Disclaimer: I own nothing, see prologue.

Chapter Eleven

James and Lily found themselves standing next to the griffin tapestry. Peeves was still taunting them from some close by corridor. They clasped their hands and just ran for Dumbledore's office. Peeves was more than surprised when they just ran past him.

"Oh, Potter, you'll pay. I promise you'll pay!"

They just kept running, knowing there was nothing to be done about Peeves. At the gargoyle that led to the headmaster's office, they stopped and tried to calm their breathing.

"How do we get up there?" Lily asked.

"I don't know; every time I've been here I've been escorted."

"Great."

"We could guess at his password." Lily just glared at him. "Right. Let's go to the Owlery, we'll send him a note and wait."

They started to leave when the gargoyle moved and Dumbledore appeared at the bottom of the stairs. James and Lily just laughed.

"Might I inquire as to what is so amusing and why my head boy and head girl are waiting outside my office?"

Suddenly very serious James responded, "Sir, I know it's late, but we need to speak with you."

Dumbledore waved his hand and the gargoyle moved aside, revealing the moving stairs leading upwards. Without a word they allowed the stairs to carry them up. Once they entered the office they sat themselves around the grand desk. Fawkes sang briefly.

"Mr. Potter, perhaps you could explain." James looked at Lily, then took her hand and gave it a small kiss. He stood and started pacing.

"This is going to sound unbelievable, but you must believe that every word of it is the truth. Lily and I have just spent two weeks a thousand years in the past with Harry and"

"James!"

"Harry and his girlfriend. We lived with Godric and Hannah Gryffindor and even helped with the construction of this very castle."

"Who is Harry?"

"Harry is a good man. You'll meet him soon."

"How is that you were sent into the past?" James launched into his explanation. He told Dumbledore everything about what they did in the past; the charms Godric was going to place to bring them into the past and how they were sent back. The only details James left out were the fact that Harry was indeed their son and the identity of Ginny Weasley.

"What did Harry find that made him decide it was time to leave?"

James and Lily just looked at each other. "We don't know," Lily said. "Harry said something about chess strategies, but that can't be right because chess as we know it didn't come about until the 1100's, a time period later then a when we were."

"You are quite right Miss Evans. I'd guess that he said that to keep whatever he found to himself."

"That would make sense," James said.

"Perhaps you should return to Gryffindor tower as it's quite late."

Lily stood and joined James. "Oh, Professor, I almost forgot."

"Forgot what Miss Evans?"

"The letter." She took the letter and handed it to Professor Dumbledore. I know this is going to sound amazingly odd, but I need you to deliver that letter for me."

"Why? And to whom?"

"To Harry, Professor. Some day Harry and his girlfriend are going to come to you, telling you the same adventure James just did. When he does, please give him the letter."

"When will this happen?"

James squeezed Lily's hand before she continued, "We don't know."

"Very well. Now off to bed with you."

They left his office, and Dumbledore examined the letter. Lily had done a fine job sealing it and all she had written on the outside was simply, To Harry. He wondered again who Harry was as he placed the envelope in a box of correspondence that he kept in a cupboard near his pensive. Sitting back at his desk he looked at the Sorting Hat and asked if it had any recollection of James and Lily being in the past. The hat informed him no, because Gryffindor hadn't given him life at that time. With that Dumbledore headed back to the kitchen in search of that hot coco he had been on his way to get earlier.

James and Lily slowly made their way back to Gryffindor tower hand in hand. All too soon they found themselves at the portrait of the Fat Lady. They gave her the password and climbed inside. Immediately they went to the couch and sat watching the fire.

"Suddenly, it seems like we didn't live the past two weeks."

"Because to everyone around us we haven't been gone at all."

"James, do you think that Dumbledore believes us?" He wrapped his arm around her shoulder and pulled her close. She rested her head on his check and closed her eyes.

"I think he wants to, but it is an outrageous story." He laughed softly, "I'm sure it doesn't help that it was a Marauder telling that tale."

She sighed, "No, I guess it doesn't."

"He'll believe Harry and Ginny."

They sat there cuddled up together for a long while. It was almost dawn before they headed upstairs. With the taste of Lily's kiss still on his lips, James made his way to his dorm room and hoped not to wake the others. He wasn't that lucky.

