The people of Burwell referred him as John Doe simply because that’s what the papers had called him. “A John Doe of about seventeen or eighteen years was found, bruised, battered and unconscious,� the article had read. It had been a stormy night, that June 1st and thus the small Midwestern town had closed up early as everyone wished to remain in the safety of their homes. That was why no one had seen the two men enter the town, and why when the townspeople told John’s story over and over again at the local diner, he always appeared, not arrived, in town on June 2nd. An Englishman, as they had learned the first time he had spoken, and a corpse appearing in the middle of the main street of this tiny town was of course a story they had to tell.

John remained unconscious for nearly two weeks. During this time the town ran wild with stories where John was both the murderer and the victim. For any who had actually seen the corpse, though, John was always the victim.

Michael Krummel was Burwell’s only garbage man. He always got an early start so he could beat the heat of the day. So on that fateful June 2nd, it had been he who had found the two bodies. He would always say that he didn’t even notice John at first, because the corpse was so intriguing. The whole body was pale, almost translucent, and the face had no nose, just slits. But what always caused Mike to tremble were the bright red eyes that were wide open, almost staring. Those eyes looked so evil that Mike knew, even if John had killed this man, it was most definitely justified.

Shortly after June 2nd, the mortician’s report came out. It turned out that his examination found that there was really nothing wrong with the body, save that it was undeniably dead. This sent another round of wild tales streaming throughout Burwell. Yet, it was such an unexplainable event that quickly the scandalous stories died away and the interest grew in John Doe himself.

They wanted to know who he was and who the man with him was. They wanted to know where, why, and how he got so scraped up. His appearance in Burwell was one of the few exciting things that had ever happened, and everyone wanted to know everything from his name to how he got a peculiar lightning shaped scar on his forehead.

However, when John Doe awoke a fortnight later, everyone was disappointed. He remembered nothing about his past, not even his name, and so when he was released from the hospital a few weeks after waking and taken in by the McGrath family, he became forever in the eyes of the Burwell people, John Doe.

The McGraths were an elderly couple whose children had long since moved away. They were glad to take John in and they often let him know that he was welcome for as long as he wished to stay.

Thus, John became a part of the Burwell people’s life. They got used to his shaggy black hair, and bright green eyes. They grew accustomed to his quiet manner and they even stopped staring at his lightning shaped scar. But even with time, it was hard for them to expect the strange things that often occurred around John Doe.

It was mostly just small things: glassware unexpectedly breaking every time someone teased John about his memory loss, or knives and plates mysteriously shaking when the local kids would make fun of the McGraths in front of John. Only the very superstitious thought it was possible for John to be making these things happen, but still, most in town were careful about what they said when John was around.

John spent his first year in Burwell mostly attempting to regain his memory. He had little to go off: just a picture of the body found next to him, a stick of wood shaped like a conductor’s baton, and a dream that John had almost every night. Since the first two items sparked no recollection whatsoever, the therapists John visited focused mostly on his dream. It was always the same: bright flashing green light, screams of horror, and in the midst of it all a girl with a mane of red hair. It was the girl who intrigued the therapists most. They tried to get John to describe her, but all he could ever see in his dreams was her red hair. The brightness of the green light hid the rest of her features. After a year and many different therapists John’s dreams hadn’t given any more insight and so John was left to remember on his own.

He didn’t know why, but John knew that if he could just see who that girl was, he would remember who he was. He felt connected to her and knew that she had to have been very important to him. But every time he dreamed, it was always the same; green light and red hair. And while sometimes she got closer to him, a scream from the back of his mind would always startle him awake before he knew who she was.

After about three years people started encouraging John to accept his new fate, his new life and to not worry about the old one. At the McGraths’ urging he got a job as a teller in a bank. His friend Michael even set him up on a few dates. John did his best to be happy. He knew how much it meant to those who had so selflessly taken care of him. But deep inside John was miserable and desperate to learn about his past.

