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Chapter 1: Meeting Death

Back in Time

Chapter 1: Meeting Death

Harry woke groggily on the morning of his eighteenth birthday and wanted immediately to go back to sleep. He could hear banging on the door of Grimmauld Place and he just didn't want to deal with it. Especially as he could also hear Ron screaming for him to open the bloody door.

He groaned as he sat up, rubbing the sleep and the annoyance from his eyes. He didn't want to deal with this today. Although, he supposed today was really the day to deal with it since the event happened yesterday.

He climbed out of bed, put on a t-shirt and walked down the stairs, dreading the conversation they were about to have.

As expected, the second he opened the door Ron's fist collided with his face and the ginger barged his way in, slamming the door behind him.

"Why? Why did you have to break up with my sister?" Ron practically yelled.

"I didn't break up with her, Ron," he saw happiness in Ron's eyes for a second, "we never got back together in the first place,"

Ron growled, "And why not? Why did she come home crying last night?"

"She wanted to get back together and I told her no," well, there were a lot of other words also, mostly from her as she shouted at him and tried to win him over, but he just couldn't.

"Why?" the red-faced redhead shouted.

"Because I'm gay, Ron,"

That only made the man opposite him more angry, "So, what? You just been stringing her along then? Giving her false hope?"

"No, Ron. Nothing like that,"

"Then what, Harry? Why couldn't you have told her that sooner?"

"Because I didn't know sooner,"

"How couldn't you know you were a bloody poofter?"

Harry flinched in pain at the words, but he was beyond angry, "When the hell have I been given the bloody time to figure myself out, Ron? Between Voldemort and Dumbledore I have been running around trying to save everyone my whole time in the wizarding world, and my time before that was spent being abused and told I was a freak every second of my life. So when exactly did I have time to figure out my sexual preferences? Or the energy?"

"Dumbledore is a great man," Ron yelled, "None of it was his fault. And couldn't you just pretend to be normal, for her sake? You could be happy with her. Get married, have kids, be an Auror,"

"How many times do I have to tell you that I don't want to be a bloody Auror? I have had enough of the fighting. I also wouldn't be able to have kids with her. And I wouldn't be happy either,"

"Why wouldn't you be able to have kids with her?"

"Because I'm a bearer," Harry felt tears fill his eyes at the way Ron looked at him at that statement.

"Then we can remove your womb and you will be normal," Ron growled, advancing on Harry.

"I don't think that's the way it works, Ron," Harry whispered as he backed into the wall.

"I don't care. We will try whatever we can to make my sister happy. She deserves happiness, don't you agree, Harry? Especially after you killed her brother,"

Harry's heart clenched in pain, but he said nothing, not wanting to set the man off any more.

"She was promised you at a young age, we can't have her heart shattered by breaking that promise, can we? Not to mention her and your magic being lost due to the contract,"

Contract? What contract?

Ron grinned at the confusion on his face.

"Oh, yes, you don't know. Dumbledore created a contract for you and Ginny, so that the family could get your money and properties," he grinned even brighter, "Oh, I remember now, there was a clause that stated if you broke it, or died, the contract then all of your vaults and properties would be turned over to Ginny,"

There was a sick grin on Ron's face and Harry was terrified.

"Kreacher," Harry shouted.

But it was too late.

He looked down, shocked to find a dagger sticking out of his chest. The pain started seeping in and he collapsed to the floor, choking on blood and air as he struggled to breathe. He could see and hear Kreacher apprehending Ron who was cackling madly in glee until Kreacher silenced him and bounded over to Harry to try and heal him.

"Master Harry, I's sorry. I don't know what to do," Kreacher cried as he held Harry's head in his lap after what felt like hours but Harry knew to only maybe be a minute of trying to heal him.

Harry tried to speak but all that came out was gurgled blood and a whimper of pain. Kreacher stroked his head gently, comfortingly, running his long fingers through Harry's hair.

"It's okay, Master Harry. You wills be safe soon. You wills be okay," Kreacher said gently, kissing Harry's forehead as Harry's breaths got slower and slower.

He was tired.

So tired.

Of everything.

Of everyone.

Of life.

Of pain.

He was so very grateful when everything just faded away.

…

He opened his eyes to bright light and blinked a number of times to adjust. He didn't hurt, which shocked him greatly. In fact, he had never felt more at peace. He looked around and found himself back in the almost King's Cross where he had met Dumbledore.

