"M-mum?"

His "mother's" eyes widened, and she gaped at him.

Her beautiful, flowing red hair, full lips, and angular face were undoubtedly his mother's, and she looked so real to Harry. But he knew his mother was dead. His heart ached just looking at her.

Harry was sorely and utterly distraught; why was she here? Did he die? Was this heaven? Why did he have to suffer by seeing such an apparition? Before he could contemplate further, he caught the sight of his father next to her; his eyes widened a bit more. A broken voice in his head said, W-what the f-fuck?

Harry subconsciously re-engaged his Occlumency barriers, closing his gaping mouth, composing himself, and bringing his wand back up. His gaze still stuck on his "parents," Harry slowly waved his free hand over his body using wandless magic from his surroundings, allowing him to heal and the pain to recede. The people around him tensed.

He reluctantly looked away from his "parents" and scanned the room around him, his senses, magical and ordinary, spread out. His gaze slowly surveyed where he was and the faces around him with furrowed brows.

Recognition flashed through his eyes as he realized where he was.

This is the Great Hall at Hogwarts, but it's… and that's… A complicated emotion passed through Harry and his face morphed from one of indifference to shock and sorrow. R-Remus… Sirius… Albus?" He noticed others he thought were dead: Andromeda and Nymphadora, Alice and Frank Longbottom, Mad-Eye Moody, and Kingsley Shacklebolt. His feelings quickly changed to anger. Raising his wand and sweeping his gaze across the people he thought were dead, Harry returned to looking at his mother.

Wiping his still puffy eyes with his dirty battle robe, Harry tried to regain some semblance of stability. Then, in a cold, clear voice and eyes shining magically with rage, he said, "what the actual fuck is happening? Where the hell am I?"

She recoiled from his tone, and his father moved in front of her and raised his wand defensively.

"Ahem, if you would please allow me to explain," a chillingly familiar voice said. Harry stiffened and slowly turned around to face his former master, and secretly, his father figure. Three years ago, he had watched Albus die protecting him, and now he stood before him, composed and alive.

Harry kept his emotions in check, and his wand trained on Dumbledore as he demanded, "answers. Now."

Albus put his hands up as a show of good faith and took a cautious step forward. A smile adorned his face while his eyes twinkled in their ever-enigmatic way. An all too memorable grandfatherly voice that reopened wounds Harry had long ago closed answered softly and slowly, "as you can see, you are no longer where you once were. We," he gestured around him, "have summoned you to help us defeat a Dark Lord."

Did he just say, Dark Lord? And summoned?! Harry's mouth morphed into a frown.

Before Albus could continue, Harry interrupted, exasperated and annoyed, "did you say, Dark Lord? As in there's another one?"

Albus's smile widened, and in a cheerful tone, he said, "it would seem you have had your fair share of Dark Lords. I think I should clarify, though. We have summoned you from across worlds."

Incredulously, Harry snapped, "you took me from my world to defeat a Dark Lord? What's wrong with you?!"

Harry's mind was roaring, Shit, shit, shit! They performed a bloody summoning ritual on me, meaning they've bound me here… I can't fucking return… Years of fighting, and this is my sodding reward?! More fighting?

Harry's thoughts began to race as a sneer crossed his face. He clamped down on his emotions that threatened to bubble up; years of continuous Occlumency dispelled them all. His barriers around his mind quickly came back into place as fast as they had left.

He refocused on Dumbledore, who answered his question.

"Yes. Let me explain. A madman has taken over much of our society and will undoubtedly extend his reach across our world if his power isn't kept in check. He has armies of vampires, werewolves, dark wizards, and other creatures at his back. He rules through fear and revels in pain and suffering. Our resistance becomes futile with each passing day. So, we decided to summon a champion able to defeat them. The freedom of magical creatures, beings, and non-magicals is at stake; we can't let them corrupt our world."

Harry sighed in extreme annoyance and anger, and in a cold, piercing voice, he asked, "and why can't you defeat him yourselves?

"As of now, the Dark Lord's influence extends only through our continent of Europe, but mostly the British Isles where we are now. Given time, their influence and power will undoubtedly grow. We can't defeat him ourselves as he is magically more powerful than all of us combined. Voldemort is-"

"Voldemort?" spat in Harry in revulsion. Shit, I didn't mean to say that out loud.

