A/N: I apologize for the long wait. Not intentional, just one of those sad life facts that things don't always go the way you wish them too. Hope you enjoy.
Ghosts of Tomorrow
The room was dark, cold and virtually empty, save for the thick chains which circled around a young boys wrists and waist, effectively trapping his small body firmly to the stone wall furthest from the only exit and ensuring he could not escape.
The child had been here a long time, just over two days if his calculations were correct, and yet it felt like so much longer.
Dried blood coated pale skin and his blond hair was matted with dirt, as well as sporadically changing to black then turquoise before then turning blond again, unable to control the metamorphmagus ability when there were so many emotions running rampant within his mind.
The manacles clinked softly every time he moved and with each movement, a pained breath left chapped lips as his skin was further agitated by the gleaming poisonous silver. He was in pain and scared, for he did not know exactly where he was being kept or if anyone would even find him.
They would be looking for him, right? Of course they would…How could he even think such a horrible thought.
…because they might be gone…just like Nana and uncle Percy, lifeless and eyes unseeing…He could have lost everyone and wouldn't even know it...
The child shook his head, a dry sob racking his small form followed by a hiss as the chains rubbed mercilessly across his arms. He instantly stilled and closed his eyes, wishing away bad thoughts that did nothing to help and only made him feel worse.
An unnatural chill crept through him and he shuddered at the familiar sensation of the Dementors flying overhead, filling his head with cold, bitter and horrible memories. They would soon pass, but it was still a horrible thing to experience and it wasn't made better by the fact that he was afraid and hurting, trapped in this stone room with only the threat of more hurting to keep him alert.
He wondered what would happen the next time someone paid a visit? Who would be his next tormentor? Would they decide to break his bones or would they have come up with a more creative means to causing pain?
After all, it had only been two hours since the previous session, which had introduced his back to the sting of thin leather and cursed silver. The child shifted to get more comfortable, breathing a little easier now that the Dementor's had passed. A rattling sound caught his attention, faint but undeniably there and it had the boy flinching.
Had he thought too soon? Which death eater would play with him now?
The rattling increased in volume then stopped. A shuffle of fabric then muttered words and suddenly the door was blasting inwards, splintered wood flying across the stone floor and the child let out a cry of horrified surprise.
What was going on?
The dust settled and a figure entered, outlined by faint moonlight...
"Teddy?" A familiar voice whispered.
The boys hair morphed into a white blond and his blue eyes widened in disbelief.
"Draco!"
Chapter Three: The Rationality of Acceptance
George stood with his arms crossed as he stared at the bustling tea shop that was located between number 92 and 94, Diagon Alley, a dark frown pulling at his features and confusion in his eyes. He tilted his head slightly to the one side, a quiet huff escaping his lips and highly aware of the odd glances he was receiving from people doing their mid morning shopping, all packed together in groups and looking wary (something he hadn't seen since the war). However, there were more pressing matters and after walking almost twenty-five miles, he wasn't in the mood to think very hard.
It wasn't there.
He glanced at the tea shops quaint little sign, decorated in gaudy blue and yellow roses and thin green vines, and his frown deepened as he tried to ignore the sensation that something was wrong.
Why wasn't it here?
Where was his shop?
Number 93, Diagon Alley…That was where Weasley's Wizard Wheezes was located, so why in the hell was there some stupid tea shop in its place? George didn't recall giving anyone permission to close down his shop (though business had been hard in the last few years) and he sure as hell hadn't been gone long enough for it to happen so quickly.
A jostle to his shoulder, jarred him from his thoughts and George looked around in surprise.
"Wha-"
"I'm so sorry." A pink-haired woman exclaimed, bending to fetch the package she had dropped. "I didn't see you there."
George blinked. No way...
"Uh."
"Is your clumsiness bothering people again Nym?"
And George blinked again. Merlin's left nut...
"You know it's never intentional Remus." The woman responded with a frustrated smile.
Remus Lupin laughed quietly, though his eyes retained a guarded expression and he kissed her forehead as her hair turned bright yellow, then turned his attention towards George. "Hello there Fred, I hope Nymphadora didn't bang you up too bad?"
"Uh, no?" George said. "I'm alright." I think?
"How are you doing after the memorial?" Tonks asked softly and George frowned. I'm bloody confused, he wanted to answer.
