In Spite of Him – Chapter 34
It had been a long day. Harry discussed, pondered, evaluated, and planned with the Order. The Order was thrilled to have a Potter who wasn't totally consumed with honor and posturing. They just wanted Voldemort dead. Lunch was served and Harry ate enough for four men. Almost as much as Ron. He didn't know how long it would be until his next English meal, and the fermented taste of the natto still clung to his senses like week old socks.
Remus was different in this universe. He was a bit sharp-tempered and far more independent than what Harry was used to. An edgy werewolf was an improvement over the wimps that most Remus's were, in Harry's opinion. Perhaps he was what Sirius referred to as 'alpha' – people listened to the ex-professor and Snape did not mock him.
Once again Harry did not bring up the Bond Terminator. There were 11 people in the room (not counting himself), and he already knew Dumbledore's motives and concern for the rights of the individual was suspect at best. Harry felt it was best to let Masahiko know about it in privacy and give him the vial to carry.
This universe was fairly similar to his – the main difference was the weak will of the headmaster. Dumbledore was still a selfish manipulator, but when confronted would fold immediately - hence Masahiko's ability to become instantly Japanese. Ron and Hermione appeared to have been supportive friends until they were embarrassed by the Boy-Who-Lived's eccentric lifestyle. Remus, as usual, did nothing to correct the situation, although the werewolf was missing the drenching of self-inflicted guilt that most Remus's seemed to have.
Another interesting change from Harry's universe was the Order of the Phoenix itself. Harry's Order was rather a joke – a very labor-intensive baby-sitting service that was formed to primarily keep him from leaving his jail on Privet Drive. HIs didn't seem to do anything else that Harry could recall. Thankfully, these guys seemed to actually serve a purpose – guarding muggle born's families, tailing Death Eaters, and actually guarding Riddle Manor to look for signs of Voldemort's whereabouts. Harry was impressed.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Once the meeting was finished and the two Potters returned home, Harry and Ginny watched Masahiko work out in his garden. The fanboy was going through an elaborate ritual of sword swipes and martial art moves that was entertaining and even beautiful, but rather useless against wands.
"Ginny – when does he get on with some magical dueling?" Harry whispered over to his friend who was standing by in forced humility.
"He doesn't anymore, Harry" she murmured back, low enough so Masahiko wouldn't hear her talking. "He's totally convinced Voldemort will meet him on the field of honor, whatever that is, and battle him samurai style." A lone tear escaped and crawled down her cheek.
"Oh my giddy aunt" Harry gasped. "He's nuts! Has Pomfrey checked him out? What about Moody – did he check for hexes? Imperious?"
"Yes on all three" she sniffed quietly.
Harry jumped to his feet abruptly. "All righty, Masahiko. Time to put the sword away. You heard the Order – it's gonna be Moldyshorts stomping time soon and you need to have your dueling up to par." He walked over to Masahiko, who was staring at him in shock and indignant rage.
"Please, Harry-san. Remove yourself. You are interrupting my training. This is all the dueling I will need." Masahiko gave firm and imperative gesture as if to brush him off the path.
"Masahiko – Harry – this is nice and it's got you in fine physical shape" Harry frown and stood planted. "But Voldemort has never carried a sword in the worlds I've dueled him on. He uses magic. He flatly refuses to use muggle fighting methods. Your blade can't stop a hex or curse."
"I will fight with honor and honor only" Masahiko shrugged. "This is all the dueling I need. If Voldemort can not meet as an equal, I will not fight."
"Um, Masahiko pal" Harry stammered, "We need to talk. Sit down and let's chat about this." He walked over to a stone bench and patted the empty spot next to him. His eastern-bent twin reluctantly followed with annoyance clearly written on his face.
"Yes?" he bit out sharply, plainly frustrated at taking time from his swordplay.
