Hello all,
Harry and Daphne of my story would be somewhat inspired from the stories of Dorothea Greengrass and the fic "Novacaine". If you have not heard about them, look for them on website. If you like Daphne and Harry pairing then Dorothea Greengrass's fics are most recommended, at least from me. This fic would have some elements of Novacaine, but in a different manner.
I am having a little trouble editing the fics right now, so there might be a change in chapters in the future.
HARRY POTTER
Since he had decided to delay picking his younger self, they had appeared just outside the gates of Potter Manor. Asking Andromeda to keep an eye of Sirius, he pressed his Potter ring to the old and frayed gate. A large wave of magic swept through him, judging and observing. Just like in his future, his last memory of his father came up before the wards fell under his command. He could feel them seeking Daphne out through his marriage bond, designating her as the Lady of the house. Closing his eyes, he focused on removing the already weak stasis charms one by one. In the future, he had asked for help from Bill and Neville to guide him, and it had taken him nearly a week to get even an entry in the manor. But this time, it took him only 5 minutes. He felt wards flexing and drawing more power from the central ward stone as the Lord of the House was going to take residence once more. When his eyes opened, the rusted gate had turned into a black behemoth. Giving a large smile to Andromeda, who just rolled her eyes, he levitated the stunned form of Sirius inside.
Since the manor had no house elf's at the moment, they decided to sit in the parlor and renervate the stunned animagus. Sirius was much more agile than he had expected, jumping away and drawing his wand as soon as he woke up. Unfortunately for his godfather, his wand was pointing in Harry's direction and he must have had the intention of attacking. The wards reacted immediately, jolting him so hard that he fell on the ground, his wand thrown off to other side.
"Really Sirius, I am pretty sure dad told you that the manor has defensive wards, and you still react like this." He drawled in the best pureblood impression his wife had taught him.
Sirius Black, the man who had run headfirst in the ministry to save his godson despite being one the most wanted man, sat on the floor, staring dumbly at them.
"James" came the croaked voice.
He shook his head, how his godfather thought of him as his dead father, he had no idea. Either his stunner had been more powerful than he had intended, or Sirius was still suffering the effects of Azkaban.
"No, Godfather. Dad is enjoying his next great adventure, most likely irritating mom in one way or another."
{In the afterlife, James potter sneezed just as he was trying to drop a bag of flour in a heart design for an unsuspecting Lily Potter. Unfortunately, his aim missed and the flour spread right on top of her. Every Potter ever born shook their head on hearing the terrified screams of Charles Potter's eldest, the third time in a single day.}
"Harry? How?"
"How do you think?"
His godfather closed his eyes, muttering something under his breath. Whatever it was, must have been bad, because Andromeda, who had been silent until now, rolled her eyes and levitated Sirius to a bed. Her husband stepped up after her, hitting Sirius with multiple charms.
"Andy"
She stared at her cousin for a long time before asking.
"Pettigrew I assume then?"
Sirius's gaze went down as he nodded. Harry had never expected her to hit his godfather on the head. Her voice, even though still normal, felt like full of anger.
"Why didn't you tell anybody, you bloody fool?"
"Nobody asked me, Andy. And when they did, no one except Harry believed it."
A slash of Ted's wand put Sirius ina body bind. The healer turned to look at them.
"I don't even know where to begin. Since he can't go to St. Mungo's, I will have to shift him to our home at least. His recovery will be long, difficult, and expensive. He needs mind healers, charm specialists, and many more to take a look at him. His core is behaving erratically, and the pathways are nearly empty. How is he alive or even conscious, I have no idea."
Hearing the healer's words, his entire body went cold. No one ever knew how much Sirius was suffering since his escape. Even in the future, they came from, not once did Sirius was ever checked up by a healer or mediwitch. No one cared about his godfather, while the man himself never spared a thought on it.
He never noticed how his magic had started responding to his anger, swirling around him slowly. It was only when the wards started absorbing the magic that he realized and calmed down.
"No, Potter Manor is more secure and safe. Just give me a list of what you need, or I can give you the money if it's easier for you to arrange."
Ted looked at his wife before answering.
"It will be better if you give the money to me. I can buy it from the suppliers more easily, and arrange a safe meeting with other healers."
