Chapter 1: An Unfortunate Event:
Darkness and pain those were the first things Harry James Potter observed as he woke in unspeakable agony. The first thought that popped into his head was what happened, but then he remembered. He was sitting in his room at privet drive, then everything changed. Voldemort or Tom Riddle (his true name) breached the wards surrounding his relecutant home, blowing the front door across the hallway. By the time he made it downstairs Uncle Vernon was writhing on the ground in pain, courtesy of the Cruciatis curse. He remembered firing off a blasting hex at Riddle as soon as he hit the stairs landing, but Riddle swatted it aside like it was nothing. From there he recalled firing anything and everything at Riddle, Riddle just sneered at him and laughed as he redirected everything. Then what happened at the graveyard happened, their wands connected and a fight with willpower emerged. Just like the graveyard Harry was winning it, but Riddle was prepared this time, he pulled out a second wand and fired a killing curse at him. He remembered trying to pull away from the connected wands and he did to an extant. Somehow the three beams connected causing an explosion. then unspeakable agony occured and everything went white.
What came next was something he would never forget for as long as he lived. He woke up in a pure white King's Cross Station. What stunned him though was the figure that approached him. He had very few memories of his mother, scratch that only one and he only remembered that because of the dementors. She looked exactly like she did in his one memory, only this time she looked at peace rather than with a face full of fear. The first thing she did was envelope him in a hug, which was rather awkward considering he was naked. That quickly changed as he wished he was clothed and somehow he was. She pulled herself away kissing him on his forehead and telling him how much she missed and loved him. He remembered asking her if he was dead, she looked at him amused then her expression turned cold as she explained what his scar really was. To say he was shocked and disgusted was an understatement. Least it was gone now. She told him that he could go back since it was a loophole in magic, or he could move on to be with her and his father. He remembered she didn't look enthused at that causing him to feel hurt, which must have shown on his face as she explained that she wanted him to live a life full of love before he joined them, preferablly with a family that he so deserved in life. Not to mention Riddle would be unmatched and would cause countless deaths, god how he whined why was it his responsiblity to take care of that abomination. She looked at him sternly and told him fate basically shafted him with the destiny to vanquish Riddle and that she knew he could do it. That he could protect his friends and the few people he loved.
After convincing him she looked at him with love and explained that by going back things would be different, not only would bindings that she and James placed on him be gone (she explained they did this to limit his accidental magic and it was never removed because no one knew) so he would be stronger and he would have another ability gift like his parseltongue. He even asked her if he would still have that ability since it came from Riddle, at least according to the headmaster. She scoffed at that and said it was a rare ability that came from the Slytherin bloodline which descended into the Peverell line, which then spawned the Gaunts and Potters. This was one of the greatest secrets The Potters held, which usually was told to them when they either came of age or displayed parseltongue. The Potters just didn't advertise it if they were born with the gift due to the wizarding worlds prejudices on Parselmouths. She also told him things would be different but she would leave it to him to discover. No matter how much he asked she would just smile at him and say he would see. As the light faded he remembered pondering her words.
Which now led him to waking up in this unfamilar room surrounded by people in grey cloaks. Before he could say anything he was paralyzed and his head tilted back. He then felt something drip into his mouth before he was unparalyzed.
"What's your name" The grey cloak closest to him asked in a no nosense way.
"Harry James Potter" Harry said in a monotone voice, that brockered no emotion. Why couldn't he stop himself from talking?
At that the grey cloaks looked at each other before continuing, "How old are you?"
"14"
"How did you get to this time."
"This Time?"
"Merlin he doesn't even know," one of the grey cloaks said "How did you manage to time travel Mr. Potter." The lead grey cloak continued.
"I time traveled?"
"Yes, now how do you think that happened."
So he told them everything how Voldemort breached the blood wards at number 4 privet drive. At that everyone started talking loudly before the leader silenced them and told him to continue. He told them about the wands connecting like in the graveyard, at the mention of the graveyard the leader stopped all forms of interruption with a raised hand. Then he told them about the explosion of energy and the afterlife. Next came the conversation with his mother and the knowledge about what his scar really was. At the mention of the afterlife some of the grey cloaks looked giddy with excitement, like years of research was finally proven. Though at the mention of the horcruxes the grey cloaks went tense. The leader then had him explain his whole life, everything from 15 months old through the triwizard tournament. He tried to close off when they asked him about his home life but whatever they gave him forced him to tell them about the starvations, the abuse, and the neglect. One of the grey cloaks was visually shaking an anger ranting about how she begged to take him in (at least he thought it was a female, it was hard to tell with the obsuring of the hoods and voices, but judging by the build it looked female), but was blocked by Albus Dumbledore who said he was safe.
"SPARROW, CALM YOURSELF," The leader shouted causing the one called Sparrow to quiet, "You know as well as me we can't change what has happened only what is to happen after the timelines sync up, you can cut Dumbledore to pieces as soon as the timeline matches up," pausing the leader continued "we can't allow a paradox to occur or bad things will happen."
