since she was almost killed by one back in her seventh year.
“Oh yeah, Liz told me about him, he’s in her year.” Harry said. “He’s Draco and Pansy’s son right?”
“Yep, that’s the one.” said Fred grimly. “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, huh.”
“Obviously.” Harry gestured towards their own sons, now reenacting a Quiddich game.
“Hello, Daniella, your birthday’s in a couple of days isn’t it?” he asked the young girl.
“Yeah! And then I get to go to Hogwarts! I got my letter and everything!” she said, looking painfully excited.
“Did you get her an owl yet.” Harry asked George in an undertone.
“No, not yet.” he said.
“Don’t.” Harry said, winking.
Just then a loud scream out in the hall caused the room to go silent. Harry was halfway to the door when Charlie Weasley burst through it, grinning from ear to ear.
“Sorry I’m late, I just got the message. Apparated right on the front desk. I don’t think the secretary was too happy with me.” Everyone laughed. Charlie had a way of always apparating where he shouldn’t be.
“Leslie and the kids send their love, Harry. She obviously couldn’t apparate, being so far along.” Charlie and his wife were expecting their sixth child soon. Their five boys, Philip, Jacob, William, Albus, and Timothy, all went to Beauxbatons even though they lived in
“How’s the dragons?” Harry asked.
“Large and fire-breathing.” he replied. “Speaking of which, I have to give Hagrid his update on Norbert.”
“SIRIUS THEODORE LUPIN, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?” Nymphadora Tonks was glaring at her sixteen year old son. Harry noticed that her daughter seemed to have blue hair and a five inch long nose. Like his namesake, Sirius enjoyed being the cause of chaos and the center of attention.
“Nothing.” he said, smiling innocently.
“You know very well she can’t control it yet, young man.” she replied, tapping Rebekah on the head with her wand so that she was restored to her usual blonde hair and dark blue eyes.
“Ah, mum, you take all the fun out of having a metamorphagus for a sister. And I believe I’ve seen several pictures of you with pink hair.” he said grinning happily as Tonks turned around to look at her husband.
“I told you to burn them!”
“Yes, well seemed like a waste of good paper you know.” Remus muttered.
“Whatever. And that was different. Becca is only six.” A loud cry interrupted her. “And you’ve woken up the baby!” she said, rushing over to comfort her youngest daughter, Violet. “It’s a good thing I can morph, otherwise I’d have grey hair by now.”
Remus and Tonks had decided what to name their son long before he was born, so it was as much their shock as anyone else’s when he ended up looking like the first Sirius. Yes, Tonks was related to him, but it was still strange. He was a bit shorter than Sirius, but he had the same handsome face, the same grey eyes and black hair. The same personality, even. Him and Elizabeth were in the same year, but fought constantly.
“Goodness Sirius, you’d think you could be a little more mature. I mean, you’re a sixth year, and even though your not a prefect you should still try to set a good example.”
“Why on Earth would I want to be a prefect? I’d never have any fun and I would have to see you more than I already have to.” he replied, grinning at her all the same.
“Just because your father’s a teacher doesn’t mean that you can do whatever you want.”
“And being a prefect doesn’t make you the queen of the universe.”
“Sirius, please stop being so rude, you’re already in trouble.” Tonks said dangerously.
“She started it, Mum.”
“Oh, that’s mature.” Liz muttered as she walked away.
“Those two are impossible, aren’t they?” Hermione were standing behind Harry.
“They remind me quite a bit of you and Ron, actually.” he said.
“Oh that’s just silly! We’ve never acted anything like that...” but Harry cut her off with two words.
“Yule. Ball.”
“Oh.” she said, blushing furiously, “Well yes, but we were young.”
“So are they.” Harry said. Hermione grinned.
“Not trying to marry your daughter off are you, Harry dear?” she asked sweetly.
“No!” he looked at her in horror. “I’m just saying he’s a good kid, that’s all.” He was beginning to get uncomfortable. “Oh, look, Neville and Luna are here.”
