Unusual ending 28/32

[herumtreiber]

Title:  Unusual ending 28/32
Chapter: Harry finds himself - part two
Author:herumtreiber  
Genre: Slash, time travel, romance, adventure
Disclaimer:  I do not own Harry Potter or related characters. Nor do I make any money from the writing of these stories.
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: chair death
Epilogue compliant? No way!
Chapter length:  ~5,400 for the two parts
Summary: Old meets new. Harry walks all over Draco's heart, and when he realizes his mistakes he does the unforgivable so Draco takes him back. Time travel. During HBP, disregards Deathly Hallows - that means everyone's alive, except Sirius, but...


Table of contents





Harry finds himself - part one

Sirius winked at Harry, waving his wand towards him. "I shut her up for good. Didn't want to repeat the mistake I made last time." Then he lurched sideways, avoiding a cutting curse cast by a female Death Eater.

In the shock of finding his godfather alive, not to mention the other version of himself, for Harry the battle passed in a blur. There was only the need to defend himself and his friends. Draco by his side, the two Seekers fought ferociously as the Death Eaters were slowly decimated.

Harry didn't even wonder where Tom Riddle was until a good portion of the wall facing them imploded, the stones being suckered into a tiny black hole that soon disappeared.

Dumbledore stepped backwards into the hall, his arm pointing towards the room beyond as he was slowly enveloped by a deathly green glow.

Harry heard McGonagall shrieking, "No, Albus!"

The other Potter rushed to the Headmaster's aid but it was too late. Dumbledore's body hit the ground as the victorious Dark Lord strode into the hall.

But the evil grin gracing the handsome face of Tom Riddle didn't last long, for his would-be Death Eater army had been defeated. His few remaining followers had disappeared just before Dumbledore died.

Seeing several wands pointed his way, Tom cast a shield around himself as he whirled his upper body, his legs and torso transforming into a shroud of black smoke that lifted him towards the ceiling.

As he disappeared, Tom Riddle's shrill mental voice entered their minds. "Potter, you'll never vanquish me for I am the master of the Elder wand! Your puny Dumbledore is dead at my hands, you'll be next!"

---

Remus opened the door to the Room of Requirement, biding Snape to enter before him.

Snorting, the Potions Master sauntered into the room, noting that it was decorated in those garish Gryffindor colours. Obviously a Potter or one of his friends had chosen the decor. He nodded curtly at Narcissa, who'd refused to go to the infirmary. She was seated regally in a leather chair, Draco standing beside her, touching her shoulder.

"What's happened, Severus?" asked his former companion in the spying business.

Snape sneered as he replied to Draco, "Zabini and Chang are in the infirmary, Parkinson and Patil are with them. The Weasley twins are suffering their mother's displeasure. Molly shrieks as loud as her Howlers."

"I must say Poppy is not pleased with us. Says we should take more care," said Remus softly, fingering his moustache. Then he snickered. "As if battling Death Eaters was like attending Hogwarts!"

"Indeed, mutt," continued the Potions Master. "Minerva has scheduled Albus' funeral for tomorrow. She appears to be in shock."

Narcissa smiled at her friend. "I think you'll be the next Headmaster, Severus."

"I doubt it, Narcissa. Minerva is, after all, the Deputy Headmistress."

Remus smiled at the dour Potions professor. "Severus, you have a certain clout as the man who killed Voldemort. I think the Hogwarts trustees will choose you."

"You might be right, Lupin." Severus frowned at the two Potters. One was at Draco's right, his arm intertwined with the Slytherin's. The other was at Narcissa's right, eyeing hungrily the blond.

Severus gazed around the room. "Where's the other mutt?"

Younger Harry muttered sullenly, "He'll come in a minute. Sirius said he didn't want to repeat his explanations."

Hermione, who was seated in front of a fire holding tightly Ron's arm, said excitedly, "I think I know what the incident with the cat meant!"

"Who cares?" said Ron, glaring at his girlfriend after she thwacked him on the head.

