Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. That honor belongs to J.K. Rowling.

Chapter 1

Red eyes met green on the battlefield. Harry felt his friends walk up to flank him.

It's okay, said Ginny accessing Harrys' thoughts through the bond, We're all okay.

She touched the spot in between his shoulder blades and Harry relaxed. They were finally going to finish this. It had been a year since Voldemort escaped the castle at the Battle of Hogwarts. A year where all the members of the Order of the Phoenix had slowly fallen until all that remained were the six teens who had banded together in hopes of ending Voldemorts' reign. And the moment had finally arrived.

"You can't win, Tom," Harry called over the field. They had finally tracked him down to the Forest of Albania, where he had set up headquarters. The half dead being in front of Harry laughed.

"Ah, poor Harry," it taunted, "I've already won. I've taken everything away from you. All of your families are dead. The Wizarding World is on its' knees. There's nothing you can do now."

"He can sure as Hell make sure you stop breathing!" Ron shouted from behind Harry.

Voldemort laughed again, "What makes you think you can stop me now? Now, after everything I've done, after how powerful I've become? I am the wielder of the Elder Wand! None can face me with any hope to live."

"You're forgetting something Tom," Harry replied calmly.

"Oh?" Voldemort looked amused.

Wipe that smirk off his face Harry, Ginny hissed.

"You're forgetting that the Elder Wand hasn't been working for you correctly. You're forgetting that you aren't its rightful owner."

Voldemorts eyes narrowed, "That's not possible. I killed Severus Snape. The wand is rightfully mine."

"But the want was never Snapes to begin with. Snape never won the wand from Dumbledore. Malfoy did."

His eyes widened, but then he composed himself, "Well then, it shouldn't be a problem. Draco is dead. The wand may not be reaching its full potential, but I don't need it to stop you."

"Except," Harry said lazily as he stepped away from his friends and leisurely approached Voldemort, "Draco was disarmed before his death. Which means there's a new master…me. So, now this all depends on whether or not the wand recognizes me as its new master, and whether you're willing to take that chance."

Green eyes met red ones calmly once more.

Wands were raised.

Spells were shot.

And then everything was white.

Harry grunted as he hit the ground. He tried to open his eyes, but a blinding white like made it almost impossible to do so. He stopped short and covered his eyes with his hands.

Ginny?

I'm here.

Harry pushed himself up and blinked against the bright surroundings. Once his eyes adjusted he looked around; it looked like the field they had previously been in, but the color had been drained. It was now shining pure white with shimmering waves of sound floating through the air. Harry felt a hand on his elbow and looked over to see Ginny. Something seemed different about her. Her hair was still raging red, but it was longer that the short shoulder cut she had been sporting for the last year. Her brown eyes seemed brighter, almost shining hopefully, as they looked up at Harry.

Harry gave her a small smile as he looked around. Ron was helping Hermione off the ground; Luna was looking around at their surroundings and Neville was still sitting on the ground, shaking his head as if in disbelief. Or maybe he hit his head when they fell. Either was possible. They all looked different also. The changes were little, barely noticeable, but they were there.

"What happened?" Neville asked, finally standing up.

"It's rather obvious, isn't it?" Luna replied, walking over to grab Neville's hand and give him a smile, "The world exploded."

"Huh?" Ron asked rather dumbly.

"Harry defeated the evil being and the world is now recreating itself."

Harry and Ginny looked at each other. They were all used to Luna's nonsense by now.

"That's actually an interesting theory," Hermione stated looking contemplative.

"I repeat, huh?" Ron said looking at Hermione as if she'd lost her mind.

"Oh, don't give me that face!" Hermione started, "It's just that almost actually makes sense. I mean, when the world goes through a travesty, it has to go through a rebuilding period."

"Yeah, but since when do rebuilding periods start with six misfits in a world of pure light?" Ginny asked rather sardonically.

"You're on the right track." A booming voice suddenly filled the open space, the sky flashed with red and gold, and a beautiful creature appeared before them.

"Fawkes?" Harry said surprised, "What are you doing here?"

"Better question is when did he learn how to talk," Ron muttered.

"Phoenixes have always been able to speak," Hermione stated matter-of-factly, "But they only communicate with the ones with whom they are bonded with."

"That's true," said Fawkes, his words reverberating around them, "but the process of moving the six of you to this land has created a type of bond between us that allows me to communicate with you much like Harry and Ginny can."

Said pair exchanged glances.

"But our bond was created due to a shared near death experience and then wasn't even unlocked until years later," Harry said confused.

"Unfortunately, the six of you just shared a near death experience. In fact, had I not intervened, you would surely all be dead."

The six teens stared at the Phoenix blankly.

"Voldemort planned a sort of, how do you put it, Kamikaze attack. He had his remaining followers set up an explosion that was timed with the face off between himself and Harry. Voldemort had become desperate and wanted to make sure you didn't survive the war. This was how he was going to pull it off. He sent up sparks into the air when you shot off your disarming spell, Harry. This was the signal."

"That sounds horribly out of character for Voldemort," Hermione said.

"Yeah, I thought he was afraid of dying," Ron continued, "Why would he do that kamic kaz thing?"

