AN: Hello my wonderful readers, I can honestly say I am overjoyed at the support I've been getting for this story. Your reviews have kept me going, also the notifications that people have decided to follow or like the story always brings a smile to my face. Its a new feeling, having consistent followers. I had started stories before when I was younger but never really finished anything. Now I am so excited that I finished a story. So there is one more chapter after this one and then there will be a sequel. I hope you guys are enjoying this as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

I want to name a few people that have really stood out for their reviews. This is not to say that I do not appreciate every single review I get but some of these reviewers have either been consistently reviewing or made me feel so wonderful about myself that I had to acknowledge them. Melann - You're unwavering support has made me so happy. Thank you so much! Thanks: ieatmyfeelings, GoddessonmyKnees My guest reviewers: Hi(Guest), Lou (its so awesome that you got an account and made a favourite of my story), Guest & Joe.

To the rest of my reviewers thank you for all of your support and constructive criticism. I really appreciate the way people have been very kind about any mistakes I have made. My attention to detail is awful and generally I end up having to read things over 3-4 times just to ensure I have it right...and often there are still mistakes. So thank you for being so decent about them and gently pointing them out (ladylucens, BAFan)

Disclaimer: Refer to Chapter 1

Warnings: Refer to Chapter 1

Bold - Parseltongue

Chapter 8

"Don't worry Har, Severus just doesn't like to be surprised. He'll work through it," Harry gave Draco a shrug.

After the seven men had returned to the third floor through the humpback witch Severus had stormed away without a word. Harry looked after him in longing.

Harry felt the effects of the Pepper Up potion wearing off. He stumbled as he made his way out to the grand staircase.

Draco made to walk after him but James laid a hand on Draco's shoulder.

"We'll take care of him," James gave Draco a reassuring look. Draco gave James a long stare before nodding. In the mean time, Sirius and Remus had each placed one of Harry's arms over their shoulders supporting the exhausted teen.

"I'll see you in the morning Har," Draco called to him. Harry nodded lightly before leaning his head on Remus' shoulder.

The Gryffindors took Harry up to Gryffindor tower using as many secret passages as they could so as to avoid any questions.

When they reached the portrait of the Fat Lady James gave the password and they shuffled Harry through the portrait hole.

James glanced at the boy who had lied to him and his friends for the past three months but couldn't summon up the feelings of anger or mistrust. It simply solidified the feelings of protection he and Lily had been feeling.

Lily was up waiting for them when they came into the common room. She jumped to her feet at the sight of Harry's stumbling form. Rushing forward Lily took Harry's face in her hands. She must have found what she was looking for as she started calling out commands. Remus ran up to the boys dormitory and began pulling down Harry's sheets. Lily went with the boys up to the room, she then shooed out Remus and Sirius leaving only James and herself. For some reason she needed to see that Harry was okay without everyone else around.

She and James helped him undress to his boxers before laying him gently into bed. He was barely coherent at this point, murmuring things. James looked on, concerned for the pale boy.

"What happened to him James?" Lily asked as she brought the covers over Harry's prone form.

"He had to use Dark Magic in order to save our arses." Lily looked at him in shock but said nothing. Harry was moaning and thrashing by this point.

"Dark Magic wouldn't be enough to cause this sort of a reaction. He even has a fever. Was he bitten by anything or does he have a cut that was exposed?"

"We went through a rainforest like environment, he could have been bitten by one of the experimental bugs," James said running a hand through his unruly hair.

"We have to search him and find the bite. It could be infected."

Together they lifted the covers and looked over Harry's body until they found what they were searching for. On the back of Harry's calf was a bite that seemed to be festering. When Lily touched the surrounding skin Harry cried out in pain.

Lily grabbed her wand and ran some scans. James worriedly shuffled back and forth, realizing it could have been any of those experimental bugs and there might not be cure.

