Title: Retrograde
Author: Knife Hand
Feedback: Constructive feedback appreciated, flames unappreciated
Spoilers: Nothing Specific, general for first few books.
Rating: M
Disclaimer: I do not own Hermione, or Luna, or Ginny, or Cho, or... I would buy them all but I am broke.
Summary: Harry's trial before fifth year goes differently because someone knows more than they should about Harry. Time Travel Fic.
Harry ran his hand across Amelia's bare thigh as she stood from the bed and padded naked over to the closet. Things had been quiet at the DMLE for the last two days since Harry's return, meaning Amelia only had to go into the Office for a few hours. Today however Susan was returning from Hogwarts, which also meant they were moving form the Apartment to Bones Manor. Amelia threw a dress and robes onto the bed and began to put on underwear from her draw in the dresser as Harry scooted up the bed to sit against the wall as he watched.
When she sat on the bed to pull up her stockings, Harry scooted up behind her and taking over as he kissed her neck. As he pulled up the stockings he noticed something.
"You got runes sown into your stockings." Harry whispered into her ear.
"Mmm." Amelia moaned. "Not just them. All my clothes. I did all of Susan's as well."
"You cheeky minx." Harry said with a smile. "Protection runes and waning runes as well I guess."
"Yes." Amelia said, giggling as Harry nibbled on her ear. "A few basic healthcare runes as well."
"Nothing… naughty?" he growled in her ear.
"No point. You weren't here." She replied, finally standing up and stepping away from him.
As she reached for her dress, she looked over her shoulder and saw his despondent expression.
"Perhaps you can help me decide what Runes to add." She said cheekily.
"I defer to the expert." Harry said with a mock seated bow.
"Mistress actually." Amelia replied. "Pentergast helped me get my Runes and Enchanting Mastery in my spare time. Until I had to take care of Susan, I had to keep busy in my spare time to keep from going crazy."
Harry stood off the bed, mindless of his nudity, and hugged Amelia from behind.
"That dedication is part of what I love about you, Lia." Harry said as she relaxed into his arms.
Harry and Amelia stood on Platform 9 ¾ with the other Magical Parents and Guardians. With some simple Muggle makeup to cover up his trademark scar, new square cut glasses, stylish casual clothes that actually fit and the same haircut he had in 1972, long at the back in a loose ponytail and a short fringe, he looked a far cry from the popular image of the Boy Who Lived.
They had even walked past Mr and Mrs Weasley and Lucius Malfoy, none of whom recognised him. It was kind of weird being amongst so many people he knew who did not recognise him. He had kind of gotten use to it in the past but back in his own time it was… disconcerting. Also being on this side of the equation, waiting for the Hogwarts Express with the parents, was a bit melancholy. If things had been different he still would have been standing here with Amelia, about a decade ago, waiting for their own child.
"How have you done it for so many years knowing what could have been?" Harry asked.
Amelia looked at him for a moment before understanding what he meant.
"When Edwin and Samantha died, I had to take care of Susan." Amelia replied. "She was only two years old. I looked down at her tiny face and my heart just melted. She became mine. Yes, I suppose she filled a part of my heart that was broken when… we lost the baby."
The train started to approach the platform, as Amelia paused.
"She also helped me not miss you as much." Amelia said quietly, almost too softly for Harry to hear.
The train pulled up at the station and the students began to disembark. Harry saw Susan and Hermione emerge together from the train a few doors down, hug each other and then separate. Hermione started walking away from Harry and Amelia, heading for the portal into the Muggle Station, while Susan quickly spotted Amelia and headed towards them.
"Hello Auntie." Susan said.
"Susan." Amelia greeted, wrapping Susan in a hug. "This is my… good friend William Tenor."
Susan looked Harry up and down for a few seconds before responding.
"He's too young." Susan replied. "William Tenor Junior perhaps? His son?"
"Umm… I'm confused." Harry admitted.
"Oh please." Susan replied. "Amelia Bones and William Tenor are legend in Hufflepuff, and of course being a Bones I am wrapped up in the legends."
"Legends?" Amelia asked, surprised.
"Professor Sprout still thinks the whirlwind romance of Amelia Bones and William Tenor is the most romantic thing that has ever happened in the history of mankind. Professor Babbling also always quotes the record of the only person ever to get an OWL in Runes after one year of William Tenor as tutored by Amelia Bones." Susan explained.
"Well shit." Harry said.
"I had no idea." Amelia said. "I mean I know Pomona Sprout was about two years behind us, but still."
"Like I said." Susan continued. "He's too young to be William Tenor."
"She's as tenacious and annoying as Edwin ever was." Harry said. "I am the William Tenor who went to school with Lia."
"Let's continue this at home." Amelia insisted.
Amelia took Susan's hand and side along Apparated while Harry Apparated himself to Bones Manor. By the simple ability to Apparate into Bones Manor gave credence to Harry's claim to be the real William Tenor as only those keyed into the Wards could do so.
"Why did you leave her?" Susan demanded, turning to face Harry. "She cried for you, I heard her night after night when she thought I was asleep."
"It was beyond my control." Harry explained, noting the pained expression on Amelia's face. "I would never have left Lia willingly. What happened is also the reason I look younger than Lia."
"Why do you call her Lia?" Susan asked.
"Because he is an idiot." Amelia said with a grin. "At least that's what I told your father when he first asked."
"I call her that because she is the love of my life." Harry said. "And I am going to ask her now what I was going to ask her on the day the… incident happened."
Susan looked a bit confused, but Amelia began to blush as Harry knelt down.
"Amelia Bones, will you marry me?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Harry, I will." Amelia replied.
"Hold it!" Susan said. "Why the hell did you call him Harry?"
"Official or real answer?" Amelia asked.
"Your call, Lia." Harry replied.
"Both. Susan, you might want to sit down." Amelia said.
Susan sat down on the single seater while Harry and Amelia sat together on the couch.
"Ok, official answer is that his full name is William Harold Tenor and prefers to use a variation of his middle name." Amelia explained.
"Ok. And the real answer?" Susan asked.
"Despite what people thought, I was not the Heir of Slytherin and did not try to set the snake on Justin in the Duelling Club." Harry said.
Susan stared blankly for a second and then a light went off in her head.
"Harry… Harry Potter?" Susan asked.
Harry just grinned while Amelia blushed.
"How?" Susan half whispered.
TBC…