Alternate Universes

Hello, my lovelies! Well, another day, another chapter. I got it done as quick as I could! And, as an extra added bonus, I’m actually replying to reviews in this chapter. I’ve been meaning to, so now I am! If you’ve left a review, find your name on my list, aeel eel special! I certainly do. If I’ve missed your name, I’m dreadfully sorry! Send me another review on this newest chapter ::grins:: and I’ll get you in next time!


princess55: Regarding chapter 2: Oh, everyone loves cliffhangers! I know, I know, they’re evil and we complain, but we really like them. Right? ::Blinks confusedly when all and sundry shake heads vigorously:: Oh. Okay then. Scratch those from any future plans.


citrus scented: ::Blushes:: WOW! Compared to the goddess herself! Those were actually some of my favorite lines, also, and I’m glad you enjoyed them. And on the shower subject, it seems to be the bathroom in general that triggers my stories, because I had an idea for another one while I was brushing my teeth at 1 am the other night. . .Go Figure. Oh! Oh!! You’ve read ‘Cats Are Mysterious Creatures”?! I love you double now! Thank you so much! It’ll probably get taken down, reworked a bit, and reposted—with your suggestion! Hope you tune in!


Alexa Donaghy: Another reader of ‘Cats’! I’m starting to feel loved again. . .I’m glad you enjoyed it. As I told Citrus Scented, it’ll probably get taken down and reworked, but it’ll be back better than ever soon afterward, I promise!


Akihoenhoenix Star: Thank you so much for having me on your favorite authors list! That means a lot to me! ::skips to a sing-song voice:: I made a li-ist! I made a li-ist! ::Slaps self:: Okay. Dignified. Back Now. Seriously (Sirius-ly?) though, thanks, and I hope you continue to enjoy my stories!


Abigail: That line was fun. I liked it! And I did make the story longer! See! See!! ::points at new chapters::


hp lovar: Well, if you’re going to be that way about it. . .of course I’ll post more! I’m glad you like my story!


freakyfroggurl22: I’m writing as fast as I can! I promise! More as soon as I can manage


guy: I know I said 5 reviews until the second chapter, but I was literally overwhelmed by the number of reviews I got. I was not expecting that many, based on the number I had gotten from other stories. I hadn’t even planned a second chapter! But I got the reviews plus some, and so wrote more. Yay!


luvya: I tried! I really did! ::sob!:: I just don’t write fast enough, but I’ll try harder! ::runs to open new word window for more chapters before realizing that that’s what this one is for. . .::


Inukocharm: It was originally going to be a one shot, but wonderful reviewers such as yourself changed my mind! Yep, Peter’s still a rat-bastard. ::grins::


Dark /-)ngel: ::grin:: I can be good at con rev reviews sometimes. Glad you enjoy the story!


Immortalis_Vespers: Harry’s “NO!” is going to be important to the story eventually. But I’m glad you thought my story good enough to rate constructive criticism. I appreciate it!


LOLA!: Writing! Writing!


Pantherocker: Thanks for your advice. I fixed the mistakes! And when you write, don’t delete stories, even if you don’t know where they’re going. Think on it for a couple of nights, and at the most unlikely moment (such as a shower or teeth-brushing) an idea’ll pop into your head. I promise! It works!


Mystic Queen: Oh, no, we can’t overlook Harry! Of course, this just means that he’ll have to share the spotlight with Daddy, but I don’t think he’ll mind, do you? ::grin::


Jenn009: I hope the last chapter answered some of your questions, but it probably just created more, too. ::blushes:: I can’t help it. I like convoluted plots.


guest type person: Curiosity is good, it keeps wonderful reviewers such as yourself coming back!


Shaye Evans: Thanks, and you’ll have to keep reading to find out what happens, because right now, I don’t even know what’s going on in this chapter. I won’t know until I write the first line, and I don’t even know that much yet. . .


And these are all the wonderful reviewers to which I simply want to throw a huge THANK YOU!


Special K; tw2qut4u; five little freaks; Slytherin Princess; MegHarts; Alaskantiger; Heather; Amelia; Jemi Fal; LoonyLoopyLisa; GunSmoke; and CapriceAnne Hedican-Kocur.