Harry sighed. This twin was obviously one fry short of a happy meal. "Look Masahiko. Honor only works between people of honor. Voldemort has none. Zero. Zip. Nada. He killed our folks. He tried to kill us as a baby. He murders muggles in their sleep, unless he feels like waking them up for a jolly little torture session first." He gave Masahiko a stern look. "The prophecy says you are the one to off him, probably because you are as good as he is evil. Stop playing around and hone all your skills – it's not a game. You need to stop him, and I want to help."
Masahiko gave a condescending smile and patted Harry on the arm. "Yes, Harry-san. And the prophecy spoke of the 'power he knows not'. And that is why I practice so diligently with my katana."
"NO!" Harry shouted in frustration. "You don't know what that means – none of us do for sure! I think the power that prophecy is talking about is ME! I didn't need any stupid sword to kill the last twenty Voldys! But those Harrys and I sure took care of him!"
"That was nice of you, Harry-san" Masahiko stood up and gave a stiff bow. "But I will not need your assistance." He spun abruptly on his heel and strode down the path away from Harry and Ginny.
"He is so dead" Harry sighed. Ginny nodded in agreement, silent tears falling down her face.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
That night Harry rifled through his trunk while waiting for Ginny's 'special' sake to take affect on Masahiko. "Got it!" he chirped, pulling out a flask of potion.
"Got what?" came a feminine voice from the door way. Ginny was back, minus the 'Akako look'.
"This" Harry smiled widely, waving the bottle at her, "is Snape's special animagus potion. Harold and I used it in my first world, and I've given it to lots of Harrys since – it forces your first transformation on you. Beats years of study and pain."
"Does it work?" she cooed breathlessly, eyeing the glittering potion with excitement.
Harry grinned and transformed into his crested eagle form. He hopped up to her, gave an eagle-ish squawk and flapped his wings a couple times to show off. Ginny could have sworn that Hedwig, sitting on a perch in the corner of the room, rolled her yellow eyes. A second later and Harry stood once more by her side. "Yep – it works just dandy" he smirked.
"Well, what are we waiting for!" she grinned and reached out for the potion. "What do I do?"
"Sit and swallow. It'll hurt for a few minutes – I'm sure you're used to pain." Harry and she both unconsciously looked in the direction of Masahiko's room. Not all pain was physical – Masahiko had never struck her, but the wounds of humiliation and forced servitude ran deep.
Ginny sat down on the flat pad of a mattress. She flipped the cork off the flask and swallowed it down, grimacing at the taste. A moment later and she curled into a ball with a whimper of agony. Harry watched with fascination as she slowly morphed into a bird fairly similar to his own – but Ginny's was a peregrine falcon.
When she was able to move again falcon/Ginny hopped over to Harry and gave a chirp of query, cocking her bright-eyed face in wonderment.
"Yes Gin" he laughed and held an arm out. "You are a bird sort of like me – a falcon! Hop on up and try your wings!"
She spread her new wings out, looking them over carefully. With a couple of flaps she landed on his arm, clenching sharp talons to maintain her balance.
"Whoa there – watch the nails girl!" Harry yipped, and to his relief she relaxed her claws with a sheepish expression on her sharp-beaked face. "OK – hop down and let me change – we can go flying together!"
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
It was a night to remember. While Masahiko slept deeply in his bed, Ginny and Harry flew under the beautiful moon light. Skimming the tops of the trees in the forbidden forest with their wing tips, and enjoying the amazing vision of raptor eyes, they roamed the fields, woods, and towns surrounding Hogsmeade for most of the night.
The thrill of flight – unfettered freedom in all directions. Here Harry was truly at peace, in his element. Faster and faster the pair flew, trying new muscles, to see just what speed they could get. Ginny, as a falcon, beat him every time. Higher and higher until the air grew thin and it was too much work on the lungs and wings. He glanced over at his companion frequently and was pleased to see she appeared as natural in this environment as he, and radiated the same joy and contentment.
They took a rest in a thickly branched oak tree somewhere south of Hogsmeade. Without thinking Harry found himself cuddling up to her, preening her neck feathers where a bird can't reach for itself. Her eyes closed in bliss, the two gave into the animal comfort of warmth and protection without worrying about what the world might think. But Harry's human side was profoundly troubled. All the attractions he had felt throughout his travels for Ginevra Weasley seemed to be for this Ginny. But his sense of protection and deep honest morality would not let him steal another man's wife. Even if that man was an idiot.