“Here’s to five amazing years,� Michael held up his glass to toast. “We know you didn’t choose us, and we know if you had it your way you would back wherever the hell you came from, but, you know, it’s been interesting. Here’s to you, John.� And with that Michael threw back the last of his beer.
It was June second, and it had become a tradition for John and Mike to spend the night in the local bar reminiscing about the day John arrived and all that had happened in the years he had been in Burwell. The night always filled John with a strange array of emotions. He enjoyed how each year they had more to discuss and how they didn’t ever talk about who he was before he arrived. But even while he was enjoying the memories, he could help but wish that he had more. He couldn’t help but regret that another year had past and still he was just John Doe.
“Drink up, John,� Mike said, “or else I’ll just have to drink it all.�
“Can’t have that,� John said as he drank down the last of his own beer.
John sat down his glass and looked around the bar. There was a slight haze over the whole scene from the cigarette smoke. The pool table had a crowd gathered around it and a few people were moving around the dance floor. As his eyes moved towards the door, he noticed a strange man, dressed in a long black coat, eyeing him suspiciously. John wasn’t one to win a fight much less pick one, so he turned back around with the hope that the man would leave him alone.
“We need another pitcher,� Mike told the bartender as he poured the last of the one in front of them into John’s glass. John laughed again. Many people in Burwell looked down on Mike because of his less-than-desirable job as the garbage man, but John had found Mike to be loyal and honest and one of the few in Burwell who never gave him accusatory and suspicious looks.
“I’ll take one too.� It was the man in the black coat. He had taken the empty bar stool next to John. John tried not to look at him, but his eyes couldn’t help but wander. Up close, John saw that it wasn’t a coat the man was wearing but rather a cloak, unlike any John could remember seeing before in Burwell. The man caught John’s eye and smiled. John gave a weak smile, his face reddening from being caught staring and turned to Mike.
“You know I didn’t really have any friends until you showed up.� Mike was getting pretty tipsy by now. John could always tell because that was when Mike started getting mushy, going on and on about how John was his best friend in the whole world.
“You and I, we’re both just oddballs. That’s why we make such good friends. Crazy, that’s what we are.� Mike was leaning heavily on the bar.
“Yep, we’re crazy all right,� John said. Mike went on about all the great times they had had together. The many times they had gotten drunk in the that same bar they were in that night, and Mike’s favorite story about the time they passed out in the middle of a field only to be awoken by a herd of cows. John tried to focus on him but his eyes were drawn to the man next to him.
Underneath his black cloak, he wore a set of what looked like choir robes. They were deep red in color. It was just as the man was pouring his first glass from the pitcher that John saw it. It was sticking out of the pocket on his cloak. He could only see half of it, but he recognized it instantly. It was a stick very similar to the one that had been found on John the day he had appeared in Burwell.
John’s mind began to race. Perhaps this man knew who he was or at least where he came from. Everyone in Burwell had been baffled by the stick, but this man was carrying one. Surely he must know what it is. Still, John hesitated. Perhaps it was his strange appearance or just the way he had first look at John, but John felt this man was not to be dealt with lightly.
“What’s your name, boy?� John looked up, startled. The man was staring at him with a bemused look on his face.
“They call me John Doe. Why do you ask?� John said nervously.
“John Doe, eh? That isn’t much of a name.�
“It ain’t his real name,� Mike chimed in from beside John. “He don’t remember his real name.�
“Is that true?�
“Yeah, it is,� John replied. “Why do you ask?�
“Just wondering.� The man turned back to his drink.
“Hey, bud, hold my place. I have to take a piss or I am going to explode.� Mike got up and headed to the other side of the bar.
John decided that now was his chance. He still didn’t trust the man, but it might be his only opportunity for real answers about his past.
“What’s that thing in your pocket,� he whispered to the black cloaked man.
The man studied John’s face for a moment. John felt the man’s eyes travel up to the scar on his forehead where he stopped for a moment longer. The man then shook himself as if just suddenly realizing that he was staring. He smiled, winked at John and quickly pushed the stick deep in his pocket and out of sight.
“A wand,� he whispered even more silently than John had. “Why do you ask?�
“A what?� John said louder than he intended.
The man seemed to ponder a moment before finally sighing and turning on his barstool. “Have you seen something similar to what’s in my pocket?� he asked.
“Yes, they found one on me the day I appeared here. No one has been able to figure out what it was though. Most thought—�
“Man that was a GREAT piss.� Mike had returned.
“We need to go somewhere safe,� the man whispered as he got up and left the bar.
John sat there for a moment unsure of what to do. He didn’t like the man but he couldn’t just let him walk away with out learning more. “Hey, Mike, here’s money for the tab. I’m going to head out. I’ll catch up with you later,� John said as he laid money out on the counter.
“Okay, you party pooper.� Mike started drinking straight out of the pitcher as John followed the man out of the bar.
“So what is that thing in your pocket?� John demanded.
“It’s a wand. A wand is an essential tool for anyone in our world. Damn near impossible to do much without it.� An odd smirk grew across the man’s face as he spoke.
“What do you mean ‘our world’?� John asked slightly calmer than before. He decided not to let this man see his fear.
“Our world, the magical world.�
“The magical world? That’s absurd. Magic isn’t real.�
“For a man who wants so many answers, you sure aren’t open to much. Let me ask you something. Have strange things ever happened when your emotions got the best of you?� The breaking glassware, the trembling plates; even as the memories of the occurrences were coming back to him, John knew it was true. Still he tired to remain cool.
“How do you know that I am a-a wizard?� John asked.
“Well, you said they found a wand on you didn’t you?� This was true, but John still wasn’t sure. “Look, we must leave this spot and find a safer place. I will answer any questions you have, but not here. It’s not safe. So, quickly, follow me.� He beckoned John to follow him. John knew he probably shouldn’t. He knew nothing about this man, not even his name. He decided to tell the man that if he wanted to talk they should return to the bar. It was so loud in there that no one would be able to hear them talk, but the man quickly walked away and John was eager for answers. Besides, John could always leave if he didn’t like where they ended up.
And so with a quick glance back at the bar, John followed the man out of the light and down the street.

They walked in silence. The cloaked man seemed to be concentrating on which direction he was going. John was pondering what he had just learned.

Magic. It seemed almost impossible, but John believed it so easily that he felt it must be true. The idea of it felt right in a way that nothing really had since he had awoken in that hospital bed.

The walked for another fifteen minutes until they a reached a house on the outskirts of town. The house looked rather run down. Half of the shutters were missing and the screen door no long had its screen. The appearance of the house didn’t seem to faze the man as he walked up the rickety porch towards the door. He pulled the wand out of his pocket and John watched closely as the man waved the wand while whispering an incoherent word.

The door opened and the man beckoned John inside. The inside was the exact opposite of the outside of the house. The furniture all looked new, the floors were polished and several bookshelves held at least a hundred rather new looking books of all shapes and sizes..

The man took off his cloak, revealing mousy-brown hair. He threw his cloak on to a rack beside the door and headed into the sitting area to the right. John followed him.

“Please have a seat. Make yourself at home. We’re safe here.� The man sat down on one of the chairs closest to the empty fire place. John picked a chair across from him. They sat there in a few moments of silence, while the man examined his fingernails and John contemplated what to ask first.

“What was that that you whispered when opening the door?� John finally asked.

“Why that was a spell. A wand is useless if you don’t have spells to go with it.� Silence over took them again.

“Who are you?� John asked.

“The name is Eric Norris,� the man said as he repositioned himself in his chair.

“And who am I?� Johan asked. Eric looked up at him with an amused expression on his face.

“Why would I know that?� he asked.

“You’re worried about being safe, yet you invite me here. You automatically assume that I can do magic simply because I claimed to have seen a wand before. And,� here John paused and lowered his voice, “You seemed rather intrigued by my scar when we met in the bar.�

Eric eyed John for a moment before he spoke, “I don’t know specifically who you are,� he said at last. “But as some of my associates were scouting out this town, to see if it were safe they came across your magic, and warned me of you. And I don’t trust you, not yet anyway. But every now and again I am willing to take a chance.�

There was something in Eric’s voice or look that made John feel as thought this weren’t the entire truth, but he decided not to press the issue as he had other questions he wanted answered.

“So magic exists?� he asked.

“Yeah it’s everywhere. Witches, wizards and creatures alike.� Eric lit up his pipe as he spoke. He seemed to relax a little as John changed the subject.

“So then how come I haven’t seen any before?�

“Well, you may have very easily seen a witch or wizard before. We don’t like to go about announcing it however. First those without magic will want to use us for their own purposes and then they will abuse us out of fear. It’s happened before.�

“How do you learn these spells to use with you wand?�

“We have schools where kids go to learn. I suspect you probably attended one in your youth.� School. John had always thought he must have attended one but now his imagination ran wild with all that could happen at a magic school.

“Tell me something, or rather show me something. Please, so I know that you are not just making this magic stuff up.� John expected him to protest, but he obligingly pulled out is wand.

