Getting everyone into Castle Peverell had been a bit of a challenge, but thankfully it went smoothly. Sara, Mia, and Ava got everything set up nicely, with Gideon able to interface with the castle's infrastructure rather easily.
Harry, on the other hand, retreated into the Ressurection Stone. Or rather, the Death Totem as he called it. He walked across through the magical portal into the Air Totem to ask the advice of an old friend.
The other Zari.
The one from the original timeline. The one who fought alongside Harry, Sara, Kara, and the other Paragons and saved the multiverse. And only one Zari could exist outside of the Air Totem at a time, because if both were out for two long, their brother perished.
"So, how's the book reading?" OG-Zari asked him.
"Astra wants to skin the Dursleys and Dumbledore alive," Harry said. "I don't think she likes Hermione much. Ron, she's kind of on the fence right now. We'll see how well that goes when we get to fourth year. Although no one regrets that more than Ron."
"Things were never as tight-knit between you three after that," OG-Zari said. "So, what's up?"
"We've got a slight problem," Harry said. "Namely, a time-assassin targeting my parents, their friends, and some of Riddle's future Death Eaters. They already got James, and he's hurt badly. We're trying to get him stabalized."
"Well, you're still here, so things should be good," OG-Zari said. "Any luck tracking down the time assassin?"
"Nymphadora is trying to hunt them down now," Harry said. "My parents, Natalie, Lupin, Sirius, Wormtail, Crouch Junior, Bellatrix, Severus, and Sirius's brother, Regulus were the ones on the list."
"Quite the group," OG-Zari said. "And they're all vital figures to your past and your future, in some form or fashion. Do you suppose that one of the encores inadvertently caused a rupture?"
"Possible," Harry said. "We were going to continue reading. But, it's going to be hard to keep them away, especially when I want to keep a close eye on them. Therefore, the best way would be to invite them all to join the reading."
OG-Zari whistled.
"Well that's a big one," OG-Zari said. "Don't suppose you can stall the reading until you capture the time assassin?"
"At this point, that might be tricky," Harry said. "Especially since I don't know who is backing them. I'm just trying to weight the positives and negatives."
"You're worried that Bellatrix or Crouch Junior or Wormtail would take that information to Voldemort," OG-Zari said. "Well, I'm thinking that taking them out of the timeline might cause a branching path. Whether or not the time storm sweeps over and eats your timeline, I'm not sure. It's always possible that you could let them read and then wipe their memories and drop them back in the timeline when it's over. But, you're not a big fan of that idea."
"That's the nuclear option," Harry said. "I haven't talked to Ava and Sara about this one. But, I'm leaning towards letting them stay for the reading and worry about the consequences later."
"That sounds like a Harry Potter plan if I've ever heard one," OG-Zari said.
"Lily knew me," Harry said. "Which means, I must have time traveled, in the future, although I haven't done it yet, and met a past version of her."
"Time travel is tricky like that," OG-Zari said. "So, are you going to spin some story or tell them the truth?"
"If I go with this, I'm going all in," Harry said. "I just wonder if it's possible to change any of their paths."
"Time has a nasty way of fighting back," OG-Zari warned him. "Wormtail could still become a traitor. Junior could still be driven insane when his father keeps him imprisoned underneath the Imperius Curse. Bellatrix could lose her marbles and become fanatical to Voldemort. Your parents, Sirius, Remus, and Natalie could all die. It might be different. But it could be the same, but in a different way."
"Maybe," Harry said. "We're putting it to a vote. I just want your advice."
"I'm sure what you decide, it will be for the best," OG-Zari said.
"I figured you might say that," Harry said. "Always putting it on me."
"Well, your instincts are spot on," OG-Zari said. "Later."
The two kissed before Harry exited on the Air Totem and then exited the death totem. Lily had been waiting outside of the doorway.
"Hello," Harry said.
"Good to see you're better after the last time I saw you," Lily said.
"So, you figured it out?" Harry asked her.
"Yes," Lily said. "But, I figured you were disguised for a reason."
"We've met," Harry said.
"Another time," Lily said. "You made me promise not to tell you unless absolutely necessary. Which might be sooner than either of us liked."
"Mmm, James is not well," Harry said.
