Disclaimer: I own nothing, see prologue.

Chapter Fourteen

Harry found himself standing in front of a familiar house, although he had no idea why it seemed familiar. As he walked up the front steps he could hear voices from inside, and immediately he recognized them. Without bothering to knock, he ran into the house and stunned the three occupants into silence. Lily stood and in an instant was hugging her son.

"Oh, mum, I miss you."

"We miss you too, son." Harry let go of his mother to hug James.

"What about me?"

"I miss you too, Sirius." As they embraced, tears started to fall down Harry's face.

"Hey?"

"I'm so sorry, Sirius."

"Whatever for?"

"For getting you killed." Sirius grabbed Harry by the arms and shoved him into a chair, and Sirius kneeled in front of Harry. James and Lily shared a smile that Harry didn't understand.

"I thought you and Ginny worked this all out ages ago."

"We did. That doesn't mean that I shouldn't apologize. I should apologize to mum and dad as well."

"Harry James, you have nothing to apologize for."

"You've gotten better at scolding me."

"I've had some practice. And, you deserve it young man."

"I do. I should have told you about Sirius and Peter."

"Harry, baby, we agreed to keep the timeline intact. James and I knew that would mean our deaths."

"You did?"

"We did."

"How?"

"For as careful as you were, you let a few things slip. Besides, none of this is your fault. The three of us have worked this all out."

"Oh."

"Harry, as much as we miss you, you can't stay," Lily said.

"Not even for a little while?"

"No, Harry. You have to go." James said.

"You're not dead. If you don't leave now, you'll end up stuck here. It's not right – it's not your time." Sirius told him.

"I just got here."

"Harry, go. Go love Ginny. Be Happy." Lily said kissing his cheek.

He stood from the chair and told his parents and godfather the he loved them. As he left that space between conscious and unconscious he left his parents again and decided to wake up so that he could have his future.

Thursday, 19 June 1998

Remus walked into the hospital wing; it was his turn to sit with Harry until he woke. He wasn't surprised by seeing Ginny there - what surprised him was that she was curled up on the bed with Harry crying into his chest. Remus ran to her side.

"Ginny?" He whispered.

She sat up and looked at Remus, her eyes were red and puffy and her cheeks were stained with tear tracks. His heart broke at the sight, and in his head, he yelled at Harry to wake. She got off the bed and took a chair by Harry's bed. Remus sat next to her and gently touched her shoulder. She looked at him and the tears started again; he just held her as she wept.

Remus looked about the hospital wing to see that most of the other injured had been tended to and released. Everyone was most worried about Harry because Ginny and Dumbledore said there would be some kind of magical backlash, but nothing about a coma. Experts from St. Mungo's had come and said that Harry would wake when he was ready to. That answer satisfied no one.

Phoenix song filled the room and Ginny stopped crying. She pulled away apologizing.

"Ginny there is no need. I'm glad that I was here for you."

"But"

"But nothing. You are my friend and friends comfort each other when they need it."

"Thank you, Remus."

"You're welcome, Ginny."

Again the phoenix song filled the room. Both Remus and Ginny looked to Harry's bed. Fawkes and Hedwig were Harry's sentries sitting on his headboard. Fawkes had been singing every so often in an attempt to heal Harry.

"How is it that Madam Pomfrey lets them stay?" Remus asked.

"She can't get them to leave. Besides, Fawkes' songs are helping the other patients."

They sat quietly for a long time watching Harry, waiting for any sign. At some point, Madam Pomfrey came over to check on him and then left again with out saying a word. Fawkes continued to occasionally sing and Hedwig looked a bit lost.

Ginny leaned forward and took Harry's hand. "Harry, love, you promised me the happily ever after. Come back to me." She gently kissed his lips and his nose twitched.

"HARRY!" Ginny screamed and jumped from his unexpected movement.

"Ginny?"

"He moved." Ginny and Remus stood over Harry's bed and Fawkes sang.

"Harry, are you back?" Remus asked gently. Harry groaned. Remus rushed to get Madam Pomfrey. Soon they were all fussing over him but he had yet to open his eyes.

"Harry, love, look at me."

"Ginny." Harry's eyes slowly opened, and they locked eyes - Ginny began sobbing again. Harry took her hand and closed his eyes again. Remus tried to comfort her. It was another several hours before Harry woke again. Ginny and Remus were still sitting at his side.

