The battle to the death between the Durmstrang High Master and Harry Potter had taken the wizarding world by storm. The next morning witnessed the way media agencies had covered the entire battle, especially the aftermath of the duel when Igor Karkaroff had spelled Fiendfyre upon Godric's Hollow, endangering the lives of several hundred natives as well the three hundred visitors including the Ministry people that had come to witness the duel.

Rita Skeeter had written an exquisite piece on the issue, somehow restraining herself from downright accusing Harry of being a dark wizard. Since Harry's efforts helped save the hundreds of lives there, any negative shade on him would bring an unpleasant reaction from the public. Considering how Rita had quilled it, the article screamed out her frustrations arising out of her self-restraint. She had heavily hinted upon 'questionable curses', 'overwhelming power', and ability to 'handle a destructive spell', but it had failed to have the desired effect. The Wizengamot had held up an emergency session and declared that he should receive an Order of Merlin, second class for his efforts.

The next day after his meeting with Sebastian Delacour, Harry had received three owls. One had been from the Ministry of Magic, asking him to submit to a general questioning about his knowledge of questionable curses from the DMLE, followed by a note of thanks for saving the population of Godric's Hollow. There was an invitation to attend the Ministry Ball on Boxing Day, and accept his award.

The second letter had been more interesting. It had been from the ICW—specifically the International Mage guild, asking him if he was interested in becoming a part of their council, and if so, an invitation to attend the elementary test that all chosen candidates had to enroll for. Attached to the letter was a postscript mentioning that because of his efforts in saving important ICW members, he had been thanked with a gift cheque of ten thousand galleons. There was also some other formal legalese there, but Harry put it off for future reference. The entire thing had Sebastian Delacour written all over it, and Harry decided to look about it later.

The third letter was perhaps, the most peculiar and the least expected. It was an invitation from the Department of Mysteries, stating a magical vow that they did not have any intention to cause him harm. The Department desired that he should present himself (date and time to be negotiated upon further notice) for some discussion regarding mutual issues.

Harry had replied, acknowledging the letters from the Ministry and the DOM, keeping the missive from the ICW for future consideration. Daphne had invited him to her family manor, asking him to spend the weekend with her family. She had subtly hinted upon the fact that her father wanted to discuss some 'issues' with him (the blush on her face was a dead giveaway about the possible topic of discussion) and that she was to inform him back should Harry agree to the invitation. He had naturally, consented, much to a beaming Daphne who had snogged him for the next hour.

Hogwarts had its own share of the aftermath to the epic duel. 'The battle of Godric's Hollow'—they called it. Strangely, most of the Durmstrang students did not show any kind of visible vexation or resentment towards him. Victor Krum had even walked up to him and congratulated on a duel 'well-done', thanking him for saving his life and many others. Harry had just been glad to acknowledge it.

The school students had dumbed down in their exasperating annoyance regarding him, considering how he had proved himself time and again, that he could very well be a better champion than Diggory who had failed the first task (though he had received ten points for good sport) though. The Hufflepuffs had finally understood and appreciated the fact that after all of this, if Potter was still claiming that he did not, in fact enter his name; then it must inevitably be the truth. Most of the Slytherins now usually kept off from him, trying their level best to follow his activities while pretending not to be looking for him. Knowing what they did, their sense of self-preservation told them that Potter was best left avoided. Besides, he was seen in the presence of pretty important people recently and considering his latest acquisition of the Order of Merlin, the most Slytherin thing to do was to be in his good books.

Theo, Blaise and Tracy however, found it all very amusing. Tracy had downright went forward, asking Harry and Daphne openly in the Great Hall, that now that Daphne was free from the contract, how long would it take for the two of them to tie a knot in the future. Blaise had hinted about his suspicions about Harry and Daphne making nice the next day after the battle, considering how both of them had been away for the day, much to the pair's consternation.

