Chapter 9 - The Express

Platform 9 ¾ was barely full when the Potters arrived, Harry wasn't used to not being almost late to catch the train. Sirius helped Harry load up the trunks and Hedwig's cage into their chosen seats, reminiscing about the time spent in this very compartment himself. He had made mention to Harry that the Marauders always got here early so that they may acquire this specific spot. They weren't all the way to the back, but not quite the middle of the train, their placement was, most of the time anyway, the key to their pranking success.

Not that the kids would be doing much pranking. After acquiring the compartment, the group moved back out onto the platform, waiting for the next phase in their plan. So far everything was falling pretty close to what they had expected, there were a few outliers that landed in their favor, however. Narcissa once again becoming a Black was a huge change from the past, so huge that they didn't even have a plan in place to deal with it.

Bigger still was the fact that Draco Malfoy, the ferret himself, completely changed his path in life, the change in him still creeped Harry and Hermione out. Harry shook his head, thinking back to that morning. Well at least he didn't steer us wrong on breakfast.

** Flashback **

"Good morning cousin," Narcissa said in greeting.

Sirius was just getting the kids through the doorway of his favorite breakfast spot in London when he heard the greeting, looking up, the smile on his face faded a little bit in worry for his kids. They had discussed Draco's plan, but everyone was at a wait and see decision currently.

"Good Morning Cissy…. Draco, what a surprise seeing you both." Sirius stated, because it was true, he had forgotten that this restaurant was a popular spot for his family and several other old wizarding families.

"Hello Harry… Hermione, I'm sorry if this makes things feel uncomfortable," Narcissa stated while glancing between her son and the Potters. "We can take our breakfast to go and eat in the park if you aren't ready for this yet?" She offered politely.

"No, that's okay. We would be seeing each other at the platform and at school anyway, what's the difference in a few hours." Hermione said with a forced smile.

"Yeah, it's probably better to clear the air here, in a less public spot… for students anyway." Harry added while looking around the restaurant. "Besides, I'm sure Draco knows what's good to eat here." He tacked on, extending the olive branch so to speak.

Draco, hoping to prove to his former enemy that he has changed, offered his suggestion. "The bagel and cream cheese are good; they have multiple flavors of both bagel and cream cheese." He offered, knowing that Granger often had toast for breakfast, something he had learned last year when he had intended to prank her by messing with her food. Potter on the other hand was a heavy eater so he made a different suggestion,

"Potter, you might like the traditional platter, it's a full English that, dare I say it, almost rivals the elves at Hogwarts cooking." Draco joked, hoping to break the ice to release a bit of the tension.

Laughing at the face Malfoy pulled when comparing the breakfasts, Harry ordered what was recommended, so too did Hermione. 'Strange, isn't it,' thought Hermione. 'That he knows what we would prefer… do you think we should ask him?'

Harry was curious as well, but figured it was most likely for some schoolboy prank that never came to fruition. Hearing his reply in her head Hermione agreed, as that was something the old Malfoy would most likely do, this new version of him though, she still wasn't sure on.

Sitting down to eat, the Potters couldn't help but decide that Draco was right, the food choices were superb, they even had a small conversation with him while they were waiting for the food to be delivered. They talked about small, neutral topics, they were surprised to find that Draco had very few friends, they always thought that he was Mr. Popular in Slytherin house, I guess outward appearance isn't everything.

Hermione tuned them out after they started talking about quidditch and joined the conversation with Sirius and Narcissa about ways to better the family name and different charity events that Narcissa was running.

** End of Flashback **

"Harry! Hermione!" a familiar voice shouted from behind them, Harry had turned around just in time to catch Trevor, Neville Longbottom's toad, as Neville himself had tripped. I almost forgot how clumsy Neville was, I wonder what changed to make him the tall, confident, snake slayer of the future? Harry wondered while handing Trevor back to his owner.

'Friends' Hermione's voice said in his head, 'Neville became more confident because he had friends to back him up, and the DA.' Hermione tacked on.

"Hey Nev, how were your summer holidays?" Harry asked.

