Chapter 12. A new life for all.
The large group hurried toward the school figuring no one would notice some extra people running around here with all the commotion going on.
Remus felt like a large punch in his gut seeing his older self-lying dead on the floor next to the young woman.
"Don't look Moony; we'll keep this from happening." James told him feeling sick as well seeing his friend lying dead. He told himself over and over it would not happen.
They hurried into the dungeons past several people mourning their loss of loved ones. Fred shuddered seeing his mother crying brokenly over his dead body.
Hermione took his hand giving his hand a squeeze. "It'll work out honest." She whispered to him not wanting to have anyone hear them or notice a second Fred.
They hurried down the steps to the dungeons. They burst into the potions classroom. Lily ran right to the private stores grabbing out many things before she hurried to a work bench.
Lily set to work right away while Severus assisted her. Hermione watched with an open mouth as the two worked so efficiently it made her very envious.
"Lily and Severus are the tops in potions, no one could beat them, especially Lily she has amazing instinct she just knows it." Remus told Hermione seeing her look of awe. Hermione moved closer to peek at the book she was working from. She frowned seeing something wrong.
"But the book says to brew it for three hours and your stirring clockwise, when it says turn counter clockwise."
"Peh that books stupid, so many of the potions we've reworked to get much better results from them." Lily dumped in some beetle legs. "We've also cut down the brewing time on them. The person who wrote it was an idiot. There are so many ways to make things better if you know your ingredients." Lily had cut up a snake skin in record time dumping it in while Severus quickly stirred it.
Hermione looked over at Harry who was smirking openly at her. She stuck her tongue out when he laughed then started talking softly to James and Sirius. They all started to laugh soon after that. Hermione felt her cheeks redden at this, she knew what he had told them about her being very severe in brewing the official way.
After twenty minutes had passed and Lily announced the potion perfect she bottles up several containers of her potion. "We should go outside in case we go back when a class in going. Slughorn would flip if we all appeared in here." Severus told them.
"That would be such a laugh." Sirius chuckled with Hermione giving him a swat on the arm. They noticed that many were trying to get more bodies inside and help in taking care of injuries. James sent a healing spell at a young girl crying in the corner. She gulped in surprise seeing her cuts vanish with no source of anyone healing her. She looked around but they were already out of the school running toward the woods before Harry came out and saw them all hurried to the forest edge.
Hermione threw the chain around their necks.
"Ok we are going back." Hermione turned a few extra knobs the large group hurtling to the past.
Once they arrived they looked around to see that Hogwarts did indeed look a bit different and the home of Hagrid's was not there. Even the trees seemed smaller to them.
"So where do we go to find… er Voldermort's mother?" Sirius looked around to see if he could tell any differences. "Hey that beech tree isn't there." He pointed to the spot by the lake that was void of any tree
"The lake seems smaller too." Fred observed.
"It must have gotten larger over the years from the snow melt." James pointed out to them.
"Look there are mermaids splashing around in there, you hardly ever see them near the top." George pointed to them frolicking in the water.
"That's because of the giant squid, it won't eat them but it likes to play with them. They tend to not enjoy it for some reason." Harry chuckled. "It must be too little now to play with them."
"Who told you that?" Hermione asked looking at him curiously.
"The painting of the mermaid in the prefect restroom. She was awake and watching me and we started talking. She had at one time been the merchieftess before her death and was hung in the bathroom. Er her picture not literally her." He corrected himself.
"Wow, I didn't know that." Hermione looked very stunned to learn this and that it came from Harry.
"Me either," Many chorus.
"So we need to go to Little Hangleton that's where they live. He was born 31 December 1926 so we need to go back a year and a half to make sure." Harry told them wanting to make sure they did indeed keep him from being born.
He wanted to distract them from the differences in the schools surroundings that have them all eagerly looking around. He didn't want to stay to long and stop himself or the others from being born.
"Alright lets apperated there." All in agreement they all popped out leaving a few students gazing out the window surprised to see them leave suddenly.
