Chapter 7: Oh the tangled webs we weave
Harry left the library with a much lighter heart. He had found someone, someone that he could see himself loving as much as he had Ginny. Anaya was just the girl he had been looking for, smart, cunning and brave. If he never made it back to the future he could see himself living very happily with her for the rest of his life and he hadn't even known her that long! He turned to the portrait hole and was about to say the password when James's call stopped him.
"Harry!" James called as he ran towards him. "You don't want to go in there!"
Harry looked at his father in confusion. "Why would I not want to go in there James?"
"Lil's as mad as a hornets nest and if you want to keep your head you'll run now!" James grimaced.
"She's that mad eh?" Harry looked shocked.
"Mad is not the word for it Harry." James paled. "She's out for blood and looking for yours."
"Oh bugger." Harry grimaced. "I had hoped she had calmed down by now."
"Well she had, that was until she went to find you and mate, did she ever find you!" James looked around before finishing. "She came back to the common room ranting about how you were oh so cozy with that Ravenclaw girl in the library."
"Oh my." Harry paled.
"Harry Was this really worth making her this mad?" James raised an
eyebrow.
"I can't tell you why James but yes." Harry sighed. "Well better get this over with."
"Good luck!" James called as Harry entered the portrait hole.
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The moment Harry had entered the portrait hole Lily descended on him like a poisonous viper attacking it's prey.
"You despicable, cheating, lying jerk!" Lily screamed as she advanced
on Harry.
"I never lied to you!" Harry countered. "I told you we would see where it lead us and nothing more! I am not a cheater either! I never once said I would date only you. You assumed and that is what has caused you this pain Lili, not me."
Lili gaped at him, then her eyes started to water. "Do you love me at all?" She whispered.
"Yes Lili, I do love you. But not in the way you love me." Harry placed a hand on her shoulder. "I love you as a friend and as an exceptional woman, but I cannot love you the way you want me to Lily, I'm sorry."
With a strangled sob Lily tore his hand off of her shoulder and bolted out the portrait hole.
"Lil's!" James called after her.
"Go to her mate." Harry whispered as James looked at him in panic.
"It's time for her to see how much she needs you."
James nodded and left through the portrait hole as Harry turned to face the crowed that had hung around the common room.
"There's nothing more to see here." He said as he left the room and went to his dormitory.
Harry had just closed his door to his room when there was a knock on it. He opened the door and Sirius, Remus and Peter were standing there, glaring at him.
"I assume you want an explanation?" Harry drawled, they nodded. "Fine, you two can come in but Peter has to stay out!"
They looked at Peter in surprise, he shrugged and they entered the door, closing it behind them.
"Have a seat." Harry told them as he went to stand beside the window. "Your going to need it."
They took the seats that Harry indicated and listened with intent.
"Now let me begin by saying that I am not sorry for what I have done." Harry turned to face them. "This was needed to bring two very stubborn but loving people together and I would do it over and over again if I had to."
This got them to look at each other in surprise. "What do you mean?" Remus asked cautiously.
"I mean that Lily and James are meant for each other and I will do anything in my power to ensure that those two get together and stay that way!" Harry looked at them with honesty. "Now I know this will only perplex you further but for reasons you will find out later I cannot tell you more."
"But why!" Sirius thundered.
"Always the hot head Sirius." Harry chuckled. "If I tell you anymore it may change too much and I cannot allow that."
"Change too much? have you gone mad?" Sirius gaped at Harry.
"No, actually my dear friend I am quite sane." Harry laughed outright.
"Look one day I'll explain but now is not the time nor the place. So my friends I must bid you good night."
With that the two of them got up, gave Harry another unsure glance then left. Harry could hear Peter ask them anxiously what they were told, but to Harry's amusement they told Peter nothing. Harry closed his door and got into bed. He smiled to himself before falling asleep.
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The next morning Harry was eager to find out if his plan had actually worked. He got dressed quickly and made his way out to the common room. It was mainly deserted, aside from the two girls that had been chatting until he had entered the room and then as he walked passed them glared at him. Harry shrugged to himself mentally. So he was not the most popular guy at school at the moment, so what. If his plan worked, that was all that mattered. Harry exited out of the portrait hole and made his way to the great hall. As he entered the great hall all eyes turned to him, Including James and Lily, who seemed to be sitting by each other. Lili got up from her seat and went over to Harry.
"Is it true?" She asked in a hushed voice. "Did you really do all of this to get James and I together?"
Harry nodded.
"Why?" She looked almost to tears again.
"Come with me and I'll tell you." Harry told her. "I can't say anything in here."
Lily nodded and followed Harry out of the great Hall.
As soon as Harry had found an empty room he motioned her inside.
"Lily, I know this is going to sound crazy but you have to listen to me, no outbursts, no arguing. Just listen ok?" He looked at her as he closed the door.
Lily nodded.
"Now first off, I am not who you think I am. Yes my name is Harry but it's not Harry Langston." Harry took a deep breath. "My name is Harry Potter and I am your son. That is why you felt that attraction to me."
"My son?" Lily gaped at him.
"Don't interrupt. Now the reason I am telling you this and not dad is because I feel you can handle it better." Harry told her. "I have come back in time to stop Voldemort because all that I told you about him killing everyone that I love is true. Just not in this time."
"My son." Lily mumbled to herself, then looked at Harry skeptically.
"How can I be sure you're really my son?"
"Fair enough. I'll meet you in my room tonight at midnight. Come alone
and I'll show you my true self." Harry told her then left before she could object.
The knock came promptly at midnight and Harry opened the door. Lily bolted into the room so fast it surprised him. He closed the door behind him and turned to face his mother.
"So?" She demanded.
"You have to be patient. I have about five minutes before this potion will wear off." He told her. "Then you will see the real me."
"Polyjuice potion then?" She asked eyeing him.
Harry nodded. "Yes."
The transformation began at that moment and when it was done the real
Harry stood before Lily.
Lily sat down on his bed and watched him with unblinking eyes. "It was you wasn't it?" She breathed. "In Diagon alley, It was you I ran into, not James."
Harry nodded, his mouth going dry.
"You look just like him." She put out a hand to touch his face. "Except you have my eyes."
Harry closed his eyes as his mother touched his face, a tear slid down his cheek.
"What is that?" Her hand touched his scar.
"This is the only reminder I have of my life as it once was. Voldemort tried to kill me and when he did he left this scar." Harry whispered. "No one knows why he couldn't kill me though."
Lili looked at her son. "So this is why." She had tears running down her face. "This is why you couldn't love me. I understand now."
"But you're wrong. I love you so very much mom." Harry sobbed. "And I have longed to tell you but I couldn't tell anyone!"
"I know you love me, but your words yesterday make more sense." Lily smiled. "Now I know. Thank you."
"Please don't tell anyone." Harry urged.
"Don't worry son, your secret is safe with me." Lily said as she got up and left the room.