Disclaimer: I own nothing, see prologue.

Chapter Ten

Not ready to go back to bed, Harry wandered in search of his mum. His first, and only, stop was Gryffindor's study. Lily was in the same chair she had been using for days.

"Did you find something?" Lily nearly jumped out of her chair. Clutching her hand to her chest she tried to calm herself. "I'm so sorry. I thought you heard me come in."

"No, I was just thinking."

"Did you find something?"

"No."

"What are you working on then?" Harry asked as he took the chair across from Lily.

"Writing letters."

"To whom?"

"To people who will receive them when we get home." They shared a smile. "Shouldn't you be asleep?"

"Nightmare. You?"

"I just couldn't sleep. I kept thinking about what Slytherin said about you and James almost dying. It scared me."

"Me too." Harry leaned forward and took her hand. "You should try to sleep."

"I need to finish these."

Harry sat back in his chair. He picked up the text that he had been reading earlier and continued with it. Lily smiled at her son. She knew he didn't want her alone and scared, so he would stay silently with her until she was ready to go back. Soon the only sounds in the room were Lily's quill and Harry turning pages. After a while, Lily sealed her letters and said she was ready to go.

Harry put his book down and walked her back to her room. At the door Lily paused. She touched his face and gently touched his scar.

"You're a fine man, Harry. In case you don't know James and I love you very much and we are proud of you."

He ducked his head and whispered, "How?"

Lily tilted is face so that he was looking into her eyes. "Its quiet simple: you are my son and that comes with my unconditional love. I've been watching you during this time that we've been able to spend together. You have an amazing capacity for love. You are brave, loyal, hard working and a natural leader. I see so much of your father in you."

She hugged him tightly and kissed his cheek. "Goodnight son. I love you."

"I love you too, mum."

With that she slipped into her room and Harry made his way back to his father. When he entered the room, he was surprised to see James was waiting up for him.

"I was getting worried; I thought I would have to come looking for you."

"Sorry, I was sitting with mum while she wrote some letters."

"She does that when she's worried."

Harry started to get back into bed, but James stopped him. "Let's talk about these nightmares of yours."

"I'd rather not."

"Harry James," James said, sounding as stern as he could.

"Look, dad, I know you're worried about me, but I can't talk to you about my nightmares without doing two things. First, I would have to tell you all kinds of things about your future and my past that we've done a really good job of not discussing while we've been together so far. And second. Well, the second is just too complicated to explain."

"I didn't think it would be quite so involved."

"You have no idea."

"I guess not. Can you go back to sleep?"

"I think so."

James doused the candles and Harry got back into bed. Only when he heard Harry's slow and even breathing did he allow himself to go back to sleep.

With construction on hold, the four teens found themselves pushing to find a way home. Almost every waking moment was spent in the study. James finished reviewing a book and after finding nothing helpful in it he slammed it shut.

"Sorry," James muttered. "It's just that this is driving me batty. There has to be an answer here."

"What if there isn't?"

"Harry!" Ginny and Lily yelled.

"He's right. We've made a good dent in this room and other than Ginny's potion, that she hasn't had the time to work on, we've found nothing helpful."

Silence descended on the four teens and by unspoken agreement they decided to call it a night. James stood and started pacing around the room. They others just watched him, wondering what he was thinking. After several minutes he crashed back into his chair, flung his glasses on to the table and ran his hands through his hair.

"James?" Lily asked tentatively.

"Maybe, I'm just tired."

"James?" Ginny asked.

"I was trying to think of another way to get us home. And. I don't know. We should just start fresh in the morning."

Ginny shot Lily a look that clearly said that they would go to Gryffindor soon. Lily gave a slight nod that both boys missed.

"I knew I would find you in here," Salazar announced as he entered the room.

"Sir," Harry greeted him.

"I've come to tell you that I'm taking my leave. I have personal matters to attend to, but I shall return soon. Will you still be here when I return?"

"We don't know," James responded.

"We were just trying to make some plans of our own," Harry continued.

"Well I hope to see you again Master Potter before your return to teach," he said extending his hand.

Harry stood and shook Slytherin hand. "It has been a true pleasure to meet you."

"I am sure, sir, that we will see you soon," Ginny said.

Salazar nodded his head to her. He shook James' hand and bowed to Lily and Ginny. "Ladies." With that he left the room.

"I wonder what happens to make them hate each other."

"We'll never know."

Ginny stood, "If we are done for the night, then let's be done. Let's go for a walk or look at the stars or close your eyes and I'll steal Harry away."

Harry blushed while his parents laughed at Ginny's boldness. Meanwhile they all stood. Harry took Ginny's hand and James mimicked his action, and the four headed outside.

It was the next day after lunch when Harry came across an interesting book. First, it was newer than most of the others and second was its title, Preserving Peace. He thought that ancient magic had saved him before, so he figured that maybe something new could save him this time. He nearly laughed out loud when he realized that the text he was holding was a thousand years old. From his perspective, that was pretty ancient. He took the book and joined the others at the table.

"Find something interesting?" Ginny asked.

Wanting to keep things light, and not reveal anything to his parents, he responded, "Oh, only the secret to beating Ron at chess." He laughed at his own joke, joined by Ginny. When they saw his parents' confused faces, they laughed even harder.

Once Ginny caught her breath and wiped at the tears on her face, she launched into a detailed description of Ron's passion for chess and how he always trounced Harry. She went on to describe some of the more interesting matches she had seen between the two boys. She, of course, left out their most infamous match playing McGonagall's giant chess set. After several minutes of her chatting James and Lily were also laughing.

