He jolted back with a gasp. His eyes fluttered open to be blinded by bright specks. He shook his head and fought back against the black dots that were scattered across his vision.

He once again opened his eyes but saw nothing except blackness. In fact, all around him he was engulfed by a boundless darkness. Blinking in confusion, he pulled himself into a sitting position and eventually he stood up to regard his surroundings. Where was he? He looked around and thankfully the sight cleared. A forest. More specifically, he was in the Forbidden Forest; except it seemed more darker and gloomy. Memories came rushing and he remembered where he was going. But why had he stopped? Taking a deep breath, he continued onward with determination.

He resumed his walk - a walk which was going to be his last. His heart pounded like it was trying to escape from his chest. Every instinct screamed at him to run out of the forest, away from the Death Eaters surrounding him, away from Voldemort, away from certain death. But he wouldn't, this cat and mouse game with Death that had begun ever since he was born, had to end and what better way to accept Death's overdue calling than to willingly walk towards it.

He finally reached the clearing. Voldemort stood there, waiting for him. There were no Death Eaters or any of his army to be seen. Disregarding his surroundings, he looked straight into the red eyes. The Dark Lord surveyed him cautiously, his head tilting to the side as he raised his wand. He would cast the Killing Curse for the second time, and just as before, it would prove to be his undoing. He would destroy the piece of his own soul that had unknowingly been placed, taking him one step closer toward his own demise.

Harry's breath stopped – Voldemort's wand was in place. It was time. Harry just had to be brave a moment longer. He thought of Ginny.

A blinding flash of light overtook his senses and everything went black.


His shirt was getting red. Red with blood. She had only looked into Harry's face, when his eyes rolled back and he crumpled into his seat, unconscious.

All of a sudden, his legs went out from under him. He crumpled to the ground at her feet, his body convulsing.

"Harry!" Ginny fell to her knees. She cupped his face and called out his name. His face had drastically lost its colour. Horrified, Ginny took his hands in hers and found them cold.

"Professor!" she screamed. She touched his face once more, willing for Harry to come back to her.

Dumbledore already had sprung into action. He pulled Ginny onto her feet and guided her into her mother's arms. Then he tore off Harry's t-shirt. Shocks and gasps filled the kitchen as everyone saw Harry's chest. Blood was oozing out in large volume, from the place where his heart resided in his body. Molly shrieked at the sight. Sirius immediately got up and knelt down to take Harry in his arms, with Remus behind him.

"Harry! What -"

"Everyone quiet please," ordered Dumbledore. The kitchen was sucked out of all noise.

Dumbledore started waving his wand in a complex manner, muttering a string of words under his breath.

Ginny couldn't take it anymore, "What's wrong with Harry?"

Molly wrapped her daughter in a hug.

"Tell me!"

No answer.

Ginny couldn't stop the numerous images flashing in front of her mind; Harry falling from his broomstick in his third year, Hagrid carrying Harry in his arms from the war, visiting Harry at the hospital after some of his Auror mishaps.

The rest of the occupants stood, with their heaving breaths being the only sounds in the room.

"Severus!" Dumbledore exclaimed.

"Move Black!" snapped Snape. Sirius reluctantly laid his godson carefully on the floor. Snape then joined Dumbledore beside him; both of professors now waving their wands over Harry's chest, eyebrows furrowed. The blood flow had stopped, but gradually trickled down to the floor leaving a mark.

"Shouldn't we call a Healer?" Remus asked.

"He appears to be in some form of stasis," said Dumbledore at last.

"What does that mean? Is he alright?" questioned Ginny with concern, tears springing to her eyes.

Sirius barked, "For Merlin's sake Dumbledore, tell us!"

After what was a long time, Dumbledore finally said, "Molly, some Dittany and a Blood replenishing Potion."

The Weasley matriarch brought the required items and passed them over to Dumbledore. The blood was now being siphoned off by Snape, with Dumbledore applying Dittany over Harry's chest. The drops of Dittany did their work.

Sirius whipped out a handkerchief and started cleaning Harry. The chest didn't show any type of wounds, except….

"Bloody hell!" yelled Ron.

Just where Harry's heart was, clearly visible lay a scar in the shape of lightning-bolt.


A blinding flash of light overtook his senses and everything went black.

He opened his eyes, hoping to see the bright mist of King's Cross. Except he was disappointed for once again he was swamped all around with blackness. At least he was clothed unlike last time. A low, guttural moan escaped his lips as he felt pressure on his chest.

Suddenly everything seemed to click in his mind and he suddenly realized what exactly was going on. He and Ginny were back in time. They were explaining their situation, when he felt odd stirring in his chest and he fainted. A sharp pain ran through his head.

"Were you expecting Dumbledore again? Or your parents? Or some other person you love?"

