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Fanfiction title: Harry's Reward

"The Lone Traveler: Young man who tried to change the past and save those he loved… plan failed and became the Lone Traveler, wandering through time and reality, making a difference wherever he went… very powerful… defeated a powerful Dark wizard styling himself a Lord… swept along the path he walked by a spectacular aura of blue light."

'Legends & Myths of the Wizarding World' by Gertrude Yolanda

FF St ID 2673584 – Chap 9 – The Professional Modified FF St ID – Chap 58 - Dunuelos

From Ch 76 of the Stories of the Lone Traveler:

"I wanted to tell you that your supposition is correct: You are traveling to worlds based on the fact that, without external free will applied, they would eventually go way off the tracks and destroy themselves. You, many times, fix things that have only a very minor effect but it's enough to get it away from self destruction."

…

(God) gave him another gentle smile "… you somehow maintained the innate optimism that you could somehow fix it. Ultimate loss did not break you. And you then applied your will sufficiently to make the attempt to do so. … "

"That hopefulnesswas needed amongst the universes. That you have magic was a bonus. That you have the innate ability to perform wandless magic that your alternates have the potential to achieve AND can legilemens the strongest occlumens in the various universes also were plusses. Your grief was a hindrance, but you eventually got over it. The truth is: You were needed."

(God) sighed. "Your home universe was beyond hope. If your spell had succeeded, it wouldn't have prevented the destruction of that society. And so you were taken." (God) looked back (to Harry) with a smile. "And heaven and creation smiles upon your acceptance of your role. On behalf of the multiverse and all of my grandchildren: Thank you."

…

"Your next travel will purely be a reward. No work to do at all. You'll be there for a month but I think you'll enjoy it."

From Chap 77:

Harry Potter, Lone Traveler, was looking forward to whatever reward he was being given.

The sight before him, when he arrived, threw him for a complete loop. Recognizing exactly where he was and who he was facing, tears of joy ran down his face, even as his knees gave out. God was right: He did quite like this reward.

A voice long-missed said with love, "Welcome Home, Harry."

Harry looked at the gathered throng before him, a large sign set up. It said simply, "Welcome Home, Harry!"

He looked out and saw all the friends and family he had known when he was still alive. Yet somehow – they were all optimized versions of themselves. Even his own Albus Dumbledore looked years younger, though he had the same gentle smile.

His vision was cut off as his wife … he knew his own Ginny almost as instinctively as he knew his own breath … grabbed him into a loving embrace.

He was gobsmacked. "How … You're all …."

Albus Dumbledore chuckled. "Yes. We're all dead. But the afterlife is a universe as any other. And you're uniquely suited with your gifts to travel to any universe you are needed. Hence, you arrival here."

Harry spent a few minutes just saying hello to all of those that he had missed for so long. Hermione's hugs were just as bruising, Sirius' antics just as silly … he just felt home.

One meeting was different than any other. Harry could not speak as he was confronted with his own mother and father. Lily Potter nee Evans embraced him and he knew that this was his own mother's embrace. Her whispered words went right to his soul, "We are so proud of you."

Harry walked about in a daze as he met (or remet) many people that he had connections with. One meeting confused him.

James Potter, with a wide smile, said, "Harry, I would like you to meet your grandparents, Fleamont and Euphemia Potter, as well as you great Uncle and Aunt Charlus and Dorea Potter."

Harry's response was, "Huh?"

Sirius, who had come with, was snickering in the background. Lily gave him a look, which Sirius shrugged off.

James shook his head. "Yeah. I know. The funny thing is that in different universes, apparently, I was born to Uncle Charlus and Aunt Dorea. In this universe, their son, Harold, was killed young and that's who you're named after. In other universes, it's Hadrian. All in all – quite confusing."

The group sat down. "How can I be the Black Heir in so many universes then?"

This time James snickered as Sirius looked sheepish. "Usually my fault, pup. Apparently, different versions of myself are mightily impressed with the blood adoption ritual. Usually with Prongs' and Lily's agreement but we've seen a few where it was done in secret. In other universes, Lily has Black blood and that's how you can be named the heir. Only in about 1 out of twenty do you actually have no Black blood at all – but are still named my heir. So it all works out in the wash."

Harry signed. "This is so confusing." He paused. "Wait. How do you know what happens in other universes?"

