A/N: Firstly let me applogize for the EXTREMELY long time since my last update. But time got away from me and I just didnt seem to have enough over the holidays. Plus those of you who have jioned my Yahoo group know that I have a family well we have been traded a virus back and forth as well. I hope everyone had a great Christmas and Happy New year. I will try and keep with the monthly update schedule but make no promises. To make up for the fact that I missed December I will try and have 2 updates this month. Well here we go again.
Chapter 9
Interlude
"Why in the name of Zeus' butthole does this shit always happen to me?" Harry growled out as he took in the still forms of Ron and Hermione. He walked over to Ron muttering to himself and noticed the parchment in his hand. He bent down and retrieved the Marauders Map, he looked it over and with a flick of his wrist it was gone. He eyed Ginny, who was giving him a questioning look, and still snickering at his new dilemma. "Laugh it up Red, your in this too ya know."
Ginny put her hands on her hips and in a very child like manner stuck her tongue out at him. "Shut it you, and you know I hate it when you call me Red, Harry- bear."
Harry cringed, "you win, and I thought you promised never to call me that in the company of others."
"Well,"she said waving a hand at Ron and Hermione, "They are hardly gonna say anything about it."
Then she heard it, a soft snicker from a darkened corner. She wheeled on the spot and stared into it, the snicker became a laugh, no two laughs. Which became roars once the owners of said laughs realized they had been found out.
"Whose over there?"Ginny said narrowing her eyes.
"The two people I wanted to find out about that nickname even less than I want Fred or George too" Harry whimpered in defeat.
Ginny's eyes widened and her hands came to her mouth, "Oh no" she stammered trying unsuccessfully to keep her coming giggles in as Sirius Black and Remus Lupin stepped into the light. Sirius was holding onto Remus for support, as he was laughing so hard he was having trouble staying upright.
"Go on lets hear it," Harry stated slightly annoyed, "Get it out of your system."
"Oh no pup, this is one of those rare moments you cherish, never in my wildest dreams did I hope have such a juicy tidbit on you." Sirius said between fits of laughter.
"To true Padfoot, this is one of those things you milk for YEARS." Remus let the last word draw unnecessarily out.
Harry rolled his eyes and threw his hands up in the air. To which Sirius responded "throwing in the towel already, that's not the attitude of a future Marauder."
"Oh no Padfoot, I just has hoped to be able to wait before having to use my blackmail against you."
Both Remus and Sirius stiffened, firstly Harry being from the future made that prospect frightening enough, but both Sirius and Remus knew they had a few moments in their past they wished to remain dead and buried.
"And don't worry it's not something you haven't done yet, they wouldn't be fair. Let's just say my mom left me her journals, in a secret place. In case I needed some way to make my God fathers behave." As Harry said this his voice took on a threatening tone.
Sirius looked positively horrified, while Remus paled the color of a bed sheet. Harry's smirk was to familiar, this was no bluff.
It was Sirius who recovered first. "I know that look Moony, we have been bested by a girl yet again."
"Aye Padfoot, though not only a girl, but a mere babe as well." Remus said shaking his head gesturing to Harry, "two of Hogwarts best Pranksters, out pranked by a girl, tis a sad day."
Suddenly Sirius looked up "Hey what could Lils possibly have known about that was half as good as Harry-bear?"
Harry looked up at the ceiling a moment as if remembering something, "March 17, 1973..." Harry left off there seeing if the two of them wanted him to continue. Seeing the looks of shock and admiration on their faces he knew they were convinced, "It appears that dad broke the confidences you three set up and Mom being," as he said this Harry placed a hand over his heart, "a loving caring mother did not wish to leave her poor innocent son in the hands of such scoundrels without properly arming him with the necessary ammunition ."
"Innocent my arse," Sirius humrphed.
At this moment Ginny spoke up, "well now that is settled, what are we gonna do about them." She gestured toward the prone figures of Ron and Hermione.
Remus just shrugged, "same thing we were gonna do if anyone else walked in." That said Harry transfigured his pants into his school robes and took up position across the room from Remus, who was busy waking up Hermione and Ron. When they started to stir Harry rushed to their side as Sirius stepped into the shadows. "Ron, Mione are you ok?"
"Yeah, Harry," Ron said rubbing his back. "What the bloody hell happened?" he looked around a moment trying to figure out where he was and what was going on. Suddenly it dawned on him, "Oy, you stunned me, and without a wand, what's going on Harry?"
Ginny had to stifle a laugh at the look of utter confusion on Harry's face, "What are you talking about, mate, I can't do wandless magic."
At that moment someone to Harry's left stamped their foot and through gritted teeth made a noise that Harry hadn't heard in years. In that instant all the color drained from his face and Ginny took several steps away from Hermione, who looked like she was on the verge of exploding. Hermione continued for over a minute Harry growing paler the entire time, he looked to Ginny for help but even Ron was backing away from the growing terror that was Hermione Granger. Harry mouthed the words help me at Ginny, but she nodded her head no, and stopped a sympathetic Lupin from reaching out to Hermione.
