Chapter 6: The plan.

Harry waited patiently in the library, wondering if Lily would actually show up or not. He had begun to give up hope when the door swung open and Lily walked in. She had her hair swooped up into a light bun with just enough tendrils to fall about her lovely face. At the sight of her Harry took in a deep breath.

Lily spotted him and moved toward him, smiling.

"Please, sit down." He motioned to the seat beside him.

Lily sat down and turned her brilliant green eyes towards him. Causing

Harry to mentally remind himself that she was his mother.

"Lily, I can't tell you how flattered I was at your note yesterday."

Harry began. "I must say that I find you very attractive as well and would be willing to see just where we could take this mutual attraction."

Lily took a deep breath.

Harry went on. "Now I will not make you any promises Lily, because

Ginny was my heart and soul and I am terribly afraid to give my heart again. But I also know that I can't live my life in what could have been or what if's."

Harry then waited for her response.

"I couldn't ask for more than that Harry." Lily told him somberly. "In fact I'm quite pleased that you just didn't reject me because of that."

"What do you mean?" Harry cocked an eyebrow.

"I know that you've been hurt and the pains of the heart are some of the worst wounds to face." Lily bowed her head. "I know that your healing will take some time and the best thing to do when you lose your love is to try and move on. This again is hard to do so I must say that I'm just glad you're willing to try is all."

Harry felt a twinge of guilt for what he was going to have to do to this girl in the coming weeks, but it was necessary. For if he didn't then he would never be born. He knew that no matter what he didn't have a choice.

Harry touched her hand and she smiled as she looked up.

"You don't have to worry about that Lily." He told her sincerely. "I'm not one to just reject someone without a good reason."

'Though you'll probably reject me after I'm through with this plan of mine.' Harry thought miserably. 'And I just know I'm going to feel so awful for this mom, but it has to be done.'

They left the library hand in hand.

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The next few weeks Harry did all he could to make Lily fall for him. He would bring her flowers and little gifts, send her love notes and telling her things like "I can't wait for the weekend so we can be together." along with other romantic things. He was trying his hardest to make her smitten with him. Harry was afraid that he wasn't succeeding until one morning he was traveling down a corridor towards the great hall when he heard a girl's squeal of laughter. Intrigued, he searched for where the voices were coming from. He ended up in front of the girl's bathroom.

"So Lil's do you think you love him then?" Val was asking from the other side of the door.

"I think I do Val." Came Lily's reply. "He's so sweet, sensitive and has never failed to amaze me."

"Oh I wish Jake would do that for me." came Val's wistful sigh.

"Yes, well Harry is a one in a million guy." Lily cooed.

"You're so lucky" Val's voice was getting closer to the door.

Harry backed away from the door and broke into a run towards the great hall as quickly as he could. His plan was a great success so far. Now came the time for the betrayal and break up. He would have to do this publicly so that James could comfort Lily and hopefully win her over.

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Harry had decided against using Val because she was not only too obvious of a choice but she also had a boyfriend. Harry was wandering around, thinking of anyone he could possibly use to make Lily break up with him when the perfect girl stepped out from a corridor. She had raven hair to the middle of her back and a set of ice blue eyes that nearly stopped his heart as he looked into them. Her beauty in Harry's eyes, matched that of the only woman he had ever truly loved, Ginevra.

"Oh." The girl blinked in surprise as she spotted Harry. "Hello."

"Hello, what's your name?" He asked silkily.

"Anaya Lestrange." The girl smiled back.

"Lestrange? Not as in Rudolfus Lestrange?" He cocked his head at her.

"Yes, he's my cousin." Anaya snorted. "We don't get along very well though. He was demanding they put me in Slytherin and I didn't care too much for that."

"I can understand." Harry nodded. "So Anaya, that's quite a lovely

name." he leaned against the wall. "My name's Harry Langston."

"I know, you're the one who transferred here." She said matter of factly. "So why are you roaming around the corridor that leads to the Ravenclaw common room?" She eyed him suspiciously.

"Oh, is that where this goes?" Harry looked surprised. "I didn't know that."

"Yes well I can assume that this castle would still be a bit confusing to one that had never stepped into it until this year." she said loftily.

"Would you be willing to show me around then?" Harry raised an eyebrow.

"Me? Why not get your little girlfriend to do that?" Anaya asked irritably.

"Well to be honest, she's not my girlfriend." Harry told her and with her skeptical look added. "Can you keep a secret Anaya?"

"Depends." She replied still skeptical.

"Well to be honest Anaya, Lily Evans and James Potter are the ones that are meant to be together, she just doesn't know it yet." Harry explained. "I am having to woo her then break her heart in order for them to see how much they should be together."

"That seems a bit cruel Harry." Anaya crossed her arms.

"I agree Anaya it is. But it is also necessary for my survival." Harry

Blurted accidentally.

Anaya eyed him. "What do you mean?"

Harry berated himself mentally the sighed. "Look what I am about to tell you, can't be repeated to anyone. I do mean anyone got it!"

Anaya paused for a moment, then nodded.

"I am not who everyone thinks I am." He started to pace. "I am Harry

James Potter, son of Lili Evans and James Potter."

"But how can that be when they're not even dating!" Anaya exclaimed in disbelief.

"Please don't interrupt me Anaya." Harry said simply, then continued.

