The Unveiling
Chapter 1: The World Comes Crashing Down
A Shocking Revelation
Harry huddled under the smallest bed in the cupboard under the stairs, his small five-year-old frame curled into a ball. The echoes of his uncle’s yelling reverberated from the kitchen, leaving no doubt about the target of his rage. Harry had failed to complete his impossible list of chores before his uncle’s return.
As the shouting ceased, a large shadow engulfed the meager sunlight filtering through the cupboard door. Vernon Dursley flung the door open, his face contorted with fury, ready to unleash his wrath upon his nephew.
But he froze. Two golden, glowing eyes stared back at him from beneath the bed, their molten intensity holding him captive. A shiver of dread coursed through Vernon as he slammed the door shut, locking Harry back in the darkness.
Harry never understood what had saved him that day, but whatever it was, it never reappeared.
A Mysterious Package
Years later, Harry gazed out of Ron’s bedroom window at the Burrow, a soft smile gracing his lips as he watched the Weasley twins tormenting Percy. Suddenly, a tawny owl caught his attention, flying directly towards their open window instead of the usual kitchen delivery point.
“Hey mate, what are you looking at?” Ron asked, joining Harry at the window.
The owl landed gently on the bed, carrying a thick, yellowed package attached to its leg. “That’s a delayed package,” Ron exclaimed in awe.
“A what?” Harry inquired, unfamiliar with this type of mail.
“It’s a package or letter sent with a specific delivery date. Come on, open it!” Ron urged, bouncing with childlike excitement.
Harry untied the package, revealing a box with no return address. “Think we should give it to mum?” Ron asked, his voice laced with concern. “You know, with You-Know-Who and all.”
Harry shook his head, a sense of calm washing over him. “I don’t think it’s anything dangerous.”
Ron chuckled and tugged at Harry’s long hair. “Maybe it explains why you’re starting to look like a girl.” Harry swatted his hand away playfully.
Since returning from Hogwarts, Harry had undergone significant changes. A growth spurt had added six inches to his height, his hair now flowed in soft waves, and his face had taken on a delicate appearance. His voice had deepened, acquiring a smooth, almost Snape-like quality.
“Shut up, Ron,” Harry said, locking the door with a flick of his wand and casting a silencing charm.
“It’s great being able to use magic freely,” Ron snickered, poking the package. “Open it already!”
A Life-Altering Truth
Harry tore open the package, revealing a crimson blanket adorned with gold embroidery. As he held it, a feeling of security enveloped him, accompanied by two distant yet familiar scents. The word ‘Korirreth’ was embroidered in elegant script, a foreign yet strangely comforting name.
“Hey, there’s a letter too,” Ron pointed out.
At the bottom of the box lay a yellowed envelope bearing a familiar seal. “That’s my family crest,” Harry said, his heart pounding as he recognized the symbol.
He broke the seal, and a thick parchment fell onto the bed. Ron unfolded it. “By Merlin… It’s from your mum, Harry.”
With trembling hands, Harry took the letter. The opening lines sent a shockwave through him:
‘Harry, my precious one. If you are reading this, then our worst fears have come to pass, and we are no longer among the living.’
Ron leaned closer, reading along as Harry continued aloud.
‘I write this in secrecy, for if it falls into the wrong hands, the consequences could be dire. There are many things you need to know, my darling. The war is nearing its end, but it must first reach its darkest hour, and I fear your life has been placed at the center of this terrible battle.’
‘But first, I must reveal a truth that has been hidden from you. James and I are not your biological parents.’
Harry’s eyes widened in disbelief. “I’m…”
Ron gently took the letter and continued reading.
‘I’m sure someone is reading this to you in your shock. Harry, please understand that this changes nothing in our hearts. We love you as our own.’
‘Nearly a year before you came to us, Dumbledore approached James and me, asking us to care for the wizarding world’s savior. He presented you, disguised with glamour charms to resemble James, claiming your real parents had perished in a Death Eater raid. We were foolish to believe him, but at the time, such tragedies were not uncommon.’
‘We readily agreed and took you into our lives, and our love for you was instantaneous.’
‘Dumbledore used a memory charm on everyone close to us, making them believe I had been pregnant with you. You were only six days old, so the lie was easily constructed and accepted.’
‘It was only a week ago that we discovered the shocking truth about your origins. Your ever-curious nature led you to crawl into the room where I was practicing a new glamour removal charm. It misfired and struck you. I was terrified… but then I witnessed a powerful glamour breaking around you.’
‘I cannot believe what Dumbledore has done.’
‘I expected to see a baby with a different face… not the magical creature you truly are.’
Ron and Harry stared at each other, their minds reeling.
“Magical creature?” they both uttered in unison.
“There’s more,” Ron said, swallowing hard.
‘There is no mistaking what you are – an Elf. Your coloring is unlike anything we’ve ever heard of, but those long, pointed ears are unmistakable.’
Harry instinctively reached for his ears. “They’re still normal, mate,” Ron said with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood.
‘As you may have learned in History of Magic, Elves reside on a forbidden continent, isolated from humans. There is no way Dumbledore could have been entrusted with you by your supposedly deceased parents… he must have taken you from your true family to fight a war he was unwilling to face himself.’
‘I replaced the glamour charm so Dumbledore wouldn’t discover our knowledge, but I fear my magic is no match for his. The charms should wear off as you approach your sixteenth birthday.’
‘Harry… the blanket I’m sending was found by James in a secret room at Hogwarts. It is undoubtedly the blanket you were taken with. Sirius confirmed our suspicions. It possesses strong magic, so keep it close. Perhaps it will help you find your birth family and escape this world and those who wish to use you.’
‘And remember, even if we are not your blood parents, James and I love you with all our hearts and will die to protect you from both Voldemort and Dumbledore.’
A New Path
Silence descended upon the room as the boys processed the revelation. Harry struggled to comprehend the truth – Lily and James were not his parents, and he wasn’t even human!
“Wicked!” Ron suddenly exclaimed, turning to a bewildered Harry. “Now you can really get back at Malfoy!”
A small smile crept across Harry’s face. Leave it to Ron to find humor in such a life-altering moment.
Harry walked over to the mirror, gazing at his reflection. “That explains everything,” he said finally. “How Voldemort” – he ignored Ron’s shudder – “failed to kill me… Hagrid once mentioned that some human magic doesn’t affect Elves.”
Ron’s jaw dropped before a goofy grin spread across his face. “Wicked!”
Harry’s eyes darkened. “Dumbledore,” he growled, his voice laced with anger.
“We need to tell Hermione…”