Professor Dumbledore was telling his class about the different ways to transform your inanimate objects into a living object and vice versa.
Once they arrived Harry noticed right off that the hedge was just the same as he had seen it in the Pensieve. "They live there, Merope, her father Marvolo and her brother Morfin." He pointed out the old shack.
"Ugh not much of a place is it?" Hermione commented.
"Over on that small hill there." Harry pointed out the larger and nicer looking manor. "That is where Tom Riddle lives. The natural order of things had she not used a love potion would have him marrying his girlfriend Cecelia but as Dumbledore pointed out being a witch in love she most likely did a love potion once her father and brother were in Azkaban."
"So we need to…"
"Use a confundus or something to make her forget she loved Tom." George spoke up.
"It would probably be best to use some type of… hmm don't know something to make her drink this.
"I feel bad for her never having a child." Hermione looked sadly at the old shack.
"No not when a child would be born to this or stuck into an orphanage." Lily looked at her sadly. "I don't say it lightly Hermione I am just thinking of the child."
"I have to agree with mum." Harry looked at her. "They all had intermarriage far too long over the years so that all they really have is a bad temper." Harry pointed to the couple riding along on horses coming toward them. "There is Voldermort's father, he lucked out and took after him for looks and most likely brains."
Hermione looked over at the man on a fine chestnut horse. "The woman with him is very pretty." Hermione commented.
"They'll have fine Muggle kids and both live a long life." James smiled feeling this was a much better thing.
"Ok you three enough babbling we need to do something." Lily told them, she wanted to also get this over with.
"Well Sirius you and dad are both pure blood. Both family names go back a long ways so go introduce your selves and get Merope out here we can get her to forget the love she has and maybe set her up with someone."
"Hey isn't this about the time Peter's great grandfather meets his great grandmother?" Sirius gave them an impish grin.
Yeah it is." James chuckled looking over at their pudgy friend. Peter looked worried.
"Guys we can't do that." Harry told them softly
"Why not?" Remus and Severus asked as one looking thoroughly stunned by this.
"Do you really want Peter to have Slytherin blood in him?" Harry asked feeling that was an extremely bad idea.
"Or wipe him out by accident?" Hermione pointed out.
The four boys looked at each other as though in agreement they all thought part of it a fine idea.
"Don't go there boys." Lily told them sternly. "We just want to make sure Tom isn't born."
"Spoil sport." James mumbled with a wink.
"So you guys walk up there and get her out here." Hermione told them bossily.
"Fine let's go." Sirius and James walked to the front door. They grimaced at the dead snake hanging from it.
"Go ahead knock." James invited him.
"Thanks, but you do it."
They both turned when they heard an odd hissing behind them. The young man was filthy with straggly hair covering most of his face. What they could see his eyes went off in other directions.
"Hi is your sister home?" James tried to ask pleasantly although the stench from the other boy was making him feel nauseous.
Again the boy hissed at them. The door banged open with a crash causing them both to leap and turn to see an older man just as dirty with long gorilla arms and thick body.
"Hello, I'm Si..r Draconous Black." He figured this man might have heard of his relative."
"Black huh good family all pure bloods." He looked appraisingly at Sirius.
"I am Judson Preverell."
"Another good pure blood family," He gave them a roguish grin. "What can I do for you find young gentlemen?"
Harry had told the others what Morfin had said to them. "Go away not wanted here." Harry whispered while they watched them. "Go away not wanted here." Harry grinned, "The guys not to original."
They chuckled watching silently as the door opened for Marvolo who looked very suspicious.
The others who were listening with extendable ears were quite impressed the way Sirius and James worked the older man.
"He certainly isn't this kind to any who's not pureblood." Harry commented.
The others looked at him wondering how he was when Harry had visited the memories.
"Might we be so bold as to see your daughter for courting?" Sirius asked with an impish grin.
