CHAPTER ONE
"It's over," he murmured to himself as he collapsed to the ground. "It's finally over." Around him lay the bodies of students, faculty, Death Eaters, and the Dark Lord Voldemort. The final battle on Hogwarts grounds had been brutal, and his whole body ached from it. Nearby, he heard the whooping and hollering of celebration as the survivors released their pent-up, post-battle anxiety. Two voices, raised in jubilation, came nearer to his position on the grounds, and he scowled darkly. Here come the backstabbing betrayers, he thought harshly to himself. I wonder how they'll try and ingratiate themselves to me, to get in on the reflected glory of being part of the Golden Trio.
"Harry!" the bushy haired know it all shouted, her voice carrying across the grounds. "There you are! We've been looking for you everywhere!"
"I'm right here," he muttered angrily. "Right where you left me so you could go hide."
"Yeah, mate," Ron bellowed loudly, and from the corner of Harry's eye, he caught the redhead looking around smugly at everyone, making sure that they'd heard him address the raven thusly. "We lost you in the crowd somewhere, and spent most of our time trying to fight our way back to you." Harry turned burning emeralds on the pair, but they were oblivious to his dark train of thought as they approached. Behind them, Harry saw Neville roll his eyes dramatically, a scowl of epic proportions on his gentle face, and the emerald eyed teen fought to keep the snickers in. At least Neville can see through their pretense, Harry mused, struggling to stand.
His exhausted body wouldn't cooperate, and two pairs of strong arms helped him up. He looked gratefully to his left and right, smiling at the twins who had book-ended him to keep him stable on his feet. He turned back to the approaching Gryffindors in time to see the fury lacing their eyes as they watched the twins gently try and lead Harry toward the castle. Ron bumped Fred from Harry's left side as Hermione yanked George from his right, nearly causing the Savior to tumble to the ground in his weakened state. Immediately, Neville was in front of Harry, bolstering him as he rudely shoved the other Gryffindors away and calmly walked Harry into the castle and to the infirmary.
"Thanks, Nev," the raven said softly, smiling at his best friend.
"Any time, Harry," the Gryffindor replied, smiling in kind. "I knew you weren't up for the Tarnished Dipwads, and I couldn't believe their callousness when dealing with you." Luna walked serenely on the other side of Harry, smiling at nothing, her dazed blue eyes looking around at nothing.
"How are you, Luna?" he asked quietly, reaching out a tired arm to pull her to his side. She smiled brightly at him, hugging him closer as she walked.
"I'm fine, Harry," she answered softly, twirling a lock of hair absently around her finger. "After you see Madam Pomfrey, I have something of great importance of which to speak with you."
"What's so important, Luna?" Harry asked curiously. They were in the Room of Requirement, along with Neville and the twins. They had managed to lose Ron and Hermione in the crush of students celebrating the death of Voldemort.
"There are some things you should know, and some choices you need to make," she answered seriously. Gone was the dizzy, ditzy girl, and in her place was a woman of keen intelligence and insight. The four young men in the room with her knew that she was a Seer, and everything she had said over the last several years was taken very seriously by their small group. It was because of her visions that Harry was able to find and destroy all the horcruxes. "Voldemort is not dead, Harry," she continued sadly. Widened green eyes filled with frustrated tears at the news, as she hastened to reassure him. "Though the last remaining horcrux anchors him to the earthly plane, he has no vessel in which to place the living soul. There is no one left of his followers to assist him, so he has to try and find someone of lesser magic to possess. I suspect he's looking for a suitable squib, but he knows that the possession will not last long before the vessel begins to die. I am sorry."
"The horcrux inside me didn't die when I did?" he asked angrily. "I was assured that it would. Those memories I took from Severus before he died told me that I had to die to eliminate it. How did it go wrong?"
"It didn't," she answered, taking his hand in comfort. "The Fates wouldn't allow it to go like that. This is where your choice comes in. Time is not a continuous loop, as so many believe. It is like a twined rope, made of hundreds of thousands of cords, all wound together. Some of those threads are black, as those time streams have ceased. Some are brightly colored, as those strands continue in happiness and safety. Many are darkly colored, because those strings continue to suffer from strife and war and regret. You have an opportunity, given by the Fates as reward for all of your sacrifices, to go to one of three channels.
"You may travel to 1976, and be a part of Hogwarts before your parents died. You may travel to 1983, and be a part of Hogwarts after your parents died. Or you may go to 1990, and be a part of Hogwarts just before the other you starts his life in the magical world. Choose wisely, for whatever your choice, it will profoundly affect that time stream."
"How will my traveling to another time stop Voldemort?" Harry asked curiously, a frisson of excitement thrumming in his soul. "Won't I still have the horcrux?"
"No," Luna answered, smiling. "When you go to the time stream I know you've already chosen, the horcrux in you will react with the horcrux within the other you, and they will be destroyed, for the same horcrux cannot exist together in the same time and place. When that horcrux dies, Voldemort's spirit will no longer be able to remain, and the Fates will take him for his just punishment."
