Chapter 1

Harry awoke in his bed and stretched. Rolling over, he glanced up at the clock on the wall. It was just after seven in the morning. Pushing the covers off, the cool air made goosebumps rise on his skin. Hurriedly, he leapt out of bed and dressed himself in a pair of jeans and a long sleeved shirt.

"Harry," his Mum called. "Are you awake?"

"Yeah," Harry called back.

"Well, come and have breakfast. We've got training to do."

Harry looked around his room. It was smaller than the one he'd had at the Dursleys in his old life. It was barely big enough for a desk, a bed, and a moderately sized closet to hang his clothes. However, this home was far better than anything he'd experienced before.

He still remembered his old life, but the memories were faded, like a photo blurred with time. It was like the events of his past had happened to someone else.

He smiled at a picture of his mother sitting on the desk. He couldn't have asked for a better mother. Argante was patient, fair, but strict. When she told him not to do something, she usually had a good reason for it.

As soon as he was old enough, Argante began training him in magic. He'd been surprised how easy it was to tap into his magic. It was just like flexing his fingers or blinking his eyes. His magic was a part of him waiting to be used. He frowned as he glanced at the window.

The only thing he missed about his old life was his friends. Argante had tried to arrange playdates with Siobhan, but there'd been no response to her letters. Harry often wondered if Siobhan had changed her mind and didn't want to know about him.

"Harry," Argante called. "Breakfast is almost ready. Do I need to bring water in there again?"

Harry winced. Getting woken by cold water was not a pleasant start to the day.

Harry finished getting dressed and hurried into the kitchen.

Argante looked up from the stove where she was frying bacon. "Good morning, Luv," she said walking over and kissing his forehead. "Sleep well?"

Harry nodded. Glancing over at the paper, he noticed the date.

"November 5, 1987."

"Very good," Argante said smiling. "I see you've been practicing."

"Mum, I'm seven. If I didn't know how to read, I'd be way behind."

Argante laughed as she sat plates of bacon, fried eggs, fried tomatoes, baked beans, and toast on the table. She gestured to the food. "Sit, eat while it's hot. We have more training to do today."

"More magic?"

"Yep, I think you've got illusions and glamour down. Today, we'll start working on transformation."

"Wizards call it transfiguration."

"Wizards also call telephones, Pheletones. Just because they call something by a name, doesn't mean it's the only name or even the correct name."

Harry grinned. He loved hearing his Mum talk like this. She never said anything bad about wizards or their culture, but as now, she pointed out that the fae and wizards were different. At that thought, Harry looked up at his mother.

"Mum?"

Argante smiled. Even after seven years of raising her son, she still never got tired of him calling her that. "Yes luv?"

"You know I have memories from my past life, right?"

Argante nodded. "Yes," she said slowly.

"Well, I remember one of my friends, Hermione. She always pointed out things she saw wrong with the wizarding world. You've lived in the wizarding world for almost two hundred years, and you haven't said a negative thing about wizards. Why is that?"

"Because the mortal world is a different culture. I hate what the mortals have done, but our people chose to leave this world centuries ago. Before we can change anything, we must try and understand the culture we are a part of. Perhaps, there is a reason they think the way they do. No one wins an argument through arguing. You must try and understand the other party before you can discuss a subject. Once you begin to argue, nothing gets done."

"So, you are saying Voldemort may be right in his persecution of the Muggle-born?" Harry asked curiously. He shuddered as images of the burned-out husk of Hogwarts filled his mind.

"I'm saying there are extremists on both sides. I've lived in this world and seen much. With the breaking of the curse, I didn't have to hide. Voldemort's followers are racists and bigots of the highest order.

However, the Ministry of magic wants to outlaw the very spells and charms that can help a person defend themselves. A society without the means to protect themselves, is a society doomed to fall."

Harry gazed at his mother. "You are saying the dark arts aren't evil?"

"I'm saying not all the spells classified as dark are evil. The three unforgivable curses were once used as healing spells. When the killing curse is cast on a deceased person, there is a chance it will restart a person's heart. The cruciartus curse can be used to restore feeling to damaged nerves. Lastly, the imperius curse can be used to save a person's life if they panic."

