When Fate Comes Knocking

Chapter Four

Welcome Back Potter

“What are you doing up here?” Hermione had noticed that Harry had slipped away from the `party' later that evening.

“Hiding. I guess things down there just got a little overwhelming.” Harry said while looking through some more photo albums.

“That's understandable.” Hermione said, “I'm really sorry you have to go through all that.”

“Don't be sorry, it's not your fault.”

“I know, but I can't help think that I've thrown you into this mess.”

“Hermione look at me, you are not at fault for anything except falling for a guy like me.” Harry said.

“He's right you know,” The two looked up and in the doorway was Dumbledore, “Forgive my intrusion, but I thought it best if I spoke to the two of you away from the party downstairs.”

“Please come in Professor.” Harry said as Dumbledore continued into the room.

“I know this is all very new to you, but I would like to talk to you about your education.”

“My education?” Harry asked.

“You would like to learn to use magic wouldn't you?”

“Yeah, I'd love to,” Harry said eagerly, “But It'll take years to get where I'm supposed to be.”

“Normally yes, but I think we can work something out. We do have a very talented and knowledgeable witch at our disposal.” Dumbledore said looking to Hermione.

“Me? Teach Harry?” Hermione asked shocked.

“Some of the Professors will also be able to help over the summer.”

“You mean at Hogwarts? Hermione asked.

“Of course, where else would you learn magic?” Dumbledore replied.

“Forgive me Albus. But I do have my bookshop, I can't just leave it.” Hermione said.

“I understand completely, it's your pride and joy. You can floo in whenever you want. I'm sure you can find someone to help out at the shop.”

“You don't have to come if you see it's a problem Hermione.” Harry said to her.

“No, I want to do it, really I do. I can ask Ginny. She's helped me out before.” Hermione said.

“Well then, that settled. I'll tell the others that you've both retired for the night.” Dumbledore said, “Perhaps we can arrange for the both of you to come to Hogwarts on Monday.”

Harry and Hermione both agreed and bid the Professor good night.

~*~

“You're late!” Lucius Malfoy shouted at his five fellow brothers when he first caught sight of them, “Did you get what was required?”

One of them held out a large vial filled with blood.

“We had trouble, but we got it none the less.”

“Trouble? What trouble?” Lucius asked.

“He wasn't at the right location.”

“Where was he located?”

“London.” Lucius was shocked at the news. “There was a witch with him.”

“You took care of the witch didn't you?”

“Your orders were no to kill anyone.”

“The order was under the assumption that the boy was were we put him!” The others flinched, “The Master will not be pleased if the Wizarding World finds out that Harry Potter is alive. We shall have to make a visit to the Paxton's, reward them for their lack of control over the boy!”

~*~

“So what's on the agenda today?” Harry asked Hermione over breakfast.

“I thought we could go to Diagon Alley, you need to get yourself a wand.” Hermione replied.

“Sounds good. You wouldn't happen to have a phone around do you?” Harry asked.

“Yes we do, we hardly use it though. Ron can't figure the thing out no matter how hard he tries. Why do you need it?”

“I haven't called my parents in a while. In fact I haven't called them at all since I've been here.” At this point the other four housemates started coming in the kitchen. “I never thought to ask any questions about my real parents. I never had a reason to. But then while I was at University I started to have these dreams. It was always the same, there would be this flash of green light and someone screaming and someone else laughing. Somehow I knew it had something to do with my real parents. But whenever I went home, I meant to ask if then knew anything about my real parents, but for some reason I found a reason not to ask. Then one say, when they weren't at home, I snuck into the house and found my adoption papers. That is when I found out my name was Potter and that the adoption took place in London. When I saved enough money, I came here. All I left was a letter to them, telling them that I was gone to find out who I was. The rest you know.”

“Well, you can't call them now.” Hermione said bluntly, Harry looked at her, “Time difference, they're probably asleep.”

