Harry slowly opened his eyes and stretched his body out, yawning. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and found his glasses before he realized he was in a strangers home. Then the rush of remembrance hit him and his adrenaline began to rush with nervousness and excitement.

He took his pouch from his pocket and reached in for his invisibility cloak, just like Draco had suggested. As he threw it over himself, he felt a pang of guilt. He looked around the room and he suddenly realized how violating this was. This wasn't his world, his home, his life. He couldn't help but wonder where the Harry from this world had gone. He felt uncomfortable, thinking an imposter was in his place back home.

He ignored the thousand questions running through his mind and pushed himself to leave the bedroom.

There were boxes everywhere. As if Harry was moving out. Or was he moving in?

It was a humble sized home, very comfortable (something Harry himself would enjoy). It felt rather like a large home until he realized it was a bungalow. Completely the opposite of the Burrow, which had many extensions and levels.

The floor was a really soft squishy carpet, it let his feet sink right into it. It felt like he was walking on a cloud with each step that he took. It was a soft emerald green colour that reminded Harry of a forest floor covered in moss. The walls were peach, which struck him as a little odd. He would never have chosen the colour himself but he still found that he liked it anyhow.

At the end of the hall, he came to a sitting area. More boxes, some opened, some closed. The natural light coming from each window was wonderful. The sunshine filled up the room and hit the peach coloured walls brightly. Harry was finding he really liked this place, it truly felt like a home. Potter must be happy, Harry thought to himself. Yes, he would think of the other Harry as Potter, to confuse himself less.

He noticed in the corner that there was a very cluttered desk, full of mail on top as well as in the trash can. The urge to know more about this life was almost too much to bare, so he decided not to ignore it and to just have a look-see. He was there for a reason, after all.

There was a check-list for unpacking, which indicated he was moving in, not moving out.

And there were letters from Hermione and Mr. Weasley.

There was a legal form as well. Divorce papers. And Ginny Weasley had signed it but Potter hadn't. Is this what life would be like if he married Ginny? That's why Potter moved into this home, he was leaving their home. His heart had dropped into his stomach. He knew they weren't meant for each other. Potter had risked it and ignored any negative thoughts, leaving him divorced and alone. Harry felt anxiety swallow him.

He picked up a letter from Hermione and read some of it.

"If you don't want Ron to hate you, just tell him what Ginny did to you, Harry. Don't protect her anymore."

He almost didn't read the letter, he didn't want to think badly of Ginny. But he chose to read on.

"Harry James Potter, you're a completely blockhead. I will not sit around and let you and Ron throw away your friendship because of what's happening between you and Ginny. He's always been over-protective over her and she's taking advantage of that. I can see right through the lies. Ron has the right to know what she did so that he can judge the situation clearly and fairly. You have every right to have full custody of your children after her infidelity and all the money she's spent of yours behind your back. Not to mention the drinking.

If you don't tell him soon, I will have to intervene.

If you don't want Ron to hate you for taking the kids, just tell him what Ginny did to you, Harry. Don't protect her anymore.

Love Hermione"

Children. Potter had children. He took the cloak off and sat on the chair beside the desk to steady himself. Potter definitely wasn't alone. Since his arrival, his mind had buzzed with a hundred different questions. Finding out Potter had children only raised another hundred. How many children did he have? Did they live with him already or were they currently in the middle of moving?

Ron. He couldn't believe there was a universe where he and Ron weren't best friends. The Ginny from this world had caused them to break apart and he could only imagine how Potter was taking it. He remembered fighting with Ron in their fourth year; how horrible it had been and how refreshing it felt when they reconciled.

Children. Harry couldn't stop thinking about the children. He shuffled through more papers and read that Mr. Weasley was dropping off the children that afternoon. Any minute, to be precise.

The panic set in and Harry realized he couldn't just hide behind the cloak for three days. The spell was designed to keep him there for three days time, and Potters children were due to arrive any moment. Harry ran to the hall and found his master bedroom once more and took the enchanted pouch out of his pocket and opened it up. He took his own clothes off and shoved them into the pouch and found an outfit from the closet and threw it on. He didn't want the kids to suspect anything, even the slightest hint that he was an imposter. He hid his cloak inside the pouch as well, then set the pouch aside in the bedside table.

