- INTRODUCTIONS -

Omen had carefully planned their exit for what felt like years, and unlike so many times before, everything had gone exactly as planned. They had successfully fooled Fulmen. Successfully fooled Andromeda Black. And they had successfully fooled the entirety of the Domus Mortis for years. Only now his partner in crime, Augury, had stuck a massive bar in their gears. Her arm was stretched, with a plasma pistol aimed directly at the newly deceased Andromeda Black's head. Harry Potter could not exactly blame his partner. After all, Peritus Black had been responsible for her current situation and had been instrumental in the deaths of countless universes across the Multiverse. The only disappointing part about it was that he had hoped for Black to be consumed by the Torch he and Augury had set on the Domus Mortis.

Harry James Potter and his partner, Roseline Evans, decided to ignore the death and continue with their plan. Dressed in their Gladiator outfits, Harry and Rose took off out of the laboratory. The journey was relatively short to the Armory, and with the use of the stolen Master Key - acquired from Master 263 - they gained entry. The two armed themselves with as many weapons, devices, and trinkets they could find before getting their hands on a Jump Drive. The device had been outlawed years prior, given the Council wanted to avoid mutinies and deserters. But it seemed the Peritus' in Sector 4 had kept a few on hand to study. After all, extradimensional travel was a rare commodity.

He now stood in the center of the armory, his gaze on the door while Rose set their destination on the device now attached to her left forearm. "How long?" He asked, his nervousness rising. The lights in the room had turned a dark red hue, indicating a breach in the Sector. Harry wasn't sure how long they had until the Torching began, or how quickly it would overtake Sector 4.

Rose sighed. "Given that our plans for multi-extradimensional travel were fake, I have to program the destinations one at a time. I'm doing ten. That should be enough to lose anyone trying to find us,"

"Make it twelve. An even dozen never hurts," Harry pointed out.

Rose shook her head in amusement, but added two more destinations to their trip. The girl motioned to her shoulder after a moment. "Grab onto me," Harry didn't hesitate, placing his hand on her shoulder while leveling his other hand, which held a plasma pistol, in the direction of the door. "Three...two...one..." On cue, the two disappeared in a POP! and a flash of light.

Everything moved too quickly for Harry to take in the worlds they passed through. One after the other, Harry and Rose appeared and disappeared in flashes of light until they reached their final destination. Number twelve. But it was the moment that they reached the twelve mark that Harry took into account the one thing he hadn't before. The Potter Luck. Sure, in most instances it had gotten him and others out of sticky situations, but more often than not it only served to get them in trouble. And it was trouble that the two Gladiators now found themselves in.

As soon as they passed through the twelfth gate, the Jump Drive on Rose's arm exploded. The blast sent the two flying through a thirteenth gate, though there was an issue. They were several thousand feet in the air. Harry took a moment to examine their situation. He was currently on fire. Rose's arm was torn to shreds, leaving her unconscious as the two fell from the sky. Normally this situation could be remedied if he could fly, but he found himself without the strength to do so. And so his instincts took over.

Pulling Rose into his arms, Harry cast a simple Incendio, which produced a massive jet of flames that sent him and Rose horizontally. With that problem solved, Harry only had to wait until they hit the ground, positioning himself so that he would hit the ground first. Instead of hitting the ground, however, Harry crashed into the unexpected. Magical wards. He slammed through the wards, falling further and faster until the two crashed into what felt like brick or stone.

In most situations, Harry would take a moment to take a deep breath and collect himself. Only this was not like other situations. Wherever they were, the two were not alone. He felt weapons being aimed in his direction, something he didn't take lightly. And so he did the only thing he could do. He positioned himself over Rose and pointed his pistols toward where he believed the others were. It was what he saw that made him re-evaluate their situation. Two individuals that any Harry Potter would recognize anywhere. Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall. It was then that he noticed where they were. The Headmaster's office. Of all the places they could have landed, they had landed in Hogwarts. The absurdity of it made him chuckle.

"May I ask what you find so funny?" Dumbledore asked, his wand aimed directly at Harry. McGonagall's wand shifted between Harry and Rose, something Harry didn't particularly appreciate.

