Stepping on a Butterfly

I don't own 'Harry Potter'

This is more of a surprise chapter. That's just how it came about during writing. Enjoy :)

It was strange thinking about how one little meeting had probably changed the entire direction of his life, but Harry hadn't realised the consequences at the time. Why would he have? He'd been a tiny eleven-year-old and just so confused about the magical world. He still remembered his words that changed everything.

"Erm, do you think you could help me with my homework? It's just ... kind of confusing."

The slightly startled nod he'd gotten in return hadn't been strange at the time, but in hindsight it was a little sad the other student was so surprised at being asked a serious question. It made Harry more than a little pissed off, but he made sure to always appreciate them so they didn't forget how much they were valued.

The end of his second year was rife with tension, especially as he'd been trying harder in all his classes amongst the petrifications. Ron hadn't understood even as Harry repeated the words his new friend had graced him with.

"No knowledge is useless Harry. Who knows when a page could save someone's life?"

He'd been more receptive when they discovered the page in Hermione's hand, and Harry had put the clues together about Myrtle quicker thanks to a book he'd read.

(Later when Hagrid accidentally revealed the truth about Aragog, Ron shakily became a supporter of Harry's increased studying.)

Belatedly bursting into tears after discovering your godfather betrayed your parents was horribly embarrassing, even more so when it was in front of your friend that you had noticed was very nice to look at.

"You're from an old family Harry, and if you wrote to the DMLE you could probably get some closure. This isn't going to fix things, but you might get some answers."

It was a toss-up between being horrific and hilarious when a simple letter revealed Sirius' lack of a trial, especially when the rat was Kissed, and Harry revelled in the feeling of strong arms around him when he thanked his friend.

He could only imagine the bullying he would have experienced if he hadn't said a magical Vow in front of the entire Great Hall when he was entered into the tournament, and his letter of thanks was probably a little excessive.

"I can't help you get out of this Harry but I'm not letting you get hurt. You WILL read everything I send you, and for the love of Merlin, PLEASE practice the spells."

Practice with Ron and Hermione had them all get better at magic, and he attended the ball with Parvati (as friends) and a smile.

His smile was certainly wider after his first kiss.

His friend might have worked at the Ministry but they'd had enough common sense to see the problems with Umbridge. The woman was annoyed at him living with his godfather and had muttered his name too many times for his friend not to notice.

"Please be careful. She's dangerous, and even with you and Cedric telling your stories she doesn't believe you. Don't give her a reason to cause trouble."

Their kiss had been forceful and desperate. Those words permeated that year; Arthur's attack, a trial at the Ministry with the blood quills, and the Department of Mysteries vision, which was thankfully averted, and Fudge had finally seen Voldemort.

Having a war hanging overhead was oppressive but Harry wasn't alone. In one world he'd felt as if he couldn't explain anything to anyone. In this world he'd ignored Dumbledore and told Sirius and his friend. In one world Sirius had been dead, and his friend less than an acquaintance. In this world Sirius had made an ally in Kreacher and the goblins, and his friend had collaborated with his brother.

In one world Harry had been spiralling into darkness. In this world the Horcruxes had been slowly destroyed without him knowing, and he felt like he could breathe.

In one world Dumbledore had been killed by Snape. In this world Dumbledore had still been killed by Snape, but all the pieces of Voldemort were killed on the same night and Snape disappeared.

In this world the goblins made sure Harry didn't have to die.

"I don't bloody care what anyone tells you, you are NOT letting yourself get killed just to save everyone. Do you hear me? I said NO. There's always another way. In case you haven't noticed I'm actually quite smart, and letting yourself die is anything but."

Seventh year was surprisingly quiet for Harry. He'd become Head Boy, and wrote daily sappy letters to his boyfriend. He had never truly believed he would have a family and be free, yet now he lived with Sirius and Remus, and he and his boyfriend were discussing getting a place to live after school.

It was everything he'd ever wanted and more.

"Harry."

He turned towards the voice he loved with a smile, tilting his head back a bit to take in the full picture of the other man. The hair wasn't quite as messy and curly as it'd been when they were younger, and the horn-rimmed glasses had been traded in for an oval pair with thin gold frames. His hair was the same deep red though, and Harry swore he could still count the same number of freckles dotting his face.

Percy Weasley was definitely older, but he was still Percy.

Harry smiled as they sat together in the pub. It was a mundane routine he adored.

Percy turned to him. "It's funny to think we started talking because you were so bad at Herbology."

The black-haired man laughed. It was funny how life changed.

A/N: Hello people! Not too sure if people like this pairing, but it was a request (shout out to misschief_managed on AO3 :D)

I actually quite liked writing this pairing and I hope you guys like it too :)

See ya!