"They were fantastic Harry, thanks for asking, I spent a lot of time in my greenhouses, I got a really rare plant for my birthday this year and I was able to successfully use a cutting from it and propagate it into another pot, if things go well I should be able to have several more plants of the same type by the end of the Christmas Holidays!" Neville said very excited by this possibility.

It seemed that only Hermione understood what Neville was talking about, as such, she continued the conversation with the rather shy boy while Harry started up a conversation with Sirius. Slowly the platform started to fill up, and Sirius had to leave to get to the bank to finish up on some legal paperwork with Narcissa. Hermione, enjoying her conversation with Neville, now talking about the Herbology assignment, thankfully I did my homework right away this year and we were able to review to help us remember where we are at, so she invited him to sit with them in their compartment as Harry helped him with his trunk and Trevor's cage.

The Weasley's were the last to arrive on the platform per usual, Ron, not knowing how they felt about him, joined them in the compartment and took a seat next to Harry. "Hey Guys, I heard you had a pretty busy week, thanks for the whole rat thing by the way, bloody creepy knowing that I had a full-grown man sleeping in bed with me. Gives me the willies every time I think about it. Mom and Dad offered to buy me another pet, like a toad or something, but I turned them down. Toads are lame," Ron paused looking towards Neville, "no offence mate."

Neville just laughed, "None taken Ron, I didn't really want a toad, but Gran said it was the safest option." Neville blushed as he said this, but no one said anything about it.

"As I was saying they offered, but I think I would rather not have a pet, I kept losing the thing anyway." Ron finished up.

Hermione had come along way since her know it all days, so she let it go, she didn't need to inform Ron that he most likely didn't 'lose' the rat, more so that the rat left him to become Peter somewhere else. Instead she simply said, "Good call Ron, I think you would prefer something like an owl anyway, maybe you could save up for one?" Knowing that he loved Pigwidgeon in the future.

Nodding, Ron thought that would be a brilliant idea and made a mental note to start saving up his allowance, if he couldn't afford the full price maybe he could go in with his parents, as Errol was getting quite old now a days. He let his friends know as much. They all agreed that would be a fantastic suggestion.

'Are we sure this is the same Ron?' Harry asked over their bond while looking at Hermione.

'Right? It's almost like something we did kicked him out of that selfish phase, I mean he even apologized to Neville!' Hermione thought back to Harry. 'Still, I don't trust him, I don't fully hate him like I do the future Ron, but I don't trust him not to turn into that guy.'

'Let's just wait and see love, who knows, he might surprise us. One thing is for sure though, we will have to tell him and Neville about us before we reach Hogwarts, being married will see us in our own quarters.' Harry said while grabbing her hand and interlacing their fingers.

Ron didn't notice the change in his two best friends, but Neville did. "Hey guys, if you don't mind me asking," Neville said while looking at their conjoined hands," but are you two dating now?"

Ron, finally looking up from his chocolate frog cards, noticed their conjoined hands. "Oi! When did this happen?" he asked with a little tint of anger in his voice.

Harry didn't want to make a scene, but things had to come to a head at some point. "Well, to answer your question Neville, we are … umm … a bit more than dating, we actually discovered that we share a bond that would consider us married in the wizarding world."

"It was a complete shock to us when we found out, but I can't say that we aren't happy about it, we have both been feeling more attached to each other since last year." Hermione added so that Ron didn't get a chance to feel like he staked any claim on her.

"And you guys decided not to tell me about this?" Ron said a little anger in his voice, "I could have invited Hermione over to the burrow while you were there, I kind of feel like a right prat now!" Ron said while standing up, "I'm going to go check on Ginny, is it okay if I pass the news onto her? She has a slight crush on Harry, and I would like to break the news to her early, so she doesn't find out in a public setting." He asked politely.

'Okay, is this really Ronald? Is he actually thinking of others? Should we test for Polyjuice potion?' Hermione asked with a shocked expression on her face as she looked at Harry.

