A Ripple In Time Keeperoliver Chapter 14

Lily's feelings about the other time line had become obsessive. She could not figure out why she ended up with James Potter who she clearly did not love? Why didn't she marry Remus like she did in this time line? She needed answers for closure to this question. The answer had to be from Sirius being the only adult from that time line. She also needed to have Remus there for comfort. She also did not want the kids present when she asked Sirius.

Lily got her break when Harry, Amanda and James decided to go to the beach with Harry's friends one weekend. The three just left when she asked Sirius to floo over to their house.

Sirius walked through the floo and dusted himself off, then took a seat opposite Lily and Remus. He was surprised when Lily asked him, "Sirius, Why did I marry James instead of Remus? I mean, didn't I love Remus like I do now?"

"I was wondering when you would ask that Lils. I also did not look forward to when you asked it. Why did you wait so long? I mean Harry and I have been here a year and you are just now asking it." Sirius replied.

"To be quite frank, Siri, I was afraid of your answer. I can not see me loving anyone but Remus. It scares me to think I didn't love him in this other time line. But it has been nagging at me for the past week, and I finally got up the courage to ask. So please, tell us why I did not marry Remus, and married James instead?"

"OK Lils, Remi. I will tell you, but just be warned You may not like what I'm about to say. To start out Lils, you did not know any of us when we first met. At the time your only magical friend was Severus Snape." This drew a gasp from Lily and a look of shock from Remus. "It's true Lils. When James, Remus and I entered the cabin you and Severus shared on the train, your first impression of us was a curious fascination. This quickly changed to contempt for James and I, as we insulted Severus from the first moment we met him. Remus however remained quiet, and even tried to restrain James and I. It didn't work and Your dislike for James and I grew to hate. Severus was more than able to defend himself from the insults we laid on him, but you couldn't hold back and told us to leave before you did something she would regret. You told Remus he could stay if he liked, but he just said thanks and got up and left with the two of us."

Sirius took a breath to gather him self, and continued, "For four years you could not stand James and I, but you had become close to Remus. Remus however would not allow himself to get close to you. It was this year you figured out why. You had finally pieced together Remus' monthly disappearances when the Full Moon was present. You also learned that James, Peter and I became Animagi so that we could be with him during his change. Yes, we had become friends with Peter Pettigrew. The biggest mistake we ever maid, besides getting on your wrong side. Any way, during our OWL year, there was an incident that changed every thing for you. James and I had teased Severus and you got very angry at us. When you stood up for Severus, he became angry, and said he didn't need any help from a filthy Mud blood. This upset you so much, you would not talk to anyone for weeks. Severus tried to apologize but you wouldn't let him near you."

Taking another breath, Sirius looked at the two sitting across from him to try and see any reaction they might have about what he said so far. There was none. They were just sitting there watching him, and waiting for him to continue. "In our sixth year, You tried to get Remus to open up about his affliction, and for him to ask you out, but, he refused saying that he was destined to never be able to have feelings for anyone. He could not dare to let any one get close enough to care for him. That did not mean he did not care for you. On the contrary, I believe he did in fact love you. But he knew that James had feelings for you, and did his best to try and get you together. James made this hard, as he refused to grow up. That is until our seventh year when he realised if he didn't change, he would lose you. For some unknown reason, Dumbledore had made James Head Boy, with you being Head Girl. At first this infuriated you. You kept saying what was that old fart thinking making him Head Boy. But as the year progressed, you began to see the gentle side of James, and fell in love with new version of the 'toe rag', as you used to call him. You soon lost interest in Remus, but he still remained your best friend. Dumbledore made things more difficult for Remus, when he asked him to help out in the cause for the fight against Voldemort, by trying to sway the Werewolves to the side of the light. It was a lost cause as the wolves were led by Greyback, who was a follower of Voldemort. He was gone quite often, and missed some very important moments of yours and James life, to include your marriage, and the birth of Harry. You made me Harry's Godfather, when Remus was not available. He was also gone when you were attacked and killed by Voldemort, after Peter betrayed you both. He was made the Secret Keeper for you Fedelious Charm. He gave the secret to Voldemort, and on October 31, 1981, he broke into your home and Killed James then went after you. You protected Harry, giving up your life protecting him, which gave Harry the ability to repel the curse and send it back to it's creator. That is the story of how you and James got together. Lily, James really did love you, as I am sure Remus did also. To be truthful, I was also in love with you, to an extent. For me, it more of a brotherly love."

Lily sat there for a few minutes absorbing everything Sirius just told her and Remus. Then it struck her, "Sirius, who did Harry grow up with when James and I died?"

Sirius knew this was going to be asked, and he still didn't have an answer for it. For some reason this answer eluded both him and Harry. "I wish I had an answer for you Lils, but neither Harry or I can remember? Not can we remember the summers between Harry's Hogwarts years. Strange if you stop to think about it though. Why should that be the only memory lost to us?"

