A curse countered

Prologue

June 21, 1816

The woman made her way down the beach. Behind her, the ocean crashed against the shoreline, mirroring the shattering of her heart.

"It's the only way," a man said walking up beside her. "He will be safe and doing this will ensure the survival of magic. If what I have foreseen comes to pass, he will be the only one who can stop it."

The woman turned to glare at the man, her green eyes flashed. Even though there was no wind, her long silver hair whipped around her face.

"He is my son. I won't lose any more of my family. I never knew my mother. I will not miss a moment of my son's life. I don't care what you've seen. I've seen what happens when our children are sent off on foolish quests. They all end up dead. I want better for my boy. It won't be his job to fix this sad broken little world."

Merlin gently took the baby from her arms and placed him in a wooden boat floating in the shallows. Gesturing at the ocean, the water rippled before becoming a sea of roiling mist. "Sometimes, we don't choose our fate. Sometimes, our fate is chosen for us."

Argante snorted. "Whatever fate has in store for my son, it can choose someone else."

Merlin pretended he hadn't heard her. "The sea of Time will take him into the future. He will be out of our enemies reach."

Argante glared up at Merlin. "I still don't see why I cannot go with him." Her voice began to tremble, and her lips quivered. "He'll be all alone."

Merlin slipped an arm around her, drawing her close. He stroked her hair tenderly and spoke as gently as he could. "We cannot risk it. We are already changing time as it is. We have no idea what effect this will have on the future. The fewer people that make the trip, the better. I promise you, to the lad, it will be a matter of moments. He won't be alone for long. Once he arrives, we should be able to retrieve him."

Argante stared down at her son as tears ran down her cheeks. Leaning over, she kissed his forehead before looking back up at Merlin.

"He won't fall out?"

Merlin shook his head, chuckling briefly. "There are spells to keep him in the boat until he arrives in the future."

Gently, Argante pushed the boat away from the sure and watched as it sailed away into the mist.

Merlin turned as they heard the thud of distant hoofbeats. "They're coming. We need to get out of here."

Argante didn't move. She merely continued staring out at the sea.

"Argante!" Merlin said sharply.

Argante shook her head. "Go, I'll go into the wizarding world. I can hide there until my son returns."

"You can't," Merlin said. "How will you hide? How will you keep anyone from finding you? Return to Avalon, time will pass more quickly. You don't know when he will show up in the future. Come back home, I can watch for him to return. Don't subject yourself to a lifetime of exile. Besides, if the curse is cast while you are in the mortal world…"

"I'll die," Argante said calmly. "Nevertheless, I will wait for him in the world of man. I will not allow him to be alone any longer than necessary."

The hoofbeats were closer now. They could hear swords being drawn from sheathes and the snorting of the horses.

"There is no time for discussion. I am fae. We are very good at hiding in plain sight. Besides, I'm the daughter of Merlin. If I can't hide from mortals, I deserve what happens to me. Now go before they catch you."

"And what am I to tell the boy's father."

"Tell him my son and I are safe. He will not be too concerned, so long as we are in no danger." Her lips turned up in a bitter smile. "He has another wife, he won't miss me."

Merlin hesitated. "Good luck my daughter."

Argante glanced at Merlin. "I cannot repay you or Morgana for all that you've done. Thank you."

Merlin leaned forward and kissed her cheek. "The pleasure was all mine. Having you was the greatest honor of my life, and I wouldn't have traded a moment of it for anything. I wish you could've met your mother. She would've been so proud of you."

Merlin raised a hand, the image of a dragon appearing flying high overhead. The screams of terror and nays of the horses let them know the dragon had been spotted. "That illusion won't last long, but it will give us time to escape. Stay safe."

With one last look at her, Merlin turned and vanished without a sound.

Argante stared at where he'd been before she turned away. In a swirl of wind, she was gone.

Behind them, the sea lapped gently at the shore. There was no sign that anyone had ever been there.

**ACC**

December 21, 2002

Harry stood at the edge of the clearing, just out of sight of the figures huddled around the fire. A cold wind rustled his hair, causing him to draw his cloak more tightly around him. This was it. The end of his life was here. He glanced back at what was left of Hogwarts. The ruins of the castle lay upon the blackened earth like the moldering bones of a giant beast.

Everyone was gone. All his reasons to fight. Hermione was dead. Ron was dead. Ginny was dead. Neville, Luna, Hanna, Susan, all those that had fought alongside him for all these years. Voldemort had taken great pride in showing him their murders. He was all alone.

He smiled bitterly. His life had been one long never ending war. There'd been only a few ceasefires along the way.

