[a/n]Based on the B5 episodeDeconstruction of Falling Stars. Babylon 5 is a scifi show with some similarities to Star Trek, even to having a Federation of sorts. Although humans do NOT rule the galaxy. The episode here takes place in the FAR future where, possibly, they do.

Harry Does Different CDLIII

Good Decent Man

Humanity had gone from its racial youth to cosmic maturity. They did their duty as leading seniors in the galactic community and were now ready to advance to the next stage. The transition required an enormous burst of energy. Of the kind that stars produce. There were several ways to concentrate that much power. The way our distant descendants chose was to cause Old Sol to supernova. Fortunately, the only other inhabitants of the System were the Palanians of Pluto who would not be much impacted by the explosion. Earth's surface was rendered unhabitable centuries ago by the changes engineered in the Sun. Protected by the sheer power of his mind, a single man stood on an island surrounded by an ocean of lava.

"Detonation in three days." Announced a disembodied voice.

Twelfth Pilinipsi nodded in acknowledgement. Calling that his name is not quite true, but it is the best English could do. And though he appeared to be a man in the 20th Century sense, he was considerably more. Even in this distant time, nostalgia and homesickness could still touch such beings "A last view of the race's history, on our homeworld, is in order. Emphasize one of my early ancestors."

"Harry Potter." Said the image of a dark-haired green-eyed almost adult.

Twelfth Pilinipsi quirked an eyebrow and scratched his goatee then ordered "Proceed."

Abcij

"Today we mark the Battle of Hogwarts Bicentennial." The Headmaster addressed his formally attired student body "It is still one of the most debated events in recent history. A great many treatises have told us what the author thinks Headmistress McGonagall SHOULD HAVE done. Not only during the battle proper, but of the entire year building up to it. Here to discuss a new book, not on the battle itself, but rather a new view of the main protagonist that fateful day. Other than to ensure no graphic violence or other inappropriate material is present, I offer no opinion on the book. This is not a class, none of you are obligated to remain . HOWEVER all the usual rules of good behavior remain in force. With that, I present historians Alfred Thomas and Abraxas Malfoy accompanied by their publisher Shirley Henderson."

The trio acknowledged the brief applause with waves, then the witch led off "Thank you Headmaster Bulstrode for your kind introduction. Amazing to me how the old hall can be so remodeled, yet still have that classic feel we all remember. And just as this evolved, so must what we learn of history."

"Indeed, and we do not propose to change the facts, figures or events." Said Abraxas. He was typical of his bloodline; almost albino, blond hair that, in his case, was cut almost to his scalp, and a meticulously kept goatee "But to look at motivations, behavior, characteristics and ambition."

Alfred, who was tall enough to be suspected of having giant blood, was very slight and led to most magicals dismissing that theory. He was quite dark-skinned, with the usual tightly curled hair. His demeanor was more pleasant than his co-author. He said "A phrase most associated with the famous Muggle leader Winston Churchill goes History is written by the victors. Or, the good guys won, the bad guys lost. My ancestor, Dean, is one of those listed as a hero of the Battle of Hogwarts. The Malfoys, on the other hand, are remembered as attackers …therefore, bad guys."

There was a trickle of students of various departing. This was not remarked upon.

"For the decade prior to his reintroduction, Harry Potter was worshipped as The-Boy-Who-Lived." Alfred began the narrative "And while there is no denying his survival of the still-Unforgivable Avada curse, it was not the toddler who ended the First Voldemort Rebellion. It was the now-standard so-called Lily Defense. Yet to this day, the legal holiday is still called Harry Potter Day." There was a clear sense that the speaker did not think much of it.

Several similar-looking students sprinkled among the House tables were signaling in family hand-signs.

Long used to public speaking, Shirley took over "We are in no way taking away from James Potter's last stand. It is simply that an unemotional analysis of the attack shows Mr. Potter, as a toddler, could not have affected the outcome."

"Indeed" Abraxas was not responsible for that part of the book, and not pleased with its inclusion "And while declaring all those who supported Voldemort as agents of evil. As if everything is irredeemable black or bright brilliant light, more hero worship was heaped on a true Dark Lord."

