Building a Better Burrow

It was early in the late spring 1980. Albus Dumbledore made his way to his brother's pub to interview a potential replacement for his current Divination professor who had announced her retirement.

He was of two minds on allowing the subject to continue but, as the woman he was meeting was the granddaughter of a famous seer, he went through the motions.

Truthfully, he was much less burdened than he had been previously. Somehow, the fight against Tom had somehow become more effective. Attacks were down and losses to those opposing Tom had reduced to almost none. It was as if Tom had changed his mind or was regrouping.

He nodded at his surly brother as he moved to the private salon previously booked. Abe just glared at him. His brother was still upset over what had occurred years and years previously. At least he had stopped attacking Albus whenever the opportunity arose. Albus was happy with a cessation of hostilities on the matter.

The interview progressed as he had almost anticipated. It was obvious that Cassandra's line had not maintained the gift. He was somewhat disappointed as he ended the interview. He was about to tell the woman, Sybill Trelawney, that he had decided to drop divination from the curriculum when her entire posture changed.

In a voice completely different that what she had been using, Ms. Trelawney said, "The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches. … Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies …"

He heard a thump from outside the door which he didn't take conscious notice of but he had heard it.

"But the Web of Fate and the Hands of Time are now altered. ... The man who travels has awoken the ancient pact and the Ties that Bind are Unbound. … The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches."

Sybill Trelawney shook her head and said in her previously heard airy voice, "Excuse me – I seem to have been distracted. You were saying?"

He heard a knock. Albus called, "Come!" Behind the door he saw his brother pointing his wand at a prone Severus Snape.

"This one was listening in. I stupefied him."

In his haste to find out exactly what the man had heard, Albus unwisely rennervated the man lying on the floor. Severus Snape groaned and then sat up. He looked and saw Albus Dumbledore looking at him and he panicked.

Severus Snape, confronted by the man his Master was most leery of, suddenly apparated – while still on the floor – away from the Hogs Head.

Abe cursed up a storm. "That was stupid! Is there anything else you want to muck up tonight?" Abe turned and went back to the bar he was supposed to be tending.

Sybill looked curiously at the spot and asked, "Who was that man?"

Albus answered shortly, "Severus Snape, a former student. He obviously is now long gone."

Sybill nodded. "Anyway, you were saying, Headmaster?"

"Yes. As I was about to say, I do believe you would make an excellent Professor of Divination. I hope to see you on August 1 to prepare for the new year. Perhaps you might wish to take advantage of Hogwarts' hospitality until then?" Albus said.

"Yes. That sounds lovely."

"Please feel free to arrive tomorrow between 9 and 12. For now, I must rush." Sybill nodded even as Albus apparated out. He needed to quickly review the memory of the prophecy to attempt to figure out exactly what it meant.

It was December of 1980 when Severus Snape made his way to Hogwarts. In response to the Prophecy he had relayed to the Dark Lord, his remaining Death Eaters and supporters had been directed to find out information on any children born in July.

Originally, the Dark Lord had become fixated on one family: The Longbottoms. But only recently the Potters had been added to that list. This caused Severus to take the step he was now committed to. He would throw himself upon the mercy of Albus Dumbledore.

Albus was unsuccessful in keying Severus to the wards of Headquarters. Even though he had been given the secret, he could not remove the alarms which prevented anyone with the Dark Mark from being allowed.

After his third unsuccessful attempt, he apparated to the main portion of the Burrow. After knocking on the door, he was invited inside.

"Headmaster! Welcome to the Burrow," Molly Weasley said. "How can I help you?"

He took on his best grandfatherly look and asked, "A matter of some interest that perhaps Arthur can help me with. Is he in?"

Molly looked to the clock which told time. "He should arrive home in perhaps 30 minutes. Would you like to wait?"

Albus nodded. "Yes, that would be lovely."

Molly led him to the dining room. "Would you like some tea?"

"Yes. Thank you."

Albus sat at the table and looked around. His eyes fell upon the clock which showed all of the Weasley family. It was very curious. Molly returned and served the tea. "I've always admired your clock since I first saw it. Has it ever been wrong?"

Molly smiled at the device. "Not to my knowledge. It tells me where the family is and how they are. It will also would warn me if the family was threatened and we could retreat to the second floor."

Albus nodded. It was curious. There was one hand which was separate from all the rest. He stood to look and saw that while most hands were on "Home" and Arthur, Gideon, and Fabian were located on "Work" there was one hand on "Traveling."

He turned. "May I ask you something?"

Molly nodded.

"Does this hand ever move from Traveling?"

Molly became a tiny bit suspicious. She still remembered the slight against Gary. "Only when he visits." She cocked her head. "I have noticed that it has twitched on occasion but it has stayed on Traveling."

"Curious." He remembered the line from the Prophecy. "So he is a traveler. When will he next be visiting?"

Molly shrugged. "He comes, he goes. His visits are always wonderful, but he never tells us when he will be back."

"I see."

Molly left Albus while she looked in on her children. Albus drunk his tea, looked at the clock, and pondered the enigma which was "Gary Seven."