Finally, a few hours before dawn, the pair of birds returned and transformed back.
"Oh Harry – that was wonderful!" Ginny roughly combed her hair with her fingers, removing a stray twig that had lodged in her tresses. "It was so beautiful in the moonlight, so free! I felt like I could fly forever and never come back to earth!" She paused for a second and wrinkled her freckled nose. "I take it Masahiko's form would be the same as yours?"
"Oh no" Harry laughed. "Harold was a mouse! It was actually pretty appropriate. It was all I could do not to tease him – he was quite mortified. HJ was a panther. Various Harrys have had all kinds of animal forms."
Ginny giggled madly, then grew serious. "Thank you, Harry. This really means a lot to me."
Harry smiled gently. "Well, it was the least I can do, Gin. I figured once we deal with Moldyshorts you now have a way to escape. You might be married for life, but as a falcon you could at least fly out of hexing range and live on your own."
"How did you know what my form would be?" she asked him with interest.
"Er, I didn't" Harry stammered. "I assumed you loved to fly a broom as much as the Ginny from my world did, and it just followed." 'And as much as I love to fly,' the thought came unbidden to his heart.
"I noticed you didn't say 'my Ginny' when you mentioned her" the youngest Weasley pointed out. She knew that Gin was not someone Harry was attracted to, but wanted to hear it again.
Harry sat down on the flat uncomfortable mattress next to Ginny. "She wasn't and isn't 'my' Ginny. That Ginny was always smitten with 'The-Boy-Who-Lived' and 'The-Boy-Who-Lived's' bank vault. She had no interest in me, Harry." He gave a sad sigh. "I wish she was like you – fiery, independent, yet willing to sacrifice for a noble cause. I wish I had someone like you waiting for me back in my world."
Several unspoken wishes were communicated in the sad, wistful look that passed between them. Ginny stood up with sorrow, turned and left the room for her husband's chambers, where she belonged. Harry watched her go with profound aching.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
It was a short two days later when Remus apparated into Masahiko's garden. Harry was sitting and watching his twin play with his sword, and Ginny was off preparing tea or whatever in the house.
"Masahiko! Harry! It's time!" Remus shouted with excitement. The Order is at Riddle Manor – we saw Voldemort apparate in and enter the house with Peter – it's just the two of them. We have anti-apparition wards all around the place. Let's go!"
Harry checked for his wand and a vial of potion, which he offered over to Masahiko. Needless to say, his twin imperiously brushed it off with a sniff. "Don't you understand?" Harry snarled with exasperation, "This will break the bond between you two. If he gets killed you will too without this potion in your system! Take it and stop being a prat!"
Again the arrogant smile. "Harry-san, I appreciate what you are trying to do. But I do not need your potions and your help. Voldemort and I have nothing in common – the bond was broken when I embraced my heritage."
Ginny had joined them in the garden as fast as her wooden-clogged feet would allow. The three of them rolled their eyes in exasperation at Masahiko's stubbornness. "Good luck, husband" she said softly, doe-like eyes watching him with sorrow.
Masahiko stepped close to her and tilted her chin up with his finger. "I will return, Akako." With that the three of them popped away for Riddle Manor. However Ginny's eyes lingered on the spot where Harry last stood, as tears of frustration leaked from her eyes.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
It was as short and anti-climatic battle as Harold's had been, though it was no where near as entertaining. Despite everyone trying to keep Masahiko hidden and wait for Voldemort to leave the house, the fanboy moron boldly strode up to the front door and pounded on it, demanding Riddle's presence. Riddle gladly obliged.
Harry could see Remus pounding his head against a gravestone in frustration. Moody was rolling his eyes, and Snape was cleaning his fingernails with the tip of his wand, the very vision of boredom. Dumbledore was standing calmly watching the proceedings. Harry had a disgusted feeling that the headmaster knew full well what was about to happen.
