A DAY'S WORTH
Chapter 1
Disclaimer: Harry Potter belongs to J.K. Rowling and all other recognizable characters belong to their respective owners.
-ADW-
Somewhere in Wales
October 31st 1998
Harry shivered as he slowly gained consciousness. He breathed in deeply taking in the familiar scent of the forest that surrounded his cottage from where he was lying on the forest floor.
Wait what?
Harry sprang to his feet, his body feeling slightly sluggish as he surveyed his surroundings in the early morning light. He was standing inside a small clearing, a very familiar clearing as he had stood here years ago after he had just purchased this land where he built his cottage.
Where the bloody hell is King's Cross station.
Remembering what had happened the last time he had died, Harry looked at his body and sure enough, he was naked. What was curious though was the fact that his body looked exactly as it had looked when he had died at the hand of Voldemort during the battle of Hogwarts. That was probably why he had felt like he was occupying someone else's body.
Like last time, he thought of clothes but nothing happened so he waved his hand and wandlessly conjured himself a tshirt and a pair of jeans. He had mastered using wandless magic during his travels especially for simple transfiguration and conjuration as well as charms. Spells and hexes however required a wand.
The thought of his wand had him looking around for his trusty Phoenix feather wand but it was no where to be seen. He seemed to remember having had it when he died the first time but it had been to long that he wasn't sure anymore.
Slipping on the conjured clothes, Harry conjured himself a plush looking chair, the same chair he usually sat in while watching the sun set in his home. The early morning sunlight streamed into the clearing as he patiently waited for someone to appear and talk to him. Luna had said his death would be different, perhaps he would be getting an explanation afterall.
And so he waited.
And waited.
And waited some more.
"Bloody hell." Harry sighed, standing up when he felt like he had waited long enough. "Uh, hello? Anyone out there? Mr. Death? Anyone?"
"Tempus."
Harry said when he felt like he had embarrassed himself enough for the moment while at the same time trying to avoid acknowledging the realization that he may not be as dead as he had initially thought.
Even in Death, you will never be like the rest of us and there is nothing you can do about it.
That is what Luna had told him and sure enough, the red glowing figures that appeared told him.
9:00
31st-10-1998
Wales, Forest.
Harry had modified the time telling spell so that it is able to tell the general location of the caster. Somehow he was very sure the spell never worked in the after life or if there was even a place called Wales in the afterlife. Harry sank down in his chair as that information settled in his mind. He had died back in 2163 only to wake up in the very year when he killed Voldemort.
Which meant that he had somehow time-traveled.
Harry wasn't as thrilled with the idea as he would have thought. During his travels with Luna, they had discovered that with the right amount of magic and under the right circumstances, one was able to travel back in time for even years. They had done it a couple of times but then realized that they would only be spectators to the events that had happened without the power to do anything about it.
And even if he was capable of changing the future this time since it hadn't been in his power to travel back, he knew there wasn't anything he would rather change about his life. Granted there are decisions he would have wished to have done differently were he given a second chance but everything had turned out well enough for him that he had been content with what his life had been at the time of his death.
His death was another thing.
Was his younger self running around somewhere with an even younger Ginny? And if he ran into them, what would he tell them as at this point he would look exactly like his eighteen-year-old self.
He knew if he were to come face to face with a clown of his at eighteen, he would not hesitate to kill him especially with the stress and paranoia of the war still high.
Therefore, Harry wasn't thrilled to test out that theory even though he knew that he would almost effortlessly subdue his young self if he was attacked.
With a sigh, Harry decided to face the music as he was even starting to feel hungry. The first place he thought of going was #12 Grimmauld place as if he remembered correctly he had spent about five years after the war before visiting his Godfather's place. If there was somewhere he knew for sure that he wouldn't ran into younger Harry then it would be the old grim house.
Cloaking himself with magic, Harry teleported to the familiar alley a two blocks from his target. Silently like he almost didn't exist, Harry ghosted across the street until he was staring at the familiar house. However, he immediately felt like something was off. For starters the house looked to be in better shape than he remembered it being at this time of the year.