"Ginny?"

"I'm here, Harry."

"How long was I out?"

"Five days."

"Five days. Did the spell work?"

"It did."

"Harry, how do you feel?" Remus asked.

"You mean magically?"

"Well that too." Harry closed his eyes and just tried to concentrate. There was something different, but he could still feel his magic. He smiled as he told them. "Would you be willing to test it?"

"Sure." Ginny got Harry's wand from the beside table and handed it to him.

"Now, Harry, just try something nice and easy. Lumos, maybe."

"Alright, lumos." His wand lit up like it always did. "Nox." It went dark again.

"I wonder if you were out for so long so that you could build up your magical energy at the same time." Neither Harry nor Ginny responded. "We'll try some more difficult spells as your feeling physically stronger."

"Ah, Mr. Potter, you're awake. How are you feeling?" Dumbledore asked walking towards Harry's bed. Remus updated the headmaster on Harry's current condition. "Are you ready to discuss the battle or would you like to rest some more?"

"Now is fine, but I'd like Ginny and Remus to stay."

"Of course."

Ginny stayed in the chair she had been sitting in and continued to hold Harry's hand. Remus let the headmaster have his chair and Remus stood at Harry's other side.

"Your spell was completely successful. Tom Riddle is dead and there is no evidence that he was able to flee his body like he did when you were a child."

"Casualties?"

"Too many I'm afraid."

"Who?"

"Professor Snape, Percy Weasley, Seamus Finnegan, Zacharias Smith, Luna Lovegood, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Hesita Jones, Hagrid and others." Tears flowed down all their faces. Ginny gave up all efforts of maintaining herself in front of the headmaster and got back onto the bed with Harry. They just held onto each other. "Miss Weasley, I have some news about Bill." Ginny looked at the headmaster. "I've heard from St. Mungo's. He is healing nicely, however, they are concerned that he may lose his sight in his right eye." Harry just held Ginny tighter.

"There's more," Remus offered. "Peter is dead. His body was dropped in the lap of the new Mister of Magic, so Sirius' name should be cleared soon. Although it's a bit late."

"Who is the new minister?"

"Well, there still needs to be a confirmation vote," Remus explained.

"And when that happens?"

"Arthur Weasley." Remus answered with obvious pride for his friend.

"Ron and Hermione?"

"They are both fine. They had been sitting with you for quite a while. I sent them back to the tower to get some rest. They'll probably be back soon." Remus said.

"You rest now, we'll talk more later." With that the headmaster swept from the room. Harry and Ginny cuddled up together and quickly feel asleep while Remus stood guard over them.

When Harry woke again he could tell it was early morning, and he was hungry. He thought that was a good sign. Ginny was still sleeping on the bed with him, and he couldn't move his right arm because it was under her head. He looked around and saw that Remus was gone but Ron and Hermione where there.

"Hey."

"Harry." Hermione jumped and tried to hug Harry, but just ended up waking Ginny. "I'm sorry."

"It's alright." Ginny slid off the bed and pulled up another chair. Instantly, Harry missed her warmth.

"We've been so worried about you."

"Everyone was a bit panicked because the book didn't say anything about you ending up in a coma."

"Remus thinks that I went into a coma to heal my body and my magic at the same time."

"Well, mate, next time could you give us a bit of warning?"

"Ron, mate, I don't plan on there being a next time." They couldn't help but laugh. Harry sought out Ginny's hand and while the four friends chatted, Harry's and Ginny's hands were locked together. What Harry couldn't see was that so were Ron and Hermione's. Madam Pomfrey allowed them all to eat breakfast with Harry, but it wasn't long afterwards that Harry fell asleep again.

"He seems so peaceful asleep," Hermione commented.

"Of course, he's free." Ginny said.

When Remus came back to the hospital wing, he found Harry sitting up kissing Ginny who was sitting on the side of his bed. "Well, I'm glad to see you're feeling better," Remus laughed.

Harry and Ginny broke the kiss, and Harry blushed deeply while Ginny hid her face so Remus couldn't see her reaction. He imagined it was similar to Harry's. "Don't let me interrupt."

"What's going on with you Remus, we haven't had a chance to chat lately?" As Harry spoke Ginny slid off the bed and took a chair facing Remus.

"I have a story to tell you."

"Aren't I little old for bedtime stories?"