The words sent a chill through him. He spun around and saw the face which had haunted him since his birth, though for the past nine years would crop up rarely in his dreams. He'd been prepared for anything from Tom Riddle from the diary to something closed to the flayed child he'd seen in King's Cross. But the Voldemort or Riddle standing in front of him looked closer to the figure that had emerged from the cauldron in the graveyard, although a bit different - younger, if that was the word. He wasn't quite solid but not nearly as transparent as a ghost.

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked, careful not to show any emotion in his voice. It had been years, of course, since he'd been able to share his enemy's emotions, but now with the man standing before him, echoes of the past connection returned.

"You're dead," asserted Harry.

"Not in the time you are in."

"Then we return to our time."

Riddle laughed. Up and down he paced, looking all around him as he walked. Questions flooded Harry's mind - What was happening? Why wasn't Riddle attacking him? And then, Dumbledore's words resonated in his mind - 'Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?' Was that it - He was trapped in his mind?

"How is Ginny? Finally captured the attention of the precious Boy-Who-Lived, I see. I suppose congratulations are in order too. Fatherhood. Pity the blood-traitor James Potter missed it."

Harry's anger flared.

"You -" shouted Harry.

"You're a fool, Harry Potter. You may think that love will save you, but really, it's a weakness that will be your downfall."

"Not if I stop you."

"Perhaps. Or perhaps you are going to suffer through the death of your loved ones," Riddle said with a smirk. "Again."

"This has gone long enough. What do you want?"

"What will happen to you, the hero who willingly walks to his own death when he realizes that he has no one remaining to love."

"You sound just the same. Vain, arrogant, over confident," said Harry, unwilling to be let frightened and dominated.

"You have grown Potter. No longer the curious, innocent and starry-eyed boy."

"I know how to defeat you," Harry stated, unable to control himself. "Again."

"Your future knowledge is going to be your own undoing. You believe the course of events would end up the same. But the more you change the more it's going to get out of your hands."

"We'll see."

Riddle continued, "You will not even stand a chance against me. I possess far more knowledge and magic than you. Your escapades until now have been nothing more than flukes and a series of lucky events orchestrated by the Mudblood-loving fool, Dumbledore and his petty Order. It isn't going to matter now. Talent and skill is important. And everyone knows, you don't have what it takes. Disarm me or Stun me! That's the best you can do. How can you be sure that you won't die this time?"

Harry thought about the implications. Before he could wrap his mind around it, Riddle spoke again.

"Death and destruction lies ahead of you Potter and you can't control the future."

Blackness.


Just where Harry's heart was, clearly visible lay a scar in the shape of lightning-bolt.

Ginny's eyes widened; she knew what it stood for – the Killing curse. Ginny was aware that Harry bore the scar for the second Killing curse he took in the Forbidden Forest in the war. But, it shouldn't be there now!

Dumbledore gave a long sigh and motioned his wand once more at Harry, "Rennervate!"

Harry slowly opened his eyes and Ginny gave sob of relief and flung herself at him and pulled him into a tight hug. Harry looked back at her groggily, "What happened?"

Sirius said, "That's what we would like to know as well!"

Snape passed Harry the Blood replenishing Potion, which he gulped down dutifully after some initial confusion.

"Are you alright?" Ginny asked with concern.

"Fine," Harry replied. Then added after receiving a glare from Ginny, "a bit sore". He was debating whether or not to share his out-of-worldly experience with his wife, when -

Suddenly there was a loud crack and everybody jumped.

"Kreacher! What the bloody hell are you doing here? Get out!" said Sirius.

"Kreacher takes orders only from his master and his lady and not from others. Certainly not from the brat who broke his former mistress' heart!" the elf croaked in his usual bullfrog voice.

"What!" said Sirius, "Got yourself a new master have you?"

Kreacher regarded everyone until his eyes stopped at Harry and Ginny. Ginny seemed to realize what was going on.

"Kreacher! Do you remember us?" she asked.

Kreacher looked at her and then at Harry. Quivering his small head, he exclaimed, "What wizardry is this! Kreacher has a new master now! The half-blood and his blood traitor wife. Oh, what would the mistress say if she knew."

"Is he saying that Harry is his master now?" someone asked.

"How can that be -"

"Dumbledore, what is going on?" Remus asked.

It was Harry who answered, evidently piecing it himself, "In the future, Kreacher served me and then subsequently Ginny after we got married." His voice was coming out a bit wheezy.

"Kreacher doesn't understand. Kreacher was forced to serve the worthless heir of the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. When all of sudden, Kreacher found himself bound to a new master. Kreacher's new master is an insult! He is friends with blood traitors, mudbloods and half-breeds!"

Shouts and protests rang out at this statement.

"That's enough Kreacher. Go on, clean the house! I will talk to you later," ordered Harry.