"I'm sorry for bringing it up." The metamorphmagus then said swiftly, moving closer to Remus with sad eyes. "Losing your twin is not something you simply get over...or losing anyone for that matter." And Remus hugged her tighter, looking grave.
I'm dead? No, focus George! Something weird is going on here...yeah no shit Sherlock Holmes, the dead are alive and kicking!
...and I'm arguing with myself.
"I'm fine." The redhead assured, deciding to play along. "It's never going to be easy but I'll manage...It's what -uh, George would have wanted."
I sound like an idiot.
Remus and Tonks smiled.
"That's the spirit. The future is only lost when we give up." The werewolf murmured.
Why did that sound like it meant more than moving on?
"Well, now that we have wasted enough of your time, my wife and I won't keep you from your errands. Take care." Remus announced. "Besides, it's not safe to stay idle."
"See you later Fred and don't dally here too long. Your mother will have your head if you stay out the safe house too long." Tonks said and the couple walked off towards the Leaky Cauldron.
Remus frowned as the left.
Fred smelt different. Not overly different, just a little, but enough for his wolf side to notice...and had the boy looked a bit more ragged than usual? The thought didn't bother him too much though for this was a dangerous time they lived in.
After all, you never knew when an attack would happen.
Still, it was strange to see the teen out and about given his depression.
George waited until the couple had disappeared from view before turning and deciding it was high time he left Diagon Alley.
"Too bloody strange, that's what this is." He muttered as he walked and took the exit located in Knock Turn, avoiding the shifty looking wizards and stepping through to muggle London.
I can't go on like this...Need to find out what the hell has happened, why the world has gone mental. Why the dead are suddenly alive...and why my ear has grown back? Body parts don't just regrow.
George was halfway down the sidewalk when something settled on his shoulder and made him jump halfway into the road and then have to jump away to avoid an angry motorist, black feathers flapping in his face and what were undeniably talons, digging into his shoulder, drawing blood.
"Merlin be damned bird." He shouted, once safe in a small alley. Sphinx was now perched on a trash can and looking affronted by the treatment. George was simply glad there were not too many people around to have seen the weird display.
The bird clicked his beak and extended a talon, looking impatient.
Someone replied?
George gently removed the rolled up parchment and wondered if he should open it. Sphinx clicked his beak again, ruffling his wings and the redhead figured that was probably a 'yes'. So he unrolled the message and read it carefully.
'George,
Is it really you? If so, what was the name of the sweet you let Dudley get a hold of when you fetched me for the Quidditch World Cup and what body part did it affect...'
Here, the message suddenly stopped as if someone had ripped the parchment away and a new, more elegant script took over.
'George, this is Draco.
Swipe some blood over the ruins at the end of this message. It will recognize you and activate a portkey that will bring you directly to us.
There isn't time to explain and there are certain things you need to know. Be safe.'
Draco? He was here...
"What the hell?" George exclaimed then looked up at Sphinx. "Is this for real?"
The bird was silent. Of course he would be. But this had to be true right? Besides, what else did he have?
Four runes glowed slightly at the edge of the letter, just where Draco said they would be.
Well...
Taking blood from the talon marks in his shoulder, Sphinx not even looking the remotest bit apologetic, he spread it over the runes and watched as the blood turned blue. Then there was that sensation of something hooking his insides and...
Sphinx watched the redhead disappear then spread his wings and took flight. His duty had been done and now it was time for food before he returned to Master and companions.
It was two days after Sphinx had arrived, bringing the letter supposedly written by George. Harry had written a reply, only to have it snatched away by Draco who smacked him on the head and asked what his training had been for if he wasn't going to use it properly.
The blond had then proceeded to create a rune set that turned whatever object it was on, into a portkey was the correct blood activated it. He keyed George's blood signature into the rune, using a sample they kept with them in case of emergencies (extendable charms really were handy) and sent the letter off with the black falcon.
Harry supposed Draco's idea was better and felt a little embarrassed for not thinking of it. At least this way, George would get here quickly and they would know it was definitely him. All they had to do now was wait and would be alerted once the portkey arrived.
In the meantime, Harry and Draco had gone back to taking turns traveling through the village and collecting information...and what they found didn't make any sense but accepting it was all they could do.
So far, they knew the date was June 1996 and not January 2003 as they remembered it.
