December 31st, 1976

Potter Manor

Anabella turned to Regulus and grabbed his hands within her own. "Reg-,"

"How bad?"

"What?" she shook her head, confused.

"How badly did he hurt you?"

She glanced at the door for a moment as Severus and Avery walked in, looking very much like they'd taken up the role of bodyguards. "I'm fine, love."

"Let me see."

She held up her wrist for him. It had bruised rapidly, already turning purple and blue. His hand hovered over it, just barely not touching it. Still, he looked at her. "What else?"

"Just my hip," she told him. "I'm fine, really."

"Show me."

She stared at him. "No."

"Ana!"

"Regulus! No. Severus and Avery are in here. I'm not about to take my dress off."

"Then they can leave!"

"Yep, I'm out," Avery decided, giving a short wave as he pulled Severus out of the room.

Irritated, Anabella looked back to Regulus, ready to snap at him. She stopped, however, when she saw the complete and utter fear that had gripped him. Sighing, she squeezed his hand. "Let's go to my room and I'll show you."

The relief colored his face as she led him through the kitchen, to the stairs, and up to her bedroom. She closed, locked, and warded the door, just in case Yaxley found his way up there. When they were finally alone and in a safe spot, she had him unzip her dress and took it off, folding the silver, silk dress and setting it on the chair by the window.

"Ana," he whispered, his fingers ghosting over the matching bruise on her hip. It showed that he'd clearly held her as low as possible without being overtly inappropriate. The sight seemed to make him sick, and it certainly made her feel a bit nauseous. "Fuck."

"I'm okay," she said just as softly, leading him over to sit on the bed. "I'm okay, it- he just…"

"You're not okay," he disagreed gently. "You're not, or I wouldn't have been looking for you. You're terrified."

She squeezed her eyes shut but opened them again quickly when all that she saw was Yaxley's dark eyes. "I don't know what to say to make you feel better."

He stared, confused. "Nothing. I don't want to feel better. This is about you, not me. How do I help you?"

"Just… hold me," she requested quietly. "Maybe put some bruise paste on me."

Regulus nodded and grabbed her wrist again, gently, and pulled it to his mouth. He kissed it softly over and over before releasing it and moving down to, carefully, kiss her hip the same way. He stopped when she gasped, assuming he'd hurt her. "I'm sorry."

"No, look," she shook her head, pointing down at her hip. He glanced at it and was surprised to find the bruise beginning to fade, a golden sheen of magic melting into her skin. "It's like… my eyes."

Regulus touched where the bruise had been very gently. "Magic can heal you, but… that really does look like your eyes. Maybe…"

"I read something once about the effect that a soulmate can have on your magic," she told him slowly. "Maybe… you did this."

"With the magic in your eyes," he understood. He'd read about soul bonds as well as he grew up, and he couldn't find any holes in her logic. "That makes sense."

"Come here," she requested. He glanced at the bed and back at her, and she just raised an eyebrow at him. So, he moved further onto the bed and gasped a little as she kissed him hard.

He kissed back just as hard, fighting for dominance in the kiss. It wasn't long before he'd managed to win and rolled on top of her. As soon as she could, she started to remove his clothes, moving to remove her underwear as he worked faster on his own clothes.

It was an hour later when they heard a knock at the door. They'd finished what they were doing and laid on the bed together quietly, living together in the peaceful, quiet moment. At the sound of the knock, Anabella squealed and ran to put her dress on, waving for Regulus to stay on the bed, which was mostly out of sight of the door. She opened it and found Sirius looking deeply relieved. "What are you doing here?"

"What are you doing here?" he asked. "I had to ask Rosier if he'd seen you and apparently, he saw you with Yaxley. That was the last time."

"That was a while ago," she assured him. "I got out fine. I just need some time alone."

Sirius narrowed his eyes at her. "Your hair is messed up."

"I was lying down."

He clearly didn't believe her, but he shrugged. "Fireworks start in a half hour. You shouldn't miss them- they're great."

"I'll be down by then," she promised. He turned to leave, but she grabbed his arm. "Thanks for checking on me, Sirius."

"Always will, Bel."

Once he was gone, she shut the door and laughed, tipping her head back. "He definitely knows."

"Ana."

"Yeah?" she asked, looking back. Her breath caught when she saw him sitting on the bed - dressed already, to her surprise - with a small box in his hands. "Oh."

"Come here," he requested. She made her way over and sat next to him. "I wanted to do this before we took any other important steps in our relationship, but things never seem to go as planned with you, do they?"

"Not typically."

"Anabella, I am in love with you," he told her seriously. "You are the most incredible, mesmerizing person I have ever met. Your selflessness astounds me. I would be the luckiest man in the world if you would consider being my wife."

