Chapter 18: Moonlight and Revelations
The sun crested lazily above the snow-blanketed roofs of Hogsmeade, casting crystalline sparkles across the frosted windows and cobbled streets. It was one of those rare weekends when third years and above could venture out to the quaint wizarding village, and Harrison Strange Potter had planned something unique.
Clarissa Mulbridge, now known throughout Hogwarts less for her Slytherin snark and more for her quiet resilience, walked beside Penelope Clearwater, whose usual composure was tinged with anticipation. Harrison, between them, wore a warm charcoal cloak trimmed with red-gold Gryffindor thread, his heterochromatic eyes—one amethyst, one sapphire—glinting with amusement as he listened to the two girls chat.
"Zonko's first?" Penelope asked, smiling. "Later," Clarissa replied. "Butterbeer first. I need something warm."
Harrison grinned. "Let's start at the Three Broomsticks. I've reserved us a table."
The interior of the pub was aglow with warm lantern light and the scent of mulled cider. Their table, tucked in a quieter corner, had a view of the village square through frosted glass. Madam Rosmerta herself delivered their butterbeer, winking at Harrison as if she knew something the others didn't.
The three talked and laughed—about pranks Fred and George were planning, about Clarissa's sudden obsession with goblin curse-breaking tomes, and Penelope's endless debates with Ravenclaw's Charms professor. Their camaraderie was natural, yet deeper than casual friendship. There were glances and touches—Clarissa's hand lingering on Harrison's forearm when he spoke, Penelope leaning close to whisper a joke.
Then the air shimmered beside them.
From the shadows, a presence unfurled like velvet nightfall. Darkness twisted and shimmered, coalescing into a regal form dressed in a gown of galaxies and void. Her eyes were twin black holes streaked with starlight, and the very air trembled as she took her seat beside Harrison.
"Nyx," Harrison greeted, voice soft with reverence.
Clarissa blinked. "You… brought her here?"
"She asked to join," Harrison said, lifting his hand. Nyx's fingers slid into his, dark against his pale skin.
Penelope stared in awe. "She's… beautiful."
"I can hear you, Penelope Clearwater," Nyx said, voice a melody of midnight. "And I approve of your curiosity."
Clarissa's lips parted in surprise. "You don't mind this? Us?"
Nyx chuckled, a sound that made the shadows dance. "My beloved Harrison is mortal in this life. His heart is vast—capable of love in many forms. I am not jealous. I am… intrigued."
The rest of the afternoon passed in surreal splendor. Nyx, though ancient, was remarkably perceptive and surprisingly playful, teasing Harrison and exchanging witty remarks with Clarissa and Penelope. Eventually, Nyx departed in a swirl of cosmic wind, leaving the three of them with flushed faces and elevated heartbeats.
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The Unmasking
Later that day, at The Three Broomsticks, the tranquility was shattered.
Ron Weasley barged in, face red with fury. "That rat! That bloody rat is gone!"
"Scabbers?" Penelope asked.
"Yes! I had him in my pocket! Then he just vanished!"
Harrison's expression hardened. He turned toward Harry and Hermione, who had joined them for butterbeer.
"Scabbers is not a rat. He is Peter Pettigrew."
Everyone froze.
Hermione blinked. "You mean—Peter Pettigrew? As in, the dead one?"
"The one who framed Sirius Black," Harrison confirmed.
The doors slammed open.
A dark figure stormed in, cloak swirling.
Sirius Black.
Cries of alarm erupted, wands were drawn. But Harrison stood calmly and raised a hand. "Do not attack."
Sirius stopped, panting, eyes fixed on Harrison. "You knew."
"Yes. You were framed."
A scuffle broke out as Peter Pettigrew, now human again, tried to escape. Harrison immobilized him with a flick of his fingers, eldritch chains binding the traitor mid-air.
McGonagall, Lupin, and Snape burst in moments later, followed closely by the Weasley parents and Percy.
"What in Merlin's name is happening here?" snapped Molly Weasley.
Harrison raised his voice. "We are ending a lie."
---
The Revelation
Minutes later, they stood outside, an impromptu crowd surrounding them. The Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge, had been summoned. He was huffing and red-faced.
"What is the meaning of this, Potter?"
"Let the truth speak for itself."
Harrison traced runes into the air, speaking in a language that predated Atlantis. A swirling portal formed above the frozen cobblestone path, and from within it, two luminous forms stepped forth.
James and Lily Potter.
Gasps filled the crowd. Harry fell to his knees.
Lily approached her son, cupping his face. "My sweet boy..."
James turned to Sirius. "It wasn't your fault. We chose Peter. We trusted him."
Sirius broke into tears. "I—I wanted to protect him. I tried."
James clapped his shoulder. "And now you will."
Fudge sputtered. "This... this is necromancy!"
"No," Harrison said sharply. "This is remembrance. And justice."
Clarissa and Penelope stood silently, watching the man they loved unravel history and fate with dignity and power.
James looked to Harrison. "Your path has just begun."
"I know," Harrison replied. "And I will see it through."
The spirits faded with the wind.
---
The Eternal Guardian
Later, in the Room of Requirement, Harrison stood with his friends, the Weasley parents, Penelope, Clarissa, and Dumbledore. The atmosphere was thick with wonder and fear.
"You manipulated time," Dumbledore finally said. "That's how you arranged this."
"I am the Guardian of Time," Harrison said. "The Sorcerer Supreme of this dimension. A title given by the higher cosmic forces and cemented through my past lives."
"Your power is... beyond comprehension," Arthur murmured.
"Because it stretches beyond this existence," Harrison replied. "My soul remembers lives where I fought Titans and gods. Where I stood at the edge of universes. I've trained with ancient mages, fought in the sands of Egypt, sailed oceans ruled by immortals. And I carry the memories of it all."
Penelope stepped forward. "But why stay here, Harrison? Why Hogwarts?"
He looked at his siblings, his friends.
"Because this life gave me family again. Gave me love. It gave me you."
Clarissa brushed a hand over his. "So you chose us, over eternity?"
"I chose to live. To love. To protect."
Nyx appeared beside him, her form more delicate this time. "And I honor that choice, as does the fabric of fate itself."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled with something between awe and sadness. "You may very well outlive us all, Harrison."
"I will," he said softly. "My lifespan stretches into eons. But that doesn't mean I won't treasure every heartbeat I share with you."
He looked to each of them. Harry, Daphne, Astoria, Fred, George, Lee, Luna, Clarissa, Penelope, Arthur, Molly—even Dumbledore.
"You are my foundation. My reason. My home."
---
The stars glittered outside the windows of the Room of Requirement, but within, a new constellation was born—one of hearts bound by destiny, courage, and the eternal flame of hope.