Chapter Text
May 2nd, 2000
Somewhere in Ottery St. Catchpole, a wizarding family gathered with friends to celebrate Victoire Weasley’s first birthday, the firstborn of Fleur and Bill Weasley.
Two years had passed since the fateful, final fight against Lord Voldemort, called by many as The Battle of Hogwarts. Although time flew by, the living beings inside that house were still trying to deal with their losses and readapt life.
Fred, Remus and Tonks were the ones whose names were stuck inside their minds like a powerful glue, even though nobody dared to say anything out loud about them for over a year.
Deep inside, there was not a single person in that cozy and lopsided house that didn’t miss them, just like many other dearest ones who met death even before Hogwarts’ tragic battle. Even now, some Death Eaters are still on the run, still free, although the Ministry keeps reassuring the Wizarding World that they have it all under control.
Everyone’s lives continued, even against their will. So, now, they are all just trying to conform themselves, celebrating the first birthday of the little blond haired girl, who is very happy to be playing with the cake icing, along with a little boy with blue hair that, eventually, changes to shades of pink or green.
Harry Potter, however, couldn’t think anything besides how everyone was gone — couldn’t stop repeating to himself how much he wished every single one was still there by his side.
He missed Fred, because now George couldn’t make twin jokes without getting depressed right after it. He also missed Tonks, because the metamorphmagus used to always be kind and funny, no matter the situation. The young man just knew that she would love to know that Teddy was turning out to look more and more like his father each day passed.
Remus Lupin is also missed, and the young wizard always wonders if the marauder was in his right mind when he decided to make him his child’s godfather, simply because that seemed like a whole other level of responsibility.
Harry could even hear what Lupin would reply if he heard such a question.
“Your parents chose Sirius as your godfather and, surprisingly, he was always responsible enough when it came to you”, he would say. “And I think both of us agree that you naturally were always more responsible than him, so I don’t see why not choose you”
Ginny Weasley, his girlfriend, did not go a single night without assuring that Harry is a good godfather. Edward “Teddy” Lupin was left in his grandmother’s care, Andromeda, but still spends a lot of time in The Burrow, especially ever since Victoire’s birth, since she is already his best friend and the only one he wants to play with.
Four times a week, Harry visits the Tonks’ house, the same one that once was so full of life, always checking on how Andy is going and, also, making sure to play with Teddy as much as possible. Moreover, he also takes him to sleepovers at The Burrow twice a week — if it was up to Molly Weasley, the little boy and the grandmother would have already moved there permanently.
Now, Harry sat on a chair at Teddy’s room at the Weasleys’, the one which once the twins used to live in, but George already confessed he could never sleep there anymore, not after everything.
Fenrir Greyback was still on the run and, despite Kingsley Shacklebolt’s assurances that the werewolf is hiding somewhere down at Albania, Harry can’t manage to put his guard down, always reminding how the creature had gotten to the five year old Lupin during his sleep. He knows how much of a threat Greyback is, how the werewolf would not spare efforts to attack Teddy if the chance was given, and Harry would not let it happen.
He owes this and so much more to Remus.
That is why, through the nights his godson sleeps in the same house as him, he makes sure to be around, and always ends up taking small naps on the chair and being woken by Teddy’s cheerful ‘good mornings’ on the next day. Until Fenrir Greyback is taken to Azkaban, he won’t leave Teddy’s bedroom. It is the minimum he can do.
That particular night, as he stared at the little boy peacefully sleeping in the cradle, his light brown hair looking just like Lupin’s, Harry fell asleep with the same thought that has been running over his mind ever since he can remember: a different future, a change, a chance to make everything right for once.
…
Destiny had his attention turned to The Burrow that night. Maybe it had been a moment of weakness, if such a thing exists for an immortal and inhuman being; but, suddenly, offering a new chance to those people did not sound like a bad idea. Visiting Death and managing to convince it to bring at least some wizards and witches back seemed like the most natural decision in the world. Talking to the old Fates and managing to get a story of the last years of the Second Wizarding War, narrated through the point of view of the one who was destined to end Lord Voldemort, sounded simple.
Although, nothing was, in fact, simple.
However, all the beings seemed to be convinced that those people deserved a second chance. They seemed to agree that finding a new way to defeat the wizard who dared to avoid and fool them all was a brilliant idea. And, somehow, they were sending a new solution to the wizards and witches from a not so long past, hoping that they would manage to discover the best way to save the Wizarding World, without the sacrifice of so many innocent lives.
Destiny just hoped that some of those people would not kill each other, no matter how much some attitudes deserve their punches and strong emotions.
January, 1996
New Year had followed with the Daily Prophet announcing the new mass breakout from Azkaban. It was all anyone could talk about at Hogwarts.
People were terrified, to say the least. Some supposed Sirius Black was involved in the escape. Others used it as a proof that Voldemort had, indeed, returned. And, there were the ones who could only see it as a sign of how much of a lost cause they were into.
Nevertheless, it was not just the students who were worried. The professors had gathered to discuss it, and the ones who were also part of the Order of the Phoenix had started to have particular conversations inside Albus Dumbledore’s office, something that did not go unnoticed by Dolores Umbridge.
As soon as Minerva Mcgonagall had entered the headmaster’s office on the first saturday of the year, a letter magically appeared on his desk, floating peacefully before landing on the surface. Both adults immediately rose their wands, but, as the minutes passed and nothing seemed to change in the surrounding of the new object, Albus decided to read what was written — although this was not before Minerva obliged him to cast triple checking spells, as to be sure there was no dark magic inserted in the material.