Wow, that list is really long. Thanks everyone for their support! It means a lot to me that so many are enjoying this, and I hope ya’ll continue enjoying it.


Oh! Oh! I get to claim four new characters! Yay! William and Elizabeth Potter are mine, as are David and Rose Evans. As far as I know, neither James Potter’s nor Lily and Petunia Evans’ parents are ever mentioned, but I thought that they’d be neat people. And voila, here they are!


Yes, yes, I know that the Dursley’s were supposed to be Harry’s only family; ergo, dead grandparents. But I don’t like that idea, and I wanted everyone to meet the ‘rents! So there. ::petulantly sticks out tongue at anyone who dares make a remark. . .which no one has done yet, so I suppose everyone’s okay with it, then. . .:: On the same note, it seems to be widely accepted that James comes from a long line of pureblooded wizards and wizards, and that his family fortune rivaled the Malfoy’s, so I’m going with that. Cool? Cool.


And now, on with the story,the the longest chapter yet—due mostly to responses to reviews, but it’s eight pages on it’s own! Long for little 3-4 pme! me! Yay!


~Desertrain


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Upon throwing a pinch of floo powder into the fireplace in their temporary room in Hogwarts, James Potter yelled “Potter Manor!” into the flames, and disappeared. Lily was to follow a moment later with little Harry, but James wanted to go on ahead to warn his parents. He landed somewhat unceremoniously on his behind in the large fireplace in the family room of the Manor, startling his mother, Elizabeth Potter, who sat on the couch reading.


“James!” She exclaimed, pulling him from the fireplace. “Oh, sweetie, I heard what happened, but Dumbledore told me not to come to Hogwarts. How’s Lily?” Before James had a chance to answer, here was another ‘whoosh!’ from the fireplace, and there stood Lily, holding Harry. She, unlike James, was able to avoid landing on her behind, and stepped demurely out of the fireplace.


“Hello, Beth. How are you?” Lily asked the older Mrs. Potter, who just goggled for a moment.


“How am I? How am /I/? My dear, I should ask that question of you! Merlin be merciful, I was frightened out of my /wits/ when I heard what happened at your house, and I wanted to come see you three /immediately/, of course, but Dumbledore obviously knew thatcauscause he sent me a letter by owl post saying that it would be better for me to stay here, but that you were all safe, and Bill said the same thing, and I’m just /so/ glad you’re here now!” Beth punctuated this very long sentence by throwing her arms around her only son, who looked slightly embarrassed, but hugged his mother anyway.


“There, there, Mum, it’s alright. We’re all here and safe.” James untangled himself from his mother, asking “Where’s Dad?” It was at that moment that a tall figure that looked much like an older version of James dashed into the room, skidding to a halt in front of his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, looking as if he didn’t know who to hug first. Since Lily had an armful of baby, he chose James. Enfolding his son in an enormous hug, he said,


“Thank goodness you’re here. We were worried about you.” When heeaseeased James, he took Harry from Lily. Giving his grandson a gentle hug and ruffling the hair that Harry had inherited from his father and grandfather, William Potter handed the baby to his wife, and then gave Lily the same type of bear hug he had just bestowed upon James. Lily smiled.


“Hello to you, too, Bill.” Bill chuckled, releasing Lily.


James cleared his throat. “Mum, Dad, Lily and I have a favor to ask. . .”


“Of course you can stay here, dear. Your suite is still he way it’s always been. You can transfigure your bed into a bigger one, can’t you?” James nodded mutely. He was confused as to how his parents had known what he was going to ask. Beth smiled. “Oh, come now, what else could you be asking for? Godric’s Hollow is a lovely place, but /I/ certainly wouldn’t want to go back there.” Grins spread over the faces of James and Lily, who were much relieved at the turn of events. Harry could sense the happy atmosphere in the room, apparently, because he gave his grandmother a resounding kiss on the cheek.


“Gamamma!” He cried. Beth looked surprised, and then grinned around at her family.


“Listen to that! He talked!” Lily and James nodded, already aware of this fact. Bill leaned over, putting his face in front of Harry.