She breathed out sharply, willing the tears not to fall yet. "You know we'd either have to do it in secret, or we'd have to wait until we got to 1998, right?"

"Of course."

"Yes," she nodded quickly. "Yes, of course."

Anabella wasn't sure she'd ever seen Regulus smile so big, or feel so much pure joy over their bond. She accepted the ring and found it automatically resizing as she put it on her finger. Smiling down at it, she spoke. "I think I'd prefer to get married sooner rather than later."

"I think I feel the same."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

"I don't know why they think they're hiding it well," Sirius told James. "I mean, her hair's a fucking mess and he forgot his gloves."

"You're disgusting, Pads."

"Look at them and tell me you don't think they fucked."

"I think I'm going to hex you if you don't stop," James warned him. "C'mon, the fireworks are starting."

Across the room, Anabella and Regulus had reluctantly separated. While he made his way over to their friends, she came to sit on the blanket covering the grass with Fabian and Gideon. She let out a happy sigh and rested her head on Fabian's shoulder. "How're you two holding up?"

"We've gone to these our entire life," Gideon laughed. "How are you holding up?"

"Tonight's been exhausting," she told them. "But ultimately good."

"I heard you went to handle the Lestrange brothers without me," Fabian nudged her with his arm. "Why?"

Anabella grimaced. "Long story."

"Then tell it."

"Just… Yaxley again."

"Again?"

She looked between the twins and blinked. She hadn't told them about Yaxley, had she? "Oh."

"What's he done, Pip?" Fabian wondered, frowning as he looked her over closely. "He's a nasty one."

"He…" she grimaced. "He's been after me. You know when I canceled our meetings to work on the spell for like two weeks?"

"Yeah?"

"He tried to kill me in the library. If Severus hadn't been there, he would've."

"Jesus fuck," Gideon cursed. "Why?"

"Because I caught him being a fucking creep to Mary and stunned and jinxed him. Before that, he- he tried something and Regulus turned him to stone to get me away from him."

"Christ," Fabian shook his head. "So he's after you. What the hell did he do tonight?"

"Just kinda… grabbed me," she shrugged. "Orion Black got me out, and then I got away, grabbed Alphard, and we got the Lestrange brothers."

"Your mum is bound to lose it," Gideon told her seriously. "Have you told her yet?"

"No, and I'm not going to," she said seriously. "She'd get him sent to Azkaban, and I can't let him go there yet."

"Why?"

"He still has things… he has to do for the future."

"You're willing to let him be free and do whatever he wants to preserve your future?" Fabian asked. His tone wasn't accusatory- it was concerned.

Anabella shrugged. "I didn't come here to change anything. In fact, I came here knowing I have to do everything I possibly can to preserve time. You say 'your future' but it's yours, too. When I go back… when we can, we'll get him. For now… yeah, he gets to do whatever the fuck he wants. I can't interfere. If he attacks another student and gets sent to Azkaban, fucking good for him. If he's careful, if he stays out until the end of… this… I don't know, guys."

Fabian rubbed her back with a small smile. "Well, it's a good thing you've got me at school with you. I'll keep an eye out for you. I'm sure your friends are losing it now."

"My boys know because apparently Yaxley went around saying shit after Orion interrupted us. James, Sirius, and them… I'll be telling them in the morning."

"Good luck with that," Gideon chuckled.

"Yeah, thanks."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

January 1st, 1977

Potter Manor

"He did what?" James nearly screeched. Anabella raised an eyebrow at him silently. "Bella!"

"Jamie!" she shot back. She looked around the room, taking in the sight of her friends. She'd managed to get some of her Slytherins to spend the night, including Severus, Avery, Antonin, and of course, Regulus. Her boyfriend had told his mother that he was staying with Avery, whose parents were on a ski trip in France.

Other than them, the room held James, Sirius, Remus, Lily, and Mary. It was the Gryffindors that seemed to be having a harder time containing their emotions.

"The fucking audacity," Mary said, glaring at the floor. "In your own goddamn home!"

"How'd you get away from him?" Lily asked her, frowning darkly.

Anabella glanced at Sirius nervously. "Actually, Orion Black cut in."

"Father?" Sirius blinked at her in disbelief.

"Yeah. He was… not as bad as I expected. I'm not naive enough to think he's a good person, of course, but…" she shook herself. "He's beside the point. After he got me away from Yaxley… what was it he said, Avery?"

"'Grab that bitch Carter if you see her no matter what,'" Avery quoted. "Yeah, he was planning to kill you last night."

"Fuck!" Sirius cursed loudly.