"Who would've thought that Dumbledore would ever die? He seemed indestructible." Narcissa shook her head whilst Draco leaned towards Harry, whispering, "I'm glad you didn't die, Harry. I would not have been pleased."

Harry smiled, holding tightly Draco's hand, caressing the palm with his thumb.

Narcissa looked at Severus, lifting a sculpted eyebrow. "Any news from Scrimgeour?"

Snape shook his head. "None. I gather he's busy fighting for his political survival. With Dumbledore gone, it is quite possible that a vote of no-confidence will take place on the Wizengamot. I don't think he'll win this time without Albus' support."

"Who will be the next Minister then, Shacklebolt?" asked Draco.

Remus fingered his worn lapels as he replied, "No, he's a political novice. Too inexperienced." His gaze drifted to the corner where Ron was standing next to Hermione's chair. "They will be searching for an experienced hand, someone who has worked in the Ministry. A man like Arthur Weasley."

Ron sighed, caressing Hermione's hair. "Dad will be sad. He won't have time for his hobby."

"Well, I hope he doesn't bring electronic devices to the Ministry. I shudder to think about the chaos that would ensue." Hermione smiled at Ron to take the sting out of her words.

"Granger, you'll have to show me-" Draco didn't finish because at that moment the door opened and Sirius strode confidently into the room, rubbing the silver ring on his finger.

People started firing questions at the Marauder.

"Did the cat mean…?"

"How come you're alive?"

"Sirius, you promised me…"

Sirius held up his hand, smiling at Remus. "Hold your horses! I'll explain things presently."

"You'd better, mutt. I can't stand your presence," growled Severus.

Sirius smiled craftily. "I know what you drew in your Potions book, Sev. Don't make me tell!"

Harry's ears pricked up. Did Snape draw erotic doodles too? By Merlin, I've got to get the book back!

Hermione squirmed in her chair; thinking about the censorious gazes McGonagall still shot at her because of the dratted book she wanted nothing more to do with it.

Remus smiled at his fellow Marauder. "Sirius, quit teasing Severus and tell us!"

Harry glared at his godfather. "By all means, tell me why you insisted I had to kill him!" He pointed at the younger Harry, who frowned angrily at his older version, rubbing his knuckles.

The two Harrys advanced menacingly on Sirius, who looked at Remus for help. However the DADA professor just crossed his arms, smiling at the tableau. "You'll have to settle with them yourself, Sirius. It would seem that whenever we meet, Harry is mad at you."

Sirius' gaze slid to the Potions Master, who was smirking at him with his arms crossed, enjoying the scene.

The Marauder lifted his arms pleadingly. "I did it to save your life, Harry!"

"I don't believe you!" said one Harry.

"Neither do I!" added the other.

"It was the only way to fulfil the Prophecy!" shouted Sirius.

Severus took out his wand at last and cast an invisible shield around Sirius, just in case one of his angry godsons attacked him. He didn't want to miss Sirius' explanations.

"What do you mean, mutt?"

Sirius frowned at Snape. "You know the Prophecy, Severus. Tell us the part that convinced Dumbledore that Harry had to die. I know you strongly opposed the Headmaster on this!"

Severus said the bitter words he'd memorized by rote:

"And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives."

The Potions Master started pacing around the fire, his robes billowing. "Albus was sure it meant that Voldemort's Horcrux that was in Potter… had to be destroyed for the Dark Lord to finally die. His careful plans had the goal to ensure that Potter destroyed all the Horcruxes before Potter, himself, allowed Voldemort to kill him."

Narcissa gasped and stood up, going to the Potters that stood just outside the shield cast by Severus. She wrapped her arms around their shoulders. "That man! And Draco was always writing to me, complaining that Harry was his favourite!"

The older Harry said tentatively, "But wasn't he right? If I truly have a piece of Voldemort's soul, then I have to let him kill me!"

Sirius smirked. "The cursed Prophecy says that either must die at the hand of the other. It doesn't mention precisely who."

