Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to Harry Potter. If I did I would be a far richer man. And I'd be a woman. I also don't own anything related to the Fate/(anything) series because then I'd be able to speak fluent Japanese.

Reviews are appreciated but certainly not required.

AN: Wow it's been awhile…Sorry this took so long to update everyone! So fair warning about this chapter, towards the end we get the 'official' story for Harry's existence. It is convoluted in the extreme. If this greatly annoys you, just a friendly reminder to go back to Chapter 4. Almost all of the main characters complain about it in universe as well. Lily herself is almost as much of an obstacle to the Good Guys as the Bad Guys are in this fic. Please keep that in mind as things progress forward.

CO AN:No specific comments from RhysThornbery at this juncture beyond hoping that everyone enjoys this chapter.

Chapter 7: Not So Small Changes

"So why exactly are we in Japan again? I thought that we would've started off with these ley line convergence trap things in England," Tonks said walking backwards next to Jeanne and gaping at the cherry blossom trees lining the path with Mt. Fuji in the distance. "These blooms should've died off months ago…" she murmured running one hand along an overhanging rosette blossom.

"Magical district," Jeanne commented shrugging. She reached over and gently nudged Tonks to the side so that the younger woman avoided knocking into a teenager who had stopped to sketch the trees. "The folks here really enjoy their country's staples. Keeping them in bloom year round is supposed to be some sort of summer project for the Mahoutokoro kids. At least that's what it was in original version of things. Maybe…It's been a few years since I checked in on Japan."

"Bugger, all I ever got was essays on random historical battles and more transfiguration papers than I could shake a stick at."

"They also ride giant storm petrels to school if they're not boarding there. I'll take the train you guys used thank you," Jeanne said shuddering slightly.

Tonks chuckled and smirked at her companion. "Not a fan of heights, eh?"

"Some of us were born before insane inventions like airplanes, helicopters, brooms and flying carpets. I'll keep my feet solidly on the ground thank you very much. How Harry managed to survive as long as he did while constantly biting his thumb at gravity will forever boggle my mind."

Tonks started snickering. Sure enough though, a few moments later, her attention was so hopelessly diverted from her path that when her feet struck a slightly uneven section her leg flew out from under her. Pinwheeling her arms, Tonks fell backwards letting out a shout of surprise – her fall towards the hard ground stopped only by a leather boot under her back which just barely managed to halt her momentum. Tonks blushed crimson as Jeanne levered her back up to a standing position.

"Maybe start walking forward now?" Jeanne asked rolling her eyes and chuckling. "You're clumsy enough as it is, Tonks."

"Sorry…" She swiftly shook her head and used her abilities to force the blush down. "So are we almost there?"

"Oh yes, nice segue there," Jeanne said laughing harder. She wiped at her eyes and gestured to a break in the trees. The metamorph stepped through the cherry blossoms and walked towards a small koi pond a hundred feet beyond. "To answer your question, yes, we are."

"And why exactly are we here again?"

Jeanne sighed and cast a critical gaze at her companion. "You didn't seriously forget that we're shutting down Riddle's ability to trap this ley line conduit did you?"

Tonks snorted and let her hair flash to orange for a brief moment before schooling it back to neutral pink. "Of course I didn't forget that. I meant, 'what are you and I doing here'. As in why aren't Harry and Hermione here and what am I even doing remotely near this job. Also, Stonehenge was like right around corner."

"Ah, you see, you should've led with that question," Jeanne teased smiling. "Harry would be useless here. He was always just the bodyguard; Hermione did the work on desynchronizing the runic traps. She and I are probably two of the only people who'll be able to layer these convergence zones with our own counter-traps for a few months while we train a few others. The required sigil is pretty advanced and intricate – also, I'm fairly certain the brunette invented a new form of magic when she created it. I'm sure that Babbling will be able to pick it up, but it'll take her a while. Besides, school is starting soon; the others can't skip off on the first day, Tonks."

Tonks frowned in mild confusion. "So what, I'm supposed to learn super hard runic spells now? I'm awesome with transfiguration and really good with charms, but runes isn't my thing, Jeanne."

"Tonks, what's your job?" Jeanne asked idly as she circled the koi pond counting off paces. "From Amelia, I mean."

"Err, to watch you and learn all there is to know. She really didn't pick the best person for this sort of thing if I'm supposed to be learning runes."

