Harry sat in the train compartment with his friends surrounding him. He watched as the Scottish countryside slid past the windows in a blur of color. He looked down to his left, where Amelia was curled into his side, her feet on the bench beneath her. She was snuggled under his arm, a small smile playing on her soft pink lips. Small bags were under her beautiful eyes from the lack of sleep she had endured while studying for her OWLs. However, it didn't detract from her beauty in any way. He smiled softly down at her and squeezed her to him gently. She let out a small sigh and snuggled closer.
He looked to his right, where Lilly was in much the same position as Amelia. The bags under her eyes were worse, though, and this concerned Harry greatly. He had been trying to get her to sleep more, but she outright refused. She would spend hours and hours studying. It had taken Harry picking her up over his shoulder and taking her to a picnic by the lake to get her to relax even a little. She had fallen asleep that day with her head on his lap as he played with her hair.
Looking across from him, he spotted Andie talking to a tired-looking Alice. Alice was leaning against Frank's side. He looked to Remus on the other side of Lilly and saw him passed out against the wall. He couldn't help but chuckle as he watched his friend's head slump forward, waking him up with a jolt. Remus gave Harry a soft glare before going back to sleep.
The ride back to London was a quiet one among most of the fifth and seventh years as they recovered from their exams. Harry couldn't help but wonder if this was how it was for those in his time. He sighed. Even last year, Andie had been rather quiet during the ride home. He was proud of her, however, as she had gotten an O in all but her Transfiguration and Herbology exams, though she still managed an Exceeds in both.
He felt rather confident in his own exams and believed he had achieved at least Exceeds in them. He sighed as he thought about the summer. More and more attacks were happening, and he knew it was only a matter of time before Voldemort came out of hiding and made his intent known. He also thought about the letter he had received a few days ago. The Potters had asked to meet him at the Leaky Cauldron for a meeting when he returned to London. Apparently, Arcturus would be there as well.
After a long ride, during which Andie had moved to sit in his lap and passed out curled into his chest, they finally made it to London. He escorted the girls to their guardians as was customary. He was looking around warily across the platform, watching for any sign of attack. He noticed many adults doing the same as their children ran to them completely carefree. The only ones who didn't seem concerned were the parents of many Slytherins, the ones he knew would be Death Eaters soon. The most noticeable were the Malfoys. Lord Malfoy had a smug grin on his face as he leered at any known Muggle-born. When his eyes landed on Lilly before turning to Harry, he paled slightly and quickly looked away. It seemed Lucius had told his father what had happened to him.
They made it to the adults, and after a few quick goodbyes, they went their separate ways. Arcturus would see his wife and grandkids home before going to the Leaky Cauldron. Harry noticed many other families quickly leaving, to the protests of their offspring. He knew they were worried. Something was afoot, even if no one knew exactly what it was. Their instincts told them their safest place was at home. He shook his head at the thought. Nowhere was ever truly safe—well, besides perhaps Camelot.
Harry had been looking over the ward scheme since his third year, and honestly, it frightened even him. They were extremely powerful wards, and every one of them was meant to kill, essentially. With them pulling power from three ley lines, it was impossible to destroy them. It would take an army of hundreds of thousands to destroy them with a continuous and synchronized attack.
Then there were the two Basilisks that helped protect the ancient manor. Laura was fierce about keeping the inner clearing safe, even from foreign animals, though she did give them a chance to turn around. Larry was her right-hand man and the inner defense inside the house should they ever be attacked. This was something they had come up with on their own when Harry told Laura about himself.
He stepped over to the Floo and traveled to the Leaky Cauldron as soon as he had seen the girls off safely. He reappeared in the dank old inn and bar. He looked around and went up to the old bartender. "Good evening, Tom. I am here for a meeting."
"Ah, young Pendragon, of course. Please follow me; you are the first to arrive." Harry followed Tom through the dreary old place and over to a door to one side of the bar. He was then led down a narrow hallway with a few more doors and into another room. The room had four high-back chairs with a small coffee table. To one side was a small fireplace. "Here you are, young sir."
"Thank you, Tom. When you get the chance, could I get a Butterbeer?" Harry asked, moving over to one of the chairs.
"Of course, sir," Tom said with a toothless smile.
After some time and two Butterbeers later, Harry was joined by Arcturus. The older man looked him over and nodded. Harry nodded back, and Arcturus took his seat beside him. It wasn't much longer before two others entered the room. Both Harry and Arcturus stood at the new arrivals.
Fleamont Potter was a shorter man with knobbly-looking knees and large spectacles. His hair was the standard Potter rats' nest.
Euphemia Potter was a pretty woman, though not exactly what one would call a real beauty. She had a more down-to-earth appearance, unlike Harry's own beloveds. She had long chestnut-colored hair and deep chocolate-brown eyes. She walked with assured confidence, while her husband acted as though he were walking into a snake pit. Then again, Harry supposed that made sense, seeing how his son acted around anything snake-related. With Arcturus being a Slytherin and Harry owning a snake, it did kind of make it a snake pit.