"No," Lily said. "And Peter and Sirius are both racked with guilt, because he took the shot for them. They won't leave his bed. Remus is just pacing the floor."
Harry put his hand on Lily's shoulder.
"Are you okay?" Harry asked.
"Not really," Lily said. "If something happens to James, I don't know what's going to happen to you."
"I'll find a way to outrun the timeline," Harry said. "I have before."
"And that's what worries me," Lily said.
Lily grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him towards.
"He's a vital piece of your future," Lily said.
"Yes," Harry said.
"And he has to serve his purpose, until the end," Lily said. "And I'll enjoy the time we have together. Although nothing lasts forever."
Lily spent a moment looking at Harry's eyes, so identical to her own.
"Astra is Natalie's daughter?" Lily asked.
"Yes," Harry said.
"I figured as much," Lily said. "Natalie overheard Sara and Ava talking with each other, and there's some kind of reading. And they are wondering what they're going to do about us. Sara thinks we should be invited to read, and Ava doesn't. So, what's the deal?"
"I'm going to have to talk to the rest of the Legends," Harry said.
"Whatever you decide, Natalie and I will respect it," Lily said. "And the others will come around. Even Bellatrix. She's a handful but I think I can handle her."
Harry just smiled.
"Be careful," Harry said. "Don't get into any trouble."
"Me?" Lily asked. "I don't go looking for trouble…"
"It usually finds me," Harry concluded. "Clever girl…woman."
"Always," Lily said with a ghost of a smile "Are you going to see James?"
"I might as well," Harry said. "And then, I got to figure out what to do about this entire mess. Astra wanted to know everything about me. I didn't think some blasts from the past would be coming to join us. If we allow you to join you."
Harry moved away from Lily, and Natalie eyed him from the doorway for a second. The resemblance of younger Natalie and Astra was almost uncanny. Not quite twins but close enough.
Harry made his way over to the medbay, where he could see the other three Marauders pacing around.
"What's going on?" Sirius demanded. "What did some nutter attack James?"
"Because, he's my father, "Harry said. "My name is Harry Potter. My parents are James and Lily Potter. And I'm from the future."
"Is he serious?" Sirius asked.
"No, you're Sirius, I'm Harry," Harry said.
"Really, that joke?"
Outside of the med-bay, Alex Danvers, Harry's lovely sister-in-law, stepped out.
"How's James doing?" Harry asked.
"He's breathing," Alex said. "It's nice to see you. Although, I could have sworn that my sister and you were supposed to be on vacation."
"Well, things keep coming up," Harry said. "Kara explained to you about Astra."
"Yep," Alex said. "As if you didn't need any more reasons to have a breakdown? I still haven't figured out why you haven't had a breakdown. Kelly's completely dumbfounded by it either."
"How is Kelly?" Harry asked.
'Oh, she's doing well," Alex said. "But, everything in those books that you all are revisiting…they were a lot easier to swallow when there wasn't an actual Harry Potter attached to him."
"Life is much easier for a fictional character," Harry agreed.
"I'm confused," Sirius said. "What's going on here? You're really the Son of Prongs from the future, and Lily?"
"That's what he said," Remus said.
"He looks like a younger version of Iggy Dumbledore," Peter said.
Alex gave Harry a raised eyebrow. Harry mouthed "later."
"That nutcase cousin of Dumbledore's who was hanging around during our last Hogsmeade weekend?" Sirius asked. "I mean I can sort of see it."
"Little bit," Peter said. "So, Doctor Danvers, is our friend going to be okay?"
"Doctor Snow is in there doing what she can," Alex said. "This is a bit more in her wheelhouse than mine."
"I still don't know where we are," Sirius said.
"You're on a timeship, which is parked on top of a castle that exists outside of time and space."
With that, Harry made his way into the MedBay, and eyed Caitlin Snow who had been looking over the stable body of James Potter.
"Good news?" Harry asked.
"Weird news," Caitlin said. "Wait a minute and I'll show you."
James flickered for a second and then reappeared. Harry took a step closer and strands of light appeared from his hand and linked to Harry. Harry quickly broke the link before James completely faded away.
"Oh, will someone get the name of the Hippogriff that ran me down?" James asked.