After a little more discussion, Ted and Andy left for their home, promising to bring Dora along the next day. Sirius was given two general potions Ted always carried, with strict instruction to not let his godfather channel any amount of magic. Seeing Sirius in a deep sleep, he decided to get his younger self the next day, and spent the rest of the night preparing Potter manor for the future.
The next morning, it was still dark when he appeared in the park near privet drive. As soon as his steps crossed the ward line of 4, privet drive, something encompassed his entire self, before tying around his core. Checking, he found a unique red ward attached to him. It was nothing like he had ever felt. A strange type of warmth had started flowing inside him, and a feeling of protectiveness rose in him. It took him a few more minutes to decipher that it was the blood ward Dumbeldore had talked about. He mentally added another point in favor of the Headmaster and walked inside. Having every intention of avoiding his relatives for time being, he straight away went to the second bedroom.
Stepping inside the first thing he saw was a pair of yellow and black eyes staring at him. He was still frozen at the door when Hedwig flew towards him. His arm raised automatically, bringing her closed when she had settled. For the first time since she had died in the future, a sob escaped out, just for his first friend. He had not been able to mourn for her with everything that had followed. Tears flowed freely even as he tried to stop him. He could feel her nuzzling against his cheeks, her wings moving over his hair.
"I missed you, Girl."
She made a sound which he was sure said something like 'of course you did, Silly human". It was only when she poked him with a beak that he looked up, meeting an identical set of green eyes staring at him with confusion.
"Who are you?"
Transferring Hedwig to his shoulder, he gave a small smile.
"Who do you think I am?"
His younger self did not disappoint him. Even waking up to a confusing scene had not made him lost his wits.
"But Hermione said..."
"It's not a time turner, Junior."
His younger self made a face at that name before narrowing his eyes.
"How do I know you are not lying?"
"I didn't say anything that can be taken as a lie, did I?" he replied in the same tone. Seeing his younger self's hand moved towards the Holly wand he summoned it. The dark brown wand flew in his hand and a muted warmth flew through him. While the Pheonix feather was reacting positively, the wood did not. That was expected as it had bonded with the Horcrux inside him. Looking at his younger self, he flicked the death stick summoning A majestic white stag Patronus.
"I hope that is enough proof?"
Junior nodded dumbly after a few moments. As he moved to dissipate the stag, junior inquired.
"How was it so solid?"
"You will learn soon. Now, pack up everything. You are will not be calling this home anymore."
The next few minutes went fast as Junior moved across the room like a whirlwind, collecting everything he owned. It seemed that Vernon had wakened up during all the rush, as just before they apparated away, heavy footsteps were heard climbing the steps. Leaving a little surprise for his uncle, he popper away with his younger self, completely forgetting about the bird sitting on his shoulders.
The price of that mistake was paid when Hedwig started pecking him as soon as they arrived at the manor.
"Ow, Stop, Hedwig, Ow, Ow, stop it you bloody bird."
The pecking got much worse.
"Ow, Ow, I am sorry, I am sorry. I didn't think, stop it, Ow, Hedwig stop."
It took a few more minutes to get her to stop attacking him. He was glaring at Junior, who was laughing with tears in his eyes when Daphne's voice caught his attention.
"What did you do now?" She said stepping up to him and smoothing down his hair. He did not miss how Junior stopped laughing or how his eyes widened.
"I did nothing, Daph. Hedwig..."
Noticing Hedwig getting ready to attack him once again, he told the truth.
"Okay, I might have apprated with her, without telling her."
She gave a small laugh before turning towards Hedwig.
"Forgive him. He tends to act without thinking."
Hedwig gave a small bark before flying to his wife's shoulder. As his wife was talking to the white owl, he noticed junior staring at his wife with awe.
"Hey, stop checking out my wife."
Junior immediately blushed and turned his eyes down. Daphne looked at both of them with amusement before shaking her head.
"Come along both of you, they are in the parlor. Where is Sirius?"
"In one of the guest bedrooms."
As they walked out of the hall, he pointed his fingers towards his eyes and then at Junior, who was staring at them, mouthing the words "I am watching". Daphne, who had seen him doing it, hit him over the head.
"Ignore him, Harry... Actually don't. See and learn what you should not do."