"That we ended up here of all places," Harry replied. His mind was racing, trying to figure out what to do and how to do it. He didn't want to kill the two professors. Despite the fact that he had killed hundreds of Dumbledore's and McGonagall's, he had never done so willingly. The two had a special place in Harry's heart still. Harry and Rose could not simply run away either. Dumbledore and McGonagall had seen them, and would investigate them tirelessly to find whoever had broken the wards. It certainly did not help that Dumbledore had extensively built occlumency shields, meaning no memory charm would work on him. Unable to kill or run, Harry was left with a choice. Threaten or reason.

Threatening Dumbledore to leave them be would certainly not bode well with the aging professor. Especially now that Harry and Rose were stuck in this universe. This left reasoning. It was the only path that made sense, after all. Because Harry and Rose were staying here, it would only make sense to make as many allies as possible. Resources were useful. With his decision made, Harry lowered the pistols in his hands, sliding them into the holsters on either side of his belt. This seemed to alleviate some tension in the room, though Dumbledore and McGonagall kept their wands trained on him.

Harry reached up and pulled his hood down, removing his mask before placing it in his magically expanded moleskin pouch. It was then that the two professors slowly lowered their wands, no doubt in shock at what they saw. Harry took a moment to get on his feet, padding down his chest place, which still had a small flame building from the explosion. "I'll guess from your ages and appearances that Harry Potter doesn't exist yet. But perhaps you know my parents, James and Lily. Or maybe my grandparents, Fleamont and Euphemia,"

"You're a Potter?" McGonagall asked. The Transfiguration professor shook her head. "Mr. Potter and Ms. Evans are too young to have children. It doesn't help that one isn't fond of the other,"

"Something fixed in time," Harry replied with the wave of his hand. He frowned. "Define 'too young'. Are we talking first year?"

"Mr. Potter and Ms. Evans are rising sixth years," Dumbledore replied. His wand lowered to his side. "Would you care to explain who you are and how you were able to pass through the wards?"

"Ah. That," Harry peered out of the hole he and Rose had created crashing through the wall. Blue flakes of magic were still falling from the sky from where the wards had shattered. "I'm a bit stronger than I look. The wards didn't stand a chance," He replied. "As for who I am, that's simple. I'm Harry Potter. Son of James and Lily Potter. From the future. Well...a future,"

"The future?" McGonagall scoffed. She turned to Dumbledore. "Surely you don't believe this. Perhaps they are spies for the Dark Lord,"

Harry shook his head. No matter where he went, everyone assumed the worst in him. But it seemed Dumbledore at the very least had a head on his shoulders. He was examining Harry intently, taking in every feature of his face. It was then that the two locked eyes. Harry felt the old man's legilimency probe immediately, but he chose to let the Headmaster in instead of rejecting him. Focusing on his own origin, Harry showed Dumbledore his parents' deaths, his being raised by the Dursley's, and his being sorted into Gryffindor within the castle. When Dumbledore emerged from Harry's mind, the Headmaster shook himself from the headache he had received. He then stepped around Harry, reaching into his desk before pulling out a bottle of bourbon.

"Albus?" McGonagall questioned, her wand rising once more in uncertainty.

"Put your wand away, Minerva. Mr. Potter here means us no harm," Dumbledore spoke, pouring himself a glass of bourbon that he downed in one. He then turned back to Harry. "Why did you come back?"

Harry ran a hand through his unruly black hair, letting out a sigh. "We didn't intend to come here. Nor did we mean to arrive in this time," He motioned down to Rose, who was still unconscious. Her arm, which had been torn, was slowly healing itself through regeneration. "That's Rose Evans. She's a version of me,"

"A version of you?" Dumbledore asked. "Could you elaborate?"

Dropping to a knee, Harry pulled off Rose's mask, revealing her face. The disillusionment charm surrounding her hood faded, letting her dark red hair fall from her face. She had hazel eyes like their fathers, though they were closed due to her being unconscious. "Where we come from, you can't walk a block without running into Harry Potter. Harry Potter's from throughout the Multiverse brought together under one dystopia. Some are forced into slavery. Some are reduced to nothing but cannon fodder," He let his eyes fall on Rose for a moment. Dumbledore and McGonagall witnessed his expression softening. "Some are forced to fight to survive,"

"We're both the latter. Forced to fight, kill, and survive. That was, until we escaped," Harry explained. "I'd been there for eons. Eons for you guys, what felt like a year for me. She was there for much less time. Still eons for you, but perhaps weeks for her,"

Dumbledore took a moment to stroke his chin. "So, let me summarize. You both are copies of the same person, the child of James and Lily Potter, and have escaped your captors?"

