Chapter 1

A week after the mass funeral Harry was found sitting curled up in one of the wingback chairs in the Black library. Remus was obsessed with fulfilling his vow and wouldn't rest until he had searched the whole collection. Dobby had taken to delivering their meals on gold eating trays, as neither man would leave the library.

Harry didn't mind reading through seemingly worthless books, it was nice to be able to relax and hide out from all the reporters and ministry officials. The reporters wanted his version of his win over the he-who-must-not-be-named and the annoying ministry officials kept trying to offer him jobs. No one seemed to remember that Harry was supposed to be finishing his seventh year, which he had little time to devote to before or after the final battle. It was hard to attend school while preparations for battle were needed and even more difficult to enter the building in which the memories of his dead friends would haunt him. Harry was actually shocked that Hogwarts had re-started classes only five days after the funeral. It seemed almost dismissive of all that had changed.

Remus' loud yell broke through Harry's musings, "What?"

Remus stood abruptly and jogged to his cub's side. "I found the solution! It may seem far-fetched but for the past two days I've been researching the validity of the claim. In ancient times, around the time of the founders of Hogwarts actually, the Aurora Borealis was said to hold the key to the universe. The magical energy of the lights is off the charts and some have reported hearing sounds coming from them. This book here claims that the Aurora is actually a gateway between different universes, if one were to enter into the light it is said that one would find themselves in a new world, similar but different. I have followed up the claim until I found the diary of Dynamos Faraday, his writings tell of his wish to be in the great light and jumping into it only to find himself in an alternate world, where suddenly he could do magnificent things, like magic. Looking closer at the claim I also found out why not anyone can travel between universes. In Faraday's world he already had a special talent, much like Apparateing, where he could travel anywhere with a thought. I hypothesized that only those with innate magical ability can jump between worlds, that and the ability to enter the phenomenon directly. The reason the wizarding world as a whole doesn't know of this is simple, fear. It is rumored that that much magical energy entering a person would cause their core to overload and their magic to no longer be housed within them, leaving the person a squib. I know the risks-"

Harry cut off the rambling wolf with a sharp whistle, "The risk is becoming a squib. The unknown is whether or not the world I would enter would be a better one than this. Judging from your excitement, despite the holes in the escape route, I trust that you know that I don't care about the risks as long as I keep my promise. I am not giving up I am re-strategizing, this world is no longer for me. I can't join the muggle world and I can't live in a world where every moment is like a minute under the Cruciatus Curse. I will take my chances with the unknown. Now, hand me Faraday's journal and I will go over it while you eat your lunch that Dobby brought in an hour ago."

Remus nodded his head in mute agreement as he handed over the diary. In a daze the wolf sat at the mahogany desk that had been his everything for the past week. Indeed there was a covered gold platter sitting on the edge of the worn wood, pulling the tray over Remus picked at his food in thought. His cub had changed immensely, in the past year and a bit, since Sirius had died. The gentle, naïve, brash, boy had disappeared. In his place sat a soldier that was hardened and broken, a leader who no longer wished to be in control.

After Harry had gone over Dynamos Faraday's account of his jump and Remus had finished lunch they had done some more research on the Aurora Borealis. Apparently their last chance at the phenomenon during the autumn equinox would be that very night. According to their research the lights hadn't been so bright since September 2, 1859 and weren't expected to be that powerful during the summer equinox, it seemed like luck was finally on his side.

Now, all they needed was a jump point. Remus thought that Harry shouldn't worry about where it was because no matter where he left from the place he arrived at would be different. Harry agreed but thought that it would be better if he jumped in an area that he didn't know so that when he arrived he wouldn't compare differences. In the end Harry won out and chose the United States because he had never been and thought it would be great fun to jump from the nation of opportunities. Remus had shook his head at his cub's strange sense of humor but inside he had felt hope, Harry had finally shown a glimpse of the boy he once was. Maybe, just maybe, this jump would be able to save him.

Sitting at the obnoxiously clean kitchen table in an immaculate kitchen Harry and Remus pored over a large map of the USA. Dobby would pop in every five minutes to check their drinks and make sure that the stack of cookies was being eaten. The little elf knew that his young master was leaving and wanted to do everything in his power to make sure that his master was well looked after. Dobby didn't expect his master to say goodbye, he knew the war had made it so that master Harry despised goodbyes, so the elf was saying goodbye through food. Just after Dobby had popped out of the kitchen once more, Harry blurted out, "You aren't coming with me."

