Renouncing Magic's Child

Dinner was a quiet affair that night. The Dursleys sat as far away from the others as was humanly possible. Petunia looked down at her plate in disgust, unsure that they should trust the food these freaks cooked for them. But her husband and son clearly didn't share her concern as they were both busy scoffing their own dinners. She exchanged a look with her older self. Before glancing at the elder of her Dudleys.

He wasn't behaving quite like himself. He kept glancing up the table towards where his cousin was sitting with his family. That's what they were calling those people. Not that it made much sense. The freak didn't have any other relatives.

The others around the table were talking in hushed voices. She couldn't hear what they were saying but she didn't doubt they were plotting against her and her family. They weren't safe here.

As soon as her son and husband had finished eating she all but dragged them from the dining chamber. She wouldn't feel settled until they were safely back in their own quarters.

"This is ruddy ridiculous!" Vernon complained. "I have work to be doing. I don't have time to take a holiday."

"Weren't you listening to that magic lady," Dudley started.

"DON'T USE THAT WORD!" Vernon shouted.

"We're outside of time," Dudley continued.

"That's not possible," Vernon ground out, his face turning purple.

"Doppelgangers aren't real either," Petunia said harshly, pointing between the two Vernons, "but here we are."

Back in the dining hall, Oliver was caught off guard when Percy called him back as he was leaving.

"Ollie," he said.

Oliver flinched at the use of the nickname.

"Can we talk?"

"Er..." Oliver hesitated.

Their younger selves were watching them closely.

"Fine."

The four of them walked down the hall to the chamber where they had enjoyed playing quidditch.

"What's this about Percy?" Oliver asked, turning to face him.

"Penelope..."

Oliver sighed. "I don't want to hear about your girlfriend."

"She's not my girlfriend," Percy said crossly. "I..."

His ears were pink and he rubbed his hand across his temple. His palms were sweaty and he was surprised how nervous he felt. This was a thousand times worse than telling his family. This was Ollie. His Ollie. And he was terrified that he'd never forgive him.

"S-she used a love potion on me."

Oliver's mouth dropped.

"I didn't know," Percy continued. "Not until I started working for the minister. They insist on an annual full cleansing to work in that office. And well, I... Well, clearly I needed it. I never meant to hurt you. That kiss. It was important to me. I wanted to... I wanted to ask you out but I didn't get a chance before..."

Percy grimaced. He was rambling. And Ollie wasn't saying anything. Percy stopped speaking, hoping that Oliver might say something. Anything. Even if it was only to tell him to fuck off.

When Oliver still didn't speak, Percy considered walking away. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

"Say something, Ollie," Percy said. "Please."

"That bloody bitch!" Oliver growled, taking Percy's hand in his. "I'm so sorry Perce."

"You're sorry?" Percy asked, bewildered. "Whatever for?"

"I should have known," he said gently, taking a step forward.

"How? My own family didn't notice. What chance did you have?"

"I've always known you best," Oliver said, pulling Percy against himself. "I'm so sorry."

There were tears in both their eyes as they stood there, gripping onto one another.

"It's okay," Percy whispered. "It won't happen this time."

"Damn right, it won't."

Young Oliver and Percy looked at each other awkwardly as their older selves suddenly found themselves caught up in a kiss.

"Well, I guess I should tell you I like you," Oliver said shyly. "Have done for ages."

Percy blushed. "Me too."

"Not sure we should have come along for this conversation though," Oliver admitted. "Watching us kiss is kind of weird."

"Weird?" Percy asked.

"Yeah, like kind of voyeuristic or something" Oliver shrugged.

"They're us," Percy said with a laugh. "I don't think it really counts."

"Can I kiss you, Percy?" Oliver asked.

Percy couldn't bring himself to speak. Instead, he nodded his head and stepped forward, closing the distance between them.

Harry and his new family made their way to their chambers, the Malfoys and Tonks family joining them. Remus poured them all something to drink as they settled down on the sofas.

"I wonder when the next book will arrive," young Draco said as he accepted a butterbeer.

"Not too soon, I hope," Harry muttered.

Lucius grimaced, failing miserably at hiding his emotions. "The next book will be..."

"Worse," Arcturus said sharply. "Harry has told us that Sirius will die."

Narcissa whimpered. "How?"

Lucius glanced at his wife. "Your sister, dearest. Bellatrix."

"Bellatrix?" Narcissa seemed to crumple in on herself.

"She will be disowned for that," Arcturus said harshly. "We are Blacks. We do not turn our wands upon our kin."

"She won't have actually done it though, Grandfather," Sirius said.

Arcturus actually shrugged, surprising all three of his grandchildren. "I don't particularly care."

"Personally, I wouldn't mind her being disowned," Draco said.

Lucius actually chuckled. He couldn't agree more.

The aurors - all but Tonks - had remained in the dining hall. Someone had poured a round of coffees. They weren't the only ones that had remained. Barty and the death eaters were sitting at one end of the table, talking to Tom. Moody wasn't sure how to feel about that. He felt responsible for Barty. Not that he knew why. All he knew was that that boy needed a father. Not a lord or even a prince. He needed a father. Someone to love him. He wasn't sure he was cut out for the task but he was going to give it his best shot. Still further down the table were a group of Gryffindors, laughing raucously.

Moody noticed one of the kids was watching him. The boy stood when he saw Moody watching him and started walking towards them.

"Mr Jordan?" he asked. "Do you need something?"

"So... we did inheritance tests," he said.

"I remember," Moody gruffed.

"So, apparently we're related," Lee said, taking the older man by surprise.

"We're what?" Moody asked, barely believing his ears. "How?"

Lee pulled out a family tree to show him and Moody's magical eye made quick work of finding himself on it. They were indeed related. He was the boy's cousin, a couple of times removed.

"I'm not calling you cousin," Moody growled, making the young man laugh. "You can call me Uncle though."

"I'd like that," Lee said with a grin.

"So, I'm guessing that makes you my heir," Moody said.

"If you'll have me, sir," Lee said with a bob of his head.

"Your parents?" Moody asked.

"Died during the second war," Lee said. "Although, I guess they won't be dead when we go back."

"I'd like to meet them."

Lee nodded. "I think that can be arranged."

"You're friends with those Weasley twins, aren't you," Moody said shrewdly. "You're a trouble maker?"

"I prefer the title prankster but sure."

The other aurors tried to stifle their laughter, failing magnificently.

Moody grimaced. He now had two dependents. Well, dependent wasn't quite the right word. Two new responsibilities. His life just got a hell of a lot more complicated. And now, he had an heir to teach. When was he going to find the time for that? Even so, he couldn't bring himself to regret it. He was pleased to see his family of one expanding. His magical eye darted towards Barty. One went from one to two and to three, far too quickly.