With a loud crack, the house-elf disapparated, leaving everyone stunned.

"Pleasant house-elf you've got there, Harry," said Fred.

"Has to work on his social skills, but will do for the time being," said George.

"Only wish you'd be able to reign him in - "

"Unlike Sirius here!"

"But Harry isn't going to keep him. He is going to set him free, aren't you?" Hermione interrupted.

"Are you mental !"

"Ron, you know –"

"Enough!"

The argument stopped.

"It seems we have another proof that Harry and Ginny are from the future."

"How do you mean Dumbledore?" asked Arthur.

"As Harry said, Kreacher served him and Ginny in the future. Since house-elf magic is vastly different and unknown, Kreacher's bond with Sirius is now broken. It seems that Kreacher's ownership was transferred from Sirius to Harry, owing to the fact that Harry and Ginny's magic is similar to those of their future counterparts. Also, you heard Kreacher. He can recognize the relation between Harry and Ginny. He called them his master and his lady. He knows or can sense that they are married."

Dumbledore's explanation left the occupants deep in thought.

"That is all well and good. But what happened to Harry?" asked Sirius, bringing the subject back to its original course.

"That is curious, I must say," Dumbledore responded. "If I might hazard a guess, it seems that travelling back in time had some sort of aftereffect on Harry's body."

"Why is there a scar on his chest similar to his forehead?," asked Bill. Being a curse-breaker, he knew what sort of scars and wounds were left by curses. But there was no wound nor was Harry cursed.

That was when Harry realised that he was bare chested. Feeling a bit embarrassed, he traced the scar on his chest and tried to hide it.

"That is where Voldemort hit Harry with the Killing curse," Ginny spoke in a low voice. Though it was enough for everyone to hear and understand it's implication.

"You mean, Harry survives another Killing curse in the future?" Hermione asked in a high-pitched voice.

"Yes."

The question and the answer had everyone in shock.

"That explains the Dark Magic," said Snape simply.

McGonagall had had enough of this one-sentence answers, "Dumbledore, you must explain properly."

"Severus and I found traces or residues of Dark Magic on Harry's body. This, I assume, happens in the future," he said glancing at the two time-travellers. "Since they came back in time, Harry's body couldn't cope up with the effects, the Killing curse especially, which his body didn't endure yet. The Killing curse generally leaves no traces on a body but naturally leaves an imprint on the soul." Here the professor broke off and met Harry's eyes. A look passed between the two, which didn't go unnoticed by others.

"However, as it is often in Harry's case, we can only theorize. Coming back in time has had its repercussions. Was this scar on your chest there in the future after you survived the curse, Harry?"

"Yes."

"But how –" someone began but they were cut-off by Ginny.

"I am afraid we cannot say how. I know what you are going to ask. But we have to wait until we have some sort of control on this time-travelling situation."

It was clear that nobody were completely in agreement with this. It was then Harry was able to sink in the explanation Dumbledore gave earlier.

Time travel….Repercussions…The baby.

Harry gave a startled gasp, "The baby. Professor, can you please check Ginny too?"

"Harry, I am fine," Ginny answered.

"You saw what happened just now. What about our baby? We must check!"

Ginny gulped and nodded.

Dumbledore turned to Ginny and used his wand, muttering under his breath.

"You appear to be in perfect health. The baby too. But I must caution you to be safe and notify immediately if you feel different, Miss Weasley. Or should I say Mrs. Potter?" Dumbledore smiled.

The use of her married name had different reactions. Mr. and Mrs. Weasley glanced at each other, unsure of what to feel. Bill had his jaw clenched. Sirius gave a snort and the twins wolf-whistled. While Ron scowled, Hermione had a slight smile on her face. The other occupants looked furtively at others.

"Well, what an interesting day and revelations!" said Sirius, hoping to break the silence.

Remus shook his head at his attempt.

"Well, now that all of that excitement is over," Ginny sardonically said. "I am heading up to bed. It's been a long day," she smiled wryly before turning to her husband. "You coming?" Harry knew that he was going to be questioned about his accident upstairs. Honestly, he was looking forward to bed after a long day. His thoughts were interrupted -

"ABSOLUTELY NOT!"

Everyone expected the shout to be coming from Mrs Weasley. However, the occupants of the room - minus Harry - were surprised to see that Ron had beaten her to it.

"What?" Ginny asked, a frown on her face.

"You heard! You are not going to bed together!" he spat out through clenched teeth as he glared at his sister and - possibly former - best friend. Mrs Weasley nodded enthusiastically in agreement with her youngest son.

"And why ever not? In case you haven't noticed, Ronald, I am hormonal, tired and wish to go to bed with my husband," she emphasised the word as she fixed her brother with a steely glare, "and besides, I'm already pregnant! What else could happen?"