He looked down at the ring on his finger. If only Voldemort hadn't killed Draco Malfoy for failing him. If only he'd been able to take Draco's wand when they'd escaped Malfoy manor. Sighing, he waved a hand over his head, canceling the disillusionment charm.

Taking a deep breath, he stepped into the clearing.

"Harry," Voldemort said jovially, his red eyes blazing like two coals in a fire. "You've come to face me at last. What's wrong? Have you run out of friends to throw at me?"

Harry didn't answer. Instead, he held up his right hand. Voldemort's smile fell as he saw the cracked stone on the ring Harry wore.

"The diary, the ring, the locket, the diadem, the snake, and the cup. All of your horcruxes are gone. You are mortal now."

Voldemort glared at Harry. "So, Dumbledore left you a little information, did he? No matter, the rituals I have performed will keep me alive long enough to find a new avenue for immortality."

"This ends now. I'm not letting you kill anyone else." Sparks of light danced around Harry's fingers.

"I would like to know how you mastered wandless magic," Voldemort said. "That is something no wizard before you have managed. Not even I, in all my years, have mastered wandless magic. You are truly one of a kind Harry Potter. I give you one last chance. Join me. Together, we could rebuild the wizarding world greater than ever before. I could be the father you never had. Look around you, I've met you here without any of my followers. Just say the word, and you could be one of my honored servants."

"Right," Harry said. "And what's to stop you from stabbing me in the back."

Voldemort shook his head. "I could make a magically binding vow if you wish? We may not have always saw eye to eye, but I can respect you for fighting for what you believed in, but you must admit you have lost. All your friends are dead. More people join me every day. It's over."

"No," Harry said. "I know I'll die here. If you don't kill me, your followers will, but I'll never join you."

Harry gasped as a sudden pain shot through his stomach. Looking down, he saw the hilt of a dagger protruding from his midsection.

"Basilisk venom," Voldemort said casually. "There's no phoenix to save you this time and no mother to die for you. I was going to face you in one last duel, but you just had to destroy my horcruxes. Now you will die as you lived, alone."

Harry fell to his knees. As his vision faded, he gasped out one word. "Sorry."

He looked up as Voldemort approached. "Good-bye Harry. It looks like death is painful. I'm so glad I will never experience it."

With the last of his strength, Harry made a swiping motion with his hand. A thin whip of air left his fingers. The last thing he saw was Voldemort's shocked expression as his head went sailing into the trees.

"It's over," Harry whispered. "I finally did it. With one last shuddering breath, he knew no more.

**ACC**

Harry snapped awake, lying on a hard surface. Slowly, memories returned to him. He'd been in the forest facing Voldemort. He'd finally killed him only to die himself. Harry stood and looked around.

He appeared to be in an empty Kings cross station. Long benches lined the walls and a set of iron tracks led into the distance. What was this place? Looking down at himself, he realized he was naked. He probed the place Voldemort had stabbed him. There was no wound. He snorted.

"Of course, there's no wound," he muttered. "I'm dead." Somehow, he knew how to get clothes. He thought of a pair of plain black robes. Immediately, the robes appeared a few yards away along with a pair of shoes and socks.

As he approached the robes, Harry stopped. There were three objects lying next to the robes. A ring, a cloak, and a wand lay on the floor as if they'd just been dropped. Harry was sure they hadn't been there a few seconds ago. Hesitantly, he approached the robes and dressed before examining the objects that lay before him on the floor.

He recognized the cloak and ring instantly. The cloak had been his since his first year at Hogwarts, the ring was the same one he'd placed on his finger before his confrontation with Voldemort, but the wand…

Wrapping the cloak around him, Harry slid the ring back on his finger before picking up the wand. Raising it to eye level, he examined the legendary Death Stick for the first time.

The wand was a little over a foot long. The handle was formed by two conjoined spheres worn smooth as velvet by much handling. The shaft was plain and unadorned. All in all, the wand appeared wholly unremarkable, but as his fingers wrapped around the handle, Harry could feel the power flowing through the thin stick of wood.

The warmth flowed up his arm, wrapping around him like a warm blanket on a cold day. The ring on his right ring finger warmed along with the cloak across his shoulders. It was as if the three hallows were happy to be united at last.

Why was the wand here? Voldemort had become its master when he killed Malfoy. Even if he'd won its allegiance when he killed Voldemort, why would it have followed him here? Wherever here was. A soft whining sound drew his attention.

Turning towards the benches lining the walls, Harry approached the place where he'd heard the sound. Kneeling down, he looked under the bench and gasped.