It was several more minutes before everyone settle back down and got ready to go back to work. At one point, it looked like James was going to comment on Harry's lack of skill at chess when Lily shot him a look. James closed his mouth and returned to his book. Harry took Ginny's hand and ran his thumb over the smooth skin of the back of her hand. Wordlessly he told her that he was grateful for her distraction and that he loved her.

It was late that afternoon when Harry found the spell. It was in the middle of the book, which was just page after page of spells. The book was an odd mishmash of spells; everything from calming a lover's spat to The Spell. The spell that Harry felt like he had spent his life looking for. It was untitled and didn't stand out on the page. In fact, Harry had almost missed it. It was simply headed To Vanquish Evil. Harry looked up and saw that the others were deep in their research. He took a calming breath and read.

To Vanquish Evil

In the world there are two types of people; magical and non-magical. For hundreds of years both groups of people have been able to live together peacefully. Sometimes, however, that peace is broken when a magical person decides to use their power for evil purposes. I can only speculate on what makes a magical person behave in this manner. All we know is that when an evil wizard attempts to take power, another wizard must come forward to vanquish the evil and return the peace.

In order to successfully cast the spell, the challenger must put all the love he has ever known behind the spell. The challenger should remember in as much detail as possible every moment throughout his life hat he has received and given love freely.

The challenger must simply point his wand at the evil and state, "amor debello absolvo." When cast properly a purplish light will come from the challenger's wand and encase the evil.

This spell has only been attempted twice, and both times the evil wizard perished from this Earth. The challenger need know that although it seems simple, it takes a great deal of magical energy and will drain the castor of his magical energy for a period of time. In both previous cases, the challenger was back to full magical strength within two lunar cycles.

Harry was stunned. This was the reason he was here; it was also the reason he had been cataloging every loving moment he experienced with his parents. He thought back to that first night that they all found themselves in the past - the first time Lily had hugged him. He remembered feeling that there was nothing more wonderful than being hugged by his mother.

It was time to go home.

He slammed the book shut, and despite the recent injury to his leg bolted from the room. The others jumped at the noise and ran after him. Harry found Godric and Hannah in the sitting room.

"Ah, Harry, we were just about to send for you."

"What's wrong lad?" Godric asked. It was at this point that the others ran into the room. Harry looked over his shoulder at his family with a look that said, I told you I'd get you home. He turned back to Godric and Hannah.

"Aunt, Uncle, I'm afraid that we haven't been completely honest with you." The others were surprised that Harry would make this move without telling them.

"What haven't you been honest about?"

"Well, sir, quite a few things. The most important being that James is not my brother. He is my father."

"How can that be? You're both here, and you're both seventeen."

"This is true. But, what I've just told you is also true. James and Lily are my parents. We are all from the future, far in the future."

"But, Lily has the ring."

"She does, sir," James began, "because we are your descendants. Your youngest sister Zarah is our grandmother, only there are too many greats to count."

"This is outrageous!" Hannah screamed in frustration.

"Hannah, please. Look at Harry - really look at him." She did as Lily requested. "We've seen the portraits. James and Harry look just like many of the young Gryffindor men, but Harry has my eyes."

Hannah looked deep into Harry's eyes and then to Lily. She looked at Godric, telling him she believed them. Harry leaned over and kissed Lily's cheek, "Thanks mum."

"Why have you told us this now?"

"Sir, it's time for us to go home."

Godric laughed, "So that's what you've been doing all this time, trying to find a way home. Time travel is difficult. You would not have found a way home in my study." The four teens groaned. Then Harry remembered the book in his hand.

"That's okay. We were here for a reason, and I accomplished it."

Godric asked them for details of how they found themselves so far in the past. They told them the stories of being drawn the wrong way at the suit of armor and the decisions to hide behind the tapestry. They traced the route on the Hogwarts plans. By the time they had finished their stories Godric had a plan.

"Well, it appears that I not only need to send you back, but I must also bring you here in the first place."

"We would most appreciate that," Harry said.

"I will place the charms necessary to bring you back when that section of the castle is completed. I believe you will want to gather your things before I send you home."

"Yes, thank you." They returned to their rooms where they found the cloak, the map, Lily's letters and Ginny's potion. Shortly, they were back in the sitting room.

"Are you ready?" They all responded that they were. "Who should be first?"

"James and Lily," Harry answered.

They traded hugs, and when they stepped away both girls had watery eyes. Lily hugged Harry one last time, which he happily returned. He closed his eyes and committed to memory just what this felt like. He knew he would need it later. Lily pulled away and placed a hand on his face and kissed his cheek.

"Always remember, Harry, that we love you, and we are proud of the man that stands before us." Turning to Ginny she took her hand. Speaking to both of them she said, "Hold on to each other, love each other and be happy."

"We love you, son."

"I love you, too." Ginny wrapped her arms around Harry's waist and laid her head on his chest as James and Lily took a step away.

They gave Godric the date they needed to get home and stood close together, James holding Lily. Godric took his wand and drew silver circles around the couple. The circles completely shielded them, like a cocoon. When their heads were hidden he said the incantation, "Abunde est nullus positus adsimilis domus." James and Lily disappeared.

"You are next."

"I have another favor, Uncle." Godric nodded. "I will need this book when I get back."

"I will see to it. When you return ask your headmaster for it." Again, hugs were exchanged.

"Ginny, child, you have quite the gift with potions. Make that one work."

"I will, I promise."

"We will miss you."

"Are you both ready?"

Harry and Ginny clasped their hands and stood close together. Godric repeated the spell and they vanished.

A/N: My continued thanks to Cliodne for her awesome beta work and to all my readers.