Dear Headmaster,
The books that will soon arrive at your desk after finishing the reading of this letter are not cursed, although you and I both know you will verify it either way. I hand you this narration of what will happen in the next years of the wizarding war in the hopes that you, mortals, manage to make a different ending. Don’t worry about the risks of meddling with time, as I am a part of it and already managed to come to an agreement and permission with my colleagues to execute the plan. The simple arrive of this letter is already enough to create a new timeline.
In the same way, I hope you will not be startled once you find certain people before the beginning of the reading, since both of us are well aware that they should be dead. My partner, Death, is being kind and generous enough to break her vows and bring those lives back, such as ones who she believes deserve at least a proper ending, so I strongly recommend that all the involved take this with seriousness, as well as understand that this is the only chance for everybody to manage getting a future they actually deserve.
As for the reading be done correctly, besides Hogwarts’ students and professors, as well as the ones whose sanity and life are just returning, some other guests are requested to be summoned: the Order, including Padfoot, although he must stay as an animagus until his innocence is proved; the Weasley family, including Percy Weasley; Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy; Andromeda and Edward Tonks; Fleur Delacour; and Cornelius Fudge.
Also, the ones who came back to plein conscience will arrive at the front gates of the castel at any given moment. I kindly ask you to advise them to be patient with each other and not leap to conclusions so fast. Before explaining everything to everyone else, you must call Harry Potter, Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, Sirius Black, Remus Lupin, Augusta Longbottom and Xenophilius Lovegood to your office in particular. It will be more comfortable for them.
Furthermore, I, my partner and my colleagues wish you good luck. Don’t let personal attitudes lead your decisions.
Sincerely,
Destiny.
P.S: Once the reading has started, no one will have permission to leave the castle, as well as no one will be able to exchange the books’ information to those who are not present. This is an ancient spell, Dumbledore, and no one will be able to break it.
“Albus, are you sure of this?”, Minerva asked, her voice breaking at the single thought of who were the ones returning to life, since three of her students and three or her former students were needed in Dumbledore's office.
“Destiny rarely interferes in events, my dear Minerva”, the headmaster replied, exhaling the same calmness as ever, even after such a letter.
Whilst talking with the professor, he started to cast different spells at the three new books that appeared on his desk, just to be sure they did not have any trace of dark arts magic. He got curious at the realization that only two of them had actual titles written on the cover, while the third one was simply labeled as “Number 1” and contained Harry Potter’s name, nothing more. Dumbledore decided he would question this curiosity later.
“I was only a child the last time Destiny interfered in the mortal world, and I remember all too well those were terrible dark times”
“Do you think the war will be that horrible, Albus?”
The headmaster did not miss how her voice had wavered. Minerva Mcgonagall already lost many dearest ones at the First Wizarding War, between professors, students and friends, at a time they did not even call it a first, since they did not dare to think there would be a second.
“I think we should grab the chance Destiny gave us and work on building a different future”, was the only response he gave. Mcgonagall seemed ready to ask for more, maybe about the ones who would supposedly return, but a big stag patronus burst through the office before she could say anything else.
Just for a second, both imagined that Harry Potter was having new problems, because Dumbledore remembers all too well that the boy had cast a corporeal patronus on his third year, whilst Minersa is sure that the headmaster informed her about how the gryffindor’s patronus is a stag.
However, they are almost sure that Harry Potter never learned how to send messages through them, so it couldn’t be his voice that echoed from the blue floating animal. But it was, indeed, someone they knew, and it suddenly became very clear that Death had actually brought people back to life.
Minerva held onto the closest wall as James Potter’s voice was heard and, involuntarily, raised an open hand to cover her mouth, muffling and practically choking on any verbal reaction. Dumbledore, on the other hand, did not seem so surprised, but a small flick of hope lightened his blue eyes as he identified the marauder’s voice.
“Dumbledore, we don’t know what happened, but Lily and I are sure that we dreamt with a hoarse voice telling us to come to Hogwarts and…”
“James, that damn voice can wait!”
Minerva held her breath at the clear sound of Lily Potters’, nee Evans, voice.
“Voldemort attacks us, the last I remember is being with Harry and now our house is completely destroyed and that weird thing is telling us that we are in the future? I want to know where the fuck my son is!”
“Me too, my flower, but something is telling me that this is all intertwined somehow”, the explanation comes in a huge contrast, soft and whispered. Then, the voice comes back to the firm attitude that they heard at first. “We need to talk to you, Dumbledore, as soon as possible”
In a snap, the patronus dissolved in thin air right before their eyes.
The minutes passed, but Minerva could have stayed still for the rest of her life, just thinking and rethinking about how those two voices were too good of a sign to be actually true. But Dumbledore took her out of her wanderings, asking her to follow him to the front gates.
Thankfully, the castle halls were practically empty, since Hogwarts’ students are used to spend their time in the common rooms or around the Black Lake during the weekends, because the professor thought it would be difficult to maintain her expressions in check in front of them. The two probably got to the front gates in a record time, without even looking slightly out of breath. After a quick check to make sure James and Lily were, in fact, James and Lily — just so Mad Eye would not choke them in their sleep for not keeping high alert —, the Potters witnessed their former professor cry for the first time ever in front of them.
They did not understand half of what was happening, but, still, they hugged her with a huge amount of care for a long while before the two Hogwarts’ staff members finally started to explain the situation to the couple.