Albus fixed his glasses as he gazed at Harry before calmly saying, "yes. Lord Voldemort is what the Dark Lord calls himself. Do you know of him?"

"Know of him?" He scoffed, "I fought him and won. He wasn't much of a bloody challenge in my world, so I still don't understand why you need me to deal with him? Is the power gap between you and him really-" Harry abruptly stopped realizing his mistake.

Dumbledore's smile returned. "I have it, you know of me?"

Dammit, I should have kept my mouth shut. Scowled Harry.

Enigmatically he answered, "you could say that."

They stood in silence, watching each other before Albus broke the quiet, "Well, it seems that we are capable of civil discussion," he motioned for everyone to lower their wands. Harry cautiously did the same. "Might I suggest a more comfortable venue for us to continue our questionnaire?"

Harry held Albus' gaze before giving a curt nod and lowering the dome-like shield he had up until now.

Dumbledore waved his wand behind him, conjuring a long table. The action made Harry's wand arm shoot back up, but he quickly realized there was no threat.

Albus signalled for him to follow. Dumbledore took the far end's head seat while his followers took the side chairs, leaving the opposite head seat open for Harry. Tentatively, Harry took the offer after everyone else had been seated in front of him. He checked the chair for anything suspicious, then he sat. As Harry gracefully seated himself, all eyes turned to him as he sat royally and with a confident pose, few could muster.

Harry caught the gazes of his dead parents, uncle, and godfather; they each had different expressions on their faces. Lily and James looked extremely distraught and uncomfortable as they held each other's hand, while Sirius and Remus looked curious and guarded. Harry stopped a grimace from emotional pain and looked back to Albus, who watched him with narrowed eyes.

He gritted his teeth and gave Albus a signal to continue, "you were saying something about why you can't stand against Voldemort and why you had to rip me away from my world?" Harry said, putting extra emphasis on the word "rip."

Albus winced, "yes, Voldemort has grown in power since he was resurrected and now far surpasses me in terms of power and skill… I-we, apologize for the painful journey."

Harry ignored his apology and tried to see whether he would admit to trapping him here by saying, "so, what? You want me to end him, and then I can return to my world?"

A snort escaped Mad-Eye Moody, "you make it sound easy."

Harry didn't even look at Moddy, "as I said, he wasn't much of a challenge back home."

Moody hummed in incredulous acceptance. Albus answered, saying, "for now, we will assume you are telling the truth. But you are correct. All you have to do is end Voldemort. But, as I guess you already know, your magic is bound to this task until it is completed."

"That is right, but how will I return to my world after I finish?" Baited Harry.

With a sad grandfatherly smile, Albus said, "I apologize, my boy, but we don't know how to return you to your world."

Silence overtook the room, and everyone at the table stared warily at Harry, wondering how he would respond; some "discretely" fingered their wands.

Harry's calm exterior cracked for just a second, and his eyes shone a deadly green before his calm façade returned. Harry shook his head, "You-you…." He let out a long sigh while still shaking his head. Then, scowling, Harry exclaimed, "yes, I already know. I wanted to see if you would actually tell me" He tilted his head to the side, observing Dumbledore. "I'm surprised you did. But I find myself… reticent… to help any of you." Harry said hauntingly with a challenging look on his face. Order members abruptly stood as Harry finished and began to chastise him in a fury. However, Albus clapped his hands, causing a magic crack to sound about the room, and silenced everyone. Those that were standing gave Harry a last look of disgust and sat.

Dumbledore took the silence to speak. "In other circumstances, I wouldn't have told you." Harry raised an eyebrow at his confession. "But if I didn't, others would, and I rather you know from me and save myself from more of your contempt… Now, what can we do to convince you to help us?"

"Thank you for your honesty, I guess… However, I understand where I am, what I am here for, but I still do not fully trust you." He looked to everyone else. "Any of you." A few people frowned and began to challenge him, but Harry continued on in quiet anger, "you have torn me from my world and are asking me to fight for you after my own war just bloody ended!?" Harry was all but shouting by the end.

Harry calmed himself and continued in a tone laced with tiredness, anger, and annoyance, "I'm right exhausted and fed up with requests to save people. I've spent my whole life fighting, and minutes ago, or what I believe was minutes before I came here," Harry shot a quick glare at Albus, "my war ended. And now, I'm in a different world where things could be similar but very different.