Lily gave it a little thought, but it was Remus that came up with a strong point, "Perhaps it was such a bad memory, that you do not wish to remember it. Perhaps Harry's life before school was one he wished to forget. And the time between school years. Is there a family that would treat Harry bad if he had grown up with them?"

Lily's eyes widened at Remus' comment. "Of course, Petunia. My sister hated the fact that I was a witch and was getting all the attention of our parents. At least that is how it appeared to her anyway. In reality Mum and Dad were proud of both of us, But, Petunia had built such a loathing for me, she noticed everything our parents did for me, and never took into affect what they did for her. She hated everything that had to do with magic. I think in that time line, Harry was raised by my sister for some god forsaken reason. Who ever did this to him had placed Harry in the worst possible environment to grow up in. But who would do that?"

Sirius smiled, "I think I know who. A senile old goat who thought he was doing the right thing. A person who liked to be in control of all things around him. Although meaning well, Albus Dumbledore was losing focus as to what was good, and what was right. He thought of Petunia as being Harry's only family, and thus would be loved. He seldom looked into things for possible side affects, before he did it. He never listened to reason, thinking his way was the only way."

Lily and Remus both had to agree to this assumption. It made sense, and it fit why they had the memory loss. She would test this later on Harry, by asking him to visit her dear sister with her. She knew that Petunia still loathed her and all things pertaining to magic. If Harry balked at wishing to meet her, then what Sirius said was the truth, and would not push Harry to see her. She did not relish the idea herself. It was for a different reason now though. She was jealous of Lily because she married a very rich and good looking man, and Petunia married a fat slob of a man who treated Petunia like she was a servant, rather than his wife. Their son was treated like royalty, and was spoiled rotten. She was expected to treat him the same way.

ARIT-}

After dinner that evening, Lily sat Harry down to talk to him. Harry didn't know what was coming, and thought that His mum just wanted to talk and see how he was doing, and how he and Ginny were getting along.

"Harry, I wish to ask you something, but I want you to answer it for yourself, and not for me. I would like to know if you would like to visit my sister Petunia, your Aunt?"

Harry thought about it for second, "Why would you be concerned about my answer mum. If you think I should meet her, then I will meet her. Have Amanda and James met her?"

"No."

Now this threw Harry. "Why not, and why are you asking me? Does this have something to do with the other time line?"

"I believe it does. I believe it has something to do with your lost memories of before Hogwarts, and the summers between your school years."

Harry sat for several minutes thinking over what his mum said. "I think I know what you're getting at. You think I might have been raised by her in the other time line, and did not enjoy this memory. That is why I can't remember her. I don't want to remember her. That is why Amanda and James haven't met her. She doesn't like magic does she mum?"

"NO Harry, she doesn't. But I had to find out for sure that was the reason you had no memory of your life before Hogwarts, and the summers between school years. I never wanted to expose Amanda and James to her hatred. I didn't want to expose you either, but had to give you a chance to know what I felt was the truth. So, do you still want to meet her, and her family?"

"If you do not want your kids to meet her, then I certainly don't wish to meet her. However if you are going to visit her, then I will join you for moral support. Just don't expect me to get all huggy with her."

Lily laughed, and said, "No Harry, I have no wish to see her. She made it quite clear the last time we met that she never wanted to see me again. That was at the funeral of our mum, when she passed away. I believe I could live the rest of my life with out her in it. I would however like to see her from a distance with out her knowing, to see how she is doing."

"Would tomorrow be to soon? I could go with. I don't have any thing planned and wouldn't mind seeing what may have been my worst nightmare."

"Thank you Harry, that would be fine. Remus can take the kids with him to the book store, and they can visit the other shops in the alley. Florean always enjoys their visit with him."

ARIT-}

Lily had aparated them to the park down the street from where Petunia lived and then they walked to a friend of Lily's who lived across the street from her sister. If Petunia knew there was a witch living across the street from her, she would have moved long ago. Her name was Samantha Everett. She was married to a muggle, and had one child about Harry's age. She was also a muggle but knew of magic from her mum. Her name was Evelyn. Harry joined his mum as they stared across the street to Dursleys. Evelyn told them that she couldn't stand their son, as he was always bullying the other kids on the block. They continued to watch, as Evelyn told them of Dudley's antics. Harry learned to hate his cousin for what he has done.

Soon, Petunia made an appearence, along with her son. They walked to the park, where Dudley left her, and she continued on to the store just down the street. Harry watched as Dudley was soon joined by two other boys, and they did what Evelyn told them he would do. They cornered a boy, and began to rough him up, until the boy pulled some money out of his pocket and handed it to Dudley. He split it up with his friends, and went looking for their next victim. Harry decided it was time for him to teach these bullys a lesson. He told his Mum and Samantha what he was going to do, and they didn't like this plan, but knew something had to be done. Harry asked Evelyn if she would join him, and she agreed.

