Chapter I
November 4th, 1997
The bar was in a seedier place of London, yet he didn't feel out of place. Slowly he lifted the glass of Scottish Whiskey to his lips and drank a quick shot of the fiery liquid, feeling it trace a stream of fire down his throat.
Slowly he watched as his contact walked into the bar, the crowd parting for him, yet acting like they didn't notice him. His contact walked up until he was in front of him. Slowly the contact produced an oblong stick, about forty centimeters long and wooden. He then started saying some Latin words, something like Abra Kadabra!
A jet of green light flew out of the stick, connecting with him, hitting him in the chest, right above the heart. A few nano-seconds later the man died in full view of everybody. The shadowy man that killed him, nobody could remember, describe, or even think of.
According to the authorities Jorge Robertson died of a sudden unprovoked heart attack, with no symptoms, it wasn't until later that they learned that he was an Iranian intelligence agent.
Department of Mysteries
He walked into the Department of Mysteries, a smile on his face. He waved his ID card at the guard who drew the short straw and had to serve the night guard shift today. He then proceeded deeper into the sprawling complex navigating it like one would their house. He then stopped in front of the door that read "Director M. Hamil. MD Psychology."
Opening the door he prayed to what Gods there were for mercy on him. Inside he found the Director reading over what reports were scattered over his desk. He barely looked up when the man entered. When the man had seated himself the he looked up.
"Agent Potter! What do you have to say for yourself?" He said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Nothing sir, I did the only thing I could think of…I suppose I could've reductered him or stunned him, but that would've been messy and question raising…It is for the best sir!" Agent Potter said after a moment's thought.
"Good answer kid, you have your commission…Yep, youngest agent yet…Good luck out in the world kid." The Director let out one of his rare smiles, and then he hugged Agent Potter like one would their son.
"Thank you sir. I should be heading back, the others will be wondering." Agent Potter said as he walked away from the Director.
"Dismissed. And Potter?"
"Yes sir?"
" Well done,
MI-5 has wanted him for a while."
Harry allowed himself a small smile.
February 14th, 2003
They were alone…It took all of Harry's will not to break down and kiss her right there, not only would it have revolted her, it would've killed their friendship.
He and Hermione were alone as Ron was out doing something for the Order. He was always gone now a days, always doing something or other for the Order. As such Harry and Hermione were left alone at their current residence, the Potter residence in Godric's Hollow. Except when Harry was off doing his 'Unspeakable' stuff, then and it had been wearing on her. She had been racking her brains about what the next horcurx was, how Harry was doing, what Voldemort's plans were, how Harry was doing, what Ron was doing for the Order, how Harry was doing, what Ginny was doing, and so on.
And she hadn't gotten around to wondering about the Horcrux's, Voldemort, Ron or Ginny yet. She had reached one conclusion, and it wasn't about something she had been looking for.
She had come to the conclusion that she loved Harry Potter, and she worried that it was wrong… Especially in the middle of a war. It took all of her self-control to not kiss him.
And they didn't know what the other felt.
Later that night Harry broke down and asked her for a 'date'. She of course accepted and they started going out. Three years later they traveled to the past, and the rest is history.
November 5th, 1982
"Remind me again why I'm reading this damn book?" Harry asked his wife of two years. "It's horrible!"
Harry was reading 1984, as Hermione had asked (told) him to. He of course disliked the book, as the government was reminding him too much of Voldemort's Second Reign. But he read it nonetheless. All because Hermione asked (told) him to.
Harry then sat the book down and looked into the crib next to their bedroom in Grimmauld Place. Lying down was the girl that he thought of as his daughter, even though she was in fact, him.
"Did you ever figure out how that happened?" Harry asked Hermione after just watching Emily amble around her crib for a little.
"No, the only way I can think of is that by going back all those years we created an alternate timeline. So, we don't exist anymore where we came from…" Hermione's voice was frustrated.
"So, we're stuck here?" Harry asked it only as a question, not as a saying of horror.
But Hermione misread it. "You don't seem to mind." She pointed out.