As he opened the drawer, his attention was caught by a picture frame and saw a picture of himself with three children. Two twin boys that looked identical to himself, probably 10 or 11 years old. And a little girl that looked very familiar but he couldn't pin-point whom. Her smile took his breath away.

"Harry?" He heard from somewhere in the home. Arthur must have arrived by Floo with the children.

Harry took a deep breath and opened the bedroom door and made his way down the hallway, passed the sitting room that he was in just minutes prior, and found the main entrance to the home. There he was greeted with an awkward hug from Mr. Weasley, his soon-to-be ex father-in-law.

"The kids ran out into the backyard. Hope the move is going well son, Brin and Forest told us all about their new bedroom and Marcelline has been bragging about how you're taking her out to pick out a new family pet. This will be good for them." Arthur smiled. Harry assumed he was on his side in this battle.

"Thanks for bringing them home. Just Floo over any time you want to see them."

Arthur looked as though he teared up at the offer and pulled Harry in for a hug.

Once Arthur was through the Floo, Harry felt very apprehensive on meeting the children. Would they see right through him?

He scratched his head and found the backyard door. The backyard was endless. Trees, gardens, flowers, stones, ponds. It seemed to go for miles. He opened the gate and was going to call out, but then he realized, what would Potter even say? Their names, nicknames?

There was one tree that was so abnormally large that Harry couldn't help but stare at it. The wind blew the leaves in waves like the ocean, the shade of green was striking just like his eyes. He wondered if Potter had noticed it too, or if he ever spent time laying underneath it.

His thoughts were cut off as he jumped at the feel of a small person attack hug his shins. He looked down to a small girl with long auburn hair, bright blue eyes staring up at him with a smile that could break someones heart. She looked like his mother, Lily. But with Ginny's eyes.

"Papa!" Marcelline squeeled, "I missed you all week!" She looked to be eight or nine years old.

He bent down to meet her at eye level. "I hear you've been bragging about a new family pet."

"Uh-huh can we go today?" Her eyes widened with excitement.

"Let's ask your brothers if they want to go?"

She nodded happily and ran off to find them. What felt like ten minutes but was really only seconds, Brin and Forest emerged from a hidden pathway with Marcelline.

"Marce, dad would never let you get one of those." One of the boys had said. He wasn't sure which one was which.

"I wouldn't let her get what?" Harry asked, cutting in their conversation nervously.

"A unicorn." The boy rolled his eyes.

The boys weren't totally identical, Harry thanked Merlin for that. They both looked like Harry, but one had bright green eyes and dark brown hair, the other had olive green eyes with black hair. Minor differences but Harry knew it'd help him that weekend. They were older than Marcelline, Harry wondered if they were starting Hogwarts that year or not.

"Let's start with a smaller pet for now, yeah?" Harry smiled, holding out his hand for Marcelline to take.

"Okay, but I still get to pick right?" She confirmed, with puppy dog eyes.

How did Potter ever say no that face?

"Can Brin and I stay here and unpack while you're out?" The boy with the bright green eyes. He was Forest, which was fitting because his eye colour resembled bright green leaves.

Harry wasn't sure what Potter would do in this situation. Would he leave two boys home alone? Would he say yes so they could unpack and settle in to their new lives here?

"Er- are you sure you don't want to help?" Harry asked awkwardly.

"We're sure," Brin nodded, "We're starting Hogwarts this year dad, we'll be unsupervised sometimes."

"Er- alright. I'll set up a charm though in case you need me, I'll know."

The twins' faces lit up and ran to their bedroom. Harry looked down at Marcelline.

"Papa, can I have some pumpkin juice before we leave?"

"Of course," Harry smiled. He hadn't found where the kitchen was yet. He made his way into the home once more, not quiet sure where to go. As he walked in he peered inside to the right and caught a glimpse of a fridge. Phew.

Together they made their way to the kitchen and she put her arms up so he could lift her up onto the table to sit. She watched him as he opened three different cupboards until he found the cups. He saw one had an "M" on it and grabbed that one for her.

"Papa, are you sick?" Marcelline asked him in concern and curiosity.

"Just a little lost today, that's all." Harry said quickly, with a warm smile on his face as he passed her the cup of juice.

She stared in him the eyes as she held the cup. After ten full seconds, "Straw?"

"Oh, right!" Harry tried laughing it off. She was way too questioning for an eight year old.