“Wingardium Leviosa,� Eric said as he made a swishing and a flicking movement with his wand. The chair next to John started to rise in the air. Eric directed it and a few moments later it landed across the room. John’s eyes widened in disbelief as his mind raced to find some logical answer for what he was seeing. The chair had moved with nothing but the wand to direct it, surely it must be some sort of trick

“Do you believe now?� he asked.

“No,� John said as he shook his head. Eric handed him is wand.

“You try. Wingardium Leviosa. Go ahead.�

John tentatively took the wand. He stared at if for a moment. It was made of darker wood than the one he owned. He looked back up at Eric, still unsure, but Eric nodded encouragingly.

With a deep breath, John waved it as Eric had done and repeated, “Wingardium Leviosa.� To John’s utter amazement the chair rose a few inches off the floor before crashing back down, and as the moved he felt a strange tingling throughout his body.

“Well, it always works better with your own wand. And besides it usually takes practice when you are trying a new spell.� John sat there for a moment in complete silence, still holding the wand up. He had just done magic, for surely that was all it could be. He had said a spell and the chair had responded. It was true the chair hadn’t gone far, but it had moved. He had made it move from across the room. And then there was the tingling feeling in his body. Even now he still faintly felt it, as though something had been awoken inside of him and it was reluctant to be put back to sleep.

John wanted to rush home and try the spell with his own wand. He wanted to see if the spell did work better, but as he handed the wand back to Eric, he remembered how little he knew of this strange man. And so he continued his questioning, his hand still shaking slightly from the shock of having done magic.

“So what are you doing here?�

“Ah, well now I am glad you asked. I am the leader of an organization that has decided to set up headquarters here in Burwell. You see, we believed this town to be completely free of any with magical powers and thus we thought it to be safe.�

“So now it is no longer safe?�

“That is what I am trying to determine tonight. It was my intentions when I entered that bar tonight to see if you might be willing to help our noble cause and consequently save us the trouble of finding a new town.� Eric took a big puff of his pipe.

“Me?� John said as his earlier suspicions of Eric returning. “But I don’t remember any sort of magic.�

“Well that can easily be taught. You won’t need to know as many spells as you once did. And this may turn out to be doubly beneficial for perhaps as you learn what you already once knew, the rest will come back to you.�

John pondered this for a while. He was still sure that Eric knew far more than he was telling, but perhaps there was a decent enough reason for this. And the therapist had often said that if he tried to do normal activities it may help jog his memory. If magic was normal, this might be his only chance. And he could always get out if things got too bad.

“What is this organization called?� John asked.

“The Wizards’ Society and we are dedicated to protecting the magical world from the many evils that surround it.�

“What sort of evils?�

“Well, there are dark creatures and wizards who solely want to hurt others and then there are the Muggles. The Wizard’s society has of late, really focused on the Muggle problem.�

“What is a Muggle?� John asked. Another mischievous grin formed on Eric’s face.

“A Muggle, you ask? Why a Muggle is a filthy dirty non-magic person, out to destroy the wizarding world.�

“But I thought you said that non magical people don’t know about the wizarding world.�

“Ah, true, most don’t. But you see, wizards do not always come from all magical families. Often they come from parents with no magic at all. And these are filthy Muggles out to destroy us.� Eric paused as he took another puff of his pipe, set it down on the side table and rose. “But let us not get too burdened down with details tonight. Tomorrow, the rest of the society will be joining me here, and I would like you to return as well. Bring your wand and we will begin to teach you spells.� With that he stood and directed John towards the door. “Tomorrow, shall we say eight?� John slowly nodded in agreement. “See you tomorrow then.�

John walked home barley noticing where his feet were taking him. His mind was racing from the thrill of doing magic to the uneasy feeling Eric and his society gave him. And deep inside was a growing hope that he might finally learn who he was.

When he reached the McGraths’, the house was dark. Being elderly, the McGraths were always in bed before ten. John quietly made his way to his room and pulled out a box from underneath his bed. Inside lay what he finally knew to be a wand. He took his wand out, pointed at a shirt that lay on the floor and said, “Wingardium Leviosa.� Instantly the shirt rose several feet in the air and at John’s urging the shirt made its way into his laundry basket.

Sunday morning dawned with a mixture of sunshine and clouds. In many ways this reflected John’s mood. He was excited because he felt that he was finally on the right path to discovering who he was, and he was anxious to meet other wizards and witches and learn even more spells. But despite this excitement, doubt kept creeping into John’s mind. What if it were all a hoax? What if he were merely dreaming? And what was the Wizards’ Society really about; for John knew there was far more going on than Eric had mentioned.

Still, John knew the only way to answer his questions was to go to the meeting that night, to be on guard, and to remain skeptical.

And so the day dragged on for John. He tried to pass the time until eight by visiting Mike. But Mike was still hung-over from the night before and in no mood for company. So instead John sat in his room, periodically making things levitate, just to ensure the night before hadn’t been a dream.

Finally eight came and John headed out to the house he had been at the night before. It still looked as run down as ever on the outside, but that didn’t worry John tonight. He was more afraid of what lay inside.

He reached the door and after a deep breath for courage, he knocked three times.

“Who’s there?� a voice demanded.

“Umm, John Doe,� John said wearily. The door opened and John was ushered quickly inside. The door was shut immediately and loudly behind him and John jerked his head back at the noise. When he turned back around, he saw that the entire sitting room was full of people.

The oldest could have easily been John’s grandfather twice over while the youngest looked barely eighteen. As he stepped into this room all eyes were on him and all seemed to glance up at his scar. There was an awkward moment where the expressions ranged from delight to fear before Eric broke the silence.

“Hello, John,� Eric said from the same chair he had sat in the night before. “Everyone, this is John Doe. John, this is everyone. No need for introductions, you’ll learn everyone’s name as we go along.� Eric stopped and puffed from his pipe. “Now, please sit down.� He motioned to an empty seat on the sofa next to a young girl with long brown hair. John took the seat, his fear subsiding slightly as he waited eagerly to see what the meeting was about.

“Well, now that we are all here,� Eric said, “it is time for an update. Marcus how goes things with the Muggles?� A tall blonde haired man of about forty stood up as he spoke.

“Well they are completely clueless as to our being here. We have done well at concealing our position. So, as far as the Muggles are concerned the sooner we strike the better chance we have of catching them off guard,� he said with a wink to Eric.

“Yes, yes, that’s all fine,� Eric said as Marcus sat back down. “But how is training going?� This time a youth of about John’s age stood up.

“Well, Eric, I wish I could give a more positive report but I am afraid we have a few stragglers. However, we should all be ready and in tip top shape in a little more than a fortnight.� This man sat back down.