"Thank Merlin, its just a spider bite, poisonous but at least its a known species. However, I'm going to need to make a purifying drought. He's still going to be feeling pains and weakness tomorrow and possibly the day after." James glanced at the boy he was slowly accepting was his son and thanked every deity known to wizards for him.

"Alright, you get started and I'll stay with him," James answered while turning Harry back on his front. By now Harry was delirious with pain.

"Mum, Dad what are you doing here? Am I dead?" Harry's eyes were glazed over but he was looking at the two of them.

"No darling you'll be fine as soon as I finish the drought. Never fear my love," Lily answered in stride as she kissed his forehead gently before placing him in a healing sleep. It paid to be a healer in training.

"He's our son isn't he?" Lily asked without turning away from Harry.

"I believe he is."

"So much must have happened for him to have returned to the past."

"I know."

"He asked if he was dead when he saw us?"

"I know."

"We're dead in the future aren't we?" Lily trembled as she came to the conclusion. James wrapped his arms around his girlfriend resting his chin on her shoulder.

"Maybe, but it doesn't matter now. He's come back in time that must mean he's changing things. Even if we do die in the future we may as well spend as much time with our son as we can now."

"When did you get so wise?" Lily smiled impishly at her boyfriend. James kissed her and then gently nudged her towards the door of the dormitory.

A few minutes later Sirius and Remus came up. They took a few moments to simply watch the sleeping boy.

"He's yours isn't he Prongs?" Sirius asked calmly.

"I think he is Padfoot. That's why he was acting so strangely when he first arrived and we were around him."

"He seems so much older when he's awake, now that I'm looking at him he's like a child. He must have been through so much to be here now," Remus commented as he crossed his arms over his chest.

"That's the same thing Lily said. I should be mad that he's been lying to us, but I can't find it in me to care. I have a son. A son that's been through hell and back. A son so powerful he had to save us with Dark Magic," James looked on with concern.

"No matter what happens we are with him, alright?" James looked at his two best friends.

"Of course Prongs. Moony and I have been with you since the beginning and we'll be here until the end. No matter what."

"Thank you, my friends," James hugged the two men who had always been there and were more like brothers to him. James transfigured a sock into a comfortable chair and began his vigil by Harry's side. Remus and Sirius began readying for bed while James watched on.

It was hours later when James woke to a hand on his shoulder. Lily's green eyes looked lovingly down at him. James saw again Harry's eyes matched Lily's.

"I have the drought, will you help me give it to him. Rub his throat to get it down. This will purge the venom from his system. He will still be in pain but that cannot be helped. Once in his system the drought will ensure the infection is gone. In a day or so he can receive more potions." James, listening to his girlfriends advice lifted Harry into his arms and while Lily administered the potion he rubbed Harry's throat to help him swallow the potion.

Once finished the two watched Harry a while longer before retiring to James' enlarged bed.

New Year's eve broke with a beautiful sunrise. The grounds were covered with snow and Hogwarts had been turned into a mystical winter realm. The Gryffindors woke around eight in the morning. Noticing that Harry was still sleeping deeply they left him to rest.

The great hall was decorated with shimmering snowflakes and other midwinter baubles. The house tables as always were moved to the side and one medium sized rectangular table remained. The Gryffindors took their places to the left of the Headmaster. The Slytherins were situated across from the Gryffindors. Draco looked around the hall for his counter part, noticing his absence immediately. He shot a questioning look at James, who shook his head signaling for a later chat.

They all called out their meals, the Headmaster said a few choice words and the New Year's breakfast began.

Severus too noted the absence of a certain Gryffindor. He sent a penetrating stare towards Draco, who pointedly ignored him continuing his conversation with Narcissa who sat between him and Lucius.

"Where is he?" Severus hissed to Lucius who sat between him and Narcissa.

"I'm not sure Severus, perhaps he's having a lie in. Merlin knows he deserves it."

"Perhaps he is hiding."

"Harry doesn't hide from things. Ever. He is many things, but a coward he is not." Draco had given up the pretense of ignoring the conversation.

