Harry and Merope to the Rescue - Chapter 13

Disclaimer:

I don't own the HP universe, unfortunately.

That same evening at Hogwarts:

Dumbledore sat in his office, unable to sleep as his stomach had started bubbling and he feared if he laid down in his bed right now that he would shat himself. Oh, he was miserable. And on top of it all, somehow, someone had found a way to prank him and not get caught. Over the course of the last day and a half, his hair color had been changed to lemon drop yellow, when it didn't appear as if anyone was nearby to have done it. And, Merlin, was he starving! He couldn't enjoy the taste of his food because there was absolutely no flavor, it was as if he had been eating the flavor of air, but at least he had been able to feel the different textures. The only thing he could actually taste was his lemon drops. Thank Merlin! He didn't know what he'd do if he couldn't even taste his lemon drops. He hoped to have better luck tomorrow and that pranksters had gotten it all out of their system today.

Shaking his head in frustration, Dumbledore decided to answer some correspondence that he had put off for a few days. There were parental complaints regarding Professor Snape's teaching habits to be addressed, soothing their ruffled feathers is such a tedious task, he wished he could pass the task over to Professor McGonagall, but as she agreed with the parents, he couldn't very well expect her to try to reason with them. After all, he needed Severus to remain here at Hogwarts where he can be kept under control and he won't suffer the delusion of thinking he really has a choice in the matter. Afterall, Voldemort will return someday and he needs to cement himself with the children of the Death Eaters, so that he can step in as a spy once again.

Also, he needed to send a request to the Board of Governors for an increase in budget so that he could "buy some new books for the library" or "replace the antique brooms for broom riding lessons". Of course, he had no such notions to actually use the money for either of those purposes, he had expensive tastes after all, one couldn't just walk into Madam Malkins for these fabulous robes, one had to special order them. Dumbledore decided that either or both of those requests would be convincing enough that the Board would grant the request with no questions asked. Then he would, regrettably, inform Madams Pince and Hooch that the Board denied their requests and that they should try again in a few years.

He picked up a quill. Blast! Shocked again. He couldn't for the life of him figure out why he was getting shocked so often. Then he shook his head, dipped the quill in the ink, and began to write, not knowing that his responses to the parents and requests to the Board of Governors may as well have been written in Gobbledegook, for all the sense it made with every misspelled word. It would be many weeks before someone would finally come forward to question Dumbledore about it, and by then he would have been out of the enchanted ink that had caused it.

Finally, he decided he would review some memories in his pensieve . There was something very familiar about that Potter that had humiliated him in the middle of Diagon Alley on Sunday, he was still fuming about that. He absolutely refused to believe the boy was powerful enough to perform wandless magic, and on him no less, oh, no. He must have performed some sort of dark magic or sleight of hand to have been able to fool everyone into believing he was that powerful. He came out of the pensieve no wiser than he was before, having forgotten entirely what it was he went into the pensieve to see.

Finally, seeing that it was nearing 1:00 a.m., and his stomach seeming to have finally settled back down, Dumbledore made his way to his bed, hoping that tomorrow would be a better day, too tired to even notice that something had gone wrong.

Morning, Wednesday, December 9, 1981:

Harry and company had gathered in the hotel lobby after breakfast. Having decided that this would be their day of departure, Harry went to take care of the checkout and return the room keys. When the staff asked if they had enjoyed their stay, he responded that he enjoyed it very much and that they were highly likely to come and stay again, as the staff were all friendly and helpful. The staff was pleased with that news, as he was a very good tipper.

Returning to the family, Little Harry reached out to Harry to be carried, and then they made their way outside and Harry subtly cast notice-me-not and aversion charms on the whole group, set to gradually get stronger as they made their way to an abandoned alley unnoticed. Upon reaching the alley, Harry once again vanished their empty suitcases, and told everyone to hold on tight, causing Little Harry to squeeze him even tighter, Harry said, "Not quite that tight, son." And Little Harry loosened his grip slightly. "That's better," Harry said. Then Harry apparated them without a sound.

They arrived seconds later in a much warmer climate on the beach, facing a tropical island that looked as if it hadn't seen a sign of civilization in well over 200 years. It was quite a breathtaking view, and while it might take a lot of work to get cleaned up and build a livable home, it wouldn't be impossible. And since Harry had been very involved in the process of how their home was built in their last timeline, there would be no need to hire outside help.