After greetings were made and the standard forced pleasantries exchanged, they all took their seats. An awkward silence settled over the group as they stared at one another. Harry could see Arcturus getting agitated. He couldn't blame him. The public apology made by Fleamont had been rather weak at best.
Finally, Harry cleared his throat. "I would like to assume that you called us here today to discuss the events that have taken place over the school year. These events pertain to your son and my betrothed." It was more of a statement than a question.
Fleamont sneered slightly. "I'm not sure if there's a problem, you little—" He was smacked on the back of the head by his wife, cutting him off.
"I apologize, Lord Pendragon. My—" This time it was Euphemia who was cut off as Harry flared his magic hard. The two Potters and even Arcturus looked at him with wide eyes, struggling to breathe. It was at this point they all realized they weren't just dealing with a soon-to-be sixteen-year-old.
"Enough!" Harry growled, glaring at the Potters. "Lady Potter, while I appreciate your attempt at civility, I am, quite frankly, done being civil in this matter. Your heir is out of control, and I am done playing these games. He has attacked me and countless others simply for being what he deems as evil. I can now plainly see where he gets it if this is how your husband behaves in these situations. Let me warn you both now: either you get him under control, or I will be calling in the debts your family owes mine. On top of that, the next time your son harms someone I care for—whether through his foolish pranks or a direct attack like the one he committed—I will personally see to it that he learns his lesson. Keep in mind that my method of teaching will likely be much less pleasant."
Arcturus was watching Harry from the corner of his eye, impressed yet slightly fearful. The boy was certainly powerful and knew how to deliver a threat. Looking back at the Potters, Arcturus could almost see Fleamont wetting himself after that display. Euphemia, however, was quick to pull herself together and straightened in her seat.
"I understand, Lord Pendragon, and I will ensure that James ceases these actions against you and yours," she said firmly, earning a confused and betrayed look from her husband. Harry just nodded, settling back into his seat.
It was now Arcturus's turn to speak. He leaned forward in his chair, locking eyes with Fleamont. "Your father and I were good friends, boy. Your own mother was my sister, and I've always done what I could to ensure your protection, despite my disagreement with your actions. However, this has gone too far. Your heir has attacked not only an ally of House Black but also injured one of its daughters in the process. As of this moment, the House of Black is rescinding any protection it offered you and your family. From this day forward, House Potter will no longer be considered family to House Black. This rescission will be made public in the morning."
Fleamont glared at Arcturus. "That's fine by me. We don't need protection from the likes of you."
Euphemia sighed, looking down. Sometimes her husband could be a fool. For all his brilliance in potions, he never understood politics. This would not bode well for their house. Black protection had allowed them to retain their independence and kept the darker families at bay. She nodded, resigned. "Well, I believe we're done here. Come along, Fleamont; we should get back home."
The two stood and left the room, but not before Fleamont gave both Harry and Arcturus a nasty sneer. As the door closed behind them, Arcturus sighed. "That boy is nothing like his father was. Charlus used to be a man among men—fair and strong. I had hoped he would grow up over time, but I see he has not. Charlus must be rolling in his grave." He sighed again. "I don't even want to think about poor Dorea."
Harry nodded as they got up to leave. "Sometimes, people just don't grow into the individuals we wish they would." He thought about the James from his time. Whether this James was the same didn't matter anymore.
The two men left the pub after a quick goodbye.
Remus was leading Petunia through the woods by his house, a large smile on both of their faces. Hand in hand, he guided her to a small lake within the forest that he frequented. He carried a picnic basket in one hand and held hers with the other. Once they arrived, he spread out a blanket, and they settled in. Petunia leaned over against his side, and he happily wrapped an arm around her.
After some time enjoying the silence, Remus decided to speak. "So, Petunia, what would you like to do after you graduate?"
She looked up at him with a small smile. "I'd love to open my own potions store, but I know that would never happen," she said a bit sadly.
Remus frowned slightly as he looked down at her. He hated that such a talented potions expert couldn't achieve her dream because of her birth. With determination in his heart, he said what he had been preparing to say for a while. He had just spoken to her father the other day, and his own parents were ecstatic about his plans.
"You know… we could open up a store together. You and me," he said softly.
She looked up at him, shock evident in her eyes. "Y-you'd want to open up a shop with me?"
He nodded. "I would, Petunia. You mean a lot to me, and I want to help you achieve your dream."
With that, he reached deep into his pocket and pulled out a small black box. Petunia's eyes locked onto the box, going wide as she watched him gently open it to reveal a small diamond ring on a red velvet bed. It wasn't big or flashy, but neither was she. The ring was simple and elegant, wrought in silver. She looked back into his eyes, hers now shining with unshed tears.