"Then where is he?" Severus asked sharply.

"That's what I'm going to find out." As Draco rose to exit the hall the doors opened; in walked Harry looking right as rain. He took a seat next to Lily and quietly ordered a meal of chocolate chip pancakes and milk.

"Harry my boy, decided to have a lie in I see?" The Headmaster question once Harry was settled.

"Yes, Headmaster, I over slept," Harry answered sheepishly.

"Completely understandable, that's what holidays are for of course." Harry smiled and returned to his meal, avoiding eye contact with everyone across the table.

Lily noting his silence tried to push some fruit towards him. She grabbed a saucer and loaded it with strawberries, blueberries, pineapple and orange slices. She pushed it towards him with a smile which Harry returned, enjoying her mothering.

After the meal Draco went over to Harry and they walked off alone. Severus was still stewing from Harry's lack of attention.

"Who does he think he is, the arrogant bastard. Just because he's from the future doesn't mean he can just ignore me," Severus snarled when he, Lucius and Narcissa were safely in the 7th year boys dormitory.

"I still cannot believe Draco is our son, although I'm beginning to put the pieces together," Narcissa commented serenely from beside Lucius while ignoring Severus' childishness. Lucius inclined his head, he was stemming with pride over their future son. He was a powerful force to be reckoned with. Severus was still pacing up and down before Lucius had had enough.

"What exactly are you upset about? The fact that he's from the future or that he's James Potter's son? Did you really expect him to tell you that? Especially given your hatred of Potter now, do you think it goes away in the future? Harry was probably aware of your history and wanted to avoid a confrontation."

"He still lied to us Lucius about his whole life." Lucius gave his friend a glare.

"He didn't lie he just left some key things out. Draco gave me some details while you were off sulking." Severus turned giving Lucius a venomous look. "Give him a chance Sev, he obviously has qualities that you like seeing as you got together with him."

Severus looked as though he would ignore Lucius' advice, however, Narcissa got up and stood in his path.

"Enough of this Severus, grow up. Even I can see that the boy has been through a great deal. I also saw how hard he worked to gain your affection. Regardless of where he has come from he cares very deeply about you. He has proved that. He would not have gone through all that trouble if he didn't care."

"Perhaps it was all a joke, they're probably laughing at me right now in the Gryffindor common roo-" A hand slapped him across the face.

"Stop that at once. Harry is not James Potter. He cares about you. He came to me a few weeks ago to ask me what to get for your birthday. He was so nervous because he didn't want to mess things up. He has been worrying over your reaction for quite some time, especially after putting all that work in for your yule gift. He wants to spend the rest of his life with you!" Severus looked shocked at the platinum haired woman in front of him.

"Damnit, I didn't mean to let that slip but yes, he does that's what he wants. He and I were talking and he came to the realization. Do not ruin your chances at love with this man because of foolishness. Speak with him first, if its all a game then by all means lose your temper. If its not move on with life." Narissa finished. She grabbed her robe and left the dormitory.

"She certainly has a temper Luc," Severus commented as he rubbed his face where a small handprint was.

"That's why I love her. She has an icy fire that I cannot live without."

"Indeed."

The eve of New Year's was the night they were to return to Voldemort. So the three Slytherins gathered in the room of requirement to discuss plans.

"Where is Harry?" Draco questioned from his fireside armchair.

"You were the last to see him," Lucius answered calmly as he took a sip of brandy.

"Are we close in the future Draco?" Lucius asked suddenly. Draco looked sharply at his father.

"We were up until the Dark Lord returned. Then you became cold and distant ending with your imprisonment in Azkaban," Draco answered bluntly. Lucius' eyes widened, he placed his brandy sniffer on the table and came over to his son's chair, kneeling in front of him.

Taking Draco's hands he looked him in the eye.

"I am sorry, I cannot imagine what must have happened for me to have lost my way. I will promise you now that I will not make that mistake again." Lucius stood up and pulled Draco into his arms. He held his son tightly, Draco froze at first before relaxing in his father's arms. The first hug he had received from his father in six years.