Granted Teddy had renovated it when he had lived there after finishing at Hogwarts and before he married Lily but it had never looked this... new. In fact, this look was so out of place that Harry had to double check on the numbering to make sure that he was at the right house.
The other thing which made Harry pause was the fact that he couldn't feel any wards around the home. As if that wasn't enough, a pizza delivery guy parked right infront the house and rang the doorbell. After a few seconds, a girl that looked to be in her teens opened the door, paid the guy and closed the door.
There were people living in his home and they were muggles!
The idea of meeting his young self wasn't so unappealing now as he was going to need some that thought, Harry teleported to the alley across the Leakey Cauldron.
Harry was so glad that he was still cloaked as he wouldn't have wanted anyone to see his expression when he arrived. The old pub was no where to be seen, in its place was a three-story town house which looked out of place compared to those surrounding it but no one seemed to mind it. Infact there was a group of teens engrossed in their phones leaning on the wall near the entrance of the building.
The address, 177A Bleecker Street was also odd given that he knew of no such street, especially around here. However, he couldn't feel any magic from it, atleast compared to the Leaky Cauldron which had been like a beacon to those who knew how to look. There was an echo of magic from it, one he didn't recognize though and even as he tried to concentrate on it, it seemed to slip away from his magical senses.
With more questions, and none of the answers he had hopped to get, Harry refused to acknowledge what his mind was trying to tell him and teleported to the one place where he would get answers if there were any to get in the first place.
Harry's invisible form arrived at the edge of the forbidden forest and he sank to the ground.
There was no Hogwarts.
In its place there was a bloody military school. A muggle military school.
Harry teleported to Hogsmead, to King's Cross, to the location of the Barrow, to Egypt, to Stonehenge and in all these places, there was no magic. Some didn't even exist.
Harry teleported to Luna's place, atleast where he hopped to find Luna's place and was surprised when he found the familiar Lovegood house on the hill. He stood there on the doorstep watching the door not knowing what to do but the decision was taken out of his ha ds when the door opened and a girl opened the door.
A girl who looked like a sixteen year old Luna that was staring in the exact place where his invisible form was standing.
"Hello, I'm Larry Povegood. " she greeted cheerily. "Are you a ghost."
Harry laughed.
-ADW-
December 24th 2004
Somewhere in Italy.
Harry stood still as a statue, his foot discreetly tapping slowly along the beat being played by the band. He lifted his hand to loosen the bow tie slightly even as a cool breeze wafted through the ball room from the large windows leading to the balcony behind him.
"For a bunch cold blooded killers..." A voice said in his ears. "These buggers have some excellent taste in wine."
"For once I wholeheartedly agree with Jack." Another older voice replied.
"And the women, Jake." Jack pipped in. "Dont forget the women."
"Ah, for a moment there I nearly forgot your one track mind."
"Hey." Jack argued. "I dont have a one track mind."
"But of course." Jake agreed, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
From where he was standing, Harry observed his friends. At thirty, Jack looked quite neat in his black tux where he was seated in the mini-Casino, both hands wrapped around two dark skinned beauties. He was quite well built, his muscles visible even through the suit he was wearing. While not at body-builder level, he was the most muscular on the team of three and had a dry sense of humor mixed in with no small amount of arrogance.
He looked like a spoiled rich young man without a care in the world. The image was further reinforced by the mess of unruly blond hair not unlike Harry's own raven black.
Jake, the oldest of the trio at thirty-nine was standing a little away from the group in a white tux of his own. His long red hair falling upto his shoulders and well trimmed beard made him look older than he is meant to be. Jake was probably the most serious of the trio but probably the most dangerous of the three.
He was conversing with a beautiful Italian woman who was eyeing him like he was an extremely delicious piece of meat. Jake didn't seem to even notice though he could be forgiven as he will be getting married on New-year's Eve in a few days.
Speaking of...
"I still can't believe you didn't make me your bestman." Jack complained and Harry resisted the urge to sigh.
"Like I have told you a thousand times, the bestman is a reflection to the groom." Jake replied patiently. "And I would rather be reflected by Harry's snooty talking mirrors."
