A/N :Yes, I know I'm sorry I missed last weeks update, I'm soooooo unbelievably busy right now, that till my exams are over I may have slightly irregular updates. Bare with me I'm doing my very best.

Disclaimer: This story is based on characters and situations created and owned by JK Rowling, various publishers including but not limited to Bloomsbury Books, Scholastic Books and Raincoast Books, and Warner Bros, Inc. No money is being made and no copyright or trademark infringement is intended.

Summary: Post OotP Harry receives a 'what if' stone for his birthday and gets thrown into an alternate reality where Sirius was the potter's secret keeper imagine a world with an alive Lily, James and Sirius, and a rather confused Harry. (As usual this will not be slash…I don't write it.)

What if

Chapter thirteen

The vault

"So time is just trying to right itself." James said like it was fascinating.

"Yeah by scaring me witless!" Harry said relieved slightly by the fact he wasn't going crazy.

"Don't you see this is serious? You're going to get worse, and I really don't have time to be researching ways to take you back through dimensions. As the Minister I have lots of things I need to be doing instead," Dumbledore said concernedly.

"Is there no way I can just stay here?" Harry knew as he said it that it wasn't an option.

"Harry darling, as much as we'd love you to stay here, you just heard exactly why you can't. You were never meant to come here," Lily said her eyes shining.

"I know, I know, so I guess the only solution is to hit the books." Harry said thinking of all the times Hermione said something similar.

"I guess so, someone must have wrote a book on escaping parallel universes…" Sirius said his voice hopeful.

"Well, me and Lily will give you as much help as possible obviously, but we do have to go to work. Which means we may not be able to help as much as we would like," James said running his hand through his thick black hair.

"Oh I forgot to ask, what do you do as a job?"

"Oh, did we not tell you? Me and Lily are Aurors," James said conversationally.

"Two of the very best the Ministry has ever seen, may I add!" Sirius piped up excitedly.

"I don't know about that," Lily said while James frowned at Sirius.

"Of course you are, anyway I was an Auror too until when I got bitten. Werewolves are too much of a risk for the ministry," Sirius looked a bit sad at this.

"That's annoying" Harry said aware that his alter self also would be in the same situation when it came to getting a job.

"Yeah, but at least I can help you now."

 "I think I'm gonna need all the help I can get, what if we can't find anything?"

"Well Harry, I'm still looking into that 'what if' stone you used to get here. I'll bet there is some way to reverse the stone," Dumbledore said.

"Let's hope so, I don't fancy going crazy."

"Yeah I wouldn't much fancy that either, mate. What's it like Sirius?" James said laughing.

"It's not that bad," Sirius grinned.

"Well, Harry I wish you the best of luck with your research, please send me updates when you find out anything which may be of use. Here's the key to the vault, use it wisely." Dumbledore handed Harry an old looking key which wriggled in his hand.

"Urg, it's moving!" Harry said in surprise.

"Yes, its an ancient magical key, it's a protection device." Lily said. Harry could tell she was surprised that Dumbledore chose to give the responsibility to him.

"Wow, umm thanks." He said not really sure what to say.

"Of course, I trust you to look after it, 'the shadows' would love to get their hands on it. Anyway I must take my leave, the ministry cannot run for long without its minister. You know where to contact me." Dumbledore walked to the fireplace again and threw some Floo powder into the flames, they turned green and he stepped calmly into them shouting "Ministry of magic!"

As soon as Albus left, Sirius leapt up, "Merlin, I can't believe he let you have the key Harry! That's great!"

"Sirius, I never thought of you as a book worm!" Lily said, her green eyes twinkling.

Sirius turned slightly pink. "I'm not really, It's just think of all the magic stored in those books!"

"Hang, on a second, what actually is this vault? No ones even bothered to tell me!" Harry said hotly.

"Oh gosh Harry, I'm sorry It's just I keep presuming you know all this stuff. Of course you don't know it. The Vault is an extremely large old library, filled with lots of ancient books; they are books, which hold many secrets to unlocking magic. Most of them are dark, but not all they hold lots of information about everything imaginable. I'm willing to bet there's a book in there which can help you out," Lily gushed.

"Great, let's get going, then." Harry said. Lily handed him some Floo powder, and told him to state clearly 'The vault' he did so and was forced to once again relive the nasty spinning sensation which occurred whenever Harry used the Floo network.