He was scared that he was going to meet the old man again.

He had spent the months since the final battle thinking about everything and he just couldn't stand the man anymore. He realised that Snape's words in the pensieve had been true, Harry had been raised like a pig for slaughter. And it hurt.

The man he loved like a grandfather, who pretended to love Harry, had been raising Harry to die.

And here he was.

Dead.

Again.

He sighed as he sat up and crossed his legs, waiting for something, anything to happen. Hoping beyond all hope that he wouldn't be stuck here alone for the whole of eternity.

Someone cleared their throat behind him and he spun around, hopping to his feet, to find a black cloaked figure standing behind him. He couldn't see a face, the hood of the cloak covered it, there were skeletal hands peeking out of the wide sleeves.

Death.

For some reason, Harry wasn't scared.

"Hello, Master," a deep, cheerful voice said, before laughing at the look of shock on Harry's face, "Don't be so shocked, Harry, Miss Granger read the story to you, did she not?"

Harry could only nod.

"In any case, you aren't really my Master in the sense that you can control me, or tell me what to do. However, you do get some perks, which is one of the reasons I am here. You are incredibly powerful, Harry, only one so powerful as you could Master my Hallows without the effects they have on others,"

"What do you mean?"

"The Peverell brothers were powerful, no doubt about that. And they were necromancers, just like you have the power to be. But none of them were as powerful as you are. They Mastered one Hallow each and yet, only Ignotus didn't feel the effects on them that led them to their deaths. You, on the other hand, Master all three at once, and they haven't affected you once,"

"But I used the Resurrection Stone, then died," Harry said, confused.

"Yes, you did. But not because the Stone led you to your death. You died because you were already going there, you just wanted your family at your side. Completely understandable, despite your current feelings about them," Harry cringed.

"So… are you here to take me to hell?" Harry asked.

"Do you not think you've had enough hell, Harry?"

Harry shrugged, he didn't know. He had gotten so many people killed. Hurt.

"No, Harry. I'm not here to take you to Hell. If you really want to pass on then I will take you to Heaven. I do, however, have some other options,"

"What options? I'm dead. Aren't the only options Heaven and Hell?"

"In every case but yours, yes, those are the only options. Though, they aren't really options so much as designations based on how the person or creature behaves in their lives. You, however, are the Master of Death. The Master of my Hallows. And therefore, you have choices. Now, I can't just send you back to your current timeline because I have already done that, and to do so again would be disastrous,"

"How so?"

"Well, because Ronald Weasley has already been arrested for your murder. If you aren't dead then he can't be tried as harshly for everything he has done to you over the years," Death growled, and Harry winced in pain at the memory of Ron killing him, tears filling his eyes.

"What do you mean, everything he has done to me over the years?"

"Do you really want to know, Harry?" Death sounded sympathetic, and Harry really didn't want to know. Couldn't know. Not yet anyway.

"I will tell you everything when you are ready to know, Harry. Not a second before then. You need time to heal first," Harry nodded in acceptance, "In any case, the wizarding world will be found by muggles in the next few years also, and that will lead to disaster that even you won't be able to save people from,"

"Okay," Harry said, knowing just how certain muggles can act in the face of things they fear or don't understand, "What are my options then?"

"So, number one is to go and stay in Heaven for the rest of eternity. Number two is to be re-incarnated, in the past, although not in yourself but as someone else. Then you can have a good childhood, a happy life, doing whatever you want. You won't remember anything from your life as Harry Potter. And your third choice will be to go back in time, as you are but with a few minor physical changes and a new identity, and either just live a peaceful life, or save the world from what it becomes,"

Harry thought for a few moments, the options were very vague. He needed to know more.

"Okay, if I were to choose number one, who would be in Heaven with me?" He didn't want to be alone with no one he knew after all.

Death bodily cringed, "Fred Weasley, Nymphadora Tonks, Ted Tonks, Cedric Diggory, the little sister you were meant to have but was miscarried when your mother died, Dobby, Hedwig, Colin Creevy, Lavender Brown, Pandora Lovegood, Regulus Black, and Severus Snape. There are a few other extended members of your family also, such as your grandparents on both sides, but we would be here all day if I were to name everyone in Heaven. Not that we don't have all the time in the world of course,"

Harry nodded, a tear slipping out of his eyes at the thought of his little sister. Who knew that his mother was pregnant when she died?

