Chosen

Then and Now

6 years later
It had been six years since the first day the four boys sat on the train, oozing with the excitement of Hogwarts, and it was fair to say they had been through a lot. Ever since Harry was born, the Potters were kept on their toes, moving house almost every year to escape the remaining faithful Death Eaters. After that night when Wormtail sacrificed himself for the Potters, something happened. No one knew why, but Voldemort had slunk into the shadows. He was no longer seen; no longer this unstoppable force that controlled the wizarding world. He was still there; sending his Death Eaters to do his bidding, but the sides were more balanced, with the good being able to fight back. 

The first year had been filled with getting to know each other; declaring friends or foes; chasing trolls and stopping a conniving, thieving professor Quirrel from stealing the Philosopher's Stone, who seemed to have Voldemort latched onto him. They found out that Voldemort had been weakened by killing Peter Pettigrew, who threw himself in the way of the Dark Lord when he had tried to kill the Potters.

The second year, Harry had fought a memory of Tom Riddle in The Chamber Of Secrets. The third year was peaceful. They were able to enjoy Hogwarts, for what it was and for the people. The fourth year was the Triwizard tournament, and Harry had competed, and was transported to the Graveyard with Cedric Diggory, who had been murdered by Lucius Malfoy. Harry fought Voldemort. After the bleak year ended, Draco had moved in with Sirius, who offered him his home, knowing what it felt like to be disgusted by his family. The fifth year was the year the Ministry plunged into depression. Fudge refused to believe Harry or his friends, or even Dumbledore. The fact the four boys were now known to be the worst behaved since The Marauders in Hogwarts, Harry couldn't really blame Fudge for distrusting him. Umbridge took over and Harry, Neville, Ron and Draco formed Dumbledore's Army. James and remaining Marauders took shifts at the Ministry, protecting the Prophecy. One night, Lucius Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange, Crabbe and Goyle invaded, ready to attack where Remus smashed the Prophecy, preventing Bellatrix Lestrange from getting her grubby hands on it. The sixth year was dark outside of Hogwarts; Hogwarts was their refuge. Dumbledore was finding and destroying horcruxes, Lily and James were forced to move again, having had a close call with Bellatrix Lestrange and the four boys were struggling with the stress of exams and worry for their families, but they still managed to make everyone around them smile.

As a person, Harry evolved. He learnt to be confident from his father, but his mother taught him to be kind, and to care. Sirius taught him how to get the girls, while Remus taught him to be respectful of them. Draco became a different person. The first summer, Draco stayed with the Potters. He reminded James of Sirius, when he had first met him. He had started spoilt, with beliefs that blood overruled how you felt about people. Now he was completely different. Unlike the entirety of his family who had been Slytherins, Draco had been sorted into Gryffindor. He was confident, kind, with the knowing signs he had been brought up in wealth. When he first met Lily, she was shocked at how he bent down on one knee and kissed the back of her hand. Neville and Harry had been friends from birth, since their mothers were best friends in school. Neville was shy and quiet at first - Harry supposed it was down to living with his gran - but soon he was as confident as the rest of them. Ron was always a friend, since they met through the Order. Harry had spent most holidays when he was younger at The Weasleys. Lily and James got on with Molly and Arthur like a house on fire. Arthur was also fascinated by Lily and her muggle family. The four boys were the best of friends by their seventh year of Hogwarts, and a force to be reckoned with.

"Harry?" Lily's voice cut through Harry's peaceful dreaming, "Draco? Are you up yet?"

Harry heard Draco moan from the sofa-bed as he crammed his pillow over his head.

"Boys! We are leaving for Diagon Alley in half an hour!"

Harry sat up in his bed and chucked a pillow at Draco on the other side of his room.

"C'mon." He said groggily and Draco lifted his silvery-blonde head only to stick up his middle finger before flopping back down.

Eventually, they were both washed and dressed, Harry having just grabbed what he had been wearing the day before from the floor, while Draco wore a freshly pressed shirt. Apparently old habits died hard with Draco. They made it downstairs, Harry stifling a yawn as Lily thrust a pot of floo powder into his empty hands.

"Your father and I will meet you there in a minute." Lily told him as James swaggered into the room.
Harry was a lot like James now. Lily saw the way they both grinned crookedly; both left their hair in an untamed mess; both had eyes that could be filled with love so easily. Of course Harry had Lily's green eyes, but she always saw James in them; his emotion. James slung his arm around Lily, tilting her chin up and kissing her softly.

"Argh! Do you mind?" Harry exclaimed, before moving to stand in the grate.

"Diagon Alley!" Harry shouted as he threw a fistful of the powder to the ground, watching as the emerald flames licked up his body and the room spun.

Okay, so I hope you like my story so far, this is my first fanfiction so please comment on what you think of it and what you think I could improve on or what you'd like to see! Please remember to vote and continue reading! :)