Jeanne stopped in her walk and turned to regard Tonks. She was silent for a good ten seconds before chuckling and nodding. "Yeah, she really did choose poorly in that case. Dora, she meant for you to watch me and report back anything I did that set off alarm bells. She doesn't trust me, not completely. She doesn't trust Harry either for that matter."

"Wait, what?" Tonks frowned and thought back to when Amelia had pulled her to the side before they set off and ran through the scene in her head again. Scowling she kicked at a clump of dirt. "Son of a…Well bugger that shite! If she expects me to spy on my role model she's as insane as my relatives."

"Which one?" Jeanne asked smirking.

Tonks snorted and shook her head. "Take your pick, they're all crazy. Bellatrix doesn't need an introduction; Narcissa voluntary sleeps with a Malfoy; mum will give you a cup of tea while casually discussing hiding bodies; Alice stays at a manor with the Dowager Longbottom; Lily is a berserker when you get her fired up; Sirius thinks a prank war is a perfectly legit response to a spilled drink. Bloody insane, the lot of them."

"Well when you put it that way," Jeanne smirked again and resumed her pacing. "To be fair, she has a point. Harry and I have a rather fantastical story – one that can't be easily verified – and we're somewhat unproven allies currently. I imagine the only reason why we weren't given veritaserum interrogations were thanks to the Potters and Hermione. Amelia probably expected you to get her meaning without having to spell it out. You are an Auror after all."

Tonks made a raspberry sound, shaking her head. "Yeah, yeah, whatever," Tonks waved away the comment. "I'm going to be on Tournament guard duty soon anyway. You're coming to that too aren't you? Great, I'm supposed to be spying on you then too aren't I?"

"I prefer to think of it as 'ensuring I'm legitimate' rather than spying. She means well, Tonks. Ah, here we go!" Stopping Jeanne drew her wand and started sketching intricate floating runes. As each design completed, it flashed and floated down to settle into the bottom of the koi pond, startling the fish along the way, before vanishing under the gravel bed. Tonks fell silent watching her friend work and marveling at the beauty of the display. It was nearly fifteen minutes later before a slightly sweaty Jeanne dropped her wand at the final runic flash and laid her hands on her knees panting.

"Man that's a lot of work," Jeanne wheezed out. "I need to get back in shape. Color me impressed, Granger; here I was thinking just Harry was the powerhouse. Anyway, yeah, Tonks, I'm an 'executive foreign consultant' according to Sirius. Whatever the heck that means. Even if it wasn't official I'd be hanging around the school anyway. I need to be close in case the 'lovable idiot' decides to go all noble-martyr on us again…as per usual."

Tonks frowned. She moved to help Jeanne stand up straight and held the brunette's eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"We told you the Tournament's likely going to be rigged somehow. Harry and Hermione have something they've been keeping under their sleeves from us. I don't know what it is, and I don't think I want to know. He's going to do something incredibly stupid and he doesn't have any retries left. Thank god we know the general progress of the thing…"

Tonks felt her hair shift to her Black curls, but couldn't bring herself to change it. "I thought that when we cleared Moody last week we were safe…Shite, it's never that easy is it? You think Crouch went for someone else?"

"Either him or Bellatrix or both. Pettigrew was a horrible servant for Riddle – Bellatrix is a fairly decent one. She's not stellar since she's bloodthirsty and insane, but unlike the rat she is competent. Barty is both competent and focused. He's not a loose cannon like Bella can be. They'll get in and sabotage the thing."

"Well," Tonks said setting her stance and nodding her head. "We'll just all have to stop them then."

Jeanne smiled reaching over to squeeze Tonks' shoulder. "That we will. But first, to Peru for the next ley line!"

As Jeanne turned to walk back to the path Tonks smirked and playfully punched the older woman's shoulder. "You still haven't told me why we didn't go to the close ones first."

Jeanne grimaced and squeezed the bridge of her nose. "Honestly? I just wanted to make absolutely darn sure that we knocked this one out before everything inevitably goes to hell. Trust me, you don't want to try to seal this confluence point with freaking Godzilla breathing down your neck!"

Tonks stopped and gaped at her companion's back as Jeanne kept walking. It took nearly ten seconds before Tonks could pick her jaw back up and run after the woman, yelling. "Wait! You can't just throw that out there and not explain! Jeanne, details you bloody barmy Frenchwoman! Details!"

"You know," Harry mumbled as he stared out the train's window, his head comfortably resting against Hermione's shoulder, "I forgot just how nice it was to ride on the Express."