"The timeline looks to be erasing him," Caitlin said. "And he tried to merge with you when you got close to him."
"That doesn't make any sense," Harry said.
"These stab wounds are very weird as well," Caitlin said. "We need to get a hold of the weapon that stabbed him."
"The problem is, that left with that nutter who jumped him," Sirius said. "Speaking of which, I should be out there, looking for him. No one attacks my best mate and gets away with it."
"The timeline is trying to erase him?" Lupin asked.
"Any progress?"
Ava poked her head into the MedBay.
"Moony, Wormtail, we need to find a way out of here?" Sirius murmured. "These people are crazy. Talking about time travel and the future."
"What's so crazy about it?" Peter asked. "To Muggles, our world seems crazy. Dragons and brooms and unicorns, I mean to Muggles, those are all fantasy."
"He's got a point, Padfoot," Remus said.
"James tried to merge with me when I got close to him," Harry said.
"Really? "Ava asked. "But, don't your duplicates do that when they're too injured to exist on your own?"
Harry snapped time before the Marauders could pick up on what you're saying.
"It's been a while since I've used that power, but yes," Harry said. "But, that's James Potter. My father. That's not one of my dupes."
"Well, maybe, I don't know, you sent a duplicate into the past for some reason and the duplicate went rogue and killed James Potter and replaced him," Ava said. "I know, that sounds silly."
"But, not implausible," Harry said. "I didn't like to keep them out in the wild for more than a few days. However, I must have had a reason. I really hope one of my time duplicates didn't pull a Savitar."
Harry pinched his nose.
"There's other explanations," Harry said. "The weapon used against him could have altered him in some way. And if I come in close contact with him, he'll be erased from the timeline and I'll cease to exist."
"Which makes the time assassin dangerous," Ava said. "Maybe we should focus on them."
"Tonks and her team are tracking the time assassin," Harry said. "We'll deal with other matters. Like keeping the targets all safe."
"What's the play then?" Ava asked.
"Whatever the Legends decide, we'll work with it," Harry said. "Have you put the matter to a vote?"
Ava shook her head.
"Not yet."
"I've put up a field, so Harry's magic should not cause an adverse effect on James," Gideon said. "Step closer so we can test it."
Harry did. The nullification field worked for now.
"We can make it portable easily with the equipment on the Waverider," Harry said.
"You really attract chaos wherever you go?"
Harry turned around and saw Frost in the doorway. Then he turned around and saw Caitlin standing there with a smile. Last Harry checked, they were two different people sharing the same body. And now they had two separate bodies.
"Surprised to see me, honey?" Frost asked.
"Not as much as I'm surprised to see you and Caitlin in separate bodies," Harry said.
"Long story," Frost said. "Tell you the abridged later. And you can explain to me about what's going on. I understand you're doing a little reading."
"I don't see what's the harm in letting one more in," Harry said. "We got so many people in already."
"Oh, that might as well be the slogan for your little harem," Frost said. "Not that you have any complaints from me. Let Caity and Alex get to work stabalizing your old man. And we can have a talk."
"Wait?" James breathed in a hoarse voice. "Need to speak to him."
Harry walked as close as he would dare.
"You look like me," James said. "But, Lily's eyes."
"Rest," Harry said.
"I'm fine," James said.
"Oh, that's like Harry alright," Alex said.
"I'm your son from the future," Harry said.
"And they were after you," James said. "They said they were the one that you left behind and they would be the ones to erase the Dragon from existence."
Harry raised his eyebrow.
"And I'm a bigger part of you than you could imagine," James said. "They were talking nonsense. But that blade, whatever it was, it was the real deal. Hurt like hell when they stabbed me."
"We're going to find whoever it was and bring them to justice," Harry said. "Trust me."
"You're my son, of course I trust you," James said.
"You're not buying that, are you, Prongs?" Sirius asked.
"Do you have a better explanation, Padfoot?" James asked.
Sirius looked from Harry to James and shrugged his shoulders.
"So, this Harry is very important," Sirius said. "But, what about us?"
"It's not a good idea to know your future, Padfoot," Remus said. "Bad things could happen."
"And maybe good things too, if we made mistakes," Peter said. "Maybe we can avoid them from happening."