“All right then three weeks it is. Can you have the plans ready by then, Justin?� A man in green robes nodded. “Perfect. Greeley,� Eric said to the witch beside John. “You know your spells well, do you not?� She nodded. “Then I am putting you in charge of John’s training. Work mostly on spells that will be used in battle. No sense in clogging his head with other useless nonsense.�

“Yes, sir.�

“All right then, meeting adjourned. I expect everyone to spend some time practicing those spells. They may be only Muggles, but you can bet they won’t go down with out a fight.� And with that everyone got up to leave. John sat there in shock at the brevity of the meeting and the mention of a battle. He wanted to talk to Eric about all of this but, the witch called Greeley turned to speak to him.

“My name is Elizabeth Greeley,� she said as she held out her hand to John.

“Nice to meet you.�

“I suppose we should work on some spells tonight, if that is all right with you.�

“Sounds great, but can I ask you a few question first?�

“Absolutely, but do you mind if I speak with Justin real quick? He is rather difficult to find once meetings are over.� John nodded and Elizabeth got up, leaving John alone on the sofa.

John watched as the room slowly empty. In every conversation there seemed to be a large amount of laughter and frequently he caught eyes staring at him. To avoid the looks he stared at the fireplace as he waited for Elizabeth to return.

“Interesting man, that one,� Elizabeth said as she joined John back on the sofa. She smiled warmly at him.

“That meeting was pretty short,� John said. Elizabeth laughed.

“Yes, that’s how, Eric does business. Quick and to the point. It’s quite nice actually.�

“What was the battle he was talking about?� John found Elizabeth easy to talk to and he was already glad that she was to be his teacher rather than Eric.

“The battle against the Muggles. Eric told you what a Muggle is?� John nodded. “Well the Wizards’ Society intends to end their wickedness towards wizards and a fight is the best way to do that.� Elizabeth did not seem enthused at the idea of a battle but she changed the subject before John could question further. “We really need to start on your training,� she said. She stood up and John followed suit.

“You brought your wand, right?� John held up his wand. “Great. First we need to start with the basic. How to properly hold and wave your wand and that sort of thing.� They spent the next twenty minutes working on this. John felt pretty silly when Elizabeth made him say out loud “Swish and flick,� over and over while he waved his wand.

“Okay, I think we can move on. I’d like to start with a fairly simple spell. It’s not quite one you will use in battle but it could come in handy. It’s called Lumos.� She then waved her wand and said “Lumos� causing the end to light. It was almost like turning on a flashlight. It only took John two tries before he got the Lumos spell to work. They then moved on to other spells. Elizabeth was very impressed with how quickly John caught on. She constantly told him that she was sure he had to have been a pretty great wizard before his memory disappeared. John couldn’t tell if she really meant it or if she was just saying it to keep his confidence up.

It was after midnight when John left the Wizards’ Society. He had learned a shield spell, a disarming spell and had begun to work on a stunning spell.

As he lay in bed back at the McGraths’ his head was spinning with different spells and the smell of Elizabeth’s brown hair. He was still sure that the Wizards’ Society wasn’t telling him the whole story, and the idea of a battle still felt wrong, but being able to do magic felt so wonderful to him that he wasn’t ready to question them. Not yet. It wasn’t as if he couldn’t back out if he got in too deep.

He fell asleep to new thoughts and new information, but the dream that came was the same as it had always been. Bright green lights and the outline of a red haired girl. But the screams were louder than normal and he even thought that someone was hollering a name, but try as he might, he couldn’t figure out what that name was.

John spent much of the next three weeks at the house on the outskirts of town. The McGraths said something to him one night about his many absences. He lied, telling him that he was working more than normal.

It wasn’t entirely a lie. He was working very hard. Every day Elizabeth taught him harder spells and every new spell took him longer and longer to learn. It took him two whole days before he finally produced a body-bind curse that actually held.

Still, whenever John mastered a new spell or learned another bit of information about the wizarding world he felt filled with such hope and joy that he could never contain his smiles. Each time it felt like one more piece of the scatter puzzle that was his past put back into place. It was a slow processes but he finally felt like he was actually doing something that would jog his memory.

Most of the time, it was just Elizabeth and him in the house and these were the times when John felt most at ease. Though she was training him for the battle he didn’t get the same suspicious feeling that she was hiding information from him like he felt with the other members who occasionally stopped by. He hadn’t seen Eric at all since that meeting of the Wizard’s Society. Elizabeth said he was very busy as was only to be expected of the leader of such a great organization.

A couple days before the battle, Elizabeth said to him, “I think you are ready.�

“What?� John said with a surprised look.

“Well, I mean there are probably a million more spells that I could teach you, but I really feel that you could easily survive in any duel, especially a fight with Muggles.� She smiled and held out her arms for a congratulatory hug.

John picked her up and swung her around. “I couldn’t be more pleased, either,� a voice said from the doorway. John turned to see Eric smiling on the scene. “But there is one more spell, I think it essential he learn.� Eric stepped into the room.

John looked over at Elizabeth expectantly. Her smiling face had quickly turned grave. “Really, Eric. I don’t think it is a good idea. He can stop the Muggles from fighting back. Someone else can do that once the fighting is over.�

“Do what?� John looked from Elizabeth to Eric and back. Eric had an almost satisfied look on his face while Elizabeth’s face showed only fear.

“I don’t really expect that he will actually be able to use it, but he should know what it is. It will help us judge where he is,� Eric added more quietly to Elizabeth. He then turned to John. “There is a spell called ‘Avada Kedavra,’ more commonly know as the killing curse. I am telling you this so should others in the Society use the curse, you understand what is occurring.� Eric stared at John as he spoke. He seemed to be judging his reaction. John just stood there shocked and appalled. Somehow he managed to nod his head in understanding of what Eric had just revealed. “Wonderful. Now, we have two days until the battle. I suggest you take the time to rest and to become more confident with your spells. I would still like you here everyday, but take things a little more easily.� And with that he was gone leaving them alone once again.

“Killing?� John asked Elizabeth. There was a long silence before Elizabeth finally answered in a falsely cheerful voice.

“Don’t worry, there are few in the Society who actually have the strength to use it. Most will just stun them and then deal with them later.� She gave him a weak smile.

“Deal with them later? What exactly does that mean?� John asked.

“It means that you don’t need to worry about it.� She turned and headed to the door. “You will be here tomorrow, let’s say an hour later than usual.� She didn’t wait for a response but disappeared up the stairs.