"My daughter, your families interested in my girl?" he looked surprised then greed filled his eyes.
"Well she is of Slytherin decent and a fine pureblood." James told him softly.
"That she is, I'll fetch her for you two she can pick the one she likes best and her dowry won't come cheap she is Slytherin after all."
"Quite, understandable," Sirius told him sounding as though money was not the least bit interesting.
The older man barged back into his home and was back within seconds dragging the poor girl behind him.
"Here she is all pureblood." He grinned as though proud of that but nothing else.
"Hello," Sirius stuck out his hand. "I'm Draconous Black."
She looked fearfully at his hand.
"I am Judson Preverell." James put his own hand out. She looked fearfully at his hand as well.
"Stop gawking and introduce yourself you worthless sack of….. I mean you're a lady here."
"Creep." Lily snarled.
"Ass." Hermione grumbled.
The others watched as her father pushed her toward the two boys.
"Go make nice with them and I can marry you off and live happily." He hissed at her. Her brother Morfin chuckled. He hissed instructions to him as well. "Follow them make sure she picks a boy and be quick about it."
"Yes father." She sounded very glum. Morfin hissed back to his father.
"I'll enjoy living in the noble house of Black." He sneered
The two walked with her toward the others. They could tell her brother was trailing them.
"Best do him as well." Sirius mumbled.
"Hell yeah." James replied as they moved away from the house and onto a small path. The others all followed after them with Morfin who was now stunned by Severus. No one wanted to touch him so they floated him along with them.
"So how are you today?" James asked pleasantly.
She shuddered in fear then spoke very softly figuring her brother would report anything said.
"I am ok."
"You look parched," James brought out the flask with the potion that looked like water. "Have a drink."
"Thank you." She took the flask with trembling hands. She drank it down as though she had not had a decent drink in weeks.
"Thank you that was most delicious." She then looked around to notice her brother floating with the others. "What happen to..… Morfin."
"He's fine just taking a nap." Sirius reassured her.
She gave a true smile then. "He is not…"
"Nice." Hermione supply helpfully.
She looked horrified then nodded her head softly while looking around to make sure her father was not near them.
She took a deep breath then faced Sirius and James.
"I am flattered… you two would…." She looked very apologetic. "I do have a love."
"Tom Riddle." Harry spoke softly.
"Yes… I just want for us to marry one day." She looked at him with pleading eyes to understand.
"I understand." Severus told her giving a small flicker of his wand.
"Now time to help her forget that love and make sure her brother and father forget we were here." He told Merope that she did not love and even care about Tom Riddle. She would move from her father's home and find someone to love who was not afraid of her being a witch. She would also go find a healer to help her with her eyesight.
Merope stood still her eyes seemed to be glazed over. They open another flask and poured it into Morfin's mouth.
"Not that the old man would be able to find a girl for him but just in case." Lily chuckled. They then modify his memory which was very easy while he slept he seemed to be very open in a relax state.
After this they walked back to the Gaunt home to peer into the dirty windows.
"This is too easy." Severus said sending a confundus charm at the man.
He would not remember the two boys showing up now.
They watched as Tom Riddle, came riding by. Merope paid him no attention except to glare at him and Cecilia when the two laughed at her.
"Hmmm maybe a little decency is needed." Lily hit them both with a confundus charm.
After telling them they would not ride out this way and would be caring productive people in the community.
"Well we did enough damage here let's get home." Harry grinned. He knew on some level it was wrong to prevent someone to be born but on the other hand to prevent all the death that Voldermort would leave in his wake it was a small price to pay.
They first stop at Hogwarts in the year nineteen seventy-six. It was after all their fifth year in school and now they could hope for a better life. Hermione had written down all of their lives and family history so they could see if things had changed from what it had been. Sirius helped her with things going on in their time line. Harry noticed the two seem to talk a lot and kept eyeing each other constantly. He did wonder about it since she and Ron had taken a break when they left school to work on their careers first.