They went over to greet their old friends, who had been on vacation in
“Sorry we’re late Harry.” Neville said, smiling broadly.
“Nonsense, you’re just being fashionable.” Harry said, smiling back and hugging each of his friends and both of his god children.
“Celeste!” Nicole ran over to them to greet her best-friend. “I thought you weren’t coming back for two weeks.”
“We weren’t supposed to, but we came back when we heard Aunt Ginny went into labor early!”
“Oh, that’s good, I’ve been getting bored. Hi Uncle Neville, Aunt Luna, Lynn.”
“‘Arry, how are ya!” bellowed an extremely large man who had just entered the room, leaving an alarmed secretary behind him.
“Hagrid!” Harry exclaimed, glad to see his friend. “It’s been far too long, you know.”
“I know, I know. Maxime wanted ter come, but she had lots ter do gettin’ ready fer school ya know.” Hagrid had been living in
“It’s quite alright. I’m surprised you got here actually.”
“Well, I was comin’ up a couple a weeks early so’s I didn’ miss it, an’ when I got to the house, they said Ginny was havin’ the baby!”
“How’d you get here?”
“Flew.”
“You still have that blasted motorbike, don’t you?” Harry asked.
“Maybe I do.” Hagrid grinned. They both burst out laughing.
As everyone greeted Hagrid cheerfully, Harry looked around once more at the people he loved most in the world. ‘Yes,’ he thought, ‘All the hardship, all the pain, had definitely been worth it.’ He was glad his children could grow up in a world free of Voldemort, a world where they didn’t have to be afraid of coming home and finding the dark mark over their homes. It was a long road, yes, but it was worth it just to be able to smile without worry. Harry knew that someday, there would be a new dark lord, but Voldemort’s defeat had scared a lot of hopefuls. Maybe it would scare them for some time to come.
He thought about how his life would have been different if Voldemort hadn’t have chosen him and he concluded that it wouldn’t have been that different. He still would have fought him, maybe even defeated him, no matter what the prophecy said. It was something he was meant to do. Harry didn’t really believe in destiny, but there were some things that just can’t be argued with. His life was one of them.
The door to the waiting room opened. Harry turned when he heard Healer Pye say, “Mr. Potter.” He was terribly nervous, but relieved when he saw the healer was smiling. A hush had fallen over the room as everyone watched Harry walk through the open door.
“Are they alright?” Harry asked as soon as they reached the hall.
“Couldn’t be better. You have a very excited wife and a healthy baby boy.” Harry couldn’t take it anymore. He let out a whoop of joy.
“I daresay you’d like to see them.” Healer Pye asked while grinning.
Harry entered the room to see Ginny looking more beautiful than he’d ever seen her. Despite the fact she looked exhausted and her hair was soaked with sweat, she had an enchanting smile on her face. Harry smiled back.
“Happy birthday, Harry.” she said, mischief in her eyes, “Sorry I haven’t gotten you anything.”
Harry laughed. “Ginny, darling, I couldn’t have anything better than what you’ve given
“Would you like to see your son?”
Harry strode over to her side, kissed her on the forehead, and took a bundle out of her arms. As he pulled the blanket down over the small figure’s face, he saw his own eyes looking back at him, a shock of jet black hair on the top of his head. In his arms was the boy who he would teach to fly, who would inherit the Marauder’s Map, who would carry the name Potter into the next generation. In his arms, he held the future.
“He looks like you, doesn’t he.” Ginny mentioned casually.
This was the understatement of the century. Harry gazed at his son, who had already been named, in shock. The thin face, the long nose, every feature was the same. There was a moment when James Harry Potter’s vivid green eyes looked directly into Harry James Potter’s vivid green eyes, and Harry realized the only difference between his son’s face and his own was the absence of that telltale lightning blot scar.
# posted by Sek Koon @ 9:14 AM 