Not wanting to leave Ron hanging Harry answered him before his wife, "Sure mate, and don't worry about it, we really didn't even know until she kissed me, and we were lit up in a sort of golden light. Go find Ginny, if she's lonely you can bring her back here." Harry suggested the last part as he knew she really didn't have many friends except Luna at this time.

Ron nodded as thanked them when as he exited the compartment. 'I'm completely shocked, he didn't get mad about us, he got mad because he kept us apart. Is this the same Ronald Weasley we are dealing with? He's even using manners?' Hermione asked again to Harry over their bond.

'It's very possible that coming back and announcing we are married changed the way he see's things, I don't think he even realized you were a girl until year four last time, none the less fancied you. Maybe we really can eat our cake and have it too? Harry said back.

"So, did you two enjoy your summer holiday?" questioned Neville as he realized rather late that they asked him earlier, but he never asked back.

"Well, I would have to say the last week was the best part by far, getting to meet Sirius, and find out I essentially have a family. It was a blast!" Harry explained while trying to sound more like a second-year student than an eighteen-year-old who's lived this time already.

"You always had a family Harry, I was a little nervous to tell you, but we are family." Neville said while looking down at his feet. "My mum is your godmother, as yours was mine."

'Why didn't they tell me? Dad made a point to tell us to get closer to Neville I just never realized to ask why.' Harry said to Hermione.

'Maybe he didn't tell you for exactly this reason, your shock is genuine. Neville would have questions if you just accepted it without some sort of surprise.' Hermione answered, then paused thinking about it, 'or he just wanted to prank you.' This said with a giggle.

Smiling Harry answered Neville, "That's brilliant! Why feel nervous about it, I'm ecstatic to have you as a god-brother Nev!" To emphasize this Harry got up and gave Neville a hug and pat on the back.

"I didn't think you would want me, to be honest. Who would want a bumbling, nervous, goofy looking guy like me?" Neville said while hanging his head and staring at the ground.

"NEVILLE LONGBOTTOM!" Hermione scolded instantaneously, "How could you ever think we wouldn't want to be your family, yes you were nervous, but guess what, everyone was! Even Ron, who has had several brothers go thru Hogwarts was nervous thinking that the way they sort into houses involved wrestling a troll!" Hermione was all but huffing by the time her tirade was finished.

Blushing Neville accepted Hermione's scolding, and sounding very childlike as he looked her straight in the eye and said sorry. Hermione, feeling a little bad for yelling at him, got up and gave Neville a tight hug, then quietly whispered, "Stop doubting yourself Neville, you have friends that love and want you around, you are an amazing, loyal friend. I wouldn't trade you for anything!"

Harry could see the tears start to form in Neville's eyes, but before he could say or do anything the compartment door opened. Harry looked to the doorway completely expecting to see Ron with Ginny, but instead saw Draco Malfoy, alone.

"Malfoy, what can we do for you?" Harry asked curiously, watching as Neville tensed up.

"Sorry for the interruption Potter, my mother wanted me to give these to you, Sirius seemed to have forgotten to give you two some last-minute presents." Draco stated while handing over two small identical brown paper wrapped packages.

"Gee, thanks Malfoy" Harry said while accepting the two packages.

Nodding Draco departed with a "See you at school."

"Well that was weird." Neville said with a scrunched-up face, "When did you two start being friendly?"

"We saw him this morning at a local restaurant that Sirius took us to for breakfast," Harry said while handing Hermione the package with her name, "He apologized to us for his behavior last year, made a couple suggestions on what we might like to eat, and then we talked quidditch; much to Hermione's displeasure." He said while laughing.

"He did say he wanted to change the way people saw him now that he is head of the Malfoy's and his mom once more became a Black." Hermione thought out loud, "He also said that he considers Harry family now, being that Harry is heir to the Black family."

"Wow, head of one ancient family and heir to another even more ancient family. I'm not even looking forward to taking up the mantle of my family," Neville let slip then caught himself, "at least while my dad is still 'alive'." He said with a frown.

'Sometimes I think Neville got the worse end of the stick.' Harry thought over to Hermione.