Of all the shocks of the day that Remus had endured this one was the most devastating. The wolf in the man got angry; whom did cub think he was to order the alpha around? "Absolutely not! I am going with you no matter what."

Harry's deep green eyes locked with the wolf's amber ones, the look was serious and yet apologetic. "You can't," at Remus' stiffening muscles the teen rushed on, "just hear me out, then you can yell ok?" Remus nodded his head in a slow affirmative, "I have two reason's. One, we don't know how being a werewolf will be affected by the jump. You may lose your humanity altogether. Two, we might not even end up in the same world. You have everything to lose by attempting to go with me. Here you have Tonks, soon she'll be done with all the Auror paperwork from the battle, and you can start a good life with her." Harry's voice was gentle and placating, rational.

The wolf in Remus calmed down enough for him to realize that Harry was right. "Fine. You may be right, but that doesn't mean that I like letting you go on alone. Know that I love you Harry, please never forget that. Be safe; never give up and never surrender."

"I love you too Moony, I won't fail you." Harry's voice was little more than a whisper but Remus' advanced hearing caught every word and locked them in his heart.

Harry decided that the heavy mood needed to break and determined that the only way to do that was to change the subject. "How about Boston?"

"Why there?"

"Come on Remus, it's the capital of New England. Why would I go anywhere else?" The words were said with such seriousness that it took a moment to realize that Harry was joking with him.

"It sounds perfect for a rebel like you."

"Good." Harry's eyes glittered for a brief moment before darkening to their usual flatness.

"There's a four hour time difference so it should be about one in the afternoon there. I suggest that you leave as soon as it gets dark, in about five hours, so that you aren't running around in an unknown world at two in the morning. If the time even stays the same…" Remus lost his train of though when it was suddenly derailed by the fact that he didn't know much about where he was sending his cub. "Are you sure you want to go through with this Harry?"

"For the last time, yes. I have nothing to lose. The world that I'm going to couldn't be any worse for me than this one." The teen's voice was hard and brooked no argument. Remus backed down; he knew this was the only chance Harry had at being normal.

During the few hours Harry had to get ready, he went to Gringotts to put his affairs in order. One third of his vaults went to Remus; another third to the remaining survivors of the Weasley clan; and the last third went to the only place he had called home, Hogwarts. The goblins were discrete about the whole process and asked no questions. Even if the Minister of Magic wanted to know where his money had gone the Minister would never get the information. Harry wrote a brief note to Mrs. Weasley explaining his departure and asking her to forgive him. A second letter was written to McGonagall asking her to put the funds into making sure that students that needed a home during summer holidays would be able to stay at the school.

Harry's trip into the wizarding world and subsequent letter writing had taken up the five hours that they had allotted. All that was left to do was to actually leave.

"Portus." Harry whispered the spell, anticipation flowing through his veins.

"Good luck, and for Merlin's sake don't get caught with that illegal portkey on you. Remember our conversation earlier. I know you'll make it." For last words Remus felt that they fell short but he couldn't think of anything else to say. All that had needed to be spoken they had covered earlier in the day.

"Moony." Harry stopped himself before he could say anything else, "Activate."

With a word Harry had left Remus' side and appeared in the main port of Boston. The bright lights of the city were amazing but the view of the Aurora Borealis floating in the sky over the ocean was mesmerizing. Looking once again over the city, Harry frowned the city lights seemed to make the light of the Aurora harder to see. He didn't want to miss and free fall into the hard pavement but Apparateing into the lights over the ocean wasn't an option. For all Harry knew, he could end up in the ocean and drown within minutes of arriving at his new home. He would take his chances on the lights over the city; he would just have to aim very carefully. If he could save the wizarding world then he could definitely do this. A bright streak of green caught his attention and Harry focused on it intently, mentally preparing himself before jumping into the unknown.

--------X--------

Charles Xavier mentally jerked as Cerebro suddenly shifted directions to focus on Boston. Looking closer with his mind Xavier felt the unconscious presence of a mutant that, if by the sadness in his mind was anything to go by, needed his help. Taking note of the mutant's location, Xavier mentally called out to Jean 'Get Logan, Ororo, and Scott. You guys are heading out in ten minutes to pick up a stray.'

AN: You guys, my reviewers, ROCK! If it weren't for you this chapter would have been a long time in coming. I'm sorry for the cliffy but an update's better than no update, right? I'm looking for a beta, one that knows X-men fairly well. Please comment, even if it's to tell me my bullshit doesn't make sense.