"See you in the future." Fred gave Lily a large kiss. James and Severus scowled at him.
"Damn I wish I was born now." Fred told Lily softly with a very wishful look in his eyes.
George followed suit grinning at her very pleased. Lily did not want to look over at Severus and James at this time after these two handsome guys were done kissing her.
"Do all the guys have to love my girl?" James muttered feeling he was going to have to fight off all the men for her hand.
"My girl, James." Severus chuckled. James sighed, he really had no idea what to do now, he just knew somehow they would live and marry one day.
Lily chuckled moving over to Harry. She was so proud of him.
"Bye mum, dad." Harry hugged them both happily.
"Good bye," Lily hugged her son wishing he could stay longer.
"Take care Harry, Hermione." James told them.
Hermione hugged James, then Remus, Peter and then Sirius. "I so wish I could get to know you like this." She gave him a large kiss. This of course raised a few eyebrows.
"What can I say he's Sirius," Hermione giggled.
"I know how you feel." Fred looked wishfully at Lily. George looked at him sadly he knew his brother well and when he gave his heart he gave it whole heartily.
Harry rolled his eyes as Hermione flipped the chain over their heads.
They arrived in Fred and George's time. They looked around the place seemed normal to them.
"Shall we er peek around." Hermione asked curiously. "Before we go to our time a few years from now." Hermione chuckled as Harry pondered her words.
"Yeah let's see what is going on." Fred told her sadly looking around to see if they saw themselves or something else. He was glad that it didn't seem dark here. They walked off toward the school. That though was stopped suddenly when a familiar voice spoke up behind them.
"Hey kids."
The four turned to see Sirius, James, Lily, Severus and Remus smiling at them.
"Mum dad, you're here and alive." Harry couldn't believe his eyes they were alive and Sirius and Remus were also alive and they looked great.
"Yes dear but we figure we should catch you up to speed so you know what is going on now." Lily told them walking over to them. She was so pleased to see her son and that he was grown and looking great.
"So Voldermort is not alive." Fred asked hopeful.
"No he was never born and the Gaunt family died out with no one to carry on the Slytherin line." Remus told them smiling proudly. "We made sure of it by following their lives or what passed for it in the Daily Prophet. Merope married a wizard had no children and they both died from dragon pox a few years ago. Her father and brother died in Azkaban many years before that. And Tom Riddles had married not the girl we saw but some other Muggle girl had five kids and eighteen grandkids and twenty nine great grandkids. He died and the mum is still alive but very old." He chuckled seeing their faces. "We looked through old newspapers of the Muggles to find out what happen with him."
"Very smart thinking." Hermione told them happily.
"There are some changes though." Lily told them going over to hug her son.
"What changes are those do I have a little brother or sister" Harry asked excitedly. He couldn't believe it had worked. Tom Riddle was never born to cause the murders and other destruction in the name of blood purity.
The five chuckled, "Come son let us sit over by the water's edge." Severus smiled at him softly. Harry noticed he didn't look at all bitter and angry and looked well great, clean hair that was nicely styled.
"Son?" Harry looked at Severus a puzzle frown moving across his face.
"We had decided to be safe and make sure Lily would not die young we both married her." James explained. "You are the eldest then you have a younger sister by Sev and then another sister with me as her dad then triplets two boys and a girl with Sev as their dad,"
"Uh what?" Harry asked sitting down by the lake side with the others. James grinned clapping him on the back he was so pleased to have watched his son grow up.
"Harry there has been a lot of changes since we went back. People who had died before are alive and well and instead of Fudge being Minister of Magic its Shacklebolt." Sirius told him sitting down by James. Lily and Severus sat on his other side with the others grouping around them.
"Crouch left for the states with his wife who died there." Remus told them.
"What about his son?" Hermione asked curiously.
"Well that boy is now married and has one child. His wife is pregnant with a second child." Sirius chuckled.
"What's so funny?" George looked between them all.