Hermione just nodded while trying to bring Neville's spirit up. "Are you still planning to help Professor Sprout replant the schools Mimbulus Mimbeltonia?" she asked knowing it was Neville's favorite plant given to him by his uncle Algie.

"Yes," Neville brightened up, "It's a rather difficult plant to grow, given that you can send stinksap everywhere." he said while starting to laugh, "I accidentally flung some at my grans hat once, I think it made the vulture look better!"

The compartment door opened while he was explaining his mishap, Ron and Ginny had only caught the tail end of his explanation, but it was enough to send Ginny into a fit of giggles.

"Does she wear that thing everywhere, or is it for special occasions only? And what did you fling at it? It could only make it better." Ginny said all this in a rush while looking at Neville.

'Looks like Ginny has moved on to the next best man at Hogwarts, remind me to keep an eye out for butter dishes at the Gryffindor table for the next few days okay?' Hermione thought cheekily at the sight of a blushing Ginny sitting next to Neville. Harry just nodded laughing internally at her pluck.

"It was stinksap, and yes, she wears that hat everywhere, it's her prized possession. I'm Neville, by the way, Neville Longbottom. You must be Ron's sister Ginny." Neville said while holding his hand out in introduction.

"Pleased to meet you Neville, and yes I'm afraid I am Ron's sister, the only girl among six boys." The way Ginny's eyes rolled at the six boys part made Harry giggle. "Oh excuse me, seven boys, I forgot we adopted the one who lived over there." She added on while sticking her tongue out at a now fully laughing Harry.

'Oh thank-god our Gin is back! Sass and all!' Harry mentally slid over to Hermione.

"Don't worry Gin, by adding Harry to that group, that means you get a sister then too, if nothing more than a sister-in-law." Hermione stated while smiling at the girl.

The brightness of the smile Ginny was wearing lit up the compartment and might rival the glow from their bond. Hermione was extremely happy, so happy she could even forget that Ron was a prat in the past timeline. She would give this version a chance, but he was only getting one. If Ron the rump came back to life, she would place a bet that he would get his arse kicked, if not by her then by Harry.

"You'd never believe it Ron," Neville started suddenly, "you just missed Malfoy."

"WHAT?!" Ron yelled, "What did he want?"

"He wanted to drop off a present that Sirius forgot to give to me before he left the station," Harry explained, hoping that Ron wouldn't blow his streak of good behavior. "He's now the head of the Malfoy family, and with his mom becoming a Black again, well, he wants to change his ways." Harry said, still not believing it himself.

"Yes, he really is trying hard not to be a spoiled brat." Hermione added on.

"Well that must be strange," Ron said with a face, "What's in the present then?"

"Dunno, didn't open it yet," Harry replied while looking towards Hermione. "What do you say love? Shall we open them?"

Instead of replying Hermione just simply started to unwrap the brown paper wrapped box with her name on it. Inside of the box was a very simple, sleek watch with a note attached. 'Put the watch on and say your husbands name' the note read in Sirius's handwriting. Seeing that Harry already had his present opened and already on his wrist, Hermione placed hers on and said, "Harry Potter."

Harry's watch started to heat up and vibrate slightly, turning his wrist to look at the face of the watch apparently answered the 'call' as Hermione's face showed up on his watch face, and his on hers.

"Wicked!" Ron exclaimed while watching as the two figured out the small details of the watches.

"My note says to say the name of my favorite 'uncle'." Harry explained out loud. 'Do you think both uncles have the watch?' Harry thought over to Hermione.

'Probably, this just looks like a smaller version of the mirror he gave you. I wonder when he had time to do this?' Hermione thought back.

"This seems like as good a time as any for a prank, don't you think love?" Harry said this with a mischievous look in his eyes. "Here goes nothing, Remus Lupin!" he said with a tad bit of enthusiasm.

'Hello Pup,' the laughing face of Remus Lupin appeared on Harry's watch face. 'HEY! WHAT GIVES!' Padfoot's voice yelled in the background.