What appeared to be a flayed human child lay underneath the bench. Looking closely, Harry saw that the face was snake-like with red eyes. The thing whined again and lifted its arms as if begging for help.

"There is no helping that poor damned creature," a soft musical voice said from behind him.

Harry turned to see a young woman barely older than him standing there. Long silver hair fell to her shoulders and green eyes stared at him as if she hadn't seen him in ages. Her pale white skin glowed faintly as if lit by an inner light.

"Are you an angel?" Harry whispered.

The woman laughed, her lips curving upward in a soft smile. "No," she said softly. Reaching out, she stroked his cheek. "I'm just someone who has waited centuries to see you again."

"Who…who are you?"

"Call me Argante."

Harry nodded. "Okay," he said. "What do you want with me?"

"Much, and yet very little," she said. "But first, we need some company."

Argante clicked her fingers. Harry turned where she was looking.

Harry's eyes widened as he saw two people he'd only seen in Photos before.

"Mum?" he whispered. "Dad?"

"We're so proud of you," Lily said walking closer to him.

"We couldn't have asked for a better son," James said.

Lily drew him into a hug. Pulling away, she stared into his eyes, cupping his face between her warm hands.

"There is so much we need to tell you."

"Yeah," James said. "And we want you to know, it doesn't change anything."

Harry stared at his parents. "What do you mean?"

"Sit," James said gesturing to one of the benches. Harry sat and Argante sat down beside him, taking one of his hands in hers. Harry noticed how soft her fingers were and how warm her hand was. A feeling of contentment washed over him. Somehow, he knew this strange woman loved him. She loved him more fiercely than he'd ever known in his short life.

"Harry," James said, gesturing at Argante. "We want you to meet your mother."

Harry turned to stare at the young woman beside him. "You, but that's impossible. You're…"

"Too young?" Argante asked, her green eyes sparkling with mischief.

Harry nodded.

"The fae don't age like mortals."

"But if you're my mother, wouldn't that make me a fairy?"

Argante's lips thinned. "We prefer fae. Fairy is an insult, not unlike calling a muggle-born a mudblood."

Harry winced. "Sorry." He thought for a moment. "That would explain how I learned to use wandless magic. After my wand was broken, I realized I didn't need it. I could use any spell I wanted, just by thinking of the incantation and waving my hand."

Argante smiled. "It looks like the curse wasn't able to change everything. I'm glad."

"Curse?"

"I'll explain that in a moment," Argante said.

"So, what does all of this mean? I mean I'm dead. So, not that I'm not happy to see you, but you guys are a little late."

Argante smiled bitterly. "Yes, we're truly sorry about that, but we couldn't get to you before now."

"If you're my mother, why was I with Lily and James." He glanced over at his parents. "No offense."

Lily smiled gently. "None taken," she said. "It is a legitimate question. You showed up on our doorstep on July 31, 1980. We'd been trying for a child for a while, and you were an answer to our prayers. We adopted you and you became the heir to the Potter family."

Harry looked at Argante. "Why?"

Argante winced. "You were my son, my only son. I intended to raise you on the outskirts of Elfame, away from the prying eyes of our family. Someone tried to assassinate you. After the second attempt, I knew I had to do something."

"What did you do?"

"I asked my father for help. He summoned the sea of time and sent you into the future. Time magic is dangerous even for the fae, but he was able to ensure your safety. I knew no one would risk going after you. You would be safe, even if it would be years before I saw you again. I intended to retrieve you when you appeared, but someone cast a curse that erased all knowledge of the fae from history. Reality itself was rewritten, locking the fae away and killing most of those that were on earth. What few that survived became house elves or were forced into Servitude like the goblins."

"But you never became a house elf and you're clearly not a goblin."

Argante shook her head. "I died when the curse was cast. My spirit clung to this place, hoping there would be a chance to repair the damage that was done some day."

"But what's done is done. I mean it's tragic, but the curse has ran its course hasn't it? Besides, the world is ruined. The wizarding population is decimated. I'm pretty sure the muggles know about us by this point."

Lily spoke up. "If something isn't done, the curse will cause reality itself to unravel. The world has another twenty years before the human race ceases to exist."

"No!" Harry said horrified.

"We're afraid so," James said.

"What…what happens?"

"First the good news. You did kill Voldemort. There are enough wizards left that the ministry is rebuilt, and everyone has a semblance of a normal life. Over the next decade or so, the wizarding population begins to recover. The ministry manages to mostly smooth over things with the muggles and things are stable, if not friendly."

"All of that sounds great," Harry said.

