NOTE: This story has been abandoned. Taliath is writing an edited version and continuing it in 'Young Again: The Rewrite' which can be found if you just search under profiles for Taliath.
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Summary: When all hope seems lost and everybody is dead, Harry transports his soul into the body of hisone year old self. This time he's going to try andset things right.
Harry Potter and Minerva McGonagall were running as if their life depended on it, which in fact it did. As they reached the statue of the gargoyle - the entrance to the Headmistress McGonagall's office - it leapt aside.
They continued up the stairs and through the door, casting powerful locking charms as they went through each. Minerva then went straight for the back room, her pace no longer sprinting, but not much slower.
"Professor, you still haven't told me what's going on?" The yelling at the gargoyle had stopped, and suddenly, several people were attacking the door to the outer chamber
…The first boundary has been breached…
"Why are we running? We need to stand and fight!" Harry did not like to run from battles, even when he knew it was a better idea.
"Remember when the Headmaster said if hope appeared lost, then there was one last weapon, we could use? As a last resort?"
"Yeah" Harry answered slowly. He couldn't see any weapons around. In fact, McGonagall was holding a small orb, filled with white sand. He eyed it dubiously.
"The Headmaster, Flamel, and I designed it about a year ago." Just before he died for saving us. Neither said it, but both thought of Dumbledore's death.
"It sends people years into the past, not just hours. But it doesn't send them in a body. That wouldn't work, because a paradox would be created, when we changed things. We had to avoid the paradox at all costs. So only our souls will go back."
"How far back?" Harry asked. "I mean, will it before the others…" Harry couldn't form the question. This hope, it just hurt too much.
"Yes. But we aren't sure exactly how many years. It couldn't be tested"
"But- the paradox, wont it affect them. I'm not going back just to watch everyone I love die again" Harry asked hesitantly. He had no-one, and he didn't want to have to re-live watching them die again in real life. His nightmares reminded him enough.
"Harry, there's not much time left. You have to understand before we go, in case we get separated or something goes wrong. We aren't going to change what has happened. We're going to erase it and start over. Everything that has happened wont be just altered, it will never come to pass. Saving anyone won't affect the past, because they never died yet."
"But how does that prevent a paradox! That is a paradox."
"No, if your body went back, and then the other you was killed before you had a chance to go back it would cause a paradox. But a soul is different. It consists memories, ideas, nothing tangible. Even if the former you was killed, the soul would still develop as a ghost, until it reached the point when you went back in time, so no paradox is created."
A huge bang marked the second boundary being broken, now only one remained.
"We have to hurry Harry. When we go back, your soul will merge with the body and soul of your past self. Your conscious will merge and become one. Now take my hands."
Harry grabbed her hands, and she started a chant, the orb floating in the space between the two. He focused on her words, blocking out the charms and curses being hurled at the door mere feet away. Suddenly an aura with unbelievably strong raw power could be felt approaching.
Only one person apart from Harry was that powerful. Voldemort. But before Voldemort could do away with the charms keeping Minerva and Harry safe, Harry's world went black.
(AN: I actually wanted to say it went green, but I think some people might have got annoyed. Its just it ALWAYS goes black, white or red. Every now and then it sometimes goes grey. But never green.)
Harry could hear voices, but couldn't focus, his only coherent thought was of how thirsty he was. How he wanted a bottle. What! Why would I want a bottle? The voices became a little clearer, but his vision was still swimming. He tried to make out what everyone was saying.
"… left to get Poppy, I'm not sure what happened."
"Just levitate her to the couch, she appears to be regaining consciousness."
"James take Harry" a female voice put in, and Harry was handed to someone else. Huh? Why am I being carried… Bloody hell! I'm a baby! It all made sense now, the references to his parents. He didn't expect to go back that far. As the man Dad held Harry, he swivelled his head to see his mother holding a damp cloth to a slowly awakening McGonagall.
Suddenly, the Headmistress - Transfiguration professor, Harry corrected himself - jumped up.
"Minerva dear, sit down. Are you okay?" A younger, and much more alive Dumbledore inquired. He took a bowl off his desk and held it out to her. "Maybe a lemon drop would help." McGonagall, on the other hand was looking at Harry her face devoid of emotion, yet with a strange intensity.
Harry knew better though. The younger McGonagall would have no reason to stare at him. This is the McGonagall from my time. She wanted to know if he had made it too. What does she expect? For me to say 'Here I am'? I'm about one year old!
Then it occurred to him. Harry winked at her.
The events had taken mere seconds. No one else saw him wink, but her face split into a smile. Finally acknowledging Dumbledore, she took a lemon drop from the bowl and sat back down. "Th- Thankyou" she choked out, her voice choked with emotion.
The others looked at her, concern showing blatantly on their face. Minerva coughed and straightened, her features falling back into teacher mode until she looked like she did in all the school lessons Harry remembered.