"Sirius Black." Hermione laughed into her own watch.

'Thank-you my lovlie, you are now my favorite god daughter ever!' Sirius' voice said from her watch.

Laughing Hermione simply told Sirius, "I'm your only goddaughter!"

With everyone in the compartment now laughing, Sirius wanted to know who was all there. Hermione turned her wrist and introduced their friends, all of which Sirius knew already from their explanations. 'Well then, that makes it easy enough I have three more watches and one mirror hooked up to this network ready to go. I'll have Dobby pop over the watches for your friends' Sirius stated much to everyone's delight.

A small pop was heard as Dobby deposited the watches to their friends.

'The mirror is at your parent's house on the opposite wall of James and Lily's portrait. That way you can talk with all four of them if you wish.' Remus provided.

"Amazing!" Harry exclaimed, "I didn't want to take them with us since our Dad's have become quite fond of each other, this is a perfect work around!"

'Exactly my least favorite pup,' Sirius replied with a huff, 'we are currently working on more watches, so if you two want we could always add on more' he said this with a wink knowing Harry would understand he wanted to give the twins a set.

'I uploaded the Marauders Map to these as well, Sirius, your father, and I used to have a map at school that showed the location of everyone in the castle, it came in handy to avoid getting caught while doing pranks, this way you lot have a portable version. Simply say the key phrase into the watch and it will pop up.' Remus informed again.

"Bloody Hell, that's amazing! I bet the twins would love that!" Ron said thinking of his twin brothers of chaos.

'Well, we didn't want to take up all your time on the train, there is an instruction manual in Harry's box, use it well, and don't behave' Sirius said with a laugh at his play at words.

Remus just simply rolled his eyes and told them to not get caught. Once everyone signed off their watches, the compartment went a little crazy, well with everyone testing out their new watches.

The rest of the train ride was spent in near silence however, Hermione had duplicated the manual meaning everyone was busy reading through the tiny booklet about their watch. It really is a miracle, Hermione thought, Ron's reading, legitimately reading!

Harry busted out laughing at Hermione's thought, everyone looked at him weirdly, but he didn't care, this was the best trip on the Express that he has ever taken, and with the basilisk going to remain in the chamber, he prayed this year would be uneventful. They had a lot to accomplish yet, mainly studying and practicing.

Once they arrived at Hogwarts, they said goodbye to Ginny, letting her know they would save a spot for her at Gryffindor table as there was no way she would go anywhere else. The four of them Harry, Hermione, Ron, and Neville, climbed into a 'horseless' carriage and headed to the school.

The opening feast was blissfully uneventful. Harry, not having the redo this part as he didn't actually make it to the opening feast in the first run, was just thankful he didn't have to deal with the whomping willow this year.

Across the great hall Draco was making good on his promise, he ditched Crabbe and Goyle, and told Pansy of his decision to dissolve their betrothal contract. Needless to say, she wasn't pleased at this turn of events and had taken to trying to murder him with her eyes. He had spent the train ride to Hogwarts in the company of Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott, both Slytherins in his year, and both exceptionally smart; not Granger smart, but smart enough to hold a fairly decent conversation.

Nott's father was a death eater like Draco's; however, his father didn't come out alive. Nott had a particularly strong hatred of anyone associated with the Dark Lord because of this, which explains why he didn't much like Draco last year.

Zabini on the other hand, came from a wealthy family, his mother was said to be an exceptionally beautiful witch with exceptionally bad luck, she had married seven different times, each time her husband would tragically die. After the fourth husband's death, people started to suspect that she was to blame, but no one could ever pin the deaths on her. Zabini was a loner for the most part, extremely quiet, but exceptionally cunning and smart. The hat wouldn't have been able to place him anywhere but Slytherin, Draco thought.

Draco had explained his reasonings behind changing his ways to both the boys, both accepted him freely, understanding how hard it was to put up with an overbearing parent. Both boys experienced what it was like to do what your father expected of you, that being before their fathers had passed.