"How do I know I can trust any of you? Hell, you all literally trapped me here! Trust takes time, and I have yet to understand the differences between my world and this one. But if they are similar, as I'm led to believe, then the hellhole I just came from is the same as the one here. Of course, I'd be willing to fight since I'm stuck here, but whether or not I fight for you is up in the air. Having had to fight all my life, I'd like a goddamn break, yeah?" Harry ended exasperated and massaged his temple with his free hand. A bit of magic had leaked out as he spoke, causing his eyes to shine a striking emerald colour.

This time Sirius spoke up, "speaking of, you have yet to tell us anything about yourself. And what is this about a hellhole, I hear?" All heads turned back to Harry expectantly, but Lily talked first, "I agree, we would like to know who you are. You look… hauntingly familiar…." The last words came out more like a whisper full of hope and pain.

Harry eyed her, trying to keep his emotions in check.

"Yes… you oddly resemble Ha-… our son… Also, I don't mean to be rude, but before you arrived, you were, well, crying… are you okay?" James said. Harry's gaze turned to James' face full of concern. He sat in silence while everyone waited expectantly.

Harry closed his eyes and sighed lightly. "In truth, I'm falling apart. As I said, I'm knackered, and I really, really, could use a proper sleep away from people." He let out a bitter chuckle. "The only thing keeping my emotions somewhat in check is my Occlumency shields right now." He heard someone mutter quietly, "Occlumency?" Harry frowned at the comment but continued, "when I had finished my task, I had let them down; that's why I was… crying."

He took a moment to think about where he wanted to take this. Then, in a confident and royal voice, he continued, "You asked what my name is. In a situation like this, names have power. But like Albus here," many people raised an eyebrow at him using Dumbledore's first name, "truths go a long way. Had I still had a world to return to, I wouldn't tell you all. However," Harry paused and took on a faraway look, "that is not the case… The world I came from had long since lost any value to me. I only continued, not because I had a future to fight for, no. I fought to exact justice on the things who ruined my world, my life. Their wars took my family, friends, and mentors; I have no one to return to."

The room went deathly quiet. Harry didn't dare look at them; he didn't want to see the pity on their faces.

"So, in that sense, you were all lucky. But just because I have no one left doesn't mean I wanted to be taken from the world where I was born." Harry gritted his teeth in cold fury and balled his fists under the table; a pulse of magic was unconsciously released from Harry in his anger, causing a few members to gasp.

Harry quietly exhaled and let his rage slip away while reestablishing control over his magic. How should I do this? Emotionlessly, he looked at his parents. James and Lily gazed at him fearfully and worriedly while holding hands atop the table.

"I'm…" Harry sighed again, "My name is Lord Harry James Potter-Black," many people gasped at his proclamation, "son of Lily and James Potter, and blood adopted son of Sirius Black." Lily looked close to tears and brought a hand up to cover her mouth. James gave his wife's hand a firm squeeze and tried his best to stare stoically at Harry, but his eyes were also glistening with unshed tears and jaw slack. Sirius looked on with a gaping mouth and repeatedly switched from gazing at James to Harry as if trying to decipher if Harry was real and related.

Once again, Sirius was the first to speak, "you-you're James' and I's son?" he said hesitantly.

Harry gave a slight nod and licked his lips. He lifted his right hand, and the Black and Potter lords' rings appeared for all to see. He let them all get a good look before he put his hand down.

Harry had thought of so many things he would tell his parents, Sirius, and Remus if he could see them again, but now, he couldn't find the right words to express his feelings with them in front of him. But they weren't his family, at least not the ones from his world.

What am I supposed to say in a situation like this? I missed you?

If Harry was still his old naïve and sheltered self, he would have run to his parents with open arms. However, the war had changed him. Despite the numerous leaders, mentors, and trainers he learned from and served under, Harry never lost his sense of self or was an outstanding soldier. He never liked orders from the top and only listened to those he thought earned his respect. His time on the battlefield had made him a bit arrogant, but it was justified in his eyes. Albus, Nicholas, and his family were the ones who let him retain his personality and humanity. Harry saw himself as a scholar-warrior, not a soldier, hero, or tool. But he had slowly distanced himself and his emotions from others as he began to lose everyone he loved. Now his heart and love were harshly beaten to the back of his mind. Attachment was dangerous, and Harry didn't think he could handle losing his family twice. He was reluctant to reach out, but his entire being was edging him to do so.