"Twenty years from now, the curse begins to cause magical fluctuations in space and time. The ministry calls this the calamity. To make a long story short, the muggles are tired of magical folk and their disasters, a war breaks out, and everyone dies horribly. Turns out, when magic and radiation mix, horrible things happen. The end of most life on earth for starters."

Harry swallowed thickly. "What do you mean most life?"

"The insects survive. Not only do they survive, but they thrive. A few humans survive for a while, but some insects like warm bodies to lay their eggs in."

Harry swallowed again. He felt as if he were gonna be sick. "How can you be so calm about this?"

"Because it hasn't happened yet," Argante said patiently. "Thanks to the objects that followed you here, we have a chance to stop the curse from being cast. If we do this, the world will reset. Lily and James may not die, I'll be able to retrieve you, and the fae will definitely be able to keep magic hidden from the mundane folk, preventing the war we just discussed."

"What's the catch?"

"Voldemort will still be a threat. We will need to find out who cast the curse in the first place and stop them from doing it again. If I had it my way, I'd take you into Elfame and let the world burn, but you have a hero complex. If you keep any memories of this life, you will want to be involved in stopping the world from going to hell in a handcart."

Harry nodded. "I would."

Argante nodded. "I'll make sure you are trained for what is coming then. We will stop whoever has caused all this trouble together. I'm not losing you again, that is, if you agree."

Harry shook his head. "I don't have a choice, do I?"

"You could choose to pass on," James said. "Listen, no matter what happens, we want you to know we regret nothing. We were proud to be your parents, even if we won't be in this new world."

"Thanks," Harry said.

Lily drew him into a hug. "I love you. I hope we can meet in the future and at least be friends."

James clapped him on the shoulder. "Good luck."

Harry turned to Argante. "How do we do this?"

"Focus on preventing the curse that covers the world from happening. The magic of the Hallows, combined with the magic of this place will do the rest."

Gripping the wand tightly, Harry focused on the curse. Almost instantly, he could see a shroud of darkness covering the world. He concentrated on dispelling the darkness.

The ring, cloak, and wand warmed. A blinding light shot into the darkness. Harry felt the ground drop out from under his feet. Before he could scream, everything went black.

**ACC**

July 15, 1967

Bellatrix Black stared down at the contract her father had written up.

"No," she said fiercely.

Cygnus glowered at her. "Excuse me?"

Bellatrix glared up at her father. "You heard me. I won't allow myself to be soled like a piece of meat.

Cygnus scowled. "This is all because of that friend of Druella's. She let you think you could be more than you are. Don't forget girl, you exist to bring honor to the Black family."

Bellatrix clenched her fists. "I still say no."

Cygnus reached for his wand but froze. A woman had appeared in the room with them. Her long silver hair moved as if blown by an invisible wind. She stared at Cygnus, her green eyes like to chips of jade.

"Cygnus," she said silkily. "Have you forgotten the debt your family owes my people?"

Cygnus glared at her. "The Black family owes the fair folk, not you."

Argante's lips turned up in an icy smile. "I am Granddaughter of the Dagda, the highking of the fae. Your debt was made with my family. From this day forward, Bellatrix, Andromeda, and Narcissa are free to choose their own paths."

"You can't interfere in the running of my family," Cygnus said leaping to his feet.

"Nothing in our agreement says otherwise. Our agreement with the Black family was just like the agreements we made with other pureblood families. We would take all the unwanted children and give you fae children in their place. Our agreement with King James I of England was that we would only interfere in the lives of those with fae blood. Your family has plenty of fae blood. We can step in any time we choose. If I find that your daughters have been harmed in any way, or forced to marry someone that will do them harm, I will return and take back all we have given your family with interest. Do I make myself clear?"

Cygnus's hand clenched into a fist. The fae blood had strengthened the Black family and kept them from producing squibs, but he knew he stood no chance against this woman. The stories said that she was the daughter of Merlin. He tended not to believe those stories, but she had just appeared in his study without triggering the words. No wizard could've done that. He knew he stood no chance against her.

"Why do you care. You hardly ever interfere in the affairs of wizards. Why is the welfare of my daughters worth your notice?"

Argante's icy smile softened. "I'm just laying the groundwork. That's what I've been doing every time I've come to see your daughters. I want them to avoid the mistakes of the past."

Cygnus blinked. "What are you babbling about?"

Argante shook her head. "It doesn't matter. Remember my words."

Before Cygnus could say a word, Argante had vanished.