"Oh, I don't I just wanted to make sure that we couldn't just pop out of here." Harry said in response. He then gazed fondly at Emily. "I just can't believe that I have a daughter in all but genes…"
Hermione had a playful smirk on her face. "You mean that you don't want another?"
"You're?" was all that Harry got out.
"Yes…In about 5 months we're going to be real parents!" She was quickly silenced by a kiss from Harry.
It was definitely a very good day as far as Harry was concerned.
Pettigrew however…He thought that it, like every other day for the past year, was Hell-like.
July 31st, 1988
Emily awoke early, as was her custom on her birthday. For today was her birthday, but not just any birthday, her eighth birthday! She looked over at her alarm clock and unset the timer, she then crept out of bed and past her parents' room. Then, letting out a whoop of joy, she jumped down the stairs, and into the waiting arms of her father. Emily stuck her tongue out at him in an annoyed fashion.
"You were supposed to be in bed still." She pouted.
In answer her father grinned. "Your mother reset your clock this morning. It's really nine."
"You're mean!" She cried, then she jumped out of his hug and ran towards the kitchen. Yelling out "FOOD! FOOD! FOOD!"
Her father shook his head in amusement as he followed her into the kitchen, where Emily's mother, her brother, her sister and her Uncle Sirius were sitting at the table.
"What do you want for breakfast Emily?" Her father asked her.
"Cake!" She cried. "No…Cinnenamon(1) rolls!"
Her father shook his head in amusement at her mispronunciation of cinnamon. But went right to making the cinnamon rolls.
Fifteen minutes later the cinnamon rolls were completed, the tyrant (Emily) appeased, and the stories of the Marauders flowing like water in a waterfall.
It was a very good birthday.
July 31st, 1991
Emily awoke early, like she did on every birthday, except this time she didn't use her normal clock. She used a watch her dad had gotten her for her birthday last year. So when her watch's alarm woke her up she jumped out of bed and ran out of her room, not bothering to creep past her parents' room. She jumped the steps and landed, like always, in her father's waiting arms.
"You told me that the watch was tamper-proof!" Emily pouted.
"It is, but I hardwired in the time change on your birthday. So not only was your alarm clock reset, your watch was too." Her father had an evil grin on his face.
"Meany!" She shouted and ran to the kitchen with a yell of "And I want the usual!"
Her father walked into the kitchen after hearing a shrill shriek from Emily. When he was inside the kitchen he had a grin on his face. "Oh, I forgot, your Hogwarts letter arrived!"
"You're cruel Harry!" Emily's mother told her(2) father.
"So? It was fun Hermione! You should've seen her face when I caught her after she jumped the stairs." Harry told Emily's mother.
"You're still cruel Harry! Not telling her about her Letter until now." Hermione shook her head. "I still can't figure out why I married you…" She noticed his face fall. "Jeez! It was only a joke!"
"I know! Its just fun seeing your face."
"Guys! I'm Hungry!" the young Potters, plus Sirius, called at the same time.
"I'll make the rolls." Harry said tiredly.
"Good!" The five others said at the same time.
After breakfast was finished and cleaned up the family cleaned up and got dressed for the day.
The four eventually found themselves in the Leaky Cauldron.
"Hello Tom" Harry said. "Just passing through to the Alley, we'll give the birthday girl her lunch here though." Harry nodded at the man, and left the pub. The family assembled in the back. "Let's see…How did Hagrid do it…Oh!" Harry drew his wand and tapped out the pattern in the bricks.
Diagon Alley revealed itself to the family.
"I'm hungry!" Moaned Emily after shopping for an hour. "And my feet are sore!"
"We just have to get you your wand, and a pet." Hermione said patiently to her daughter. "It won't take that long."
The family, sans Sirius, Joseph, and Rachel, walked into Ollivander's Wands. Sirius said that Ollivander always creeped him out and the other kids wanted to get off of their feet, not only Emily's feet were hurting.
When they were inside the wand maker's shop they examined the wands and found that their wands were gone.
"While you're busy checking out my stock may I help out your daughter. Though I don't remember you, and I remember every wand that I've sold to date."
