Harry Potter: Otherworld

Arrival

***No own no sue. ***

*Twitter for updates, Angelslayer135

Heavy inspiration for this story came from Clell65619 and the story "Harry Potter and the Distaff Side"

A/N: Matriarchal society. Gender swapping most of the male characters.

Warnings: Nothing major in this version, relationship between Harry and "Tom" will be a bit inappropriate but nothing graphic or sexual.

There will be a significantly more NSFW version posted on AooO under the same author/story name for those interested.

Bashing will be kept to a minimum.

I will keep a running list of male to female names as characters are introduced starting on Chapter 2.

***HP:O ***

It had been a trap, and he had led them straight into it.

Sirius was fine, not tortured, or dead, which meant that when the Death Eaters strolled into the room Harry knew it was all his fault. He had brought his friends, those few who had stuck by him through thick and thin, into an unwinnable situation.

Battle had broken out over that stupid sphere, a running battle where they were separated and he had ended up in the 'Death Chamber', fighting against several Death Eaters and simply trying to make it out alive and keep his friends safe as well.

Then his godfather had arrived, and Harry had allowed himself to hope. They fought side by side, pushing back Voldemort's forces until he saw it. From the corner of his eye, he watched the psychotic Witch point her wand. He saw the colored light streaking towards the only family he had left and acted without thought.

Harry Potter pushed the man out of the way, and was struck instead, the impact throwing him back through the mysterious Veil which had served as the backdrop for their battle.

Then all the boy-who-lived knew was silence.

***HP:O ***

The boy awoke on the hard ground, body sore and head dizzy as he sat up to collect his bearings. There were sounds nearby, the sounds of people walking and excited conversations but nothing he recognized. Had they won? Were these new individuals Auror reinforcements?

Harry opened his eyes, and immediately regretted it due to both the slight nausea and intensity of the light around him. He certainly wasn't in the ministry anymore, or at least not in the chamber he had previously been fighting in.

Was Sirius alright? What about his friends?

These thoughts drove him forward, and he blindly reached out to find a nearby wall, using it to slowly climb to his feet all the while ignoring the aches in his limbs. As he slowly moved forward towards the sounds, and his eyes began to adapt to the brightness, he took in several very important details.

First, if he had to take a guess, he was somewhere near Diagon Alley. Next, and far stranger, was that he felt shorter and smaller than during the battle. Perhaps because of the spell that had impacted him. And finally, he did not seem to have his wand, or any other objects of value save for his glasses and clothes.

He reached the populated area seconds later, "What in the…" Harry froze the moment he heard his own voice. It was higher than he remembered, not as worn or scratchy. It felt different. A nearby window showed his reflection as being younger, much younger, and a certain scar missing from his forehead.

It was then that something else caught his eye, a nearby edition of the Prophet. It was strange enough to not have something negative about him or Dumbledore on the front page, but even more alarming was the date.

August 1, 1991

He stared and stared, as if trying to will the truth away because it wasn't possible… right? He had time-traveled before, but that was by hours not years.

But he was young again, the difference in size, his voice, how lively everything was, it all made sense. Then, as if to throw more fuel on the already raging fire of confusion threatening to consume him, he heard it.

"James, hurry up. We came to get the girls their school supplies."

The former teen turned, then forgot to breathe. A redheaded woman smiling at her happily grinning husband.

James and Lily Potter, he knew it even before the man confirmed her first name a moment later. He had seen them in the Mirror of Erised, seen them in the picture album given to him by Hagrid, seen them in his dreams.

Harry hadn't time traveled, he had traveled to an entirely different world.

But it wasn't just them, they had children, two daughters who looked like they might be his own age. They were alive, happy, all because he wasn't there. For a moment, one that he would regret and hate himself for, he was full of jealousy and spite.

Why did he lose everything when they had perfectly normal lives? Where was the justice? Why shouldn't they suffer? But the thoughts were squashed a moment later when he thought of his friends. He had never wished ill will upon Ron for having a large family, or Hermione for having parents.

Harry slipped back into the abandoned alley he had awoken in, slid down the wall, and pulled his knees up to his chest in misery.

***HP:O ***

He heard it before he saw the bird, and looked up from between his arms, which had been used to curl even smaller. It was a brown owl, staring back at him with a letter in its claw. A second after being noticed the creature extended its leg, waving the object as if to say, 'I have something for you'.

"Go away" he muttered, not in the mood to deal with whatever it had for him.