John stood in the middle of the room unable to move and unable to form a complete thought. He had never been sure about the Wizards’ Society and their motives, but the talk of killing made it all seem suddenly more real than anything else.

When he finally left, he took the long way home. He used the time to contemplate his next move. He couldn’t go back. He couldn’t kill or watch someone kill especially when the only reason he had been given for the dislike of Muggles was that they were “out to destroy the wizarding world.�

By the time he reached the McGraths’ he had a plan. He would wait until the McGraths had left for work then pack up and leave for London. Elizabeth had mentioned once that this was where the ministry was located. Perhaps they would be able to help him.

John spent a restless night tossing and turning, his moments of sleep filled with images of Eric laughing as he killed Elizabeth, flashes of green light, and the ever constant red hair.

When he was finally able to fall into a peaceful sleep it was early morning, the sun had already begun to rise.

---

“John. John, wake up!�

John slowly opened his eyes. The room was blurry and he reached for his glasses on the nightstand but they were handed to him by the person beside his bed.

“Elizabeth?� he said as the room came into view. “What time is it?�

“Just past noon, sleepy head,� she said with a smile.

John kicked himself. He was supposed to be half way to London now. How was he going to leave now that Elizabeth had come to him?

“Look, I’ll go wait downstairs while you get dressed. Then we’ll head back for a bit more practice.� She started for the door.

“Elizabeth, why don’t I just meet you there?� John said, still hoping to go through with his plan.

“What? So you can run away? No, I’ll meet you downstairs.� She left him alone and shocked in his room.

Had he really been that obvious, he wondered as he got dressed. It didn’t matter though, he would just explain to Elizabeth that he really wasn’t made out for the fighting thing. Surely she would understand.

He went downstairs to find Elizabeth waiting for him at the bottom step. She had a nervous look on her face and was about to ask her what was wrong but she beat him to it.

“Do you have a basement?� she asked.

“Yes, the stairs are off the kitchen. Why?�

“Take me there,� she demanded.

“Why?� John asked again. Something felt very wrong.

“Listen. I must tell you something. I wasn’t going to, it could ruin everything if they knew, but I have to tell you,� Elizabeth whispered.

“Follow me,� John said not taking his eyes off Elizabeth. They made it to the basement and John waited for Elizabeth to continue but she paced around nervously wringing her hands.

“What did you have to tell me?� John finally asked.

“I haven’t been very honest with you. No one has really, but me especially.�

“What do you mean?�

“I mean that from the first time Marcus passed by you on the streets, we have known who you are.�

“What?� John sat down on a chair.

“Yes, we knew your name, your story. I mean you are famous in our world. How could we not know?� It was then that something dawned on John.

“My scar. When I first met everyone, they all stared at my scar.� Elizabeth nodded.

“Yes, that was how we knew.� She hung her head almost in shame for having withheld this from him. But John was at the moment too curious to be angry.

“So who am I?�

“You? Why you’re Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived and the man who went on to conquer.� There was almost a look of awe in Elizabeth’s eyes as she said this.

“What do you mean?�

“There are dark wizards, and to make a long story short you are responsible for destroying the darkest to have lived in our time.�

“The body?�

“Yes, that was him. I still shudder at his name, Voldemort.� And she truly did wince as the word came out of her mouth.

“So my name is really Harry Potter? How did I kill this Voldemort?� Elizabeth winced again.

“Well, no one is really sure considering you both disappeared the night of that final battle, but there really isn’t time right now for that story. We have a more prominent problem on our hands now.�

“Why didn’t they want me to know who I really was?�

“Because they knew you wouldn’t stick around. They figured that you would set off right away to find those who could answer your questions better than any of us could. Those who knew you before you disappeared.� John knew that this was a justified fear, for with this new information John was even more ready to leave. But the look of fear, sadness, and hope mixed in Elizabeth’s eyes held him where he was.

“Why were you more dishonest than the rest?�

“Because I am not a true member of the Wizards’ Society. They believe I am but I am something of a double agent.�

“Who do you work for then?�

“The Ministry. I am an Auror for them. It means I hunt dark wizards,� she added after noting the confused look on John’s face.

“So, the Wizards’ Society is not as noble as they say they are?�

“Exactly, thought I believe you already figured that out. They told you, I believe, that Muggles were only non-magic people determined to destroy the wizarding world, but the truth is a Muggle is anyone without magical powers.�

“So the plan, it’s not to save wizarding kind but to destroy anyone who’s not?� A look of horror appeared on John’s face.

“Exactly. We would have stopped them before but they have yet to truly act in any way that the Ministry could punish. That’s why they sent me undercover. I was to learn what they were up to so that when they do act on their threats, they can be quickly stopped.�

They sat there in silence for a moment while John took everything in. Harry Potter and Voldemort, the Wizards’ Society and Muggles. He trusted Elizabeth, and the look in her eyes made him believe it was all true, but still it was a lot to take in.

“Listen, I know you don’t want to be a part of this battle, I could tell yesterday after Eric mentioned the killing curse, but I hope you will still help us fight. I have a feeling we are going to need all the help we can get to stop the Wizards’ Society. Will you please stay, just long enough to end this and then I swear both the Ministry and I will not rest until we have you reunited with your friends and family.

John nodded. He couldn’t leave now. No matter how much he wanted to. If Muggles were really all who didn’t have magical powers then it included all those who had taken such good care of him when he had had nothing to give back. He couldn’t leave knowing he left Mike and the McGraths in danger. And so he turned to Elizabeth and said, “What can I do?�

“Mostly it just involves pretending like this conversation never happened. You have to listen at the meeting before the battle like you are just as excited as everyone else about the task at hand. Then, when we attack, there will be other Aurors there to help us. All I ask is that you wait for my signal, and then switch your fire from the Muggles to the wizards.�

“Sounds simple enough.�

“Yes, but if you have to attack a Muggle before my signal, you have to do it. Okay? We can’t blow our cover too soon or we will never survive. You don’t have to use anything too damaging. I don’t think they expect you to truly hurt any Muggles. They thought you might be able to, but you’re just too noble for them. So really, stunning or a body bind is the most you have to do. And if we stop them, the Muggles’ memories will be altered, so you won’t even have to worry about them remembering what you did.� She gave another weak smile at this.

John closed his eyes. He so badly wanted to know more about himself and to be rid of the Wizards’ Society, but he knew what he had to do and so mentally he prepared himself to play dumb at the meeting.

After a few minutes Elizabeth said, “We should probably get back.� She sighed. “I suppose our signal will be red sparks.� John nodded and they headed back to the house in silence.

