Poor Decisions
Summary: One decision can change your life. In the case of Harry Potter, two decisions changed the future for the entire world. In a twist of fate, Harry gets to change those decisions.; AU starts after book seven. (Harry P., Hermione G.)
Harry sat at his favorite haunt, a little wizard tavern not far from work, and nursed a fire whiskey. He thought back on his life; back to his days as a student at Hogwarts. Most would consider those days of living in constant danger and facing the most evil Dark Lord in history as days to forget, but to Harry they were the best days of his life.
Not to be misunderstood, Harry loved his three children dearly. They were the light of his life, but after Ginny's passing he found it hard to enjoy the simple moments. St. Mungos had concluded that the extended possession and near death in her second year had shortened her life expectancy considerably. Harry blamed himself for her death and his children losing their mother just as Lily started her first year at Hogwarts. He took another sip and sighed as he thought of how Lily would be graduating this year.
Ron seemed to take Ginny's death as Harry letting the family down. After verbally bashing Harry at the funeral, Ron had refused to speak to him since. Harry could not blame him as he felt the same way. Normally, Hermione would come fetch him at the tavern and send him home, but only a few short months ago she had divorced Ron for abuse and moved to France. While no one was shocked by the accusations, everyone but Harry was shocked by her immediate departure.
With James and Albus off pursuing their careers and Lily at Hogwarts, Harry was for the first time truly alone. As with what happens after a long hard fought war that saw many tragedies, most of Harry's mates from school had moved away to start anew. Ginny, Hermione, and Ron were all he had left and making new friends was a very complicated task. To ever remarry or even date after Ginny's death was an impossible idea, though many had suggested it including Arthur Weasley. Harry just could not trust anyone that did not know him before he was the Chosen One. Since Ginny passed, many witches had attempted to pursue him, but he would have none of it.
Harry shoved the glass away then requested help flooing to his flat. The bartender happily obliged his most famous customer and helped Harry safely home. Harry slumped in front of the fireplace as Winky came hurriedly to assist her master. She took his boots and cloak to the closet and went upstairs to prepare his bed. Staring into the crackling fire alight inside the grate, Harry contemplated what was next for the Chosen One. 'If only he could do it over', thought Harry sadly.
"Interesting thought." said a voice from behind Harry.
Harry stood and spun around so fast that he nearly fell down; the fire whiskey taking its toll. He pulled out his wand and looked around. There, Harry saw the strangest creature he had ever seen. It looked to be half man, half goat and was holding some type of flute.
"Who are... what are you?" asked Harry in disbelief.
"Barberini Faun, at your service." said the half human creature.
"How did you get in here?" asked Harry.
"Through the window." replied Barberini.
"But this flat is surrounded by protective wards." said Harry, shaking his head slightly.
"Oh yes, I did feel the magic as I entered." said Barberini. "Your magic is quite strong."
Harry was growing tired of the small talk. He wanted answers and he wanted them now.
"What do you want?" growled Harry.
"Guess I should have requested an audience with the Chosen One before I popped in, aye?" retorted Barberini. "You know, you had potential Harry Potter. I remember telling Ronan that when you first came to Hogwarts."
Ronan was a name that Harry had not heard in decades. He was one of the centaurs that he had met in his first year at Hogwarts in the Forbidden Forest. Ronan had later rallied the centaurs to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts.
"You were in the Forbidden Forest?" asked Harry in a startled tone.
"Just for a visit." replied Barberini. "I travel quite a bit. Me and Hagrid use to have many a good time catching up when I would stop to visit the centaurs."
"You knew Hagrid too?" asked Harry in further disbelief.
"He – took – care – of – magical – creatures – aka – my – friends." replied Barberini as though he was speaking to someone very dense. "Of course I knew him. I was there to see what was happening to the unicorn population when I saw you. Sense then, I've kept up with your life too and let me tell you it hasn't been all that pretty."
"You're telling me about it?" retorted Harry harshly, not overlooking the fact that this being had been watching him for most of his life.