Hermione made a soft sound of agreement and continued to run one hand through his messy hair while her other one tightened on his waist. "I quite agree."

"Ugh, do you two have to be sooo cutesy?" Aster groaned from the seat across the booth. She let out a mock gagging noise and twisted to Ginny. "Thank your lucky stars you aren't dating yet, Ginny."

Ginny frowned. "Uh, weren't you just complaining a week ago about not being able to fawn all over – "

"Neville!" Aster yelled immediately switching focus and cutting off Ginny. The other occupants of the cabin chuckled at Aster's rather blatant misdirection. Apparently some constants were immutable enough to transcend timelines. "So how's that new girlfriend you've been so secretive about? I mean, you've been skirting around it so much I'm starting to think she's made up to make me jealous or something."

"Yeah, Aster, cause we both know how well that would work," Neville commented rolling his eyes. "Just because I had a crush on you for a while doesn't mean I can't face reality."

"I'm glad that you finally wised up to it, Neville. Anybody could see Aster mooning over Hermione for ages if they'd bothered to look," Ginny teased laughing at the two.

"I did not moon," Aster protested crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at Ginny.

The redhead just grinned wider and shrugged. "Whatever you say, sweetie." Out of all of the people Harry had met in this changed reality Ginny was tied for most 'different'. Between her and Susan he could barely even recognize either one of them! "Now let's focus on the most important thing here!"

"And just what is most important, Ginny?" Harry asked.

"Well, I would say the most important thing is to find someone who cares for you as much as you care for them. The second most important thing would be to find something you love doing." Ginny paused and her flippancy vanished in an instant, her shoulders tensing and her eyes narrowing. Ginny's gaze fixed him with a stare that left Harry feeling like fidgeting. "Understanding just how Hermione could become so deeply attached to a relative stranger so quickly is a close third. Especially when said stranger has the same eyes as Aster's mum."

"Err…" he said eloquently.

Hermione however simply shrugged and smiled towards the Ginny. "Well the full specifics are a bit of a secret. However, like Aster and I said earlier, Harry is family. I can be relaxed around family."

"You abuse that term almost as much as the Blacks," Ginny complained shaking her head. She sighed and then rolled her eyes throwing her hands up in surrender. "Granted, I'm not really one to talk considering that the Weasley clan is right up there with them. Minus Percy of course – but he's just a git and every family has to have one bad egg!" That sent another round of chuckles through the group.

"I really missed this," Harry murmured, just soft enough his voice only carried to Hermione's ears. She squeezed him harder in reply.

The group chatted for most of the remainder of the train ride until there was a soft knock on the compartment door. Aster grunted, the sound striking a chord in Harry. He recognized it as an annoyed yet resigned, noncommittal grunt he tended to use whenever Hermione managed to bully him into studying…"Draco," Aster said as she pulled open the door.

Harry blinked up in surprise. Draco Malfoy had actually knocked instead of barging in! And he wasn't flanked by his two gorillas, but instead by Blaise Zabini of all people. Granted Draco had been civil when they had met in Diagon Alley, but this was far too weird to make any sort of sense. Harry was still trying to process this altered Malfoy when the blond boy spoke. "Hello, Aster. I know we haven't exactly been the best of acquaintances lately…"

"Well that's one way to put it," Aster scoffed. She leaned against the door frame and cocked her head to the side staring at him. "Look Draco, we may not exactly be enemies, but you're only the barest step shy of it. If I hadn't known you were just running your mouth off like usual last year and actually meant your bluster then we would be enemies. So what; are you actually apologizing?"

Draco grimaced and nodded. "I am. I was arrogant and you had done nothing to warrant my provocation. I am sorry."

Harry leaned forwards focusing fully on Draco. The Slytherin was tense and his eyes were downcast. Both hands were loose and his breathing was regular if strained somewhat. Harry blinked repeatedly and had to restrain himself from gaping. Draco Malfoy was actually legitimately apologizing!

Aster remained silent for long enough to cause the blond to fidget before she sighed and nodded. "Apology accepted. I have enough enemies as it is. Why is Blaise here?"

"Unified front," the tall, black boy said shrugging. "Not everyone in our House is looking forward to 'the good old days' as Flint called them. My mum's insane enough as it is, lord only knows how bad she'd get if the Dark started to take over. I'm here to help legitimize him," Blaise threw a thumb towards Draco who just glared back at him. "Little Malfoy has finally realized his family is as screwed up as mine."