They knew their bodies had been de-aged after a few tests and both twenty-three year olds were seventeen again while Teddy was only two. Something they all agreed was rather annoying.
They knew they were dead, or so old copies of the 'Daily Vision' claimed and this was when they decided, maybe this was not their world? What other explanation was there, other than all of them sharing some twisted dream-induced coma?
"It is slightly logical." Draco had said when they discussed the matter. "The last thing we did was apparate out of a potentially unstable and magically volatile area. There is a reason the Department of Mysteries exists."
"Yeah, they are there to store all magic they can't explain or categorize." Harry grumbled in reply. He hated that department and after years of thought, had come to his own conclusions about it. "However, that's a good point. And we can't deny the facts being presented to us."
"It explains why Lucius Malfoy is alive..." Draco added, expression blank and Harry could only pat his shoulder, empathetic of his feelings. "It explains the death eaters."
Things were going to be hard to deal with, given there was so much they did not know or understand, but they would learn and adapt...for they hadn't survived this long just to give up now.
They had then decided it was time to venture a bit further and after some truly genius glamor spells, Draco had made the first trek to Hogsmeade. He came back with a couple surprises.
...
"Here Teddy. I got you a present."
The little boy had looked curiously into the offered cage and then his eyes had widened before looking at his cousin in disbelief.
"Is that really..."
"Yip. I saw him and figured we could give the little guy a better home." Draco explained, eying the fluffy midget that passed for an owl and had in their world, belonged to Ronald Weasley. Teddy was turning to Harry with an excited smile.
"Look Harry, its Pig!"
Draco had shrugged at Harry's inquiring gaze.
"It's something to remind us of home."
...
There were other things Draco discovered in Hogsmeade. Much more worrying things that made Harry wonder just what type of world they had trapped themselves in.
...
"Hogsmeade is protected by a strangely high amount of wards." Draco murmured once Teddy fell asleep. "You can enter and leave as you please, but the protection spells on the buildings and the alerts they have, make me wonder what they are guarding themselves from."
"Did you have a look around the Hogwarts perimeter?"
Draco rolled his eyes and scoffed.
"Of course."
"Just checking." Harry replied with a frown. "What did you notice?"
He looked uncertain.
"It's still Hogwarts but..."
"But?"
The blond rubbed his eyes wearily.
"It's wards are even more intense than Hogsmeade and there were buildings that I have never seen before."
"Mmm. Next investigation Diagon Alley?"
Draco nodded and Harry got to his feet.
"Tomorrow then and I'll go this time."
...
Harry smiled slightly at the sight of Teddy petting Pigwidgeon, the little owl just as excitable as the raven remembered.
It's good Teddy is taking this so well. But then again, he hasn't had a very normal childhood. Harry frowned. Maybe once they were settled, they could live a normal life and Ted could grow up properly, given he had regressed in age.
Maybe...
"I'm going now." He announced and Draco nodded from his spot on the bed, where he was making notes in a familiar black, leather-bound book.
"Be careful."
"You be careful." Harry dutifully replied and gave Teddy a hug before making for the door, glamor's already set in place. A tingle suddenly shot through his arm and Harry saw one of his rune tattoos glow.
The portkey was activated.
"Guess the trip to Diagon Alley will have to be delayed." Draco said, his own tattoo glowing slightly.
"Come on Ted. We have a guest to meet."
-O-
The trio stood amongst the waving grass and brightly coloured flowers upon the Pixie Plane and stared at the redhead making his way carefully up the hill towards them.
Once nearby, George let his blue eyes roam their faces, taking in the younger ages and altered appearances, wary stances, but noticing the things that he would know anywhere.
The unique rune tattoos from special studies, something only one other person shared but no longer lived. Notable scars that were not hidden behind a spell, like the werewolf scratches that ran along Draco's neck on the right hand side or the twisted cut on Harry's chin, running diagonal from the left corner of his mouth.
"It's really you?" He asked quietly. The little boy's hair changed, as though to answer the question, from plain brown to a bright turquoise and he sniffled back tears.
"Hi uncle George."
"The sweet we gave Dudley was a Ton-tongue toffee." The redhead smiled and the one teen seemed to blush while the other smirked.
"Force of habit." He mumbled then the glamor's dropped and George was looking at familiar bright green and sharp silver eyes.