"Erm… If I was to choose number two, when would I be sent to? Who would be my parents? Would the world still go the way it went for me?"

"I could send you anywhere, and anyone could be your parents. If you have a personal preference then let me know and I will send you to them. However, yes, the world will still go the same way. You just won't be the saviour anymore. You will be able to choose what to do,"

Harry nodded, "Okay, and if I were to choose number three, when would I go? What would my new identity be? And what would my life be like?"

"I would send you to nineteen forty-seven," Harry was shocked, again, "That is far back enough for you to live a good life, the life you want to live. You will find the person who is perfect for you, get married, have children. Be happy. And it is far enough back for you to do something to save the world, should that be what you actually want to do. You can even save the world from the muggles finding you if you think about it. You can stop Dumbledore from destroying things, and save Tom from his insanity. I'm not going to tell you that every moment will be happy, because life is life, but you will be generally happy,"

"And what will my new identity be?" Harry said, his heart fluttering.

"You would be Hadrian Ignotus Peverell," a new voice said from next to Harry, causing him to jump and spin to face the old man who looked just like that painting of Ignotus Peverell in the book he had read about his family.

Harry looked at the man in shock and awe as the man grinned at him.

"Erm… it is nice to meet you, sir," Harry said, kicking himself.

"It is nice to meet you also, Harry. Though, if you want to save the world you will need to read up on etiquette when you get to your destination and are healed,"

"Healed?"

"Oh, yes, if I send you back in your current form then you will still have the injury from Ronald. It won't be bad enough to kill you before you can get proper medical help this time, but it will still be there. So you will probably wake up in a hospital," Death said.

Harry cringed at the thought of having to live through that pain again. That betrayal.

"So, erm, Hadrian Ignotus Peverell?"

"Yes, you will be Lord Peverell once you go to Gringotts and take the inheritance test. You will have access to all the Peverell vaults, the properties, the seats on the Wizengamot. You will also probably have some other inheritances you can make a good use out of also. And you will be able to claim the Hallows back to you also, and no one will be able to claim that you stole them because you are a direct descendant. Plus, you can change the appearance of the wand so that Dumbledore can't tell it is the Elder Wand," Ignotus said, Harry nodded, glad that he would be able to have the cloak at the very least.

"And, the perfect person for me?" Harry asked, intrigued.

Ignotus grinned at Death and Harry got the distinct feeling that Death was also grinning.

"Orion Black," Death said, a chuckle in his voice.

Harry's eyes opened wide and his eyebrows shot up.

"B-but… Sirius and Regulus?"

"They will still be born. They will just have a different mother," Ignotus assured him, a grin on his face that turned into a smile when Harry's hand went straight to his flat stomach, "They will probably have a few extra siblings also,"

"And they will be born when they were born in the original timeline with Walburga as their mother. So you don't have to worry about those two surprises," Death said.

Something went through Harry's mind that caused him no small measure of pain, "If they are born at the same time, does that mean they will die at the same time?" Harry asked, terrified of the answer even as he stroked his stomach gently.

Ignotus held his hand sympathetically, "That would depend on a number of factors, Harry,"

"Like what? I can't just let my children die. I can't… I won't be able to cope with that. I need to know. Also, did you say that I had the power to be a necromancer? So, can't I just bring them back to life?"

Ignotus and Death looked at each other and Harry felt a wave of sadness and anger passing through them.

"Harry, I really hate the old man for keeping you in the dark about so many things. But alas, I can't give you all the answers. I can help if you have ideas of your own, but I cannot answer everything. You have free will now, Harry. Free will to learn and to change things if you want to. And I would suggest that you learn all you can so that you can make the world a better place, for your children, and for every other child,

"And yes, you have the power to be a necromancer. In fact, when I send you back you will be a necromancer. However, this doesn't mean that you can bring people back to life. That is just something that people who don't understand necromancy, and want people to fear it say. Necromancy is much tamer than that, and also special. You are able to talk to the dead, even without the aid of the Stone. You are able to bring the spirits of the dead to the living world for short periods of time. You will be able to live longer than most wizards and witches, supposing you aren't murdered in one of the few methods that can actually kill you. If you soul bond to Orion he will also be able to live longer with you. You can also save certain people from death, depending on what is killing them,"

"And my children? Will they be able to live longer?"