"Don't, trust me, Harry and I have seen this before, she can be even scarier than mom." at those words Remus paled and stepped away.
At that moment Hermione went quiet and her eyes flashed open. The anger Harry saw seething from her, despite his advanced years, made him feel as though he was a really only 13 years old. What happened next caused a shiver to run down Harry's spine but only Ginny and Remus noticed. In a quiet barely perceptible voice Hermione began to speak.
"How long have we been friends Harry?"
"Almost.." he got no further, when he spoke Hermione screeched "SHUT IT!".
Taking what seemed like a calming breath she continued in the same shrill voice, "I am so sick of this Harry! I thought you respected and trusted me more than this. You have obviously told Professor Lupin and Ginny. It also seems that the headmaster and most of the other professors know what's going on. Hell, it appears that you even told Dobby what's going on." At that point Ron fainted dead away having first been on the receiving end of one of Harry's stunners, and then seeing Hermione have a full blown conniption fit, hearing her swear was too much for his system. Lucky him, thought Harry as Hermione continued. "I thought you trusted me more than that Harry, I thought I was your best friend. Why haven't you told us what's happening?"She suddenly softened and continued, "I don't want to hear your lies anymore. I know something is up with you. I have known since Diagon Alley, and it is more than spending the summer with Dumbledore. One summer is not enough to change your out look and attitude this much. You are almost a different person, you are calmer, more calculating. I am not the only to notice the change in Ginny too, there is more going on there than you two are telling as well. I have also notice the changes in you during class, Harry, I only just beat you when we try a new spell, but I get the feeling somehow you are holding back, and you have gotten top marks on every homework assignment since the start of term, and yet you have barely cracked a book. So I am waiting Harry are you finally gonna tell me the truth, or another one of you lies, something about how Professor Lupin was simply tutoring you in DADA, that is ridiculous Harry, that is the only subject before now that you were better than me in." with that said Hermione, still red faced and angrier than most present had seen her, crossed her arms across her chest and waited.
Harry, though not lacking in courage, was speechless. He didn't know what to say first, or have the slightest idea where to begin. Fidgeting with his wand he made a decision. He turned to Ron and slowly raised his wand, "Envenerate", Ron woke with a start, and cast a suspicious look at Hermione, then one at Harry. Harry closed his eyes and asked for chairs for the six of them to sit in though Sirius' stayed in the shadows near him. As he sat down he motioned for the others to join him, letting out a long sigh, he began his tale. "First of all guys," he looked to Ron and Hermione, "I apologize for not telling you this sooner, but Hermione is right I have been keeping a secret from you. Several in fact, firstly and fore most, is that I am not the Harry Potter you saw off at Kings Cross last June. I am actually, from roughly 40 years in the future. And I came back to fix the way things went in the war."
"What war?" Ron asked puzzled beyond words, he was not entirely sure he friend was not having him on. Time travel of that extent was impossible, even for the most powerful wizards. Not to mention the fact if it really was Harry from the future first off why did he look like a 13 year old and second Harry would go back to save his parent's. Wouldn't he? The answer Ron got was not the one he was expecting.
"The second war with Voldemort, OH STOP!" this was said as both Ron and Hermione jumped at the name of the evil wizard. "Before you ask you should know that he does return, next year in fact, after that what follows are 40 of the unhappiest and happiest years of the world has ever known. We never really got a chance to be kids, so I made the decision not to tell you guys so you could have fun a little longer and maybe keep you away from the dangerous stuff."
"What about Ginny?" Hermione interrupted
"That was a accident, which I will explain later, now I realize you have a lot of questions and that you'll want them all answered. I am not going to tell you the story of what happens up to the day I came back, but I will answer some of the questions, you have ."
Hermione asked first, "Since you came back I take it we lost and You-Know-Who, was in power?"
"No, I won, but I didn't care for what it cost me to win. That and the fact that after a fashion I lost because the earth had roughly 20 years left before it entered a second Ice Age that few if any of what was left of the population would survive."
Ron spoke up next, "what did it cost you?"
"Everyone and everything I ever cared about."
Ron rocked back in his chair slightly but recovered slightly and asked another question, "What's all this got to do with my sister?"
Harry looked at Ginny after she nodded indicating that it was ok he answered, "She and I were, are rather, in love and were married, for a while."
"What happened did you hurt her?"
"No you git, I got myself killed. Now stop being a overprotective prat and listen." Ginny stopped Ron's train of thought before it could get rolling she had seen the wheels spinning, as Ron tried to wrap his brain around what Harry was telling him.
He decided to ask another question to change the subject, "Is that why you told her?"
"No like I said before Ginny finding out was a accident. Its hard to explain, those of us who are in on this aren't sure what or how it happened. Basically, the theory that makes the most sense is that due to the fact that Ginny and I are either twin souls or soul mates, the power of that connection and the love we have for one another transcended time and pulled Ginny back to me here from just before she died."
Ron snorted, "that is by far the corniest load of dragon dung I ever heard."