Junior looked confused at her words before shrugging. As they walked towards the parlor, he addressed junior.
"Would you call Dobby, Junior. We might need his help."
The arrival of the hyperactive elf brought another wave of sadness, but he controlled himself. Now was not the time to give in to emotions. Once Dobby had popped away to do everything Junior had asked, he turned towards Daphne.
"Bring everyone in the Dining hall. It is big enough for everyone that will be here today. I will get junior settled and then bring him and Sirius."
His wife nodded and moved towards the parlor, Hedwig still perched on her shoulders, while they started climbing the stairs.
"is that Greengrass?"
The question confused him, as he couldn't remember noticing Daphne much in the school years.
"Yes, do you know her?"
Junior shook his head.
"No, I head Seamus talking about her last year."
Ah, he understood. Seamus Finnigan had been quite a fan of his wife in the future. The Irishman's courting tries had only stopped when Harry himself had stepped in.
"He said she was pretty and... I mean she is."
He slapped junior's shoulders as they reached the heir quarters.
"That she is. Come on young casanova, It is going to be more fun than I had expected."
It took them nearly half an hour to come back to the Hall, as Junior had taken to gawk at everything in their father's room and spent a good time embracing his godfather. Sirius looked more tired than yesterday but had assured that he was feeling well, not that he believed him.
In the hall, he greeted the Tonks family, Daphne's parents, Sebastian Delacour, Fleur, and Daphne's younger self, who was observing him with narrowed eyes. Seeing the seating arrangement, he grinned at the idea that had popped into his head. After introducing Junior to his future parents in law, not that the teenager knew about that, he made him sit right next to a young Daphne Greengrass. His wife poked him immediately.
"What are you doing?"
Catching her poking hand, he dragged her away.
"Setting up the stage for a wonderful scene. It will be spectacular, trust me."
She didn't get the time to reply as the floo flared and Ron stepped out of it. His best friend looked happier than he could remember.
"Step aside, Harry. They are coming through."
"All of them? Do they know?"
Ron shook his head, his wand already out to banish all the soot.
"No, only mom and dad know. Fred and George tried but failed. Ginny is staying with Luna for a few days, and I was not sure..."
Ron didn't need to say any further. Ginny's fate is the future was going to one of the most difficult things to tell. The first one to step out was Bill, followed by the Weasley parents. He was surprised to see that Charlie was the next one to arrive, but remembered that the dragon tamer had been in Britain for the tournament. Percy looked like he always did, irritated at everything. The last one to appear was a young Ron behind the twins, all three were staring at all the things around them.
"Everyone, welcome to potter manor. Please take a seat at the table. There are a few more people who would be arriving."
Molly, who looked like she wanted to talk to him, gathered everyone and directed them towards the table. He could see the face his wife made. Daphne always hated the controlling nature of Mrs. Weasley.
He could see Jon talking to Arthur, while Natalie was trying to talk to junior, who had a flushed face. The sound of floo activating caught his attention once again, as he turned to see Madam bones stepping out of the floo. He had last seen the woman in his Wizengamot hearing and not thought about her much. But standing right in front of him, it was clear why she was the head of DMLE. Her eyed traveled in a trained manner across the room, not missing anything. He could see the slight widening of eyes when she saw Sirius, but there was no other reaction. When she finally looked at him, it looked like she relaxed a little.
"Mr. Potter."
"Madam Bones. Welcome to Potter Manor."
She stared at him until the floo flared behind her. A very young Susan stepped out of the floo, and he had to stop himself from laughing. Susan Weasley stepped out the next moment and pointed a finger at him.
"Not a word, Potter."
He lifted his hands up.
"Of course, Susan"
Taking a break, he continued.
"I will not say anything about how much you loved ponytails as a teenager."
Ron and Daphne joined him in the laughter as Susan glared at them. Her ponytail fascination had been a big point of teasing her for them. She would have said something but the floo chimed once again and they all turned to face it. Tracey was the first to step out, but behind her was not her parents, but a very young-looking Hermione. At his questioning glance, she shrugged and spoke in a neutral voice.
"Her parents wanted to meet their daughter in law."