"That about summarizes, yes," Harry nodded. "As for why we're here, our Jump Drive malfunctioned," He motioned to the broken device hanging from Rose's healing forearm. "It allows you to travel between universes. We were using it to escape and hide when it exploded. Sent us flying through the wards,"

"A most exciting tale," Dumbledore mused. McGonagall still appeared conflicted. But Dumbledore carried on. "And now that you are here, what do you intend to do?"

"I'm not sure," Harry said honestly. "I don't think we would last long living with the muggles. We've spent our entire lives surrounded by magic. Though it's not like we can just stroll into the magical world as Harry and Rose Potter. Too many questions,"

"Perhaps it is possible," Dumbledore whispered. Harry frowned. "Well, it is no secret that Fleamont and Euphemia have always wanted children. While they found luck with young Mr. Potter, they were never successful again after his birth,"

McGonagall gasped. "Surely you aren't suggesting they should claim to be their children,"

"Of course not," Dumbledore replied. McGonagall let out a sigh of relief. "Fleamont and Euphemia would vehemently deny such a claim. I am suggesting we bring Mr and Mrs. Potter into the plan, and claim them as their children," McGonagall's eyes seemed on the verge of popping as she stared at the Headmaster. Harry only smiled at the idea. It was certainly appealing. He and James looked similar enough to pass as twins, and Rose could easily be tacked on as a triplet or a relative. It seemed Dumbledore had the same idea. "You could pass as Mr. Potter's twin. Though Mrs. Potter has red hair, I am afraid your other self does not look similar enough to Mr or Mrs. Potter enough for it to be convincing,"

McGonagall had seemingly recovered from her shock. She then made a suggestion, seemingly moving past her disbelief after realizing they would go through with it with or without her approval. "Perhaps she could pass as a child of Charlus? God only knows how many children that man has running around given his history,"

"Charlus Potter," Harry whispered. "What relation does he have to my grandfather?" There were different relations depending on the universe. In some, Charlus Potter was distantly related to Fleamont, being a part of a separate Potter line that eventually connected to the Black's after he married Dorea Black. In others, he was Fleamont's brother, nephew, or uncle. It always varied.

"Charlus is Fleamont's young brother," McGonagall supplied.

Interesting. "That could work," Harry replied. "I could pass as James' twin, though I don't like the idea of implying Rose is a bastard,"

"Than perhaps she could be a distant relative. Someone you spent your childhood with while in hiding. A lost member of the Potter line from America," Dumbledore suggested. That was a much better suggestion. It not only provided Rose a reasonable identity, but it also added to any potential backstory the two came up with. "It would make a modicum of sense. You showed excellent promise as a child, though you showed many bouts of accidental magic that left Mr. and Mrs. Potter afraid for your and others' well-being. So they sent you away, where you met Ms. Evans, who will have to go by Ms. Potter from here on,"

"She won't have a problem with that. We see each other as siblings anyway," Harry stated. "But this is all speculation. My grandparents still have to hear us out and agree to the plan. If not, I can always wipe their memories and get us new identities,"

McGonagall shook her head. "I would prefer not to involve memory charms,"

Dumbledore hummed his agreement. "Well then, perhaps we should address one last issue before calling for the Potter's. What is it you plan to do now that you are here? Perhaps you would like to continue your educations?"

Harry allowed his gaze to fall on Rose once again. "She should be able to continue her education. Like I said, she was there for a much shorter time than I. But it's her choice," He then turned back to Dumbledore. "But I have no interest in continuing my education. I was a rising sixth year myself when I was recruited, though I've had more than enough time and experience to make up for it. Perhaps I'll find a job somewhere,"

He watched as Dumbledore and McGonagall exchanged a brief glance. McGonagall shook her head in disagreement regarding whatever the two were silently discussing. But it seemed that Dumbledore had made a decision. "I would like to make you an offer, but perhaps that should wait until we speak with the Potters," Harry didn't argue, and instead watched as Dumbledore stood and moved toward the fireplace. Knowing he would be calling the Potter's via floo, Harry took a moment to kneel down beside Rose.