Harry groaned as she said the last part, positive that it was not helping their case at all. Hermione sent him a look of sympathy while Sirius looked like he wanted to laugh in his godson's face. The rest were just swivelling their gazes between the two Weasleys, not entirely sure whether they should be concerned or give into their amusement.

"You are not sharing a room with him!" Harry grimaced when Ron jabbed his finger in his direction. It also didn't help when the tone he used to say 'him' made it seem like Voldemort was just a friendly neighbour down the street. "You're 13 years old!"

"Physically! Yesterday, I was nearly 23! What has it got to do with you anyway?" Ginny screeched at him. Her hands were on her hips and her eyes were flashing - a sure sign of danger.

"I agree with Ron. You are simply too young and we cannot allow you to share a room with Harry, no matter the …..the circumstances," Mrs Weasley added in a voice that showed that she thought that was the end of the matter.

Unfortunately, Ginny either didn't get the message or she just ignored it.

"EXCUSE ME!" Ginny's voice had risen even more, causing the people closest to her - Harry, Hermione and Tonks - to cringe away from her. "I AM A MARRIED WOMAN. AND FOR YOUR INFORMATION, WE HAVE BEEN TOGETHER FOR THE PAST 7 YEARS !"

"DO NOT TAKE THAT TONE WITH ME, YOUNG LADY! YOU ARE TOO YOUNG! WE WILL NOT LET IT HAPPEN!" Molly screamed back at her. She then rounded on Arthur. "Will we, Arthur?"

Arthur's face clearly showed his desire not be a part of the row as he looked like a deer trapped in the headlights. Fortunately for him, he was saved from answering by Harry.

"Ginny, maybe it's best we sleep in separate rooms, at least until everyone gets their heads round the situation," he suggested quietly to his enraged wife.

The fierce glare that Ginny shot at Harry caused him to flinch back in his seat. This did not help Sirius with his fight for seriousness. The twins shook silently with laughter.

"Oh, I see." Ginny whispered with sarcasm. Harry sank even further in his seat. "The Great Harry Potter has spoken!" Harry frowned at that, thinking that it wasn't fair. Ginny wasn't finished however.

"Well, fine!" she said in a shrill voice as she pushed her chair back with an audible screech.

"Fine!" she repeated again as she stormed towards the door. She pulled it sharply open and swept out in a huff.

Molly looked slightly guilty at the way Harry had just been treated when all he was trying to do was keep the peace between Ginny and the family. The suddenly tired look on his face made her heart twist with sadness as confusion settled in the forefront of her mind.

Harry wearily rubbed his hand across his forehead as he shot a sideways glance at Ron, "Thanks for that, mate."

Ron merely sneered at Harry, before sweeping out of the room in a fashion similar to Ginny.

Sirius couldn't help it anymore. He let out a great bark of laughter, which was quickly followed by a gasp of pain as Remus smacked him upside the head.

"Hey! What was that for?" Sirius complained as he rubbed his head. Remus merely rolled his eyes at the mutt. Snape sneered at Sirius' antics.

"What was all that about?" Tonks asked as she hid a smile. She felt sorry for the poor boy, but it was rather humorous; especially when he cowered away from the small girl.

Harry sighed, "That was Ron being a prat and a tired Ginny being run by hormones." This time, a ring of chuckles sounded around the room.

"On that note, I believe it is time for us to retire to our beds," Dumbledore said in a jolly tone. Harry glared half-heartedly at him which caused the twinkle in those piercing blue eyes to flare once more.

"Harry, I shall be around in the morning to discuss some more things with you."

"Sure."

Dumbledore then turned to the group at large, "Naturally, this goes without saying, discretion is of utmost importance now. The recent political climate will use this information of Harry expecting a child to their advantage if they got the wind of this."

Everyone nodded solemnly.

"That goes for you too Snivellus," said Sirius.

Before Snape could retort, Harry said, "It's alright Sirius. I trust Professor Snape."

Snape narrowed his eyes at Harry and then took off without so much as a glance. Sirius kept looking at Harry dumbfounded. Dumbledore, infuriatingly, had his usual twinkle in his eyes.

"With that, I say goodnight!"

A chorus of goodnights rang about the room as the order members left the kitchen to go to their beds or respective homes. No doubt everyone would be pondering on today's events.

"Are you alright dear?" Molly turned back before leaving.

Harry felt a surge of affection. Even after receiving a shock, she still looked out for him.

"Yes. Thank you, Molly," replied Harry solemnly.

She opened and closed her mouth for a few moments before actually speaking, "You just called me Molly." She quickly waved Harry's apology, "We'll figure it out dear."

Harry was one of the last to leave. "It's ….. (not good, for sure), weird to be back," he muttered under his breath, hoping that Ron wouldn't kill him in his sleep.