"Don't listen to her. She is not happy that they liked young Tracey more than her." Julia Davis, her mother, who had stepped out next, said. He could understand the reason, as Tracey had been a rather happy and mischievous person before her parent's death. Hermione's father followed behind her with Tracey's father accompanying him, while a young Tracey came before Hermione's mother and an elder Hermione.
Once they all were seated, he closed down the floo and asked Dobby to pass a message to certain someone.
Ron was the first one to notice the two empty seats.
"Is there anyone else coming?"
He could feel Hermione and Daphne staring at him as he took a seat.
"Yes. There is one more person who would be arriving soon, I hope."
Daphne must have known the identity of the person after feeling his guilt through the marriage bond.
"No, you didn't."
When he didn't reply, Ron spoke up in a serious tone.
"Who else did you invite, Harry?"
Daphne answered for him, her tone filled with anger.
"Albus bloody Dumbledore."
Any further discussion was paused when the aged headmaster appeared flashed along with Fawkes in the Hall. Commanding the ward to immobilize everyone, he shouted.
"Everyone stop, right now."
Once the manor wards had stopped everyone, he turned to face the man he loved and hated.
"As my message said, Headmaster, you will learn everything needed to defeat Voldermort today, but I want you to take an oath before that. You will not use magic against us, until we attack you or give you permission to do so, neither will you leave before either I or my wife permit you to leave."
Dumbledore was staring at all of them, having already drawn his wand out. Fawkes was flying around the room, with not a single voice escaping him.
"And why should I do that, Mr. Potter?"
Despite the tense atmosphere, a big smile came on his face.
"I know the recipe for older Pepper imps, Headmaster."
Dumbledore, who was still observing everyone in the room, brought his complete attention to him. There was a strange tone in his voice.
"Do you, Harry?"
"The black ones, Professor."
A wave of relief went through him when the Headmaster smiled and gave the oath he had demanded. He then eased the wards and released everyone. At the glare of multiple people, he shrugged.
"You will understand, trust me."
Once they both had taken the seat, Professor Dumbeldore pulled out the Pensieve and place it on the table. Hermione, after taking permission from the headmaster, hit it with a spell, increasing its size. As they had planned, Ron was the first to speak.
"There is a document in front of all of you. Signing it will bind you under an oath that you will not be able to share anything you learn in this Manor today to anybody else, in any possible way. Even a forced legilimen's attack will not be able to force this information out of you. Please, sign in using your full name."
It took a few minutes of discussion, especially from Mrs. Weasley, but everyone except Hermione's parents had signed the documents soon. Once they were done, he took control of the meeting.
"As some of you know, and some of you suspect, there are six-time travelers in this room. Ronald Weasley, his wife, Susan Weasley nee Bones, Hermione Granger, her partner, Tracey Davis nee Granger, and finally me and my wife, Daphne Potter nee Greengrass. We traveled back here after losing everything in the future. By sharing everything with all of you, we hope to avoid that future and fates of many people."
Percy and Madam Bones looked like they wanted to speak, but Dumbeldore's voice stopped them, probably.
"Time is not to played with, Mr. Potter. There can..."
"I know Professor. But that future we came from, will not be affected by changes we would make. Our arrival here has created a new timeline, you can say. Everything we do will create a totally new future."
Hermione took over the explanation, describing about some details about the ritual in simple words. He knew a lot of things would go over the head of the youngsters, but they would have to understand the seriousness of the situation, which they did when Hermione explained the price of the ritual.
"Bill Weasley, his wife Fleur, and Andromeda Tonks gave their life willingly to power up the ritual."
The sentence was said in a neutral tone, but he could see the effect on everyone. While the youngster's attention was clear, the grown-ups lowered their heads. For the first time, he realized that everyone above 20 years of age in the room had been through a war. And in one way or another, they all had seen people sacrifice themselves for others. For those left behind, it was painful long after it had been done. Once Hermione had stopped speaking, he continued.
"I will not explain much about what happened before I came to Hogwarts, but we will be discussing it later."
He had shared a glance with Professor, who just lowered his eyes. Pulling out the first memory, he dropped it in the Pensieve. The artifact projected a smoke-like screen, and the memory of him meeting Hagrid started playing.
Do comment/ review what you think about this.
P.S. looking for a Beta for this, so ping me if you are interested. I have a account on ao3 under same name. The version will not have the smut part which will appear here in future.