Falling Home

Chapter 2- A Somewhat Extraordinary Reunification

Harriet's mind was running in dizzying, furious circles. Her stomach was in frenzied cramps. She could feel an unpleasantly cold sweat all over herself. Her hands were shaking, even while clenching vehemently to the handles of her chair.

How how how was her father possibly standing before her? He was dead, he had to be. And how on earth, if this really was James Potter, did he not know that he had a daughter. And a son? She didn't have a brother.

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the scraping of the chair as James stood. He glanced down at her with clenched brows and a glint in his eyes that Harriet couldn't place. "Before we start, I've realised that I'm quite thirsty. I'm gonna go quickly get a cuppa. D'you want anything? Tea? Water? A snack?"

This was most certainly an unexpected first question. And, now that he mentioned it, Harriet was quite hungry and her throat had a distinct cotton feel to it that came from thirst. But, even though this certainly seemed like her father, she couldn't be sure it was. She couldn't trust him. What if he put something in her drink?

"No thanks," her voice was more strained than she hoped it would sound but it seemed to appease James enough, as he gave a quick nod and exited the room.

Logically, Harriet knew that the whole tea thing was probably an excuse to talk to whoever was on the other side of the wall, probably that strange woman and Moody. However, despite this, Harriet was grateful for the small reprieve that gave her a chance to gather her scattered thoughts. It proved to be fruitless as, by the time James returned carting two mugs and that mysterious woman, her thoughts were somehow in more chaos than they were to begin with.

"I brought you some tea just in case you get thirsty," James explained, gently placing a mug in front of her with a friendly wink. "I also brought my associate who specialises in, well, the room that you woke up in. Hopefully with her help, we can sort this out quickly, okay?"

It didn't escape Harriet's notice that James appeared to look for her acceptance before starting any new topic and, despite the circumstances, Harriet was grateful. "Sure, yeah, fine."

James nodded in approval before continuing. "Okay, so I'm gonna start asking questions but if you need a break at any time, just let me know. So, where were you before you woke up in that room? Was there anything out of the ordinary?"

Harriet took a slow, stuttering breath before nodding. "Er, yeah. So, I was in my bedroom," she started before explaining that strange darkness in as much detail as she could.

The woman, who had sat down beside James, nodded solemnly before scribbling in a notebook that she had procured from her robes.

"What were you doing? Before, that darkness happened?" James asked.

"Just trying to get to sleep," Harriet shifted uncomfortably, knowing that her vague answer was going to spur suspicion.

"Right, okay, Harriet. I must admit, I have absolutely no idea what is going on here. Janette, d'you have any ideas?" James question, a look of pure puzzlement on his face.

"I have suspicions," the strange lady admitted, looking at Harriet with such a keen eye that she had to look away uncomfortably. "But I think we should discuss it with Moody before..." she trailed off at this, giving a pointed look at Harriet.

James seemed satisfied with this answer as he nodded in agreement before moving towards the door. "We won't be long, Harriet, just gotta talk to my boss."

And with that, she was alone.

***

It surprisingly didn't take long for James to come back, this time sporting a pale face and an irate Mad-Eye Moody behind him. James wasted no time, quickly sitting back in his chair and looking Harriet directly in the eye with a somewhat forced smile.