"Since you already know which time I've chosen, can you tell me anything about it? Will I be able to do what I have in mind? Do I need to make any preparations for it now?"
"You will succeed in your quest, but you need to see the goblins of Gringotts before you go, to set up your history. You will need to ensure that your memories of the meetings will be preserved, so that, when you visit Gringotts in your new time, you will have the evidence necessary, as well as the paperwork required, to obtain access to the Potter vaults and properties. Then, you will need to set up one of the manors so that it will be protected against everything. I know you have a loyalty to Albus Dumbledore, but you will need to have your eyes wide open, so that you may see the man for who he truly is. I believe Severus Snape will be able to help you with that. Above all, protect that child with all you have, and make sure that he is allowed to live a happy, carefree life. The life that had been denied you."
Harry entered the wizarding bank under a heavy glamour, to prevent anyone accosting him. Things had been hectic since the defeat of Voldemort, and he hadn't gone a single day without having some idiot trying to touch, or kiss, or otherwise molest him in the name of worshiping their vaunted savior. Quite frankly, he was sick of the whole thing, and couldn't wait to get to his new destination. "I need to see Ragnok, if you please," he said to a goblin behind the teller's desk. The being looked at the young man with clear scorn, before his eyes widened minutely as they pierced the glamour. He gestured to a goblin behind him, who stepped forward, leaning down. A short moment later, the standing goblin gestured to Harry, beckoning him to follow. They traversed the immaculate, gleaming hallways until they stopped before a large golden door, with a small nameplate on it. Tapping gently, the goblin stuck his head into the opening and spoke for a few moments, before opening the door wider and gesturing Harry in. The raven stood patiently before the desk before the large goblin looked up, surprised at the respect he'd been shown.
"Please, have a seat, Mr. Potter. I will be with you momentarily." Harry gave a shallow bow before he sat himself carefully in the chair before the desk. Nodding, the goblin returned to the work on his desk, completing it quickly before he put it away. "Now, how may I help you?"
"I would like to avail myself of your discreet services in creating a new identity," he replied softly.
"I see," the goblin grumbled. "Have you an idea of the identity you wish to create?"
"I do." Harry leaned forward with a copy of the family tapestry, placing it carefully on the large desk. "May I sit closer?" The goblin nodded distractedly, studying the tapestry with interest. Harry pulled the chair closer, and both beings bent their heads over the parchment on the desk. "As you can see," the raven began, pointing a finger at the names of Charlus Potter and Dorea Black, "these positions indicate that Charlus and Dorea are not, in fact, my grandparents, as so many believe." He moved his finger, tracing the lines from branch to branch as he explained. "My grandmother and grandfather, James' parents, were, in fact, Fleamont Potter and Euphemia Mathesius. I want to change the tapestry to read that Fleamont Potter had an affair with Walburga Black, resulting in a bastard son by the name of William Potter, since Walburga refused to acknowledge the bastard son as her own, thereby refusing to give him her maiden name, as is custom. He married Evangeline Hammersmith and, in turn, had a son named Killian Chastain Potter. I would like the tapestry altered to reflect this, if possible."
"Interesting," Ragnok replied, stroking his chin with hoary fingers. "The identity you will create will be unimpeachable, with the evidence we can procure and manufacture here. To add to that, we have a ritual that will use some of the Black blood we have here for other services, that will give you the appearance of being a Black. If you'd like, we could set that up at your earliest convenience."
"Splendid," Harry beamed, pleased.
"Why are you going to these lengths, if I may ask, Mr. Potter?" There was honest curiosity in the goblin's tone, and Harry found himself explaining.
"My Seer friend told me that Voldemort still has a chance of rising. When I walked into the Forbidden Forest to allow him to kill me, it should've gotten rid of the horcrux I carry. Unfortunately, the Fates like to mess with me, and the sacrifice was useless. So Voldemort's spirit is still clinging to a sort of half life, and he needs time to find a suitable vessel to occupy until he can resurrect himself wholly again. My Seer believes that, if I go to another time stream, I will be able to finally destroy the horcrux and Voldemort at the same time. That's what I intend to do."
"But why the change of name and bloodline? It is a little extreme for some time travel."
"I need to not look like myself, but look close enough to a Potter to be able to take custody of my younger self. You see, the people I'd been left with were muggles, and horrid ones at that. They hated everything to do with magic, and by extension, me. I have the opportunity to raise a different version of me away from all that hatred. It would give me the chance to see how I would've grown up, had I been loved from the beginning."
"I see," Ragnok rumbled, infuriated at the now deceased Albus Dumbledore. "Your parents' wills were never unsealed, Mr. Potter. I kept expecting your magical guardian to bring you in, so that you may view them and decide what to do with your inheritances. I do know that you were to go to Sirius Black, as he was your godfather, or, barring that, the Greengrasses. I can only assume that your magical guardian felt that your mother's muggle relatives were suitable enough. After we've finished these arrangements, I will go over the wills with you, if you wish."
"Thank you, Ragnok. I would appreciate that."