It was obvious who they were talking about. There were shocked gasps from much of the audience. A beloved historical figure being so maligned, it was sacrilege. Those same children who'd been exchanging gestures left their respective tables and headed for the door. They were headed off by the Headmaster, who'd apparated from his seat to the door to the exit "Mister Potter? You and your cousins are not remaining?"

"That lot's entitled to their opinion." Replied the oldest boy, except for curly blond hair he had many of the usual Potter markers. Though possessed of a confidence his ancestor didn't develop until after Hogwarts "But sir, you said it's not a class and we do not owe it even the validation our presence implies."

After glancing at the younger ones, he acquiesced "Very well, off you go."

"And this ongoing mythology of Hermione Granger-Weasley still being alive?" a half hour later, the audience had taken the panel down several topics related to the book. Mr. Malfoy was speechifying about a question that profoundly affected him "The Ministry rolls her name out every time it perceives the slightest threat to its newest so-called reform. Admittedly, we are a long-lived race, but it goes completely past the bounds of believability. Is it not convenient she never seems to appear in public?"

That was when there was a brief tremor and, for the space of five seconds, the bewitched ceiling along with all the candles went dark. Panic began to mount, but Headmaster Bulstrode's wand exploded in light and noise "QUUIIIIIIIIETTTTTT! Everyone will remain in his or her seat! There is NOTHING TO FEAR!"

"Quite. I have a bit to say." A frail looking witch hobbled in leaning on a cane. She seemed impossibly old, stringy hair, unkempt, and yellowing skin, almost see-through. She was escorted by the Potter boy and his younger cousins, plus two intimidating hooded figures "Harry Potter was a good man, and he was my friend."

Headmaster Bulstrode almost spasmed in shock "Madam Minister!"

"I've not been that for a good many decades." She was polite to the Headmaster, but sharply rebuked the authors "You, Mr. Thomas, I recall Dean as a decent Housemate and certainly a brilliant artist. However, it seems to me your family lore is colored by never getting over a certain redhead becoming Ginny Potter. Equally, I am sure Mr. Malfoy truly believes in Lucius as a great man. Well, it depends on what way the wind is blowing." With that she leaned heavily on her cane and turned to go.

The publisher stopped her almost pleadingly "But Madam Granger-Weasley you've given us so little just now! You came all this way to say THAT? So much we - -"

"You came farther to say much less!" the old witch hissed scathingly "You do not want to KNOW! You came to hear yourselves talk!" Then Hermione tenderly touched the cheek of the oldest boy.

Whatever the exact relationship, all the kids said "Bye Gran!"

And again the lights went out, and the Great Hall shook. When they came back on, Hermione and her uniformed escorts were gone.

"Well, that was dramatic." The publisher found her voice first "I think that concludes our presentation. Headmaster Bulstrode would not allow any book purchases without your parents' permission so we are handing out these cards entitling the barer to a 5% discount. If used by one of you young witches and wizards here today, the discount will be 10% and entitle you to having your book autographed by both Mr. Thomas and Mr. Mafloy. For all three of us, thank you for your attention. Good day."

Abcij

The playback froze at that moment and the disembodied voice reported "Explosion of Sol in progress. Force six shock wave will destroy planet in approximately 477 seconds. Mark."

"Acknowledged" Twelfth Pilinipsi answered calmly, and "More on Harry Potter? Curious. The wizard was dead at this point. Resume playback."

Abcij

A witch of Indian heritage walked into a Hogwarts classroom. The dark forest was visible and off in the distance were the tallest of Hogsmeade's buildings. She was crisply confident in her superiors and sure of her own ability to complete her assignment. She wore robes preserved from antiquity, complete with family crest and all service honors "Deptrue Senior Agent Indira Patil reporting. Date October 31 2991. Historical amendment program; correcting truefacts to match current Ministry policy. That being long-thought hero, Harry Potter, was in fact Undesirable #1 of the Great Voldemort Rebellion. It then being necessary to replace truefacts with goodfacts. Inferi of major subject have been raised to facilitate objectives. Magical constructs will now receive truefact update of current world affairs…Who are you? Where are you?"