"Good to see you're alright George." Draco said.
The relief the redhead felt, was palpable and then it transformed, as if every bit of frustration now had an excuse to explode.
"Either of you care to explain why I am a teenager again? Or maybe you would like to explain why I no longer own number 93 Diagon Alley? Better yet, maybe you can explain to me why I ran into a very much alive Remus and Tonks who thought I was my dead twin." George ranted while Draco and Harry stared. "…but the thing I would like to know first, is why I have two ears again?"
"This ear thing is really bothering him, isn't it?" Draco commented to which Harry just shrugged.
"I think it's because now all his ear related humour has lost its full potential." The raven replied, somewhat disturbed at the mention of Remus and his wife. "I mean, you can't really make fun of a gaping hole that's not there anymore."
"Hey! Stay focused you two." George yelled. "This is serious."
"We know." They both intoned. "We'll discuss it back in our room."
George sighed.
"Yeah, okay." He said, then braced himself when Teddy collided with his legs.
"I'm glad you're here." The little boy whispered tearfully and George swallowed the lump in his throat at the still-healing scars all over the boy's body. He lifted him up carefully.
"I'm glad to be here too, Teddy."
And he was, he really was.
"Really?" Remus asked as he stepped over the threshold of Grimmauld Place with his wife and Marlene McKinnon, having met the auburn-haired witch in the Leaky Cauldron after they had finished their business in Diagon Alley.
"Yes, Lily was telling Dorcas and me all about it yesterday after the Memorial. Poor Sammy was so distraught and understandably so, since it was his first bit of accidental magic."
"James must be glad those teacups are gone." Nymphadora giggled. "Weren't they a gift from Lily's sister?"
"Yes." Remus laughed as he placed their shopping on the kitchen table, greeting the few people seated there for lunch. "I'm sure James is not the only one who is glad they're gone. Lily hated how garishly pink they were. Said it reminded her of Umbridge."
Marlene shivered.
"I don't blame her, that woman creeps me out."
"Reminds me of a fat toad." Nym said and changed her hair green as though to match.
"Hello dears." Molly Weasley greeted, plump face smiling warmly from where she was stirring a large pot of onion stew but her eyes a little red as though she had been crying recently. "How was Diagon Alley?"
"Tense as usual." Marlene replied as she sat beside Dahlia Allen and the rest shared resigned glances.
"Understandable." Dahlia replied in her usual no-nonsense tone before going back to the letter she had been reading.
"Did Fred get home safe?" Nymphadora asked and Molly frowned at the younger woman.
"Whatever do you mean?"
"We met him in Diagon Alley-"
"What my lovely wife means is that her clumsiness almost disabled poor Fred." Remus interrupted with a teasing smile. "And we hope he got back safely."
Nymphadora scowled while Molly just looked more confused and a bit teary as she responded.
"Remus, Fred hasn't left his room since the m-memorial yesterday."
"Are you sure?" Remus asked, glancing at his wife. "I am sure we spoke to him not even an hour ago."
"Fred! Come downstairs please." Molly called, using a 'Sonoros' charm to amplify her voice. "We'll find out now, but I'm quite certain he hasn't left all day. Ginny had to take his breakfast up to him this morning and Arthur had a talk with him before he went to work. Besides, the children know to ask permission before they leave a safe house and to always go in groups."
Something was wrong. Remus thought.
"Maybe the boy snuck out." Marlene said. "Getting back to the way he was before George's death."
Molly stiffened and Remus considered the thought.
Might explain why Fred was so jumpy when they spoke?
It took a few moments until Fred Weasley was entering the kitchen, looking sleep ruffled and joined by his younger brother Ron.
"He was sleeping." The younger redhead explained.
"You called?" Fred asked. Remus stared at the redhead, his expression blank and his mind racing. He smelt different, the way the wolf remembered Fred should smell.
"Freddy, did you leave the house at all today?" Molly asked, her tone stern. "And you better not lie to me."
Fred looked confused.
"No mum, I've been in my room." He said, sounding weary. "What reason do I have to leave my room anyway?"
"Then who did we speak to?" Nymphadora asked, eyes wide. "It was Fred, wasn't it Remus?"
Remus stepped closer to Fred and let the boys scent surround him. It was different. Not like the other Fred.
"Um, you alright there Remus?" The redheaded teen asked, looking worried. "I swear I never left the house today."
