"So, what now?" Sirius asked, not entirely expecting a response.

"How likely is it, you think, that we'd be able to track her down?" Remus asked in response.

Sirius and Barty both shook their heads. "Not very," Barty said. "If anyone can stay hidden it's her."

"And we're sure it's just her?" Remus enquired. "Neither Lestrange brother got out as well?"

Sirius snorted. "Not if she was the one planning, which I guarantee you she was."

Barty cleared his throat. "She didn't exactly care that much for either of them, so…"

"Got it," Remus said. "Alright, so anyone know if she's an animagus? That's how Sirius escaped in the other world, right? So could that be how she did it?"

"If she is she would have had to have managed it after getting to Azkaban, so I'm going to go with no," Barty answered.

"Harry?" Sirius said, turning towards the rather rage-filled wizard. "Thoughts?"

Harry tapped his foot and scowled at the floor for a moment before replying. "She's smart. And insane, and that's as dangerous a combination as you can get. Animagus is probably not likely, but we can't discount it entirely yet. Do we know if she has a wand?"

Luna shook her head. "If she got one off the guards the ministry isn't saying anything."

Harry muttered something disparaging about the minister and his bloodline.

Luna continued. "If she picked one up somewhere else they might know, but probably best to assume she has one at this point anyway."

They all nodded their agreement.

"Anything else the ministry isn't deigning to tell us?" Harry asked sarcastically.

"We could ask Lucius," Sirius offered. Harry raised an eyebrow at that. "I'm just saying, he's more likely to have heard something than we are."

"And what if she's not found?" All eyes turned towards Remus. "I'm not saying she won't be, or that we shouldn't try too, but like Harry said, this is too close a parallel to what happened in his world, except Bellatrix really is out to kill Ivy. So what if we don't find her? Is the ministry going to send dementors to Hogwarts? How are we going to protect Ivy, Neville, and the other children? What are we going to do about the ministry, or Fudge?"

"We need to bring in the others," Luna said, giving Harry a pointed look.

Harry sighed. "I know. I just… Yeah no, you're right. Alright, here's what we'll do. Barty, I'm going to tell Augusta everything." At the paling of Barty's face Harry held up a hand. "I don't have to tell her about you, but I think I need to tell her about me. About all of this. We need people on our side, and she hates Bellatrix as much as anyone."

Barty nodded and inhaled deeply. "You can tell her about me," he said softly.

"Are you sure?" Harry asked, staring down Barty for any sign of hesitancy, but Barty just nodded his head.

"I'm sure."

"Okay. We'll do that then. Sirius, you reach out to Lucius, ask him to keep an ear out at the ministry. Remus, you reach out to Snape, ask him to do the same at Hogwarts. Maybe we can prevent the whole ministry response disaster that happened before."

"You know, just because it resembles what happened before doesn't mean it has to end the same."

Harry glanced behind his shoulder at Luna and sighed. "I know. It's just… It'sBellatrix, you know? And why now? There wasn't a picture in the paper of someone she wanted to kill. There wasn't a visit by Fudge to her cell. She's had almost twelve years to escape, and she's just doing it now? And how did she even manage it? Has she been secretly planning it this entire time? And how many people has she already killed? How many more will she kill before they find her. Beforewefind her, because how much do you want to bet that the ministry doesn't stand a chance in hell if Fudge's grand plan is to send dementors to Hogwarts again."

"Sirius is safe," Luna said, placing her chin on his shoulder. "So is Tonks, so is Ivy, so am I."

"But what if you're not? What if I can't…"

"You will," she said. "You have. And don't forget that I survived a war, as did Sirius. We know how to handle ourselves. Tonks is an auror. Ivy will be at Hogwarts, and if anything happens you will be there in an instant."

Harry sighed and leaned back into her embrace. "I thought taking care of Voldemort would be enough."

"But it was never only about him, was it?"

July 23, 1993

"She's after me, isn't she." There was no question in Ivy's statement.

"It is likely," Luna replied. "Possibly Neville as well."

"But why? I mean, I do know why, it's just that…"

"Both of you were babies and couldn't possibly have actually done anything to her?" Harry said darkly.