They walked over to the park, and Harry had Evelyn sit in the swing, and he pushed her. This caught the attention of Dudley and his friends and then the three walked over to them. "You do know that this is our park, don't you Evelyn? You know that you have to pay us to get to enjoy it? And who is your friend? He needs to know what it means to tresspass on our territory."

Harry looked to Dudley, "I thought this park was run by the city? I didn't know they let punks run it? Or are you here by you own choice? I don't think I like your attitude very much, and suggest you leave now, before I call the authorities on you."

By this time Dudley and his friends had surrounded Harry and Evelyn, preventing any escape, not that Harry had any intentions of escaping. Harry's hand curled into fists, and waited for Dudley to make the first move. He did, and Harry used Dudley's own momemtum to send him into his own friend. Harry then rounded on the third bully and knocked him out with a left hook to the jaw. Harry then turned back to Dudley and watched as he and his friend got back up. Seeing their friend lying unconscious, they began to have second thoughts. Harry didn't let those thoughts grow. He went right at the two, and soon Dudley was standing there facing this new kid on his own. Dudley was not used to being stood up to, and didn't know how to react. This was the way Harry hoped Dudley would face the situation, and he pulled Dudley into an arm lock, with his free arm going around Dudley's neck. "If you want to continue to live in this neighborhood, you better not let me catch you throwing your weight around any more. I have friends of my own, and they are all tougher than I am, and not as forgiving. Now, I suggest you apologize to Evelyn and leave here as soon as you have."

Dudley never got the chance to do so, as Petunia was walking back when she saw Harry bullying her son. She rushed over and told Harry to release him immediately. Harry looked at Petunia, and laughed. "Does little Dudley need his mum for protection. Madam, I suggest you teach your son some manners. He is the way he is in because of his attempt to take something that did not belong to him. His friends tried to surround us and take us by surprise."

"My Duddykins would never do such as thing. He is always the gentleman. His friends are from rightious families that go to church every Sunday. Now unhand him this instant before I call the authorities on you and have you taken in to custody."

A voice from behind her startled her. "Please do call the authorities. I would like to hear what they have to say. You have never changed have you Petunia. Always in the right no matter what the circumstances. Even your spawn can do no wrong. And what of your employer, oh wait, I mean you husband. Does he still think there is no family better than his own? Harry release the boy and you and Evelyn get over here. Petunia, I suggest you take your son and have a talk with him. He is in very deep trouble right now, and he could be taken away from you and your husband."

"Lily, I thought I made it clear that I never wanted to see you again. And who is this ruffian you call Harry? Is he the play thing for this little whore. Yes Miss Everett, my Dudley had told me all about."

Evelyn was pissed. "OH Yes, perfect little Duddykins would never lie to his mummy, would you Duddykins. Or tell her of all the times you have skipped classes. Stolen lunch money from other students. Defaced property. Beat up smaller kids. Forced girls to perform certain acts for your entertainment, but never raping them to make sure there was no way to prove otherwise. Oh yes Mrs. Dursley, protect your little angel. He is such a model citizen. Take him home and cuddle him for his own comfort. Don't turn your back on him, or he may stab you."

That was the way Lily, Harry and Evelyn left her. Looking at her son as if meeting him for the first time. Dudley sneered at her, "Are you going to believe all that bullshit from that bitch. Who was she anyway, and why was she with that Everett whore?"

"Dudley you will never speak about an adult like that again in front of me do you hear me? That Bitch as you called her was your Aunt Lily. My sister. I may not like her, but she is of my blood, and yours. You will show respect when you speak of her. Now, is anything that Evelyn said true. If I catch you lying I will turn you over to the authorities myself."

"Of course none of it is true. You saw for yourself it was the other boy who had me around the neck. Piers, Anthony and I were on the swings when he came over and told us to get off, so that his whore could swing. When we refused, He knocked out Anthony, and then Piers, and then grabbed me and had me in the hold that you saw me in." Unfortunately that was when Piers woke up and asked, "Did you take care of that creep Big D? Did you get his money and cop a feel of Everett? OH SHIT! Hi Mrs. Dursley, didn 't see you standing there."

Dudley, Piers and Anthony were before the judge at court one week later with several parents and their kids laying testamony against them. They were to spend the next six months in a correctional facility. Petunia divorced Vernon and turned over custody of Dudley to him, which was refused by the judge. He did not see either of them as fit parents. Dudley became a ward of the court

Petunia never saw her sister again, She and Vernon sold the house on Privet Drive and split the money. They were not allowed back to that neighborhood again.