Harry nodded. He hadn't considered these things in his previous life. "So, what is a truly dark curse."

"Fiend fire," Argante said. "That fire is difficult to control and can burn through anything. There is no practical application for fiend fire. Also, dark cutting curses that can't be healed and rotting curses are dark curses."

"So, any spell that has no practical application is dark?"

"Any curse that can do nothing, but cause harm and destruction is dark. That doesn't mean a person doesn't need to learn about them. If we don't learn about them, we cannot protect ourselves from them."

Harry decided to change the subject. His Mum had given him a lot to think about. "Did you ever miss Elfame?"

"Quite a lot. The mortal world is full of cold iron and avoiding it was tricky, but I knew you would show up in the mortal world, so here is where I came."

"So, why are we still here? I mean why not go back to Elfame and stay until my time to go to Hogwarts."

"Because the person that cast the curse was in the mortal world or at least in the wizarding world. You need a working knowledge of this world and more knowledge of why things are the way they are if we are to find them. This will be different than your earlier life. Not all wizarding traditions are backwards."

Harry focused on a single word. "We?"

"Do I look like Dumbledore? I'm not letting you go through this alone. You may have the memories of your past life, but you are not that person."

Harry took one last bite of egg before carrying his plate to the sink.

"Thanks for the food."

"You're welcome," Argante said. "I'll meet you in the garden."

As he walked to the door, Harry looked around his home. It was made up of only five rooms. There was a small bathroom, two bedrooms, a kitchen and a den where he and his mother read in the evenings.

He chuckled to himself as he stepped out the door. It may not be as large as the Weasley's home or as nice as the Dursley home, but this was his home, and he wouldn't trade it for the world.

**ACC**

Harry sat down in the garden and watched as his mother took a seat across from him.

"Right," she said. "What do you remember from your past life as a wizard?"

"Well, the first-year spells are the clearest."

"Good," Argante said handing him a match. "Can you change this into a silver needle?"

Harry looked down at the match. The wood was green and fresh, still full of life and vitality. "How…"

Argante held up a hand. "I'll explain later. Change the match first."

Shrugging, Harry cupped the match in his hands. Calling up his magic was second nature to him now. Concentrating, he visualized the silver needle. He could feel the cold of the silver. He pictured the razor-sharp point against his skin.

He felt warmth flow through him before it centered in his hands. The match shifted. Harry felt the cool silver of the needle on his skin.

"Very good," Argante said taking the needle from his hand. "Tell me, how long do you think this transformation will last?"

"A few hours?"

Argante shook her head. "No, unless reversed, this transformation is permanent. Now, take this." She handed him a glass tube. "Change this into a snake."

Harry took the tube. He visualized a small garter snake. He felt the warmth of his magic, but nothing happened. "I can't."

"No," Argante said. "That is the limit of our magic. "We cannot change something that isn't alive into something that is living. Wizardry can create a false life, but fae magic cannot do that."

"That's what you meant by more potent. Our transformation has no time limit, but we can't change a button into a beetle."

"Correct," Argante said. "If that button was made of plastic or metal, we cannot give life to it. However, there is a work around." Taking the tube back, Argante sliced her finger with a fingernail and filled the tube with a few drops of blood. "Now try."

Harry took the glass tube and concentrated on the image of a snake. This time, the glass shifted and writhed, becoming a small green snake."

Harry blinked. "How did that work?"

"Blood is alive. It is part of an organic material. If the objects have something that is alive or once was alive, we can extend the changes to that object."

"Seems complicated."

"Not once you get the hang of it." Argante pulled out a handful of wooden buttons. "Come on, let's see how much you remember."

**ACC**

Harry was pleasantly surprised at how much of his old knowledge had remained. He may not be the same Harry he was before, but he appeared to have kept the knowledge of his earlier education.

"Good," Argante said as a beetle scurried off into the grass around them. "That was the last one. I'm very impressed. It seems that Hogwarts wasn't a total waste of your time after all."