After a few more cupboard checks, he found a cylinder that held multi-coloured straws and prayed she didn't expect a certain colour.

She took the straw from him, raised eyebrows, and sipped her drink.

"You're not my papa." She decided. "But I won't tell."

Harry froze. Was he supposed to lie to this little girl? Truly be an imposter?

"What makes you say that?" Besides the obvious, Harry thought to himself.

"You're just different. Who are you?" She asked simply, not even disturbed by her discovery.

"My name is Harry James Potter, but I'm from another place." He said slowly.

"Hmm. Is my daddy okay?" Marcelline asked, frowning.

"Yes, your daddy is okay. I'm here for three days, is that okay?" Harry asked, feeling incredibly guilty.

She nodded, smiling, "Can we go to Magical Menagerie now?"

"Sure, should we tell the boys we're leaving?" Harry felt like asking her what Potter would do.

Harry grabbed his pouch from his bedside table before they had left. He didn't feel comfortable leaving it anywhere behind, and he also thought he should use his own money that he brought with him. He didn't feel right using Potters money, even if it was for his daughter.

~*~*~HPDM~*~*~

The shop smelled like cats, the place was packed with them. He always preferred cats over dogs, especially after Aunt Marge's mongrels growing up, always biting at his ankles.

Marcelline was overwhelmed with choices. She loved just about every animal she laid her eyes on. Puffskeins, pygmy puffs, even the toads. She didn't care much for the owls because her father had apparently already told her she could get one when she was due for Hogwarts. That wasn't for years now. This pet was a family pet.

She stopped at the cats, of course. And the Kneazles. There was a ginger-cat named Olive, a fluffy persian cat named Snow, and a beige cat named Buffy. She was quiet as she observed each one. Harry decided to break the ice and awkwardness with some questions to entertain her.

"So what does your dad call you?" He asked her.

"He calls me Celine, Brin calls me Marce, and Forest calls me Cece. Papa calls me Marcelline Lily when he's being stern." She giggled at the last part. He couldn't imagine Potter ever needing to be stern.

"Mum calls me Marcelline all the time," She added. "She gets mad when Papa calls me Celine. She doesn't like it." She stuck her tongue out and rolled her eyes.

"I see. Did you live with your mom before moving in with your dad?" Harry asked reluctantly. He didn't want to upset her and bring up Ginny, unsure of the drama happening.

"Not really. We all lived together one time. Then daddy moved out and we had to move in with grama and grampa. We don't see mum much."

Initially Harry assumed Ginny was spending Potters money behind his back on the children. But he was slowly thinking she barely raised them at all. He was relieved they were in Potter's care now.

"So you're happy with your dad?"

"Uh-huh!" Marcelline exclaimed happily. "Oh look! Ferrets!" She pointed.

Harry laughed out loud, thinking of the time his then-enemy now-partner, had been turned into a white ferret in their fourth year.

"Do you want to hold one?" The store owner asked her from behind them.

"Yes please!"

The women opened a crate that had the little ferrets.

In the end, Marcelline had chosen the snow-white coloured ferret. Harry smiled to himself, thinking of his partner back in his own world. What was Draco doing? Was Potter there with him? He wondered if Potter was telling Draco all about his life here.

He would find out in a few days time, he thought to himself.

~*~*~HPDM~*~*~

"What did you chose, Marce?" Brin asked Marcelline at dinner that evening.

"A ferret," She answered cheerfully, "Her name is Iggy."

"Nice one Cece, can we see her later?" Forest asked politely. Harry noticed Forest didn't talk much, or at least didn't talk loudly. Brin was much more outgoing, playful, and daring. He reminded him of his godfather, Sirius. Forest reminded him a lot of Remus Lupin; quiet, gentle, intelligent.

The twins levelled each other out perfectly. They weren't identical the way that the Weasley twins had been growing up. These two were opposites, yet still inseparable.

"Only if Brin promises not to try to change her colour." She eyed her brother.

"Okay okay, she'll stay white." Brin rolled his eyes, "Dad, Aunt Hermione fire-called earlier for you, I just remembered!"

"You should invite her over Papa," Marcelline hinted, with a smile.

"Er- alright, I'll go to the fire now. Finish your dinner and wash up." He felt awkward parenting someone else's children, especially ones that looked like him.

