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Author: Rosebeth Story: Four in Time Rating: Teens Setting: AU Status: WIP Reviews: 10 Words: 20,326
Disclaimer: I own nothing, see prologue. "So how did you two get here?" Lily asked. Ginny started, "As you know Harry was in detention . . ." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* On April 24 (1998 of course, but Ginny didn't say that), Ginny sat alone in the Gryffindor common room. It was nearly half ten and Harry still wasn't back. She wasn't sure if he had any lunch but knew that he definitely missed dinner. That's why she was waiting, so they could go to the kitchens to get a snack. What in the world was Snape making him do, she wondered for the thousandth time. Finally the portrait hole opened, and Harry came in. He saw Ginny asleep in front of the fire. Was she holding his Invisibility Cloak? He went and sat next to her. "Harry, you're back," she said in a sleepy voice and kissed him on the cheek. "I must have fallen asleep waiting for you." "Gin, why do you have the cloak?" "Oh, I thought that since you didn't get dinner you might want to get some food." He smiled at her, "I'm starved, let's go." They headed down to the kitchens wrapped up in the cloak. As they walked Harry stayed behind Ginny, keeping her as close to him as possible. He tried to convince himself that he did it just to keep them well hidden under the cloak. Honestly, truth be told, they just both enjoyed being this close to each other. Fortunately, the journey to the kitchens was without incident. "Harry Potter, sir! And miss 'inny!" Dobby yelled and Ginny giggled. "Hi, Dobby. I missed dinner. Could I get some sandwiches or something?" "Of course, Harry Potter, sir!" Dobby yelled before disappearing. Harry and Ginny settled themselves at the table that was under where the Gryffindor table was in the Great Hall. Dobby reappeared with roast beef sandwiches, pie, and a pitcher of pumpkin juice. "Thanks, Dobby," Harry said. Dobby bowed and left them to their food. "So what did Snape have you do all day?" "He and Filch had me scrubbing floors all over the castle." "And that took all day?" Harry nodded and kept eating. "They had me in the nastiest parts of the castle." He started feeling better now that he had eaten something and had a chance to relax. Of course as soon as that happened the pain started in his knees, elbows, and wrists. He knew by morning he was going to ache. Stupid Snape! He had Quidditch practice tomorrow. He was grateful that Quidditch is played on brooms and not by running around on the ground, and he chuckled softly. "What's funny?" "Nothing. I was just thinking that it's a good thing that I don't play Muggle sports." "Why?" "Muggle sports involve a lot of running. I've spent all day on my hands and knees. I couldn't run very far right now." "That stupid git! He doesn't have to be so nasty to you!" Harry loved it when she got angry on his behalf. It was comforting to know how much she cared, and that she really was very pretty when she was angry. He couldn't put his finger on why he thought that. He always thought that she was pretty, but there was just something different. He mentally told himself he would try and work it out when he wasn't so tired. "It's just Snape and there is no permanent damage done." Ginny calmed down and smiled at Harry and then yawned a huge yawn. She reminded him a bit of Crookshanks just then. "Come on, sleepy head, let's get you back." It was just about midnight when they headed back to Gryffindor tower wrapped up again in the cloak. They hadn't gotten very far when Harry grabbed Ginny and stopped her. "Mrs. Norris," he whispered in her ear. They stood as still as possible, trying not to make a sound, even trying not to breathe. At length Mrs. Norris left, and they began again heading towards the tower. For several minutes they were successful in their attempts until Ginny looked down just in time to see Mrs. Norris again. She stopped suddenly and Harry crashed into her, causing them both to fall. "What's all that racket!? Who's there?" Filch yelled. Harry panicked; the last thing he wanted was another detention. He grabbed Ginny's hands and pulled her to her feet. Hoping they could outrun Filch, they didn't bother covering themselves with the cloak, and they ran hand in hand towards the tower. He had no idea why he did it but at the one armed suit of armor, he pulled Ginny left, away from the tower. She was too busy running to question him. Filch was still back there searching for them, which they knew from his constant ranting. Ginny looked around and realized she didn't know where she was. She hoped Harry did. "Where are we?" "Dunno." "You kids are in trouble tonight. No doubt about that!" Filch yelled behind them. "Come on." Harry pulled Ginny on until he saw the Griffin tapestry; he pulled it aside revealing a door. In complete agreement and without hesitation, they opened the door and ran through. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "The next thing I remember is waking up with you two," Harry finished. "Exactly the same day, April 25," Lily said. "Probably exactly the same time as it was almost midnight when we left the kitchens," Ginny added. "With no reasonable explanation, we both led the girls away from the tower at that suit of armor," James said. "And we all willingly fell though that door," Harry said. "So where does all this get us?" Everyone just shook their heads. James stood and started pacing the room. "We found food and shelter, now what else do we need?" "A way home," Harry answered. "If there is a way," Ginny said. "Of course there is; don't worry about that. We just need to find it." "How can you be so sure, Harry?" Lily asked. "Easy." Harry laughed. "I know when I was born, and it wasn't a thousand years in the past." Everyone seemed reassured by that. "A way home," James repeated trying to get a plan to formulate in his head. "I wonder what the date is here," Lily asked. "No way to know, since they don't use the same calendar we do," Ginny answered. "We asked for advanced lessons, maybe we