The people he was with all laughed a bit at that. Lily answered. "First of all, most afterlives are coordinated through a large records department that different versions are tired to. One thing that we can do to pass the time is to be a records clerk and researcher, getting all the details sorted out and noting where universes split off into different versions of themselves. Considering there are billions of universes with tens of billions of souls each – well, it's a never ending job. Your friend Hermione works in that area. We also have video feeds we can get. Your travels are quite popular." She paused. "Maybe you should see it." She grinned at something. When Harry asked, Lily refused to explain, as did his father and Sirius.

The group approached a building which was just … massive. The sign at the door was, "Weasley Wizarding Heavenly Mead." Another sign, much more garish said, "Home to Every Harry Potter, Traveler, Feed!"

Harry was confused. "What is this?"

Lily and James just let him inside. Apparently the Weasley twins were the bosses here as one of them (he thought it was Fred but wasn't certain) saw him and called out, "HEY ONE AND ALL! ATTENTION!" When everyone was looking he said, "I GIVE YOU THE MAN OF THE HOUR, OUR VERY OWN – HARRY POTTER, TRAVELER!"

There was much applause and hooting and hollering. The other twin's voice rose up, "DRINKS ARE ON THE HOUSE!"

There was much laughter and cheering at that. Harry asked Sirius, "What's so funny?"

Sirius' grin was manic as he said, "We don't use money here. Drinks are already free."

Soon Harry was being led around and shown various things by the Weasley twins. His family had all sat down at a table to allow him to get reacquainted.

The twins were much as they had been in life: Interested in fun for themselves and others. They had even created tokens for bets just as a way of keeping track.

Several large boards were visible with odds shown. Harry's Next Big Bad. Harry's Next Dalliance. Which Year Will Harry Show Up? There were quite a few others.

His life was, apparently, the basis for a large betting pool.

He did notice one thing when he was shown the "Big Bad" poster. The twins were less than amused at that one.

"Hey, boys. Why so glum? You look like someone stole your last canary cream."

The two sighed.

"Sorry, Harrikans.

"It's a personal thing.

"We've seen you meet

"Evil Overlord versions

"Of almost every friend you've had

"except

And this was together, "What about us?"

They started trading off again. "In all of your travels

"Couldn't you have met

"and vanquished

"Just ONE version

"Of us as evil overlords?"

Together. "Is that too much to ask?"

"We keep betting it,

"But it never wins."

Together. "It just ain't right!"

The two twins looked at Harry with arms crossed and mutinous expressions even as his family snickered in the background and he looked at the two in shock. Finally, he lost it.

The twins were not amused at the length and volume of Harry's laugh. They were tempted to take up an armed insurrection of the afterlife for that … except that whole thrown into the fiery pits thing was far too much of an inconvenience for two such fine gentlemen as themselves.

They decided then and there a prank spree was in order.

Finally Harry got himself calmed down. "Gred, Forge. Does this really bother you so much?"

The two twins looked at each other and then back as they nodded in unison.

Harry sighed, still grinning. "Consider this: In an infinite multiverse, every option is likely to create a universe where such an option exists. Right?"

The twins considered that and nodded.

"So, you two feel it is entirely likely that you two became Evil Overlords of Earth somewhere. Correct?"

The twins grinned and nodded again.

"And you also have seen that I haven't met up with such a dastardly duo."

The two sighed even as they agreed.

"Well, given that – according to the Boss – I am sent to universes where my exerting free will there will prevent that universe from eventually destroying itself or where creation decides that someone deserves a bit of comfort out in the cold, have you considered this: You two becoming Evil Overlords of the Galaxy is just highly unlikely to cause the end of the world. No version of yourselves are so stupid as to do things or cause things that would require my intervention. Consider that."

The two twins looked at each other in shock, as though the thought had never occurred to them. After a short conversation entirely made up of facial expressions, the two boys looked at Harry and with wide grins said, "Harryikans? We love you!"

The two proceeded to glomp Harry until he was crying for mercy. His family, the traitors, just sat back and watched and laughed. He would have to get the twins help to prank them just for that.

The twins got back to work even as the place slowly filled up with Harry's family and friend. Ginny and the rest of the Weasleys eventually arrived and a good time was had by all.

One thing confused Harry. "Can I ask a question?"

Most people looked to Harry and he said, "Is it just me or did I see the twins kiss about four different sets of girls in the last hour?"

People around Harry looked at each other and then laughed. Harry was confused. "What?"