He pointed at the older Potter and then at the younger one. "The line can be interpreted separately. It mentions two people who are equal in power, and one dies at the hand of the other."

Sirius stepped towards his godsons and put his arms around them. "You see, you two fulfil the conditions. When you killed your younger version, Harry, you destroyed the Horcrux. Your Avada didn't have enough hate to really kill him, only the evil part, Voldemort's sliver of soul. That's why I sent Ron to get the younger Harry to the future."

Sirius grinned boyishly, adding, "I wouldn't advise my godson to kill my godson unless it was necessary to save him."

"Great, I saved Harry!" Ron pumped his fist in the air whilst Hermione yanked his sweater.

"That's… intriguing, mutt. You mean to say that Potter no longer has a Horcrux?" Severus sighed in relief. It meant that Lily's son need not die, that he would get to see him grow older. That he would still see Lily's eyes.

Though it could mean that he would have to teach Potions to two Potters and a Longbottom. Severus shivered.

"When Harry killed his younger version, the Horcrux died." Sirius looked sharply at Harry. "Did your scar hurt when Voldemort was near?"

Harry shook his head. "No."

Sirius turned to Draco. "The Horcrux can twist a person's perspective; it can make them say or do mean things, Draco. It was one of the reasons Harry treated you so badly."

The Harrys and Draco gasped. Older Harry opened his mouth, but before he could ask a question, Sirius went on, "The Horcrux that was in the transfigured Slytherin locket that Hermione wore? It too warped her mind, Harry. Had to get it off her. I trust you've noted the difference?"

Harry nodded, dumbfounded.

Hermione stood up and approached the Potters. Unsure of who was the Harry she was used to, she hugged them both. "You're my best friend, Harry and… Harry. I just felt so jealous, and I didn't know how to deal with it."

Severus snorted, and walked toward Sirius. "Indeed… this is good news, mutt. But you haven't told us how come you're alive."

Sirius sauntered towards a small round table that had materialized next to the fire. He grabbed a glass of red wine and held it aloft, pointing towards the blond Slytherin. "Draco saved me. After I fell through the Veil, I was in a place without form. I was surrounded by mists. Draco somehow approached me and created form out of the fog. I barely remember it."

Sirius sipped the wine, winking at Draco. "It may be that he cast a spell, or he had a wand with him that he used to save me. I do remember the golden light."

Draco scratched his chin, frowning in thought. "It's funny, Black. I don't remember doing it. I trust I would recall the momentous occasion when I saved you!"

Sirius lifted the glass at Draco in a silent toast. "You will, Draco. In your personal future."

Younger Harry looked at the golden vision of Draco blushing. In a small voice, he said tentatively, "Do I get to stay here, now? This is my time after all."

Sirius walked towards his godson and put his hand on young Harry's shoulder. "I'm afraid you can't stay, Harry. Your older version has become intertwined with the fabric of this time. I wasn't lying when I said your two versions can't coexist in the same reality for long, it's-"

"You never told me that!" growled young Harry.

"He did tell me, though," said the older one, his hand clenching painfully Draco's wrist.

Sirius muttered softly to himself, "It's hard to keep all the details of my plotting straight!"

"But so many people have died in that time," moaned young Potter. He added in a whisper, "And Draco hates me!"

Sirius grabbed Harry's elbow, shaking it slightly. "You still have Ron and Hermione behind you; your other friends, the rest of the Weasleys. You're never alone, Harry!"

Sirius continued in a soft voice, "There's a journey you have to make, Harry. You still have to grow and find yourself, to enjoy life in the company of your loved ones. It won't be easy but it will be simpler than before."

Young Harry lifted his green eyes, looking at his godfather's face. "Will you visit me?"

"If I can, I will. I can't make promises though."

Sirius pointed to the door. "Outside you will find the same device we used to get here. You'll arrive in Hermione's apartment."