“You’re telling me that we were dead for almost fifteen years?”, Lily sounded closer to a breakdown. Her face paled at the knowledge of what happened during 1981’s Halloween, but not more than James', who looked like he would faint at any second.
The blame got to him like a calculated punch, as he started to think he should have held his ground for longer, so maybe, maybe, the two most important people in his life would have managed to escape.
“So… you said we weren’t the only ones to come back?” James asked as soon as the explanation was over, still stunned by the whole thing — even if they haven’t heard ten percent of the events that took place after their death. He was still trying to digest the fact he has been dead for a whole fourteen years. “Who else is-
Only a few feet from where they stood, the Longbottom’s had just apparated. They seemed shaken, but there was a glimpse of determination in their eyes. Both were still using the St. Mungus’ hospital bracelets, but they already had time to put their own clothes again, instead of the white hospital ones.
Alice and Frank seemed way more stunned than James and Lily, probably due to having their memories of Neville growing up and visiting them at the hospital, although without being able to properly communicate with their son. Minerva calmed down both couples, assuring that their kids were alright and at Hogwarts, even if it just managed to raise the anxiety to finally see the boys again.
“Until madness?”, Lily whispered, horrified, covering her mouth with both hands as the Longbottoms explained briefly the reason they were even in a hospital
The third crack of someone apparating was quick, and there was Marlene Mckinnon, one of Lily’s and Alice’s closest friends. They felt like a waving shock had run through their bodies at the sight of the blonde woman, who they once cried together to her death for long hours during the First Wizarding War.
“Peter was there”, she whispered to Lily once she was told about the events of 1981’s Halloween, about how Wormtail was the spy. Marlene seemed way more shaken than the others, since Pettigrew was her's and James’ best friend even before they started at Hogwarts. “He was there, Lily, he… he killed my brother”, she stated, trying to digest her own words.
There was a moment of silence where everyone just stared at the grass, feeling sick with the new information. James was probably the one who wished to throw up the most, his hand shaking slightly as the betrayal felt more and more real. How come he never noticed it at the time?
Then, another crack, and hell could have broken down if it weren’t for the initial shock. In front of them was none other than Bartemius Crouch Junior. Whilst some just looked at him with surprise, since he did not look slightly like the Ravenclaw teenager they used to see through school hallways, the Longbottoms instinctively raised their wands, like a whole new level of déjà vu had just struck them.
The man didn’t seem bothered. In fact, he didn’t even flinch as a spell was aimed in his direction, wand already raised to create a protective shield that, at the end, was not necessary. Their magic dissolved and disappeared before it could actually hit him.
“You”, Frank hissed, stepping in front of his wife and preparing for another non-verbal spell that did not leave his wand. He tried to go forward, palm closed into a fist, but a hand was placed firmly on his shoulder.
“Mr. Longbottom”, Minerva’s voice was calm, yet firm. “I imagine that if Death brought Mr. Crouch back, it might have a good reason”, she stated, although it was clear nothing she said would make his anger go away. The professor could not blame him, of course not. As much as she is relieved to see Barty conscious, especially since she witnessed his soul being taken, he is one of those responsible for the Longbottom’s clinical picture through the last 14 years.
Barty, for his sake, did not say a thing and did not dare to walk closer. In all honesty, he was pissed at being back. His last memory was fuzzed, locked inside one of Hogwarts’ classrooms as his soul was literally sucked away from him. For a brief moment, he felt relief, before realizing he would never manage to fully die that way.
Not dead, just gone.
And, still, it was better than to keep living without anyone else. He was the last one of his friends, after all, and if he was brought back by some divine miracle just so he can be punished again, may another dementor kiss him.
“Oh, you’ve gotta be kidding”, the blond woman cursed as another crack was heard too close to Crouch, although he did not dare to look at first. At the annoyed tone on McKinnon's voice, though, he turned his head, just to feel sick all over again for a completely different reason.
A black skinned man with blond hair, looking just slightly older from the last day he saw him, was standing calmly by his side. And he stared, just like always, with those same blue greyed eyes fixed on Barty. Now that was a déjà vu. He did not even care about the next apparation sound that just echoed in a small distance, no. This was way more important.
“Rosie?” he whispered, eyes watering for the first time in more than a decade, like a flick of humanity clicked back on him for a small second. Barty did not dare to walk forward, did not dare to hope, fearing that the man would disappear. But then, Evan Rosier stepped closer, hand softly tracing the Ravenclaw’s face.
“You look tired, B”
“Rosie!” he repeated in a broken tone, wrapping his arms around Evan as if he was his whole world, which is true. For a single moment, it all felt too real again, and Barty could see past his latest obsessions and his latest mind control traumas.
As the boys hugged like the two kids they once were, another cry of emotion was heard as Dorcas Meadowes reunited with Marlene, sobbing in her arms as she hugged the woman tightly. It was a dream coming true, for sure. Whilst her last memory was the green light of the killing curse knocking her down forever, casted by Voldemort himself, now her view was blurred by an ocean of blond hair that she so much missed the scent.
“I’m sorry, I’m so sorry”, she sobbed again and again in Marlene’s ear, to which the woman just kept softly tracing her braids and placing small kisses on her cheeks every now and then, assuring she couldn’t have prevented it.
Soon, they were both hugged by Alice and Lily, whilst their husbands were still aware of the two Death Eaters close by, even if they seemed too much into their own bubble at the moment to be considered an immediate threat. Still, James understood quickly the reason for Frank’s reaction, and was checking his expressions every ten seconds.