Lastly, there was Fleur. The Veela girl had been a bit of an overwhelming character in the last few days, considering how she had just come out of the blue, being all nice to Harry once again and hugging him tightly (Tracy had her suspicions that the hugging was less platonic and more of smashing her considerable assets over his chest, much to Daphne's scowl) and apologizing again and again, for misunderstanding him. Harry had weighed between telling Fleur everything and using her to gain an upper hand over Sebastian, but things were still in progress for now.


"Harry, why didn't you tell me that it was you who saved me at the world Cup?" Fleur asked. She had come over to the Gryffindor table to have breakfast with her friend and soon-to-be-betrothed.

"I did not want to get any extra attention." Harry replied, a bitter tone distinct in his voice.

"But there was the matter of the life debt." Harry's eyes narrowed slightly at those words as Fleur continued, "It was important for my family. I am just glad that you and Papa settled it among yourselves."

Harry gave a steely glance at her. "Fleur, what exactly has your father told you?"

Fleur beamed at him. "I told him about how I sensed that you were the mysterious savior who saved my life back there at the World Cup. I told him about how my..." she blushed before continuing, "I am a Veela, Harry, and we are magnetically attracted to wizards with power. Magical power. That and his strength of will. When I met you at the World Cup, you completely ignored my allure, making me strongly attracted towards you. I had planned to meet you again, if not for the attack on my person. Then again, you saved me."

Harry did not reply.

"I am an international duelist, Harry and I have fought all my life to see more, to know more, to be more than just the Veela daughter of Sebastian Delacour. I had toiled hard, won dueling championships and established my name and some considerable fame among the dueling circuits. When I heard about the Triwizard, I could see a momentous chance for me to prove myself to the world." She paused for a moment and stared into his eyes, "—and then you got selected as Champion as well."

"And I insulted the tournament." Harry finished for her, making Fleur shake her head.

"You did, and I felt very angry. I felt—I felt that someone had just stepped on my dreams and crushed them as nothing. At that moment, I only saw you as the Boy-who-lived—the boy who had been famous before he could speak. I- I was mad, insanely mad, but I was still attracted to your ridiculously powerful aura, and I was in a mess about it."

Was it the aura the first time too?

Harry paused before asking something that had been in his mind since long. "This attraction, you say. What is it like, some mental compulsion or something?"

A scowl momentarily formed on her angelic face, before Fleur vanished it away, replacing with a smile as she continued, "No. not a compulsion. The allure is simply a test of will and character. Only the ones that have the greatest will power can hold against the allure." Her voice dumbed down to a lower tone, making it sound much more erotic, "and it is immensely attractive to us."

She drew back and smiled. "Veela use the powers of the allure in their search for potential partners. When I met you, I knew it somehow, that you are one of those that I subconsciously seek. And then, when I met my dad, I told him about it."

Harry narrowed his eyes.

Fleur smiled. "My Papa promised me he would solve the problem. He always makes sure that I get what I want." The inherent sense of belief that lined her voice was noticeable.

"Of course." Harry muttered to himself.

"Harry," she held his hand, "My Papa told me that you are Lo- you know what, and that-" she blushed, "we are to be betrothed in accordance to your recognizing the debt. I am very glad that you did."

"What about your-" Harry paused, "—future plans?"

Fleur looked puzzled. "Papa said that you have no problems with me pursuing my career in Enchantment."

"Right."

Fleur looked at him expectantly, gesturing him to continue.

"Do you...know about my relationship with Daphne?"

"Of course. I know that she is your girlfriend. My Papa told me that you might even marry. That is all right, considering how you fought for her and everything", she replied offhandedly. "Besides you have multiple lordships, so it likely won't be a problem, I think, though..."

"Though?"

"I wonder that when you have me in your life, why you would still need another woman. After all, there is no one like me." She stated firmly, her unshakeable belief in her words resounding in Harry's mind.

Is this the truth behind the girl I once loved?

His eyes narrowed; the emerald green eyes that had emanated warmth now felt cold and deadly. "Miss Delacour, understand one single thing. Daphne Greengrass is my girlfriend. She is the girl I am actually looking forward as my partner in life. If not for your father and this life-debt, I would not even look at you anymore." He snarled, his dark aura rising.

