Summary: It's James' birthday, and he gets a mysterious package. Who is it from? And why is it addressed to James Potter?
We are now trying to continue this story once more! Yay! *cheers* We've edited the first three chapters a bit to help make the story a little less confusing (hopefully). Please bear with us! (and leave reviews too!)
Categories: Post-Hogwarts,
Alternate Universe Characters: None
Warnings: Alternate Universe
Challenges: Series: None
Chapters: 3
Completed: No
Word count: 3126
Read: 7841
Published: 01/18/06
Updated: 07/05/06
1. The Girl, the Birthday, and the Truth by crukekeeper
2. Hermione...Headmistress? by crukekeeper
3. The Other Girl by crukekeeper
The Girl, the Birthday, and the Truth by crukekeeper
James awoke in a sweat. Her. He had been having many dreams about her lately. He had no idea who she was, and where she came from. All he knew was that she haunted his thoughts constantly, day and night.
He sat up and looked at the clock. 6:00. He had a whole hour before he had to leave for school. Dressing quickly, he ran downstairs for a quick breakfast. 6:45. He now had 15 minutes to make it to the bus stop.
Grabbing his coat, James set off at a leisurely walk, and began to think about the mysterious girl.
***
The longer he thought about her, the more he began to notice her features. She had flowing long hair, and her deep blue eyes were set beneath long eyelashes. He couldn't help but to think of her. She entranced him, and he sat through his classes, listening to his teachers drone on and on about countless battles and dates, he just sat and thought. That is, until a voice distracted him from his daydreams.
"What would you say, James?" Mr. Gibbs asked.
"Wha…" James stared at his history teacher, stupefied.
"The Battle of the Buldge. Who was the commander in it?"
"Um, well, you see, that was…um… general, uh…well, it was George Washington."
The class laughed, and James sunk down in his chair. Mr. Gibbs raised his eyebrows. "This is World War II, James."
"Uh, Churchill?" stammered James.
"Next time, pay more attention."
That finally knocked the girl out of his brain for a little while. For the rest of the day, James tried hard to focus on his studies and listen to what the teachers said. When the bell finally rang, James sighed with relief. Thank goodness, saved by the bell, he thought. Ignoring the teachers' Christmas wishes, James ran outside into the gently falling snow that was now dusting the paavement, eager to enjoy his first moments of winter vacation.
***
When he got home, he found himself in an empty house. But he didn't mind. He liked being alone. Only when he was alone did he have time to think. His parents always yelled at him, fro having bad behavior to a loose screw on the toilet seat. He trudged into his room and pulled out a book from his shelf. The Secrets of an Untold Tale. It was his favorite book. He curled up in his armchair and began to read. As he read, a thought began to form in James' mind, this same thought always reoccurred, yet James desperately wished for it to come true. He wanted to exist in the worlds of those he read of, with fantasic beasts and magic everywhere. What James, didn't know, though, was that something would happen today that would change his life forever.
***
The door slammed. "Happy Birthday James!" James' older brother Alex yelled.
"You bring me anything?" James ran downstairs.
"Yup. 14 punches and one more for good luck." Alex grinned maliciously and held up his fist.
James grinned. "Only if you can catch me." He ran off into the kitchen and nearly knocked over his mom. "Sorry!" James sped off, closely followed by Alex.
Mrs. Anguria smiled. "Don't knock the house down!"
They raced around the house until both had collapsed on the floor with laughter. Alex gave him his 15 punches, but James didn't complain a bit. He was laughing so hard he didn't care.
After a while, they got up and strode into the kitchen. "Where's dad?" Alex asked his mom.
Mrs. Anguria looked at her two sons. "He'll be along later, he has to finish his paperwork down at the office." James frowned. Mrs. Anguria chuckled. "Don't worry, he'll be home in time for dinner and your birthday celebration."
James retreated upstairs and read until he heard his mom calling him for dinner. They sat in silence until Alex began to tell James what his gift was.
"I thought that we might go to Five Towers Amusement Park tomorrow as my present to you." Alex suggested with a grin.
"James smile lit up. "Thanks!" Then he paused. "But wait, in the middle of winter?"