"Yeah, that would embarrassing." Jack snorted and Harry suppressed a smile. "Last time I used one the bloody thing told me I was getting old!"
"Well you are getting old."
"Shut up Jake." Jack retorted. "You are the bugger who is getting married, as if this world couldn't get any more ridiculous."
"Well, isn't my fault that you can't get a girl that loves enough_"
"Oh spare me the love crap." Jack interrupted. "I have no doubt Claire just felt pity on you."
"Take that back, blondie."
"Don't you call me blondie!"
"Blondie."
"Shut up!"
"How eloquent."
"Children." Harry interrupted before the conversation could get any more childish. He had found himself the leader of the trio despite his apparent age.
"Sorry Mom." Jake said and Jack snorted.
"Yeah, mom." Jack was snickering. "Did you bring us some cookies."
The two also tended to act half their ages at times. Well, Jack most of the time actually.
"Soo... what is your plan for after the wedding, Jack?" Jake asked trying to distract the man child.
"Well, I was thinking of travelling around the world in thirty days."
There was a moment of silence and then the redhead asked hesitantly.
"And then?"
"Well that's it."
"You do realize we shall probably not be called upon for the next three years?"
"Well, He-Who-Has-a-plan-for-everything." Jack drawled with a hint indignation. "Why dont you tell us your grand retirement-post marriage plans."
"As a matter of fact I do have a retirement plan." Jake stated in amusement. "Me and Claire were actually planning to start an International Electronics Company."
"That was your plan?" Harry pipped and Jack snorted.
"What the married old man is saying is that Claire had an idea and he agreed to fund it."
"Hey, it was originally my idea." Jake retorted. "She just came up with part of the plan."
"You mean you thought of it and Claire planned on how it would actually become real?"
"Heads up guys." Harry interrupted before it could turn into another argument. "Target number six just arrived."
"Er, guys I thought the target was a man."
"Yes, and he just entered through the main entrance."
"Oh, right."
"What Jack is saying is 'sorry guys, I've been watching the wrong entrance.'"
Harry watched as the two effortlessly left their current company, in Jack's case disentangling himself from the ladies and got into their positions. They each swiped a finger on one of the runes on their communication buttons activating the in-built Notice-me-not.
He surveyed the six targets. Each a dangerous notorious criminal in his own right that had become too powerful for the British government to handle legally or through any other means. Therefore, they had called in the trio of mercenaries for lack of a better word.
Three individuals trained for three solid years by the British government to execute this kind of missions. They had been doing this for the last three years and tonight, they would finally get rid of the last six of the targets and then disappear from the face of the world for as long as was needed.
For this particular mission, it had taken Jack almost a full year to integrate himself into the group of Gangsters and finally today, their efforts will be finally paying off and they would be able to live a semblance of a normal life for atleast a year.
Jake gracefully walked towards the stage where an elegant piano had been placed. He settled at the stool and started captivating the audience with his skill and Harry had to pause for a moment to marvel at his friend's skill.
With each note of the piano, Harry and Jack maneuvered themselves in position knowing they would have less than five seconds to kill their targets before the window was lost. With each key of the piano, energy was building beneath it in preparation for an EMP that would temporarily disable all electronics in the building. Lights and cameras alike.
The moment the last key was pressed, Harry was already in motion, having strategically stepped between two of his three targets that had been in conversation before Jake's performance. The EMP swept across the room at the same time as Harry conjured two very sharp daggers and when the lights went off, he simply placed the daggers on the targets' throats and slashed at their fat necks.
In the same movement, he turned and threw the daggers at the third kingpin and was rewarded by a choke knowing the daggers had penetrated the man's reinforced suit straight through his attacks. Harry flickered, teleporting back to his cottage in Wales even as he sent a pulse of magic into the communication buttons in his friends' ears which triggered the port-keys.
A second later, three seconds after the lights had gone off, they came back on only to reveal the six remaining Mafias all lying on the ground in pools of blood. Like the others who had died before them, there was no sign of the daggers that had been used to kill the six most dangerous Mafias.