Harry looked down at the ground. "I could've done better. I should've done better."

"It is true you should've put more effort into your education, but you didn't have anyone to encourage you either, so I'm willing to let it slide."

Harry smiled. "So, no skiving off homework this time around?"

"No."

They were interrupted by a soft voice.

"Harry?"

Harry turned to see a girl with long dirty blond hair staring at him. Her silver eyes were wide with shock and a single tear rolled down her cheek.

She looked familiar. With a jolt, Harry realized who she looked like. It couldn't be luna, could it? Even if it was, she wouldn't recognize him, would she?"

"Luna?"

"Yes," the girl said, her voice quavering. "It's me Harry. It's Luna Lovegood. I remember you. I remember everything."

**ACC**

Argante led them into the kitchen and sat them down at the table. Harry didn't take his eyes off of Luna as his Mum hurried to the stove. The girl stared around curiously. Harry knew his old friend would be taking everything in. She was like Hermione in some ways, but where Hermione thirsted for knowledge and did whatever she had to do to gain that knowledge; Luna was just happy to see something new.

"I can feel the magic in this place. It's old."

Argante hurried back to the table carrying a pot of tea and a plate of cookies. "I offer these with no expectation of recompense," she said formally."

Luna blinked. "Ah," she said. "Of course. You are fae now. Thank you."

Argante nodded. "You're welcome."

Luna took a bite of a cookie, still not taking her eyes off Harry. "You look different, but I knew it was you."

Harry glanced at the mirror hanging on the wall of the kitchen. He had a narrow face with high cheekbones, neat silver hair, and bright blue green eyes.

"I don't look like I did before that's for sure, but how did you recognize me?"

Luna giggled. "You and the others were my only friends for a long time. I'd recognize you anywhere."

"But how did you get here?" Argante asked. "When the curse was broken, the world reset. Most of Harry's friends from his past life won't remember anything."

Luna looked away. "I don't know how I got here. I remember seeing a flash of green light and I was playing with Lily in the garden." She beamed. "I'm so glad her parents are so open minded."

"Lily?"

"Lily Marie Evans. She's my best friend. She looks like those pictures of your Mum you had in our old life."

"Wait?" Argante said. "Lily is here. She's alive?"

Luna nodded. "Yeah, why are you so surprised?"

Argante had a relieved smile on her face. "I thought she'd been erased from existence. She must have been born later this time. Have you met her parents?"

"Her mother is very nice," Luna said. "She's taught me about televisions, video tapes, and telephones. I think her parents were just relieved to know Lily wasn't possessed or something."

"So, Lily is, okay?" Harry asked.

"Yes, her father was a bit hesitant at first, but he came around."

Harry took Luna's small delicate hand across the table. "You're happy?"

Luna smiled. "Oh yes, I don't see Daddy that much, but Mummy takes good care of me. The best part is she's not doing spell craft this time around. She's a healer, so she won't be in a lab that explodes."

Harry winced. He'd forgotten how blunt she could be.

"And your memories? They don't bother you?"

"I'm not the same as I was. I'm a different person. When my memories started coming back, I was afraid, but now it's easy to look at things objectively."

Harry nodded. "Mine kicked in when I was three. If Mum hadn't been there… How did you deal with it? Who did you confide in?"

Luna shrugged. "Lily was a good listener." She smiled. "She was really interested to learn about you."

"How much did you tell her?"

"I just told her that you were a boy I knew before. I thought telling her that she was a person who adopted you and then died protecting you might be a bit much."

Harry winced at Luna's blunt response. "That was probably a good idea."

Argante frowned. "This is all nice, but we still need to figure out how you got here."

"Why?"

"To make sure no one else will remember."

"I don't think that'll be a problem," Merlin said appearing beside the table. "Hey cookies, I'm starving."

Merlin grabbed a cookie and conjured a cup of tea and a chair with a wave of his hand.

"Dad" Argante asked. "I haven't seen you in over a century and a half. Where have you been?"