"Prongs, where have you been all night?"

"Lils and I stayed up talking."

Sirius chuckled, "Just talking?"

"Yes, you prat," James whispered and threw his pillow at Sirius. He got changed and got into bed. Sirius tossed him his pillow back.

"Were you really with Lily all night?"

"Yeah, time just got away from us." James couldn't help but smile. "Go to sleep, Padfoot."

James tried to sleep but found himself staring into the darkness of the room. He thought about everything that had happened in the past with Harry, Ginny and Lily. He tried not to focus on the few details he knew about his own death, but those thoughts seemed to consume him as he fell into a restless sleep.

Harry and Ginny found themselves next to the griffin tapestry and could hear Filch calling to them. Harry grabbed Ginny's hand and gave a tug - they started running for Dumbledore's office. As they ran past Filch they heard him yell out, "Potter! Weasley! I'll see you in detention for this!" They just kept running.

At the gargoyle leading up to Dumbledore's office, they stopped and looked at each other waiting for the other to catch their breath. Finally Ginny asked, "Now what?" Harry just shrugged his shoulders. He had no idea what the current password was.

"We'll have to guess." However, before either could say another word the gargoyle moved aside revealing the moving stairs. Without question they jumped on. As they entered the room, Dumbledore greeted them.

"Come in Mr. Potter and Miss Weasley. Would you care to tell me why my Head Boy and Gryffindor prefect are here to see me at such a late hour?" They entered his office and sat in chairs facing Dumbledore.

"Professor, the most amazing thing has happened to us," Ginny said.

"Tell me."

Harry leaned forward in his chair and told an amazing story of traveling back a thousand years in the past, meeting the founders and his parents. As Harry finished the story Dumbledore laughed.

"You don't believe us," Harry said angrily.

"Oh, no Harry. I do believe you. It was your father I struggled to believe." Harry relaxed. "Twenty years James and Lily ran into this office with an amazing story that matches the one you just told me. I doubted them because it just seemed so outlandish. To travel back that far into the past. It didn't help that it was your father telling me that tale. As I'm sure you know, your father and his friends were quite well known for their pranks."

Dumbledore stood and went to the cabinet that Harry recognized as having Dumbledore's pensive. He pulled out a box and searched through various pieces of correspondence. Pulling out the one he wanted, he returned the others to the cabinet and walked back to his desk. "Harry, your mother left this for you."

Harry took the envelope gently, afraid that it might disappear or shatter into a million bits. With the slightest touch he ran his fingers over his name.

"Harry?" Ginny asked.

"Oh, Gin. Remember that nightmare I had after the accident?" She nodded. "After I left you I just wasn't ready to go back to bed so I went looking for my mum. I found her in the study writing letters. I didn't want her to be alone, so I just sat with her. I was sitting across the table from her, and she was writing me a letter." Harry and Ginny laughed.

"Harry, your parents loved you very much."

"I know that, sir." Harry just looked at the letter in his hands.

"I realize that it's late, but I hope that you would answer a few questions for me."

"Of course," Ginny said.

"What do you know about the building of the castle?"

"A bit," Harry answered. "Is there something specific?"

"Actually, there is. There are two legends that I'm hoping you could explain for me. The first tells of two boys, twin brothers. No one had ever seen them until the day construction began. They stayed on, working on the castle along with other villagers for just a few weeks when there was an accident. It's said that these brothers used magic that no one had ever seen before to save the lives of all the men at the site. After the accident the brothers were never seen again."

Harry sighed. "Since the very first day I started here everyone has told me how much I look like my father. Suddenly, Ginny and I are a thousand years in the past with my parents of all people. We needed a way to protect ourselves and the best way to do that was for my brother James and I to seek help from our uncle Godric Gryffindor."

"There was an accident, and it was horrible," Ginny said.

"We came home before work on the castle began again. Some of the others were still recovering from their injuries," Harry continued.

"Were you injured?"

"Yes. I had a broken leg, and dad had some broken ribs." He looked at Ginny for confirmation. She just smiled at him.

"I see. And the magic?"

"We did nothing."

"That's not what James said." Ginny said. "He was so proud of you, and said your quick thinking saved a lot of lives."

"Harry?"

"I did the strongest shield charm I could think of and called out for others to use shield charms as well. They saved their own lives."