They didn’t mention their conversation again as they spent the rest of the day half-heartedly practicing spells. Both seemed lost in their own thoughts, and while John could guess at what was going through Elizabeth’s mind, he could barely focus his own thoughts on one emotion.

He found himself struggling between excitement and fear. He finally had a name, a name that had more of a past than John Doe. However, try as he might, the name brought with it no memories. And on top of this new information he had to ponder, there was the ever looming battle. A battle that he knew now he did not believe in, but that somehow he had to look as though he did.

On the eve of the battle, John was among the first to arrive at the house but it didn’t take long before the room was full. Elizabeth was one of the last to enter, flashing John a weak, but reassuring smile. As on the first night, Eric began the meeting.

“The time has come. Our preparations are complete and the plan can now be revealed. Marcus if you will.� Eric sat down and Marcus stood.

“Our plan is to attack from all sides. We will split into four groups and each group will attack from a different side of the city. Once all are situated a small band will create a special explosion in the center of this town. This will draw the Muggles out of their home. On Eric’s signal we will then begin our attack.� Marcus sat.

“Perfect,� Eric said as he once again stood. He split them into groups. Elizabeth, John, Justin and three others were to be with Eric on the north side of town.

“Are we ready?� Eric said a half hour later. “Remember this is our day for glory, our time to shine. This is our chance to show the Muggles that we cannot nor should not be hidden away, afraid of who we are. And now we attack. Remember to wait for the signal.� The room echoed with pops as many of the wizards disappeared. Seconds later only John’s group remained.

“So this explosion will only draw out the Muggles and not the rest of the town?� John asked Eric. This was a question that he had decided to ask hoping that it would convince Eric that John was not onto their real motives.

“Yes, it is only detectable by those who know about magic,� Eric said with an odd smirk that let John know he too had been prepared for this question.

“What’s the signal?� John asked.

“I will send up green sparks.� Eric responded. So that was it. Green to start and red to switch sides. John wasn’t sure he was really ready, but he followed the others outside.

They stood at the end of the street and waited. All eyes were watching the center of the town. The seconds crept by and with each one John’s fear increased. He wasn’t ready for this. Mere weeks ago he knew nothing of the existence of magic and now here he stood on the edge of a battle. An evil battle, he thought.

He looked over at Elizabeth hoping to gain confidence from her, but she looked just as nervous as he did. Finally, a loud bang erupted from the center of town as the whole sky lit up a brilliant orange.

It worked as planned. Immediately the front doors flew open as people rushed to the middle of the street, trying to figure out what was going on. They didn’t even notice the band of wizards, wands raised standing behind them.

Eric stood motionless, waiting as more Muggles came out of their homes. And then with one word green sparks flew from his wand and the battle had begun.

Eric attacked first, stunning a small child 50 yards away. The rest followed suit. And quickly jets of red light filled the air. The Muggles never stood a chance. Most stared in both fear and shock as the band of wizards made its way down the street.

Elizabeth was the fastest moving of them all. She was running down the street stunning Muggles left and right. John tried his hardest to keep up with her. He figured this was a part of her plan. He managed to stun one Muggle, but the look of horror on his wife’s face stopped him short.

“Hurry up, John.� They were half way through town when John spotted them. It was a band of wizards coming the other way up the street.

He heard Eric yell, “How the bloody hell did they make it through town so quickly?� before he saw Elizabeth’s sparks. It was time.

John stopped and turned right where he was. “Stupefy!� He yelled and Justin hit the concrete.

Quickly John darted behind a parked car, narrowly missing a spell Eric had thrown his way.

“I should have known!� Eric shouted as yet another of his crew went down.

Elizabeth was fiercely dueling one of the other of their original crew and the third was battling the few ministry wizard’s who had reached their spot.

That left Eric to duel John. From behind the car John shot off every spell he could think of twice. All missing Eric who dodged left and right.

“Come, on boy, I saw your training. You can do better than that,� Eric mocked.

John realized that he wasn’t going to stop Eric if he remained behind the car. So in a daring move he jumped out from behind the car and shouted “Stupefy!� The spell hit Eric square on the chest and he fell to the concrete, a look of shock etched across his face. John then helped the ministry wizards stun the rest of the north group.

When all was quite in their end Elizabeth and John left the other two aurors to deal with the Muggles as they headed to the rest of town.

“You did well,� Elizabeth said. “We’ll head to the southern group now, they were the second strongest.�

They walked through the center of town and John saw a large pile of wood still burning from the initial explosion. Several of the surrounding shop windows were broken.

Immediately after they past the burning pile, they came upon the southern group in an intense battle with Ministry officials. Elizabeth jumped right in the battle, stunning two of the Wizards’ Society before anyone realized they had joined the fight. John managed to hit one witch with a body bind curse before he had to dodge out of the way of stunner.

John spent much of that night running all over Burwell, doing his best to stun and curse the various members of the Wizard’s Society. Finally he made it to his own neighborhood in the east part of town, and he was just in time.

A tall dark haired wizard was just getting ready to stun a very shocked Mrs. McGrath when John stunned him first.

“What’s going on John?� Mike asked from his own doorway.

“There’s really not time to explain. Just get the McGrath’s inside, and stay there,� John hollered as he narrowly dodged a curse Marcus had sent his way.

John ducked behind a tree in the McGrath’s front yard to avoid another spell. Cautiously he peaked out from behind the tree searching for Marcus. He saw him peaking over the hood of a car. Daringly John rushed from behind the tree and yelled “Stupefy� at Marcus’s head.

It happened as the curse made its way towards Marcus and John dove back behind the safety of the tree. He was fighting this battle, here in Burwell, but his mind took him back to a different battle.

It was his dream all over again, but finally everything was clear. He was at Hogwarts firing his first killing curse. He heard screams. They were his friends’ cries as both his and Voldemort’s curses met. They rose in the air, but he didn’t care. He tried with all his strength to get his curse to hit Voldemort.

Then she appeared. The girl with red hair. Slowly her face came into view and instantly he knew who she was: Ginny Weasley, but even as his mind said it he knew it was wrong. No, it was not Ginny Weasley, but Ginny Potter. And he was back on their wedding night just days before the battle they had so long dreaded. He was holding her in his arms for the first time as his wife, as his lover. They were just about to kiss when the world went black.

The room slowly came into focus. For awhile Harry thought he was back at Hogwarts, waking once again in the hospital wing. But as he opened his eyes a very different scene came into view. He was in a hospital all right, but it wasn’t anywhere near Hogwarts. He was in the same hospital he had awoken in five years before.