**ACC**

Argante paced back and forth in the small cottage she had bought. She'd been waiting to retrieve her baby for nearly two hundred years. She'd watched as Voldemort attacked the wizarding world. Fae had joined both sides of the war.

This meant that there were fewer deaths on both sides due to the fae being able to protect their wizarding allies. She'd searched for the person that cast the curse, but with no luck.

Some things had remained the same, but others were very different. One thing of note was that Lily Evans had not started Hogwarts in 1960. Argante had searched for the girl the length and breadth of England, but with no luck. Fortunately, James Potter still existed and Argante had watched his family closely.

To her surprise, a strange girl named Siobhan Bones had started Hogwarts in 1971 and James had married her seven years later. Argante had examined her closely, but she was just a normal witch. She was the younger sister of Edgar Bones. Argante wasn't sure, but she didn't think the girl had existed before.

As the time for Harry's return approached, Argante contacted Bellatrix and asked her to keep her informed of any developments regarding children adopted into the Potter family.

When July 31, 1980, had come around, Bellatrix informed her that a child had been found on the steps of Potter manor. Unfortunately, a group of fae and Death Eaters had attacked her on her way there. By the time she'd dealt with them and healed from her injuries, Harry was with the Potters. This time, there was a key difference. The Potters had adopted him, but they'd performed no blood adoption ritual. Why? Was her boy not good enough to be part of the Potter family? True, this would make it far easier to retrieve him, but still.

Last night had been October 31, 1981. Just like last time, Voldemort had been defeated by Harry, his body had been reduced to a charred skeleton. No one had said it was her boy that had defeated him, but who else could generate a cold so intense it could burn someone's flesh from their bones.

A knock on the door drew her from her thoughts.

Argante raised her right hand, a ball of blue light hovering just above her palm. "Enter," she called.

The door swung open, revealing a tearful Siobhan Potter. Argante leapt to her feet when she saw the silver haired baby in the woman's arms.

"Mrs. Potter," she said barely restraining herself from grabbing Harry. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your company."

Siobhan wiped her eyes and brushed her blond hair away from her face. She shifted Harry to her other arm and pushed the door of the cottage closed. She stared at Argante, her piercing green eyes pleading. "Milady," she said. "I need your help. I'm asking a lot, but I have nowhere else to turn."

Argante gestured her to a seat and sat down across from her. "What seems to be the problem?" she asked carefully.

Siobhan hesitantly held out Harry to her. "I… I need you to take Harry."

Argante's heart leapt. "I'll be happy to, but may I ask why?"

Siobhan stared at the other woman. "You'd be happy to?"

"Of course," Argante said taking the sleeping baby from Susan's arms and rocking him gently. "He is my son, my only son after all."

Siobhan stared at Argante in shock. "Your son," she said, "But how… why…"

"To make a long story short, my father and I sent young Harry here through time and he ended up at your home. I went to retrieve him, but I was… detained. By the time I was ready to get him again, you and James had already adopted him."

Siobhan leaned back in her chair. "Harry… Harry defeated Voldemort."

Argante nodded. "I know."

"You do?"

"Only fae magic could do that to a person."

"James is afraid of him. We have a newborn daughter you see. James fears that he might hurt her if he could do that to a wizard like Voldemort. I talked to Bellatrix and Narcissa. Bellatrix said you were an acquaintance of the Black family. She said you would probably take him in."

Argante ran her fingers through Harry's hair. "I've done some work for the Black family over the centuries. With Harry being my son, I think it's safe to say I'll take him."

Siobhan hesitated. "You won't… you won't tell him we abandoned him or anything?"

Argante shook her head. "It's clear that you don't want to give him up. As for James… I don't like how he feels, but I can understand it."

"Will you keep me updated on Harry?"

Argante smiled. "Of course, I will."

Siobhan sighed in relief. She got to her feet and headed for the door. As she opened the door, she looked back at Argante.

"I'll look forward to your first letter."

Argante waved to her. "Count on it."

As the door closed behind Susan, Argante looked down at her son. "Harry," she murmured. "It is a good name. He can keep it, but the middle and last name have to go."

She kissed his forehead and leaned back in her chair. It was good to have her baby in her arms again. She snapped her fingers. "I've got it. "Harry Orion Emry's."

At the sound of his new name, Harry awoke. He looked up at her, smiling and gurgling happily.

"Hey," Argante whispered, her eyes filling with tears. "I'm your Mum and I've waited so long to hold you again."

As she prepared him a bottle of milk, Argante reflected that things hadn't gone as smooth as possible, but Harry was in her arms. She didn't know what the future of this new world would bring, but she would be right there with her son through it all.