Ginny gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and Dumbledore smiled. Pride was evident in his eyes. "And you Miss Weasley, can help me with the second. This takes place around the same accident. It's said that the men were saved by two redheaded angles."

Harry smirked. Ginny just ignored him. "Hannah Gryffindor had been teaching Lily and me medicinal potions and healing charms. We spent a lot of time at the building site. But the day of the accident she and I tended to every man that was injured."

"And you were never seen after that day?"

"Yes, we were. We went and checked on all the injured men a few days later."

"I have one last question. Harry, what did you find? I believe you told your parents it was chess strategies."

"What did you find?" Ginny inquired.

Harry looked at Ginny and tucked her hair behind her ear. Looking back at the headmaster he took Ginny's hand.

"I found the spell to defeat Voldemort."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Professor. It's an ancient love based spell to vanquish evil wizards."

"Oh, Harry." Ginny squeezed his hand.

"I believe professor that you have a book for me."

Dumbledore laughed and there was sudden chatter among the portraits behind them. A very confused Harry and Ginny spun around to look at the portraits and then back to Dumbledore. Slowly many of the portraits began to laugh as well.

"What on Earth is so funny?" Ginny asked.

"This." Dumbledore stood and pulled a book of the shelf that was home to the Sorting Hat. Below it was Gryffindor's sword. He returned to his seat and handed the book to Harry, who also began to laugh.

"What!" Ginny was starting to get irritated.

"Gin, the answer has been right here in this office for a thousand years, but if we had looked for it yesterday it wouldn't have been here."

"Why not?"

"Because if I hadn't told Gryffindor that I needed it, he probably would have kept it in his personal library and who knows where it would have ended up."

"You are a legendary man, Mr. Harry Potter." Harry looked up to see the portrait of Dilys Derwent.

"Pardon?"

"You are a legendary man, Mr. Harry Potter."

Harry was going to retort about not wanting to be quiet so legendary when Ginny spoke. "He can't help it. It's part of his charm."

The two women shared a brief laugh. "We've been guarding that text for a random student to ask for it. When you, the boy who lived, showed up as a student here we all should have known it would be you," Dilys explained.

"Of course," Harry said. He flipped though the book looking for the spell. Once he found it he handed it back to Dumbledore. He read it and gave it back to Harry, who passed it on to Ginny.

"It's so dangerous, Harry."

"I know Ginny, but that's the spell."

"You're sure Harry?" Dumbledore asked.

"Quite."

"But the magical backlash?" Harry looked closely at Ginny; he could plainly see just how scared she was for him. He would have to convince her. He looked back at Dumbledore, who was also looking at Ginny. She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. "Professor, during our research I found a potion to aid a warrior in battle. Hannah said that it doesn't work the way that it is. I need to make it work. Can I use the potions classroom?"

"I will speak to Professor Snape about it and let you know."

"Thank you, Professor."

"Now it's late. Why don't you head off to bed?"

Harry and Ginny stood. "Professor, I have a favor to ask."

Dumbledore smiled when he remembered that this conversation with James and Lily had ended the same way. "What can I do for you Harry?"

"Sir, in our rush to get up here we were caught by Filch. I was hoping we could both avoid a detention."

"I'll work it out. Now go straight to your dorms."

"Goodnight Professor."

As Harry and Ginny walked back to Gryffindor tower, Harry took her hand and interlaced their fingers. She looked up at him. He stopped and kissed her gently and then continued walking.

"Ginny you read about the spell."

"Yes."

"And you're worried."

"Yes."

"Did you read how the others who used the spell made full recoveries?"

"Yes, but."

"But what?"

"You've already been an exception to one rule, what if you're an exception to another?"

They continued on in silence for a few minutes. There was a question that needed to be asked but honestly Harry was a bit afraid of the answer. The spell required that he used all the love he ever felt and if he lost Ginny right now, he didn't think he'd be able to do it. Some voice in the back of his mind told him was being slightly ridiculous. He ignored it. Taking a deep breath he asked, "Ginny. I love you. You know that don't you?"

"Yes, I know. I love you too."

"Do you love me because I'm a wizard?" There it was.

Ginny stopped. She jerked her hand that was clasped firmly in Harry's. He turned and looked her in the eye.