Her arm was now fully healed, though she would be left with scars that indicated the injury. After taking a moment to examine her for any other injuries, Harry deemed her completely healed. After casting Rennervate, he allowed the girl a moment to regain her bearings before helping her to her feet. Rose examined her surroundings, spotting Dumbledore and McGonagall. She also took note of their location. Hogwarts. "Where are we?"

"Well. Hogwarts. The Headmaster's office, specifically. As for which universe, I don't know. The Jump Drive malfunctioned and exploded," Harry took her hand, motioning to the light scars on her left forearm. Rose's eyes widened. "We were just discussing what to do," While Dumbledore called the Potter's, Harry ran Rose through what they had discussed. "What do you think?"

"I could pass for your twin," Rose whispered self-consciously.

Harry smiled. "You could. I guess we'll see if it's possible when they arrive. But from what Dumbledore said, he's not sure if you could pass as Euphemia Potter's daughter. Perhaps Lily's," He was saved the trouble of questioning which would work when the floo was illuminated by bright green flames. Harry's eyes became fixed on the floo, watching as two individuals stepped through. An older gentlemen, who was the spitting image of an older James Potter. The man who Harry identified as Fleamont Potter was six feet tall and was only slightly overweight. His hair and short beard had shifted from the normal Potter hue of jet-black into a mix of dark and light grey. Harry also took note of the man's attire. While he had been expecting wizarding robes, Harry noticed his grandfather was wearing a simple white button-up and khakis.

Behind him was Harry's grandmother, Euphemia Potter. Her bright red hair had long shifted into that of a dark grey color, with her age being represented in the soft wrinkles adorning her face. But she was still beautiful. If Harry had to guess, she would be no older than fifty. He would never guess she was seventy years old. Although he shouldn't be surprised. Wizards and witches aged slower than muggles. She was wearing a simple blue and grey blouse and blue jeans, with a small red pendant hanging from her neck by a silver chain.

The two Potter's stopped suddenly upon seeing the two teens. Fleamont Potter turned to Dumbledore. "Albus. Do you want to explain to us what this is?"

"Perhaps the two of you would like to take a seat," Dumbledore replied. Harry decided to give the Headmaster a hand. With the wave of his hand, the rubble wall to the office repaired itself, with the rubble and debris returning to its original places. He then conjured three more chairs, separating them based on their grouping. One for McGonagall beside Dumbledore's chair. Two for himself and Rose on the left corner of the desk and two for Fleamont and Euphemia on the right corner. Fleamont and Euphemia exhanged a glance at this display of magical power, but nonetheless took a seat alongside Harry, Rose, Dumbledore, and McGonagall. Once Dumbledore was situated, he took a moment to pour himself, Fleamont, and Euphemia glasses of bourbon. Harry took a moment to conjure two butterbeers, one of which he handed to an appreciative Rose. Upon noticing their questioning gazes, the headmaster smiled. "You will need it when we are done,"

Over the next hour and a half, Dumbledore explained the situation to the Potter's, who each took turns questioning Harry and Rose. When all was explained, Harry allowed himself to speak. "As we said before, the point of bringing you here is simple. Rose and I won't last long in the muggle world. Especially in the 70s. It would be far easier for everyone involved if we were all on the same page,"

"That is, you want us to claim you as our children," Fleamont summarized.

Euphemia frowned. "I'm not opposed to the idea,"

"Phe?"

"Think about it. They're right. We always wanted more children. And besides, I think it would be good for us. For James. For them," Euphemia motioned to Harry and Rose, who exchanged a look with one another. "And it does make sense. We only told a few people about James before he started Hogwarts. We've never been fans of the limelight,"

Harry smiled. "We certainly have that in common,"

"Honestly, I'm not opposed to the idea either," Fleamont agreed. "I have contacts in France that will create documents for the two of them, as well as contacts that will support their backstory,"

"What backstory? How will you explain their absence?" asked Dumbledore.