"Time has a way of getting its way," Remus warned them.
"Don't be a wet blanket, Moony," James said. "I'm sure they will not let us know anything that could drastically screw up the future."
"So, what's the plan?" Sara asked Harry.
"You're the Captain, you tell me," Harry said.
"I thought we were putting this to a vote," Zari said.
"I'm all in on letting them stay for the reading," Astra said. "At least for a trial run. If it becomes a problem, we can figure it out."
"Third book is what I'm really worried about," Nora said. "Given how certain people will react to certain things."
"None of that stuff happened yet," Astra argued. "We can't hold anyone accountable for things they have not done."
"And for some in that room, what happened is still very fresh," John said. "I say we put them all in a room, lock the door, until we deal with that time thug. And then drop them back off in 1978 with the threat neutralized."
"Is that vote official?" Zari asked.
"They're after me," Harry said. "Anyone who gets in their way is collateral."
"I say it's nuts, and I'm going to say I'm not for it," John said.
"So, that's one nay," Sara said. "Mick?"
"We've done some stupid shit before," Mick said. "But, this takes the stupid cake. I'd say we shut them out."
"Two nays," Sara said. "Zari?"
"Well, other me seems to think that there won't be much harm in it," Zari said "And despite her questionable sense of fashion, because seriously flannel is never in, I would say let them have cake. Or let them stay. At least for one book. Like Astra said, for a trial."
"A little bit of knowledge could be a dangerous thing," John warned them.
"I'd say trial run," Astra said. "One book and we'll go from there. With any luck, we'll hunt down the person targeting them and we can send them back. How much damage can we do with one year?"
"I don't think I want to answer that," Harry said.
"Two yays, two nays," Sara said. "I'm kind of on the fence, so I'll here the rest of them out."
"Screw it, we might as well at this point," Ava said.
"I'm shocked that you actually are for this," John said.
"I know, I am too," Ava said."This might come back to bite me."
"It's dangerous to have past knowledge," Nora said. "I'm going to vote against."
"Well, that's three for, three against," Harry said. "So, it's down to our lovely captain."
Sara sighed and thought about it.
"Dropping them back into the timeline with future knowledge might come back to bite us," Sara said. "But, them learning the truth in other ways could mean they might do something even more unpredictable and stupid. And I would rather what they learn be controlled, and we can deal with the consequences later. So, I'd say…let's go for it."
"Well, I guess it's settled," Zari said.
"Really thought our co-Captains had more sense than this," John said.
"Have you all lost your bloody minds?"
Hermione was not shy in voicing her opinion on this. The rest of the group looked at the Legends who had made the decision.
"Listen to me," Harry said. "There's a pretty good chance we already created an alternate timeline by bringing them here. And none of us might be able to go back to how things are."
"Time is like cement," Ava said. "It's going to take a while to settle. Eventually though, if it's solid, we're going to have to deal with ramifications."
"I think it's crazy, "Ron said. "But, what choice do we have?"
"I know you all have some strong opinions on some of our guests," Harry said. "But, none of them have done the things which you hate them for yet."
"Even Bellatrix?" Ginny asked.
"Bellatrix didn't become a Death Eater for another nine months," Narcissa informed them.
And if Narcissa had her way, she could change her sister's path and make sure she never became a Death Eater. To be honest, Voldemort talked a good game at the beginning. He said the things a lot of the purebloods wanted to hear. But, that was the thing, he was good at manipulating people to do his bidding.
"Well, this is just unbridled chaos waiting to happen," Lita said. "I'd say we go for it."
"So, we're finally starting to read the next chapter?" Kara asked.
"Once we bring in our guests and get them settled, yes" Sara said. "Remember. They aren't the people you know. Not yet."
Harry, Sara, and Astra moved in where Lily was waiting for them.
"What's the play?" Lily asked.
"One book," Sara said. "Then we'll see how things go from there."
Lily nodded in response.
"I'll get the boys," Lily said. "You get the others."
They all agreed. It was almost time.
Thirty two people in the viewing party. Well thirty-one as James was still being tended to. And that was not counting any guests who turned up.
Only time would tell how the trial went.
And Chamber of Secrets will officially begin next week.