“What happened?� His voice came out rather groggily.

“You’re awake!� a woman’s voice screamed. It was Elizabeth. She was sitting beside his bed, her face and clothes smeared with dirt.

“Did we win?�

“Yes, we did and with very few casualties. Most of the Muggles are just fine. The Aurors are still working on modifying their memories.�

“So I haven’t been out long?� Harry asked.

“No, just a day. But what happened, you just froze out in the open with an almost glazed look on your face.�

“I remembered,� he said simply. A huge smile spread over Elizabeth’s face.

“That’s wonderful.� She smiled again as a tall scruffy looking wizard came to Harry’s beside.

“My name is Ryan Hackman and I’m the head of the Auror department.� He held out his hand to Harry.

“Nice to meet you.� Harry took his hand.

“He remembers, Hackman,� Elizabeth said excitedly.

“Really? That’s wonderful! Well, then I suppose you’ll be glad to know that you should be out of here by tomorrow. They just want to make sure you are all right before we release you.�

“Sounds fair enough,� Harry said.

“We haven’t told anyone that we have found you, Harry. Obviously the papers would run wild with a story like that, but we figure we owe it to your family and close friends to let them find out first. Plus there’s a bit of an overload of news, what with this battle and that damned Society and all.�

Harry laughed. “I appreciate it very much.�

“We have decided that once you are released we will give you three days before we give the story to the press. Sound all right to you?�

“Sounds just fine.�

“Great, well, I would love to stay and chat with the famous Harry Potter, but I have a rather large mess to clean up. Perhaps another time?�

Harry spent the rest of the day resting, talking about the battle with Elizabeth and longing to seeing his wife and friends again.

“I’m sure they will be ecstatic to see you,� Elizabeth said after Harry had told her was slightly worried.

“Yes, but five years is a long time especially considering I was presumed dead. Perhaps they have moved on, forgotten about me,� Harry said.

Elizabeth laughed. “I highly doubt they could ever forget about you, John, or rather, Harry.� She smiled at him once again.

The next day Harry was released from the hospital. He was eager to return his wizarding friends and family, but felt that he owed the McGrath’s and Mike a visit first.

There were very few signs throughout the town that a battle had raged a mere day ago. The Aurors and the Ministry had done a fine job returning the town to normal. When he reached the McGrath’s, Mike and the McGraths were sitting on the front steps.

“Well, he finally decides to return,� Mike said. “Where the hell you been, John?�

Harry sighed. He was going to miss these people. They had been so kind to him. Finally he said, “It is actually Harry, Harry Potter.� Mrs. McGrath’s eyes immediately swelled with tears while Mike just sat there dumbstruck.

“We are so happy for you,� Mr. McGrath said.

“You will be sure to visit us?� Mrs. McGrath asked.

“Of course,� Harry replied.

Harry spent the next half hour giving them a very brief explanation of who he was and where he came from. He found it difficult to explain without telling him that he was a wizard and so he was forced to leave many holes and use few details, but they were so happy for him that they didn’t press him for more. Harry promised them that he would bring his beautiful wife to meet them very soon. At last, they said their final goodbyes and Harry made his way out of town towards a safe place to Apparate.

He had decided to find Ron and Hermione first. It had been five years since he disappeared and despite Elizabeth’s reassurances, he knew it was very possible that Ginny may have moved on. He felt that he could face her much more easily if he knew in advance.

And so he Apparated to Grimmauld Place, rather than the Burrow. He and Ginny had been planning on making this their home with Ron and Hermione until they could rebuild at Godric’s Hollow, but he knew that with him gone Ginny would have either moved back to the Burrow or moved out on her own.

When he arrived at number 12 Grimmauld Place, he found the house empty. He first checked the bedrooms figuring that if anyone were still living there, that would be the best way to find out.

As he had predicted both Ron and Hermione’s rooms looked as though they were currently inhabited. He then went up to the master room, the room that for too short of a time had been his and Ginny’s. It was empty with a thick layer of dust on the floor. Obviously, Ginny did not live here anymore.

Harry then went down to the drawing room and decided to wait there for Ron and Hermione. From that spot he could hear them enter without startling them by being right at the door.

He sat there for what seemed like hours his mood shifting from hopeful that Ginny had not moved on, to positive that she had. Finally he heard the front door open.

“It’s bloody well time they did, I say,� a male voice said from the hallway.

“Ha! Why just last week you were saying they would never get on with it,� a female voice responded.

“Exactly why I’m glad they did.�

“Ergh, you are impossible.� Harry had not a doubt is his mind that this was Ron and Hermione.

“Five years, and not much has changed,� Harry said from the drawing room his voice a bit hoarse from sitting so long in silence.

“Who’s there?� he heard Ron say.

“Only an old friend,� Harry said as he finally showed himself to his two best friends. It didn’t seem as if Hermione had changed much. Her hair was still as bushy as ever. But, Ron on the other hand looked much more mature. It was easy to see that he had finally grown out of the awkwardness of his teenage years. Upon seeing Harry, Hermione screamed and Ron’s jaw dropped, but both stood rooted to the spot.

“How can it be?� Hermione finally managed to say.

“Well, I would have been back sooner, but up until a few days ago, I couldn’t remember who I was.� Harry stood there unsure of what to do next. He was so relieved to finally be seeing his two best friends again that tears fell from his eyes. Still neither of them moved.

“So it’s really you, mate?� Ron asked.

“We all became friends in our first year after you and I saved Hermione from a troll in the girls’ bathroom, and she was in that bathroom because you made her cry.� And as if a spell had just been broken, Hermione rushed over to him with Ron right behind. They all hugged and tears started to fall from everyone’s eyes.

After a few moments and a thousand “I can’t believe it’s true,� they made their way back into the drawing room.

“You know we really should have picked a different story to use as our proof. That one doesn’t really put me in the best light,� Ron said. Hermione just laughed and punched him lightly on the arm before asking, “So what happened, Harry?�

Harry gave them a brief explanation of his life in Burwell, of what had happened between him and Voldemort and how his memory had come back when he helped fight another group of dark wizards.

“But there will be plenty of time for me to tell you it all in fuller detail. Please, tell me, how’s Ginny?�

Ron and Hermione both exchanged a look before Hermione said, “She’s doing fine. Living at the Burrow. Actually, that’s where we just came from.�

“Has she, has she found someone else? Please tell me, I’ll understand if she has.� His friends exchanged another knowing look and then it was Hermione who once again broke the silence.