And happen it did. The Dork Lord came out to greet him, took one look at Masahiko's attire, and burst out laughing. He thrust his wand forward and cut him in two from across the porch with a single hex. Harry didn't know which was more amusing (in a sick twisted way) – the expression on Masahiko's face as he crumpled to the ground in two halves, or the look on Voldemort's as he did the same.
The remaining battle ended quickly. Peter was swiftly captured and somehow never made it to the aurors. Remus swore afterwards that the rat had drawn a hidden second wand on him, but Harry felt confidant that Remus simply wanted revenge. Riddle Manor was ransacked by the order so dark items could be disposed of, and written records kept so remaining Death Eaters could more easily be rounded up.
Next Harry and the order had the sad task of returning home to the widow Burakku to give her the tragic news of her husband's passing. He wasn't looking forward to it at all – he felt like he was drowning in guilt. What if he had forced Masahiko to take the potion first? Why didn't he simply petrify him when he knocked on Riddle's door? The truth was it simply all happened too quickly for Harry to react. Hind sight is always 20/20.
Harry apparated back to the Burakku home, heavy of heart and not sure what to say. He had never delivered the news of someone's death to a friend before. As much as he disliked his twin of this world, he never wanted him dead. And from the way Ginny had tried to convince Masahiko to prepare, he was sure she loved him, or had at one point.
As soon as he arrived Ginny ran outside, alerted by the soft 'pop' of his house-elf styled apparition. Brown eyes shiny with tears she looked at him with wordless desperation and her heart fell as she saw the apology in his.
"Was it painless?" the witch whispered in sorrow.
"It was very fast" Harry assured her, sitting heavily on a bench. He shook his head, as he instinctively reached for her hand. "I'm sorry, Gin. I tried to get him to take the potion. I really, really tried."
She leaned on his shoulder, sobbing hard. She expected it, but it didn't make it easier. She would miss him – the Harry she knew back in Hogwarts. This Harry, patting her back uncomfortably, looked up helplessly at her mother who was coming out of the house. She fiercely fought off traitorously thoughts as she pondered how comforting this man felt, where Masahiko would have told her to basically 'suck it up'. Molly gathered her daughter in her arms, and Harry discreetly slipped away.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Harry stayed in hiding at the Burakku home, hidden safely under strong glamour charms reinforced with elf magic. The world would not appreciate a second Harry Potter, when they were celebrating his victory and mourning his passing. Ginny's tears flowed freely as they healed and commiserated together on what a waste it all was, how needless and silly. She mourned the loss of the man she once loved, but could not honestly say in her heart of hearts she missed the man he had become.
Burakku Masahiko was laid to rest in the Hogwarts cemetery with honors befitting a hero, even though it was known by a select few the only thing Masahiko had actually done was to allow him self to be killed. Once the funeral was over Ginny had immediately shed the traditional Japanese garb for witch's robes, not caring what Rita Skeeter wanted to say about it. She asked her mother to stay in the house as a chaperone to prevent gossip during the grieving period, and the three of them enjoyed the first good British food seen under that roof in ages.
The house had changed a lot in the following weeks. Solid walls replaced paper screens. Real beds, tables and chairs replaced flat cushions on the floor. The sound of shoes clumped down the halls once again. Oh, it wasn't instant England overnight, and it wasn't done out of spite. Ginny did grieve and she left the gardens and tea house untouched in honor of Masahiko's memory. But needless to say her kimonos and make-up disappeared immediately.
Early one morning Harry looked in shock at a calendar sitting on the table. Six months had gone by since he arrived at this world, and he hadn't done a thing to train or learn anything new. Every day had passed helping the Weasley's, Ginny in particular, and getting her through her loss. It was time to move on – he had his own Voldemort to work toward. Harry looked sadly down the hall where the red-head was playing exploding snap with her mother. They had grown so close.