"If you're not going to shut up, then go back to the compartment," Draco grunted.

Blaise just laughed and sauntered past his apparent friend. "Man, if you wanted a strong silent type, go back to the Idiot 1 and Idiot 2. Later, Potter."

Draco muttered something under his breath as Blaise left, then sighed. Shaking his head he turned back to Aster. "Before I go, have you…Have you heard anything from Lovegood?"

"Luna?" Aster asked pulling back finally standing up straight. "Why do you care about Luna?"

"It's complicated," Draco hedged kicking his foot against a loose section of carpet. "I overheard some things this summer and I just wanted to make sure she was okay after the Chamber of Secrets thing."

Ginny stood and moved to Aster's side frowning at the blond. "She's fine. She's practically royalty in Beauxbatons."

"Really?" Draco looked up, his mouth falling open at that tidbit. Harry felt his own body echoing Draco's reactions. "Loony Lovegood is queen of the French?"

Aster groaned and rubbed her forehead. "See, it's reactions like that that stop us from being friends, Draco. And she's known as Lucky Luna there. You want to turn over a new leaf and away from your evil parents, great. Prove it and we'll keep talking."

"Evil?! My father will hear about this!" the familiar epithet was spoiled by the grin on Draco's face.

Aster just rolled her eyes and moved back into the compartment. "Goodbye, Draco."

"Aster." The door closed on a half-hearted nod from the Slytherin and Aster and Ginny retook their seats.

"Well that was surreal," Harry said quietly, still staring at the door.

"I told you he wasn't that bad here," Hermione replied lightly pushing Harry's shoulder.

"What did he mean by Luna being in the Chamber?" Harry murmured, leaning into her. "Did she take Ron's place in this world?"

Hermione grimaced. "Ginny's actually." Harry twisted to look at her quickly enough that his neck cracked. "Yes, I know. She was okay afterwards though she did transfer to Beauxbatons. Considering how popular she became over there, there are some rumors here that she set things up intentionally just to get away from Hogwarts. I don't believe them personally."

"Wow…" Harry whispered shaking his head. "Two or three small changes my arse."

"Language, Harry," Hermione replied chuckling and bumping his shoulder again as Hogsmeade rolled into view out the window.

As the main student body filed into the Great Hall, Harry hung back to speak with Shiva at the entrance. Most of the students had walked inside as Harry turned to his mother's partner. "So you're my escort huh?"

Shiva snorted and rolled her eyes. "We figured there'd be fewer immediate questions if I was the one walking you over to McGonagall. You know you could've just hopped onto the boats."

"And scare the firsties?" Harry replied grinning.

"Hardy, har har. Come on twerp, let's get you to the Sorting before the Hat is brought out."

"You wound me, Shiva," Harry said clutching his heart.

Shiva just chuckled and waved him forward into the side corridor with the first year students. There was one that had a 'freshly spelled' look with poofy hair and fluffed clothes. Harry grinned as he thought back to Neville falling into the lake; this poor sod had seemingly followed in his old friend's footsteps.

McGonagall had just finished walking the students through the coming event as Harry and Shiva came to a stop at the back of the line. McGonagall frowned as she looked him over. "Professor Babbling, is this the new transfer student that your partner owled me about?"

"Yup, this is Harry. Say hi to Professor McGonagall, Harry."

Harry briefly considered having some fun with this version of another of his old colleagues. That moment of Weasley Twin Inspiration quickly passed at the shuddering thought of detention on the first day. "Hello, Professor. I apologize in advance for the upcoming spectacle."

McGonagall snorted and he caught the small twitch in her lips that was as close as the woman ever let herself get to smiling around new students. "Well if the big secret is what I suspect you can hardly be faulted for it Mr. …"

Shiva chuckled and patted Harry on the shoulder. "Let's just stick with 'Harry' for the moment, Min. Like the kid said, spectacle and all. I look forward to the fireworks at the Sorting."

McGonagall inclined her head. "As do I." Turning to the rest of the children she clapped twice and started walking towards the side door to the Great Hall. "Come along everyone, come along."

A few surreptitious young eyes glanced at Harry though most were far too preoccupied with their own impending Sorting to spare him much notice. Harry waved goodbye to Shiva and walked after the others as the older woman slipped away back to the Staff's table. As the group trooped into the Great Hall a smile crossed Harry's face wide enough to stretch from ear to ear. It really had been too long since he'd seen the place intact. The castle had been long abandoned by the time he and Hermione had tried to stop the Fiend Burst from building over it.