"What have Lord and Lady Potter said?" Lily wondered.

Anabella shifted uncomfortably. "I haven't told them yet. I think Mum's going to lose her temper."

"Oh, she is," James confirmed. "She's gonna tear him apart."

"She can't send him to Azkaban, Jamie," she sighed.

"Why not? He's hurt you. He deserves to go."

"James," she stared at him. He stared back, confused, before blinking.

"Oh! Oh, the- well that's fucking stupid."

"What?" Mary looked between them. Anabella looked deeply irritated. "What is it?"

"One of those secrets of mine," she waved it off. "And James needs to keep his damn mouth shut."

"Wait," Mary threw her hands up. "Hold on, Carter, wait. Wave your hand like that again."

Confused, Anabella moved her hand the same way she had moments earlier. In the middle of doing so, Mary grabbed her hand out of the air and held it up. "Ah, right."

"That's a Black ring," Antonin commented, watching the Gryffindors lose it.

"Yeah, so…" she glanced at Regulus. "Fuck this war, we're engaged?"

"Jesus, you can't get engaged without telling us!" Sirius exclaimed. "Merlin, Bel. Oh, and Mother is going to kill you, Reg."

"Mother won't find out until it's too late," Regulus grit out. "So everyone here is going to keep their damn mouths shut."

"Okay, I've got something for you guys," Anabella told them, pulling out her beaded bag. She summoned every box and ducked to avoid getting hit with them - it worked, mostly. She quickly arranged them and then passed them out. "There's extras for people that aren't here right now. Open them."

The group did, some of them gasping at the rings. She smiled. "They're charmed to work as shields. They also absorb magic for you to use again in later spells. Aside from that, they're portkeys. Tap them with your wand and say "Portus Potter" and it'll bring you to Potter Manor. Reg, your necklace will work now that you've been here. I'll adjust the spells in a bit."

"It's beautiful," Lily breathed, placing hers on her right hand pointer finger. "How'd you know my favorite colors?"

"James," she shrugged. James tried to smack her, but Regulus threw his hand in between them and glared at him. "Some of you, I guessed. Others, I asked around."

"You're really doing everything you can to keep us safe," Mary understood, smiling down at her ring. "You just popped in at the beginning of the year and decided to save us all?"

Anabella frowned. "No, Mary, I decided to save everyone before I got here. I'm just lucky I get to know all of you while I do it."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

January 3rd, 1977

Hogwarts Classroom

"I've been thinking."

"Yes?"

"I think I need to alter everyone's memories when I go back."

Avery raised an eyebrow. "How do you plan to do that?"

"With Regulus's help," she shrugged. "He's a master Legillimens. I found out the hard way. He's more than capable."

He snorted. "And you think everyone will be comfortable with him entering their minds."

She hesitated. "Oh."

"Yeah, 'oh'."

"Well… I have to alter their memories, but if Reg can't do it…"

"Talk to Croaker," Avery suggested. "The DOM alters memories all the time through non-invasive means."

Anabella nodded. "Good idea. I see him in a bit, anyway."

"How's the spell going?"

"Okay, I guess. I'm trying to calm down, to slow down. It isn't a spell you can rush."

"Keep me updated," he requested before pausing. "You're going to modify my memory, too, aren't you?"

She smiled and shook her head. "No, because you're coming with me. You're supposed to die or disappear sometime soon."

"Cheery. Thanks, Ace."

"Anytime."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

January 4th, 1977

Room of Requirement

"Severus," Anabella said slowly. "I've got something to tell you."

"Mm?" he responded, distracted. He was twisting his wand about a book, testing it for any dark magic. It was one he'd asked to borrow from Regulus, who had gotten it from the library at Grimmauld Place. Anabella distinctly remembered reading that book before fifth year. It was certainly a nasty one, and she didn't think she wanted to know what he needed it for.

"Please pay attention," she said sternly. He looked up in surprise, but he put the book down and his wand away, waving her on.

"Well, you know I'm not… from here," she began slowly. She glanced at Regulus. He was nervous, she could tell. She was sat nearly completely in his lap and he was pretending to read while she spoke, but she saw his wand was gripped tightly in his hand. He was ready to fight one of his best friends for fear of him hurting her.

It was clear Severus saw it too. As she paused, he looked between them with a frown. "What are you trying to say?"

"She's from the future," Regulus answered without looking up. Severus frowned, waiting for the rest of what was surely a joke. When it didn't come, he blinked.

"Come again?"

"I'm from the future," she said.

"The… future. As in, the future."

"Yes, the future, moron," Regulus snapped tensely. "As in, not this time." Severus could see him force his shoulders to relax as he placed a protective arm around Anabella's waist, holding her tightly.