Barty and Evan, on the other hand, just broke apart once a crack and a gasp were heard too close to them, as a black blond woman who looked too much like Evan made her way to him in quick steps. She cried silently, shoulders trembling as Pandora Lovegood, nee Rosier, hugged her twin brother like he would vanish at any given second. Then, she did the same with Barty.
The last apparation was quicker and silent, just like its owner, and happened not long after Pandora’s. The heir to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black was at the school gates, staring blankly at everyone, especially since all the attention seemed to be on him right now.
At first, no one had a reaction, but the black blond woman soon hugged him so tight that Regulus felt like he was going to die from loss of air again. Not long after, Barty and Evan were there as well.
It was not a surprise to anyone. The group was particularly close during their Hogwarts years and, since they all died so young, this was not a long time ago for them. In fact, the weird part was maybe how Dorcas did not join them.
Marlene, who was hugging her by the waist, took a glance at her expression, noticing the guarded, yet relieved traits she held in her eyes. The blond did not dare to say a thing about it, since she might be the only one there who fully knows how she distanced herself from them once she joined the Order, but still, it is obvious she is thankful to see them all alive once again.
Besides Sirius, she might be the one who felt Regulus’ death the most, after all. Marlene remembers very well to find her silently crying inside the bathtub of their shared flat in London once the news were delivered.
The only other one who seemed to mind a bit for the Black’s presence there was James, who soon was reminded of how his best friend had been affected by Regulus’ death, even though he never showed and always said he did not care. Damn, he really needs to see Sirius again. Remus as well. He hopes they are alright. He hopes they are alive.
“Destiny said I am the last one, Dumbledore”, Regulus verbalized to the headmaster after a while, voice not caring a hint of emotion, despite the slightest confusion of his own statement. He did not understand what was happening, just like many others there.
…
James Potter could not think of a weirder group of witches and wizards together, especially inside Hogwarts during a January weekend. How could one explain the relation three Death Eaters have with six Order members plus Pandora? Not even he understood it fully.
In fact, he is almost sure that Marlene and Frank are one step from casting binds at Black, Crouch and Rosier. Although, weirdly enough, they don’t seem fully on alert at the non-verbal threat practically dripping from his friends’ eyes.
As they entered the headmasters’ office after, thankfully, managing not to bump into any student, Dumbledore and Minerva explained the details of what had happened and what should be done from now on. Again, James wished to know why any detail was being given so easily to everyone in there.
They showed the books, which were still on the main desk of the room, and briefly informed that the Order of the Phoenix had gathered again. None of them bothered to say the reason, though, supposing that it would be explained in detail during the reading. Soon enough, Dumbledore was writing and sending letters to the ones summoned to be at the event.
While the now-not-so-dead ones waited inside the office, not sure of what to expect, they all watched as the Transfiguration teacher excused herself from the room without giving further explanation. James noticed, however, as her glance found him for a second, and something inside his chest twisted at the possible indication it was given.
Harry. His son. Please, let it be his son.
He ran both hands through his pointed black hair, that became even messier, and paced back and forth in the room. The young man was one of the few who had not engaged in a conversation yet, his nerves too high alert and worried to do anything else — though everyone seemed just as on edge as him.
“So we really won’t talk about the elephants in the room?” The echo of Frank's voice reached his ears with a small delay, probably due to his lack of attention. At last, he looked at his friend, then at where his gaze was directed. If looks could kill, Crouch wouldn’t be breathing ever since the school gates.
The ravenclaw did not seem affected by the death glares that were being sent his way, which wasn’t that much weird. Ever since James last saw him, still during his Hogwarts times, when Crouch was by his sixth year and already too deep into the Slytherin’s circles, the madness in his eyes seemed to only have increased.
Standing next to one of the corners, he had his arms crossed and back resting against a wall, eyes bored on Frank. By his side, the boy Rosier had an arm around his waist, which also wasn’t a total surprise to James, since it was all too obvious since school. What was a surprise, actually, was how more open they seemed about it.
On his behalf, though, James would also want to compensate for the lost time if the subtle situation was between him and Lily. God, he can’t even imagine his life without loving her openly to the whole damn world to see.
“None of us is thrilled to be here either, Longbottom” The answer made some of the heads turn instantly to Crouch, like they did not expect he would actually answer. Except, maybe, Frank, who looked like he was itching for a fight. Again, James could not blame him.
“Oh, I can fix that for you real quick” The man reached for his wand in an instant, tip pointed at the ravenclaw’s heart before anyone could properly blink. The chaos that followed inside the office was for sure something everyone was anticipating, since all wands were in hand.
Well, all except for Crouch's, who had an almost maniac smile while peacefully resting his back against the wall, leaning slightly against Rosier as the blond man pointed his wand back at Frank.
It was like a déjà vu from one of the many battles they had against Voldemort’s henchmen just a few weeks back. Well, years actually — damn, James still can’t believe this is happening. Alice traced her wand at Rosier, while being held at a wand point by Black, who was being threatened by Marlene and his wife both. The others, himself included, had their weapons raised at the Death Eaters’ direction, without anyone specific in mind.
Even Pandora Rosier had taken her wand, although she was not aiming at any of the groups. James had his eyes on her, knowing she could possibly defend her twin brother if necessary. However, her eyes held a tired expression.
“Can we not start a fight here?” her soft voice reverberated through the room. Frank scoffed, eyes never leaving Crouch’s form. He was in front of Alice, almost bodyshielding her, and the simple thought of the things that happened to them both made James’ stomach do a flip. “I am sure this is not the time or place to solve something like this”.