If he knew his friend, she'd likely have the Ley Line sealed and safeguarded before the evening was over, making absolutely certain that particular future catastrophe never happened.

Harry was so lost in his recollections that he only noticed the completion of the firsties' Sorting when Dumbledore stood and clapped. "Yes, congratulations to all of our new students! However, as many of you have probably noticed, we do have one additional Sorting to conduct tonight before we can all eat. Allow me to introduce our new transfer student! He will be entering into the Fourth Year and I ask that everyone provide him with a warm welcome to Hogwarts and all of the glorious opportunities and history that our great institution has to offer!"

Harry chuckled softly at that. "Laying it on a little thick, Professor," he murmured to himself. Glancing at the rest of the staff, Harry saw his mother grinning broadly back at him along with Shiva on her right. Flitwick had his head cocked to the side. Amusingly enough, Sprout and Trelawney both seemed completely oblivious to his existence and were staring off blankly into the distance. His gaze passed over Snape three times before he recognized the man and when he did Harry rocked back onto his heels only barely stopping his mouth from falling open.

Gone was the greasy haired bat and in his place sat a nearly jolly individual robed in bright green with silver linings. Snape had apparently managed to find something to use for hygiene as his hair was almost…silky. He was even smiling! The man's eyes briefly met Harry's and a small frown crossed his features for a moment before he shook his head and started chuckling along with something that Vector was whispering to him.

"…Without further ado, if you would please step forward to be Sorted, Mr. Potter."

The immediate gasp and silence followed by a flurry of whispering quickly brought Harry out of his shock. He shook his head and nodded to the Headmaster before stepping forward to sit down on the stool. Professor McGonagall paused for a moment as she raised the Hat over him. She raised an eyebrow at him. "Mr. Potter, eh? Please don't be afraid to buck tradition. We have enough rabble-rousers amongst your family as it is, young man." She winked at him and Harry smiled in response.

"No promises, Ma'am. From what I understand, it runs in the family."

"Sadly I find myself agreeing with you," she heaved a heavy sigh though the amusement in her tone belied her feelings on the matter. Without further ado Harry felt the Sorting Hat settle onto his head and the familiar feeling of its soft whisper in his mind.

Hmm, interesting, very interesting! It's not often I find myself Sorting one that I've already Sorted before! Hello again, Harry Potter and welcome back.

"Err, thanks?" Harry murmured back. He had been harboring a vague hope that Occlumency would shield some of the weirder aspects of his arrival from the Hat, but it seemed that was a ship that had sank before even setting sail.

You know I've encountered several prospective students who had been Reset prior to coming to me – not many mind you, fair few find their lives so utterly devoid of luck that they require a Reset before 11 – though you seem even more extreme. I must say, six deaths, young man? My, my. Well, hopefully we can avoid all that fuss with your sister!

"Yeah, that's the plan," Harry replied grimacing. It was one thing for Jeanne or Hermione to tease him about his horrific luck and blatant stupidity; it was quite another for a piece of fabric to do it. "So if we could get on with this and just put me back into Gryffindor so I can watch her back it would appreciated."

Whoever said I would be putting you back into the same House? Why would you assume that?

Harry drew a sharp breath and scowled as he glared at the brim of the Hat. "Because I'm a bloody Gryffindor!"

You were a Gryffindor. In a timeline that has been erased. Now I will grant you, you still have a high affinity for the House. And in any case, we can certainly rule out Ravenclaw. Helena would have ripped me to shreds if I tossed you in there considering your study habits!

"I chose my House before, I can choose it again," he growled gritting his teeth.

Sure, sure. Now let's see. Hmm, you're certainly loyal enough to make Helga proud. It's to a fairly limited group though so probably not the best option.

"Don't you dare. Don't you bloody well dare."

It seems I previously stated you'd do well in Slytherin. I fully stand by my other incarnation. Though we now have even more factors to consider…After all, with Tom Riddle on the rise again, that House has grown to be a pale shadow of what Salazar intended it as. Bigots and fools rule that House these days and I can't even send new students to it without considering if they could survive the experience first. You…you could be the answer.

"I'm. A. Gryffindor." Harry's hands were clenched hard enough against the stool it was a wonder it wasn't cracking.