They nodded and continued eating their vegetables as they discussed what type of wand they might get when they made their visit to Ollivanders. The twins were starting that September and that's all they talked about. Harry hoped they didn't push to go buy their school supplies, he knew that was something Potter should do with his family.

He found the fireplace in the sitting room and realized he didn't know where Hermione lived. He couldn't connect to her fireplace, so he decided to just write a quick letter and owl it to her. It would take longer to arrive but he thought he'd read some more mail of Potters as he waited.

After the twins finished their dinners, they cleaned their plates off and then cleaned Marcellines, they ran out into the great forest that covered the backyard. Harry wondered what they were always doing out there but decided not to pry just yet. He had only been there for twelve hours, he had two and a half more days to get to know this life.

As he waited for Hermione, a letter was waiting for him on the desk. It had arrived at some point in the day and soon discovered that it was from Ginny. His stomach knotted up and thought he should save it for Potter to read but Harry decided to open it. He was there for a reason and tried to convince himself that maybe he could help Potter somehow.

The letter read:

"Harry,

You refuse to sign the divorce papers until I explain myself, so here it is. I'm not happy with my choices but I'm trying to make things better one step at a time.

You weren't making me happy any more and the attention I was getting from Anthony made me happy. Seeing him behind your back was wrong and he ended up using me for the access I had to your money. I regret being with him and I blame my ignorance to what he was doing on being neglected by you. I was so desperate for attention that I let the wrong person in and he manipulated me.

I'm sorry you had to see us together last year. When you walked in, I have never felt so disgusted with myself. My biggest regret is not raising our children the way I should have. I hope they are settling in well with you and that I can redeem myself in the future. I'm starting with this: I've taken my name off of your bank account at Gringotts. I've attached a new divorce agreement to this letter, stating that I want nothing from you financially. I just want a divorce so I can move on with my life. I've fallen in love with someone we went to Hogwarts with, Roger Davies. He's treating me well and he's helping me recover.

I just ask that you allow me to see the boys when they're home for the holidays, and that I can see our daughter when she wishes.

Ginny"

Harry was stunned. Potter neglected Ginny? Harry felt that was what he was doing with his world's Ginny. He pushed her away constantly, never really wanting to do anything with or for her. He didn't understand why. She was beautiful, she was strong, she reminded him of his own mother (from the stories he had heard of her). But she wasn't for him, and he knew it all along.

It was wrong of him to be with Ginny for more than just himself. She needed to find happiness as well.

She resorted to cheating on him, with Anthony Goldstein. He never liked that bloke. He decided to close the letter once more, with the divorce papers, and sealed it once more. Potter can sign whichever agreement he wished, it wasn't Harry's place to sign anything.

He heard a small pop and turned to face Hermione of this world. She wasn't pregnant of course, but she still glowed beautifully in this universe.

"Harry," She greeted with a smile, pulling him into a hug. This, he had no problem with. He adored his best friend, he adored her even in this world. He hugged her tightly, possibly too tight.

"Are you all right Harry?" Hermione asked, concerned. He did hug her too tightly.

"This is going to sound crazy and I'm not supposed to tell anyone from this world..." Harry decided immediately he needed to talk to her.

"Aunt Hermione!" Marcelline popped up out of no where, holding her new pet, "This is Iggy!"

"A ferret?" Hermione bit her lip to stop herself from giggling. Harry knew why.

Hermione gave Harry a look that told him they'd talk later.

~*~*~HPDM~*~*~

After two hours of tiring games and a small camp fire in the backyard, Harry walked the children in the home to their bedrooms. The boys brushed their teeth first and told Harry about the fort they built out back but not to tell Marcelline. Boys only. Harry laughed and hoped Potter would build her a girls only fort.

The boys had an extraordinary bedroom. The ceiling was enchanted just like the Great Hall in Hogwarts. Harry had no idea how Potter had managed to do it but the ceiling was a reflection of the real night sky. The stars shimmered lightly like little diamonds.

Forest had his nose in a book but his eyes were looking sleepy so Harry said goodnight and met with Marcelline in the hall.

"Are you going to tuck me in?" She asked hopefully.

"Would you like me to?" Harry asked her. She nodded and held her hand out to guide him.

Her room was much simpler than the boys' room, and much more pink. The walls were pearl and had shells scattered around and the carpet looked like sand. He felt as if he were in a beach or a mermaid domain.