"I even had to wake him up when mum called." Ron added.
"Molly, I think you best call Albus." Remus announced slowly. "Set up a meeting. Nym, contact you mother and Godric's Hollow. Marlene, you notify Longbottom Manor and the Greengrass Family. Dahlia can handle Hogsmeade and Westcliffe."
"Everyone, or just a few representatives?" Dahlia asked, noting the urgency in Remus's voice and standing.
"A few. I don't want to cause alarm if it's just paranoia." Remus answered, absently wondering where Sirius would be now. His friend had been understandably distraught since the Memorial and that made him unpredictable.
Dahlia nodded and left with Marlene while Molly had already left with her sons and Nym.
Remus took a seat at the table, skin crawling with slight agitation at his minds revelation, while he also sent off a patronus for Sirius.
He and the wolf had confirmed that strange feeling, the one he had brushed off as nothing to worry about. They knew for sure, that the person in Diagon Alley, the boy with red hair and freckles that looked like Fred Weasley but did not smell like Fred Weasley...had not been Fred Weasley.
With a shaky hand, Sirius Black refilled his shot glass with fire whiskey and drank it in seconds.
His eighth one if Regulas was counting correctly, ever since he had entered and found his brother this way.
"Remember that time when he was six and found that baby hawk at the park and begged for hours if he could keep it?"
Regulas nodded. "I remember."
"Said he would fix up its broken wing and would name it after a star and would protect it."
"And we said no because it wasn't going to survive because of the injuries that couldn't be seen." Regulas said.
Sirius knocked back another shot and proceeded to refill the glass.
"It felt like a life time before he stopped crying and actually listened to why we said no." Sirius murmured, eyes glazed. "I remember him then suddenly deciding that he wanted to become a Healer, and would be the best so that he could heal every injury."
"And that dream stayed with him." Regulas smiled slightly and Sirius laughed, but the sound was hollow.
"Up until he was murdered." He rasped, swigging back the next shot. "Dreams gone in an instant."
Regulas stopped his older brother from pouring another and met his gaze evenly.
"It's still going to hurt in the morning."
"I know." Sirius whispered and looked away. "I just...I just want it to stop hurting now."
Regulas placed the whiskey on the far side of the table and patted Sirius on the shoulder.
"He wouldn't want to see you like this." And the older Black snorted, expression bitter.
"Isn't that what they all say? The same pathetic line of comfort everyone uses." He growled, standing up. "Don't be sad Fred, your twin wouldn't want you to be sad. Don't cry Hannah, your parents died for a good cause! D-don't worry Sirius, Draco went out like a man!"
Sirius brushed his brothers' hand away angrily.
"Well, thanks to the death eaters and that twisted freak that lords over them, people like me and you, or anyone who has lost someone to this war, will never know what their loved ones think or how they would want us to feel."
Regulas stared at his brother, eyes wide in surprise. Apart from the drinking and the occasional reminiscing, Sirius hadn't talked much about the death of his adopted son since it had happened exactly one year ago.
"I'm sorry Reg, I just, I don't..." Sirius broke off looking tired and unsure. "Remus and Nymphadora stopped by last night with Cynthia. Then James was here earlier and we were talking about Harry and how he would've been seventeen, just like Draco and..."
"It's okay Sirius. No need to explain." Regulas interrupted. "I miss him too."
Sirius wiped his eyes and sighed as he put the fire whiskey away.
"Some father I turned out to be."
"You were a great father." Regulas snapped. "And Draco was proud of you."
Sirius nodded.
"I suppose deep down I know that...I just wish he was here."
A sudden pulse of silver light, stopped Regulas from replying as the image of a round sphere shone in the small kitchen.
"Order is calling a meeting at Grimmauld Place." Remus Lupins voice announced. "Starts in five minutes."
"About what?" Regulas asked with a frown.
But the patronus had already vanished.
"What?" Sirius asked and the younger Black just shook his head and grabbed his traveling cloak.
"I guess we shall have to attend if we want to find out what's going on." he said, throwing powder and saying 'Number twelve Grimmauld Place' before stepping into a swirl of green flames.
"Oi, wait up." Sirius yelled and followed his brother into the fire.
A/N: Story will go through a mass edit soon, just to clear up any confusion or neaten plot devices.