"Hey from your point of view, life is life." said Barberini. "From others, there are successful lives and then there are disappointments. Never a failure, but disappointments."
Seeing that this being held no real threat to him and he was still too intoxicated to do anything about it, Harry turned his chair around and took a seat.
"Can I offer you a chair or something to eat?" asked Harry.
"I like to sit on the floor and I just ate before I came." replied Barberini, as he sat down on the floor. "Besides, your house-elf is busy."
"Is there something you need from me, Mr. Faun?" asked Harry.
"Call me Barberini, and yes there is. This world you created stinks and I want you to change it."
"How can I change the world?" asked Harry. "Don't you think I would if I could?"
"Actually, I don't think you would." replied Barberini. "At least not this version of you. Now, the eleven year old version would move mountains if it was possible."
Harry could only nod in agreement. Barberini was right, the eleven year old Harry Potter was ready to take on any task, no matter the size, if it meant helping others. Unfortunately, all that had been slowly zapped from him over the decades.
"So what do you propose I do?" asked Harry smiling. "Go back in time?"
"Physically? No. It's just too messy." replied Barberini. "But your soul can travel just nicely."
"What?" asked Harry. "The soul doesn't leave your body unless you die."
"You fought a wizard that made horcruxes, but you didn't take any notes." said Barberini shaking his head. "How sad."
"I'm not going to kill anyone to split my soul!" shouted Harry.
"Not suggesting that either." said Barberini calmly. "But the soul can be removed from the body and placed somewhere else without heading to the next great adventure. In this case, say the eleven year old form of Harry Potter? Before you argue, you will retain all your memories. They will guide you through your life all over again. You know where the changes need to be made if you trust yourself completely. I will be there with you and you will be able to summon me simply by calling my name, however you cannot ask me to change the future. That, Harry Potter, will be up to you."
Harry sat back into his chair, thinking very hard. The idea of going back and starting all over again sounded great and horrible all at the same time. To relive his horrors and his happiest days was a vortex of emotion.
"What do you say, Harry Potter?" asked Barberini. "I can make it happen and it will be completely painless."
"What about my children?" asked Harry.
"They came from your loins once, they will do so again." replied Barberini. "Of course the mother does have something to say about traits and looks, but they'll still be yours."
Harry pondered for a moment on the idea that he might actually marry someone other than Ginny, but that was absurd. He looked around the flat, sighed, then nodded.
"Let's do this." said the intoxicated mind of Harry Potter.
Barberini smiled as he placed his flute to his lips. "You will fall asleep as I play. Concentrate on where you wish to begin again and you will be transported there. At first you will feel as though it is a dream, but it is not. Farewell, age-ed Harry Potter and I will see you when you're young again. Call my name and I'll be there."
Barberini began to place his flute and immediately Harry started to fall asleep. He concentrated on where it all began; where it all went wrong.
Harry awoke and blinked rapidly as his surroundings came into focus. He was standing in Kings Cross Station on Platform nine and three quarters, looking at steam rolling out of the scarlet engine he loved so dearly as a child. All around him the sounds of people chatting, owls hooting, cats meowing, and trunks scraping across the ground assaulted his ears. The smells of sulfur, wood, and something he never could quite distinguish in all his years drifted into his nose like an alluring aroma.
Parents were helping their children aboard, kissing them goodbye, or hugging them relentlessly as though they never wanted to let go. It brought back many wonderful memories of the times he hugged and kissed on his own three children as he sent them off to Hogwarts. It was always mixed with apprehension and a longing to go with them. Now, he got to go again and no matter the dangers that lay ahead, he knew what must be done right this time round.
"Hello?" said an incredibly familiar voice. "Excuse me, but are you okay?"
Harry turned to see the bushy brown hair of his very best mate, Hermione Granger. He had to fight off the urge to hug her.
"Uh, yeah." replied Harry. "I was just taking in the... well... everything."
"Your first year?" asked Hermione, and Harry nodded. "Good. Mine too. Well, we'd better hurry. The train leaves at eleven o'clock and it's two minutes till."