"I didn't get my wand here." Harry offered. Hermione soon followed suit. "My daughter however, she's going to Hogwarts and needs a wand."
"I'll see what I can do." Ollivander said quietly. He then tossed a box at Emily.
She opened up the box and waved the wand inside, which caused the lamp on his desk to break.
An hour later she still hadn't found a wand, then Ollivander pulled out a wand with a hesitant air. "Ten inches, willow, unicorn hair." He said shortly and shoved the wand at Emily.
When she picked up the wand the only feeling that could be ascribed to it would be Magic. The whole room seemed lighter, the wand seemed natural, and her father and mother seemed to be happy.
"That'll be three galleons." Ollivander said after a moment. Harry fished in his pocket and pulled out three galleons and four sickles.
"Keep the change." He said and they left.
Once they were outside they ran into Sirius who had gone to the Emporium and grabbed two owls. One a snowy owl that Harry and Hermione recognized at once and the other a medium sized Barn owl.
Emily went for the Barn Owl, which relieved Harry and Hermione. Harry walked over so he was standing next to Sirius and quietly asked him how much the snowy owl cost. After paying for the snowy owl Harry promptly named her Hedwig. Sirius's eye's opened in recognition.
"Well come on, we haven't all day!" Hermione said, then she dragged them all to the Leaky Cauldron.
"Tom!" Harry called to the bartender.
"Yes Mister Potter?" Tom asked.
"How much will a quick meal cost. Call it your daily special for four plus a plate." Harry asked.
"That comes to…four galleons, thirteen sickles, and three knuts. And I'll step on it now!"
"Thanks Tom."
Fifteen minutes later Tom walked in with the three of the Daily Specials. Mashed potatoes, gravy, corn and peas, and a small steak. When Harry exclaimed that it had to be more then just four galleons and some, Tom just smiled.
After they were done eating they paid the bill, and left for home.
Once they were home Harry and Hermione called a "Family Meeting" and there they declared that they had news for the family.
" We're going to be teaching at Hogwarts this year. I'm taking over Defense Against the Dark Arts, and Hermione is taking over Advanced Charms, Fillius felt tired of it." Harry said in one breath. "Any questions?"
"Ahhh…. No." Sirius and Emily said at the same time.
The "family meeting" then ended and they went their separate ways, Emily to read some about the Wizarding World even though she'd been raised in a magical house, Sirius to plan his next prank on Harry and Hermione, Joseph to read a little, Rachel to find a note book to doodle in, Hermione to finish her current read, and Harry to spend some time with his familiar.
The rest of the day was spent preparing Emily for Hogwarts, eating dinner, and celebrating Emily's birthday.
September 1st, 1991
Harry, Hermione, Emily, Joseph, and Rachel walked up to barrier nine at Kings Cross Train station. They then, as a family, walked through.
The other side was as busy as it was normally, more so since the kid's who had been born at the end of Voldemort's reign would be going to school now, though there were less then one would expect. Harry and Hermione found their way aboard the train and grabbed a cabin for themselves and Emily.
Harry and his family found a cabin to call their own and took up residence there. Harry started reading the material he was going to assign for the next week and a half; Hermione started reading her material she was going to assign for the next two months. Joseph and Rachel started playing a game of Wizards Chess.
Harry eventually finished reading his material and decided to take a quick nap. Leaning his head against the glass pane he took off his glasses and fell asleep.
Flashback: June 7th, 2004
The castle was dark that much one could tell by looking at it. No windows were lit no fires present in the field.
A twosome could be seen vaguely if one tried. They moved quietly, quickly and fluidly. Eventually they reached the outer wall of the castle.
One of the twosome pulled out a wand and muttered an incantation. The main gate slid upward soundlessly and allowed the pair access to the castle.
The two walked forward in halting steps, as if expecting something to suddenly jump out at them and curse them into oblivion. Thankfully that did not come and the two were allowed access to the inner and upper reaches of the castle.
They walked through the perversion of the castle and stopped whenever a sound was heard. After several hours of that they arrived at their destination, a gargoyle. "Seeker" a man whispered and the gargoyle sprang up and allowed the access to the space beyond it.