"He was set up in the marriage by his father with Deloris Umbridge. She is older than him but was thrilled to marry him. More so than he was to marry her."
They all laughed over this.
"Now Fred and George, there has been some changes in your home as well." Remus told them softly.
"What kind, besides our uncles would still be alive?" Fred said gleefullywondering what kind of changes there has been.
"Yes they are." Remus told them with a smirk.
George looked around at them a goofy grin on his face. He briefly wondered if the two had married and has kids of their own.
As though his thoughts were heard Lily answered him. "They are both married one to Marlene McKinnon the other to Hestia Jones. They were in the same year at school with us. We introduced them to your uncles who were two years ahead of us."
"Marlene has four boys and three girls, and Hestia has two boys and five girls."
"They own and work with each other in a shop of horrors." Sirius told them smiling brightly.
"What, I need to see that." George told them sounding eager.
"Your mum won't let you." James chuckled.
"What, why not?" George demanded sounding indignant.
"Because she considers you too young, to go in there." Lily told them with a small smile on her face.
"But we're in our seventh year?" Fred pointed out.
"No you're not." Severus chuckled. When they both sat there with their mouths hung open they started to explain. "You see with no war going on no evil wizard taking over your parents didn't marry as soon as they did before. So they didn't have Bill until two years later and Charlie was two years after that andPercy was born nineteen seventy-seven and then you two were born in nineteen eighty instead of seventy eight."
"What about Ron and Ginny?" Fred asked not wanting to lose them
"Ron was born nineteen eighty -three. Ginny was born nineteen eighty-six.
The four sat there with their mouths hung open in stun silence.
"Crap we're fifth year we have to do those damn owls again." George grumbled.
"Shit, I was looking forward to being out of here." Fred grumbled.
"Are we in the same house as before?" Hermione asked anxiously.
"Yes you are, you four are quite the trouble makers."
"All the owls we get because you can't behave Harry." Lily looked at him sternly.
Harry looked abashed. "Sorry mum."
"No problem son you're just too much like James in that way." Severus chuckled.
"So what else is different around here?" Hermione asked enjoying learning all this new information.
"Well Sirius couldn't stop talking about you for like ever." Remus grumbled. "She is so cute and she kisses great and I really wish we had more time together."
"Shut up Moony." Sirius chuckled, giving Hermione a wink. "When you become an adult and are not dating some other bloke let me know."
"I'll be very happy too." She smiled at him feeling very pleased. "Sirius I'm an adult, remember we came back after we had already left Hogwarts." She grinned pleased. Sirius stood with his mouth open he had forgotten that.
"Hermione he's old enough to be your dad." Fred pointed out to her."
"Big deal if there is love no need for the age." She told him very dignified.
"Yeah ok but don't whine when you're changing his diaper." Fred laughed with the others. Sirius looked at him crossly. Not wanting them to get into an argument, Lily spoke up.
"Ok Harry so you're not surprised, I'll tell you the names of your siblings." Lily told him. She figured it was best to move on than dwell on why Sirius had been saving himself for Hermione.
"Your sisters' name is Heather, she is a fourth year. Your other sister is a second year and her name is Gwen. The triplets are ten so will start here next year they are Severus James, Remus Sirius and Rose Lily."
"Wow I can't believe I have five little brothers and sisters, that is so cool." Harry hugged his mum feeling very pleased that life seemed so much better now.
They all laughed happily over this.
"We wrote down different things to help you guys become accustom to this new and better life."
"What happen to Peter?" George suddenly asked.
"Oh well he was born at the same time but he ended up in Hufflepuff and became close friends with Gilderoy Lockhart then his lover and well they live together in a flat in London and are very happy together doing a line of hair care products for wizards." James chuckled feeling glad for his friend who was very happy with his life and lover.
"Wow well I am glad about that." Hermione told them chuckling.
"So am I, I sure don't need him after my butt." James shuddered. This caused everyone to laugh even more.
