Harry Potter and the Change of Fate
written by Theenlim

14/MAY/2007

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DISCLAMER: I don't own Harry Potter J.K Rowling does. Purchase her books and don't read mine……

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Chapter 1

Bad Memories

Harry sat on an old worn leather couch staring into the fire that crackled within a small hearth in the corner of the basement they were currently using as a base of operations, below a burnt out house in Godric's hollow. Outside, the wind howled loudly, as if it was trying to drown out the sound of the pelting rain, that was accompanied every so often by large cracks of thunder. The rest of the small group huddled together in an attempt to keep warm, telling half-hearted jokes and reminiscing about happier times, days long since past. Their soft conversations went unnoticed to Harry as he was also reminiscing on the past; his thoughts however didn't go back quite far enough to return to the happy times. His thoughts were stuck on things they all wished they could forget, even if only for a short time.

Eight years had passed since Albus' death and the war had been going badly. Voldemort's forces had played shadow games from the beginning. Randomly attacking Ministry, Muggle and Order targets when least expected, during the day or night, then Apparating away before help could be called let-alone arrive. It took the Order over four years to realise that the only way they were going to win was to use the Death Eaters own fighting style against them. Knowing that doing this would draw out the war, they decided that it didn't matter, as there was no end in sight as things were.

This new tactic could have worked too; unfortunately it came far too late. Both sides had stopped recruiting new members long before, as it had become far to easy to recruit a spy into your ranks since both the Death Eaters and the Order had found ways of getting around truth potions and mind reading techniques. Too many times had both sides been betrayed to risk bringing new faces into their organisations. Sadly that had changed things and the conflict had fast become a war of attrition.

Now the only members left of the Order that Harry knew about were those that sat around the dark little basement in Godric's Hollow; Ginny Weasley, Fred Weasley, Remus Lupin, Nymphadora Tonks and Neville Longbottom. It was possible that there were other members of the Order out there somewhere that had survived or maybe left over Aurors from the Ministry. Finding them however was too dangerous; the risks far out weighed the potential gain. And since there was no longer anyway to prove which side they were on, the argument was mute.

"Harry," called Ginny again, her face creased with worry. "Did you hear me?"

Harry finally looked up at his fiancée and tried to force a smile. "I'm sorry Gin, lost in thought I guess. What did you say?"

Ginny squatted down before him placing one hand on his knee. With a sigh and a small smile she said "I was saying that the potion should be ready by tomorrow night, and I was going to get you to run through the plan with me again." She kissed him on the forehead before adding. "But you're tired and we could both do with a good nights sleep if we are going to pull this off. Come on, lest get some rest."

She helped Harry out of his chair and guided him to the corner where the two of them slept on an old damp bedroll. He lay down to rest, Ginny's head lay on his chest as she drifted off to sleep. The war had taught them to grab sleep whenever they could, Harry unfortunately found it far more difficult to fall asleep. He lay there going over the events that had lead to this moment over and over in his mind.

Harry had come up with a way to change the outcome of the war. If all went well, none of his friends would have to die. If all went well, he would soon be seeing them all again real soon. Eleven months ago was the last time they lost a member of the Order, eleven months ago was when he had finally decided to go ahead with this insane plan.

Arthur Weasley was killed during a botched attack on a known Death Eater supply house on the outskirts of London. At first everything seemed to be going smoothly. Fred had quickly killed the two Death Eaters guarding the door, which he did without a word of warning to the others. He had become increasingly reckless since his twin brother George had been killed three months previously when the hideout they had been occupying at the time had been attacked.

Once the Death Eaters had been taken care of Harry and Ginny began checking for wards, as expected there was an alarm on the door and an Anti-Apparation charm on the building to stop anyone entering without the guards knowing. Once detected the alarm was easily disabled. Arthur then cast 'Alohomora' unlocking the door as they all slowly proceeded into the house. Fred and Tonks stayed to guard the door as the others made there way down the short hallway and into the living room. They had known that whatever was being guarded was most likely to be stored in the basement, the Death Eaters were predictable in that regard. Always hiding what they treasured most in the basement, or in a hidden room usually accessed from the basement. That's when everything went to hell.

It was as they made there way across the living room to the basement door that Harry felt it. It was like a small tickle behind the ear, as soon as he felt it he got a cold chill down his spine that was not related to the ward they had just triggered. "They know we're here," he yelled "everyone out, NOW!". They didn't hesitate and turned to head back they way they came when a yell from the front door halted them in their tracks. Tonks was yelling at them to find another way out, that there were Death Eaters trying to get in. Fred and Tonks came out of the hallway running. 'We're not getting out that way' was all Fred said.