Harry allowed himself to answer. "It's simple really. After years of struggling to have children, you two experienced the good side of Potter luck. Triplets. Only two of the three were subjects of a prophecy. A french prophecy spoken by a french Seer. Perhaps Séraphine Lefèvre. I know she disappeared some time ago. You two then decided to send us to France for protection, given the prophecy spoke of the two of us -" He took a moment to motion between himself and Rose. "- being involved in the battle against a future Dark Lord. The two of us then lived in France, where we were taught and trained by private tutors until you both asked us to return. It would tie in well with the French contact, our knowledge of advanced magic, as well as our innate desire to kill said Dark Lord,"

The other's seemed to take in the premise well. Fleamont nodded. "That would be perfect. It explains everything. Our luck. Your absense. As well as any kind of misinformation between us. We don't know you two, just as you don't really know us. It would help alleviate any questions about why we don't know much about the other,"

Dumbledore leaned forward. "So, that story is decided then?"

"We'll expand on it before the start of term. The two of you are going to attend classes, yes?" Euphemia asked.

"I will not. My time for schooling has come and gone," Harry replied. He turned to Rose. "Rose?"

"I think..." The girl stopped for a moment. "I think I'd like to attend classes," She turned to Harry. "What are you intending to do?"

"Well, I think Professor Dumbledore had an offer for me," Harry answered.

The professor in question smiled, his spectacles sparkling in amusement. "Yes. I do have an offer for you," He held up a hand toward McGonagall, putting to rest whatever she had been about to say. "As you may be aware, we have had trouble maintaining a Defense Against the Dark Arts professor for longer than a year. An ongoing problem that has occured for the last decade. I still would like to assess your knowledge and magical aptitude, but after that is said and done and you would like the position, then surely -"

Harry held up a hand. "I'll take it. As for my knowledge and magical aptitude, you can find both in here," He motioned to his mind. Dumbledore seemed to take the hint, and for the second time that day used legilimency to enter Harry's mind. It was there that Dumbledore witnessed the events that transpired during Harry's first, second, third, fourth, and fifth years at Hogwarts. His first two years had occured the same way they had with most Harry Potter's. It was in his third year that things changed. Sirius Black was freed and had adopted Harry as his son. His fourth year had been spent studying with tutors, who typically ranged from skilled Aurors to Goblins. The Triwizard Tournament had also occured that year, with Harry being chosen as Hogwart's legitimate champion. His fifth year had featured political training, the study of ancient magics, as well as private tutoring with Professor Dumbledore involving the history of Lord Voldemort. The end of his fifth year had ended with the Battle of the Department of Mysteries, which had ended in Sirius' death and the confirmation of Voldemort's return.

Given that he had then become the new head of both the Potter and Black family, Harry was left with the vaults of both families as well as the responsibilities left behind by his predecessors. In an attempt to be prepared, Harry had attached his vaults to his magically expanded moleskin pouch, allowing him to reach into his vaults whenever he wished. Luckily for him, the magic surrounding the link had protected them despite his universe being destroyed by the Domus Mortis. The fortunes of both the Potter and Black family were accessible to him at any time thanks to the pouch hanging from his belt.

He ended the connection between himself and Dumbledore, allowing the older man a moment to collect himself. "Well, you are certainly qualified for the position. I daresay you are overqualified,"

"You have no idea," Rose whispered, though it seemed only Harry heard it.

"How is that going to work exactly?" Euphemia questioned. "He's sixteen. He's not even an adult. Yet alone a professor,"

"I'm older than I look," Harry replied. "As for not being an adult, I was emancipated at thirteen and am the Head of both House Potter and House Black," He removed a necklace tucked behind his shirt, revealing two ornate rings portraying the Potter and Black family crests. Fleamont and Euphemia's eyes widened. "The Potter's had all but died out in my universe. I was the only one left. And Sirius was the Head of the Black family. When he adopted me, I was named his heir. And when he died, I claimed the title,"

"Well, I'm afraid the Lord position is claimed in this universe," Fleamont joked, showcasing a more prestine version of Harry's ring, which sat on his right middle-finger. "But perhaps we could work out a position for you. Duke, perhaps? It would certainly give you a bit of freedom in the policital sector,"

"Perhaps," Harry mused.

