Harry Potter: A Different Harry (HP AU)

Chapter 7:

August was a month of both joy and grief for Harry.

For once in his life, he did not want the summer to end. Summers were usually spent with the Dursleys, being abused and belittled every waking moment of the day. Now, in his new life, Harry was surrounded by loving parents and a rambunctious sister, who may have been a handful but nonetheless cared for him.

Even when they weren't spoiling him with attention he felt safe, he felt loved...a feeling he'd never had before. Suddenly the start of school term didn't feel like an escape, but an interruption to the new peace he'd found.

At the same time, he found himself mourning for the life he'd left behind. He wondered what Ron and Hermione might be going through, grieving the loss of their best friend. How the Order of the Phoenix would cope with Harry's loss – poor Remus had lost his best friend and the closest thing to a son in the span of a few seconds. He knew thanks to Death that they would eventually pick up the pieces and move on without him to defeat Voldemort, perhaps rallying behind Dumbledore to finish the job.

Dumbledore. The more Harry replayed the events of that evening in his mind, the more frustrated he became with the Headmaster. If he hadn't kept Sirius so confined within Grimmauld Place, he might not have rushed off headlong to the Ministry for a taste of adventure. And if he had only told Harry what was going on, he never would have been lured into danger in the first place.

Did he know about the soul fragment in Harry's head? Did he plan on Harry dying to weaken Voldemort? The very thought made Harry's blood boil.

He wouldn't be quite so trusting of the kindly old man this time around. He could no longer count on the adults in his life to do the right thing – he had to rely on himself above anyone else. And he would have to keep an eye on Neville as well – if he was indeed marked for death as Harry had been in his previous timeline, Dumbledore might be similarly negligent in keeping the boy safe. Harry saw himself in the boy and couldn't help but feel obligated to help him in any way he could.

And yet, he had his own life to look forward to now! Hogwarts beckoned to him, a world of vast opportunities and potential to craft whatever future he wanted. Harry was free to make his own choices, carve his own path. He would help out with the war efforts in any way he could, of course, but he now faced a blank slate for truly the first time.

No prophecies dictating his fate, no puppet masters pulling his strings...he was in control of his own life now. That was as liberating a thought as it was a terrifying one.

In the meantime, he slowly put the pieces together of his parents' lives over the past ten years, the lives in which they were not murdered by Lord Voldemort. James was a respected Auror, using his connections within the old Order of the Phoenix to ascend to a position of power within the Ministry.

Lily was a freelance potioneer, working part-time on her mastery in the field while taking occasional time away from her family to attend conferences and apprenticeships all over the world.

Then there was Dahlia. Harry had never had a sibling before – the closest thing he had was his cousin Dudley, who belittled and abused him while receiving special treatment from his parents. Dahlia was a tornado of chaotic energy, constantly pestering and teasing him throughout the long summer days.

But underneath it all he sensed a deep respect, a kinship he'd never felt with anyone besides Ron and Hermione. She was curious and generous, always coming to him first when she had some big question or revelation about magic, schooling, or life itself. She loved him, even if she would never admit it out loud, and Harry loved her back...leaving her would be the most difficult part of going to Hogwarts.

Harry also got an unexpected glimpse into the life of another ex-Marauder late that August, when Lily answered the door to a beaming Remus Lupin. He looked far more youthful and less shabby than Harry had ever seen him in his past life...he may still be a werewolf, but he no longer bore the burden of losing all of his friends to the war.

"Harry!" he beamed, bending down to give the boy a hug. "I hear you're off to Hogwarts next month. Getting excited yet?"

"Yeah, I can't wait," Harry nodded. "How have you been, Professor?"

The title slipped out before Harry could catch himself. Remus' eyebrows raised, peering curiously down at a mortified Harry for a moment, then he guffawed with laughter.

"Having a laugh at my appearance, are you?" he winked, indicating his sharp attire and groomed features. "I'll have you know I just had a job interview this morning, and I didn't get tossed out within the first five minutes for once!"

"Harry, don't tease your Uncle Remus like that!" Lily chastised her son.

"It's quite alright, Lily," Remus grinned. "Glad to see young Harry is starting to develop his father's trademark wit."

"Yes, we're just thrilled," Lily said sarcastically. "Come, Remus, I've just finished the brew last night."

Remus followed her into the kitchen, and Harry quietly peered in after them. Lily reached into a cupboard and pulled out several small vials of murky blue liquid, which she handed to Remus, who gratefully accepted them.

"You're a lifesaver, Lil," Remus sighed, giving her a hug. "You don't know how much this has helped me stay sane. Most employers won't even grant an interview to my kind without access to Wolfsbane…"

"You know we're happy to help," Lily said, patting Remus gently on the shoulder.

"And tell James I intend to repay every Knut when I'm able—" Remus continued.

"He won't hear of such a thing," Lily interrupted him. "It's the least we can do." Remus nodded sheepishly at this sentiment.

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