Lily, Harry's mother, finally answered. "Harry, this isn't the mortal plane. Marriage vows on Earth were 'until Death do you part.' There is no giving of oneself over to another here. While many people stay with those that they married in life, here there is no disease, no procreation, no jealousy, no hatred – at least in this portion of the afterlife. Sex is just recreation. While I love and adore your father, for example, I've had trysts with a few others that I have a lot of affection for. Your father is the same. Most people learn that sex … well it isn't such a big deal in the grand scheme of life. We're here for a while – we might as well have some fun."

James piped up from next to her, "Yeah. Old Padfoot has taken quite a lot of advantage of that, let me tell you." Many laughed at the unrepentant man who just grinned and waved at a few of the women around.

Harry looked around and saw that most faces agreed with what his mother said. Ginny nodded when he looked at her. "Well, I'm glad then. You've seen that I've … well, I've had a few trysts of my own. I hope that hasn't bothered you."

Ginny laughed. "If we were still alive and married, I would have hexed your bollocks off. As it is, I was happy to see you starting to live again. I've had a few flings here and there. But I still love you, so don't get too upset."

Harry smiled at her. "No problem. I think we all deserve our chance at fun, even if some of us have passed over."

From Harry's other side an unexpected voice interrupted. "Well, that's good." Harry looked over and saw that Luna Lovegood had sat down in the chair next to him. "After Ginny has her turn, I want one of my own. I always wanted one but never had the chance."

Harry's eyes were like those of a deer in headlights as many other girls around put themselves forward for their own chance at the Traveler.

Lily, after laughing a bit called out, "Girls! It's up to Harry who he might spend time with. Let's not break him while here's here, alright?"

A late arrival brought tears to his eyes. "Pup! Come over and say hello to your godson."

Remus and Nymphadora had arrived and with them was a boy who looked about sixteen. As Harry walked up, the boy's hair and eyes changed to match him. "Teddy!"

Harry almost cried as he held his godson for the first time in what seemed like a century.

It was a touching reunion.

After a few more hours of spending time with Hermione, Ron, the twins, his parents, and so many others, Harry was led out by Ginny to many catcalls.

The description of what followed isn't necessary here, but a good time was had by all.

Harry did have a few assignations with other women over the next month. Each was someone he had had an emotional connection to in his original life. There was no incest – that was considered too squicky by both himself and those who made it to this area of the afterlife – but there were a few trysts that surprised him, even as he found them quite enjoyable.

The biggest surprise was a much de-aged Minerva McGonagall. Even though he had known her as a much older woman, her mid-thirties face on a mid-twenties body (the form that she took on in the afterlife) showed her as a very handsome woman. Scottish girls, he decided, were quite enthusiastic.

Harry noticed that older men seemed to appear in their late thirties when they died and women tended to look like they were in their mid-twenties, at least in body if not face.

Harry did tend to return to the woman he had married in life, however. Ginny had no complaints about this.

Harry also observed more of what souls did in the afterlife. Many helped guide innocent souls that continued dying (that world may be doomed eventually but it still ran). Quite a number helped with records research. His old friend Neville helped maintain the gardens and fields, working alongside his restored parents. (There was no need for Aurors in the afterlife.)

It was, Harry decided, as close to a Utopia as it needed to be without that whole loss of drive and verve that tended to happen if life was too easy.

There were a couple of surprise visitors. Some who had been affected by his visits and who had later passed on made their way to say hello. It was arduous for them to cross over to a different afterlife than they had originally arrived to, but they felt it was worth it to do so.

Aphreal, a Goddess in her own right, had no problems showing up. At first the denizens of that afterlife were in awe, she soon got them over that. She was a being of love and she readily engendered such a feeling in all who met her.

Harry was worrying that she was pinching souls where she shouldn't but decided there was nothing that he could do about that.

Her two most ardent followers in this version of the afterlife were the twins. Aphrael had a love of pranks that most gods and goddesses didn't have. Needless to say, they got on with each other extremely well.

However, after a month, Harry found himself in the twins' bar for his final send off. Such a party had not occurred in quite a long time and the gathered souls enjoyed their time.

Harry felt the call. "Okay, folks. I'm about to be sent off. Any last comments?"

Ginny called out with a smile. "We love you, Harry."

He smiled back. "I love you all too."

Lily called out, "Leave me more grandchildren around!"

There was a large laugh at that. Harry shrugged and turned and his loved ones watched as Harry disappeared into the blue light and phoenix song wafted around. It was joyful and full of love.