"Besides he's still under 17 so he still needs a place to go, different name or not. Even if your daughter is gonna jump on him like a starving lion." he finished chuckling causing most of the grey cloaks to laugh also, with much muttering Sparrow said "Of course I'll take him in, even if Dora's gonna be a nightmare" causing her to shake her head in what looked like annoyance.
The leader continued his questioning of his life, when he got to third year and the innocence of his godfather, Sparrow was again shaking with anger, at least until one of the grey cloaks put an arm around her calming her this time. Merlin knows why he didn't do that the first time though, considering how fast her rants stopped this time. He continued with the triwizard tournament and the return of Riddle, at that the room turned silent as he continued with the ministry calling him a fraud and a liar and Riddles attack at privet drive.
"Well Mr. Potter thats an interesting if not terrifying life you've lived," The leader said chuckling "Unfortunately we can't do much until the timelines sync up but you can believe we will start getting everything in motion for when it does so we can take You-Know-Who and his Death Eaters down hard and fast, hopefully avoiding this new war that was on the horizon." As he was saying this the last effects of the potion they gave him wore off, leaving him annoyed, embarassed, and slightly frightened at having to explain his home life.
"We will also harvest that basilisk you killed in your second year when we can, after the fact of course, a specimen that old could provide us with a wealth of knowledge and protection. You will get money for the corpse, as you did kill it, we will take our cut for it's rendering though. I'll also look into ways to save the diggory boy but try to keep the timeline intact, I have a couple ideas but we will have to wait and see for now." One of the grey cloaks sighed in what sounded like relief at that.
Hearing that Harry for the first time perked up in hope, maybe things would be alright, I mean one of the few people that had been killed so far might be able to be saved thereby averting some of the death toll in this coming war.
"I will also be requesting pensieve memories so we can figure out ways to fix things before they get too far out of control, Riddle is not gaining the support he had before if I have anything to say about it" He spat out clearly showing his hatred for Voldemort, causing most of the grey cloaks to yell out in aggreement.
"Now Mr. Potter before I answer any questions you have let me explain who we are and what we do." The leader said.
"Now have you heard of the Unspeakables Mr. Potter." with a shake of his head no, the leader went on "The Unspeakables work in what is known as the department of mysteries, we research estoric magic and combat threats before they become them. Unlike most departments though you don't apply for work here, we do the recruiting. Now we have seperate divisions and such, not that I can tell you much since your not one of us yet."
At the word yet Harry looked up in confusion, causing some of them to chuckle. "Yes, yet. With what you have done and your two bloodline gifts you would be prime recruitment material. Merlin, parseltongue alone is a very sought after ability in this department."
Before he was able to interrupt though he was stopped with the man continuing his speech, "Now you still have to go finish your education at Hogwarts, we will have you go in as a 5th year transfer. You will be dropping divination and transferring to ancient runes and arthimancy if you want a place here of course. I don't know what you were thinking taking divination, it's a useless subject unless you have the gift," he said shaking his head in disgust, causing Harry's face to heat up in embarrasment. "Anyways you still have plenty of time to think of this as a career choice, for now we will help you acclimate to this time period. Sparrow and Badger will be your guardians until the time you are 17, which should have been the case even before this event, at least if things went their way."
At that Harry stilled, he was supposed to go to somebody else? He honestly felt anger at the headmaster for meddling with his life and subjecting him to the 'tender mercies' of the Dursleys, Merlin how he hoped they were died (or would be dead). At that he felt ashamed that he wanted them to die no matter how much they hurt him.
"Now Mr. Potter"
"Just call me Harry sir" Harry Interuptted
"Then Croaker to you Harry, not sir." He said with a chuckle, "Now then judging by your tellings of the Basilisk it is worth a small fortune and since we are not changing things, we will loan you 50 thousand galleons. 10 thousand a year for the next 5 years, which should see you through hogwarts next 3 years and set you up until the timelines merge even if it isn't as big as you remembered we will take out the money in the Potter family vault which should be more than sufficient if the basilisk isn't there when we go to harvest. Though I doubt that, considering it needs a parseltongue to get in and there very rare, not to mention we will probably harvest the day after if not the same day the event occurs."
He paused as he looked at Harry, at least Harry thought he was looking at him. It was bloody hard to tell with that blasted cloak.
"Most likely the Basilisk will be worth half a million to a million galleons depending on the size, even so wouldn't want to flood the market with Basilisk ingredients it will drive the price down. Though you won't be able to sell the fangs or venom considering they are both illegal to own and sell, which is why the department will take those type of ingredients as its cut, along with some hide to be sewn into our cloaks for protection."
"You can take all the hide, as long as i can get a cloak of some kind with it's protection." Harry chimed in. At that a few of the unspeakables breathed sighs of relief, as basilisk hide was stronger than even dragon hide, making it one of the most powerful protective hides/armors possible.
"We will of course pay you fairly for the hide, though it will have to be slowly over time, budgets must be observed after all." He said laughing, even in a top secret outfit budgets were still dreaded topics.