"Around," Merlin said his mouth full of cookie. He glanced at Harry. "Good job fixing the world, being stuck outside time and space is no fun at all. Once you've been with one eldritch abomination, you've been with all of them."

Luna smiled innocently. "Were you the lady or the man?"

Merlin swallowed the cookie. "I'd rather not talk about it," he said dusting his hands off and grabbing another cookie. "Let's just say it wasn't near as fun as that year I spent with those dryads."

"Dad!" Argante glared. "They're seven."

"Never too early to learn of the joys of life. Besides, they have memories of a past life, so are they really still children?"

"Yes well, not everyone enjoys sleeping with everything that will have them."

Merlin finished his second cookie. "No one will replace your mother, no matter how much fur or scales they have. Anyway, Luna here was probably the only person to make the trip besides Harry of course."

"Probably?" Harry asked.

"Luna was special. She's not a seer, but she's… unique."

Luna blushed. "I'm not that special."

Merlin winked. "And that's the most special thing about you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a dragon." He vanished.

Harry stared at his mother. "So, that was Merlin?"

"Yep."

"The Merlin?"

"Yep."

"My Grandfather Merlin?"

"Yep."

"He's a bit odd."

"Great mage, poor choice in partners. I'm really glad Morgana taught me most of what I know. After my Mum died, he was never really the same."

"Was he kidding about the dragon thing?"

"No."

"But he's human, or at least human shaped," Luna said. "How could he have a relationship with a dragon."

Argante gave the girl a pained smile. "I'll explain when you're older."

"She tells me that too," Harry grumbled.

Luna gulped. "I can wait."

**ACC**

Argante decided to take Luna home so her mother wouldn't worry. To her and Harry's great surprise, Luna lived in Ottery ST. Catchpole, but the house was different.

"Woe," Harry said. "Your house looked like a giant chess piece before."

Luna smiled at the blue two-story house. "Daddy isn't quite as… eccentric as before."

Before Harry could respond, the door of the house swung open.

"Luna," a girl with long red hair and bright green eyes rushed out of the house. "Aunt Pandora has been worried sick. You are gonna be in so much trouble. Why'd you go and wander off like that?"

"I found Harry."

At that simple statement, the girl stopped and turned to stare at Harry.

"Oh," she said breathlessly. "So, you are Harry." She grinned. "You look nothing like Luna described. You're even cuter."

Harry felt himself blushing. "T-thanks," he murmured.

He stared at the girl. She looked different from how he imagined. She was very skinny, and her hair fell to the center of her back. Her alman shaped green eyes sparkled with amusement and her smile revealed even white teeth. He cleared his throat.

"Luna has told me a lot about you."

Before Lily could say anything, the door swung open again.

"Luna," a woman hurried out of the house. "Where'd you wander off…" She froze when she saw Argante and Harry. In a flash, she held a tall staff. A silver sphere mounted on the top of the staff burned with blue fire.

"Who are you? What are you doing with my daughter?"

"We were just bringing her home," Argante said carefully. "How about putting the glowing staff away before the mundane folk see."

The woman frowned. "Only magical folk can see this staff for what it is. Who are you two?"

"May we come inside," Argante asked. "This could take a bit of explaining."

The woman hesitated.

"I swear on my power that I nor my son mean you any harm," Argante said quickly.

There was a flash of light as the oath took effect.

"Very well," the woman said. She took the two girls by the hand. "Come along you two."

**ACC**

"Nice place you got here…"

"Lovegood," the woman said stiffly. "Pandora Lovegood."

"Ms. Lovegood then," Argante said calmly. "Your daughter came to find us. We mean you nor your family no harm."

"What kind of which are you? I can sense your magic, but it's… different… wilder than anything I've felt before."

"My son and I are fae."

"Ah," Pandora said nodding. "I see. "That makes more sense. I've never seen full blooded fae before. They usually keep their children away from Hogwarts."

"Not me," Argante said. "My son will be attending Hogwarts in a little over four years."

Pandora arched a single eyebrow. "Why?"

"That is between my son and I."