"Now that I think of it, we should get Arcturus involved," Euphemia thought aloud. "Perhaps Charlus and Dorea as well,"

"Why Charlus and Dorea?" Fleamont asked. "Arcturus I understand, given his being the Head of House Black. But I hardly see the need to bring Charlus or Dorea into this matter,"

"They're family, dear,"

"So is Thaddeus, and we have all seen the direction that boy is going in,"

"He's your nephew. Perhaps if you took more interest in -"

"Perhaps if his father took more interest in -"

"Enough," Harry announced. The two Potters turned to him, both raising an eyebrow at his boldness. "I personally don't want Charlus and Dorea to be involved in this matter. They were dead in both Rose and I's universes and so we don't trust them. Arcturus died shortly before our first years, and while we never met him, I would trust him before I put faith in your brother or his wife," After all, while Charlus Potter's history always shifted between universes, Arcturus Black III's history remained relatively the same across the entire Multiverse.

"Very well," Fleamont replied, slightly impressed by the gumption Harry possessed. "I'll meet with Arcturus and bring him into the fold. I'll also meet with my contact in France to retrieve those identities. In the meantime, I believe the two of you will be quite busy,"

"Term starts in four weeks," Euphemia motioned to Rose. "You will need to visit Diagon Alley and retrieve any supplies you will need for classes," She turned her gaze to Harry. "And you will have to have a lesson plan for the Headmaster to approve before term begins,"

"Should be easy enough," Harry shrugged.

Rose turned to Harry, her hands reaching up to grab his forearm. "Do you think my Nimbus 2002 could pass as a custom broom? I really don't want to replace it with something slower,"

Harry frowned. "I don't think you could pass it as a custom, but I can try to work some transfiguration charms to it to make it look like a broom from this time. That way you could just say you improved on it," He could possibly transfigure the broom to resemble a Cleansweep Six. The broom was fast enough and popular during 1976. It was an easy endevour as well, given the similarities between the two brooms. He turned to Dumbledore. "As for my lesson plan, I'll have that done within the week. Though I do already have a few ideas of things we can do differently this year,"

Dumbledore considered this for a moment. "Such as..."

"Just a few ideas from the dome. A duelling club maybe. Flight training. Enhanced defense training," Harry suggested. These ideas certainly seemed to alleviate Dumbledore's concerns of odd or pointless clubs.

Fleamont allowed the silence to continue for only a moment before speaking up. "Well then. I believe we should return home. We're losing daylight, and I'd like to have the inevitable conversation with James before things get delayed,"

"Um...do we have to be there for that conversation?" Harry asked.

"Yeah, I'm not sure I want to spring that on him," Rose agreed.

"Maybe we can take care of some other business in Diagon Alley while you two explain everything to him. That way when he meets us he'll have had time to digest everything and not feel the mental whiplash of meeting your kids from the future who aren't really your future kids but are alternate versions of your kids from the future. Very confusing stuff," Harry explained.

Fleamont and Euphemia exchanged an amused glance before Euphemia got to her feet. "If that's what you want, we'll break the news to James while you take care of your business. Do you want us to tell Sirius too? From how you talked earlier, it seemed you two were close where you come from,"

"Not yet," Rose supplied, receiving a nod from Harry in agreement. "Let's keep it in the family,"

"Very well. When you're done in Diagon Alley, you can reach the manor through the floo. The password is 'The Pottery'," And with that, Fleamont and Euphemia returned to Potter Manor through the floo in Dumbledore's office. Harry decided that was that. Clapping his hands together, he got to his feet, with Rose doing the same a moment later. The two moved toward the floo, entering the fireplace before turning back to Dumbledore. "I'll be back soon to help you repair the wards. After all, I was the one who destroyed them. I'll probably bring my lesson plan along as well,"

Dumbledore only gave him an amused smile as Harry and Rose were whisked away in green flames. It wasn't until Minerva left his office that Dumbledore allowed himself a third glass of bourbon. "Until next time, Mr. Potter,"