July 24, 1991
Harry and Neville sat in their father's study. Both fidgeted excitedly. Harry couldn't wait to go to Hogwarts where Albus, or Headmaster Dumbledore as he'd soon have to call him, ran the school. He grinned at the memories of playing hide and seek with the old wizard. The
Headmaster always won, but Harry knew the old man cheated.
All the stories he'd heard, of the great fun to be had in Hogwarts, foremost amongst them his father's and his two best friend's countless escapades spun around his head in a giant whirlpool of eager and fanciful thoughts. Already he was plotting how he would drag Neville and what other friends they made into outdoing his father's greatest pranks.
The pleasurable daydreaming was cut short when Alice and James enter. The pair looked solemn. James' jaw set firmly, and Alice's eyes were red rimmed but focused.
Both of the elder Potters sat down. Alice in James' usual chair while James conjured a scarlet and gold seat for himself, the quick wand motion looking well rehearsed. In spite of the sudden change in mood, Harry marvelled at the ease his father had with spells. Of course, Harry knew the older Potter to be a powerful wizard, but such casual displays of magic always made him want to learn
more.
"Patience, Harry, you'll be a great wizard some day. But, you just need patience." He shook his head as he recalled Remus' words. The werewolf always had wise words, though Harry frequently didn't want to listen to them.
Seeing that his father was going to speak, Harry forced his thoughts to focus.
"I know you're excited about attending Hogwarts this year," the older Potter glanced at Harry's mum. "but your mother and I have decided you won't be attending the school-"
"What do you-" "That's not-" Both Harry and Neville's outraged responses were silenced with a wave of James' wand. Harry felt his mouth moving, but nothing was coming out.
The Silencing Charm! He'd had tutor Hopkirk threaten to use it a few times when he and Neville were being particularly unruly.
"Now, now, hear me out." James' hazel eyes were hard, and both the young boys slumped back in their seats in defeat. That look meant their father would brook no foolishness.
James cleared his throat.
"Simply put: Hogwarts is not safe enough for you. I've told you of this before and despite what wizarding Britain at large seems to believe, the Dark Lord Voldemort is not truly dead. Both Dumbledore and I are of same mind on this. What we're not of same mind, however, is
Severus Snape - Hogwarts Potions Master - continuing his work there, despite being a known Death Eater."
He took a short pause, directing meaningful looks at both of the boys, before continuing, "With this in mind, and
Snape even being honored as the Head of Slytherin, a house full of children of the
'Imperio'd'," he spat the word out as if it were a deadly curse, "Death Eaters, your mother and I cannot justify sending you to Hogwarts this year. As a first year, you'd be all too vulnerable to their plots and deprivations. Dumbledore is the greatest wizard alive, but even he cannot keep an eye on every child."
"We just want you both to be safe," Their mum said with a sad smile. "We've arranged for the best tutors to educate you here at home. The Defense Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts is cursed, so at least here you will have capable teachers in that field."
Having said their piece, there's a quick flick of the wand from James and the boys find their voice restored to them.
There were a thousand and one thoughts running through Harry's mind at once, so much that he didn't even know where to begin.
This, this was just wrong!
"You can't do this!" he blurted out at last, before quickly regretting it.
Perhaps not the best argument to make.
Neither his father's or mum's expression changed the slightest, but it was the former that replied.
"I know you boys aren't happy at all with this," here he raised his hand to stymie any further arguments from the boys, "I know I certainly wouldn't have been at your age. But, we're your parents. We love you, and we only want what's best for you. To help make up for the adventure and mischief you'll miss out on, I'll allow you to accompany Sirius, Remus or I on some of the companies business trips from now on. You'll see more of the magical world. Meet people that most british wizards would never meet in their entire lives. Something even Hogwarts doesn't quite offer."
Their mum shifted slightly, casting a meaningful glance at James, before sweeping her blonde hair back with one hand.
"If you both do well in your studies, then we'll revisit this topic in a few years."
The discussion devolved into an argument thereafter and then to heartfelt pleas. But the elder Potters were firm in their convictions. Neither Harry nor Neville would be attending first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
Although busy with his experiments with magic and lessons from the tutors, Harry nevertheless managed to form lasting bonds and friendships. (choose 2)
[] Neville
Harry's brother in all the ways that matter. The boy has a knack for potions.
[] Becky
Harry's energetic and playful younger sister. She loves flying.
[] Ron Weasley
One of the children you play with. Terrible choice in Quidditch team.
[] Hannah Abbot
Okay for a
girl. Likes playing outside and is fiercely loyal.