"That's the BEST time to go," grinned Alex happily.
After dinner came the cake. Mr. Anguria still wasn't home, so they started without him. After the cake, James began to open his gifts. Then the doorbell rang. James got up to get it. He opened to door. No one was there. Then he looked down. There was a large parcel on the doormat. In neat handwriting, it said:
To James Potter
Confused, he picked up the package. It was heavy. He brought it to his mom. "Mom, I think someone sent this to the wrong house."
Mrs. Anguria read the name. "No, I think it's for you…" Her voice shakily trailed off… "Open it."
James opened his mouth. "But it's addressed to a James Potter. I'm James Anguria, right?"
Mrs. Anguria laughed. "Of course you are! I think someone merely mistook your name for someone else. I really think it's for you. Open it!"
James ripped open the package. Inside, he found an assortment of items. Just then, a door slammed.
"James…" Mr. Anguria called out with an apologetic voice.
Suddenly angry, James decided to give his dad the cold shoulder. He trudged up the stairs and into his room, carrying his mysterious items.
James slammed the door for good measure. Then, he spread out the items on his bed. He flipped through the books. One of them was titled Hogwarts; A History. He picked this book up and began to flip through the contents. Interested, he sat down and began to read.
***
"John, James got the package today."
Mr. Anguria widened his eyes. "Really?" he sighed. "I was afraid this would happen soon."
Mrs. Anguria turned to him. "Well, we're going to have to let him go. He can't be protected forever. It's already way past time."
Mr. Anguria smiled weakly. "I know, dear, but I just wish that it wasn't so soon. I wish he could be safe for a little longer." He ran a hand over his face. "Well, when someone comes, we'll know when he-"
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
"-screams," they both finished.
"Should we go up?" Mrs. Anguria questioned.
"No, let's let him be. He needs to know, and not from us." They both sighed and look at the ceiling where they knew James would be sitting, with a shocked look on his face.
***
A/N: Oooo…what will happen next? Why is James screaming? Is it because- oops! Can't tell you that! Find out in the next chapter!
Hermione...Headmistress? by crukekeeper
Chapter 2
Hermione Granger took one last look at her cluttered desk. Quickly grabbing a folder from the top of a stack, she shut her eyes and disappeared with a POP.
She reappeared in front of a small, quiet quaint little home. Knowing there was no one home, she whispered, 'Alohomora,' and entered. Quietly locking the door behind her, she went upstairs and into the first door on her right. Taking a seat in the corner of the room, Hermione cast a Disillusionment Charm that would make James not notice her when he entered.
***
When James finally came in, Hermione gasped. Watching as he began to flip through a book, she couldn't help but notice how much he looked like his father. And when he turned his head, Hermione noticed his eyes were like his mother's. When his mouth curved up into a smile, she saw his mother smiling through those same lips.
Not being able to wait a moment longer, Hermione removed the charm and took a deep breath. It's finally time for him to know about his past…I can't wait! She then took a step forward.
"Hello, James."
She almost laughed when James' head shot up, and he screamed.
***
"Who are you?!?" a frightened James asked.
"Why, I'm your guest! Shouldn't you be offering me a seat or something of that sort?" chuckled the stranger.
James was too shocked to move.
"Very well," sighed the stranger, taking a seat at the foot of James' bed.
"Who are you?" James managed to stutter.
"Oh!" The stranger looked up from the folder she was holding. "I am Hermione Granger, the Headmistress of Hogwarts."
James gaped at her. "Is this some kind of prank? I bet Alex is laughing at me right now… Alex? Are you in here?"
Hermione smiled grimly. "This is no joke. Would you like me to explain?"
James paused, and then slowly nodded. He sat down in his chair and began to listen.
"When you mother was pregnant with you, she decided that the only way you keep you safe was to not tell your father, and, therefore, keeping you away from those wishing to harm your father."
"My father? But he's downstairs-"
"No," Hermione stopped him, "you are not James Anguria."
James' eyes popped out. "So you mean I'm-"
Hermione nodded. "Yes. You are James Potter, to whom the parcel was addressed."