"Kingsley, can I have a moment?" Harry asked as he crept into the Minister's office. The raven had waited until the floor was nearly empty before he dared to enter the Minister's chambers. Harry knew that Kingsley Shacklebolt would still be in the Ministry after hours, trying his damnedest to straighten out the clusterfuck that had befallen the wizarding world after the fall of Voldemort.
"Harry! I'm glad to see you. Come on in and sit a spell. We can catch up, and perhaps I can talk you into taking the head Auror's position. Gawain Robards wants to retire now that everything's finished, but I managed to convince him to stay until I could find a suitable replacement. You may be that replacement." Harry winced at the eager expression his old friend was wearing, and was loathe to make it disappear.
"I…can't, Kingsley," he replied with great reluctance. "You were one of the few that we clued in on Luna Lovegood's seer abilities." The big man nodded, his face a mask of concern. "Well, apparently Voldemort didn't completely die. My sacrifice in the Forbidden Forest didn't destroy the horcrux within me, and he still has a chance to come back if he can find a suitable patsy to possess."
"Oh, Merlin," the Minister murmured, aghast. "I'm so sorry, Harry. All the sacrifices you've made your entire life, wasted."
"Not necessarily," Harry interjected before Kingsley could devolve into pity; the one thing that would irritate the Gryffindor needlessly was useless pity. "You see, Luna informed me that time isn't a loop, as everyone thinks, but is like a hank of rope, with many fibers twisted together. She told me that I could go to an alternate existence and she gave me three choices. One would be to go before my parents graduate from Hogwarts; one would be three years after they died, and the final one would be when I come to Hogwarts in that stream. I chose to go and rescue my three year old self from the bastards with whom Dumbledore had left me. When I enter that strand, the horcrux within me and within the toddler me will be destroyed. She said that the same horcrux can't exist in two items in the same string. This will ensure that he won't be able to come back in this reality, and the Fates will give him his just rewards."
"I see," Shacklebolt murmured thoughtfully, eyeing the raven speculatively. "I'm guessing that you're here because you need some assistance from me."
"I do. I need you to manufacture papers with my OWLS and my NEWTS. I've already taken care of creating a new identity with the Goblins, and all I need are the test scores to complete the new persona."
"I might be able to help you with that. If you'll give me a little information about your new background, I'll see what I can do."
"Thanks, Kingsley. You're a lifesaver."
"No, Harry. Thank you. Once again you have to make sacrifices to keep our world safe. I just hope that the new life you're going toward will be the one to make you happy."
Luna had made arrangements to meet with Harry at the twins' shop in Diagon Alley. He apparated to the alley between the Cauldron and the brick wall, tapping out the sequence to gain entrance to the magical shopping center. From there, he strode with purpose to the joke shop, the hood of his cloak keeping his face hidden. He tapped on the door, the closed sign in full view, and felt the wards wash over him, recognizing him as friend before the door snicked open, allowing him to enter the shop. Instantly, Luna was in front of him, hugging him tightly.
"Hey, Luna," the raven said softly. "It's done. I need to make some final arrangements, then I'm off to 1983."
"I'm glad, Harry," she replied into his chest, snuggling into him. "Of anyone in the whole world, you deserve happiness and peace the most."
"I'm going to miss all of you," the raven said as he looked over her head at Neville, George and Fred.
"We'll miss you, too, Harry," Neville answered for all of them, his voice quivering with suppressed emotion. "I just wish Draco could be here to help us see you off."
"I still can't believe he turned against everything he'd been raised with, to help us kill the monster," George said as he led the way up to the twins' apartment, which was above their shop.
"I know," Fred murmured. "He sacrificed so much to help us. They even took his wand hand as punishment for his betrayal, but that didn't stop him in the least. It's lucky for him, and us, that we knew that Dark ritual to help us give him enough of a power boost so that he was able to learn wandless magic."
"So when's the wedding, Nev?" Harry asked softly, looking at his best mate fondly.
"After you're gone, unfortunately," the Gryffindor answered. "Draco still has to go to trial for his 'involvement' in the war and his taking of the Dark Mark before we can plan the wedding."
"I'll stop at the Ministry before I leave and give Kingsley the memories of Draco's heroism in the final battle," Harry said, smiling. "I have to get my paperwork anyway."
"Thanks, Harry," Neville replied, beaming. "That'll go a long way to exonerating him."
"Just do me a favor and tell him 'thanks'. I know it had to have been very hard for him to kill his father like that, and I want him to know that I will be forever in his debt for his sacrifices. I'm just glad his mum was able to keep herself out of the line of fire all this time." Harry paused for a moment, a bemused smile on his face. "It was especially gratifying to see her take out Bellatrix like that, just before she disappeared from Hogwarts."
"She whispered that it was an early wedding present for me," Neville said, blushing. "She had also taken care of both Lestrange brothers. She said that it was a travesty, what her sister and brothers-in-law had done to my parents, and she wanted the opportunity to erase the black mark against her birth family."
"We'll explain to Draco and his mum what you had to do," Fred said into the introspective silence. "I'm sure they'll understand, better than anyone else would, or could. After all, they had to live with the monster."