They were only sixteen, but in the wizarding world, it wasn't uncommon to find your one true love at a young age.
"R-Remus?" she squeaked.
He gave her a soft smile. "In our world, magic tends to guide us to the loves of our lives at a young age. It's like a beacon, calling to the other. We can choose to ignore it, but when we accept it, it becomes something so much more. I don't know what I'd do without you in my life, Petunia, or what kind of man I'd become. I don't want to know, either. I want to help you open and run your shop. What I'm trying to say is… I love you, Petunia."
Tears now flowed freely down her cheeks as she leaned up and captured his lips in a passionate kiss. When she leaned back a few inches and looked into his eyes, she whispered, "Remus Lupin, I love you, too."
He smiled widely and recaptured her lips with his own. She gently pushed him down onto his back, straddling him and deepening the kiss. Remus couldn't think straight as he kissed the love of his life. All he knew in that moment was that life was very good.
(Warning: Mentions of violence and assault. Please skip to the next set of parentheses if you are uncomfortable with this content.)
A resounding crack pierced the air of the cool summer night. A dark, shadowy figure, now known in whispers as Lord Voldemort, stood back after taking down the wards of the Hawthorn family home and erected anti-Apparition and Portkey wards in their place. The Floo network had already been closed by an official under the Imperius Curse.
Voldemort watched as his followers moved forward in the night. He walked among them, a cold smile on his pale lips. When he reached the door, a flick of his wand sent it bursting open. He followed his men inside as the screams began.
One man grabbed their young daughter, only thirteen, by the hair and threw her into a wall as she tried to run. He tore off her nightdress, exposing her pale flesh to the cool air. She screamed and sobbed as he began to run a hand through her dark hair.
Another two men already had her elder sister on her hands and knees before them, the sound of her choking adding fuel to their fire.
Voldemort continued through the house until he found the eldest Hawthorns in the master bedroom with six of his followers. The husband was hanging on the wall, nails conjured and driven into his hands. His wife lay naked and spread-eagle on the large bed, tied to each post.
Voldemort smiled an evil smile at the scene. Moments later, two more of his followers brought in the eldest son and his Muggle-born wife. The young woman was tied next to her mother-in-law, while the son was nailed to the wall beside his father. Their screams and pleas filled the air.
Voldemort stepped up to Lord Hawthorn with a sickly smile, coming to stand directly in front of him. "Good evening, Lord Hawthorn," he said with a mock bow. "I've been told you and your son degraded yourselves by marrying a couple of filthy Muggle-borns." His sneer deepened as he spoke.
"Fuck you," Hawthorn growled, spitting in Voldemort's face.
Voldemort's eyes narrowed in anger, and his men shrank back slightly. Finally, a chilling smile crossed his face as he lifted his wand. "Crucio!" he screamed.
Hawthorn's body convulsed violently as a bloodcurdling scream tore from his throat. After a long moment, Voldemort lowered his wand, his expression cold. "Oh my, I was considering showing mercy by letting your little sluts die quickly… but alas, you have chosen otherwise. You can have them," he said, turning to his men with a malicious grin.
The horrors that followed filled the night with the pained and terrified screams of the women as they were repeatedly violated. The cries of their husbands, forced to watch, were almost inaudible amidst the chaos. Voldemort stood outside the room, listening with a twisted satisfaction. Despair was a melody he relished.
When he and his men were finished hours later, Voldemort raised his wand as they exited the manor. A sickly green skull with a snake slithering out of its mouth materialized above the house. He looked up at the Dark Mark with a smirk before vanishing with a soft pop.
(End of warning)
Harry sat at the breakfast table with his three girls the next morning. They had come over early to prepare for a planned trip to the London Zoo. As they ate, Trixie entered the room with the morning paper. Harry's heart sank as he unfolded it.
The front page displayed a haunting image of the Dark Mark hovering above a grand manor. The headline read: "Dark Mark Strikes Again: Entire Hawthorn Family Massacred" . The article detailed the brutal attack, noting that the Muggle-born wives seemed to have been the primary targets.
He set the paper down, his expression grim. Andie, who was sitting beside him, noticed the change in his demeanor. "Harry, what's wrong?" she asked, concern lacing her tone.
Wordlessly, he slid the paper across the table. The girls leaned in to read it, their faces paling as they took in the details.
"Lilly," Harry said, his voice tight, "I think it would be best if you stick close to me and the others this year. Something isn't right. We'll also be increasing your training."
The girls didn't argue. Instead, they nodded solemnly, moving to Harry's side to provide comfort. Andie and Amelia squeezed onto his lap, while Lilly rested her head on his shoulder.
That day, they didn't go to London. Instead, they stayed home, cuddling together on the couch and cherishing the fleeting peace they still had.