Ivy nodded.

Harry rubbed a hand over his face. "I don't know, Ives. I don't know why the world seems determined to think Voldemort died because of something you did. I don't know why his followers hold you responsible for his disappearance."

"But you know why he came after us. After me."

Harry nodded. "There was a prophecy…"

"I think I'm going to apply for the defense position."

Ivy's face lit up. Harry and Remus both choked on their food. Luna and Barty both just nodded as if it were the most natural, logical statement in the world.

"I'm sorry, you what?"

"I'd like to apply for the defense position. I talked to Sabrina last night, and I don't actually have to live at the castle, but I'd be close enough should anything happen, and I would be able to keep an eye on the kids, and…"

"I think it's a great idea," Harry said. Sure, it had taken him by surprise, but it was a good idea.

Sirius breathed what appeared to be a sigh of relief. "Yes, well, good. I… good."

Ivy's face meanwhile had reached a grin of epic proportions. "This will be almost as good as having Remus there last year!"

Remus snorted and everyone laughed at Sirius's offended expression.

"Excuse you," he said, "it will bebetter."

Ivy made a thoughtful expression. "Well, I suppose if you try really hard to be a cool teacher, then maybe…"

"Done!" Sirius interjected.

"Still have to get the job, Black," Barty chimed in. Sirius very maturely stuck out his tongue.

"Now Barty just needs to become a professor and then I'll have had all of you," Ivy said, beaming.

"And what am I then?" Harry said, taking over for Sirius in the realm of mock offended.

"Oh, how did your interview go? The one in the States?"

"Hmm? Oh, good, good. Decided against it, though."

"Really? How come?"

"Harry, why would I leave when my family is all here?"

"We could all move?"

Remus just laughed. Harry had been entirely serious in his offer to move, but he was apparently the only one that was actually interested in doing so. Well, maybe he could convince them next year.

July 26, 1993

"Hello, Nymphadora," Sirius called out loudly as he strolled up to his cousin's desk.

"Don't. Call. Me. That."

Sirius grinned. "Now, is that any way to speak to your favorite cousin."

"What makes you think you're my favorite?"

"I'm everyone's favorite, Dora" he replied cheekily.

"The Prophet seems to disagree," his cousin retorted.

Sirius's eye twitched. "Will no one let that go?"

"Nope," she said, popping the "p."

"Fine, I won't call you Nymphadora if you don't mention that. Ever."

"Deal."

Hands were shaken, and the deal was struck.

"So what brings you all the way to the auror office? You haven't happened to have caught a glimpse of our least favorite deranged family member, have you?"

Sirius's face grew serious, and yes there was a pun in there, but sometimes it couldn't be helped and really it didn't need to be pointed out ever single time. But anyway, back to his point.

"No, but that's what I'm here about," he said, the graveness of his tone causing Dora to immediately straighten up and go into auror mode.

"What is it?"

Sirius kept eye contact with her for a moment. "I think she may come after you. You specifically," he said. "Possibly Andy and Ted as well, but I think you're likely to be higher on the list."

"What? Why?"

"Because you're her previously disowned sister's child? Because you're a half-blood who inherited the most coveted Black gift? Because you're an auror? Take your pick."

"So? None of those seem like a good enough reason to break out of Azkaban."

Sirius grimaced. "It's not, no, but you might still be a target. Just, perhaps more of a side target."

"Gee, thanks," she said sarcastically.

"I'm serious, Dora," he said with a bit of heat. "Do not underestimate her."

"Alright, I won't," she said with mild confusion. "Sirius, what is this really about? What do you know?"

"I can't tell you everything. Just know that I have good reason to suspect that if she gets a chance, or a chance tomakea chance, she will come after you."

"This is about Lord Peverell, isn't it."

"Dora…"

"No. This has something to do with him, I know it does."

"I cannot reveal another man's secrets," Sirius said firmly. "But I will do what I need to to keep my family safe."

"I want to speak with him."

"Dora…"

"I want to speak with him," she said again.

Sirius sighed but nodded. "Alright. Just know that he may not answer."

"Or he just might."