Fleur squinted at him, her countenance one of disbelief. How dare he talk to her like that? She was Fleur Delacour. There has been no manor child that has held against her wishes.

"Harry!" she issued warningly, "we are supposed to be betrothed. You cannot behave like this with me!" A cruel smirk formed on his lips, as he stood up, and turned back.

"Try me." Saying so, he began to walk away from her, much to her growing rage.

How dare he dismiss me like that? I will- I will-

She sent him the full force of her allure. Everyone in the great Hall felt the entire force of it. The men were almost instantly reduced to drooling idiots, while he females were downright infuriated, some even holding their wands tightly in anger.

"Stop where you are, and come back to me." Fleur ordered with complete confidence. A soft smile formed on her full pink lips as Harry stopped suddenly, and turned back.

"Now, I want you to come forward and apologize."

As expected, Harry walked back towards her, and stood close. Very close.

"Kiss me now and apologize." Her voice sounded incredibly erotic. A couple of people had even fallen unconscious due to the full blast of the allure.

"There is just one thing I wanted to say to you, Miss Delacour." Harry replied with a tone of incredible geniality.

"What is that?" she asked huskily.

"The Imperius has no effect on me. What exactly made you think that you and your allure", he sneered at the last word, "—stand a pitiful chance?" Fleur stood completely gob smacked at the turn of events. Harry Potter had completely ignored the effects of her full blast of allure. It was impossible.

"I have seen what you truly are, Miss Delacour, and while I agree that you might be fun in bed", he paused as the words took effect, "mind your allure before I mind you." He raised his hand (his wand had reached his palm automatically) skyward and whispered.

"Finite Incantatem."

A circle of bright blue light radiated outward from the tip of his wand, as the male population slowly turned back to normal. Sending his wand back to his holster, Harry looked at her in the eye. "You and I may have to get betrothed, but never for once, imagine that I hold any kind of feelings for you. As for Daphne, she is worth a hundred of you", he paused, "Veela."

He had stalked off from the Great Hall leaving a flustered Fleur Delacour behind. He never noticed the proud watery eyes of a raven-haired blue-eyed beauty sitting with her friends over the Slytherin table.


Harry shoved the door of the Room open and ushered himself inside. Ever since his meeting with Sebastian Delacour had happened, many complexities had been created. However, it was a fact that a battle should always be fought on one's own terms. This time, Sebastian had held all the cards and Harry's ignorance had led him astray.

The next time, the tables will turn.

As per as the agreement between them, Harry had agreed to be betrothed to Fleur by the end of hid fourth year. He also had to swear an oath that his first son with Fleur would inherit the title of Lord Slytherin upon his death. Knowing what he knew about the powers of the Hallows that effectively put a serious resistance to Sebastian's dream... not that Harry was going to inform him about it. Besides, there were too many variables in the equation. Primarily, he had to know what the damned Peverell Grimoire was. The last time around, he had never even heard of it.

I cannot win the game unless I know all the variables...

The next thing was the fact about him being Peverell. Sebastian had given him an oath of silence about Harry being the killer Peverell. He had even got up to promise mutual aid and support; after all, they were going to be a big unified family.

The third thing was Sirius Black. The moment he had some time free to himself, he had called up Sirius and downright ordered him to return to Potter Manor. As long as Sirius remained a fugitive, he was a liability-one that Harry did not want to deal with. Sirius might not like it but until his innocence was proved, he had to stay in Potter manor. Sirius had complied without question.

The fourth- his political weakness. As powerful as he was, he knew very well that his political connections and resources were limited. The Wizengamot had many powerful figures up there-Lucius Malfoy, Albus Dumbledore and of course, Delacour himself, given his roots in British society. The fact that Delacour enjoyed diplomatic immunity made it all the more important.

He took out the three letters he had received. The International Mage Guild...he reminisced, a group of the world's most powerful people, an autonomy of powerful wizards who submitted to the will of the ICW, and acted as the international guard against possible threats. The dark lord Potter had faced these so-called mages once in battle. While under the control of the ICW, the guild had the right to take its own decisions about whether to fight or not to fight in a war. Since Inferno Corp. had its roots deep into the ICW, the Guild had given a one-time support and then lifted their hands off, letting the ICW vulnerable to fight its own battles. That was when Delacour had brought mercenaries into the fight.

