Poor Decisions
Chapter One: Barberini
Harry sat at his favorite haunt, a little wizard tavern not far from work, and nursed a fire whiskey. He thought back on his life; back to his days as a student at Hogwarts. Most would consider those days of living in constant danger and facing the most evil Dark Lord in history as days to forget, but to Harry they were the best days of his life.
Not to be misunderstood, Harry loved his three children dearly. They were the light of his life, but after Ginny's passing he found it hard to enjoy the simple moments. St. Mungos had concluded that the extended possession and near death in her second year had shortened her life expectancy considerably. Harry blamed himself for her death and his children losing their mother just as Lily started her first year at Hogwarts. He took another sip and sighed as he thought of how Lily would be graduating this year.
Ron seemed to take Ginny's death as Harry letting the family down. After verbally bashing Harry at the funeral, Ron had refused to speak to him since. Harry could not blame him as he felt the same way. Normally, Hermione would come fetch him at the tavern and send him home, but only a few short months ago she had divorced Ron for abuse and moved to France. While no one was shocked by the accusations, they were shocked by her immediate departure with Hugo and Rose.
With James and Albus off pursuing their careers and Lily at Hogwarts, Harry was for the first time truly alone. As with what happens after a long hard fought war that saw many tragedies, most of Harry's mates from school had moved away to start anew. Ginny, Hermione, and Ron were all he had left and making new friends was a very complicated task. To ever remarry or even date after Ginny's death was an impossible idea, though many had suggested it including Arthur Weasley. Harry just could not trust anyone that did not know him before he was the Chosen One. Since Ginny passed, many witches had attempted to pursue him, but he would have none of it.
Harry shoved the glass away then requested help flooing to his flat. The bartender happily obliged his most famous customer and helped Harry safely home. Harry slumped in front of the fireplace as Winky came hurriedly to assist her master. She took his boots and cloak to the closet and went upstairs to prepare his bed. Starring into the crackling fire alight inside the grate, Harry contemplated what was next for the Chosen One. 'If only he could do it over', thought Harry sadly.
"Interesting thought." said a voice from behind Harry.
Harry stood and spun around so fast that he nearly fell down; the fire whiskey taking its toll. He pulled out his wand and looked around. There, Harry saw the strangest creature he had ever seen. It looked to be half man, half goat and was holding some type of flute.
"Who are... what are you?" asked Harry in disbelief.
"Barberini Faun, at your service." said the half human creature.
"How did you get in here?" asked Harry.
"Through the window." replied Barberini.
"But this flat is surrounded by protective wards." said Harry, shaking his head slightly.
"Oh yes, I did feel the magic as I entered." said Barberini. "Your magic is quite strong."
Harry was growing tired of the small talk. He wanted answers and he wanted them now.
"What do you want?" growled Harry.
"Guess I should have requested an audience with the Chosen One before I popped in, aye?" retorted Barberini. "You know, you had potential Harry Potter. I remember telling Ronan that when you first came to Hogwarts."
Ronan was a name that Harry had not heard in decades. He was the centaur that he had met in his first year at Hogwarts in the Forbidden Forest.
"You were in the Forbidden Forest?" asked Harry in a startled tone.
"Just for a visit." replied Barberini. "I travel quite a bit. Me and Hagrid use to have many a good time catching up when I would stop to visit the centaurs."
"You knew Hagrid too?" asked Harry in further disbelief.
"He – took – care – of – magical – creatures – aka – my – friends." replied Barberini as though he was speaking to someone very dense. "Of course I knew him. I was there to see what was happening to the unicorn population when I saw you. Sense then, I've kept up with your life too and let me tell you it hasn't been all that pretty."
"You're telling me about it?" retorted Harry harshly, not overlooking the fact that this being has been watching him for most of his life.
"Hey from your point of view, life is life." said Barberini. "From others, there are successful lives and then there are disappointments. Never a failure, but disappointments."
Seeing that this being held no real threat to him and he was still too intoxicated to do anything about it, Harry turned his chair around and took a seat.
"Can I offer you a chair or something to eat?" asked Harry.
"I like to sit on the floor and I just ate before I came." replied Barberini, as he sat down on the floor. "Besides, your house-elf is busy."
"Is there something you need from me, Mr. Faun?" asked Harry.
"Call me Barberini, and yes there is. This world you created stinks and I want you to change it."
"How can I change the world?" asked Harry. "Don't you think I would if I could?"
"Actually, I don't think you would." replied Barberini. "At least not this version of you. Now, the eleven year old version would move mountains if it was possible."
Harry could only nod in agreement. Barberini was right, the eleven year old Harry Potter was ready to take on any task, no matter the size, if it meant helping others. Unfortunately, all that had been slowly zapped from him over the decades.
"So what do you propose I do?" asked Harry smiling. "Go back in time?"
"Physically? No. It's just too messy." replied Barberini. "But your soul can travel just nicely."
"What?" asked Harry. "The soul doesn't leave your body unless you die."
"You fought a wizard that made horcruxes, but you didn't take any notes." said Barberini shaking his head. "How sad."
"I'm not going to kill anyone to split my soul!" shouted Harry.
"Not suggesting that either." said Barberini calmly. "But the soul can be removed from the body and placed somewhere else without heading to the next great adventure. In this case, say the eleven year old form of Harry Potter? Before you argue, you will retain all your memories. They will guide you through your life all over again. You know where the changes need to be made if you trust yourself completely. I will be there with you and you will be able to summon me simply by calling my name, however you cannot ask me to change the future. That, Harry Potter, will be up to you."
Harry sat back into his chair, thinking very hard. The idea of going back and starting all over again sounded great and horrible all at the same time. To relive his horrors and his happiest days was a vortex of emotion.
"What do you say, Harry Potter?" asked Barberini. "I can make it happen and it will be completely painless."
"What about my children?" asked Harry.
"They came from your loins once, they will do so again." replied Barberini. "Of course the mother does have something to say about traits and looks, but they'll still be yours."
Harry pondered for a moment on the idea that he might actually marry someone other than Ginny, but that was absurd. He looked around the flat, sighed, then nodded.
"Let's do this." said the intoxicated mind of Harry Potter.
Barberini smiled as he placed his flute to his lips. "You will fall asleep as I play. Concentrate on where you wish to begin again and you will be transported there. At first you will feel as though it is a dream, but it is not. Farewell, age-ed Harry Potter and I will see you when you're young again. Call my name and I'll be there."
Barberini began to place his flute and immediately Harry started to fall asleep. He concentrated on where it all began; where it all went wrong.
A/N: Well, there's the first chapter. Hope you enjoyed it! The first few chapters will come quickly. Special thanks to Critters At Play for being Beta. Please review.
If in the States, please remember all those that we lost on 9/11 and their families.