She crawled into her little bed and Harry tucked the blankets around her and sat on the end.

"How'd I do for my first day?" He whispered.

"You did okay." She smiled, looking very sleepy, "Do you have kids in your world?"

"No, I don't. I'm not as old as your dad yet. I'm not even married."

"Oh. I'm going to miss you when you go home, you won't have me to keep you company all day." She frowned. Harry would miss Marcelline too, he realized.

He smiled at her and let her fall asleep.

Hermione was still by the fire when he came back out. He found a blanket and put it over her.

"Harry, what aren't you supposed to tell me?" She couldn't wait any longer.

"Hermione, you're going to think I'm crazy but I need you to trust me... I'm not Harry. And I'm not an intruder here to harm the kids or anyone else. I am Harry, just not from this universe."

Hermione burrowed her eyebrows in confusion, "How is that possible? I don't understand..."

He saw her mind exploding with thoughts and questions.

"I'm from an alternate universe, my partner and I figured out how to let me travel to a different world. I'm here for two more days, and then I'll be back in my own world and your Harry will be back here."

Hermione didn't speak for a while. She had to gather her thoughts. After what felt like ten minutes, she finally started to ask the questions he knew she would ask.

"Why did you do it?" She asked gently.

"To see if I'd be happy being with Ginny. I know... it's pathetic."

"Where's Harry now?"

"Er- I'm assuming he's in my universe. I didn't think that through before I travelled." He must have looked as guilty as he felt because Hermione didn't seem to get angry at this.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"This entire world isn't mine, I feel so intrusive. I feel so out of place, but seeing you made me feel more calm, I guess. I don't have kids in my world, I'm only 26 years old."

Hermione looked at him closer and realized he really was telling the truth. He looked younger than the Harry from this world.

"I need a favour." He dared to ask, "Is there anyway you could make a journal that Marcelline can write in, that I would recieve back in my own universe?"

~*~*~HPDM~*~*~

Two days flew by. Hermione had taken Marcelline on the second day, so that Harry could spend time with the twins. Marcelline and him had clicked so well, he wanted to get to know the two boys that looked so much like him.

The day he spent with the twins was full of laughter. Forest could tell something was up clearly, Potter was probably too old to crawl inside their little fort and spend the day in there with them. He knew he was being too careless with pretending to be Potter but he wanted to enjoy the time he had with them as himself.

The twins had made an entrance to the fort using surrounding bushes as a base and using sticks and large leaves to form it into a full on tunnel, seven feet long. Harry found it easy to crawl through but he thought Potter might have more troubles in his older age. He found great pleasure from the fort, as he had never had something like that growing up.

The first time he entered the fort, the twins had grinned at him, clearly pleased with what they had built. It was large enough for Harry to sit up straight with generous room for his head. There was a corner full of books for Forest, a chess game set up, a pile of sweets, and an area where Brin had his Chocolate Frog trading cards.

It was any boys or girls dream.

"So you're not going to let your sister in here, eh?"

"Dad, we're making it for her for when we go away to Hogwarts without her." Brin insisted. "We're just enjoying it a little first."

Harry was impressed with how kind they were and assumed they felt guilty for having to leave her behind.

"I'm not worried any more, though. Now that she has you to keep her company." Forest revealed simply, "She'll never be alone again."

"So you guys are happy here?"

"Mhm, I wish we got to be here longer than just a summer... But I can't wait for Hogwarts. I hope I'm as natural as a flyer as you dad," Brin said hopefully.

~*~*HPDM~*~*

The night he was set to go back home, he reflected on everything he had grown to love and want.

He knew he wanted a family one day, something he had never thought about before. Even if he never married, he would find a way to have a child of his own. He had his godson, Teddy, but Andromeda was raising him as her own and he didn't want to take away the only person she had left.

He felt both happy and sad, knowing he would never be with Ginny. Happy, because he could finally move on with his life. Sad, because he wasn't sure how he would tell her. He hoped Potter was happy here, living his new life. He was pleased to know Marcelline would be happy.

Hermione had the idea of taking a photo of the three children playing together, for a memory to take home with him. He thought he might show Draco and Hermione. She had slipped the photo inside a journal that she had shoved in his pocket earlier. She had looked tired as she did so, as if she were up all night working on it.

Marcelline could write to him, he couldn't believe how lucky he was.