"S-so, we are dead in your world then?" Asked Lily a bit fearfully.

Biting back his raging emotions, he said quietly, "Yes. They died protecting me when I was a little over one year old."

Lily and James exchanged looks before James spoke hesitantly, "Our son… our Harry… died at that age on Halloween…."

An awkward silence reigned throughout the hall until Albus interrupted, "it would seem we are all a bit shocked and could use some time to gather our thoughts… May I call you Harry?" Harry gave a slight nod. "As Harry said, he could use some rest, and I believe we all could use a good night's sleep before we continue our discussion. Does everyone agree?"

"Y-yes, that would be good," Lily said. James gave her a one-armed hug around the waist.

"I think that would be best," said Remus, who eyed Harry curiously.

The rest of the table gave nods and ayes.

"Then it is decided, let us reconvene around, let's say, four o'clock tomorrow night?" said Dumbledore. Another round of agreement followed.

"It is decided then." Albus turned his head to Bill Weasley, "William, would you mind guiding our guest to Gryffindor tower? I believe there is a good view and empty rooms there for Harry to use."

"Of course. As long as Mr. Potter is okay with that?" Bill looked to Harry.

"You can all just call me Harry. No one calls me "Mr. Potter." It makes me feel old." Harry quickly looked to James with a slight grin and added, "no offence."

James gave a soft snort in amusement with a smile tugging at his lips and waved away the apology with his free hand tiredly.

"Well, I guess I should leave first." Said Harry as he pushed his seat back and stood with Bill following. In a firm voice, he continued, "oh, before I forget. I'll be putting wards around the room I stay in. This is non-negotiable."

"I believe we all will accept that. However, a guard will be placed outside your door until further notice," said Albus.

Harry raised an eyebrow, and in his head, he snorted in amusement. They wouldn't be able to stop him or find him should he want to leave. But they didn't know that yet.

Harry gave a curt nod to everyone present and turned to Bill, who had circled around the table to him. Bill gestured for Harry to follow.

Harry began to walk away with one more nod to the Order seated at the table, then a small smile to his family.

"Goodnight," said Lily in a quiet voice.

Harry stopped and tried to prevent himself from grimacing. He slowly turned towards Lily with a gentle smile and said, "goodnight."

With a parting nod to Sirius, Remus, and James, Harry followed Bill to the doors and out of the Great Hall.

Bill held the doors open for Harry, and he strode past him and into the entrance hall. Harry's legs were close to giving out, so he walked to and leaned on a corner pillar. Once the doors closed shut, Harry slowly slumped to the ground and couldn't keep his tears in any longer. Harry had honestly thought he couldn't cry this much in such a short period, but the extenuating circumstances helped prove otherwise.

Harry wept quietly with his back to the pillar, head in his hands, and knees close to his chest. Fate's cruelty knew no bounds in Harry's eyes as this situation was both his worst nightmare and best wish. The turmoil of emotions he felt raging inside him only added to his distraught state.

Normally, he'd never cry in front of others or show any weakness. But here and now, Harry felt alone, lost, and like everything he had done until now was useless. He was a long way from home and probably never going back. However, those around him didn't know the power Harry wielded and, from what Harry had seen, would only be able to give him a rudimentary challenge, at best, if they banded together. In other words, he wasn't afraid of them.

After a few seconds on the ground, Harry felt someone sit down gently next to him. He tentatively looked up and to the newcomer. Of course, it was Bill, someone Harry didn't have the pleasure of knowing well from his world.

The man looked at him with some pity, which Harry hated, but he also looked torn. Bill spoke first as Harry turned away while resting his chin on his knees, sniffling for a second or two. His child-like position betrayed his body's age to the man next to him.

"I…" Bill took a deep breath and faced forward, "I can't even imagine what you are going through, and I doubt any apology I, or any of us, give you will be enough. But," Bill let out a soft sigh, "but, just know we are not your enemies… I hate that we did this, had to do this, but we didn't see any other way. I know that's a lame excuse, and frankly, there are no excuses for what we did to you… however, we are here for you should you let us be, and I don't mean to offend, but based on what you said, this world seems like a considerable improvement from yours, yeah?" He said in a soft, calm voice and looked to Harry, awaiting some form of an answer. Harry frowned but gave a quiet, sorrowful nod.