"Well," Harry said, "let's get a tent set up. We have more than one, Remus, if you wish to have more privacy."

Remus said, "I may take you up on that at a later time, but as I enjoy spending time with the three of you, it will be no hardship to stay with you all in one tent."

Harry nodded and said, "Well, it won't take but a second, literally, to get the tent set up, then I'll check on the existing wards and update them." So Harry set up the tent while Merope held Little Harry, then he set up all their normal wards around the tent and the land surrounding the tent. Then indicating Remus, he said, "You can come with me while I ward the island, if you like, and then you can pick out what part of this huge overgrown jungle you want warded for Moony to run around in."

Remus said, "I'd love to join you and see you at work, but are you sure that you'll be able to make wards strong enough to hold Moony? I would never forgive myself if something happened to any of you while I'm not in control of myself."

"Of course I can make the wards strong enough to contain Moony," Harry said, "I wouldn't take the risk with Little Harry if I wasn't absolutely confident that I could do it." Remus nodded sheepishly in response, he hadn't meant to insinuate that Harry would be irresponsible with Little Harry's life like that. They began walking around the perimeter as they talked, Harry checking and adjusting the wards as needed while they went along.

"It's all right, Moony," Harry said, "there's even a potion I can give you, but I just don't have enough time to brew it for this full moon. It's called Wolfsbane and it won't actually be invented until 1984. It's a potion that tastes awful, by all accounts, and you must drink it every day of the week leading up to the full moon, but it will help make the transition from man to wolf less painful, but also allow you to retain your mind."

"Truly," Remus asked, "you have a way for me to retain my mind when I transform?"

Harry smiled and said, "Yes, Moony. And I wish I had a supply ready for you now, but we haven't been in this time long enough for me to have gathered or purchased the ingredients, on top of the fact that we were truly surprised to have found you so soon. It was as if fate wanted to just drop you there in our laps to make our lives easier." Then Harry said, softly, "I only regret that we can't offer it to the other werewolves, as I don't want to take the credit away from Damocles Belby, the inventor of the potion, but it won't be very much longer before it's available to the rest of the werewolf population."

"I'm just grateful that you're making an exception for me," Remus said.

Harry said, "Of course, you're family."

Realizing this was going to be a pretty long process if they continued to walk while they set wards, Harry summoned a couple of brooms from the depths of his backpack, which again appeared as if he summoned them out of thin air, from Remus' perspective. Finally, Remus couldn't take not knowing anymore and decided to ask where Harry kept pulling things out of the air that he was obviously not conjuring. So Harry told him about his backpack and offered to make him one that he could always keep with him if he wanted. Remus was reluctant to accept at first, with Harry having done so much for him already, but Harry explained to him that he is family and that family takes care of each other.

So they both mounted the brooms, and Harry resumed his work on the wards. They were nearly halfway through with just the outer perimeter when Harry received Merope's patronus letting them know it was time for lunch, and that they could finish the wards afterwards. Remus looked a little shocked at the appearance of Merope's doe patronus, as at first he thought he was seeing a ghost because Lily's patronus had been a doe.

Having noticed Remus' speechless look, Harry said, "My patronus is a stag, like my father." As Remus' expression changed from speechless now to curious and waiting for more information, Harry said, "I taught Mary how to produce a patronus. We were already married by then and I knew she loved me as I loved her, but when her patronus developed, it was just so humbling. I didn't grow up accustomed to love. And I was betrayed by a lot of people who claimed to love me. Seeing that physical representation of her love for me, it was just - I don't have the words for how wonderful it made me feel."

Feeling a little embarrassed, Harry cleared his throat and said, "Well, we'd better head on back to eat, before she sends us another message." Remus smiled at him in encouragement and would have clapped him on the back in support, had they not been flying on brooms at the time.

As they flew back to where they had set camp, Harry said with a smile, "We'll probably take the whole of the afternoon getting the rest of the outer perimeter finished, I really wasn't expecting this island to be as large as it is, but since the full moon isn't until Friday, we can spend tomorrow picking out a spot to for you to stay when you're Moony, and I'll still have plenty of time to ward it for you. We'll do that first thing in the morning."