"What the?" She took a breath and tried again. "What does that mean Harry Potter?"

"You are so concerned about the magical backlash."

"So you think that if you lost your magic that I would stop loving you!"

"Ginny this is all wrong."

"You're right it is!" With that she let go of Harry's hand and took off. He had to run to catch her.

"Ginny."

"Go away Harry!"

"Please let me explain."

She stopped and glared at him. This could be very bad. He sighed and said, "I love you."

"You have a funny way of showing it."

"I'm scared. I'm scared of facing Voldemort. I'm scared of screwing up that spell and Voldemort living. I'm scared of screwing up that spell and losing my magic. The one thing that scares me more than any of these things is losing you."

Apparently Harry was honest enough or contrite enough because Ginny melted with his words. "Harry, I have always loved you. Remember me, the stupid little girl with the crush. I will always love you. No matter what, I will stand by you."

They sealed their commitment with a kiss and when they broke apart Harry gently ran his hand along her face, tangling it in her hair. He kissed her briefly again.

"I'm sorry I hurt you."

"I know, but Harry, why would you believe that about me?"

Harry gave her another gentle kiss. He wrapped his arm around her should and held her close to him as they continued back to the tower. "I don't know where that fear came from. I knew before I asked that I was being ridiculous, but I just had to know for sure."

"But Harry."

"Ginny, our love is the strongest feeling I've ever felt. Growing up with my aunt and uncle where they despised and feared me. Then even with your family, I've always felt like a bit of an outsider. You, though, what I feel for you is simply amazing and I shouldn't have any doubt."

"Don't doubt me again."

"I won't."

"You should know," Ginny stated as the stopped before the portrait hole. "In my last letter from Charlie he told me that he was glad he was back from Romania. He was amazed at how much he missed all six of his brothers." Harry just looked at her confusion and hope etched on his face. "Yes, Harry, all six of this brothers. Even the one without red hair."

"He really said that?"

"He did." She kissed him one last time before giving the password.

The common room was empty as they quietly made their way in. Ginny couldn't help the yawn that escaped her lips, so Harry walked her to the base of the girl's stairs. There they shared another few kisses goodnight. Ginny headed upstairs as quietly as possible not wanting to wake any of the girls in the tower. She was surprised when she entered her dorm room to find that Melissa was still awake.

"So," Melissa started drawing out the word. "Did you and Harry have fun?"

"Not really. I fell asleep while he was talking to me."

"Oh, poor Harry. You'll just have to make it up to him."

"This is true. Now go to sleep."

"Night."

"Night."

Harry was relieved to see that his roommates were asleep. He folded his cloak and put it in his trunk along with the book. No one needed to see it yet; he'd tell the others soon enough. He closed the curtains as he got into bed and waited to make sure that everyone was asleep. Once he was confident that he was the only one awake, he took out his mother's letter. With a whispered lumos spell he unsealed her letter. He was surprised to find another letter addressed to Sirius, Remus and Peter. Putting it aside he read his letter.

My dearest son,

You've just come in and nearly frightened me to death. Isn't that what teenagers are supposed to do to their parents? It's a bit odd writing you this letter with you sitting so close that I could reach out and touch you.

That first night that we were all here I was just so surprised when you said that you were our son. Then I saw you, and you took my breath away. I couldn't help but reach out and hold you. As I sit her tonight I have no idea what made me hug you, but I'm just so glad that I did.

This time together has been an experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life, and I hope that you will do the same. I'm glad that I've been given the opportunity to know you.

In case I don't tell you, I want you to know that I love you. I'm so proud of the man that you are. If I've already mentioned it then you will have this letter to remind you once we've gone home.

Since I won't have the chance later, I want to give you some motherly advice. Keep Ginny close to you - she's good for you. When you're ready, marry her. Be happy. Tell Ginny you love her as much as you can. Tell the other people in your life that you love them. Don't ever let it go unsaid and don't assume that they know. They may not. Tell them and tell them often.

I pray that you will have a long and happy life.

I will love you always,

Mum

P.S. Harry there is a letter for Sirius, Remus and Peter. Please pass it on to them. I'm sure you will know the right time.

Harry put the letters away and whispered into the dark room, "I love you too mum." He slowly fell into a peaceful sleep.

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