“Oh, but I do have every right to solve this right fucking now”, Frank barked back, which made Rosier point his wand more firmly at the man. Both their weapons shot at the same time, purple light against dark blue connected for a second before the men were thrown back by an invisible force.
While Rosier’s back hit the close wall he was already leaning on with Crouch, Frank’s met the floor just at the center of the office. Their wands flew from their hands, and James felt his own do a slight threat to leave his hold as well just at the simple incline to help. He exchanged a look with Lily and guessed she felt the same pull.
Behind the main desk, Dumbledore cleared his throat, tone dead serious once he spoke, although the usual calm expression was still there.
“Gentlemen, I assure you that any type of violence will not be tolerated inside this room or this school” His eyes were trailed at Frank and Crouch, but James could feel the warning was directed to them all. He noticed when his friend tried to reply, but was firmly interrupted by the headmaster. “I do know about the strong emotions you lot have for some of those present here, but I must remind that all of you were brought back from a terrible destiny by Death itself. This decision is not light and it must be taken with seriousness”.
Some of his friends looked resigned with the declaration, but not Frank. He seemed ready to argue, but a touch on his shoulder made his lips shut tight. Alice was by his side, settling him.
The room fell to a deadly silence for what felt like an eternity, until Minerva’s voice was heard. She had not entered the office, not yet, and her tone was quiet and concerned.
“Listen, dears”
It felt weird to hear the professor calling anyone a dear. It simply was not her style, but it was unquestionably her voice. Minerva sounded worried, more worried than most of the times James had heard. In all his twenty one years of life and fourteen years of death, Minerva McGonagall just sounded that concerned about him twice: when Sirius moved to his place and when his parents passed.
“The people you’re about to see might cause some kind of shock or disbelief…” Now, James’ heart really did a flip. He did not need to eavesdrop anymore than that to know who was on the other side of the door. His hand instinctively found Lily’s and they both squeezed it tightly, matching the nervousness.
Close by, Frank and Alice had turned to look at each other, eyes sparkling with hope and emotion. And, at the corner of the room, next to the Death Eaters, Pandora had muffled her gasp by covering her mouth, while Evan, confused, put a hand on her shoulder.
“But I assure you that what is about to be seen is real”
No one breathed once the door was opened, revealing three figures. The first one, on the left, was a light brown skinned girl with blonde hair, wearing a ravenclaw uniform and using some sort of colorful glass that James identified as a Spectrespecs. On the right, a white boy with light brown hair and a rounded face stood a bit clumsy, wearing a gryffindor sweater.
Both their presences were instantly forgotten by James once his eyes locked with the green ones that belonged to the brown boy at the center. God, he continued being a copy of himself, but caring the lovely gaze of his wife, though with an amount of hollowness and pain that no fifteen year old should carry.
The other two kids, at some point, ran inside the room, but not his boy. Not Harry. In fact, he was as frozen as James, gaze watering more and more at each stare he exchanged with him or Lily, like this could only be a great and cruel joke. But Lily, bless her emotional control, did not care about any of it. She approached him in quick steps, hugging the boy so tightly James almost got worried.
It took the first quiet sob for James to snap back into his right mind. Once he did, his form was by Lily’s side, hugging his son just as tightly while silent tears wettened his face.
“Mom… dad…” Hearing Harry’s voice for the first time ever, already so much deeper than a child’s, sent chills down James' spine. He felt much more aware of the years of absence in his son’s life.
“Harry… son, i’m so sorry” He choked a sob, running a hand up and down his back carefully.
By his side, Lily also mumbled apologies, never letting go of the boy in their arms. He thought that, maybe, she was also scared that, once they finally break the hug, the affection would end and be replaced by blame.
“No”, The boy replied firmly. He also did not dare to let go of the embrace, not just yet, and, honestly, James and Lily wished he stayed like that forever. “There’s nothing to apologise for”
“I should’ve protected you both, it should’ve been just me” The shake of head was felt on James’ stomach, and he looked down to see the clear dismissal of any apology. Still, it took all of his self control not to cry loudly in front of his son — his son that he just met.
Harry raised his head, putting a small distance between him and his mother’s body, just enough to look at them properly without breaking the embrace. Lily failed to suppress a sob at the sight of his eyes, that had not changed a single shade of green in years, even if it was a common thing to happen during childhood. It was totally hers.
“You were… are… you are the bravest people I know” James felt like crying rivers at his words. His son sounded so kind, so comprehensive. Sirius and Remus might have raised him even better than James first imagined. “I never blamed you. Never”
His reaction, his new full embrace on James’ torso and all the tears were happening simultaneously with the other two kids and their families — extended.
Frank Longbottom, at the first sight of his boy, felt like lightning had struck on his nerves. He seemed so familiar to all the recent times he subconsciously saw him during hospital visits, but, at the same time, it did not seem right. Neville should be a toddler, not a teen.
And, still, there he stood, staring deeply into their eyes like it was the first time he was actually seeing it, seeing them alive. Well, at least for a second, before his figure bolted to their side, hugging both of them tightly as his tears wettened their shirts.
“My dear… oh dear, how did you grow up so much?”, Alice was openly crying, her fingers running through Neville’s hair all so softly as she hugged him. “I’m sorry, Nev, I’m so sorry”
Frank’s heart tightened as it did every time her wife put blame on herself. He did not let go of his son, but moved one of his hands to gently squeeze her shoulder, as his own eyes watered as well. And Neville, his sweet boy, was quick to shake his head dismissively.