I expect your help here, Mr. Potter. Hogwarts has need of you. Your home needs to have the dust bin taken out and beaten clean. You will be a basilisk amongst the garden snakes. Make both Salazar and Godric proud!

"I hate you…"

Good luck to you, Harry Potter! Good luck in "SLYTHERIN!" Harry stood, taking the Sorting Hat off his head and glaring at the smug looking grin in the fabric before tossing it to McGonagall. There was near utter silence in the Great Hall as he took a deep breath and schooled his features into a pleasant mask. Outwardly calm and collected Harry started his walk to the Slytherins' doom.

Catching sight of Hermione thumping her head into the Gryffindor table did manage to bring a small smile to his face. A smile that only served to chill the hearts of any Slytherin unlucky enough to catch sight of it.

Lily had barely been able to put her napkin down after the meal ended before she was accosted by Dumbledore with a polite – yet firm – demand to meet with him in his office. Lily managed to prevent her usual response to the old man's 'requests' and instead of snapping at him or cursing, she politely nodded and indicated she'd be up in a moment. Dumbledore smiled and moved off, Flitwick quickly taking his place.

"Lily, Shiva, such a please to see you both again after the summer break!" her diminutive friend's smile was far more genuine and she greatly appreciated how he hadn't tried to grill her during their meal about her son. "I'm willing to put money on this being a big secret, but I simply must ask: Harry Potter? Adopted or related?"

"Related," Lily said with a chuckle. "It's a long story, Filius, and one that doesn't start very happily. How about you join us for tea tonight and Shiva and I can explain?"

"Excellent. I shall bring the oolong then!"

"Since when did he like oolong? I could've sworn he was all over herbal teas a few weeks back…" Shiva wondered aloud as Flitwick moved off. Lily just shrugged in reply. Together the two stood and fell into step with McGonagall.

"Evening, Minerva," Lily said.

"Good evening, Lily." McGonagall raised her eyebrow at the redhead leaving Lily to smirk at the older woman.

"Something you wanted to ask, Min?"

McGonagall shut her eyes and groaned quietly at the flippant moniker. "I would say you know very well what I wish to ask, Lily. Considering that I am likely to obtain a portion of the answers once we get to Albus' office however, I am willing to wait." She narrowed her eyes at Lily briefly before snorting and turning back to the corridor. "You could have given me a warning you had a son attending this year. Or that you had a son to begin with."

Shiva reached out to grab Lily's hand and squeezed hard. "Perhaps if you'd stood with us against 'Albus' after he tried to mindwipe my girlfriend we'd have deigned to bring you into the loop earlier," the Rune teacher said.

McGonagall was too poised to do anything like missing a step; however Lily caught the grimace and sorrow that flitted across her features and the soft hitch in her once-mentor's voice. "I have…apologized for that multiple times now. Albus has his faults, but I continue to maintain that he honestly believes he is trying to do his best."

"His best would've gotten our daughter killed," Shiva stated with a sigh. "I'm sorry, Minerva, I didn't mean to reopen old wounds. I'll drop it. We appreciate the backup here. I know you don't think it's necessary, but we do."

"I refuse to be alone with that man again," Lily said softly. She gripped Shiva's hand hard, clutching to her anchor and refusing to fall into her memories or her anger at Dumbledore. She wasn't fully able to prevent her narrowed eyes or drawn lips as she muttered, "More for his sake than mine."

McGonagall grimaced again and nodded. The trio pulled up in front of the gargoyle to the Headmaster's office and a quick password and escalator ride later, they were sitting down in the chairs at Dumbledore's desk with the man across from them.

"Good evening," Dumbledore said nodding to the witches. He steepled his fingers and frowned. "I will refrain from my normal offer as I rather doubt that either, you, Bathsheda, or you, Lily, would accept a sherbet lemon. In addition, there is no need to – what do the young call it these days? – beat the bushes?"

McGonagall shook her head. "Actually, Albus, the phrase is 'beating around the bush'."

"Yes, that was it, thank you, Minerva. Lily, I know you approve of my methods, yet I urge you to trust me now. I must know about your…son." Dumbledore face was a mask of impassivity and the steel in his voice left no question as to how such a man could have once faced off against someone like Grindelwald.

"Oh so now you care about my family?" Lily asked her eyes narrowed to slits. "Never bothered to tell us about the bit of soul stuck in my daughter's head, but as soon as my son enters the scene you're all demanding of information?"