"Care to elaborate?" he questioned carefully. Regulus was far too likely to start cursing if he wasn't careful.

Anabella nodded. "I was born September 19th, 1979. I went to Hogwarts for my first six years. After the sixth, something happened and I had to go on the run with my friends. We were taking a break, staying with some friends as I… um and I spoke with Bertie Croaker and asked him to send me back in time so I could set some things up for the future. Give us a fighting chance to win this goddamn war."

Severus shook his head. "Assuming you're not lying, this war is still going in… what year?"

"1998."

"Merlin."

"It stopped for some time," she promised. "Thirteen years or so. Then, it started again. Sirius told me it started worse in 1995 than it did back here. That's why I'm desperate. I need to fix this."

"Why should I believe you? This seems… unlikely."

"We really need to get more Veritaserum before telling the others," she told Regulus. "Um… I could show you some of my memories."

"No," Regulus said. She raised an eyebrow at him.

"'No'?"

"Ana, no. It's dangerous."

"It's my mind, Regulus!"

"It's my job to keep you safe!" he snapped back.

Anabella scoffed and waved at their friend. "It's just Severus! I happen to know he's a talented Legilimens. He won't accidentally fuck anything up."

"In twenty fucking years! You don't know how talented he is right now, and I am not willing to take that risk."

"Good thing it isn't your mind," she muttered angrily. She looked over at Severus and made eye contact. "Go ahead."

"Uh… no," he shook his head. She stared at him. "I am not going to do anything that will get me cursed by your boyfriend."

"He won't-,"

"I will," Regulus disagreed. "Swear it on your wand, Ana."

"I don't know where my wand went," she admitted. "I lost it like two hours ago."

Regulus stared at her as he pulled it out of his pocket. "I grabbed it as we left the library. I was wondering how long it would take you to notice. I didn't expect you to try something stupid like exposing your mind."

"Fucking rude," she shot him a glare as she grabbed her wand. "I swear on my wand and magic that what I've told Severus about where I come from is true."

Her wand lit up and Severus stared. "Circe…"

"I've only told you because Alphard and Bertie have pointed out that you probably don't and can't fully trust me if you don't know the truth. Now, I need you to take a Vow to keep it a secret."

"Oh," he frowned.

Anabella shifted a little and sighed. "Look, Sev, it isn't that I don't trust you. It's just that I know your position in the future and I need to ensure you cannot share this information. Because I am going back and I am going to end this."

"Write it and I will take the Vow."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

January 13th, 1977

Department of Mysteries

"You got it!" Fabian yelled excitedly. He was grinning ear to ear as Anabella finished the spell and dropped her arm to her side. She paused, feeling suspiciously light and… happy.

"I did," she breathed. She turned and kissed Regulus hard on the lips. He kissed back easily. He'd taken to waiting directly behind her, just in case of any accidental magic outbursts. He was good at calming them just by touching her arms.

"It'll take more practice," Alphard reminded her, though he was smiling as well. "It could take some time, but you've got it, Bella."

"I'm so proud of you, Pip," Fabian told her with a grin.

"I couldn't have done it without you guys," she looked between them. "I'm so excited. Maybe I can start making the rings soon."

"I think it would be good if you use a ring to practice on from now on," Alphard nodded.

"How many did you need to make?" Fabian wondered. He'd never actually asked.

"Ten timekeys, ten portkeys," she answered, thinking. "One timekey for everyone in this room."

"Jesus, we're all going to die?" Fabian asked.

"Not if I can help it."

"How do I die?" Regulus asked tensely.

Anabella looked at her boyfriend anxiously. "Voldemort is going to borrow Kreacher. You have to let him. You'll have Kreacher take you back to where they went- it's a cave. You'll replace the locket with a fake, and be taken by Inferi. That's the assumption, anyway. When you go, though, you have to put up warding around the little island against inferi. Bring water. Do not touch the water in the cave. Once you've… replaced it… use your ring."

"I die over a locket?"

"It's… complicated."

"How complicated?" Alphard asked, clearly concerned for his nephew.

"Horcrux complicated."

"Oh, Jesus fucking Christ."

"Yeah."

"Don't touch it," Alphard warned Regulus. "Wear gloves."

"The first ring I make will go to you," she nodded at Fabian. "Your death happens the first of April."

"Fuck."

"I have a list in order of most important to least. You three and James and Lily are at the top of the list. Avery is at the bottom - I don't know for sure that he comes with me, I'm just assuming."

"Well," Alphard nodded. "If you've got more in you, let's get back to work."

OoOoOoOoOoOo