Hearing this, the truth finally hit Harry. They were Alive! Dumbledore, Moody, Shacklebolt, the Weasleys. even Tonks was here. His parents - and Neville's - were also present; as was neville himself, though he was fast asleep. Harry swivelled round in his father's arms.
Flitwick and Sprout caught his gaze and waved a cute little hello. Snape watched him too, though his face showed no mirth, just the typical scowl reserved for Potters. Ah, but that will change. Or maybe it won't. This time travel stuff is confusing. Peter waved and smiled at "sweet little Harry" as he cooed to Harry. Harry's faced changed to mirror Snape's. I'll deal with him later.
Two more figures stepped forward from the shadows to take a seat. On seeing them, Harry let out a squeal of delight. Remus and Sirius. He held his arms out to Remus, who looked puzzled but pleased, and took him.
James was watching amused as Remus sat Harry on his lap. Sirius, never one to be sedate, started tickling Harry, who erupted in a fit of giggles. He was surprised in hearing his voice, as that of a baby, though he knew he shouldn't be. It just felt weird. But this is my life now. And they're all alive. The reality was finally sinking in, and Harry tried to hold back a sob.
Harry couldn't help it, He was just so happy. What the hell, I'm a baby. Stuff modesty. He started wailing in earnest, suprising both men that had been joking around with him.
Sirius pulled back his hand and Remus pulled harry up from his perch on his knee and tried to comfort him. Harry just threw his arms around Remus neck, stopping Remus' attempts to hand him over to his father.
Lily, leaving her place beside McGonagall bustled over, "I'll just take harry outside and try to calm him down." But Harry redoubled his grip on Remus, howling.
Actually, Harry admitted it felt good. He had always had to appear the calm one, devoid of emotions. It was like a dam had broken inside him, and all his emotions were running wild. Yeah, he was happy to see his parents, but he wasn't going to let go of his best friend, mentor, and the closest thing he had to a father for the past few years.
"Umm, maybe I should take him outside, he doesn't seem to want to let go." Remus stated before turning and leaving. James followed Remus out, closing the door behind them. James produced a stuffed toy Griffin, which Harry promptly ignored.
"The poor little tyke, he must be so tired." Remus started rocking Harry in his arms as best he could with Harry clinging to his neck.
Harry let himself cry for a minute more, until he had him emotions back under control, then quieted down. Loosening his hold on Remus. They're worried Remus is the spy leaking information to Voldemort, Harry remembered. That's why James followed, not just because he's my father, but because he wanted to make sure I was safe.
Remus held him tenderly out for James to take. "Do you think he's going to stay quiet?" Remus asked.
"Lets hope so, Maybe he'll go to sleep." Harry, really wanting to go back in and know what was going on in the order meeting, feigned a big yawn before closing his eyes and snuggling up to his father.
"Awww" Lupin sighed happily. The two men walked back in taking their seats.
"The little tyke's tired." Remus informed the questioning glances from the others.
Dumbledore smiled. "Such innocence. I only hope he will never have to experience the true meaning of war."
The discussion continued for another hour and Harry felt himself really getting tired. Stupid baby body. Finally the meeting came to an end.
"Well if you need any help with setting up for Halloween tomorrow, just fire call." Lily put in. "We haven't visited Hogwarts in ages except for these meetings." She smiled, not noticing the boy that had been put in her lap tense at the word Halloween.
Minerva also realised the importance of that day. "Lily, how old is Harry, exactly?"
"Fifteen months tomorrow." Lily replied. McGonagall paled, as did Harry. Lily didn't notice and instead rose to leave.
"Wait!" McGonagall said quickly. Lily turned curiously at the urgency and slight panic in McGonagall's voice.
"Yes?"
"Uh…" Minerva didn't know what to say. Now everyone was looking at her worriedly, curious as to what was wrong. McGonagall had an idea.
"The Order of the Phoenix is one of the last defences against Voldemort that isn't corrupt or infiltrated by spies. There's been a bit of… doubt, lately as to where some people's loyalties lie." Harry realised she was talking about how everyone suspected Remus, as he would be high on Voldemort's list.
McGonagall ignored the look of calculation coming from the Headmaster and continued. "If we all showed our arms did not hold the Dark Mark, it would promote better trust, and ensure the integrity of the Order."
As soon as the words were out of her mouth, both McGonagall and Harry realised it had been the wrong thing to say. Both immediately remembered Snape and his role as a spy for the light. Damn
Dumbledore, of course, immediately tried to fix the situation, as it could rapidly go downhill "I would trust everybody here with my life. They are only here if they have already proven their loyalty. I think you of all people should remember this, Minerva." Dumbledore met everybody's eyes, coming to rest on the transfiguration professor last.
There was silence, and Harry knew soon it would be too late. Trying not to worry about how suspicious it would look, he raised his tiny arm and pointed to Peter Pettigrew. "Bad!" he shouted in his childlike voice. Keep it simple. I'm fifteen months for crying out loud. But how do I say death eater in baby talk?