"He knew he was already dead," said Harry, staring off into the distance, "He knew he'd lost. He's known for the past year he wasn't going to survive. He was just waiting for the right moment where he could strike and bring me down with him."

Harry "Harry, are you okay?" Ginny asked.

Harry didn't reply so she touched his chin and turned his face toward her. Brown met green. No.

"No, I'm not. This could have been over a year ago. It should have been, but Voldemort dragged it out just for the sake of it. All those people that died in the past year: all of your families, the patients at St. Mungos, the Muggles and the Muggleborns; it shouldn't have happened. None of this should have happened. I should have ended it."

NO! "Harry, stop! This was not your fault!"

Murmurs of agreement came from behind Ginny.

"She's right, Harry," Fawkes said, "This was the way it had to play out."

"What? Why? Why would thousands, Hell, millions, have to die at the hands of Voldemort?"

"So the world could rebuild."

This made everyone stop short. Luna looked smug, but, in the blink of an eye, it was gone.

Trick of the light?

Please. Luna can be quite devious when she wants to be.

Ginny squeezed Harry's elbow playfully.

"It's all apart of an ancient prophecy."

All six of them groaned causing Fawkes to chuckle and then continue, "The prophecy spoke of a great evil and the warriors that would defeat them. It told of the losses that they would have and foretold of a new beginning at the hand of a great flame. I would think the evil, warriors, and losses are apparent to you."

The group nodded absently, thinking of their families that had been attacked and killed throughout the year and even those family members that had died long ago.

"The new beginning is starting to form as we speak. It is a separate world where your losses can be gained once more after a sacrifice of fire."

"Wait…," Hermione pondered, "You're saying that a type of alternate universe is forming where the lives that were lost…weren't?"

"Yes," Fawkes replied, "exactly. In this universe, the six of you lost your lives somehow between birth and the age you are now. This is key. This is why you are allowed to be transferred over and given a second chance."

"Second chance? Does that mean…"

"Yes, Harry. Unfortunately, Voldemort will be alive once more. But we're hoping events will play out differently this time."

"Okay," said Ron, "I'm thinking the rewards outweigh the cost, but what is this 'sacrificing of a flame'?

"This is my part. You do not have to worry about it. All you have to do is agree to go."

"Are you saying you'll have to sacrifice yourself to make this happen?" Neville asked aghast.

"In a manner of speaking," Fawkes replied, "However, all of my memories will live on in the Fawkes of that universe; so, while my body will perish in this world, my spirit will live on in another."

"And you're okay with this?" Asked Ginny concerned for the phoenix.

"I've been around for a very long time Ginevra. I have nothing left to hold onto in this world. I am perfectly fine and willing to play my prophesized part."

Harry was quiet. Harry? What are you thinking?

I'm… Gin, my parents. I mean, I'd get to meet them. And your family. They'd be back. You'd get your brothers back, Gin. And Sirius and Remus and Tonks and- Harry's head felt like it was spinning. There were endless possibilities in this new world. It felt like a miracle. He felt hands grab his face, "Harry? Harry look at me. Focus on me, Harry. Harry!"

Harry focused on Ginny's face. Ron and Hermione were at his side looking concerned. Neville and Luna were over Ginny's shoulder ready to move if needed.

"I'm fine. I'm sorry. It's just…"

"A little overwhelming," Ginny finished, smiling faintly.

Harry sighed and put his forehead against Ginnys, wrapping his arms around her waist. What do you think, Gin?

She put her hands on his chest. I think it's the luckiest break we've ever had. I also think it's really the only choice we've got. I don't want to go back there, Harry. I don't.

Harry nodded his head slowly and backed away keeping one hand wrapped around Ginnys. He looked around at his friends. The people who had the courage to stand up and fight with him for the betterment of the Wizarding World. His friends that had been with him through everything.

"I'm sold, mate," Ron said, not needing to hear the question.

Hermione nodded, "I-I think it's the best option."

"I'll get to see my Mum," Luna said surprisingly serious.

"Harry, I- my parents," Neville stammered for the first time since facing the Carrows his seventh year. Harry nodded. He knew exactly what was going through Nevilles head.

"There will be a few complications," Fawkes said, breaking up the moment, "First, you will show up in what you would consider two years in the past. You have already started aging backwards. I'm sure you've noticed small changes in each others appearances. You will be the age you were two years ago. Also, I can only concentrate on where one of you will land. It takes a lot of energy and I will be busy concentrating all of mine on my flames, so you will have to decide who you want to land where

"I would suggest sending one person to the Order of the Phoenix headquarters and then waiting for them to round you all up." Fawkes paused, waiting for a decision.

" I think it should be Luna," Hermione said, "She won't be as easily recognized, so that won't freak out the member too horribly and they'll be more likely to believe her nature than any of ours after one of us crashing into the middle of the living room."

Murmurs of agreement were made as Luna nodded her head.

"Excellent," Fawkes said, "So, are you ready?"

Harry looked at his friends one more time before meeting Ginny's eyes. She smiled at him before stepping into his arms and tucking her head under his chin. She squeezed around his midsection and Harry breathed in the strawberry scent of her hair.

"Yeah," he said, "We're ready."