"Only if they inherit the necromancy gene. If not they will live an average length of life for wizards and witches. But Harry, I am going to be completely honest with you right now, you are going to lose people you love. It is something that can't be helped. It is the way of life. You might even lose a child. And it will be painful. But, that doesn't mean you can't be happy, in general. Yes, if you lose someone you love then you will be hurt, but you can be happy in other aspects of life. You will be free,

"The world is a dangerous place, especially when I am sending you. Yes, the war with Grindelwald is over. But Dumbledore is still around, so is Tom. But you have at least some of the knowledge to sort them out before things get too bad. And Ignotus and I will be around when we can to guide you, and help you as much as we can. You will be able to make the world safer for your family, and all the other families, if that is what you want to do. And you will be happy, happier than you have ever been, even if there is the occasional heart break," Death said, and Harry nodded, tears pouring slowly down his cheeks.

A gentle hand rested on his shoulder, "Harry," he looked up to find Ignotus looking at him with kind eyes, "You will be happy, Harry, I promise. Even if you don't decide to save the world and just live normally, you will be happy, at least for most of it. There will be sad moments, as there are in any life, and you will grieve for the people you may lose for the rest of your life. It might not get easier, but it gets lesser as you allow yourself to live again. And even when you are sad you can find some level of happiness if you look in the right direction. And, no matter what you decide, Death and I will be here to support you in any way we can, and you can call others with the stone and your abilities also. You won't be alone this time Harry, you will have your family, friends and us to support you. In everything,"

Harry knew what he wanted to do, needed to do for his own sanity. He couldn't help the way he had been raised. He knew that he should try and save everyone. He knew that he had to do this. Even if he lost some of the people he would love in this life.

"You are so unbelievably amazing, Harry. You are my favourite descendant, you know? Hence why my dear friend allowed me to come and meet you. I am so sorry that you lived the way you did. That you were so used, and hurt by almost everyone around you. But know that I am so very proud of you for everything you have done, and everything I know you can do," Ignotus told him, and Harry choked up at the honesty and love in the words. No one had ever told him they were proud of him before, or that he was their favourite.

"I love you, Harry, my child. And I am sorry that I wasn't able to do anything to help you before now, Merlin knows you needed someone, anyone, to look out for you, more than Severus was able to given everything done to the poor man. But I will always be around, whenever you need me I will come, and you won't be alone again. I promise. No matter what happens, I will always come when you need me," Ignotus said and Harry's heart hurt from the pain of his ancestor being the first person he could recall ever saying he loved him.

"Will someone be able to come with me?" Harry didn't know if he could do this on his own. Not without someone he knew there with him.

Death sighed, and Harry felt there was some level of sadness in it. Ignotus also looked sad.

"Not in any way that can truly help at the moment, Harry. I am sorry. But you will be able to call people to you to speak to them when you want to, for short periods of time," Death said.

Harry nodded.

"Okay. I will do it," Harry said quietly, trying to take everything in, "Option three,"

"Wonderful," Death said, and Harry thought he heard a smile, "I will just change your looks, you will look just like Ignotus when he was a young lad,"

"Oi you, I am still a young lad," Ignotus said, glaring at his friend, Harry snickered slightly at the beaming laughter emanating from the black-cloaked figure.

"You were two hundred and twenty two when you died," Death laughed.

"Yes, exactly. Two hundred and twenty two years young. Did I ever get a grey hair?"

"Yes," Death deadpanned.

"No I did not,"

"Why is your head full of them, then?"

"Obviously you are just blind," Ignotus muffled.

"I see too much to be blind, old man,"

"Wait," Harry said, his lips upturned in a smile as he watched the two, "Erm, you said not in any way that can help at the moment, what does that mean?" Harry asked as the previous conversation dawned on him fully.

"Well," Death sounded awkward, "I could reincarnate one or two of them into a foetus so you will go back pregnant. But that means you will be pregnant out of wedlock which isn't appreciated in that time, and you will also have to pick a father for them, and you have to pick which one, or ones, you want to have with you. And it won't be remotely helpful to you either because you won't really be able to talk to them, or anything,"

Harry was in shock, again. Honestly, he wished he just didn't get out of bed in the morning, but then he wouldn't have the chance to fix things for everyone. But he understood why Death didn't mention it before. It wouldn't be helpful, not really. No matter how much Harry wanted it, wanted a family. He knew he couldn't choose between them, or choose a father for them, or go back to that time, pregnant, whilst not being married. Even if he were to say the father was dead, it wouldn't do him any good.