James was puzzled. "Then what am I doing here?"
"Let me finish. When you were born, your mother immediately sent you to a family friend. She knew the Angurias through a close friend she once had at school."
"Who?" James leaned forward, listening intently.
"Ashley Anguria. She and your mother were the best of friends. Sadly, though, Ashley was killed by Lord Voldemort." Hermione shuddered.
"Lord who?"
"Lord Voldemort. Around the time you were born, Lord Voldemort was the most powerful dark wizard in the world."
"Wizard?" James fell off his chair.
"Have I not mentioned that yet? Whoops! My fault! Anyway, you are familiar with the concept of wizards and magic, yes?"
James nodded.
"Good. That makes things a lot easier. You'll have a lot of catching up to do. A whole three years. Don't worry, though - I'll personally come by to help you out. Of course, you'll be withdrawn out of your current muggle school. You only have a few months to learn what others have had years to learn."
"Wait - what?" James stared at Hermione stupidly. "I have to catch up on what? I can't possibly be a wizard."
Hermione sighed. "Haven't you ever experienced something that you couldn't explain?" Satisfied with James' silence, she continued. "Those experienced happened because of you and the magic that you couldn't control. Actually, I'm surprised that nothing worse has yet happened." Seeing the look of shock on James' face, Hermione paused. "Let me go through this one more time…"
***
After Hermione had explained things multiple times, James finally seemed to understand.
"So," asked James, his voice shaking, "when do I get all of my stuff?"
"Tomorrow morning. I'll come and pick you up, and then we can go," Hermione stood up to leave.
"Wait, can I ask you something?" Hermione paused.
"What?"
"Why didn't I enter Hogwarts when I turned eleven? Why now?"
Hermione sighed. "I would explain more, but I have no time. When you turned eleven, a very large event occurred - one that was too dangerous for you to be vulnerable for dark wizards to discover you - and you needed to be kept hidden. Your mother decided it was best to delay your entering into the wizarding world."
"What event?"
"You'll know soon anyway, I don't really need to explain that."
"Oh. Okay."
"And, before I leave, I want you to know that you'll be going to Hogwarts as James Anguria, not James Potter. It's for your safety."
James nodded. "Alright."
"Good. Now, I must report to other important business. I'll see you tomorrow morning!" And with that, Hermione Granger disappeared with a POP.
***
James bolted up. Had it all been a dream? He eyes wandered around the room, resting on the pile of stuff that he had gotten the previous night. It was all real. Taking a glance at the clock that was dangerously close to falling off his bedside table, he saw that it was 8:34. Shit, he thought. That Headmistress lady will be here soon. Quickly pulling on jeans and a tee shirt, James ran downstairs, only to find his parents already seated at the table.
"Mom? Dad?" he questioned as he sat down. "Err…" He remembered what the Headmistress had said the previous night.
"No, it's okay, we'll always be 'Mom' and 'Dad' to you," Mrs. Anguria rushed, not wanting James to feel awkward.
James smiled. "I can do that."
There was a POP! And Hermione Granger appeared in their kitchen. "Good morning! I trust you all slept well?"
James and Mr. Anguria slowly nodded while Mrs. Anguria leapt to her feet. "Oh my gosh! Hermione! It has been too long since we have last seen you!" She embraced Hermione in a motherly hug.
James was shocked. "You know them?!" he gaped at Hermione.
Hermione chuckled. "Of course. I was - and still am - good friends with your mother, and of Ashley. I spent more than one summer here in this house," she replied as she gazed fondly around the room."
James just stared while Mrs. Anguria began to laugh. "Now now, James, you know better than to have your mouth open like that," She then leaned over and shut James' mouth.
James then grinned. "So when are we leaving?"
Hermione glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. "Now."
***
A/N: And that's chapter 2!! I hope that clears up some confusion for you readers on why James is 14!
The Other Girl by crukekeeper
Author's Notes:
This story gets more complex by the chapter! I promise, however, that things will clear up soon, and that I can get the story REALLY going. :)
Chapter 3
Adara fingered her long hair.
"Can I cut it? Please?"
