All rights belong to JK Rowling

Chapter 2 Time-Travel is complicated

Ariana could not go further than the porch of her house, before the wards activated. The house identified her as Lily Potter not Ariana. The wards pushed her out within seconds, but luckily she could remember the visitor's password. With a sigh of relief, she walked as quietly as possible through the house, because she did not want to wake her parents in the middle of the night. During the war, she gave her home to her parents, to keep them save from Voldemort and his followers. It was not strange for her to come in at odd hours of the night, but she did not have the strength to make herself visible.

Once home she realized how hungry she were and got herself something from the fridge. It seemed as if Lily have not eaten a proper meal in days. She was certain some food and rest would help her to get accustomed to her new body. However she tried, she still could not make herself visible. Her magical abilities was part of her identity, she could not imagine a life without it.

Before she went to her bedroom, she could not stop herself from peeking into her parent's bedroom. She had to see them again. She missed them so much. A week ago, she stood next to their graves, thinking she would never see them again. They were sleeping so peacefully, completely unaware of the hole they would one day leave in her heart.

The secret they kept about her real father, still bothered her, but just being able to see her parents again, weakened some of her anger towards them. She kept tossing and turning in bed, struggling with her emotions, but as exhaustion set in, she fell a sleep.

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"Madame Lily, madam. Wake up, Mrs. Dursley tried to steal Harry! Wake up!" When Ariana opened her eyes, she saw a house-elf jumping on the bed, but stranger still she was back at the Potter's house. "How did I get here?"

House-elf: "I do not know what happened, the last thing I remember was a man attacking the house. I searched, but could not find master, I found Harry on the Dursleys' doorstep and brought him home. When I came back, I found Madame on the floor, so I put you back in bed to rest. "

Many questions raced through her head: The elf thinks I'm Lily. How did I return? The elf would not be able to enter my home. How am I visible? Where is my wand? "

House-elf(seeing her looking puzzled): "Berty did his best, but he would keep looking for master. Here is a letter for Madame, perhaps it will help us find master. "

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Dear Lady Potter

With regret we inform you of the tragic death of your husband, The Right Honorable James Earl of Dumnonia. He was always polite towards our nation and his cooperation helped us to defend ourselves against Voldemort and his forces. In the past few years we have come to know him as a brave and honorable wizard.

The Potter family has accumulated great wealth through many generations, therefore we are bound to investigate the rumors we heard of Lady Potter's death. We are sorry to be of inconvenience in this difficult time.

We ask, my lady, to contact us at your earliest convenience.

Bogrod

Managing Director of Ancient Family Affairs

Chief Liaison Officer

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The house-elf however was already trying to repair the house, but was struggling with the hole Voldemort left in the wall.

Ariana: Thank you for your help and returning Harry. The man who attacked us, killed master James, you can stop looking for your master.

The elf was so shocked, he ceased his work.

Berty: I did not want to believe it, but I felt master James is gone. I am very sorry Madame, even as a boy he cared for my wellbeing.

Ariana: Rest first, you can continue later.

Araina knew house-elves did not like to rest, but she could see he was overwhelmed by the news of his master's passing.

Ariana: We are not safe yet. The man who attacked us, has many followers. They might still want to hurt Harry. We should leave as soon as possible from here. We can come back, after we have reinforced the defenses. I would not be able to protect Harry without my wand.

She practiced her wandless magic by repairing the hole in the wall. Initially it was tough going, but with time, she got used to Lily's magic. Lily must have been well trained in wandless magic, because Ariana could never cast wandless magic with this ease in her past life. Her dangerous work necessitated her to be familiar with wandless techniques, but she did not have Lily's gift for wandless magic.

Berty: Beautiful magic, Madame. Madame is so powerful even without a stick. Berty is probably wrong, but it almost seems, as if the power to the left of Madame's core is being blocked. Berty is so sorry, if he sees wrong.

Ariana: Berty, you may help me with the block. I'm so used to my wand, but I will have to manage without her(it) for a while. You have always done magic without a stick, I trust you to help.

The elf was eager to show her how to synchronize the left and right flow of her magic through her core. She took it a bit slower now, but the power and the quality of her spells improved greatly.

After they made dinner, she attended to Harry needs. His curse mark reminded her of her own children. She could still remember the day, she had to go and identify the remains of her sons, both killed by Voldemort himself. Voldemort had not given them the privilege of a quick death, their bodies was ripped apart by many curses. Both of her children was killed in 1978, after they betrayed Voldemort by murdering a Marquis who supported his war effort.