Many heads rolled as the killers were sought to no avail.
It would be a couple of months later that anyone even considered to think about the three British who also attended the party. However, no one else at the party even remembered any British there. The fact that the person couldn't even describe the color of their suits showed how irrelevant they were and were just as easily forgotten.
-ADW-
31st December 2006
A quiet Wedding.
At a quiet church.
A cold breeze swept through the old church making many of its occupants shiver. Winter was beginning to set in and Scotland was reacting well enough. Infact, before they had entered that morning, had had seen snow falling lightly and had no doubt there was a small layer on the ground.
Beside him, dressed like an army general was Jake constantly fidgeting with his cufflinks. The three members of the aptly named J-force were all promoted to the rank of General when they started their special training.
"Will you stop that!" Jack glared at the groom unconciuosly coping their older friend. "You are making me nervous."
"Sorry." Jake immediately apologized as he stopped his movements.
Harry, also clad in the same uniform like his friends refused to point out how out-of character the two were being. He knew it was nerves as he had felt the feeling a number times waiting for a James' bride and some of his grandsons.
"Relax, Jake." Harry said as he laid a hand on the older man's shoulder. "I highly doubt Claire would forget that today is her wedding day."
Jake made a checking sound as he looking at Harry in horror while Jack snickering to himself.
"Well look at that." Jack said. "The boy has got a sense of humor afterall, this is a glorious day indeed."
Harry watched the small gathering as he expertly ignored Jack's taunts. There were about fifteen people in the church, four of whom he knew worked with Claire at the hospital. One man and three women. The other four were an old man with his equally old wife and what appeared to be their twin granddaughters.
Five teenagers were sitted in the back, clearly having come here not expecting to be crashing a wedding with three British army Generals no less. Another middle aged couple was seated on the second line and the wife was almost shamelessly ogling Jack infront of them.
For once, Jack didn't seem to notice that he had a woman's attention.
The proximity wards he had place around the church alerted him on the arrival of a car and he unconciuosly straightened. Jake gave him a hopeful look and Harry nodded just as they heard a car pull outside the church's great doors.
A moment later, the doors opened to reveal a magnificent sight. Claire, standing in a white dress that seemed to have belonged to a Disney princess was a picture of beauty. Her caramel skin almost glistening with happiness as she locked eyes with the redhead standing beside Harry. Looking at Jake, Harry could see his face flushed, light green eyes shining with love and his face stretched in the widest smile he had ever seen on the older man.
"Bloody hell." Jack exclaimed staring at the woman as if seeing g her for the first time and Jake glared at him good naturedly.
"Oh no, I admit your bride is an angel straight from heaven but that fairy on her arm." Jack sighed dreamily. "Now that I can't even begin to describe."
The fairy in question blushed prettily, her face resembling her red hair. Little Jenny as they had gotten to calling her, escorting her soon to be stepmom towards her father. The nine-year-old was looking very pretty in a dress similar to Claire's only hers had light red wings attached to the back.
Jenny Summers was the apple of Jake's heart, well before he found Claire but now they will have to share that heart. She was a sweetheart and was loved by the three almost like she was the daughter to all of them. That fact that she reminded Harry of his own Nebula was just icing on the cake as Jenny looked like how Harry imagined Nebula would be if she had the red hair common amongst Harry's female descendants.
They marched towards to pulpit, the church band playing diligently and with in a minute, they were standing before them. Harry hugged Claire, offering his congratulations and took Jenny's hand and led her to the front seat where Jack had been waiting. A wide grin on his face.
Before they sat down, Harry discreetly conjured a white rose and handed it to her with a bow.
"A white rose for the brightest flower tonight."
"Why, thank you kind sir." Jenny gave an exaggerated curtsy, giggling the whole time.
They took their seats and the rest of the ceremony was spent with Jack showering the girl with compliments. All in all, it was a simple ceremony and soon enough, the five headed to a hotel where the wedding dinner had been scheduled.