Pandora nodded. "Fair enough. What do you want with my daughter."

"Nothing," Argante said. "She was just happy to see Harry."

Pandora tapped her chin with one finger, a thoughtful expression on her face. "Does this have anything to do with Luna's strange memories?"

Luna turned to stare at her mother. "Mummy?"

"Come now, Moonbeam, you didn't think I wouldn't notice? You talk in your sleep, and I do check on you at night." Pandora smiled at her reassuringly. "Regardless of where you came from, you are my daughter, and nothing will ever change that. Do you understand me?"

Luna nodded, her lip quivering.

Pandora drew her into a hug. Still holding her, she turned to Argante. "Well?"

"We didn't even know about her until today. My son, Harry, is in the same boat. He has memories of an earlier existence."

"So, reincarnation is real?"

Argante shrugged. "I don't believe so. Whether it is or not, this is not reincarnation. It's more complicated than that."

"Can you explain?"

"It's a long story."

"I have time and it looks like my daughter will be involved. My husband won't be home for a few days."

Argante turned to Harry. "I'll need your help."

Harry nodded, looking far more serious than any seven-year-old should.

"I suppose it starts on June 21, 1800."

**ACC**

An hour later, Argante and Harry had told their entire story. When they were done, Pandora was frowning.

"How much have you dealt with the wizarding world since this curse was broken."

"Not much since I got Harry back," Argante said. "We don't need to. I've taken a job at an inn in the village, and it pays enough for our needs. I did a lot in the wizarding world before I got Harry, but I mostly stayed out of the limelight."

Pandora turned to Harry. "What you've described about the treatment of the Muggle-born is similar to this world. There is some discrimination, but nothing too bad. It's not any worse than the fae and other magical creatures are treated. That is to say, you have racists and bigots in every society, but it is far from the norm. Voldemort caused a lot of problems, but things have quieted down since he fell. His supporters are still around, but things are quiet for the moment. I can tell you that no one has died at Hogwarts in the past fifty years. Dumbledore kept Voldemort's followers far away from the school."

"That's… good?" Harry said glancing at Luna.

"We can be sure that history has changed at least," Argante said. "Bellatrix was never a Death Eater. As a matter-of-fact, she fought against them. Remus Lupin was never bitten by a werewolf and now works for the department of mysteries."

"What about Grindelwald?" Harry asked.

Pandora shook her head. "Grindelwald joined with Hitler in WWII. Dumbledore and an army of like-minded individuals, both human and otherwise, fought against him. According to the History books, Grindelwald was taken by a faery knight. They don't say what happened to him, but rumor is he was taken to Elfame."

"Why'd they take him to Elfame?"

Pandora frowned before her expression cleared. "Grindelwald's mother was a redcap. The fae claimed him as one of their own, so they could try him for his crimes. He killed many fae as well as wizards during the war." She shuddered. "There are whispers about his punishment. They say what they did to him was worse than death."

Argante nodded. "Well, you've certainly given us enough to think about." She turned to Harry. "Come on, it's time to go home."

"Can I see you again?" Luna asked.

Harry smiled, and just like that, he was a child again. "Of course, you and Lily. It'll be nice to have kids my own age to play with."

Pandora smiled at Harry. "You and your Mum are welcome here anytime." She turned to Argante. "I am sorry about the rough start."

Argante waved a hand. "No harm done. I'd have reacted the same way if I were you."

Pandora's staff was suddenly in her hand. Raising the staff to point at the ceiling, she spoke in a formal tone.

"I, Pandora McNeil Lovegood, swear on my life and magic that I will keep everything we have spoken about today a secret so mote it be."

There was a flash of light. When it cleared, Argante nodded gratefully. "Thank you."

As Harry and Argante stepped out the door, Harry looked back at Luna and grinned. Maybe living in this new world wouldn't be so bad after all.

A/N

I own nothing.

Please remember that this is a story, and the views may not be my own, but the views of the characters. I write this because of how divisive and argumentative people have become.

Any paring suggestions will be welcome. I guarantee this is a different story than most on this sight, so literally any character can show up.