Yes, this year was looking up for Draco, now all he had to do was keep it up … and not be caught off guard by Pansy 'death glare' Parkinson.

Following the feast all the new students were shown to their dorms by a prefect, due to this Professor McGonagall was the one to lead the Potters to their new abode. Feeling nauseous as she heard what the password to their rooms was; McGonagall bid them a good night.

There accommodations at Hogwarts was essentially a self-contained flat. It had a small dinette to include a refrigerator, stove and sink; a small study area with a round table, and a cozy living area with a couch and two armchairs surrounding the fireplace. It was warm and cozy, just like the Gryffindor common room. Off to the side just beside their study table was the door to their room, a comfortable queen size bed with a four-poster frame and curtains sat in the middle of the room, with two bedside tables and a closet.

"Perfect" Hermione stated out loud. "This will do nicely, its quite cozy in here."

"It is, isn't it." Harry agreed, "I think the password made McGonagall a little nervous though… do you think she knows who Padfoot and Prongs are?"

"Oh absolutely, she was their head of house after all." Hermione said smirking.

After putting their things away Harry and Hermione climbed into bed, it was set to be an interesting year at Hogwarts, one they are sure will still be filled with mischief and mayhem.

Ginny Weasley was happy, she was in fact placed into Gryffindor house, her brothers were making sure she was settled in but weren't being overbearing, and Harry and Hermione wanted to be her family as well! The only downside into Ginny's new school career was that her best friend Luna was sorted into Ravenclaw, she hoped that she was having as good of a transition as she was.

In the boy's dorm Neville felt empowered! True, his new best friend would no longer be sharing a dorm with him like he was last year, but he could always go to their quarters, and besides in times of desperation he had his watch. The features were amazing, and it made him feel included! That was a feeling he had never had before and didn't think he would have after standing up against the trio last year. It was a great way to start his new year at Hogwarts, he thought, so long as I can make it through potions without fainting or dying.

Ron Weasley was awash with confusion, which to be honest wasn't all that different than he normally was, this time however he was confused on his friendship. Why would they keep something so big from me? We told each other everything last year. Maybe it was true that they didn't know until Harry went to stay with them, but how would things change now that his best friends were married? Where do I fit in, he wondered?

"It was a good day wasn't it Ron?" Neville questioned as he was getting ready to lay down.

"Yeah, it was! I'm glad it's been relatively quiet this year, considering all the mess we were in last year. I don't think my mum could handle me getting in trouble on the first day along with the twins being the twins." Ron explained.

Nodding Neville wanted to say what was on his mind, "Your quite lucky Ron, to have such good friends. I'll be honest I didn't think you guys would have been as close as you are now if the things last year didn't happen. You were a right prat to Hermione in the beginning."

"Yeah, I was, and I'm truly sorry for it, Hermione's great, and now that she's with Harry it's almost like I have a second sister to watch over, I always enjoyed being included in the guys need to protect Gin, and for Harry to save her life this summer… well I don't think I could ever repay him." Ron said honestly.

Neville was surprised, the attention seeking Ron from last year seemed to be really affected by the close call that happened at the book shop this summer. Feeling comfortable knowing that he had friends that love him, Neville continued to speak his mind. "To be honest I didn't think you lot would even want to talk to me after last year, I didn't know what all was going on and I had stood up to you. I'm still surprised that I got a watch to be honest." Neville said, a little bit of doubt snaking its way back in to his newfound confidence.

"Neville, we never blamed you for standing up, you have to know that! You got us ten points and helped us win the house cup from the snakes!" Ron said, "Besides, just like Dumbledore said you were a true Gryffindor, I don't think I would be brave enough to stand up to Hermione…" Ron let that compliment hang in the air, just thinking about standing up against Hermione sent shivers down his spine.

Laying down after saying goodnight to Neville, Ron stopped to think about everything they had just discussed. Somewhere in the back of his brain he wanted to be mad, mad that Harry was getting everything that he wanted, fame and fortune, being on the quidditch team with his brothers, and now a wife so early on. Besides the whole wife thing, Ron had to admit he wasn't ready for that yet, Harry had a pretty fantastic life. Then a bolt of electricity hit his heart, he thought about Ginny, who knows what that book could have done to her. His dad said that it was the property of he-who-must-not-be-named, and having been told what Quirrell was attempting to do to Harry last year with the dude sticking out of his head, he didn't want to imagine Ginny like that.