Bill continued in a gentle tone seeing Harry's response, "since that's the case, think of the possibility this world offers you. A chance to live a happy life in a world with those you lost. It will hurt to be among them, no doubt about that," he winced. "But eventually, I believe that pain will go away, and you'll find happiness and the opportunity to find peace, and perhaps love. They may not be the same as the people from your world, but from what I saw of the looks you gave, they are very alike to your world's versions.

"You looked hesitant to reach out, and no one would blame you if you never did. But I think it would do you a world of wonders if you gave them and us a chance…. The only thing standing in your way and our way, for that matter, is this damned war and that bloody murderer," Bill finished with a gloomy voice.

Bill turned to eye Harry and gauged his reaction. Seeing none, he said in a quiet tone, "I know you don't want this, but we need you, Harry. The weak and innocent need you one last time. A proper final task. No more afterwards. Nothing. Only freedom to do as you please."

Harry had hung on to every word Bill had said through his speech. The gears in his mind were turning, and emotions still ran high, but he nodded slightly. Harry gave a side-long glance to Bill and said in a hoarse whisper, "it's William, right?" "Just Bill" "Bill then. I don't think I'll be able to forgive any of you soon. I understand what you're saying, and I'll take it to heart, but I need time to think before making any decisions… I-I have a lot to think about. This fucking situation is... is..." Bill hummed somberly in agreement.

Slowly, Harry stretched out his legs then wiped his eyes with his grimy war robes before realizing his mistake. He let out a grimace at the smell and wandlessly and wordlessly cast a Scourgify on himself. All the dust, blood, sweat, and tears evaporated into nothing. His clothes and body looked cleaner but still worse for wear. Bill raised an eyebrow at Harry.

In a quiet voice, Harry said, "I think I can make it to the dorm now. If you could please show me the way." He looked to Bill, who nodded and stood up; Harry followed his lead, getting up on shaky legs. Exhausted, Harry motioned for Bill to lead on.

The two men walked up the stairs and through the castle slowly as Harry's fatigue began to finally show itself. Every so often, Harry would stumble and almost fall. Bill would try to steady him, but Harry would just wave him away, and they'd continue on.

After a few minutes, and, in Harry's mind, a lot of sodding stairs later, they arrived at the Gryffindor common room. The place was spotless and cosy, with a few windows letting the moonlight creep in and illuminate what the candles and dying fire of the hearth missed.

Harry followed Bill up the dormitory steps, where the man opened a door closest to them. He glanced back at Harry while surveying the four-poster bedroom.

"You can choose any of the rooms that you'd like; they should all be unlocked." He studied harry for a second before adding, "something tells me that, even if they were locked, you would have been fine either way."

Harry shrugged noncommittally and entered the afore opened room.

It was a standard Gryffindor bedroom: red and gold curtains and comforter with white sheets and pillows, oakwood flooring and furniture, stone walls, and a large window to look out of. It was nice, Harry decided. Not that it matters, really. He thought.

Bill wrapped up his thoughts and observations kindly, "if you need anything, just holler down to the common room we came from; I'll be spending the night down there. I believe someone else will be coming to take my place later tonight. If someone does, it was a pleasure to meet you despite the circumstances, and I'll see you at the meeting." He gave Harry a small smile.

Harry didn't smile back, but he nodded his head before speaking, "thank you for the room."

"It's the least we could do." With a final look, Bill began to close the door. "Sleep well, and don't worry about sleeping in; so long as your awake by 3:00 pm tomorrow, all should be well. But if not, worst comes to worst, we'll move the meeting back." Harry nodded in response, and the door closed behind him.

Bill's POV

Releasing his grip on the door handle, Bill let out a soft sigh and turned to descend down the stairs towards the common room.

Out of all the people we could summon, it had to be someone no older than Ron.

Bill shook his head in slight despair. He hadn't wanted to do such a thing as taking someone from their world, least of all someone Harry's age, but the war — or revolution as some would call it — was escalating, and they needed all the help they could get.

It's not like he's helpless, though. If anything, he seemed… like a dragon waiting to pounce. His body shivered as he thought of how Harry had held himself among the Order: calm (mostly), confident, with not so subtle use of wandless magic.

Plus those bright, green eyes… I swear they were glowing…

Perhaps Harry was the best-summoned champion they could get, but that didn't mean Bill felt better about it.

Letting out another sigh of annoyance and fatigue, Bill sat in a plush armchair in a corner of the common room and began his guard duty.

This is going to be a long night…