“Harry she hasn’t found anyone else. She hasn’t really gotten over you. I don’t expect she ever could. But let us tell you what happened after you disappeared.� There was a brief pause in which Harry nodded. “Ginny was determined to find you. As soon as the battle was over she wanted to set out. We convinced her to wait a few days. We were all badly injured and we needed to heal and rest before we set out on another journey.

“We searched everywhere we could think of. No one was really sure what had happened because you two just disappeared, but we checked the spots we thought Voldemort might take you. His old home, and that graveyard, the cave you told us about, Godric’s Hollow and many other places that all turned up nothing.�

“Mate, we didn’t know what to do after that,� Ron chimed in. “But Ginny was determined to keep looking, only problem was she kept getting sick.�

“We thought it might just be a reaction from her missing you so much and the stress and whatnot,� Hermione continued. “But finally at Molly’s urging she went into the hospital. It turns out Harry, that Ginny, well, she was—“

“She was pregnant, mate.� The words hit Harry like a brick. Pregnant, but that would mean that he was a—

“I’m a father?� Harry asked. Hermione nodded. “Girl or boy?�

“Girl, Lily Ginvera Potter.� Harry couldn’t help but smile. A dad. Could it really be?

“We gave up our search shortly after that. Mum thought it would be better for Ginny to realize that you might not come back. It was hard but she got through by mostly thinking about the baby.�

“Really it’s what we all did. It was easiest to think about a new life than focusing on a lost one.� Harry nodded though he didn’t really know the feeling.

“I have to see her. The name, it’s perfect. What does she look like?�

“Lupin says she the spitting image of your mother. She has the Weasley hair and freckles but she has your eyes, your mother’s eyes,� Hermione said a smile spreading across her face..

“So they are at the Burrow?�

“Yes, even after five more years of cleaning, this house really isn’t suitable for a child. I don’t know if Ginny could have emotionally stood living here either,� Hermione said.

“Mum and dad are visiting Charlie right now and Lily was already asleep when we left, but I suspect you should see Ginny first,� Ron added.

“Yes, I very much want to see her.� Harry watched as Hermione put on a face that he had grown to know as the face of Hermione developing a plan.

“Well, I think it would be best for Ron or me to give her a heads up. Otherwise she might die of shock and that would do no good. I mean I almost did. So why don’t we both go. We will let her know you are back, and then send her here. That way you two can be alone. Ron and I will stay at the Burrow with Lily and then in the morning you can come back and meet her.� They all agreed to this plan and a few short minutes later Harry was once again alone.

Again the time seemed to drag slowly by. Harry so much wanted to see his wife that it was difficult to wait. Finally he heard a small pop behind him.

“I always knew you’d come back.� Harry turned to see his wife as beautiful as the last day he saw her. More, if that was possible. Her eyes were watering and so were Harry’s, but in a second they where in each others arms, hugging, crying, kissing.

They didn’t say much for a while. Just held each other. Finally Ginny whispered, “I missed you so much.�

“I missed you too,� Harry kissed his wife again. His wife. Every time he thought it, it sent pleasant chills down his spine. “Even when I couldn’t remember anything else, I remembered you.�

“Really?� She looked up at him.

“Yes, for five years I have been dreaming about a beautiful redhead, and even though I didn’t know who she was, I knew she meant the world to me.�

“Oh, Harry!� They kissed again.

Harry stared into his wife’s beautiful brown eyes. “Ron and Hermione told me that I am a father.�

Ginny smiled and laughed a bit as more tears formed in her eyes. “It’s true. She is such a beautiful little girl. I know you will love her.�

“I already do,� Harry said. They kissed again. And then again. Harry pulled out his wand and conjured up a blanket and there on the drawing room floor they made love. Then they held each other for the rest of the night. Harry told Ginny his story and Ginny told Harry all about their little girl. It made Harry sad to think of all that he had missed, but it was hard for him to remain sad when he had Ginny in his arms.

The sun was almost up again before they finally fell asleep.

---

They decided that Ginny should go to the Burrow first. She would make sure Lily was in the living room and then Harry could Apparate into the kitchen. Ginny would tell Lily that her father had returned and make sure she understood before she would meet Harry.

When Harry arrived in the kitchen, he found Ron and Hermione sitting at their breakfast. They quietly motioned toward the living room and Harry moved to the door so that he could listen while still remain hidden.

“Lily, I’d like you to come over here and sit on Mummy’s lap for a minute.�

“Why Mummy?� a little voice said.

“Because Mummy has something very important to tell you.� Harry heard scuffling as Lily presumably made her way to her mother’s lap. “Lily, who’s that man in this picture right here?�

“That’s my daddy. He got lost,� the little girl said.

“Yes that’s right, do you remember why he got lost?�

“He was saving the world from the big bad Voldymort and he got lost when he beat Voldymort.� Harry couldn’t help but smile at this.

“Yes that’s right.�

“And I’m going to be the best Kidditch Seeker someday just like him,� Lily proudly pronounced. “But Mummy, what do you have to tell me?�

“Well, what would you say if I asked you if you would like to meet your daddy the seeker?�

“But I thought he was lost.�

“He was, but last night he found us.�

“Really?� There was a hint of amazement in her voice. “Where is he?�

“He’s in the kitchen with Uncle Ron and Aunt Hermione.�

“Is he going to come in here?�

Ginny laughed. “Yeah. Harry, you can come in now.�

Harry stepped into the living room and saw his daughter for the first time. She was just like her mother, red hair and freckles. But it was true, she had his and his own mother’s green eyes.

“Are you my daddy?� she asked rather timidly.

“Yes, I am,� Harry responded drinking in the little girl’s presence.

“Are you going to get lost again?�

“Never.� A smile spread across Lily’s face. She crawled off her mother’s lap and grabbed Harry’s hand.

“I want to be a seeker just like you. Mummy got me a broom stick so I can practice.� She led him over to a pile of toys and picked out the toy broom stick from it and proudly showed it to him. Harry, who had been so afraid that she would not like him, was so overjoyed that he couldn’t help but cry.

“Oh no!� Lily said when she noticed Harry’s tears. “Don’t cry, be happy. Come here.� She motioned for Harry to bend his head towards her. She wiped away his tears and kissed him on the check. “That’s how Mummy makes me feel better,� she said with a smile.

Harry picked her up in his arms and held her close. He had never loved someone so much that he had just met.

Ginny came over and put her arms around Harry’s waist and rested her head on his shoulder. Harry looked at her and smiled. In his arms Lily imitated her mother and laid her head on Harry’s other shoulder and for the first time in his life, Harry held his family close.