~*~

It was about noon before Harry and Hermione set out for the Leaky Cauldron.

“Now you have to remember that everyone believes that Voldemort is gone for good, so it's best if you don't say anything about it.” Hermione said.

“Fine by me.” Harry replied.

“And try not to freak out if people recognize you.”

“Yes dear,” Harry said with a smirk.

“Oh hush,”

They finally arrived at the Leaky Cauldron.

“Business must be great for the place.” Harry said.

“I guess, most people do stop by here before going to Diagon Alley.” Hermione said, “Let's go to Ollivander's first.”

Luckily no one paid them any mind at the Leaky Cauldron. Getting through the wand process was interesting enough. If Harry wasn't nervous enough already, the fact that Mr. Ollivander knew who he was right off the bat, Harry restrained himself from being down right freaked out. Something about Mr. Ollivander spooked Harry a bit. Harry received a very interesting wand, or curious as Mr. Ollivander put it. Apparently Harry received the brother wand of Voldemort himself, which gave Harry a sick feeling in his stomach.

After that they went to Florish and Blott's to pick up some books. Hermione had offered her old school books for Harry to use sot they didn't have much to get.

“Watch it Mudblood!” said a voice as Hermione accidentally knocked into someone on the way out.

“So terribly sorry Malfoy,” Hermione started sarcastically, “I should have been able to smell your pureblood nobility a lot sooner then I did, with its foul stench and all.”

“You'd better tread carefully Mudblood, you wouldn't want any accidents.” And with that the blonde haired man walked to the back if the shop, while Harry and Hermione continued on outside.

“What was that about?” Harry asked.

“Oh that was Malfoy, he was in the same year, Slytherin though. Bullied Ron and me all through school.” Hermione explained.

“And what does it mean, what he called you?”

“Mudblood? It's just a foul name for those of Muggle parentage. Some `purebloods' think we're not worth to learn or use magic because our blood is dirty, tainted. I've learned to not let it bother me.”

The rest of the afternoon passed quickly as they browsed through the shops. Hermione was telling Harry odd things here and there about the Wizarding World.

~*~

Harry decided to call his parents after dinner. The phone rang three times before someone answered.

“Hey Mathews, how do these things work again, it just started ringing.” Said a voice at the other end.

Harry was confused, “Hello? Who's this?”

“Give me that Mitch. Hello?” said the female voice.

“Have I got the wrong number, I was trying to reach my parents.” Harry asked.

“You're parents were Peter and Rachel Paxton?”

“Were? Yes they ARE!”

“I'm sorry to this over the phone. There's been an incident.”

“An incident? What's happened?” Harry asked, Hermione was already at his side after it was obvious that something was wrong.

“The Ministry detected high levels of magic in the strict muggle part of the city. What a witch and a wizard were doing, living amongst the muggles is beyond me, but it's not my business. A couple of people were sent to investigate. I'm sorry Mr. Paxton but there was an attack at your parent's house last night…” Harry couldn't hear anything else, the phone slipped from his grasp.

“Harry, what happened?” Hermione asked. “Harry?” She received no reply. Hermione picked up the receiver. Hermione spoke to Auror Mathews, how long Harry did not know. He barely noticed Sirius come into the room where Hermione told him that his parents were killed. He hardly noticed the weekend slip by as he headed home to deal with everything.

But he did notice that Hermione was there, every step of the way.

It was hard to learn the truth. That his parents weren't who he thought they were. That they were Wizard's who were supposed to keep Harry away from the Magic World. Harry was torn with being sad that he lost his parents and hurt and angry from betrayal.

And he wouldn't forget the words cursed into the wall of his parents house “Welcome Back Potter!”

~*~

A/N: Well, I finally updated. Sorry it's taken so long, I will try to do better with my updates. I really do appreciate all you reviews, I love the amount that I have received.

Anyway keep on reviewing, ok!!

Sk8erWitch