“And what to I get, sir?” He asked. Harry looked thoughtful for a moment, then grinned.


“Gadaddy!” he dec decisively. Lily grinned even wider at the look of contentment on Bill’s face.


“Well, congratulations. You’ve officially gone from Mum and Dad to Grandmamma and Granddaddy, and so you shall be until the end of time.”


“Wherever did he pick up those specific terms, though? We’ve never used them.” Bill mused.


“No clue, but he seems to like them.” Lily said to her puzzled in laws. They nodded. Suddenly Bill seemed to notice something, and pushed Harry’s untidy hair back fris fis forehead.


“Where in the world did he pick up a scar like that?” Bill asked worriedly. Lily and James shook their heads.


“We don’t know. He didn’t actually get /hit/ with anything. It was there after Harry stopped You-Know-Who from killing me and Lily. . .” At the shocked looks on his parents faces, James slowed down. “Maybe I’d better start at the beginning.” His father nodded.


“I think you’d better.”


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“Wow,” was all Bill Potter, highly educated wizard, could get past his lips when James and Lily were through telling their story.


“Yeah.” James responded.


“By himself?”


“Well, I cast the killing curse, but Harry’s the one who gave me that chance. If not for him, we’d all be dead. Except, maybe for him.” James saw his mother’s lips tremble as she held Harry closer, eliciting a small squeak from the child. Suddenly, she opened her eyes wide.


“Lily! Do your parents know what happened?” Lily shook her head. “Well, then you need to go talk to them. Are they connected to the floo network?” This time, Lily nodded, still mute. “Good! You and James go visit them, and then come back here and I’ll keep Harry while you and your father go and clear out the house at Godric’s Hollow.” Beth’s voice left no room for argument. Lily knew she was right. She needed to go talk to her parents.

“We’ll be back soon, I promise. Don’t go anywhere!” Bill and Beth laughed as Beth ha Har Harry to James.


“Don’t worry, we won’t.”


“Umm, Beth?” Beth looked at Lily quizzically, due to the tone of uncertainty in her voice. “Given James’ track record with floo powder, maybe you’d better hand Harry here.” James looked abashed, but his parents thought this remark was hysterically funny. Lily was hard put to make her voice calm enough to shout into the now-green flames:


“David and Rose Evan’s House!”


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A moment later Lily found herself facing the same situation James had been upon entering Potter Manor. Her mother was curled up on the sofa watching television instead of reading a book, though. She looked up, quite surprised that her daughter and grandson were standing in her fireplace, slightly sooty.


“Hi, Mum.”


“Hello, dear. Is James coming?” Rose asked, trying to cover her surprise.

“Oh, yes, he’ll be along momentarily,” Lily answered, stepping out of the fireplace just as the flames began to roar green again. A moment later, there was James, once again on his backside in a fireplace, this time muttering to himself.


“Oh, bugger. One of these days I’ll get this right. You’d think a gown wizard, been doing this all his life, would at least be able to keep his feet, but no. . .”


“James dear, say hello to Mum.” Lily said, trying to cover her hilarity by keeping her face hid mostly behind Harry’s small head. James, however, caught that he was being laughed at, and scowled good naturedly at his wife.


“Hello, Rose, how are you today?”


“Oh, fine. What brings you two here?” Her daughter and son-in-law looked at each other nervously, and sat sown on the loveseat across the coffee table form Rose’s sofa.


“Erm, well, you see mum, we changed our mailing address slightly. We thought that we might want to tell you to address letters and packages to James’ parents Manor house for a while. . .”


“Why exactly is that, sweetie?” Rose asked. Lily was just about to answer when she heard a deep rumble behind her.


“Doesn’t a father rate a kiss anymore, ma’am?” Lily smiled widely, and all but throwing Harry at James, leaped up to throw her arms around her father and plant a kiss squarely in the middle of his right cheek.


“Hi, Daddy!”


“How’s my girl? Been treating her right, Potter?” David Evans asked his son-in-law good naturedly. James didn’t cringe at the use of his surname, he knew that David meant it in the nicest possible way.


“She doesn’t complain, sir.” David turned to his daughter, who nodded happily.