Everyone was grinning at him or Peter, thinking the situation a joke, a welcome lightening of the mood. There were a few chuckles. Harry realised he would have to be more direct. "Snake arm!" Harry reached Pettigrew's left arm at his outburst. "Snake arm" he repeated.
At his blatant reference to a snake, part of the dark mark, every one once again quieted. Dumbledore turned to Harry calculatingly, before glancing at McGonagall and Pettigrew. McGonagall was holding her breath; and Petigrew was grinning, but had gone ghostly pale. "Bad! Snake arm!" Harry repeated into the silence for good measure.
Unsurprisingly, Dumbledore was the one who spoke up. "It seems Harry's not to pleased with you Peter. Maybe you should let him know you're okay." He smiled warmly to Peter, but Harry knew the Headmaster well; the seed of doubt had been planted. "Snake arm!"
Peter nodded uncomfortably and reached for Harry, who responded by screaming louder and holding his mother tightly. "Snake arm!"
"Show him you've got nothing on your arm my boy. Wouldn't want Harry to be scared of you now, would we."
"N- no." Peter stuttered, now white as a sheet. He paused, then lifted his right arm, pushing up his sleeve. "See Harry, no bad snake."
"Wrong arm" Moody shouted, and before anyone could act, grabbed Peter, pulling back his left sleeve, revealing the tattoo of a skull and snake. Pettigrew pulled away and reached for his wand, but before he had a chance, several stupifys hit him at once.
The events after that passed quite quickly. Dumbledore cast a few binding spells on Pettigrew, while Remus and Sirius insisted on showing their arms to prove that they hadn't followed in the footsteps of the traitor.
Most of the others immediately went to show their arms too, but Dumbledore shushed them before they had a chance. He turned to Snape, the only one who hadn't said a thing. Harry knew he was a spy for the light, but Dumbledore and McGonagall were the only others who did.
Many in the room were eyeing Snape warily. The recent events were not helping their suspicions. Snape however, was looking at Harry, who smiled back, trying to look innocent. Abruptly, Harry felt something probing at his occlumency walls. Bloody suspicious bastard.
Harry doubled his shields, as Snape let out a gasp, before turning wriggling deeper into the blanket wrapped around him.
"Maybe we should show our arms, Dumbledore. You yourself said you trusted everyone, including Pettigrew. What if someone else slipped by you?" Shacklebolt would not back down. Dumbledore though, just smiled.
"Lets see if our smart little Harry has any other suspects." He walked over to Harry, who Lily was holding tighter then ever since seeing the dark mark. "Is anyone else bad, ickle Harrikins?" Dumbledore cooed in his sweetest baby voice.
Harry held back a laugh, then seeing nothing stopping him, giggled, tugging on Dumbledore's beard. He saw McGonagall cover her smile out of the corner of his eye.
"Nope, well everyone else is okay then." Dumbledore said to a scowling Kingsley Shacklebolt. But Dumbledore knew everyone would only become more distrustful if something wasn't done.
"But if you have anyone in the room you don't trust, then any of you are invited to speak privately with me about the matter until it is resolved. I realise this has become a serious issue, so I understand if you do indeed take me up on that offer."
Seeing 'Mad-eye' Moody nodding, Dumbledore added "Another night. I had better sort our current problem out straight away."
Peter Pettigrew, who had woken to find himself in several very powerful body binds were absolutely terrified. But Dumbledore ignored him. "It's been a long night. Go home and rest, and remember, my door is always open. If anyone wishes they wish to stay here until this mess is sorted out, there are spare rooms beside each of the teacher's quarters. The passwords are all currently Jellybeans, and you know how to reset them."
After that, every one else left the Headmaster's office, save for Snape and McGonagall. Harry was being showered in kisses by Lily and James.
In the end, everyone stayed at the Castle, save for Kingsley, Tonks and 'Mad-eye', who had to bee at the Ministry early the next day for work; and the Weasley's who had to return to all their children that were old enough to be left at home for the meeting, and look after their younger siblings.
Harry knew someone was eventually going to realise that he wasn't suppose to know anything but the simple words for everyday life, like drink, hungry, and sleep. The whole 'snake arm' would come up in conversation eventually. Maybe he could make them think he was a smart baby and the words were a fluke in his learning.
The other problem was his nightmares. Nightmares everytime he fell asleep would cause questions, but if he cast silencing charms with his parents' wands, they were bound to find out eventually, and the questions would be worse. In the end, silencing charms were the chose option. Maybe his parents would never find out?
Want to see cute Harry Potter Cartoons? http/ the links in this (in bold) are potterpuff pics, and icons. Really cute! Not mine though. (",)
Hope you liked the start. I'm hoping to make the chapters longer in future, but just wanted to make sure that anyone is interested first.
Please R&R!