[] Susan Bones
The niece of an up and coming head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Very prim and proper.
[] Terry Boot
Studious young boy. Likes magic as much as Harry does.
[] Daphne Greengrass
Haughty heiress of an old pureblood family. Makes Harry play teatime and other girly stuff.
[] Sirius
James best friend, and a doting 'uncle' to Harry.
[] Bill Weasley
An employee of James and Sirius' company. He is
cool.
[] Augusta Longbottom
Neville's grandmother, a woman with strong personality and opinions.
One of Harry's most vivid memories of childhood is:
[] Ministry formal dinners and galas. He would be forced to go to these 'exclusive' parties with his family. Almost bored to tears, he (along with Neville) began pranking and socializing with the other kids there. The prime pranking target was none other than Draco Malfoy, the prat son of father's chief political enemy.
[] The first time he was actually allowed to hold a wand and cast a spell all on his own during one of his tutoring sessions. The emotions running through him in that moment are something he'll never forget and just thinking about it is enough to bring a wistful smile to his lips.
[] Family trips to exotic locations around the world. Seeing all of the different cultures and wonders of both the magical and mundane world left a lasting impact. Whether it was a holiday in southern France, a safari in Africa, or tour of America he felt his wanderlust ignited.
[] Christmas morning! The gifts he got from all his friends and family were amazing, but it was just being with his family that truly stuck with him. His father able to lay down his busy schedule. His mum's cooking wafting through the house. Becky and Neville's laughter as they opened their presents.
There were a lot of kind words about how Harry takes after his parents, especially when it came to learning magic. Who does he seem to take after the most?
[] His father, James Potter. Praised for his talent with transfiguration and a sure hand in duelling.
[] His deceased mother, Lily Potter. Praised for great aptitude with casting Charms and brewing potions.
[] Neither. Harry's parents were praised for their magical prowess. Harry has exhibited great promise himself, however his talents may lie in different areas.
After James tells the boys they won't be attending Hogwarts just yet, he follows up by letting them choose between one of three trips Harry and Neville can go on.
[] France where Sirius is leading the effort to have the harsh import tariffs and taxes on their products lowered.
[] Egypt where James has begun promoting the diversification of Potter & Black, Inc.
[] North America where Remus and Bill Weasley are establishing closer ties to Re'em herders.
List of AU changes that Harry should know IC:
- James Potter accepts Order of Merlin, First Class, for "the Defeat of the Dark Lord"
- The Potters live at Potter Manor, which was constructed shortly after the War ended. Located in the countryside, the Manor house is sizeable and luxuriously appointed. No expense was spared in the creation of wards for the house and its grounds. At the time of its construction, it put a serious dent in the Potter fortune.
- Conversation always turns tense when the name Peter Pettigrew comes up in any form, but Harry has managed to piece together enough to know that he's the reason Lily Potter is dead. The reason Sirius was suspended from the Auror corps at the time was due to blowing up large part of a muggle street to kill him.
- Severus Snape named Potions Master at Hogwarts. Albus and James frequently quarrel over this appointment, and uncle Sirius loathes the man just as much as Harry's father does. Though Harry has never met him, everybody says he's a former Death Eater.
- Bellatrix Lestrange fled Britain after Voldemort's fall and the murder of Neville's dad. She has been sighted numerous times in Eastern Europe, and is considered extremely dangerous.
- James Potter and Alice Longbottom marry in 1983, February the 2nd.
- James & Sirius try their hand at founding a trade company in 1983.
- Rebecca Potter born in 1983, 19th of August to James and Alice Potter.
- In 1984 James' and Sirius' company was floundering until they brought in Remus Lupin to assist them with the day to day affairs of the business. The company kept itself afloat more or less afterwards. James becomes quite busy, often closing himself in his study or his lab.
- In 1985 James & Sirius unveil two special alcohols they've been working on. Both of them pick up popularity fast and soon demand exceeds supply.
- In 1987 James & Sirius try to expand their trading company with investments, but draw the ire of one Lucius Malfoy, who pushes several legislations through Wizengamot meant to hurt James & Sirius' company.
- Barty Crouch Sr. was elected the Minister for Magic in 1988, October the 1st after Minister Millicent Bagnold resigns over a scandal involving illegal possession of dark objects.
- In 1989, a powerful and newly formed coalition in Wizengamot, led by James Potter and Sirius Black successfully repeal the earlier legislation that hampered their business alongside several other legislations they accused of allowing for nepotism and corruption. Accusations appear in Daily Prophet amongst others that Potter & Black are being motivated solely by profit via their company and undoing legislation that's hampering their business interests.