No, Harry's life was going to be full of danger, and run ins with that guy, why couldn't he just stay dead? Thinking about it, Ron decided that after pulling the bars off Harry's window, that he would rather have his own life, with a loving family, then Harry's living with those horrible muggles.

No, Ron thought, Harry's life isn't all that it's cracked up to be, and for saving his sister he would now, more than ever, consider Harry family and that was that. Harry was his brother in all but blood, and nothing could come between that! Then he silently fell asleep, silent, that was, until the snoring began.

Elsewhere in some weird limbo like place, three men where sitting on a couch having a spot of tea with a young married couple.

"I can't believe he's acting rationally!" Billius stated, "He was a right prat when trying to talk some sense into him… I wonder what changed?"

"We aren't out of the woods yet, Mr. Weasley," James commented, "his morals will be put to the test yet."

"And I couldn't help myself, I wasn't going to let some half wit ruin my baby boy's chance of survival." Lily said with a little touch of disdain in her voice. "I pulled some strings with Fate and had her help him see events in a different way." Blushing a little bit as she said this Lily continued as she was getting shocked questioning looks from the faces of the three men.

"Ronald Weasley was always hyper focused on himself, Fate showed him what he stood to lose with such an attitude. Mainly his only sister, on top of that she also showed him what he could gain, in this case two family members and another close friend in Neville." Lily said with a shrug, someone had to talk some sense into him, it just turned out that that someone had to be himself.

"But how did you get Fate to do that?" Fabian asked, no doubt in awe of the pretty red head.

"Oh, that was easy, Harry and Hermione were given a chance to go back with their present knowledge, unlike Ron was, they have a special mission to complete for Death himself. Voldemort has defied death many times, he created several things called horcruxes that allow for him to remain tied to earth, essentially flipping Death the bird." Lily explained.

"On top of which, Harry is a descendant from the third Peverell brother. Do you three know the tale of the three brothers, or about the deathly hallows?" James asked a little excited to tell the tale about his lineage.

"Only the tale from the bard." Gideon replied.

"Ah, well that tale is not so far removed from the truth, you see the three brothers in the that tale are Cadmus, Antioch, and Ignotus Peverell. At the end of the tale, only one brother departed the earth as an equal, that brother would be my ancestor Ignotus Peverell, the owner of the cloak; a cloak that Harry himself is now in possession of as I had passed it down to him, and it was one of the only things that prat of a headmaster did right." James said in anger over everything Dumbledore messed up.

Shocked, Billius asked something that was, up until this point, only thought to be fiction. "I am to understand that three of the founders of Hogwarts were descended from the Peverell family. Is that true?"

James just smiled, not many people knew of that tale, even fewer believed it. "It's not entirely true, only Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin were descended from the Peverell line. Now Ignotus Peverell and ultimately my family, are all related to Godric." He paused for a bit due to the gasps the three men put off. Waiting for them to calm down James continued.

"Cadmus however was a relation of Salazar, and the stone had been passed down thru their family line for generations just like the cloak was for mine. The stone has been turned into a horcrux by Voldemort himself, after he killed his uncle Morfin, who was the last family member to be in possession of the stone." James waited with hope that they would get the point he was trying to make on their own, he loved telling this story to an attentive audience, and that was so hard to find in this place he found himself in.

Turns out he had one this time, as a gasp let loose from Gideon, "You mean to tell me that Voldemort is a descendant of Salazar Slytherin?!"

Once again smiling, James continued to explain the Peverell's lineage, which ultimately led into what their plans were for the kids, and what they hoped to achieve. In the end, the three men decided to stick around, not only to offer their minds to the cause, but to continue to talk with the young couple; as they very much enjoyed the company that the young Potters provided.