The response was a more agitated 'hoot' and a more insistent motion. Yet still, it was ignored by the boy at least until another voice entered the alley. "I believe you underestimate the persistence of an owl. I have many times tried to get out of receiving unwanted mail in such a manner, but the consequences involve find said letters in rather inconvenient places later."

As if to accentuate the woman's words, the owl hooted once more, this time with agitation laced through the sound. Harry sighed, before blindly reaching out and having the paper pushed into his hand, then he looked up towards the stranger.

Any surprise at the tear blurred image was quickly forgotten by the eccentric appearance of the older individual. Long flowing robes that seemed to sparkle in the light, a gentle smile, her hair was just passed shoulder length and while mostly silver still had darker roots and streaks of black throughout. She looked down at him, curiosity in her eyes but nothing else. "Hello there, my name is Augustina Dumbledore, and I believe that letter is an invitation to Hogwarts, the school I preside over as Headmistress."

Harry stared for a moment, unsure as to whether he should laugh or cry. He opted for a bit of both, earning a concerned frown from the woman.

"I think we should continue this conversation somewhere more comfortable hm? Perhaps get you something to eat as well. There is a lovely diner just around the corner, my treat."

The boy allowed himself to be helped to his feet then followed the woman.

***HP:O ***

"If it is not too much trouble, may I ask you a question." Harry shrugged, before nodding and continuing to pick at the food that had been bought for him. "What is your name? You have more than a slight resemblance to a former student, but I do not recall him having any sons."

What was he supposed to do? Try and explain to an entirely different Dumbledore what happened? Attempt to convince her that he was someone who probably didn't even exist up until an hour ago? Not for the first time did he wish Hermione was with him, to give him some guidance, to figure out what was happening and try to explain it in a way that would still go completely over his head but give him hope that at least someone understood what was going on.

But Albus Dumbledore was always one of the few people he trusted, and if this woman was a mirror image, then maybe she could clear things out as well, help him get back. 'Get back' that thought froze the blood in his veins. He had been in the middle of a battle, what if his friends needed his help? What if Sirius was still fighting for his life?

"Are you alright?" The woman queried, clearly noticing his change in mood, and looking as if she wanted to reach out to him yet holding back.

"I need to get back."

"Back? Back to where?"

"Where I came from, my world or whatever you want to call it."

The woman frowned but leaned forward and did a subtle gesture that wrapped privacy Charms around them. "What are you talking about?"

"I'm not from here, this time or this place. I was fighting, in the ministry against Death Eaters with my friends and Sirius was almost hurt but I fell through the Veil instead and then I woke up here, but I need to get back! I need to help them!"

Dumbledore said nothing, merely staring back at him with an unreadable expression until it softened, "I'm not sure if that is possible. The Veil is not something to be taken lightly, it is where the worlds of the living and the dead are at their thinnest, and no one has ever emerged from it."

"B-but I…"

"What is your name?" She repeated but it seemed so pointless now. Who cared what his name was when there were lives at stake!

He pushed back from the table, sliding back and his chair and standing, nearly trembling in stress and adrenaline. All he could see was his friends in pain, his friends needing him. "You aren't listening to me! My friends are in danger, Sirius is in danger! I need to help them!"

"Sirius Black?"

"Yes!"

The woman turned and nodded out the window, drawing his attention. Across the street he saw them once more, James and Lily Potter, but they were talking with another man, one who was gesturing about excitedly.

Sirius Black

Harry fell back into his chair, staring outside as if in a daze. "I-I need to get back."

"What is your name?" Her voice was just as gentle and soothing as before, and he answered without thought.

"Harry Potter"

Dumbledore smiled softly but sadly, "I don't think you can go back Harry. Even if you were to survive through whatever means you did the first time there is no reason to believe you would end up in the same universe that you came from, or even the same time."

He turned towards her, "But… they believed in me…"

***HP:O ***

Harry hadn't been in the mood to eat after that, and instead had been led by the aged Witch towards the nearest Floo. "Perhaps it would be best for you to stay at Hogwarts, until we can figure out what to do next."

He hadn't protested, lacking any strength to do so, and as they neared another woman stepped out, one with black hair, a few silver streaks in it, which was neatly tied up in a bun. Her robes were pressed and flawless her posture uptight and formal.

"What perfect timing, Harry I'd like to introduce you to one of the professors at Hogwarts." Dumbledore noted as she gestured towards the approaching adult. The pre-teen looked up towards the Witch and despite feeling as if they had met before, couldn't quite place her. "This is our Defense Against the Dark Arts professor and head of Slytherin House, Grace Riddle."