They were powerful then, but then again, I did not have my skills at that time. I wonder how I would stand against them now...

Replying in affirmation about the elementary testing, he prepared a letter to send off. The next thing on the list—Department of Mysteries.

Lets' see what they want with me now.

Concentrating on the power of the Hallows, he felt his body disintegrate to smoke and with one flash of gray, he vanished away.


He appeared right into the Level 9 corridor—the one that led to the Department of Mysteries. Two guards were sitting outside the chamber, and seeing the newcomer arrive, they halted him.

"Name?"

"Harry Potter. I got a missive from the Department."

The two guards looked up at his face, recognizing him instantly. "Of course, Mister Potter, but you will have to wait until I check up for details."

Harry nodded as the guard whispered something onto the small device on the table, which blinked with a flash of blue. "Sounds about right, Mister Potter. You may enter. Someone from the other side will be there to take you in."

Shrugging, he opened the door and entered into the Department. It was almost pitch-black, with little lights coming off from various rooms nearby. There was a glow of silver from a side as a voice spoke up. "Mister Potter, please come with me."

When in Rome, do as Romans do...


The two entered into a closed room. There was a high table in front of them. The hooded man went over to the other side of the table and sat on a chair, while he offered Harry the seat on the other side. The dim lights of the room did not allow him to see the man's face, but the outline was clear.

"Quite a drastic change since the last time visit." Harry uttered. The unspeakable snorted, before sitting up straight. "You are right, Mr. Potter. The last time you were a suspect, this time you are an aid. Hence the change of behavior and venue."

"Why am I here?" Harry countered, getting to the point.

"Because we intend to share certain information with you. And we hope that we acquire some information about the future from you as well."

"Barter."

"Precisely."

Harry did not reply.

"If you give us what we need, I can assure you that we will be very good friends."

Harry snorted. What was it with people wanting to have deals with him so much?

"What kind of information?"

"To be precise, why exactly did you return back and change the timeline? I know you mentioned that you are here to kill Lord Voldemort, but I want specifics."

Harry considered it. "How do I know that the information will not get leaked?"

"An oath of secrecy, if you wish" came the counter reply.

"Very well." Harry paused, 'what information do you have for me?"

The unspeakable smiled. "Come with me."


They walked past countless rows of shelves, each holding innumerable number of prophecy orbs. A couple or more on every row seemed to have gone dark and cold, indicating that the prophecies have been fulfilled. The unspeakable, or rather Croaker as his name was, walked silently past the shelves towards some destination.

"We are in the Room of Prophecy, though your lack of reaction shows that you already know that."

Amused, Harry shook his head. "I have been here. Twice in fact. There is a prophecy somewhere around the next bend, I think—one that pertains to me and Voldemort."

"You would be almost correct. There used to be a prophecy about you and lord Voldemort."

"Used to?"

Croaker gave an amused grin. "You shall see it for yourself, soon. We are going to get that very same prophecy orb."

A couple of rows later, they entered into another narrow corridor and walked straight. After crossing a few yards, Croaker stopped and turned towards left. Pressing his palm on a blank wall, he muttered something obscure as a panel opened outward from the wall. There inside it, was a prophecy orb. The problem was- the orb had gone blank, instead of the normal darkish appearance.

On the top of the mantle holding the orb in place were the same, familiar words.

S.P.T to A.P.W.B.D

Dark Lord and (?) Harry Potter

"Why is this orb...?" Harry paused to find the correct word in his mind.

"Different? Blank? Empty?" Croaker suggested. Harry shrugged.

"I guess. Yeah."

"This orb was the original reason behind your interrogation. When a prophecy orb goes blank, it means one single thing-shift of an important chronologic confluence. Knowing what the prophecy was about and the people involved, it was a matter of concern. Add to that, we found that said time-traveler was murdering people right and left, and we had to intervene."