Dumbledore reared back as if he had been slapped. "What did you say?" His voice was soft enough that it was barely above a whisper and his eyes had widened to saucers.

"Soul," Lily spat. "Yes, my family figured out the secret of the Diary and what you tried to wipe from my mind. We're dealing with it in our own way and – "

Dumbledore's eyes widened even further and he leant forward almost falling over his desk as he shouted. "No! Lily, please you must trust me, there is a chance to help Aster, but you mustn't try to do anything to remove the – "

"Don't!" Lily spat cutting him off. She lifted from the seat and slammed her hands onto the desk scowling as she met him face to face only inches apart. "Don't you dare! Aster is my child! Mine! You knew about this for over a decade and did nothing you arrogant tosser! You consulted no one and you hang your hopes on a fantasy. My family is working to fix this without gambling with my daughter's life!"

"Lily!" McGonagall gasped, her hand covering her mouth. "Albus! What are you both implying? What is wrong with the girl? How can we help her?"

"Lily, sit down," Shiva stated. She laid a hand on Lily's arm and gently, yet firmly, pulled her back into her seat. Lily continued to glare at Dumbledore though she clamped her mouth shut and ground her teeth. "Headmaster, our family is aware of the remnant and we are working on a way to eliminate it. Your opinion on the matter is not currently wanted and that is not what we are here to discuss. Please drop it. Minerva, the same. Aster is not okay; she will be. We have it covered."

McGonagall didn't look happy at the dismissal, but after a few moments of consideration, she carefully nodded and surreptitiously wiped at the corner of her eye.

Dumbledore hung his head and ever so slowly, shifted to sit back down. His shoulders slumped and a moment later he looked all of his hundred-and-twenty-something years. "There are so few methods of removing a parasite like this and even fewer that would leave Aster alive and aware…I am sorry. I had hoped to spare you both from this knowledge until it was no longer a concern. I…I do not know if I can fully drop this matter, Bathsheda. It is something that may very well be tied into young Harry's existence as well depending on several potential factors. Not least of which is the Prophecy. Lily, I don't know if James ever told you why he had moved you both to Godric's Hollow and allowed for us to place the Fidelius on your home. There was a prophecy shortly before Aster was born. It stated she would be the one to destroy the Dark Lord. At least that was what I had thought…"

Lily took a deep breath, clenching and unclenching her hands several times before trusting herself to reply. "James told me there was a prophecy, but he did not know the exact wording. Tell us and we will explain about my son – if it pertains to this supposed prophecy."

Dumbledore sighed, shutting his eyes. He stayed silent for long enough that Lily began to consider if she could simply get up and leave. Finally he whispered, "I heard it while interviewing a potential job applicant. Portions of it were overheard by a Death Eater and brought back to Voldemort. It was what set his sights onto your family and the Longbottoms."

Dumbledore paused again before continuing,

"A child with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches…

born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…

born into a world not their own and matured long before their time…

and the Dark Lord will mark them as his equal, but they will have power the Dark Lord knows not…

power gained from experience, power gained from failure, power gained from victory and loss and constraint…

and one must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives…

one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies..."

As he fell silent, Lily frowned. She ran over the wording again and snorted in amusement. It actually could apply to Harry if one squinted and cocked their head to the side. "Thank you. Who overheard it?"

Dumbledore shook his head. "That is unimportant. Please…Harry?"

Lily scowled. Like hell it was 'unimportant'! Whoever the bastard was who'd tattled to Big Bad And Snakey, had placed a target onto her family. When she found out who it was…Lily's lips quirk upwards into a dangerous grin at the retribution she'd unleash on that poor unfortunate soul. A squeeze on her arm brought her back to the present and she focused back in on Dumbledore's last question. "This isn't over Dumbledore, but fine. Harry is my son. When Aster was born she had a twin born a few minutes after her. There was an attack on Charlus' manor that same evening. The results of that night were part of why we agreed to move to Godric's Hollow and use a Fidelius. Some of the Death Eaters managed to get inside the wards. One stumbled into the nursery as the House Elves were cleaning up Harry and managed to kidnap him. By lucky chance Sirius was running back from the main fight at the gates and stumbled across the man. There was a chase onto the grounds. Sirius got off a last spell as the Death Eater apparated away. From what he saw, he'd thought the spell had struck Harry and assumed my child had died within only a few minutes of being born."