"Oh, Adara! Why in the world would you want to cut it?" Adara's mother was shocked.
"Well…" Adara paused, searching for an answer, "well, I'm bored."
Adara's mother was aghast at her daughter's reply. "You're bored, so you want to cut your beautiful hair?"
Adara nodded. "There's more. I don't want to be identified anymore as the 'girl with the pretty hair.' It gets in the way of things."
"What things?"
"Everything."
Her mother glared at her with Adara stareing back with the same intensity, then he green eyes softened and sheepishly, she rephrased her words. "Well, it bothers me. I hate being branded by a materialistic thing that shouldn't even matter to people!" Adara continued. "I'm always considered the pretty girl wherever I go. I can't do a lot of things because people think that I'm snotty and boys constantly wink at me. I hate it, I hate it, I HATE IT!"
"What's wrong with being the pretty girl?"
Adara cocked an eyebrow. "I don't mind being pretty, but sometimes, I feel as if my hair is more important than me!"
Her mother sighed. "Fine." She paused. "How short do you want it?"
Adara jumped up and down with glee. "Thank you thank you thank you!"
***
Mrs. Asya had dealt with Adara's energy since she had been adopted. She knew nothing about Adara's past, except for the name on the bracelet that had been tied around Adara's wrist when she was found in an abandoned building. The locket she always wore around her neck had been tucked into an envelope.
"Adara, I have something to show you." Mrs. Asya opened the drawer of a nearby desk and took out a fat envelope.
Curious, Adara leaned forward to take a closer look. "What is it?"
"Do you remember when you were found in that building?"
Adara nodded. Mrs. Asya had told her the story many times before.
"Well, When you were found, you had a bracelet and a locket, both of which you are wearing now." Adara nodded, waiting for her to continue. "Well, the locket came in an envelope. But, there was something else in that envelope. A letter."
Adara's eyes grew wide open in shock. "A what?"
Mrs. Asya handed Adara the envelope. "I wanted to give it to you sooner but the note accompanying it said not to give it to you until your 14th birthday so I waited." Mrs. Asya stood up."I will wait untill you are ready to come down," she walked over to the door but her hand lingered on the knob. "And," her mother added, acting as if nothing was wrong and as if the letter that Adara was about to read wouldn't change anything at all. "Remember that right after Christmas you will be leaving again for Hogwarts so pack your things up properly." And without a seconds hesitation Mrs. Asya walked out of the room, leaving her daughter alone.
As soon as Mrs. Asya left the room, Adara flipped the letter and opened it with trembling fingers. Her eyes grew wide open as she read.
Dear Adara,
Happy 14th birthday my dear! First off, I would like to say that I love you very much. I wish this letter wasn't necessary, and that I could be hugging you right now, giving you your birthday presents. But I can't be there with you, and I'm very sorry. When I became pregnant with you, I kept the fact hidden from your father. You see, he is a very important figure in society, and I didn't want to put you or your father in danger in case enemies would discover your existence. So I kept you secret by wearing baggy clothes and such. When I began to show more obviously, I decided to stay with a friend for the rest of my term. Your father, of course, was busy and let me go without question. So in that way, your father never discovered your existence. Oh- somewhere along my pregnancy, I discovered that I was to have twins. My dear Adara, you have a brother. Oh, if only I could visit you…but I do not know where you are going to be when you get this. Your brother's location I do know, but you- you could be around the planet. But somehow, I know that you are close. I trust Dumbledore's skills. Dumbledore is the only connection I have to you. Through him, I know that you are safe. My dear, all shall be revealed soon. Patience will find us together again. And perhaps you'll be lucky enough to meet your brother again someday.
With love,
Your mother
Adara lifted her face towards the ceiling completly astounded that she had a brother. But what mattered most to her at the moment was the person who had written the letter to her. "Mother," she whispered to herself, "where are you?"
***
Hidden from view, Mrs. Asya wiped away the tears streaming from her eyes. Soon, Adara would leave for school, and by the end of the year, she might not even return. Happy and sad at the same time, Mrs. Asya slipped out the door to give Adara some time to think.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. No money is being made from this work. No copyright infringement is intended.