They arrived back at the tent a moment later. Stepping inside, Remus marveled in amazement at how much better the tents were in the future. Harry gave him a brief tour as they made their way towards the dining room. It really was as if you were stepping inside a one-story home. There were three bedrooms, one bathroom, the dining room, kitchen and sitting room. Oh, and can't forget the hot tub room. Remus thought to himself that he would wait until he decided to use the tent offered to him and try out the hot tub that it probably had.

When they arrived in the dining room, Little Harry had already started eating his lunch and only stopped eating long enough to smile a toothy grin at them before returning all of his attention back to his food. Harry greeted Merope with a quick kiss, while Remus picked a place to sit at the table, which ended up being right next to Little Harry. Then Harry and Merope sat down next to each other, with Merope being on the other side of Little Harry.

They spoke about inconsequential topics while they ate, what they still had left to check and place wards on, when they had decided to work on warding an area for Moony, etc. After they were all finished eating, Harry remembered he was going to make an attempt to call Kreacher, now that they were here at the island, so after cleaning up the dining area and kitchen, they made their way to the sitting area.

After everyone was settled Harry called, "Kreacher!"

Then immediately there was a **POP** and there was a much younger Kreacher, than Harry had known in his first timeline. Kreacher mumbled to himself, looking around the room in curiosity and confusion, "Who is this wizard who has called Kreacher? Kreacher can feel he is a Master, but Kreacher is not knowing him. Kreacher is having never seen him before. Oh, what will Mistress say when Kreacher returns?" Kreacher just kept on mumbling to himself for a full minute before Harry interrupted him.

"Kreacher," Harry said kindly, "My name is Harry, I left you a note where you stored Master Regulus' locket."

"You!" Kreacher cried, "How is you knowing about Master Regulus' locket? Kreacher was has failed. Kreacher must punish himself. Kreacher was ordered to keep the locket a secret. Kreacher is sorry, Master Regulus! Kreacher is trying so hard to obey Master's orders, but Kreacher can't be doing it." Kreacher was pulling on his ears in punishment, looking for something to punish himself with. Little Harry was watching in wide-eyed fascination, he had never seen a house elf before.

Harry softly, but firmly said, "Kreacher, there is no need for you to punish yourself, please stop." Causing Kreacher to immediately stop.

Little Harry smiled at Kreacher and tried to climb over to him, but Merope held him in place and whispered, "Wait, let daddy talk to him first. Daddy needs to explain some things and set him at ease before we can introduce you." He didn't want to wait, but he decided he had better do as mummy said.

Kreacher looked at Harry in astonishment and asked, "How is this being possible? Kreacher is not being understanding."

Looking at Kreacher fondly, Harry said, "I was your master in the future and there are still traces of our connection here in the past."

Kreacher's eyes grew even wider and he exclaimed, "Oh, my poor Mistress! No one to take care of her. Who is being there to feed and clean for Mistress?"

Harry shook his head and said, "I'm not calling you here to claim ownership of you Kreacher. I wanted to show you that I have cleansed Master Regulus' locket of the evil that was inside it." Harry then pulled out the locket and showed it to Kreacher, who looked back and forth from Harry to the locket in awe.

Kreacher cried in relief, "Kreacher can be feeling that it is not being evil anymore! You is being helping Kreacher obey Master Regulus' last orders." He said, tears flowing down his face, and his posture seemed to slowly straighten as if a great burden had been lifted off of his small shoulders.

Harry smiled at Kreacher and said, "I was glad to do it, Kreacher. Your Master Regulus was a very brave man to do what he did, and he cared for you very much Kreacher." Kreacher blushed a little bit at Harry's praise. Then Harry said, "Here, Kreacher, let me introduce you properly to myself to my family." Kreacher nodded and turned to face the rest of the room.

Harry said, "My name is Hadrian Potter, but I'm best known as Harry. This is my wife, Mary," indicating Merope, "and this is our son, Harry. Over there across from us is our good friend, Remus."

Kreacher almost said something about Remus being a filthy werewolf, but after a quick, knowing look from Harry, he chose to be silent on that. So Kreacher bowed and said, "Kreacher is being pleased to meet yous."