“There’s nothing to be sorry for” he whispered, voice firm despite his clear shock and mix of mournful feelings. “I love you, mum, dad. I missed you so much” he sobbed, which was the trigger to make the tears roll down Frank’s cheeks.
He knelt by his side, although the boy was not a kid anymore, and whispered nonsense statements of longing in his ear as Neville clutched tightly to them. By his side, his wife was caressing their son’s hair sweetly.
The man was not sure if any of them could feel the stare the three were receiving from the corner of the room, and he wished they weren’t. There, slightly away from where they were knelt, his gaze found the mad one of Barty Crouch Junior once more. A shiver ran down his spine, mind already wondering where his wand was, before realizing Dumbledore had disarmed him and Rosier both.
Despite the stare of a madman, though, the ravenclaw did not send any visual, verbal or physical threat at his family. For a crazy second, Frank could swear he saw a glimpse of guilt that quickly transformed into the same insanity expression that helped torture them that night — the young one who might have raised his wand only twice, but kept guard by the exit like a trained dog as the Lestrangers did the main job.
As Crouch seemed to finally notice the creepiness of his stare — Frank doubted that — his gaze turned to the little light brown skinned girl hugging Pandora Rosier.
Of course. The woman had been pregnant by the time his son was a few months old. How come that sweet and smart lady be friends with that mad ravenclaw, though Frank would never understand.
Pandora was oblivious to any stare, her body glued to her daughter’s as the reality of time hit harshly. In front of her, there was a girl who should be nine. By her side, a brother who should be eighteen. Behind, a once best friend who should be nearly twenty. And, still, Luna’s 15, and her boys look on their 30s.
“Is that…” her daughter’s question trailed off as her gaze slowly locked with Evan’s. Face wet from tears, she did not let go of her mother even after almost five minutes of an uninterrupted hug.
Feeling the weight of that gaze, the man took a slow step forward, unsure of what to do. He had no idea her sister had even been pregnant and, still, there stood his niece, already grown up and with an eccentric personality that matched Pandora’s.
“Luna, my love” The woman gently traced a finger through her cheek, wiping some of the girl’s tears away. “This is your uncle”
Evan offered a small and weird smile, being caught completely off guard once the girl entered the room. She looked like a mini version of his sister, but without the exhausted gaze that had grown on Pandora’s eyes during their school time, which possibly means Luna is not a seer. Thank Merlin for that.
The blond man did not show, but he was scared of his niece’s reaction. How much does she know about him? Has Pandora ever told her about him? About the reason he was killed? Would Luna even like him if she knew?
He felt a small push from behind, knowing fully well it was Barty’s doing, and managed to step closer to his niece just as she wrapped her arms around him. Evan was caught off guard once more, staring at his sister like she could be of any help, but, at the warm smile she gave him, he simply hugged Luna back.
“Sup, little one? I’m not reminded if your dad has any siblings, but I’d like to declare my position as your favourite uncle” He noticed the eye roll of his sister and answered with a big smile. Glued to his torso, the teen muffled what might have been a small giggle.
Behind them, a low chuckle was heard, one that made Evan’s heart warmer. It had been so long ever since his ears were last blessed with that sound. Practically attached to his hip, Luna’s eyes risked a curious sneak in the direction it had come.
His sister, sensing the curious shift of her daughter, took the chance to approach again. Evan turned just in time to see when she took Barty’s and Regulus’s hands both and guided them forward. The latter, surprisingly, seemed way more comfortable with that attempt of introduction than the former.
He was not aware, yet, of what had happened to Barty after he died, but, by Longbottom’s reaction earlier, it might have been darker than the blond can imagine.
“Hon, this one here is your godfather”.
A thing Evan always admired in his sister was her ability to mean every single word without fearing to be heard or judged about it — which clearly was the case when Alice Longbottom frowned too deeply at the statement, though she quickly became immersed into her own moment with her son again.
Barty, too, was taken off guard at the revelation, a sharp contraction to Luna’s own reaction. She looked so peacefully at the ravenclaw that one might think she was more aware of the facts than anyone else in the Wizarding World. He stared at Pandora as if expecting a correction, but nothing more was said or done. Well, except for the speed in which the mini version of his sister unwrapped her arms from Evan’s torso and, instead, hugged the other man.
With an amused expression, Regulus let out a silent chuckle as the blond slytherin crossed his arms in a clear demonstration of betrayal. Although, the youngest did not have any time to mock for long as Pandora pulled him closer.
“And this is-
“Reggie, right?” Luna guessed, eyes glimpsing like that reunion just made her whole day, before she lunged forward to hug him as well just as tightly. Evan wondered how much Pandora and Xenophilius told her about each one of them. And what exactly they had told.
…
It took a while until the first guests arrived at Hogwarts. Harry, Neville and Luna were more than happy to wait at Dumbledore’s office, close to their families — the boys even formally greeted Pandora, although they kept their distance from the three Voldemort’s henchmen. In fact, Frank became almost literally a wall shield between his son and those guys.
The kids did not even care that the headmaster did not explain any further about gathering the Order or about how or why this was happening, since the simple “Destiny gave us all a new chance, and that includes some returns” was enough for them.
Among the Order members present, Harry and Neville met their godmothers: Marlene and Lily, respectively. And, of course, their aunt Dorcas, who both mothers always had agreed to be just as family as any other of their school friends. That meeting engaged into a whole new conversation about those ladies.
Not even half an hour later, both boys had declared that Marlene Mckinnon is a badass, and Dorcas Meadowes is her own compliment and adjective.