July 27, 1993

"Lord Peverell, I apologize for the intrusion, but might I come through and have a brief word?"

"Of course, Lucius. Come on over."

As the wizard stepped through the floo Harry's eyebrows shot up at the very familiar set of eyes following closely behind.

"Er, hello, Dobby."

It took roughly three full minutes for Harry to calm Dobby down sufficiently. Apparently the Dobby of this world was as big a fan of Henry Peverell as the Dobby of his old world had been a fan of Harry Potter.

"So, to what to I owe the pleasure?" Harry asked Lucius, once the adulations were over.

Lucius's eye wasn't twitching, but Harry thought it was a close thing. "Please, just take him," he pleaded.

"Sorry, what?"

"Oh, Dobby would be very pleased to serve Master Deathy, oh yes. Very pleased indeed."

"Alright. Well then…"

"Wonderful," Lucius interrupted. "I'll just be off then."

Without another word Lucius returned the way he had come, and Harry was left staring at an eager, wide-eyed Dobby.

"Right. So, would you like to be freed?"

Dobby's face immediately fell. "Master Deathy not bes wanting Dobby?"

Harry raced to reassure Dobby that no, he would love for Dobby to stay with them, it was just that he wasofferingto free Dobby, if that's what the elf wanted.

And then Dobby said no. Harry wasn't quite sure what to do at that point.

The reactions to Dobby were mixed. Ivy and Dobby began chatting like old friends, and Harry realized that she probably did know him already, with the amount of time she spent at the Malfoy's house. Luna just patted him on the head and said it was a pleasure to make his acquaintance, and the other wizards just looked on in mild confusion that mirrored Harry's earlier state. Winky told Dobby in no uncertain terms that he was to help her make sure the wizards all stayed healthy, elaborating different ways that he could do so. Harry's groans and Luna's laughs were not enough to drown out the sounds of Winky's explanations. Kreacher just told Dobby to stay out of the kitchen because there were "too many elves and wizards there already." Winky hardly ever went in the kitchen now, so Harry wasn't entirely sure what was up with that, but he let it slide. It probably wasn't important.

July 30, 1993

"Thank you for inviting us, Augusta. The party was great." Small. Only a few select friends. Exactly Harry's idea of a good party.

"Of course, dear. Now, what was it you wanted to talk to me about?"

"Could we go somewhere private? I have some things to tell you."

Augusta stared Harry down for a moment, before nodding. "Right this way," she said.

Harry caught Barty's eye and nodded. Sirius followed too a moment later.

If Augusta was surprised by the extra company she didn't show it. Instead, she offered them a seat and tea. "Now," she said, once everyone was situated, "I believe you had something to say to me, young man?"

To Barty's credit, he kept the shaking of his hands and body to a minimum. He was nervous, sure, but he was doing a decently good job of not showing it. Harry had reached the "I'm Ivy's doppelgänger from another universe" part when Augusta called one of her house elves for something stronger than tea, but that had been the only visible reaction she had given thus far.

"So your wife is from the same… universe as you? Anyone else?"

Harry shook his head and glanced at Barty. Alright. Moment of truth. Hopefully Harry liked him well enough to not let him die on Augusta Longbottom's sofa.

Well, Barty wasn't dead. He had performed no less than four wand oaths in an attempt to reassure the Dowager Lady Longbottom that they were telling the truth. That Barty was telling the truth, mostly. She seemed to believe Harry, for all the absurdity the truth carried with it at first hearing.

"And you truly played no part in the torture of my son and daughter-in-law?" She had asked this question six times already, phrased ever so slightly differently each time, but he wasn't about to point that out.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Very well," she said eventually, making Barty breathe out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding. "I trust then that you will be of assistance in making sure that murderous hag does not get anywhere near my grandson or Miss Potter."

Barty nodded fervently at her politely phrased demand and raised eyebrow. "Yes, ma'am," he said again.

"Good," she said sharply. "Now then," she continued, her tone softening. "What is this I hear about Sirius applying to Hogwarts? I must say I am quite fond of the idea myself."

Barty willed his heart beat to go down and his breathing to even. That had gone far better than he had been anticipating.