"Harry Potter" "Ron Weasley" "Luna Lovegood" "Hermione Granger"

The agent made notes on her pad, nodding "Very good. And mental control seems sufficient for plan of action."

"A thousand years and magicals are right back where we were?!" the Hermione inferus looked deeply offended.

Ron glared "It's worse. What happened to all the ideas Fred and George came up with? I might not have been much of an inventor, but once they explained things to me, I got what they made …and sometimes what they planned next."

"The nargles are always looking for new ways to spread their mischief." Luna's undead form sounded authoritative.

It brought smiles to the faces of her three friends

Not so to the future operative, Indira's eyes narrowed in concentration, tightening her control over the irritant and obliterating any sense of Luna's self "Time to move forward." And by sheer will, the scene changed, all five were now in the hospital wing. "Proceed Lovegood."

"Report Pomfrey." Every trace of the quirky personality was gone

The mediwitch, also an infernus, cackled evilly "We are learning much, mistress general, from all the Pureblood dissections. Most especially that of the conscious and untranquilized children. God I wish they would not whine so much. I am certain, with maybe a couple more years work, we will be breeding reliably."

"That is hardly the timeline our Lord and Master expects." Sneered the high official.

Pomfrey cringed and backed away "Please mistress! Lord Harry asks the impossible!"

"Crucio!" yelled Luna and she smiled evilly as her victim suffered.

The inferi Ron and Hermione protested at the scene, yelling "That's not Luna! She would NEVER do that!" And Ron charged their tormentor.

"You have no will that is not mine." The Indian witch was more annoyed by the attack than afraid. She simply clamped down mentally on both inferi and calmly resumed the fiction.

A courageous young victim attacked a guard, seized a wand and turned it on the redhead "You monster! Avada- -"

"Diffindo!" Ron countered, contemptuous of the deadly attack. With a fake-pleasant smile he approached the attacker, who was now struggling with two guards. He bent over and picked up the severed, bloody hand and quipped "Disarming charms are so much more effective when you actually dis the arm. Don't you agree boy?"

Inferus Harry clapped a couple times, clearly unimpressed "I must admit, Miss …Patil, was it? Wonder if you're related to the twins? Anyway, that was a good little performance. Ron might even say something like that, but you forgot to have Hermione criticize the sloppy grammar. You are a truefacts sorta girl? Right?"

"Thank you for your input." Sneered the woman "It will be useful in documenting your crimes against purebloodism." She glanced at the undead creature and sent the thought that would end its independence. And got the shock of her life! It didn't work!

Harry smiled at her "Nice try. But you forgot I was fourteen when I beat the Imperius curse, and from a pro. When you awakened our memories you gave me those powers. This place is almost like Hogwarts, I'll give you that. Another Room of Requirement maybe?"

"You will OBEY ME!" Indira commanded, she redoubled her effort at mental control.

The inferus waved it off "Same old story with your type trying to conquer the world. Well at least I can stop this. See while you were concentrating on controlling my friends, I was watching just what you were doing. And how. A person with a strong enough will can control as many undead as they can see. Right?"

"Absolutely!" the operative gritted her teeth in the effort to control Harry.

He smiled at her and explained "And that's true, as long as the witch or wizard keeps focus. And doesn't have someone fighting them. Then we can both completely lose control." Then all humanity vanished from the inferus. It howled. So did the dozens of other undead. Indira Patil screamed in terror and pain as she was torn to shreads.

Abcij

"Ten seconds to arrival of Sol shockwave. 99.999999999 percent chance of planetary obliteration." The archive voice announced as the scene dissolved.

Twelfth Pilinipsi had nothing to fear from the coming destruction. With no undue haste, he commanded "Goto Pluto. As previously arranged. Open all our history as a race to their review. The Prime Directive is absolute. Reveal no technology for which that race is unprepared."

Plutonian scientists of every field were barely beginning to study their windfall when, six hours later, the supernova explosion was noted in the sky. It had little impact on their daily lives.