Shiva leaned forward and picked up the practiced narrative. "Lily and James were both obviously grief stricken and didn't want to let the Death Eaters know that they had struck a resounding blow considering where the war was at that point. They also didn't want Sirius blaming himself for Harry's death. So everyone present agreed to pretend that Aster was not only the eldest, but also an only child. We only learned a few weeks ago Sirius' spell hadn't killed Harry, but the Death Eater."

"He's been raised by an old codger that despised magic, but knew Harry would need to blend in with the Muggles so the man taught self-taught him. Harry's knowledge is fairly advanced for his age because of that. While I'm gratefully that…man took Harry in, I despise him for being such a hermit that he never had enough contact with our world to realize who Harry was and that his family was still there for him!" Lily was rather proud of the sneer she affected with that statement. Granted channeling her earlier anger with Dumbledore made it easy to draw the ire necessary for it however it was still a good sneer all things considered.

McGonagall frowned as she leaned forward and cut in. "Why would Harry have not appeared in the Hogwarts' Roster then? All magical children in Britain are supposed to automatically appear and receive a letter."

Shiva shrugged. "Don't know, don't really care. Maybe the arse did get Harry's letter and just burned the thing."

"That…is possible I suppose," McGonagall allowed. "Though I find it hard to believe that Harry had no knowledge of who he was before this year."

"He'd barely been allowed outside and had almost no contact with anyone or anything beyond that bastard. I said he was raised. I did not say he was raised well or with love," Lily said her very real anger with her sister lending a deeper vibrating edge to her voice. "My son has been damaged, and now that he's home, we're helping him to heal."

"Did he…escape?" Dumbledore asked carefully.

"The old man died. From what Harry described, it sounded like a heart attack or stroke," Shiva said. "It was lucky in a way because he'd apparently gotten a paper that morning that had mentioned the Quidditch Cup events and Harry saw Lily and Aster on it. He thought they looked familiar and coupled with having their same surname sought us out for help. We figured out the story from there."

"Any further questions or am I free to go back to my children and make sure that Harry is settling in well?" Lily asked pointedly.

Dumbledore cast his eyes towards the desk in front of him and opened and closed his mouth several times before finally asking softly, "Lily, I know that we have not seen eye-to-eye in the past and I know that I can never fully make up for my mistakes. I ask this not because of our history, but because I am know your pain and I do care for you whatever you may think of me. Have you considered that Harry may be an imposter? Have you carefully questioned him to ensure that he is not an agent of the enemy intentionally – or unintentionally – playing a part? As you yourself just said, Sirius thought that the boy had died."

Lily almost laughed at that. If Dumbledore only knew the real story! "We've verified him and his story. We've also reviewed Sirius' memories of that evening using Amelia's departmental Pensieve. The spell struck the Death Eater; Harry was untouched. If it makes you feel better, Headmaster, Amelia is still in the process of satisfying her own personal need for verification. While we have very different ideas on the majority of the Potter family matters, I think we can both agree that Amelia Black née Bones is far more thorough than you or I. If Harry is a secret Death Eater plant she'll find him out and I'll deal with him myself."

He nodded at that and finally seemed to shore his posture back up to something approaching the steel that he had started the meeting with. "Very well. Thank you for telling me as much as you have. I do not wish to keep you from your family any longer than is necessary. Minerva, do you have anything you wish to add or ascertain?"

McGonagall shook her head and turned to Lily and her partner smiling faintly. "Nothing in this setting, Albus. Lily, Shiva, perhaps I can join you and Filius for that tea later?"

"We'd be happy to have you, Min," Shiva said as she and Lily stood to leave.

They had just reached the door as Dumbledore called out one final parting message. "Lily, I know based on my actions, I am not one to speak of such things, but Harry being placed in Slytherin worries me. The influences around him there, coupled with his upbringing…"

Lily couldn't help it – this time she did laugh. "Dumbledore, it's not Harry you should be worried about in that House. It's everyone else." She was still laughing as the door closed behind her.

Fic Recommendation: "Massacre in the Dungeons" by marylou. This fic has no actual pairings and turns quickly into an AU. Here the troll is actually in the dungeons during the first Halloween and kills two Slytherins while badly injuring Draco. That prompts Lucius to turn against Voldemort and start hunting Horcruxes through the years while also setting in motion events to bring down Dumbledore and more dominos falling lead to Harry being adopted, Sirius shenanigans and – wonder of wonders – Snape having a polite relationship with Harry! It's good, complete and an interesting take on the Malfoy family as a whole.