They had a fun time talking and answering questions about how life was going now and were surprised that the same Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher had just retired and that Severus was now teaching it and James and Lily were running their own business selling potions. Remus had been cured thanks to Lily and Severus of his furry little problem. Sirius was also teaching here. His class was History of Magic and one of the most popular subjects because of the way he taught it. Binns still floated into the classroom teaching to no one but he never seem to notice this. They had checked and there still is a Chamber of Secrets but they had gotten rid of the basilisk years ago so that no one would ever be able to open that chamber and release it.
Diggory had won the Tri-Wizard tournament last year. He and Cho plan to marry when she leaves school next year.
Draco was indeed here and as pompous as ever. This did not surprise them in the least. Neville was here with two little brothers. One in third year, the other in first year. Alice stayed at home and Frank was an Auror although work was rather slim picking with no dark lord.
Many of the former Death Eaters were living dull lives since they had no one to lead them into the path of darkness. Lucius worked in a law firm. Avery and Mulciber had gone into business together selling ceramics that they make themselves. Others were working for the Ministry or other companies. None of them seemed inclined to be a dark wizard and take over. Sirius's parents are both gone leaving the house to both boys. Regulus was happily married to his school sweetheart with seven kids already. They had four girls and three boys. Sirius was happy to tell Hermione he was still single because he was waiting for the right girl to be born.
She blushed happily at this.
"Yes Arthur Weasley was still in love with Muggle things and had a Muggle girlfriend on the side that he had three kids with.
Fred and George were stunned to learn this.
"But why is dad cheating on mum?" Fred asked.
They looked at him surprised. "Not cheating she knows the girl she just doesn't want them to live with you."
"What?" George demanded.
"It's like us we are both married to Lily and share a home. Molly though does not want him to marry her yet or allow them to move in until she does he sees her on the side."
"She is a very nice lady and you'll love the kids they are in school here. One is sixth year the other third year the youngest first year."
"Blimey things really have changed here." Fred shook his head trying to wrap all this new information around his head.
"It sure has." Harry agreed smiling at his parents. He reached up to feel no scar there. He was very glad it would never happen and he would have a real family.
"So did Petunia marry that moron Vernon?" Harry asked.
"What oh yes they did marry. She married another man first who beat her then she divorced him and married Vernon right away who is now in prison for beating her to death." She looked sadly at them. "Dudley lives with us. He goes to public school since he's not a wizard but you two are very good friends and he is brighter then he would have been otherwise." She smiled sadly "At least from what you had told me."
"Oh wow well geez." Harry had no idea what to say to this.
"Why don't you two get up to school and have some dinner with the rest? James and Sirius are here to help if anything gets confusing for you two. But I'm sure you'll adjust quite quickly." Remus told them.
"Ok Remus." Fred stood up with the others. They all took turns hugging each other and Hermione gave Sirius a very passionate kiss. "I'm glad you're not married." She whispered.
"Me too." He patted her butt before they all walked back to the school.
Harry and Hermione used the time turner to move back to their own time.
They were pleased to see all of them waiting for them. Hermione chuckled when Sirius swept her up into his arms.
"Now we can get married my lady." He told her after a very passionate kiss.
"And introduce her to your baby." Lily giggled.
"Harry we need to tell you that you are dating a girl name Tara she is a year younger then you and a Muggle you met at a café." James told him clapping his hand on his sons shoulder. "your mum made a great potion that will let your memories come to you that you have lived through this time line so it's much easier to adjust and remember what is going on and who others are."
"That's great." Harry told him taking the proffered glass of light see-through red color drink. Hermione took her, own the two downing them immediately.
"Wow head rush." Harry chuckled. Hermione was also grinning pleased wrapping her arms around Sirius. "I love you so much." She told him.
"I love you too." Sirius whispered holding her tightly to him.
Everyone laughed and talked going to the school to enjoy the leaving feast with the others.
It was a much happier life for them with Voldermort never coming to be.
The End
April Cranmer