Riddle

Harry's eyes widened as he took a step backwards on instinct.

Riddle

His pulse quickened, heart pounding in his chest.

Riddle

"No..." He shook his head in disbelief, earning a confused look from the younger of the two and one of concern from the older. "You aren't here... you can't be." Not only was Voldemort alive but she was teaching at Hogwarts.

All the stress and confusion of the past few hours caught up to him at once as his vision blurred and darkened.

***HP:O ***

Once more Harry Potter awoke in confusion. This time, however, he was in a place he knew all too well, the Hospital Wing at Hogwarts. Sure enough Madam Pomfrey came walking over to his bed moments later. "I must say I'm impressed. I think you have officially set the record for earliest admission."

Harry grinned before coughing a bit, his body, including throat, sore. "I had the strangest dream, I woke up and it was ninety-one again and my parents were alive, then Dumbledore was a woman and Voldemort was a teacher!" He gave a bit of a pained laugh as the woman merely smiled before handing him over a small cup of potion.

Seconds after drinking it down his smile fell as he noticed the normal humor in the Witch's eyes were missing. "It... wasn't a dream, was it?"

"I'm afraid not Mr. Potter." A voice called from nearby as a very female Dumbledore walked into the room. "I took you back to Hogwarts, it seems you had a bit of a panic attack. Considering everything that has happened today I'm not surprised. You need to get some rest."

Harry nodded, and it looked as though Pomfrey was about to make a comment when a soft chime rang through the room, and the woman frowned. "I was not expecting anyone..."

"Ah that would be my doing. The Potters arrived faster than I expected it seems."

The male tensed at this earning him a comforting smile from the Headmistress, "It isn't anything bad Harry, but even with your unique situation you are still an eleven-year-old boy. If we investigated, I have no doubt Lily and James would be declared your legal guardians which means they had to be informed. It is just the two adults as their daughters are with their godfather. Do you want to speak with them now or wait?"

He weighed his options, a part of him was eager. Excited to speak with them, to get to know them, but the overwhelming portion of him dreaded it. These weren't his parents, they already had two children, two daughters that they loved.

Growing up without parents in a hate-filled environment was bad enough, but if 'Lily and James' refused him, told him they didn't want him? It would be more devastating than any curse Voldemort could ever use.

"I guess it's okay..." he muttered softly, earning a gentle pat on the hand by the eldest woman as she stood and went to the door.

He could just make out a whispered conversation, instructions on taking it easy and such before moments later there were two additional bodies standing near the bed. A man let out an awed, "He looks just like me." While a woman knelt at the bed, her eyes full of wonder.

"He has my eyes..."

Those words, that had been spoken to him so many times by strangers, brought tears to the boy's eyes which he struggled to contain.

"How? Who is he Dumbledore?"

There was a pause before the Headmistress spoke, "That, I'm afraid, is a very complicated answer. It seems Harry here is from another world, one parallel to our own but with some very important differences."

"Dimensional travel?" Lily inquired, even more shock in her voice. "How is it possible though?"

Harry opened his mouth to answer, but Augustina beat him to it, "I believe we should discuss a very important fact first. Harry is not just from another world, but several years into the future from what I gather. Despite the differences I feel we should keep information pertaining to the future as confidential as possible. What he knows may never come to pass, but the act of simply knowing can be hazardous to one's own decisions."

The former teen didn't exactly understand, but it did seem as though Dumbledore had a better grasp on what was going on, as he... she usually did. Harry merely nodded in acceptance. It probably wouldn't matter anyway, already the differences between his world and this one were too numerous for anything he knew to be of value.

Save for the fact that Dumbledore had an evil sociopath for a defense teacher. His thoughts were interrupted by a raise in volume, he had missed the start of an argument nearby.

"Absolutely not Dumbledore."

"I understand your reluctance but..."

This time James interrupted, "But nothing, he's our son which means he is living with us for the rest of the summer. The girls will love him."

Augustina smiled, but shook her head, "I don't think that is for the best, at least right now. He is still trying to get a handle on everything."

"But..."

"Dumbledore's right."

Everyone turned to the boy laying in the hospital bed, the one currently staring at his hands, remembering all the faint scars on them. "She's right, I need to stay here, at least for now. I can't... I can't go back with you."

"Harry... son."

"No!" His response was forceful and harsh, and he had to bite back his own tears. "I can't... you can't... You can't be my parents, because if you are then that means you abandoned me. My parents loved me, they died to protect me."

That statement earned discomfort and sympathy from everyone in the room until the other male spoke up, "Wait, what about Sirius? Surely, he took care of you as your godfather."