Draco saw younger Harry walk slowly to the door, shuffling his feet, bereft of his usual arrogance. He squeezed gently older Harry's hand and sauntered towards the other Potter, who was halfway to the door.

Grabbing his shoulder, Draco leaned towards him. "Don't despair, Harry. You and I, we belong together… enemies, lovers, friends. All that and more we've been to each other."

The blond waved towards the door and the world outside. "You've taught me that we are masters of our own fate, that we can make our destiny. If my future version does not want you… You are still the Vanquisher, the boy who survived Voldemort multiple times. You're still my Harry."

Draco hugged the younger Harry, who wrapped his arms around the blond. Silent tears slid down from both Seekers' faces, shining by the light of the sconces.

With a wistful smile, young Harry bid goodbye to his friends in that time and opened the door. Before he could close it though, a slim figure wearing a rich velvet gown stepped through it.

"A word if you please, Harry," said Narcissa Malfoy. After he nodded, she walked with Harry out of the room, closing gently the door.

"I know my son very well, Harry. Ever since he was little, my Dragon has been obsessed with you." Narcissa held up her hand. "Not your fame or heroics, but the story of the lonely boy who lost his parents. With Lucius gone most of the time and only me to take care of him, little Draco was afraid that he would be left alone. So that aspect of your story fascinated him."

"Really?" Harry's eyes shined with tears. Narcissa wiped gently a teardrop from Harry's cheek with the pad of her thumb.

"Really, Harry. Draco is stubborn, just like his father. But he is also kind and gentle. If you give him space; if you explain your actions, what my cousin Sirius said about Horcruxes - whatever they are - influencing your actions, I'm sure he'll understand."

"But he's with Boot now!" growled Harry, thinking about the blond with another boy.

Narcissa put her hand around Harry's elbow and walked with him to the end of the corridor, where a ball of light shined on the floor. "You were his first, Harry. Also bear in mind that Draco is very curious. Pique his curiosity and he'll be intrigued."

In the middle of the corridor, they stopped. Harry continued his lonely walk to the future. Just before he disappeared, he waved to Narcissa who wiped a tear of her own from her alabaster cheek.

---

When she entered the Room, Narcissa found Sirius arguing with Severus. Shaking her head, she muttered softly, "Some things never change."

"You could've disposed of all the Horcruxes with your strange, unexplained powers," said Severus.

Sirius lifted his hand, counting with his fingers, "The Diary is gone; as well as the Slytherin pendant, the cursed Ring, the Hufflepuff cup, Nagini." He smiled warmly at his godson. "Horcrux in Harry, gone too."

Severus sneered. "There is one you didn't get!"

Sirius growled, lifting his arms. "Ok, Snape! The bloody Diadem. Didn't know where it was. The Grey Lady wouldn't tell me; apparently she resented the small prank I played on her!"

Remus snickered. "Sirius, don't ever change!"

"I won't, Moony." Turning to Severus, he added, "Besides I lost a lot of time making sure Dobby and Kreacher didn't interfere." Sirius growled, "Those bloody elves are hard to manage, I should know!"

Harry frowned; he was standing next to Ron and Hermione. He saidn in a worried voice to his godfather, "Don't forget, Tom Riddle is the master of the most powerful wand ever created, the Elder wand!"

As he hugged his mother, Draco hid a smirk in Narcissa's blond locks. There was a vital piece of information the Slytherin was holding close to his chest. Like a good member of the Serpent House, not everything was as it seemed with the devious blond Seeker.

Sirius went to the table and grabbed a glass of firewhiskey. As he lifted it and peered at its content, he turned to face the other occupants of the room. "Tom Riddle's intentions to rule the world are the least of our problems."

Severus crossed his arms, frowning at the Marauder. "I wouldn't say that, Black. The Dark Lord is quite powerful with that unspeakable wand."

Sirius pointed at the people in the room. "It's up to you to stop him."

He frowned, holding up his hand and caressing the strange silver ring. "Voldemort meddles in things he doesn't understand. He could destroy reality."

In the hall of the ancient mages - 1/2