As they headed for the back entrance to the house they heard the front door explode inwards. Knowing the house would be full of Death Eaters in moments they ran out the back door. The back yard of the home was large and they knew that the Anti-Apparation wards would extend to the boundaries of the property; they ran as fast as they could towards the small hedge that bordered the edge of the yard and the neighbouring field behind the home. Arthur had hesitated a few moments to close the door behind them and preform a locking charm on it, in an attempt to buy more time, before he rushed after the others.

It would have taken the group less than a minute to cross the yard but to them if felt like hours passed as they ran for their lives. They were almost half way across the large garden when a great explosion rang out into the once silent night. The rear of the house had exploded outwards; bricks and mortar were thrown about the yard and the small group were nocked to the ground by the force of the blast. As the dust quickly began to settle the group rose as rapidly as they could, years of fighting had taught them not to waste time when things like this happened; that every second counted.

They continued their flight to safety, seconds later shouts could be heard coming from behind and within moments the night was filled with curses. Some of the death eaters were casting cutting curses; others were casting stunners and yet more were only interested in killing their enemies, casting the 'Killing Cruse'. Luckily for Harry and his friends, the Death Eaters were casting as they were running and as a result their aim was well off.

The first of the group, Ginny and Neville reached the edge of the yard and jumped the small hedge. Harry yelled at them to Apparate, which they did, disappearing moments later. Harry was at the hedge seconds later, he jumped it and rolled onto the grass on the other side; he took a brief moment to look back at his still fleeing companions before Apparating away. They had all agreed that in a situation like this, they should escape as soon as they could and not wait around to help. There weren't enough of them left to risk being overrun and all being killed.

Harry arrived in a dark field moments later. It was one of many locations they had pre-planned as a safe location to Apparate to in case of an emergency. He sank to the ground and rolled on to his back as he attempted to catch his breath. He could hear the panting of Neville and Ginny nearby as they also tried to slow their heart rates. Moments later the distinct popping sounds of someone Apparating could be heard as three more members of the Order joined them.

Instantly, the once quiet night was alive with the horrid screams of Fred. Harry jumped up and saw that Fred was struggling desperately to get free from Remus and Tonks who were adamant about holding the hysterical young man down. "He's dead Fred, there is nothing you can do." Lupin yelled at the screaming young man. "He wouldn't want you to throw your life away for nothing" Tonks added desperately.

Harry sank to his knees; he didn't need anyone to tell him what was going on. He knew without anyone saying anything that Arthur Weasley was dead, and they had just lost one more member of their group. He could hear Ginny sobbing softly somewhere behind him and knew she also understood what had happened.

It was later that night that Harry told the group of the plan Hermione and he had come up with before her death. It was that night that he finally decided he would go back to the beginning, to his first year at Hogwarts and do it all again. It had taken him days to convince the group that it was a good idea. In the end they had relented, more because they could see he couldn't be talked out of it, than any real conviction that it was a good idea. Fred was the only person that hadn't argued against the idea. He seemed not to care about anything anymore. No matter how much Harry had lost personally he could never understand what it was like to lose a twin, let alone his father, mother and five brothers. True Harry had lost his own family, but he was only a child when it happened and had never really known them.

Ginny had been the last to agree, and only on one condition. She had made Harry agree to take her with him, telling him that if he didn't she would do everything in her power to stop him, because she refused to live this life without him. Harry didn't like it but in the end he decided that it would be good to send two people just in case one of them were killed, the other would be able to continue with the mission. Ginny also made the point that together they would have a better chance of success.

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Ginny got out of bed early the next morning to go to the privy. Harry woke suddenly; the war had made them all light sleepers and Ginny's soft movements easily awoke him. He was amazed to see daylight shining softly down the basement's stairwell, he hadn't realised he had drifted off to sleep and to find it was morning already surprised him slightly. Pushing bad memories out of his mind he climbed out of bed and started to cook breakfast. Food was hard to come by these days; luckily the house they now occupied had had a large supply of canned food in a cupboard in the basement that had survived whatever had happened to the rest of the house.

Soon his companions began to wake and joined him for breakfast. Most morning's breakfast was a silent meal, there was little to talk about these days that wasn't related to war, and no one wanted to think bad thoughts this early in the morning. This morning however was quite different. Today was the day they had been working towards for eleven long months and they all wanted to go over the plan again before the big event.

Even thought they all knew what they had to do, Harry went over the fine details with them again. They had collected as much research materials on time travel as they could find, and although it was mostly theoretical it had given them a fair idea of what to expect. The Time-Turners that the Ministry use to keep hidden in the Department of Mystery's proved that it was physically possible to travel back in time. All they had had to do was find a way to go back further than the Time-Turners could ever send them, whilst at the same time enter the bodies of their younger selves without killing themselves in the process.