When Lucius released Draco, Severus ruffled his hair and smiled. He was glad his godson and his best friend were working things out...even if they had not happened yet.

The door to the room opened and in walked Harry. He looked a little worse for wear but smiled when he saw Draco and Lucius. Though when he met Severus' eyes his gaze hit the floor. He scuffed his feet and then made his way over to his brother.

"Are we ready?"

"Yes, Lucius has the amulet. We should probably take that now," Draco lifted his hand towards Lucius who easily relinquished the velvet bag.

"We must leave now."

The group once again took the secret tunnel from the humpbacked witch. Once on the streets of Hogsmead they apparated to the manor once again.

They were making their way up the hill when the heard a curse behind them. Their wands went up immediately.

"Who the hell is there?" Draco demanded to the air. As expected out popped James, Sirius and Remus.

"What the bloody fuck are you doing here?" Severus spat.

"I was not going to let my son come out here, when he's not at his best," James growled. Harry looked at his father and smiled. Sirius and Remus flanked their mate.

"I'll be fine James, I'm just a little tired."

"All the same, we're here and we'll be coming with you."

"Do you even know where we're going?" Severus demanded.

"To see Voldemort obviously, unless you actually broke into the ministry to steal a snake relic for fun?" James smirked at Severus' lack of answer.

"Fine but you cannot be seen, or you'll be killed and then Harry won't exist." Draco voice cut through like a knife.

The three Gryffindors covered themselves again and followed along behind them.

The men entered the manor walking to the same ballroom as last time. This time, however, only the inner circle were present along with the Dark Lord.

"Well met on your return Williams and Solaire," The Dark Lord greeted from his throne. "What a pleasure to have you with us once again." Harry shuddered as he was once again hammered by the Dark Lord's presence. His scar burned to a point of making Harry nauseated.

"Where is the amulet?"

"Here my Lord," Draco answered as he approached the dais and kneeled. The Dark Lord grinned gleefully as he took the bag from Draco's grasp. He placed it on the table beside him.

"I am very pleased with what you have done. Now you will enter my fold. But first, one last test." Voldemort's black eyes glinted menacingly.

"Young Draco rise." Draco rose to his feet and waited for the Dark Lord to continue.

"You both have proven that together you are quite useful. I would like to see how you fair apart." Draco clenched his jaw, knowing he was not going to like the next words.

"You will place Williams under the Cruciatus curse, until I see fit to stop you." Draco looked down at the ground to avoid glaring at Voldemort.

"May I ask why my Lord?" Draco bit out as he fought to reign in his temper.

"No, you may not. Do as I command!" Draco turned to face Harry, whose face had paled but was giving Draco an encouraging stare. His eyes speaking what his mouth could not.

"I will not do this." Draco answered finally. The Dark Lord narrowed his eyes.

"Then you will take his place. Bella!" He motioned towards one the masked followers.

Harry saw things happening in slow motion. They were vastly outnumbered, even with their invisible comrades. If he didn't think of something quickly they were all going to die.

"You're a fool," Harry hissed. Voldemort's head whipped towards Harry and he shouted for everyone to stop.

"How is this possible?" Voldemort asked in wonder as he took steps towards Harry.

"There are many things you do not know about us. You do not even know that your time on this earth is coming to an end."Harry kept his voice steady, all the while motioning signals to Draco with his hands behind his back.

"Lies!"

"Are you going to risk it? You thought you were the last parselmouth in the world, clearly you were wrong about that...how many other things could you be wrong about."

"Enough, Bella attack but do not kill them!" Voldemort screamed as he switched back to English.

Harry heard the insane cackle and began running towards Draco. Shouts were heard as people tried to stop Harry from interfering but they were stopped by the wands of Severus and Lucius and an unknown spell caster.

Harry threw himself at Draco as Bellatrix cast a Crucio. Harry knocked Draco to the floor taking the full brunt of the curse. Harry rolled to the floor in agony, as the linger pain from the spider venom intensified.