Hermione slapped Ron on the arm and sat up to ask Harry a question, "How did I die?"
"Quickly," was the only response Harry gave her before falling silent waiting for the next question.
"Are you going to elaborate?"
"Not at present, ask me again sometime."
"Fine," she huffed, "Who did I marry?"
At this one Harry smiled for the first time, "that one you are gonna have to figure out on your own I am not messing with it."
"What about me?" Ron asked
Without batting a eye and with the most serious look on his face Harry responded. "Pansy Parkinson"
Poor Ron looked as though he was going to be sick, "your joking right tell me your joking!"
Harry face was an unreadable mask, Ginny however began to snort as she tried to suppress he snickers, "you never could hold a straight face Gin," Harry quipped raising a eye brow at her. She snorted a few more times and he decided to fully let Ron off the hook, "yes Ron I am joking, but I am not telling you either, like I told Hermione you are gonna have to figure that one out on your own."
"Why?" Hermione asked the puzzled tone evident in her voice. As Ron cursed Harry which she chose to ignore.
"Because, its is the same reason I wouldn't tell Remus who he marries, it would forever plague your mind whether or not It was truly love or simply that you were doing it because I said you would. I am sort of the worlds best seer right now, and I don't want you subconsciously, trying to make my predictions coming true."
"How do we know you aren't having fun with us right now, Harry?" Ron asked clearly still not wanting to believe what he was being told.
"Tomorrow, Slytherin will beat Ravenclaw by 100 points in the Quiditch match after a hard fought 3 hour game." Harry said flatly glad that the game was so close. He didn't remember much about the details of this year, but the quiditch games the first time Harry was on the team that won the cup were always near the front of his mind. A small part of him regretted that this would be his last season on the team, but he felt he had a unfair advantage knowing that outcome. But like his maniacal captain, Harry wanted the cup this year. For their part Hermione and Ron looked like they would hold off on that line of questioning till then.
Ron had been thinking while Hermione was asking questions, he appeared to have decided on a vain of questioning he wanted to pursue.
"Harry, Ginny, what happened to the family? I have to know."
Harry sighed and began to answer, "you were all killed off by death eaters.
They asked more questions and the five of them talked a for several hours Harry kept them distracted as the sixth figure in the room slipped out during the conversation. After it became obvious that Harry wasn't going to mention him. When asked about why he came back this far, Harry's response was that he wanted to make sure someone received justice, but would not elaborate.
When Hermione began to get frustrated with Harry's cryptic answers, he asked her a question. Harry sighed and looked wearily at them. "To know what will happen is a dangerous thing, are you ready to make the choices, who to save who not, think Hermione, are you ready to watch someone die knowing you could have saved them?" Hermione did not respond, but stared at Harry chewing her lip as if fighting some internal struggle with her desire for knowledge, and not wanting to make those kinds of choices. Harry told them he was tired after training and talking about this he was physically and emotionally drained. He left with Ginny leaving the two of them with Remus. Who answered a few more of their questions. But most said that this was Harry's to tell.
The next day the bot Ron and Hermione had doubts about what they had learned the day before, until the quiditch match that afternoon. Three hours later a very scared and frustrated Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger sat in the Gryffindor common discussing their future in quiet tones. The rest of the room seemed to have missed the fact that Ron didn't care much about the result of the Quidditch match. Even though it meant Gryffindor was now in third place. Slytherin was now leading after wining by 100 points over Ravenclaw.
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Potterfanforever:OOOPS! ere... Sorry that one didnt cross my mind. nice catch though. for the sake of my story and its continuity I needed them to follow Ron, lets just say he was to focused on where Harry was to notice the what else was on the map.
harry rukes: for third and fourth year mostly the same, I wont start changing things till fifth year. and thanks for the great review.
Marquerida/Turnlach: sorry about the spelling will try and get it right from now on. and Thanks
Bewittching: given the terms of the question I asked and since you are the only one to respond you win. post a message in my Yahoo group or email me your name and house preference, your name will be added to the sorting in seventh year, you little firsty.
Monia: hope you like this one too its kinda of a break things are gonna start moving faster for a while now that everyone that needs to know does. dont worry things will pick up again soon. Has Harry's life every been boring? P.S. I love reading your reviews.
Clara: Thank you I tried to find my own twist to it but like I said in my disclaimer I am sure someone somewhere has done something similar. and the reason for Neville is everyone always Picks Ron, Hermione or Ginny to betray Harry, I think those are unlikly choices, and to be honest there is not much difference between Peter and Neville at first. Is there? hmmmmm?
Silver Warrior: to right and thanks for review.
Pynreig: well that was oppinionated, sorry you dont like it, hope you find one you do like. if you decide to continue to read this hope it gets better for you but I am not going to changes things to suit one person most of those reviewing like the story and where it is going. later and thanks for reviewing.
A/N2: next chapter will get us through christmas, does Harry had a surprise for Ginny, will Harry get the fabled Firebolt again, or did he bring it back with him. you will have to wait and see.