can read some of those books," Harry said. James groaned. "What's wrong?" "Our magic." Everyone just blankly stared at him. "Look, the everyday magic we use isn't everyday magic around here. In fact, I'd bet that a fair amount of the incantations we use haven't been invented yet. Magic is a living thing - it grows and evolves." "We're at a complete disadvantage if we can't use our magic," Harry stated. "Maybe not." Lily stood and pointed her wand at the pillows on the bed and in a gentle whisper said, "Wingardium Leviosa" and brought the pillow from the bed to Harry's lap. "Well then, we will just have to whisper all of our incantations," Ginny said. "And we explain that how?" "We do it because that's the way we were taught." "You know we could use that to our advantage when we get back. But really, no matter what year we are in, I've still spent the last fifteen hours of my life scrubbing floors. I need some sleep." "That's a good idea," Lily said, sounding very motherly. "Ginny, why don't you go on ahead, I'll be by in a couple of minutes." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* Ginny nodded her agreement. She stood and held her hand out to Harry, who took it. They silently walked to the girls' room. Once they were inside she launched herself at Harry. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close. Despite the brave face she put on in front of his parents, he could still feel how afraid she was. He released her and moved his hands up to her face where he tucked her hair behind her ears. Keeping his hands in her hair, he kissed her softly. "I promise you, Ginny, we are going to get home." "How do you know? All we know is that your parents made it back." "It's my destiny to destroy Voldemort, and it isn't going to happen if I'm stuck here." "But Harry . . ." He silenced her with a kiss. Whey they broke apart they were both a little breathless and she had forgotten her objection. They sat down on one of the chairs and cuddled up a bit. "So what do you think of your parents?" "I don't know. They're not really what I expected." "What's different?" "They're real." She looked at him with a puzzled expression, so he continued. "When I was living with my aunt and uncle they forbade me from asking about my parents. When I got to Hogwarts, everyone told me how wonderful they were. I always thought they were a bit larger than life. Then I saw my father attack Snape in that Pensieve and it skewed my image again. But here they are and they're just normal." "Oh, Harry." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~* "This has got to be the strangest day of my entire life," Lily said snuggling into James. "I know," James replied while rubbing her back. "Do you think Harry's right, about us getting back?" "I do." James continued to rub Lily's back in a comforting manner while the silence stretched on between them. "What's bothering you, Lils?" When she didn't respond James gently separated them and looked into her beautiful green eyes. She closed them in response to his gaze. "Lily, love?" "It's just that. . . we know we are going to orphan him. What kind of parents does that make us? What kind of people do that to their son?" She couldn't stop the tears that rolled down her face. James held her close. He was unsure of what to say to her. He had the same thoughts - maybe they should rethink this whole marriage thing. Damn Voldemort for torturing them and their son like this. He felt Lily shift in his arms; he looked at her to see that she was moving her ring about on her finger. She once told him that it gave her comfort. "Lily, I love you." "I know, James, I love you too." "Harry is a fine man, and we would be wrong to not give him life. We would be the kind of parents that created a child in love. There's nothing wrong with that." "James, he loses us." "Lily, we know nothing of Harry's life." "But we orphan him!" Her voice broke. "No, we don't know that. All we know is that sometime before his seventh year, I die. And I'd gladly give my life to keep the two of you safe." "James." "We are going to get married, and when we have our son, who has his mother's beautiful eyes, we will name him Harry. Besides, we don't know what changes we will cause to the timeline if we don't." Lily simply nodded her agreement, as she didn't trust her voice. He seemed so strong, and she needed that. She didn't think she could make these decisions on her own. He was right of course; it would be wrong to rob Harry of his life, not to mention Ginny and the rest of the people in his life. She was comforted by the fact that other people loved him as well. "Lily, go to sleep. It's been a long day for all of us." She silently stood and kissed his cheek. Quietly she left the room and made her way back to the room she was going to share with Ginny. As she entered she heard them talking softly. ". . . but here they are and they're just normal." "Oh, Harry." Lily wanted to cry, but James was right: they would continue on. Somewhere she found the belief that she could be strong for her son. She forced a smile on her face and in the most motherly tone she could manage she asked, "Harry, I do hope you're being a gentleman in here." At the sound of Lily's voice Harry and Ginny literally jumped from the chair and both tried unsuccessfully to hide their blushes. In spite of herself, Ginny couldn't help but giggle, as Harry looked his young mother in the eye. "Yes, Mum, I've been behaving myself." Lily smiled at them. "It's time for all of us get some sleep." She walked up to Harry and gave him a kiss on the cheek and a hug. He happily returned it. She whispered, "Sweet dreams, son," in his ear and released him. Ginny also gave him a hug and a kiss goodnight. Without another word Harry left the room, closing the door behind him. As soon as the door clicked closed Lily couldn't hold back any longer and the tears began to fall. Ginny wrapped her in a hug, letting herself cry as well.
A/N: My continued thanks to Cliodne for her awesome beta work and to all my readers and reviewers.
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