Harry fell out of a fireplace and wiped his glasses, when he put them back on, he gasped. The Library was as his mother had described, huge, most of the room was covered in dust. There were one or two fresh trails of footsteps in the dusty floor, which signified Dumbledore had been here not long ago. The library it's self was extremely dark, there were no windows and the only light was given by the odd candles around the room. The candlelight gave a creepy, distorted, flickering view of the room, which seemed to stretch in corridors of books in all directions. Judging from the cold and damp atmosphere Harry thought the room was underground somewhere.

There was a whooshing noise, behind him, which seemed to echo around the huge library. And Sirius fell out.

"Woa, creepy!" Sirius said.

"I'm not sure I like this place." Harry said looking at the nearest candle which was placed precariously on top of a skull.

"Yeah, it's not that great, is it? But hey, if it helps my long lost, alternate godson then I will stay in here all night!" Sirius laughed in his dog like way.

Harry laughed, "It's ok I don't think that's necessary at the moment."

Sirius sighed. "Thank goodness, because I would have been scared silly."

James then fell out of the fireplace. "You're already silly, Padfoot."

"Thanks."

"This place isn't very inviting is it?" James said walking up to the nearest shelf and pulling a book out, he opened it and it immediately burst into flames, James yelped and dropped it, where the book continued to blaze, the room was filled with the light from the fire and Harry could finally see the other walls, the room was not quite as large as it had first appeared.

Sirius sprayed water at the book, using his wand, but it only made it worse.

Lily fell out of the fireplace, "Fine Incantenem" she said and the fire went out. The room became darker because of it. Lily did not comment on the room, but smiled encouragingly at Harry and said. "Albus wouldn't have given you the key if it was too dangerous."

"But anyway I still think we should all cast the 'Fine Incatenem' spell before opening anymore books," James said sensibly.

After this they all assigned themselves a different corridor and started checking the books for any reference to the 'What if stone' or parallel universe travel. This was more interesting than Harry would like to admit, reading through century's worth of ancient magic. He picked up some things he felt would come in useful in a duel with the dark lord were he unfortunate enough to get in another situation similar to the one in his fourth year. The most useful spells and some other gruesome looking potion recipes were in a book which had no title, just had an odd carving of a tortured looking face on the front.

However after nearly two hours and an incident where Harry's book grew long hairy legs despite the Fine incantenem spell cast beforehand, Harry was growing tired. The rogue book had scuttled under the bookshelf and made odd growling noises whenever anyone came close to it, so Harry had to join Sirius on his corridor of books.

"So how many books have we found with reference to universe travel? Harry asked watching Sirius flick through a book covered in something black and sticky, which seemed harmless, yet smelt odd.

"Er- a grand total of two, but there's a chance that they hold exactly what we're looking for." Sirius said then yawned loudly.

"Umm, well I certainly hope so, or I guess I'll have to go mad." Harry said glumly

"It's not going to come to that Harry, we'll get you back to your rightful time," Sirius said firmly, if sadly.

"I know, it's just, Fine incantenem!"  Harry stopped to open a fragile small book covered in cobwebs. "I'm not sure I want to return, and have to leave you all so soon. I barely know my parents; I've finally got a second shot at having a family. It's just so horribly unfair!"

Sirius put down the sticky black book and turned to Harry putting a hand on his shoulder. "Harry, everyday I am amazed to see you handle everything you get given in such a mature way. I know you will be alright, if you have managed to cope so far in the way you have then you are bound to be ok in the end. I know that isn't much, but I am a true believer in Karma, what goes around comes around, One day you will get all you deserve, and that will be a hell of a lot!"

Harry smiled Sirius was just like his counterpart in his universe, he knew just the right thing to say. "Thanks, I know what I need to do, its just it's not easy."

"I know, but you might as well enjoy the time you're here while you can."

Harry looked up at his Godfather, "Yes, you're right."

Lily then rounded the corridor, "Have you seen the time? We ought to be getting home, I'm too tired to concentrate."

James walked up behind her, grinning. "Hey I just found another book I think might be relevant!"

Harry grinned at his father, "That's great," he then put his book back on the shelf. Sirius struggled with the sticky black book for a moment before getting it back on the shelf and following Harry and the others back to the fireplace in the dark library.

One by one everyone jumped back into the green flames shouting "Order Headquarters" Harry was last to go in the flames, left on his own Harry turned around to have a last look at the spooky library. He found himself staring at the skull with the melted candle on top. After a moment though, the eyes on the skull started to give off a strange red glow, the glow slowly started to get brighter. Harry backed away suddenly, shocked, and quickly turned threw the Floo powder into the flames, and leapt in shouting loudly "Order Headquarters."