Draco got to his feet.

It was utter chaos around.

The Gryffindors had taken off the cloak and were firing curses. The element of surprise had given them a better chance. Draco took one look at his deranged aunt and raised his wand.

"Avada Kedavra." He snarled, his voice filled with cold fury. Bellatrix's eyes widened as the curse came towards her. She hit the floor a second later, her lifeless eyes frozen in shock.

Voldemort screamed in fury. He reached into the bag to take out the amulet only to find a plastic necklace in its stead.

"How dare you, how dare yo-"

James had come up from behind the Dark Lord and hit him in the back of the head with a large rock.

The Dark Lord crumpled to the floor.

There were nine inner circle members left: The Lestrange brothers, Antonin Dolohov, Evan Rosier, Theodore Nott, Fenrir Greyback, Anthony Rockwood, Jonathan Flint, and Nathaniel Pucey.

The Gryffindors came to stand beside their Slytherin counterparts. The odds were now seven to nine. The fighting had stopped when the Dark Lord had crumbled. After a moment it recommenced with vigor.

Remus took Fenrir Greyback, slinging vicious curses at the man who made him a werewolf.

Severus went forward after Evan Rosier, the two were evenly matched as Rosier was not quite as powerful or intelligent as Severus but had many years experience.

Sirius went after Dolohov while James took on Nott. Lucius took on Rookwood and Flint. Draco flung himself in front of Pucey leaving Harry to deal with the two Lestrange brothers.

Harry fought valiantly against the too strong duelers.

They had cornered him.

Harry kept slinging curses only to have them wiped away with no effort on the brothers' part. Finally, Roldophus disarmed Harry and caught his wand in the air.

"We don't want to hurt you." Harry looked dumbfounded.

"W-what?" Harry asked.

"Our family learned of a prophecy long ago of two travelers that would come to defeat a Dark Lord. Using Emeralds and Mercury a new generation would be born. We do not wish to fight the ones we have waited so long for. We will pledge our allegiance to you."

Harry was still in shock when Draco made his way over. Draco, getting the story from the two purebloods, agreed to bind their allegiance to Harry by way of an unbreakable vow.

With that over with the teens went to see if they could help their friends. However, as they came over they saw many of the fights were finished with the exception of Remus' and Severus'. The Lestrange brothers rushed in and turned the tables in both duels, fighting along side the two men in need.

The duels were quickly finished with all being disarmed, stunned and bound with the exception of Greyback who had been killed by a cutting curse.

Harry made his way over to Voldemort.

Just as he reached the dais he heard whimpering. Wand at the ready once again he approached the drapes that lay behind the throne.

"Get the fuck out here and put your hands up!" Harry was fed up with all the fighting, just wanted to go home.

The drapes were pealed back and out came Peter Pettigrew.

"Well well, if it isn't the rat!" Harry stormed over to him ripping his wand out of hand. He felt Peter's magic swirl and Harry's eyes widened.

"It was you," Harry realized. Peter shifted his beady eyes looking for an escape route.

"Harry what are you talking about?" Draco had come over to stand beside his friend.

"Our lovely friend Peter here, was the one who kept attacking me," Draco's deadly silver eyes focused on Peter.

"What?!"

"Yes, I recognize his magic now, and he's been following us for weeks," James scoffed at the conclusion.

"Peter? No way, first off he's not powerful enough to cast that curse and secondly he's our friend why would he do this?"

"Heads up Potter, but your friend is a Death Eater," Lucius drawled from behind. James gave Peter a long look as if only just noticing his black robes.

"You always doubted me James," Peter spat. "You never thought I was worth anything, always treating me like dirt." James tried to interrupt but Peter wanted none of it.

"Shut up James! I will have my say now." Peter looked deranged as he continued. "You bastards didn't even notice when I stopped hanging around you. Not even Remus looked to see if I was alright. Some friends you were. I expected it from Sirius, he has always been an asshole but not you, James or Remus," Remus looked down in shame and James kept opening and closing his mouth.