Harry looked away, trying his best to push the thoughts from his mind, "He couldn't, he was in Azkaban."

Both Potters gasped, "Azkaban? What the bloody hell for!?"

This wasn't a conversation the youngest wanted to have, and certainly wasn't one he wanted to continue to its inevitable destination. His childhood was something he actively avoided thinking and talking about, especially to strangers. "Betrayal mostly. It's… complicated but there was a war, and everyone thought he sold you two out."

"Alice and Frank then." Lily immediately declared, eyes narrowing. "They should have…"

A shake of his head, "Also weren't around, war remember?"

Both of his 'parents' frowned, "Then who raised you? Merilyn, forbid you ended up in an orphanage."

"Family," he muttered, hoping at least one of the adults in the room would take the cue and end the discussion.

But of course, life could never be that easy.

"I have no other living relatives," James declared, "Assuming this other world is similar then who did you end up with?"

"I didn't say your family…" was the whispered response, earning confusion from all save one. One woman who made the connections, one who whispered her own question a moment later.

"Did they leave you with Petunia?"

Embarrassment, guilt, anger, hurt, and a dozen other emotions burned through his veins as Harry looked away, forcing the tears to remain hidden.

"I'm… I'm so sorry Harry."

The confusion that shifted between the two green-eyed individuals was obvious, and Lily took it upon herself to clarify the sudden shift in mood. "My sister is… awful. She always hated Magic and I have taken it upon myself to ensure she has nothing to do with our family. Why you would ever end up with her is…"

But the redhead merely shook her head, trying her hardest not to sweep the boy into a hug. It was too early for such things, and she knew it. They weren't his parents, weren't even his family.

"As I said, I believe the best course of action for now is to have Harry stay at Hogwarts. He will be well cared for, and it gives us time to figure out how to address the situation we now have. If you were to take him home the media would be left free to speculate and focus their attention on him, and that is situation I am sure none of us want."

***HP:O ***

A wand idly twirled about in between the long, slender fingers of its owner. Nearby a quill scratched continuously on a piece of parchment. Letter after letter, word after word. Yet the one whose thoughts it recorded paid it no mind.

Two days later and a single event still occupied her thoughts, still demanded her attention. A mysterious young boy with blazing green eyes.

He had recognized her, or at least her name, that much was for certain, yet his reaction remained a mystery. The boy had passed out, though the exact cause of his reaction she couldn't quite figure out. At the time she felt an odd pull towards him, a connection¸ and thus hadn't truly focused in on his features.

That had come later, and while going through her previous memories the similarities between him and a student from the past became obvious. The boy was related to James Potter, that much was clear, although the exact connection was not.

So, she scoured newspaper articles and registries of names. His name came up often, as the older families usually did, along with records of his family. He had been married to a Muggleborn witch, and years later they had twin daughters.

But there were no mentions of a son, and he had no living relatives, at least none that would be close enough in blood to have a child with such similarities. The first obvious conclusion was he had either been a donor or a breeder. The former was far more likely, based on his own progress at Hogwarts, natural talents, and Pureblood status.

There were no public documents or contracts, however, which meant the second could be possible as well, even if such a thing would be considerably rarer, especially with his marriage to a Muggleborn. For a moment the professor even contemplated whether it was Dumbledore's child, but that idea was quickly dismissed. Sure, the headmistress could still have children, even without potions or ritual enhancements magical fertility lasted well past a century, but the staff would have noticed such a thing, she would have noticed it as well and Dumbledore would not have hidden a child for so long, not with her own political position.

A different witch then?

The woman racked her brain for any members of high society who had been pregnant around the same time but whose child managed to escape public scrutiny. None came to mind.

Regardless, the headmistress had been very keen on protecting him, scooping him up and immediately leaving the area the moment he lost consciousness. This could only mean a connection of some kind, but what?

More important than this was the connection Riddle felt with the boy. That had certainly not been a coincidence, nor his reaction to her name.

The boy was a mystery, one which grew with every passing hour that Dumbledore kept her lips sealed concerning him, his origins, and his state. Grace, and seemingly the rest of the magical world, was being kept in the dark regarding the boy, and it only served to pique her interest.

***HP:O ***

Less important A/N:

Wizards/Witches will appear a bit younger than they did in movie canon, at least in their later years. This is because they are supposed to live 2-3x longer than muggles, it stands to reason they won't look ninety when they are ninety. Up until around 20s they age normally then slow down. Dumbledore would look like late 50s early 60s.