“Oh, please, you think she is an expert on Quidditch?” The latter had asked, pointing at her girlfriend whilst a teasing smirk was slowly increasing on her lips. “I invented half the beater moves she knows. Every win Slytherin had over Gryffindor has a Meadowes strategy behind it”
The blond woman rolled her eyes, mocking her girlfriend’s convinced expression, which got a few laughs. Dorcas, on the other hand, had to hold back the urge to search Regulus’ eyes as she talked about Quidditch. It was their thing one day, but now is something she buried deep down ever since the war became harsher.
When the last sun beam had vanished from the castle’s landscape, Minerva McGonagall had arrived back with the four last guests personally invited by Destiny — Remus, Sirius, Augusta and Xenophilius.
However, she made the mistake of giving them a resume of the situation, which resulted in an out of breath adult and a big black dog invading the office, while the old lady and the eccentric man were left just slightly behind as they also made their own run.
As an animagus, Sirius bolted to James, transforming at the last second and wrapping his arms around him so strongly that both of them almost ended up on the floor. Not even a second later, Remus pulled Black back so he could also hug his friend.
“I barely come back and you two are already trying to finish me again”, James teased, just slightly out of breath by the strong hugs, but he did not let go. These are his best friends, his brothers. His family.
“Prongs!” Sirius’ voice was muffled, and he could not possibly let go of the man. Maybe later he would find his own reaction ridiculous, but Sirius Black really needed this. He needed his brother back so bad. As the wave of emotions ran past his brain, all the happiness was rudely and quickly pushed aside as a bigger feeling of blame and guilt emerged on his mind.
Conscious of his acts, of his own decisions, Sirius almost pulled back, his arms already loosening the hug, but James Potter had always known his brother. Not a word was needed as he hugged him firmer, steading him in the present instead of the past.
Letting them have their own private moment, Remus stepped back and ran to Lily, hugging her gently and spinning her in the air with ease, which made her let out a small laugh. “Rems!”
The werewolf held her for almost as long as Sirius held James, and none of the other gryffindors had any complaints about it. After all, it has always been like this. Those four are family, and had been since very young, even when they would not let it show.
Once Sirius finally stepped back, face wet and nose puffed, he took almost the same amount of time to properly greet Lily and Marlene, his two best girl friends. And, similarly, it succeeded with each other Order member until he thought it was over.
Just then, though, Sirius noticed the figure quietly standing by the corner of the room. Actually, four figures, the same ones his eyes never bored for more than a second back at school times.
Even after all this time, Bartemius Crouch Junior still had the same feral and mentally unstable look as he glared at Sirius, always daring the world to say a thing to him. Evan Rosier, as dead as someone who was killed by Mad-Eye can be, had his blue greyed eyes very much alive and boring a cold look at his front, though there was a little girl — Luna Lovegood, Harry’s new friend, if Sirius is not mistaken — attached to his hip. Pandora Lovegood, nee Rosier, seemed guarded and slightly suspicious with his stare as well.
Sirius could not care less, not when his eyes did not leave his brother’s, who was returning the gaze without the usual hint of hatred that he always seemed to have back in the 70s. The older one was frozen, feeling sick, angry and, especially, longing to see Regulus Black once more.
He remembers silently begging for a miracle back in 1979, when the Daily Prophet announced Regulus’ death. No one ever knew about the late night sobbing, or about the cries and begs to an inexistent god to bring him back.
It only took seventeen years. Seventeen years later and Sirius is seeing his brother alive again, only looking slightly older than when he died. How ironic was life to bring his seventeen year old brother back from death after making him live without Regulus for the same amount of time he got to know him?
No.
Sirius lived less than that. Maybe he stopped fully knowing his brother a week after he ran away from Grimmauld Place. Maybe it was, actually, after Regulus was put into Slytherin. Maybe after his own selection to Gryffindor.
Or, maybe, he never knew him in the first place.
It did not matter, though. Nothing in the world mattered as he took long steps to the corner of the room, not knowing if his eyes were blurry because of his friends’ return or Regulus’.
At the very last second, the younger brother stilled, as if preparing for a duel, but his body soon allowed to be hugged as he reciprocated with the same strength, both holding each other with a huge amount of longing and caring for what felt like the first time ever.
They did not know what the feelings were towards each other — hate, care, admiration, anger, hurt; but it does not matter right now.
Sirius could not even care about how Regulus had gotten himself into Voldemort’s inner circle, or why Destiny decided to bring him back. Bartemius and Evan were there after all, so there are worse people alive.
For now, knowing his baby brother is there, breathing, is enough.
“Can’t believe I missed you” he whispered at last, pretending not to hear the muffled “me neither” that left Regulus’ lips. He hugged him tightly, just like when they were little kids and the world was yet to be cruel.
None of the presents dared to comment about the scene. After all, it is no one’s business, although the mini version of James Potter could not help but find it really weird, since he recognized just who his godfather was hugging. Not long ago, Sirius had told him about his brother, showing his spot on the family tapestry at Grimmauld Place. By the time, he had made himself clear about how much he hated his whole family, brother included, since he had become a Death Eater.
But, the boy realized, he should not be the one to remind Sirius about that. Family is definitely a complicated topic, and Sirius’ family is something else.
The crowd did not stare at them for long, since two new figures also rushed through the room as soon as they reached the top of the stairs. While a white blond man let out a gasp of surprise and quickly ran to Pandora’s side, an old woman dropped her red handbag to cover her mouth and muffle a sob.