The two walked into the office of the fallen castle and examined the familiar sight. Though cold and uninviting, the room retained a sliver of the former owner's personality and at times one could see the twinkling that was dubbed the "Dumbledore Effect" by students while he was headmaster.
They were anxiously scanning over the titles of the priceless tomes in the office until a cold, rasping voice interrupted them. "Looking for something?"
The two turned around and were surprised to see the reason they were there standing in front of them. "Riddle!" spat the man.
"That was the name of my filthy father, my name is Voldemort." The creature in front of them stated, like an old man explaining the facts of life to a younger person.
"Still doesn't change the fact that you're a cold hearted bastard!" The man said. "Wait…You're Mum did marry Tom so you aren't a bastard. You're just a damn annoying thing!" the man said after a second.
"At least you still have some manners left." Voldemort said cordially.
"So, what do you want Tom? Just come for some chitchat? If so, press one." The woman laughed a little before turning back to the ancient tome, searching.
"Just be glad that you're my ticket to immortality, otherwise you'd be dead for that." Roared Tom.
"Since when have you thought that I'd follow you?" the man said.
"Never, but as long as you continue your foolish attempts at killing me- that bunny that hit that drum was very funny you should know- I can live forever. So, I thought I'd just drop by and say hello."
The man just sighed and started counting down from ten in his head.
The woman suddenly stood up, put the tome away, grabbed the man's hand, and dragged him away from the office.
A large explosion was heard as they descended the stairs.
In the man's hands could be seen a list, titled "How to Kill Riddle", he was checking off number six hundred, and sixty-six: Drop a hand grenade and hope it works. As heard maniacal laughter from above.
The two left the fallen castle, and made their way back to where they came from.
End Flashback
"Train's finally stopped. Never thought that trip would ever end!" exclaimed Emily, waking up Harry.
Harry stood up, stretched, and sat down again, grabbing his lesson planner. He placed it in the duffel bag he'd brought of stuff he'd need. Then, hoisting the duffel on his shoulders he stepped off of the train, onto Hogsmeade station, the station that got used a grand total of four times every year.
With a fond eye he looked over the station, taking in its occupants, taking special care to point out the younger Hermione to Hermione. Together they walked to a thesteral drawn carriage and got in.
On the trip to the castle the two were silent, not believe that they actually were teaching at the school, as neither thought that they would actually end up working at the school, being able to teach their younger selves competently and give them a education worth something.
Before too long their carriage pulled up to a stop at the entrance of the castle. Together they got out of it and walked up to the castle, not bothering to wait for a teacher to open the door, but walked straight to the Great Hall and the teacher's table.
Once they walked into the Great Hall Harry and Hermione introduced themselves respectfully to Dumbledore and took their spots, though no teacher could help but notice the resemblance to James Potter.
Sitting down in their appointed chairs (which, conveniently enough, were next to each other.) they watched as the returning students made their way into the Great Hall and sit down. Harry was reminded of Ron, Hermione, and his self when several of the students looked among themselves to wonder about who the defense teacher was.
The sorting began after McGonagal escorted the new students into the Hall. Among them both Harry and Hermione recognized Emily, Hannah Abbot, Ernie Macmillan, Draco Malfoy, Hermione, Ron, and a host of others. (Almost the entire year's worth)
With rapt attention they watched as Hermione was sorted into Gryffindor again, Ron made Gryffindor as well. Draco, this time, fought a battle with the sorting hat, and made Slytherin again. They also watched as Neville Longbottom walked up to the stool nervously and made Gryffindor.
When McGonagal called out Emily Potter, however, they watched with held breath, even though they knew, or hoped they knew, what house she'd make it was a defining moment of this history.
"GRYFFINDOR!" Yelled out the Sorting Hat after a long mental discussion with Emily.
Breathing out a sigh of relief Harry and Hermione turned and watched as Dumbledore stood up and gave his announcements.
