Author's Note: I apologize once again for the long wait…wow how many times have I reused that line before…but I appreciate all the positive feedback, that is encouraging me to continue writing this story. Thank you and I hope you enjoy the new chapter.

Disclaimer: I wish I could say I own this incredible story, but alas…it would not be the truth.

Warning: Ginny and Harry fluff…this interlude includes romance...enjoy!

Unexpected Visitors by Lourdes-Sunrise-Princess

Chapter 13: (Interlude) What Could Have Been...

The house was finally quiet, the children had slept through the day, and now continued to rest, blissfully unaware of their father's arrival or the darkening skies. Sirius and Remus had decided to retreat to their respective homes, and allow the Potter family to be at ease for the night. James, Lily, and little Harry had also found solace in their own quarters of the house, and had spared their guest room to Ginny and Harry.

However, one individual couldn't be bothered to sleep. He sat quietly on the edge of the bed that had been offered to him; his hunched figure turned away from his wife's sleeping form. A sigh escaped his lips, and he pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration. Thoughts penetrated his mind, and he knew that the sleep he denied himself now would later be something to regret. With all the work that would be required in the following days to come…he would certainly need all the energy he could get.

He had learned from his past that sleep was a horrible thing to avoid.

No matter how involuntary…

But the thoughts…the dreams…they haunted him even more so in this time. In his own home, he had become accustomed to the occasional nightmare that plagued and disrupted his rest. He would wake up, go downstairs and make a hot chocolate…which would calm him…then as he passed his children's rooms, he would watch them, check them…see that they were indeed still alive and well…and then he would remember that his dream had been in the past, and that he needed to remember not to dwell on what could have been.

Yet…here he was.

In the past…before his parents were killed…before he became an orphan…

He had the power to change it…the knowledge…and yet…

He knew he could never change the past.

There were so many variations that his actions could cause…

He could create an alternate universe, and therefore nothing would truly change in his timeline. Or he could alter his time so much, that he could end up killing others in the process…if his parents lived, then would that mean Voldemort would live during those eleven years where he had disappeared? Then he would surely kill many more…more people than the amount that had perished in his time.

Or would he be perceived as an even larger hero with his parents at his side…would he become a weak, spoiled brat, and refuse to carry out the prophesy set out for him?

Or would his presence here only help set everything into place…would everything happen just as it should, even if he did warn them?

Harry slipped his fingers through his hair. It was beginning to whiten, but only slightly…it was barely noticeable, but Ginny had said she liked it…she said it was endearing. He didn't understand why, but he would never question it, especially since it made her run her hands through it even more than usually…who was he to complain?

He sighed again as he remembered why he was still up this late.

He felt a shift in the bed, and shivered as Ginny kissed his bare shoulder, and draped her arms around his hunched frame.

"Sorry I woke you Gin…"he whispered huskily. She always brought out this side of him; he could never imagine not wanting her. She was his life…and the beautiful children she had given him…she always told him how happy he made her…but he could never imagine being able to repay her for all the gifts she had given him.

Saying "yes" to his proposal, marrying him, blessing him with three children…comforting him…loving him…

"You didn't wake me Harry…and stop doing that!"

"What?" he teased.

Ginny placed one of her hands on his face, and he leaned into her hand while placing his on top of hers, and reaching out to caress her face as well, "You're looking at me like I'm some kind of queen…you always do that when you want sex…"

Harry smirked, "Well you can't blame me can you?" That comment earned him a painless slap, but he smiled even wider.

"We are not going to have sex in your parent's home dear." Ginny laughed lightly at his small pout, but noticed how his eyes soon grew empty. Those beautiful emerald eyes that had captivated her always became darker…almost clouded as her lover thought of his past, or his job.

Now they became this way for a different reason…

She knew how hard it was for him to lie blatantly to his mother, to hide the truth from his father, and to deceive them all into assuming they lived.

She knew he wished that this was his reality…one where his parents had lived.

She also knew he would never do anything to change the past…he was too selfless.

"Oh Harry…" She whispered as he broke out of his trance with tears glistening in his eyes. She let her hands cup his face, and watched as he sighed in contentment when she kissed his cheeks, jaw, and neck.

He hugged her close after they shared an intense lip locking kiss, and ran his fingers through her long red hair. She smiled…he always told her how much he loved her flaming hair.

"I…I just wish…" He took a shuddering breath, and she felt the vibrations of his words as she leaned against his bare chest. "I wish there was a way…to tell them…why does it have to be so hard?"

Ginny placed her hands on his chest, and kissed the locket-shaped scar that lay under her fingertips, "It's because you're too good Harry."

"No I'm not, if I was I wouldn't be having second thoughts…I wouldn't have been careless and let that deatheater grab me…I would have told them they were in danger…"

"They already know they're in danger sweetheart…before we or the kids arrived…they knew…they all know the threat that Voldemort poses on their lives."

Harry stayed silent, as Ginny went on.

"I know how much it hurts to be given a chance like this, and not use it. I would feel the same…I do feel the same, but we can't change the past…"

Harry tightened his arms around his wife, "I know."

Ginny grimaced at how defeated he sounded, "Being selfless can be a pain in the ass…"

Harry laughed…that was something only Ginny would say in a time like this. It's was why he loved her so much. Ginny smiled as she felt the laugh vibrate through his chest.

They both grew quiet.

Harry sighed, "I almost feel like I'm betraying them Gin…how would they react if they knew I was harboring this secret…this truth…if I told them, they might survive…maybe things could be different for the better."

Ginny frowned, "…it could be for the worst…" She whispered regrettably.

Harry kissed her head, telling her silently that her words didn't sadden him, he already knew.

"I know…I know, I've thought this over too many times for it to be healthy…"

Ginny kissed his neck, and he held in groan as her small form molded into his.

"We'll get through this Harry…we always do…"

AN: Review...and tell me your thoughts on the new chapter!