The child's face immediately lit up, when he saw his mother approaching. "Mom!" Still unsure, if it was wise to act like his mother, she picked him up and held him against her. She put the letter to the Dursleys aside and transfigured some toys for them to play with.

He was not part of her initial plans for the future, but she felt the least she can do for Lily is to take good care of her son. Deep-down she knew, she could not go back to her old life being Ariana. Only the fundamental laws of the universe had the ability to move a person in the way she did last night. Time corrected itself.

Harry might just be what she needs in her life right now, someone she can love, after she lost all her loved ones. He would not question her presence in his life, she could just be herself.

The letter from Dumbledore to the Dursleys explained surprisingly little about Harry's situation, but she could infer from the letter that Harry would have been safe at the Dursleys. She currently did not have any other option, but to ask the Dursleys for there help. Ariana was frightened to approach this Petunia woman, because she would probably notice, if Ariana did not act like Lily.

Better to take my chances with the Muggle world, than the wizard world. I could always obliviatethem if it need be .

She made an appointment for the next afternoon with Griphook. She wanted to get it done as quickly as possible. With a clever disguise it would be tough for anyone to recognize her as Lily. She sent Berty to deliver the letter to Gringotts, making sure the letter is not intercepted.

Ariana used the time waiting for Berty to make plans for the next few days. She found Lily's passport and James's broom. In the Potter bedroom was a wide variety of clothes she could use in creating a disguise. She improved the defenses around the house by creating magical symbols in specific areas around the house, it would not save them from an attack, but they might have enough time to escape. She wanted to protect the house for future use, even if the Dursleys agree to help her.

After Berty's return from Gringotts, she asked him to take them to the Dursleys family.

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The Dursleys

Ariana took a moment to take everything in around her. There was a strong protection around the house and the neighboring houses. It must be the protection of which her father spoke in his letter.

The houses in the street all look more or less the same. The Dursleys had a very well kept garden with lots of flowers. The yard had many open spaces as there were not many trees. There was a stone path that led to the front door. She did not see anyone outside of the house, but there was a car in the driveway. Ariana walked to the door with as much confidence as she could muster and knocked on the door.

She could hear them move inside the house and she heard someone say, "I hope it is not someone who wants to sell us some of their trash again".

Petunia: Lily? What are you doing here? We paid our rent this month, if there is something wrong, it's on your side.

Ariana: I'm not here to talk about money. May I come in?

Petunia You can come in, but leave that stick of yours on the table.

Ariana: I did not bring it today, I was in a hurry, when I left home.

Ariana did not notice much of the inside of their house, because she was too busy looking for something that might tell her their names. She didn't see any certificates on the walls, which might help her to find some names.

Ariana: Afternoon, dear brother-in law, sorry to bother you on such a delightful afternoon, but it is quite urgent.

Vernon gave her a strange look, but invited her to sit down.

Ariana told them about the attack on Godric's Hallow, how a powerful wizard killed James and how she had to kill the attacker. She also told them about the wizard's followers who wanted revenge for their master's death.

Vernon: Why are you here then? You put us all in danger.

Ariana: We are already in danger. I'm the only one who can protect you, but I can only do it, if our family are together. There is a family protection which will keep us all safe, as long as we stay together. May Harry and I count on your hospitality, until this nasty situation is sorted out?

Ariana did not want to take any chances with the Dursleys, so she decided to cast a Cheering Charm on them.

Vernon: If we are the only people who can help you and you are the only one who can help us, you can stay as long as you need. James did not think twice before he gave me the money to buy my dream home and I don't even have to pay any interest.

Ariana: Thank you, as long as I stay here, you can pay just half of the normal installment.

They took a while to sort out the practical arrangements. Talking about their safety when leaving the house, since Vernon got to go work. Her father said nothing about this, in his letter, but Ariana made sure the protection kept when they left the wards. Even outside the wards they had the strongest protection she had ever seen. The stories she heard about Albus Dumbledore's power was not exaggerating in the least.

She answered a few more of the Dursleys' questions, and then they showed her to her and Harry's room. The room was small with only a table and a bed, but she was grateful for a place where she and Harry could be safe. She thanked Petunia for their hospitality and took Harry out from his pram. He was restless, because he had not received enough attention during discussion. Ariana saw Petunia smiling at Harry and she started to play with him.

"Maybe things will work out better for us, than I thought"

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/Ariana is lying to the Dursleys about some things

Time/