“Good. Now, what’s been going on with you two lately?” James and Lily both froze, the smiles on their face suddenly not quite so sincere. Lily sighed, and began to explain what had happened for the second time that day.


“Well, Mum, Daddy, it’s like this. . .”


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When Lily had finished her story, with regular additions from James, both of her parents were white in the face and gripping each others hands on the sofa. They were having trouble accepting what their daughter was telling them, but they also knew she wouldn’t make up something like this. No matter what Petunia said, they still loved their older daughter, and the thought of an evil wizard trying to kill her was shocking to the muggle couple.


“Lily, why exactly would this Voldemort fellow want to kill you? Or James, for that matter?”


Lily looked at James, who nodded that they should tell the worried parents the truth. “It’s because I’m not a ‘pureblood’ wizard. You-kn—well, I guess /you/ don’t really know who, do you? /VOLDEMORT/ wanted to eradicate all witches and wizards who weren’t of pure blood. Clean out the gene pool, so to say. And that included Harry, for having non-magic blood, and James, because he was a ‘muggle-lover’—he married me.” Lily looked at her hands. “I’m sorry we didn’t tell you sooner that we were in danger, but we just didn’t want to worry you. You were trying so hard to see Petunia and her baby—what did she name him again? Dudley?”


Rose nodded, her face becoming sad. “Yes, Dudley. He takes after his father, you know. Great oaf of a man. Took our daughter away from us. . .she won’t even speak to us now. . .and if we had lost you three, we’d have nothing left. . .” Rose’s eyes teared up, and she quickly dashed those tears away, drawing a deep breath. Harry, still in James’ lap, saw his grandmothers tears. Lily noted a thoughtful look that passed over Harry’s face.


/He sure thinks a lot for a one-year-old/ Lily thought to herself. Her thoughts were stopped short, however by a loud “Gama!” from Harry. /Wow/ thought Lily. /This seems to be grandparent-naming day. Talk about deja-vu, all over again!/ The adults laughed at Harry’s enthusiastic shout. Harry must have remembered his ‘Granddaddy’s’ response at Potter Manor earlier, though, as he turned immediately to Lily’s father and voiced a loud “Gapa!”


The adults laughed again. This time it was James who spoke. “Well, we have a complete set of Grandparents. You are apparently ‘Grandma and Grandpa’, and my parents are ‘Grandmamma and Granddaddy’. Quite a distinction for such a little bloke, hmm” James leaned around and looked his son in the face. “Is there anything else you’d like to get out of your system while we’re on the subject, little man?” Harry shook his head.


Once again, Lily was struck by how much her little boy seemed to be able to process. So much for such a little head. /What goes on in there?/ she wondered as she proceeded to say goodbye to her parents, explaining that she and James needed to get back to the Manor, and over to Godric’s Hollow if they expected to clear out the house by tonight. They politely declined offers of help, promised to look after themselves, and flooed back to Potter Manor. The rest of the day was going to be busy indeed. . .


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Okay, reader input here. Do I do a little bit from Harry’s POV? Is anyone interested in that? I think it would be highly interesting. What happened depends entirely on responses!


I’m sorry if this chapter is a little slow or repetitive. I tried reworking it, but this is just the way it wanted to go, no matter what I tried. Beth, Bill, Rose and David have minds of their own, folks; don’t blame me, blame them! ::As the grandparents vigorously shake their heads and hide behind the author, the cowards. . .::


Oh, shameless plug for something other than fan fiction! If any of you have ever heard of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, you /REALLY/ (note the italics, bold type, /and/ capital letters. I’m serious about this, folks!) have to check out their album “Beethoven’s Last Night”. It is truly awesome in the truest sense of the word. Download some of the songs! Buy the album! It’s simply beautiful. Listen to as much as you can, they are stunningly beautiful. They also do great Christmas music, so get those CD burners warmed up, boys and girls! You can also check out the website of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra, and get the story of “Beethoven’s Last Night”, not to mention Lyrics and everything else, at www.trans-siberian.com


Remember, reviews are wonderful things, so please, ‘Leave a contribution in the little box’ ::As Labyrinth fans fall over at my exceedingly out-of-place quoting. . .::


~Desertrain