Although a surprisingly large part of him wanted to try, because Merlin knew he needed something, someone who would love him and who he could love. He knew he couldn't, shouldn't. As much as it pained him, because he didn't want them to be dead, and he wanted this chance, he knew that he would have to wait for his family.

"So, I am going back to nineteen forty-seven, and I have to wait until nineteen fifty-nine for children?" Harry whispered, not sure if he could wait that long to be completely honest with himself. Ever since he found out he was a bearer he felt complete, like he could actually have the family he longed for. He couldn't wait for the day where he could feel his child within him. Especially as he read more about male pregnancy.

"Not necessarily, Harry. I did say that Sirius and Regulus may have siblings after all. It is up to you, and Orion," Ignotus said, grinning in understanding, "And let me tell you, pregnancy, despite all the pains of it, is the most magical, amazing thing you will go through,"

Harry looked at Ignotus in awe, "You were a bearer?"

"Yes. I carried and birthed three healthy children, two boys and a girl. I would have had more but there were some… complications," Ignotus looked so sad that Harry wasn't going to ask, he didn't want to pry. But he understood, somewhat.

"Right, let's get you set up then," Death said, cutting through the pain of the two with his cheery voice.

Death stood opposite Harry and started waving his skeletal hands. The magic was strange to Harry, and yet it felt nice, comforting even. It was so very powerful, though it didn't scare him.

He could feel the changes, but it didn't hurt. Even as he grew a few inches in the space of a minute. His eyes tingled, as did his hair. His magic also tingled as he felt it grow even more powerful than it already was. His skin tingled and he looked at his arms and hands to find that they were somehow getting even paler than he already was.

He looked at Ignotus and realised that the man was indeed incredibly pale. There was also a hint of longing and both sadness and happiness in the man's eyes, even as the man smiled at Harry. Harry tilted his head in a question he didn't need to ask.

"You look a lot like my children, especially my daughter," the man said, and Harry smiled knowingly at the man.

"He looks like you, Ignotus," Death said, a beaming smile in his voice, "Hadrian Ignotus Peverell. You are all set to go, if you are sure that this is what you want,"

Harry looked between the two, he felt concern rolling off them both in waves and he beamed at the thought of actually having someone that cares for him. As much as he would both love to move on to be peaceful with his friends and family, but also would just love to live a peaceful life without worrying about everyone else, he knew he couldn't. He hated Dumbledore for doing this to him, for raising him in such a way where he didn't think for a second that he didn't need to save the world. But that is the way he was, and he doubted he could change it.

So yes, he was sure that this is what he wanted. He could be happy, but he could also save the world. And then hopefully he would be done. He wished he would be done at any rate.

"I'm sure," Harry said.

"Call on us anytime you need us, Harry, we will come. And remember to call on others also when you need them," Ignotus said, straightening out Harry's hair before pulling the eighteen year old into his arms in a way that Harry imagined a mother would do.

"I will," he said, his voice catching at the thought of talking to the people he loved.

Ignotus kissed Harry's head and pulled away, moving to stand next to Death.

Harry felt a comforting magic blanket him in warmth and love. He saw two flashes of ginger come rushing towards him. And then, he was gone.

Hiya, I hope you are all having an amazing day!

So, I hope you enjoyed this first chapter. This story is inspired by a fanfic I love and recommend to everyone, My Time by DebsTheSlytherinSnapeFan. I have wanted to write my own version of that kind of story for a while so here is the first chapter of it. There will of course be similarities as it shares the same basic plot, but there will also be a lot of differences, don't you worry. 

I have a Facebook group which each and every one of you are welcome to join if you would like to. It is called Maraudering_Paige and it is where we can talk about Harry Potter, fanfics, life, share memes and more. I am happy to accept any of you into the group so feel free to join if it sounds of interest to you. It is also where I will aim to keep you up to date on what I am working on and when, so if you want updates and are able to join then feel free to. 

I hope you are all having an amazing day. 

Kind regards,

Paige xx