"By kidnapping me from the train." Harry countered.

"Would you have consented by pleasant requests?"

Harry shrugged. Turning back to face the now-blank orb, "so what does this mean? I am no longer the person who can kill Voldemort?"

"We do not know." Croaker confessed. "The prophecy going blank may have several reactions. That is also one of the reasons behind your visit. You said you have been here before." Harry nodded. "Do you know the contents of the prophecy?"

Harry nodded again,

"I wish to try out something." He touched his wand to the orb and touched it, muttering something obscure. "Now, hold the orb in your hand and utter the prophecy again, just as it originally was."

Harry nodded. The words of the prophecy had been on his mind too many times to get confused. He held the orb in his hand, and uttered the ominous words.

"The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord approaches...
born to those who have thrice defied him...
born as the seventh month dies...

And the dark lord will mark him as his equal,
but he will have power the dark lord knows not...
And either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...

The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord will be born as the seventh
month dies. . . ."

Croaker held his wand at the orb again and intoned, "Ostendere fatum." The orb glowed for a moment with a bright purple sheen before suddenly it suddenly vibrated and obliterated itself into silvery ash.

"Well that was worth a try!" Croaker observed with a sigh.

"What just happened?"

Croaker turned towards him with a scowl. "This, Mister Potter, is called a time-shift. The prophecy has been altered forever. It no longer holds true, and thus, the entire timeline of our future has been obliterated because of your actions."

Harry just stood still.

"You do not look surprised."

"I returned back to change the timeline, and I know that it is changed permanently, forever. For good or evil, it is too early to say."

"And how exactly do you know that?" Croaker furrowed his forehead as he observed the young man before him.

"I really, couldn't say." Harry diverted the question. Croaker seemed to consider something before he dropped the line of questioning. "What changes have you made after returning to the past? Apart from the serial killings of course."

Harry ignored the sarcastic taunt of the Unspeakable. "They were not innocent. The ones that I killed are the very people responsible for destruction of Britain. Voldemort is just the cream of it. The people I killed, they were the main ones- well among the main ones really. After I am done weeding, I will go for the cream."

"And what makes you think that you can do it? Did you kill the dark lord in your previous timeline?"

Harry considered it. The oath of secrecy that the man had provided was a security. "No. Voldemort... he summoned demons and lost control. While I indeed thinned the demon herd, Voldemort was killed in a fight with the demons themselves."

"Dem—demons?" Croaker stuttered, "the dark—Voldemort summoned demons?"

"Yes. They destroyed everything. The Ministry was the first to fall in my sixth year. The next year, Gringotts fell to him and he also destroyed a large section of Hogwarts in the battle during my seventh."

"Are you telling me that all this is going to happen in the next three years?" Croaker almost sounded hysterical.

"Was going to happen. Timeline changed. Things will be better." Harry remarked, sounding hopeful.

"Things could also go down the shit-hole." Croaker countered.

"Point."

"When does Voldemort resurrect himself?" Croaker interrogated.

"On the night at the end of the third task."

"And you plan to stop him from resurrection."

"I plan to end his miserable existence." Harry deadpanned.

"Oh." Croaker observed. "In that case, Mister Potter. I assume you and I can be of mutual help with each other. The DOM enjoys a level of autonomy and has its own-armed unit, as you well know. Knowing what you did and what you are bent on doing, I assume you will need some kind of help against prosecution."

Harry did not reply, waiting for Croaker to finish his diatribe.

"What do you say?"

"I think that it is best that I work alone. That way I won't be answerable to anyone."

"Yes, but think about it. If you are a part of our department, you achieve immunity from prosecution in such cases. Though, you will have to supply evidences that the people you murdered were death eaters and criminals in the first case."

Harry considered it. It was a good deal. "Where is the catch?"

Croaker smirked. The young man was indeed smart.

"I wish to know how you evaded our interrogation chamber; and while we are on that topic, I am extremely curious about how a young man, time-traveler or not, is able to successfully cast Fiendfyre."

Harry groaned.


### And... that was it. What do you think of it? As always, please let lots of reviews coming in...