As Harry fell out of the fireplace he found he was shaking slightly, he knew this was unrelated to the Floo powder, and more to do with the glowing skull in the library. He wondered as his mother helped him up off the floor, if it was another hallucination due to his time spent in this universe.

"Are you ok Harry?" James asked looking up from the book he was reading, which was taken from the library.

"Yes you look a bit pale." Lily said, while mending his glasses, which somehow got broken as he fell out of the fireplace.

"I'm fine don't worry," Harry said. He felt there was no need to cause even more panic by saying what he'd just seen.

"Good well, you'll have no reason to worry soon," James said flipping through one of the books. "Perhaps we can find a way to stop the hallucinations and you can stay here," James' voice was hopeful.

"I'm not sure we can do that James. I thought you would know better than to get your and Harry's hope up like that." Lily said seriously

"yeah, sorry you're right."

"I wish I weren't, but it's time we all faced facts and that is that the chances are Harry has to go back, one way or another."

"I've just had this same cheerful chat with Sirius," Harry said "And it's ok, I understand."

Lily smiled slightly tearfully, and gave him a hug. "Your so brave, I'm so proud of you."

James clapped Harry on the back, "It's for the best, mate." 

All of a sudden, the door burst open. "Sorry to break up the pity party, but I think that sticky black stuff on that book, has some side effects!" Harry looked at Sirius, who's hands had swelled up, so they were nearly double the size.

Harry burst out laughing. It seemed that such a stressful day meant Harry needed to let it out in laughter.

Poor Sirius turned red and mumbled something about sleep wearing it off and sloped off to bed. After Harry recovered from the hilarity of the situation, he felt a bit guilty, and promised himself he'd apologise to his Godfather in the morning. First he needed some sleep.

Harry took the books from the library up to his aquarium like room, in the hopes of reading some before going to sleep, but he fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

A/N : Reviews…(by the by I've had to shorten them a bit coz I'm so rushed! Sorry!)

unknown() : read next chap to find out!

Olivia Wood : Yeah, sorry It's kinda necessary!

LilyEvans : Bless thanks! I hope it's worth the wait.

Authouress : Thanks, yes  I think they're fun drunk too. Good 4 u, set a  throw homework out the window trend.

SetsunaFanGirl() : Hehe drunk Remus! Malfoy is not one of my favourite characters, so I doubt I'll put too much more of him in. humm I guess you'll have to wait.

eruve tinwen : umm, spaghetti drools Yes Evil Harry is sorta human…underneath it all. He just never likes to show his vulnerable side, and unfortunately for Remus, he did a bit. He won't be a happy bunny.

Limegreenlion() : …Woa totally crazy! Why is drunk Harry and Lupin yum? Eww I hope you are not insinuating anything! Lol I enjoyed writing that chapter!

Padfootlet : I think you were also Hyper in this review! Ah well Red Bull rocks! …the boat! I need some coffee!

Silvercrystal77 : Yes I was going to drag out the what the hell is going on? Thing for a while, but it was starting to get on my nerves, and I'm incredibly impatient. So he knows! Thanks, it just sprang to mind. Gurrr a hate the Malfoys!

Spinx Class of 2008 : thanks review again!

KatFay : Umm your review confused me slightly. How can they get of the mess the other makes for them? Is that what you were asking? Well it would defeat the object if I told you! Also they may or may not be able to get back! Darn I can't say anything at all!

snowman1400 : Me too he's nasty!

Abluebird225 : Kool thanks, I'll look out for odd random reviews, and burn them hahahaha! Ahem

gaul1 : Interesting questions. Normal Harry doesn't know about Evil Harry's Animagus form yet. The other Harry is more powerful at the moment because he's been learning the dark arts. Also bear in mind he's been brought up in a magical family which helps, rather than the Dursleys! Another reason the evil Harry is at the moment more powerful is coz he's got a lot of anger and pain which he's channelling into power.

Lizai : Yeah!

Gilthas : Aww, I'll have to miss hearing what Parsnips rock is in Elvish! Shame! LOL parsnip in a pear tree! I'm gonna have to sing that every year now! Yes parsnips are tasty roasted like potatoes!

Yeah poor Harry, I might have to stop him going on a killing spree now. Naughty Harry! Umm I wonder if it's possible to craft a hat out of parsnips…? Tada! walks around the room parading a parsnip hat which looks roughly like a parsnip on a piece of string tied to my head

A/N : Ok so not loads happened in that chapter, but I have something up my sleeve for poor Harry!  Watch this space! Perleeease Revieeew!!!!