"I was born in July of 1981 and a year later my parents were murdered. I then was forced to grow up with these horrible muggles and then when I came to Hogwarts I met my best friends Hermione and Ron. I was planning to marry Ron's younger sister when Voldemort killed everyone I loved including my Ginny. He made me a prisoner and forced me to do things I was not proud of. Well I escaped and came back in time to stop him. But certain events in time still must play out and I know this. Which means my parents have to fall in love and get married or I'm never born."

Anaya's mouth formed a silent "o".

"Now if this means that I have to hurt my mother in the process to make these events happen then by all means I'm going to do just that. Now," He gave her a penetrating stare. "What I need is someone that is willing to help me and I would prefer that it was someone that had an idea of what was really going on so that I don't end up hurting two women at the same time."

"So you're asking for my help in this then?" She asked him.

"If you would be willing to, then yes." Harry nodded.

"Give me some time to think about this will you?" She bit her lip in thought.

Harry nodded again. "Owl me when you've made your decision."

With that they parted ways and Harry couldn't help but smile to himself as he went back to the Gryffindor common room.

As he entered through the portrait hole, James approached him.

"We need to speak in private now!" James said tersely.

"Alright, come up to my room." Harry said as he began to climb the stairs to the boys dormitory.

The moment the door had shut behind Harry, James whirled around with a Worried look on his face.

"Harry, I'm not sure this was a good idea." James paced in front of him. "I mean she's happy."

"James, you don't understand." Harry shook his head. "I'm doing this for you, for both of you."

"But at what cost!" James protested. "Is it really worth hurting her this badly?"

"James, I can't tell you how or what I know but you two must be together and I am going to do all I can to make sure that happens." Harry told him bluntly.

"Fine!" James flung his hands into the air, "But don't say that I didn't warn you!"

With that James left the room.

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Harry was beginning to think that Anaya was to refuse his inquiry for help. He had almost given up hope when one morning an owl swooped into the great hall and dropped the letter it was carrying into Harry's lap before taking flight again. Harry opened the letter and it simply stated.

Harry,

I'll help. Meet me in the library after dinner.

Anaya.

Harry was careful not to let anyone, especially Lili see the note.

After he had finished eating, he made his way to class. When dinner came he looked at the Ravenclaw table and spotted Anaya, their eyes met briefly before she blushed and turned away from him.

'Huh' Harry thought to himself. 'Wonder what that's all about.'

He sat down to dinner, Lily clinging to his arm as usual and began to eat. Lily was mumbling something to him, while he was looking at Anaya's back. This must have seemed to Lily that he was ignoring her when she smacked his arm.

"OI!" Harry grumbled, then looked at Lily's angered face. "What!"

"I asked if you were going to come to the common room after dinner so that we could spend time together and I find you staring at the back of a Ravenclaw girl!" Lily growled angrily.

Had he really made it that obvious? Harry cleared his throat. "Sorry

Lil's, I wasn't staring at anyone honestly. Just tired I guess." He said trying to defuse the situation.

"Like I believe that!" Lily snorted. "If you don't want to be with me then just say it!"

"You've got me wrong Lil's." Harry pleaded, half heartedly.

"Do I?" Lily was shouting now, causing eyes to turn their way.

Harry went red as Lily stood up, still storming on about how he was being unfaithful.

"Lily will you stop shouting at me!" Harry stood up, facing her. "I've never cheated on you! I was looking around and you are assuming!"

"Oh so now I'm paranoid am I?" Lily placed her hands on her hips.

"Look I refuse to discuss this while you're yelling at me in front of

everyone!" Harry retorted. "If you can't talk to me civilized, then don't talk to me!"

"Fine!" Lily stormed away from the Gryffindor table and Harry sat back down to his dinner.

The whispers from the others around him just irritated him further and he gave up the idea of finishing his dinner. Harry pushed back from the table and left the great hall. He then made his way to the library and waited for Anaya to show. He didn't have long to wait as Anaya followed him through the door not more then five minutes later.

"Doesn't look as though you need my help as badly as you thought you did." She smirked as she sat down beside him.

"Actually, whether you realize it or not, you're the girl she spotted me staring at Anaya." Harry retorted grumpily.

"Oh? And just why were you staring at me Harry?" She asked, mischief showing in her voice.

"Don't be so coy Anaya." Harry looked into her eyes. "You should know why I asked you above all other girls."

"Oh?" Anaya looked intrigued.

"From the moment I saw you, I have been attracted to you in a way that no other girl, before or since Ginny has ever made me feel." Harry told her honestly.

"Oh." Anaya blushed with surprise. "So that's why she was able to spot you."

Harry nodded. "And also why she was so angry about it Anaya."

"Naya." She said abruptly. "Call me Naya."

"Alright then, Naya." Harry smiled.

"So then what are we going to do about this?" She asked quietly.

"About what?" Harry looked at her confused.

"About the fact that we both like each other." she said bluntly.

"Well then that is a predicament now isn't it?" Harry smirked leaning

in toward her.

"I want to see the real you Harry." She said before he could kiss her.

"What?" Harry looked taken aback.

"Before we start anything together I want to see the real you." She told him. "Not this person you are hiding behind."

"I look like my father if that's any help." He told her sincerely.

"I had a feeling of that but no, that doesn't help." She shook her head. "If I am to love you I need to know the real man I love, not the one you're pretending to be."

"Alright then." Harry conceded. "Meet me at the draping of the trolls beating that man on the seventh floor at midnight tonight and I'll show you."

Naya nodded and they left the library, glancing at each other briefly

Before going their own ways.