"You know, you never used to complain."

"Alright."

"It was April or May of our seventh year when James and Lily came to us and announced that they were going to marry that November instead of waiting for them to complete their training. That same night Severus walked by us on his way to the Slytherin table and he and Sirius faced off. So far nothing unusual, but then James wanted to apologize and Lily stopped him. It seemed oddly difficult for both of them. When I asked Lily, she told me to ask Harry. I, of course, had no idea who Harry was. From that day, until the day she died, I had been trying to get Lily to tell me and each time she said, 'Harry will tell you'. I tried asking you when you were little, but you didn't say much. So, Harry, I understand you have quite a story for me."

At the end of Remus' story both Harry and Ginny were laughing. "I'm sorry Remus," Ginny said. "I just had this image of you tucking baby Harry into bed and asking him for this story."

Remus chuckled. "Don't think I didn't."

"Relax Remus, this is a long story. I'm sorry it's taken me twenty years to tell you, but I only have been able to tell you for the last six weeks or so."

"What are you talking about?"

Harry and Ginny launched into their story of going back in time, meting Lily and James and founders. By the time they finished Remus was staring at them wide eyed.

"It's impossible."

"It's not. I can prove it." Harry realized he didn't have the slightest idea where the letters were. "Gin?"

"They're here, Harry." She handed both letters to Harry who handed Remus the letter that was written for him.

"It's Lily's writing," he whispered. As gently as possible he opened the letter.

Dear Sirius, Remus and Peter,

You three have been amazing friends to James and me. For that alone I will be forever grateful, but this isn't about us. Not anymore.

Someday Harry will come to you with a most amazing tale. Believe him. Because as fantastical as his story seems, every word of it is true. James and I have had the pleasure of spending two weeks with our grown son and his wonderful girlfriend, Ginny Weasley. If he hasn't proposed to her by the time you read this, encourage him to do so. They are very much in love and are good for each other. She has my blessing; please make sure she knows that.

I want to thank you three for caring for and loving our son. It gives me comfort to know that he has your love. At this moment my seventeen-year-old son, who from my perspective hasn't even been born yet, is sitting across from me. When I look at him I can clearly see that he is definitely our son. He looks so much like James with the exception of his eyes. They are my green.

There is so much more to him. He has quite the mischievous streak - Sirius' influence no doubt. Although he could have gotten that from James. He has a gentle and forgiving nature - your influence Remus? Or he could have gotten that from me. Peter, I see something of you in him as well. I just can't put my finger on what it is.

My dear lads, I have one last request of you. Please continue to love and guide him. He needs you now and will continue to need you as he gets older. Especially with James and I gone. Know that I love you lads, as well as James and Harry.

With all my love,

Lily

Remus stood and without a word dropped the letter in Harry's lap and left the room, absent a glance at Harry or Ginny. He only made it to the corridor where he leant against the wall and slid to the floor. He sat with his face in his hands, and his elbows on his knees and sobbing.

Harry look down at the letter and back to Ginny with a lost look.

"I'm going."

Harry read the letter and understood why Remus was so upset.

Ginny sat on the floor next to Remus and wrapped her arms around him. She gently shifted his position so that his head was on her shoulder. She rocked them gently and just held him. They stayed that way for a long time. After Remus had cried himself out, he realized where he was and tired to pull away. Ginny wouldn't let him and held him tighter until he relaxed again.

"I miss them too. They were good people." Remus said nothing and stayed very still. Ginny checked to make sure he was awake. "You may not be his father or godfather, but you two are family and you need each other."

Remus made a laugh that sounded extremely bitter to Ginny. She shifted so they could look into each other's eyes. "Remus Lupin, you are the truest uncle that Harry has had in his life. You love him, he loves you. That's all you need to be a family."

"I'm sorry Ginny. You're right of course."

"Let's go back inside. We shouldn't leave Harry alone for too long."

Harry was waiting for them when they came back in. "Remus, I'm sorry. I read mum's letter."

"That's fine, Harry."

"You alright?"

"Getting there. You two?"

Harry took Ginny's hand and they shared a smile. Looking back at Remus he responded, "Getting there."

A/N: As always my on going thanks to Cliodine for her awesome beta work and to all my readers. Almost done, only the epilogue left.

June 13, 1942 is the date that Tom Riddle brings Harry to when he pulls Harry into the diary.