With hope and despair overlapping in his heart, he headed for Hogwarts – he needed a talk with the headmaster.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
"You're leaving, then?" Ginny asked from the doorway. Harry was folding the last of his clothes and going through the ritual – check for wand and Bond Terminators hanging around neck, shrink trunk and place in pocket. He had a busy time yesterday, and now his visit to this world needed to come to an end.
He looked up at her. "Yes. Will you come with me?"
"How?" Ginny gasped. "You are eventually going back to your world! Wouldn't two Ginny Weasleys be a bit much?" But despite the arguing, she had a hungry, desperate look in her eye. This was the Harry she had always loved, and this Harry didn't change drastically when life threw him a curve. Masahiko was a painful parody of the real Harry Potter – the one she was meant to be with.
Harry shrugged. "Perhaps. But I think a Ginny Weasley and a Ginny Potter could fit. After all, my being around other Harry Potters hasn't messed up the time space continuum or anything."
"Are you proposing to me, Mr. Potter?" Ginny asked with hope rich in her voice.
He laughed and grabbed her hands. "Yes, Mrs. Potter I am. Sort of. I mean technically in this world we are already married I think. But Dumbledore did agree to re-do the vows for us since he owes you big-time." He smiled over Ginny's shoulder at Molly Weasley, who was listening in. "I already asked your folks."
"But aren't you only 16?" Ginny asked with trembling voice.
"Who knows" Harry shrugged. "I've never really had a childhood, and this time travel is gonna mess with our heads if we think about it too much. I say lets go for it."
It would be the last time Harry saw tears for many a month, and this time they were tears of happiness. With a breathy 'yes', the engagement was sealed with a passionate kiss and Harry proceeded to unpack his trunk.
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Harry and Ginny spent another month before moving on. They married in secret in Dumbledore's office, but couldn't file any paperwork with the Ministry. After all, Harry Potter was dead as far as they were concerned. But it was legal and ethical enough to please Mr. And Mrs. Weasley, so it was good enough for the Potters.
They sold the house in Hogsmeade, and Ginny went to town redecorating the magical trunk Snape had given Harry so many worlds ago. The trunk was something Harry had rather taken for granted – its empty walls and flickering torches too gloomy to stay in for any length of time. Ginny, however, gleefully saw the potential immediately. She transfigured them a nice compact home complete with a small library, kitchen, bath, 2 bedrooms and vault. Walls and floors were paneled with warm woods, and enchanted windows facing a forever summer view of the forbidden forest now brought sunshine and cheerfulness into the rooms. Curtains, doilies, vases – those feminine touches that Harry would never have thought of on his own, now transformed what was once a dungeon into a home.
Masahiko had refused to make out a will, so Ginny cleaned out the Potter vaults in Gringotts, giving a quarter of the money to her parents, a quarter each to Tonks and Remus, and keeping the rest in their trunk. They felt it wouldn't be fair to expect every Harry on every world to support the married couple.
Zippy popped in as they checked to make sure everything was packed. He wordlessly handed an amulet identical to Harry's to the new Mrs. Potter. Harry sat down for a moments and sighed.
"What is troubling you, Master Harry?" Zippy asked him with amusement.
"I don't know, Zippy." He looked at the elf with frustration. "Where did I screw this one up? I mean my twin died here. I really tried to keep him alive, but he refused to do anything right. I messed up, and I'm not really sorry about it, but I don't want to make any serious mistakes in the other worlds. Also, what did I learn here? This didn't help me toward my Voldemort."
Zippy laughed. "Who says you screwed up, Master Harry?" Harry looked at him with a puzzled expression. "You won't necessarily learn something in each of your adventures. Sometimes fate owes you a favor. Sometimes you just need to do fate a favor. Masahiko really was a prat. Fate says 'thank you very much.' "
Ginny nodded in emphatic agreement and the trio popped away to the next world and the next Voldemort.
Author Notes: Sorry this took so long! I really struggled to make it believable. I didn't want Ginny becoming a widow and a new bride the next day, and I want her to be a wife everyone can wrap their brains around. I hope it works - it was in my head for so long, I know most of the details never made it to computer...