Time is the school in which we learn, time is the fire in which we burn.

Delmore Schwartz

It was over finally. After all their sacrifice's and struggles. Three months ago they'd won the war but the price. Was it really worth it in the end? Alexis knew she should be happy finally after everything Voldemort was gone but was it really worth it in the end? Countless lives had been lost. Out of all the fighters on their side they were the only ones left.

Alexis Potter, Rowena Weasley, Hermione Granger, Nev Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, Ginerva Weasley, Nymphadora Tonks. They were the only one's who'd survived. The wizarding world was doomed. Far too many lives had been lost. It would never be as it was before.

Gazing out across the battlefield in front of her; Alexis let out a chocked sob, "Why? After all we did why did this happen?" She clenched her fist so hard she drew blood. Her short messy raven looks moving in the slight breeze.

She heard someone approach her from behind, she turned slightly. It was Luna. Her once lovely pale blonde hair reaching to her waist was now cut short so it hung only slightly below ear length. Her eyes still held that dreamy quality but there was an insurmountable sadness behind. Luna walked up to Alexis so she was standing directly in front of her.

Alexis was now 5 foot 10 inches tall. She'd had a growth spurt during the last year. She now was the tallest among them with Nev only a few centimetres shorter and Rowena the same as Nev. Ginerva was slightly shorter them both and Luna and Hermione were both at 5 foot 8 inches tall as was Nymphadora.

"How's Artemis, Cloris, Sigrid, Nereids and Athena? Kynthia?" Directing her question to Luna using the names they'd given themselves in the war.

Luna closed her eyes, "as good as can be given the circumstance's." Opening her eyes she gazed at the young woman ahead of her. "What about yourself Erimentha?"

Alexis gave a humourless laugh, "I'm the same." She brought her eyes away from Luna or Kynthia as she called her and closed her eyes. "You can hear it to can't you? Gaia is telling us something is going to change." She gave a shuddering breath.

Luna smiled, "yes its been saying it for a while. Athena was the hardest to teach to listen."

Alexis gave a small smile however it was a broken one, "I remember that. When she found something that defies logic, in this case the earth being sentient she usually reacts badly." Opening her eyes they drifted to the sky. "A storms on its way; we should head back what do you say Kynthia?"

Luna didn't say anything instead she turned slightly and began walking. Alexis followed after her and quickly caught up. They rapidly made their way to their shelter. It was a room which had been left relatively undamaged during the final battle at Hogwarts.

They found Hermione, Rowena, Ginny and Nev all in the room as well. Hermione was sorting out her rare potion ingredients, Rowena was practising loading her bow and Ginny and Nev were both cleaning their swords.

Upon seeing Alexis and Luna they all ceased what they were doing and sat down next to the fire where they dinner was finished cooking. Alexis and Luna wordlessly joined the group. They served up equal piece's of the food and ate in silence. Just as they were finished they heard; this can be changed.

Hermione's eyes scrunched together. "Forgive me my lady but what do you mean be changed?"

A humoured laugh, exactly what I said. What happened the outcome of the war can be changed.

Nev spoke up, "But you can't change the past because you exist. You've lived through it and its shaped who you are."

This world's past can't be changed. But if you go back in time it will branch off into a different world's future. An alternate reality if you will.

Ginny spoke up, "an alternate reality?"

Rowena also spoke up, "sounds like one of those muggle sci-fi novels dad was so fond of."

Alexis had to roll her eyes at that and chuckle along with everyone else. It hurt to remember those whom they'd lost but they knew they couldn't morn forever. Their loved ones wouldn't want them to. "Is it even possible?"

Normally no. This isn't common knowledge but when magic users are born they have this world's energy within them granting them 'magic'. In other word's they take energy from the planet. This energy is constantly being depleted and restored. When that great battle occurred, there was a great influx of energy from the magic wielders who died. An overflow. Now things which before would have been impossible. Such as a splitting of time lines are now possible.

Nymphadora spoke up and said what they were all thinking; "if we choose to take this chance, what would be the cost. I know enough that two of the same people can't exist in the same timeline for more than a few hours."

The voice sounded regretful. You as you are know or would have been will never be born. There will never be an Alexis Potter, Hermione Granger, Rowena Weasley, Nev Longbottom,Ginerva Weasley nor a Luna Lovegood born in that reality. They would be different people with different names, faces and abilities.

Hermione understood, "so we give up our future's in that world for a chance to change it. Is that what you mean my lady?"

An affirmative voice, yes you'll still be you but your counterparts who would've been born never will.

Alexis looked down. Changing the past would mean losing their identities in that world. They would have any true family ties. Yes they would be blood related but the ties they had in this world those of family would no longer exist neither would they exist for their counter parts because they would never exist. They would give up everything they held dear for a chance to change the future. The only ties they would have were the ones they had with each other and the ones they choose to build. She didn't need to think about her answer it was already made for her. Gazing up and around at her friends she saw their decisions were the same as her.

"We'll do it. It will be hard but we'll do it." Nev said with a firm voice. She had changed a lot since first year. All of them had. No longer were they merely thirteen and fourteen year olds whose only worry was school and not a war. They were now fifteen and sixteen year olds; the only survivors of the great war. They were trained soldiers.

Very well prepare yourselves.

"Wait!" Luna said before Gaia could begin. "What will happen to this world? The magic?"

This change will use all the magical energy I have at this moment. But never fear one day magic will once again return to this land of ours. The other magical communities will lose contact and believe that never again will a magic wielder be born here in the United Kingdom. But that isn't true. Magic is an integral part of this land. Native magic wielders will return to this land and unite our world; the world that used to be known as Avalon. This however will be long after those alive now are dead.

They all gave a small smile; knowing that one day their world would be revived even if they aren't their to see it. "Let's be off shall we? By your leave my lady Goddess Gaea."

Farewell and know that you're never alone. Remember any change, even a change for the better, is always accompanied by drawbacks and discomforts; in spite of this however change brings opportunity. I won't remember you in that world but I will know you and that we share a strong bond. I don't talk with anyone in that world, they've all forgotten how to listen and will think you mad. Show them help them remember. Teach them being different is not a curse but a gift.

All closed their eyes as they felt the earth's magic wash over them. Revitalizing them; all of a sudden they felt a pulling sensation similar to apparition but ten times worse. The room they were in collapsed as they disappeared; the last remnants of United Kingdoms magic community.

Lay down your head
And I'll sing you a lullaby
Back to the years
Of loo-li,lai-lay
And I'll sing you to sleep
And I'll sing you tomorrow
Bless you with love
For the road that you go

May you sail fair
To the far fields of fortune
With diamonds and pearls
At your head and your feet
And may you need never
To banish misfortune
May you find kindness
In all that you meet

May there always be angels
To watch over you
To guide you each step of the way
To guard you and keep you
Safe from all harm
Loo-li,loo-li,lai-lay

May you bring love
And may you bring happiness
Be loved in return
To the end of your days
Now fall off to sleep
I'm not meaning to keep you
I'll just sit for awhile
And sing
Loo-li,lai-lay

May there always be angels
To watch over you
To guide you each step of the way
To guard you and keep you
Safe from all harm
Loo-li,loo-li,lai-lay
Loo-li,loo-li,lai-lay
-Sleepsong from A Secret Garden