SNAFU
Oh, this is not happening. The blue car continued it’s decent, as the terrified screams of two teenage boys grew louder. Her two children, niece and nephew hid behind her as they watched the Ford Angeline continue its unpredictable decent; meanwhile, her father- and mother-in-law had pulled their wands…along with Sirius Black. Ginny Molly Potter (nee Weasley) realized that this situation had rapidly tilted into an unmitigated disaster the moment she recognized the car, and now she knew she was about to introduce her in-laws to their 12-year-old son and his idiot of a best friend. All Ginny could do was just laugh at the situation she’d found herself in thanks to her oldest.
“Are you okay, Aunt Ginny?” Rose asked wearily, “Do you know what’s going on?”
“I’m fine Rose,” She sighed. “Have you heard the story about how your father and godfather got to school at the beginning of their second year, my first?” At this all the next gen kids shook their heads as if to collectively say ‘not a chance in hell’. “We’ll then…you’re going to get a chance to ask their 12-year-old selves very soon.” If they get stuck here, who is going to save me from the Chamber?
The older witch was pulled out of her brooding when the car slammed into the street, and promptly ejected its disgruntled passengers and cargo. Hedwig let out an indignant screech as the car attempted to take off; but Ginny managed to freeze the charms before it could do that. “Glad to see you could make it in time for your only sister’s sorting Ronald.” The grin on Ginny’s face was downright feral.
“Do I know you?” Merlin, I forgot how dense he was.
“You really don’t recognize your one and only sister?” Her eyebrow arched; she knew he wouldn’t recognize her…but it is awfully fun to take the mickey out of him. The 12-year-old Harry spun his head from side to side, from the older Ginny to his parents and Sirius; he looked absolutely dumbfounded. “Why are you so…old?”
The Marauders watched the exchange with interest. “I know for a fact that Mum told you it’s rude to ask a witch her age Ronald.” She smirked. “How are you doing Harry? Have any butter dishes lying around?” It was worth it to watch her pintsized husband turn an incredible shade of pink, even as he stumbled over his response. When she said Harry’s name, the kids’ faces lit up in glee while his parents eyed the oversized clothes with concern. But before they could question the state of his wardrobe, and his runt sized appearance, there was another flash of light and three sudden thuds.
“What the hell was that?”
“Harry! HARRY!” The familiar shriek sent a chill down Ginny’s spine, even before she looked at the newcomers, “RON’S BEEN SPLINCHED!” The 12-year-old versions of Harry and Ron spun to look at their 17-year-old selves with looks of terror on their face. Older Harry raced over to Hermione and Ron, along with James and Evans, “’Mione, what do you need?”
“Get me the bottle of dittany Harry, it’s in my bag,” The two of them rapidly worked to stabilize Ron while the kids whimpered. Sirius’ looked at the two Harry’s with his eyes wide and his jaw slacked; while Ginny whimpered, in the months after the Second War had ended she’d been told everything by the Golden Trio…but to see her brother actually injured from the Horcrux hunt was absolutely disturbing. Evans put her hand on the older Harry’s shoulder, which was a major mistake.
“Who the hell are you?” Harry hissed, his wand pointed at her throat. She involuntarily took a step back as she eyed this man in front of her. His emerald eyes immediately captured her attention, along with James’ messy black hair. “I’m Lily, Lily Potter.”
“Prove it,” the 17-year-old Harry growled. Fortunately for all involved the kids kept their mouths shut. Harry was the fun loving, spoil you rotten type of uncle and father…this Harry, quick to draw his wand and without an ounce of trust in him stunned the next generation. “What did Snape call you after your Defense Owl?”
“Mudblood.” Lily sighed. But before she could say anything else, Harry pointed his wand at his father. “And you, why does Snape owe you a life debt?”
“I saved his life in sixth year.”
“How?”
“He was going down the tunnel of the Whomping Willow when he shouldn’t have.” Harry nodded. And that’s when he noticed the car, and 12-year-old Ron.
“What did you say to Hermione when she couldn’t find any wood to set Devils Snare on fire?”
“Are you a witch or not?” He turned his wand on the 12-year-old version of his self and hesitated for just a moment.
“Where did you spend the first ten-years you were with the Dursleys.” 12-year-old Harry paled at the question and shook his head. “ANSWER ME.” At this point, Sirius and Lily froze in horror while James tended to the 17-year-old Ron.
“Thecupboardunderthestairs.”
“Can you say that clearer.” Wartime Harry advanced on his younger self menacingly.
“The cupboard under the stairs.” He whispered. Fortunately, this seemed to satisfy Harry…even as the next generation stood horrified and rooted to the spot. They’d never heard Harry talk much about his life at Petunia and Vernon’s (even when cousin Dudley came to visit); so the revelation about his bedroom terrified them. When Lily Luna started to cry, that’s when he noticed the others…including the older Ginny. After a moment of shock, Harry pointed his wand at his ex-girlfirend and future wife.
“Who are you?”
She smirked, “Ginny Potter, nee Weasley.”
His wand faltered for just a moment. “What did you give me for my 17th birthday present.”
“A goodbye snog,” she smiled at the memory. “In case you met any Veela’s on the road.” The kids looked at her with wide eyes while Sirius let loose a bark-like laugh. It was the first time he’d laughed since Ginny appeared randomly. He took a look around at the ridiculous situation in front of him, there were now four people (other than James) with the infamous Potter hair and three of them looked the same but at different ages. What scared him was the one who turned his wand on him.
But before he could get a question, the woman called Ginny gently placed her hand on Harry’s wand arm. “Harry, stop.” She said softly, “You’ve confirmed enough of us. The kids aren’t going to be able to answer any questions you might ask and Sirius won’t know anything James doesn’t.” Their eyes locked, soft brown met weary emerald, “You just barely escaped from your break in at the Ministry, right? Freed the Catermoles?” Harry’s stance softend while the 12-year-old Ron and Harry watched dumbfounded.
In the background, Lily Luna snickered. “I told you mum’s always been good at getting dad to clam down.” Al barely acknowledged his sister. His dad was never angry and never this paranoid, is this what war does to people?
Meanwhile, James got Sirius to help him take the adultsized Ron inside while a fretful Hermione followed them. Lily carefully observed the two Harrys; these two had spent time at the Dursley’s and apparently lived in a cupboard under the stairs…how had that happened? Even if they died, their wills were crystal clear on who was supposed to get Harry. Where was Minerva? Or Sirius? Or Remus?
But most importantly, what the hell could cause this? And how could they fix it?