Harry for the most part spent the reception simply watching and revelling in his friend's happiness. He had a dance or two with Claire and a number with Jenny but the two ladies spent their time mostly with their men. From what the young girl had told him, she will be having her own wedding with Jack tomorrow.
The guests were mostly Claire's list as the three members of the J-force didn't have many friends outside of themselves. Those few who came had known Jake before he had joined the army and some had known Jenny's mother and through her, Jake. All in all, Harry didn't know most of the people so he kept mostly to himself. Jack on the other hand seemed to get along with anyone regardless of their age and Harry saw him twirling around the ballroom with one of Jenny's friends.
"He is quite something isn't he." A voice said and he looked the the American woman with a smile. "I swear I have danced with him almost as much as I have danced with my husband. And never seems to get tired!"
"I wouldn't let Jake hear you say that." Harry commented and Claire laughed.
"Oh, you should have seen his face." She smiled fondly. "He was glaring at anyone not you or Jake that even came near me."
"Yeah, the old man has always been quite territorial." Harry agreed having seen Jake intimidate more a few of Claire's colleagues as they tried to ask for a dance."
"The poor fool." She sighed. "As if the fact that he will have me all to himself for the next month."
"Ok, now you are just trying to make me jealous."
Claire laughed.
"Not at all. It's about time you got yourself a significant other."
"Hey, its Jack that's next in line."
"Oh, I shudder at the thought of Jack getting married."
The two shared a laugh as they watched the blond jump from one woman to another like he was on steroids.
"Well, he is quite enamored with Young Jenny." Harry commented. "Infact, their marriage is scheduled for tomorrow.
"The poor girl." She sighed dramatically wiping a non existent tear. "She has no idea what she is getting into."
"I would like to see you tell her that."
Harry laughed as he saw Jack and Jenny going for another dance. The girl herself seemed not to get tired and the others were actively avoiding her which left only Jack as her only option. The man was more than willing though.
"And speaking of marriage, where has the groom disappeared to?" Harry asked and Claire frowned.
"He has gone to the bathroom." Claire said, her frown become pronounced. "Said he wasn't feeling well but it has been quite a while. Perhaps we should check on him."
"Oh dont worry I can..." Harry trailed off at the stubborn look in her eye and quickly amended his next statement. "But of course, let's by all means go and check on your beloved husband, Mrs. Summers."
She smiled sweetly at him and Harry followed her to the men's restrooms. Before leaving the ball room, he saw Jack and Jenny dancing while chattering quite enthusiastically about Merlin only knew what. Harry entered with Claire on his heels not even concerned with the fact that she was entering the Men's restrooms.
Only one stall was in use and Harry knocked lightly.
"You're alright in there mate?" He asked leaning his ear on the door. "Do you think it wise to abandon your new bride this soon?"
Claire snorted but didn't say anything. After a moment without an answer, Harry frowned and grasped the handle, sending a small burst of magic and it clicked open. He opened the door and Claire gasped from where she stood before brushing past him into the small stall. He took one look at his friend's slit throat and immediately sprang into action.
Hopping Jack was still with Jenny, Harry sent a burst of magic into the cufflinks on the shirts of both his friends activating the emergency portk-keys. Jake's body disappeared along with Claire where she was sobbing in his chest and the wards at the Cottage in Wales alerted him to the arrival of both Jack and Jenny.
Harry teleported back to the ballroom, his magic freezing everyone in their places while he teleported from one person to another skimming through their minds effortlessly.
He found three people, each of them sent to assassinate him, Jack and Jake. They had even gone ahead to plant a bomb that was to go off if by the end of the party any of the three Generals were still alive. They didn't know much about why they were sent to kill but Harry saw enough in their minds to know where to look next.
Someone was going to be very sorry.
-ADW-
AN: Hi guys, that is chapter one for you. The chapters will be getting longer as we move on. Next chapter we shall be seeing what happened in the six years since Harry arrived and hopefully get deeper into our OCs.
Anyway, anyone who watches the Marvel shows may have an idea what will happen with our Nurse Claire Summers as she will be our link to one if the shows. Enough of the spoilers, see you next chapter.