Harry smiled as he remembered just how fast Hermione talked and how bossy she was when they first met. Hermione, not understanding what was behind the smile, returned it while blushing slightly.
"Well come on," continued Hermione "and don't forget your trolley."
Harry looked behind him and saw a sight that almost made him cry. Hedwig was sitting in her cage atop his trunk on a trolley. Harry gripped his trolley and whispered, "Hello girl", as he spun it around and headed for the train cars. Like before, the twins assisted him in loading his trunk onto the train. Unlike before, he and Hermione boarded the Hogwarts Express together.
"By the way, my name is Hermione Granger." she said, extending her hand.
"Hi, I'm Harry Potter." he replied, shaking her hand and smiling at the shocked expression on her face.
"Really?" asked Hermione in disbelief. "I read somewhere that you might be attending this year."
"Read?" repeated Harry while trying to act shocked.
"Oh yes, don't you know, there are several books that mention you and the fall of You-Know-Who." replied Hermione matter-of-factly.
"You-Know-Who?" repeated Harry, playing with Hermione. "Oh, you mean Lord Voldemort."
Hermione blinked rapidly at him as she slid open a compartment and there sat Neville Longbottom with a death grip on Trevor the toad. Harry could not help but smile even broader at the sight of his heroic friend.
"Excuse me, but may we join you?" asked Hermione stiffly, recovering from what Harry had said.
Neville did not answer, but merely nodded while staring at Trevor. Hermione and Harry took a seat across from Neville then shut the compartment door.
"Hello, I'm Hermione Granger." she said, extending her hand to Neville.
"H-Hi, I'm N-Neville Longbottom." stammered Neville as he shook her hand.
"Hello, Neville Longbottom. I'm Harry Potter." said Harry, extending his hand.
Neville was so shocked that he dropped Trevor the toad who made his bid for freedom. Neville didn't even attempt to recapture his fleeing frog, but just stared at Harry.
"My Gran has told me all about you!" exclaimed Neville. "Blimey, I thought she was putting me on when she said you might be in my year."
The train whistle sounded and with a jolt, the train slowly began to leave Kings Cross Station.
"Oh I can't believe we're really going! It will be so much fun; they're be so much to learn. I've read everything I can find about Hogwarts and I've already read through our entire subject line and Harry Potter stop looking at me like that!" said Hermione very fast and blushing again at Harry's gaze.
"Sorry." said Harry. "I've just never seen anyone else ever get so excited over school."
"Well I'm truly surprised that you're not already up to speed on everything. The books I've read about you indicate that you will be a very good student and –" continued Hermione, but Harry cut her off.
"All those things you've read about me aren't true." he said. "The only thing that is true is that I survived Voldemort's Killing curse and he murdered my parents."
Neville shuttered at the sound of Voldemort's name and stared at Harry as though he was a fire breathing dragon. Harry smiled at his old true friend and was about to say something when the compartment door slid open. In walked a gangly looking red head with freckles and dirt on his nose. Harry suddenly had the urge to leap in front of Hermione to protect her from him. His thoughts must have shown on his face as Ron took a step back from Harry before speaking.
"Uh, can I join you three?" asked Ron. "The other compartments are full."
Harry's mind raced back through old memories. This was almost the exact same thing Ron had said to him all those years ago or last time or whatever it was, yet if Harry was in here with Neville and Hermione, the compartment he rode in the first time was empty or at the very most lightly inhabited. 'Why did he lie? Was it just a ploy to sit with him?' pondered Harry.
"Oh sure." replied Hermione before Harry could say anything.
"Hi. My name's Ron Weasley." said Ron as he took a seat next to Neville.
"Hello. I'm Hermione Granger." said Hermione.
"H-Hello. I'm Neville Longbottom." said Neville while shaking Ron's hand.
Ron looked at Harry who still hadn't spoken to him since he had entered the compartment. Sensing the need to be friendly, Harry responded in the friendliest tone he could muster.
"Hello Ron Weasley. I would introduce myself, however you already know who I am." said Harry smiling.
"Uh... I do?" retorted Ron.