Conjuring a chair Croaker sat down motion for the others to follow his lead. Once everyone was seated he started, "Now we are what is known as the Unspeakable high council, most unspeakables don't know others identities unless they are in the same team or they recruited a member. We of course know each others identities since we are all members of the council. Now as I said Sparrow and Badger will be your guardians until the time you graduate Hogwarts as they are specified in your parents will, which was sealed by Albus Dumbledore."
At this Harry was about to erupt in anger before Croaker silenced him with a raised hand. "Now I know it seems as if this is his fault why you were left at the Dursleys" he spat. "But with many dark families trying to get a hands on the Potter wealth, which is substantial and your fame it was truly the best he could do."
Turning towards Sparrow and Badger, "Now lower your cloaks this conversation will be easier if we use your real names." As he said that they lowered their cloaks revealing a beautiful middle aged woman and a middle age man who looked as if he had seen much but retained his optimism and love for life.
"This is Ted and Andromeda Tonks, they are technically distantly related to you through your great grandmother Dorea Potter nee Black, Andromeda was born Andromeda Black but was disowned for marrying Ted because he's a muggleborn. Andromeda is your godfather Sirius cousin."
Harry perked up at this, "Why couldn't they take me in."
Andromeda face morphed from a smile to a scowl at this causing Ted to premptively wrap his arm around her in comfort.
"Because Harry, Andromeda was disowned from the Black family causing her to have the second claim to you. Her sister was never dishoned so she had more claim then her and since her husband was a known death eater I assume Dumbledore thought it was safer to let you grow up with your aunt and uncle."
Taking a moment to control his breathing before he asked "Her sister?"
"Narcissa Malfoy" Andromeda responded with the scowl still adorned on her face.
At that Harry paled, images of growing up with the ponce Draco flitting through his head. Then thoughts of how long would he have lived if he actual was taken there.
"Ah I see that you realize the conundrum that would have befell you if you would have ended up with Lucius Malfoy." Croaker said in anger. "I doubt you would have lived to see your second birthday, not only would they have first claim outside your aunt and uncle but with your death the Potter family holdings would have been absorbed into the Malfoys."
At this Andromeda muttered about it wasn't enough for them to have the Black family holdings before she was interrupted by Croaker.
"But they don't have any claim to the Black Family Holdings Andromeda." At this the Andromeda looked at him in surprise before he spoke "Sirius blood adopted and proclaimed Harry his heir at his birth according to ministry records, which conveniently got misplaced," Croaker said with a smile. Which in turn caused Andromeda to laugh and Ted to smirk in obvious happiness at the Malfoy's misfortune.
"Sirius blood adopted me? What does that even mean."
"Well blood adoptions are usually done for those that are cast outs from other families, muggleborns, or in some cases away to keep the family wealth out of the hands of some more questionable family members. As is the case with you. Blood adoption doesn't really do anything other than allow you access that families livelihood, well depending upon the head of the household anyways, it's more of a symbolic gesture, at least since family magics disappeared. The last known family magics were The Peverells which went extinct almost 700 years ago when Iolanthe Peverell married into the Potter family. No one knows what happened to family magics, some believe the gods took it away from us due to our arrogance."
"Honestly Harry you won't have to worry about any of the Black family financials for at least 7 years depending on Sirius of course, which we will do our utmost to exonerate when the day you left occurs." Andromeda said with conviction.
"7 years... I went back in time 7 years?" Harry barely got out, honestly he was starting to panic. What was he supposed to do for 7 years. 7 years he wouldn't be able to spend time with Ron or Hermione, and when the time passed he would be older and not in school anymore, would they still wanna be his friends?
Before his meltdown could reach astronomical proportions Andromeda got up and wrapped him in a hug, stiffing for a second before he broke down in tears. The whole time Andromeda whispering to him that it would be alright, that she and Ted would take care of him and that he wasn't alone. Honestly it was a comfort to know somebody that he never met would be there for him even regarding his weird temporal status.
After what felt like was hours but was in reality only about 5 minutes he calmed himself down enough and asked a question he had been pondering since Croaker said he would be going with the Tonks.
"Why would you take me in." Harry asked softly afraid to even voice this one thought. With this question Andromeda pulled away and placed her hands on his shoulders, Ted approached and wrapped his left arm around her waist.
"You listen to me Harry James Potter, we always wanted you. IF NOT for Dumbledore's meddling and The Malfoy's you would have grown up with us and had a big sister. We loved your parents, James was like a brother to me. Your grandfather recruited me and Ted to the unspeakables and helped me when I was disowned from my family. The Potters were more mine and Sirius family then the Black's ever were." As she explained to Harry tears started streaming down her eyes, just as they were Teds.
"Andi's right son, the Potters were our family just as they were yours. They may not have been my blood like they were yours and Andi's but they were there for us when no one else was. They didn't care about my blood and they protected me from the threats from Andi's family. Fleamont would be disappointed in us if we didn't help you, but honestly I would be more disappointed in us then he ever could if we turned away some of the only family we had left." He said with a soft smile on his face.
Harry broke down completely at the sincere words that left the Tonks mouths, for the first time he could remember he wrapped them both in a hug. Hopefully with this he could have the family he always wanted and they would want him.