Harry had spent most of the last four months brewing a very specific potion made from exotic and hard to find herbs and ingredients, many of which can be quite dangerous if not used correctly. The potion included such ingredients as Asphodel, Moonseed berries, Aconite, Fluxweed Belladonna and Acromantula venom. Most of which are deadly poisonous on their own. They had also perfected the spells and incantations needed to send their souls back in time. The hardest part was getting a rare herb that was needed to pinpoint the exact time they wanted to arrive back in the past, each leaf from this small herb would send a person back one year. However each plant only had three leaves and they needed enough to send two of them back to just before Harry's first year at Hogwarts. Specifically they needed to arrive at least six months before the start of their first term if they were going to have enough time to set there plans in motion.

Soon midday arrived and they all took there places. Tonks had painted a 'Circle of Power' on the ground in lamb's blood. This was essential to focus the time dilatation field that would send them back to the past. Harry and Ginny positioned themselves in the centre of the circle, facing each other. The rest of the group spaced themselves equal distances around the outside.

"I still don't think this is a good idea Harry." Lupin stated in a worried tone. "There is no way to know if the spell will work or if the potion was brewed correctly, one small mistake could kill you both."

"I understand you concerns Remus," Harry replied softly "but we've had this argument a hundred times since we began and nothing has changed. In the end the result is the same, we cannot allow things to continue as they are. If this works we can change it all, none of them have to die old friend. Ron, Hermione, George, Luna, Sirius, none of them." Harry had chosen the names he knew would have the most effect and not just on Remus. They all missed their friends and loved ones and Harry knew that they would do anything to have them back.

"I…" he said slowly, "I still don't have to like it. There is so much that could go wrong."

Tonks looked across at Remus, smiling warmly. "None of us like it Remus, and we are all afraid of what might happen if this doesn't work. But Harry is right; things can't go on as they are. We have lost so many and nothing can bring back the dead. Our only option is to insure that they never died in the first place. This is the only way.

Remus' shoulders dropped in defeat. He knew they were right, he knew that this was their only chance to change things and win the war. Knowing this didn't change the fact that he was afraid. He had seen first hand what could happed if a spell as powerful as this went wrong, they could all be killed, not just the two who were standing inside the spells focus. He also knew that they might not even make it to that stage. The potion they had been brewing for months had more toxins in it than any he had ever seen and even if they had a bezoar, most of the ingredients were far to poisonous for it to have any affect.

"All right," said Harry, as he looked around at his assembled friends. "You all know what you have to do. Is everyone ready?" he asked them.

He looked each one in the eye as they indicated that they were indeed ready. Remus looked both sad and afraid. Tonks had a small smile on her face, she also looked worried and a little hopeful. Neville looked determined; the loss of Luna had wounded him deeply and hearing Harry mention her name had only caused to increase his determination. Fred only stared back at him with blank eyes. Harry knew that if this didn't work and Ginny and he were both killed, Fred would follow closely behind them. He had so desperately wanted to go with Harry and Ginny on this one. He had lost everything including his will to live, the loss of his sister and only remaining family member would push the unstable young man beyond breaking point.

"Okay then," he said "you all know what is at stake so there is no need to speak on it

again. As soon as Ginny and I drink the potion begin the incantation, any delay will result in our quick deaths."

Ginny stepped forwards and hugged him tightly. She looked up into his eyes and smiled. Whispering softly, "You promised me a wedding Mr Potter, I hope you intend to keep it.

He looked down upon her loving face and smiled in return. "Patience my love," he replied so softly only Ginny could hear him speak. "You will have your wedding. When we come of age, that is." He chuckled softly as his small joke and Ginny's puzzled expression. When they returned to the past they would both be too young to wed, they wouldn't be able to get married until they both turn seventeen again.

Harry handed her a vial of the violet potion they had brewed, small swirls of smoke were rising from its surface. She smiled slightly, and then together they drank deeply. It had a surprisingly delicious taste, its flavour tasted of cinnamon or perhaps chickaree, which was a good thing because they had to drink every drop for this to work correctly. At first nothing seemed to happen and Harry looked down at Ginny. Then suddenly they both doubled over as their bodies were quickly overcome with pain.

As soon as they had begun to drink the potion the small basement was filled with voices as Lupin, Tonks, Fred and Neville read the incantation over and over. The Circle of Power begun to glow as a pulsing field of energy appeared around the two occupants. It was accompanied by a low humming sounds that rapidly begun to build up in volume.

Soon the voices of those still repeating the incantation could no longer be heard over the loud hum. They shut their eyes as the light from the time dilatation field was so bright that those outside could no longer see the forms of the two occupants that were now on there knees from the pain that was being inflicted upon them. Only moments had passed and the sound had grown so loud that Remus and the others had to hold their ears to stop themselves going deaf from the ear-splitting sound.

Suddenly there was an enormous flash of light so bright that it would have rendered them blind if they had still been looking. Followed instantly by a explosion of sound loud enough to shake the walls of the small room.

As quickly as it had begun it was over. The light and sound vanished and the dust caused by the shaking walls and ceiling settled. When Tonks and the others looked up, Harry and Ginny were gone.