"Your brothers told, you, your mother, and your sister who I am." replied Harry, staring Ron in the eyes.
"How the bloody hell do you know that?" asked Ron, not realizing what he had confessed.
"Because I'm Harry Potter." said Harry coolly, making Ron's eyes go wide and his complexion pale. "Besides, I saw your brothers walk over to your family as I boarded the train and they asked me if I was me."
Hermione and Neville stared at Harry in awe.
"Think you're brilliant, don't you." retorted Ron, his ears turning red; always a sign of his rising temper.
Before Harry could answer, the compartment door slid open again and three boys stepped inside. It was the eleven year old versions of Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle.
"Is it true?" asked Draco. "They're saying all down the train that Harry Potter's in this compartment. So it's you, is it?"
"News travels fast on this train." said Harry. "Who are you and what can I do for you?"
"My name's Malfoy, Draco Malfoy." said Draco proudly. "Oh, this is Crabbe and this is Goyle," said Draco carelessly, jerking at thumb at the two large boys.
Ron gave a slight cough, which might have been hiding a snigger. Draco looked at him, his nostrils flaring slightly.
"Think my name's funny, do you? No need to ask who you are. My father told me all the Weasleys have red hair, freckles, and more children than they can afford." He turned back to Harry. "You'll soon find out some wizarding families are much better than others, Potter. You don't want to go making friends with the wrong sort. I can help you there."
He held out his hand to shake Harry's and this time Harry thought about the moment the first time around. He had refused to shake Draco's hand because of what he had said to Ron. This time he knew not only Ron much better, but also Draco and what he would become. To the shock of the compartment, Harry shook Draco's hand.
"Maybe I can help you too." said Harry smiling.
Draco looked as though he had just won the Quidditch Cup. He smirked as he glanced at Ron who had now turned completely red in the face. Harry knew that the explosion was about to occur, but he did not care. Part of his problem the first time was that he came to Hogwarts listening to little and judging too quickly.
"Well Potter, I must be off. You can join us if you wish." said Draco.
"Thank you, but no." replied Harry. "Maybe some other time."
Draco looked slightly crest fallen, but recovered quickly.
"Next time then, Harry Potter." said Draco as he swept from the compartment.
"What the bloody hell!" exclaimed Ron.
"Are those words a prominent part of your vocabulary?" asked Harry.
"I've heard of the Malfoy family." said Ron darkly, ignoring Harry's remark. "They were some of the first to come back to our side after You-Know-Who disappeared! Said they'd been bewitched. My dad doesn't believe it. He says Malfoy's father didn't need an excuse to go over to the Dark Side. How can you of all people shake his hand?"
"All my life I've been judged based on what people have thought of me." replied Harry coldly. "They never got to know me before they conjured their opinion. Now that I've joined the Wizarding world, I can see the same thing happening again. They've never met me, but they think they know me. I refuse to judge people by their family or wealth."
Hermione stared at Harry as though she was thoroughly impressed and had never seen anything like him before. Neville looked on in awe at, what Harry could tell, was in his eyes the proof of the legend. Harry wasn't trying to impress or influence anyone, but he refused to be ruled by the bigots in the wizarding world; not this time.
"So who's toad was that in the doorway?" asked Ron, ignoring Harry's statements.
"It's mine." replied Neville distractedly. "He's always running away."
"I have a rat named Scabbers, but he doesn't do much." said Ron sulkily. "Wanna see?"
"Sure." replied Neville, turning to stare at Ron..
Ron reached inside his satchel and pulled out the old animegous. A flood of memories poured into Harry's mind as he stared at Ron's rat with hatred. Harry wanted to draw his wand and hex the traitor. He wanted to expose Pettigrew for what he really was, but doing so would raise a lot more questions than Harry was ready to deal with. He sat there and glared at the sleeping rodent, knowing that if he was patient he would find the perfect opportunity to deal with Wormtail and exonerate Sirius.
A/N: Thanks to all the great responses to this post and to the help from Critters At Play, this is now a full ongoing story. Please check it out if you enjoyed this for more updates. Thanks again for reading!