"Hello, and welcome to a new year. For those of you who don't know me, I'm Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster of Hogwarts. And the teachers of your subjects are behind me. Newly joined are Professors Harry and Hermione Potter. Harry is teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts, I hope he lasts longer then his predecessors." A small titter of laughter ran through the fourth- through seventh-years. "And Hermione will be teaching Advanced Charms, as Professor Flitwick still can't figure out how somebody who tried charming a log to dance ended up creating several flocks of flamingos, which still appear time to time." Another titter of laughter from the students who took Advanced Charms and were there for the incident. Hermione noticed however that her younger self was looking at her with a confused expression.
"Onto a more serious note, the Forbidden Forest is strictly off limits, thus why it's called the Forbidden Forest. And anybody not wishing to die and early and particularly nasty death must avoid the Third floor corridor at all costs.
"On a happier note, the school song!"
After the song was sung the feast began, to the relief of some. Harry and Hermione took some of this and some of that, but never took a large amount from any one bowl. They also kept their eye on their pseudo-daughter and had to laugh as she tried to make friends with some but forsook the companionship of those who were blatantly hero-worshipers.
Dumbledore let them go, to the consternation of some, but again to the relief of most. Walking together Harry and Hermione made their way to the teachers' quarters, eventually finding their quarters.
Their quarters were spacious enough to house their family, which was a very good thing, as they hadn't wanted to commute back and forth to Hogwarts.
Poking their heads into the rooms of their son and daughter they saw that their kids were fast asleep and would not take kindly to being disturbed. After checking in on them Harry and Hermione retired to their quarters.
The sun heralded the morning. Only six people in the castle were able to see the view. Harry and Hermione were two of them.
With their morning run out of the way they were on their way into the Castle when they noticed that nobody else in the immediate area was up. Even after ten years they were still operating on the schedule that they had set during the waning years of the war.
In fact, they were discussing this on their way in.
"Why is it that we still do this?" Hermione asked, like she had done everyday for nine of the ten years.
"Runner's High, most likely." Harry said. "That, or we just want to be prepared for Voldemort's rise."
"Joy."
"Yeah. I have to go prepare for my class…Bye!" Harry said as he looked at his watch.
"It's only-," She shouted after him, but to no avail. "Six fifty!"
Emily awoke. He eyes were bombarded with the merciless lances of light that dared to invade her four-poster bed.
On the way back from the Sorting it was awkward. The girls were all trying to get in her good graces, hero-worship, fawning, and other useless things to achieve it too! The boys were all treating her like something two steps removed from dirt, why? She didn't know.
But the Weasley Twins, they were lifesavers. Where the others treated her like dirt, they joked. Where the others fawned over her, they made jokes about her Royal Highness.
She worked her way to full consciousness and, once that was achieved, forced her body out of the bed. As soon as she was out of bed she decided to get ready.
Breakfast was quiet, subdued. That's how Emily would've described it anyway. She noticed her parents sitting at the Head table and waved a little, they waved back in response. She noticed one of the teachers, a greasy haired man, give her a glare. She then noticed that he transferred that glare over to her father.
Just then the entirety of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, and Slytherin marched into the Great Hall. She noticed several of the younger ones were covering up yawns behind coughs.
After breakfast Emily found that her first class was Transfiguration. 'Sounds like fun.' She decided.
'I must've been mental! Thinking that this class could be fun!' Emily decided midway through the lesson. It was a basic introductory course, explaining the basics of Transfiguration, and the like. She found that her reading of the books came in handy when the teacher asked several questions that only she and the bushy haired girl-Granger, she thought- could answer.
She, and the rest of her classmates, escaped the class with only reading pages one through thirty-three in their textbooks for homework. She followed the Gryffindor portion of the class to the Dungeons, where they were going to be taught Potions by Professor Snape.
'As long as its not the Greasy haired man I saw, this class should be great!' Little did she know…
A/N: Well, I finished this chapter! And it only took 344 minutes! Which really isn't that bad, I normally don't write 4000+ word chapters.
I hope this answered some questions people had, if not…Too bad, better luck next chapter.
QUESTION: Should Snape be a git to Emily as she isn't the splitting image of James? Why or Why not?
I'd like some feedback on this, your reviews make my day, week, month… And, its what keeps this story going. So, please review and answer the question.
Eldar