"Williams warned me away from all of you and I hated him for it but I despised all of you for completely forgetting about me. AlI I ever wanted was to be friends with you guys. I was never that popular or that powerful but you were supposed to be my friends. But I got you back, oh yes I did. Who do you think attacked your parents James?" Peter looked evilly at them all. James was outraged.

"You were pissed off at me and you went after my family? Why?"

"Because I wanted you to suffer, as I had suffered. None of you even knew that my family had died this year in a freak car accident. My mother, sister and father gone in the blink of an eye. That's where I spent my Halloween. Some friends. So when the Death Eaters were recruiting I offered up my services. I may not have been that powerful but no one laughed at me, and I did my fair share of making others suffer. I was good at that," Peter's tone became more crazed and fanatical as he spoke.

"I promise you, if there had ever been a time that I could have sold you out I would have James. I would have made all three of you go through the hell I went through. Just like you made me." Harry by now was beginning to sway due to pain and nausea.

"Fuck it, I'm done with this," Harry sent a stunner at the pathetic teen. All the others turned to face him.

"You all know who I am already, I'm not going to stand here listening to this. We get it you guys were shitty friends to him. I don't care anymore. I feel like dirt and need to finish off with the Dark Lord," Harry mockingly pointed at the man still unconscious on the other side of the platform.

"Where is that damn amulet that can actually do away with this bastard?"

Lucius handed him the real amulet.

With Harry holding one side of the amulet and Draco the other they summoned their powers, allowing the amulet to read their intent before it unleashed its power. The amulet did not simply kill the Dark Lord, it vanquished him.

When the amulet finished with its powers there was nothing left of the former Dark Lord.

Harry handed the amulet back to Lucius, wanting nothing to do with its destructive powers. Looking at the prone form of Peter Pettigrew, Draco bound him in ropes and replaced his Death Eater mask. The three Marauders turned away from the traitor who they had sadly betrayed first.

The Lestrange brothers bowed to Harry and Draco then journeyed home, promising to keep in touch. The rest of the group left the manor. Severus sent out a signal for the aurors. They left before the aurors could arrive so as to avoid the unanswerable questions.

Arriving at the Hogwarts' Gates Severus and Lucius lifted their sleeves and noted that Dark Mark was gone completely.

They grinned happily at each other. Draco and the Marauders smiled on. Harry, however, could no longer ignore the pain he was feeling and fell to the ground.

Draco cried out as he reached forward to catch Harry before he hit the ground. Harry was shaking with pain, his scar was bubbling and bleeding.

The gates opened and out came Professors Dumbledore, McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey.

Madame Pomfrey rushed to Harry's side and sedated him. The Headmaster looked at the group assembled and simply ushered them inside.

They all waited in the hospital wing for news of Harry's condition. Lily was summoned due to her apprenticeship with Madame Pomfrey. Together the two women worked to bring down Harry's fever and control the muscle spasms.

Severus looked at his lover with grave concern. He turned and walked away, head in his hands. Severus collapsed on one of the chairs to the side of the wing. Lucius followed him over.

"Are you alright?"

"What if he doesn't wake up? I will never get to apologize for acting like an ass?" Severus looked at his friend with deadened eyes.

"He will wake and you will be able to apologize." Severus put his face in his palm.

"I love him Lucius. I don't care that he's from the future. I need him."

"I know my friend, I know."

The group continued its vigil in the hospital wing as the two women continued to work on Harry.

Dumbledore after some prodding received the story from the group. He was overjoyed with the outcome.

"Well done my boys, our world will rest peacefully. At least for now it will." Severus could barely look in the Headmaster's direction, his eyes resting solely on Harry's still form.

As the night went on Dumbledore directed the men into the hospital wing beds to get some rest. They would figure everything out in the morning.

AN: Thanks as always, and let me know what you think.