At this point, Little Harry could stand it no longer and he wiggled free and toddled himself over to Kreacher, who watched him with wide eyes. When Little Harry got there, he reached out his hands to touch Kreacher, which made Kreacher flinch in expectation of pain, but when Little Harry actually touched him it was soft and gentle, and Kreacher relaxed a little. Little Harry looked at Kreacher in great fascination and said, "I is Harry."

Kreacher blinked at that announcement in astonishment and said, "I is Kreacher."

Little Harry smiled and said, "What is Kreacher?"

Kreacher tilted his head in amusement and said, "Kreacher is a house elf."

Little Harry scrunched his eyes in confusion and looked at Harry and asked, "What is house elf, daddy?"

Harry said, "Well, they are magical beings who help witches and wizards that they have formed a bond with. They have great powerful magic that gets overlooked by a lot of magical people," Kreacher gaped at Harry when he said that. But Harry just smiled at him and continued explaining, "They help cook and clean and take care of the family."

Little Harry took a moment to think about what his daddy had said, then the looked at Kreacher and said, "I like Kreacher. Kreacher play with Harry?"

Kreacher's eyes widened and his mouth opened and closed in shock, but getting ready to obey the toddler, even though the order was phrased as a question. He was saved when Harry said, "Harry, maybe Kreacher will be able to play with you another time, right now I need him to deliver a message for me. Okay? I'm sure you'll be able to see him again, but he won't have time to play right now."

Turning to Kreacher, noticing he seemed to be equal amounts of relief and disappointed, he said, "Kreacher, I have been to visit Master Sirius, and I have a letter from him for you to deliver to your Mistress. Will you do that for me?" Taking the letter out of his pocket, so he could hand it to Kreacher.

"You is not being taking Kreacher from Mistress?" Kreacher asked in surprise.

"No, Kreacher," Harry said, "while it appears that I could, you seem to be happy with Mistress Black and I only want you to be happy. If you ever choose to also come to see our family and help us from time to time, and it makes you happy to do so, then I would welcome you, too."

"Kreacher is being happy with Mistress," Kreacher said solemnly, "But if yous call for Kreacher, Kreacher is being happy to being serving yous."

"I thank you for that, Kreacher." Harry said, "Even after I have finished getting the wards fixed up here, I will key you into them, you will be welcome to come and go as you wish." Kreacher was too surprised to try to respond. Finally, after a long enough silence Harry asked, as he held out the letter, "Will you be willing to deliver this letter from Master Sirius to Mistress Black?"

"Yes, Master Harry," Kreacher croaked with emotion, as he reached over and took the letter from Harry's outstretched hand.

Harry smiled in fondness and said, "Thank you, Kreacher. It will be very helpful."

When Kreacher remained, seeming to be fighting his emotions, Little Harry toddled back over and gave him a hug and a pat on the back and said, "It's o-tay that you can't play today. We play next time you come. You go bye bye now and take letter for daddy. Bye bye Kreacher." And with a **POP** Kreacher had disappeared back to Grimmauld Place.

Little Harry was a little disappointed that Kreacher couldn't stay to play, but he soon was distracted with his Bristle Blocks, trying to build them very tall.

Remus said, "Well, that was interesting. He was not what I was expecting after having heard all of the horror stories from Sirius."

"It's true that Sirius and Kreacher didn't get along," Harry said, "but Sirius was also a cruel master to Kreacher. If he had been kind and thoughtful to him the way that Regulus had been, Kreacher would have been just as loyal to Sirius, too." Clapping his hands, he changed the subject and said, "Well, the wards aren't going to finish themselves, so we had better get a move on before it is dark." And off they flew on the brooms, back to the place they left off when Merope's patronus called them to lunch, and then worked the rest of the afternoon and into the evening, working straight through tea time in order to get the wards done before supper.

After supper, they spent a quiet evening out on the beach and Little Harry enjoyed himself playing in the sand with the buckets and shovels that Merope had conjured up for him to play with. The edge of the beach was warded to prevent Little Harry from going more than an inch into the water without an adult holding his hand, so they were not worried about him drowning as he played there at the edge of the water.

Finally, it was time to go inside and get all cleaned up, and then it was time for bed. Everyone slept soundly that night, and were excited for the new day tomorrow promised to bring. And hopefully it would bring them one step closer to getting Sirius a trial.