Immediately, Frank approached and, with watery eyes, let out the quietest and softest “mum” ever heard inside that room. Augusta Longbottom, always a strict witch, raised a trembling hand to her son’s face and ran her thumb gently through his cheek. Then, she sobbed again.
“Oh, my dear”
“Mum”
The woman hugged him firmly, despite the sobs and the tears. Right now, it does not matter if Frank is a 38 years old adult, because that one in her arms is her boy, the same one she had to see inside a hospital for more than a decade and pretend to her grandson and to herself that she was not grieving every single time they visited.
No mom should lose a child, no. For years, she selfishly wished to be Lily Potter or Alice Longbottom, who were able to give their lives so their children would be safe. But Augusta, instead, lost her son for fourteen years, the same one who is now back and hugging her like he is still eleven.
Again, no one dared to interrupt. After all, the damn reading could wait.
…
By the time they were all ready to head to the Great Hall, Remus had gotten time to briefly explain the reason behind Sirius being in his animagus form to his friends. It is an euphemism to say that James almost had a panic attack, and so did Lily. Both begged that the headmaster allowed them to tell the truth to the minister, who was already waiting in the castle, but Dumbledore patiently explained that the letter sender made it clear that the books should be those to reveal the truth.
Inside the Great Hall, not many ones recognized the wizards and witches who had returned from the dead, except for James and Lily Potter. Whispers filled the room, coming from all the house tables, as students stared shamelessly at Harry, but, for once, he could not care less.
The only other people who recognized someone, or some ones, were Lucius and Narcisa Malfoy. The woman held on to the Slytherin table tightly, eyes wide like she was seeing a ghost as she stared at her long dead cousin. Well, it was her thought.
While the others were already heading to sit down, she ran to Regulus, not caring to maintain the pure blood pose as some heads watched her with a strange look. The blond woman hugged him without a second thought, a single tear rolling down her cheek as she kept him in her arms like he was the brother she never had — which, again, he is.
Narcissa's words were incoherent and muffled on her cousin’s shoulder, not fully understanding how he could be there, how he could be alive. Evan and Barty did not escape the greet as well, although she managed to be more subtle when it came to them — still, they had a red kiss on their cheeks that matched Regulus’ own, due to Narcisa’s lipstick.
They all headed to the Slytherin table, where Lucius seemed pale while looking at them, but no words left his mouth, which the three boys were glad for, since they are still not too fond of the man anyways.
“Good evening, students, professors and guests” Dumbledore’s voice was as calm as ever, and was followed by a single bark echoing through the whole room. “And dogs,” he added with his classic gentle smile.
“I wasn’t aware dogs were allowed inside the school, Dumbledore”
It was not a surprise to anyone that Dolores Umbridge had already found something to complain about. Her high pitched voice reverberated through the Great Hall without any additional effort, and the headmaster chose to ignore it completely.
Minerva, who is, unfortunately, sitting by her side, was considering changing seats with Severus Snape just to give some rest to her ears. Although, she is aware he would not listen to her request, since the younger professor seemed lost in thought ever since the Potters entered the room.
Well, since Lily Evans entered the room. Evans, because he would never address her as a Potter.
“This afternoon, an interesting letter arrived in my office” Dumbledore continued, and started reading some of the relevant parts of the said letter to the ones in the Great Hall. Once more, stares were given to those who had resurrected. “These books narrate the events that will happen in the next few years, apparently from Harry Potter’s point of view”
The boy shrunk a bit on his seat at the sudden turn of heads in his direction.
“Their reading is supposed to guide us through right decisions. Now, mess with time is something dangerous, but once the Fates themselves choose to interfere in history, actions like this deserve our attention”
“And how will we know if these books are telling the truth, and not just some adulterated impression for people to believe in what you want, Dumbledore?”
As soon as the squeaky voice of Umbridge reverberated through the Great Hall, a small ball of fire appeared from nowhere and incinerated right in front of her. The flames vanished as quick as its appearance, leaving a small piece of parchment that she took it in between her fingers. It was blank, but not for long, as letters started to be written without any help of a quill. The words were, in fact, her thoughts, each one that was passing through her mind at the moment, being described along with their formulations.
She let out a small sound of annoyance, mumbling a small understanding acknowledgement unwillingly. The headmaster did not seem bothered by her interruption, and just simply continued his explanation.
“Once the first book is opened, no one will be allowed to leave the castle until we finish the full reading. Everyone is also magically forbidden to talk about these events with anyone who is not present in this room. Even if they try” Lucius Malfoy scowled slightly as he realized the headmaster was staring right at him. “The first book does not have a title, but I am certain that the reason will be clarified soon enough. Now, who would like to read?”
The light brown skinned hand of a young blond girl was gracefully raised. Dumbledore flicked his wand, and the book calmly floated until it reached the Ravenclaw table, where Luna Lovegood opened it.
“The first page only has a small note”, she explained, her voice soft and thoughtful as she analysed the content. “Before reading about the next two years, some things need to be totally cleared. Therefore, this book is filled with some events that happened during the third, fourth and fifth year of Harry Potter in Hogwarts. By the end of it, the next two books will tell exclusively about the sixth and seventh year of the said person. Sincerely, Destiny”.
“That might be the reason Dumbledore didn’t allow Sirius to transform,” Lily whispered to her husband while the room absorbed the explanation.
“Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”, Luna read, and soon some whispered gossips about Sirius Black could be heard, while others reminded of the new mass breakout from Azkaban that happened just a few days ago. “Chapter seventeen: Cat, Rat, and Dog”.