Just when Molly had predicted, Arthur arrived home. Molly told her husband of their visitor and he made his way to the Dining Room.

"Headmaster! It's good to see you. What can I help you with?"

Albus stood. "I was wondering if we might talk someplace privately."

Arthur shrugged and took the Headmaster to his shed. "My hobbies are in here." The two entered and Albus conjured two chairs.

He pulled a slip from his pocket and handed it to Arthur. When Arthur read it, he remembered the Redoubt which was located atop his home. He knew of it, of course, but the Fidelius had made it furthermost from the front of his mind.

Arthur asked, "Why have you shared this with me? Have there been problems with The Redoubt?"

"Not until recently." Albus paused. "I recently acquired the services of one of Voldemort's followers." Albus ignored the flinch when he said the name. "Due to certain circumstances he came to me attempting to do his part to deny Voldemort something he dearly desires. I have made him a part of the Order of the Phoenix, which are those people who have helped me to counter the man."

"What does that have to do with me?"

Albus considered how best to present this. "Well, I made an effort to key him in the wards on Headquarters, but because he was a Death Eater, even if he no longer truly follows Tom, he still has the Dark Mark. And because of this, I have been unsuccessful in my attempts to key him in."

Arthur looked at the Headmaster with some suspicion. "And, once again, what does this have to do with me?"

Albus paused. "Well, can you tell me why the wards will not accept him?"

Arthur sat back and thought about it. "I can check. But it will take me some time to investigate."

Albus nodded. "Well, if you can provide aid on this matter it would be a great boon." The two stood and Albus vanished the chairs. "It is rather urgent, so can you get back to me as soon as you find out?"

Arthur nodded. Albus apparated away as he made his way inside. Molly provided dinner and afterwards, Arthur moved to the secret room which held the Weasley Box. He took the notes out and spent a good half an hour looking through them until he found the answer.

The main Ward Stone would not allow anyone with the Dark Mark to be keyed in. Even though The Redoubt had separate wards, this particular ward was at applied directly to the main stone and so anyone needing to be keyed in would have to be keyed in there.

He retreated to the study to ponder what he should do. He sounded out Molly on a hypothetical basis and she was quite leery of even allowing a reformed Death Eater to be keyed into their wards.

In the end, Arthur remained adamant and Albus had to allow Severus to visit him at Hogwarts whenever Albus needed to meet with him.

It was the evening of 31 July, 1981. The Burrow was hosting a birthday party for two family friends, Neville Longbottom and Harry Potter.

Both families were hiding out at The Redoubt because Voldemort was using every resource he had to find them. The Burrow was the most secure place outside of that which could host such a party.

Molly Weasley, Lily Potter, and Alice Longbottom were now very close. Over the previous six months since they went into hiding, the Burrow was the only place that the two families could allow their children to play with others.

Nobody with a Dark Mark could come onto the property and Molly, when she had heard of the problem, had insisted that the two mothers be allowed to bring the boys over to play with her brood.

Molly had allowed the other two to prepare the food. She was only weeks from delivering her seventh child and so was more than happy to let someone else cook.

So, the Burrow was playing host to the full Weasley clan, the Longbottoms, the Potters and the Bones. Sirius was present with his girlfriend Marlene, as was Remus Lupin. The Prewitt brothers were also present.

Arthur had to consult The Weasley Box to ensure he could apply space expansion charms to allow the dining room to hold them all.

Molly was watching her youngest son and the other young boys chattering at each other as only infants could. It was unlikely they were actually SAYING anything, but the sight was amusing. Little Susan mostly watched although she babbled sometimes as well.

Sirius had even bought four toddler brooms and had supervised the children as they flew around in the play area next to the house. Harry had taken to chasing the garden gnomes and had to be corralled.

Lily had almost yelled at Sirius over the matter but as Harry was so happy, she had refrained. The sight of him giggling as he zoomed towards gnomes which would jump back into their holes was amusing.

Suddenly, she heard a noise and looked up. The hand which rarely moved was now moving – and landed once again at "Home (The Burrow)."

Molly shrieked. Everyone looked at her, including all the kids, and so she pointed at the clock. Arthur saw what she was pointing at and jumped up to welcome their claimed family member inside.

Gary once again appeared outside of the refashioned Burrow. In all the worlds he visited, this version of the Burrow was unique. And so he always knew it when he saw it. He was just about to knock when the door was pulled open and Arthur stood there. "Gary! Welcome home, come join the party!"

Gary smiled as he moved past Arthur. "Thanks, Arthur. It's always good to be back. What's the party?"

Arthur closed the door behind them and said, "A birthday party for children of family friends. Neville and Harry just turned one."

Gary was momentarily wide-eyed as he made his way to the dining area. By the time he entered the room, Molly had lifted herself so that she could greet the visitor properly.

Gary submitted to the embrace quite easily and then said, "I see your quiddich team is about to be complete!"

Molly laughed. "Yes. And this one is finally my little girl."

Gary grinned. "The Weasleys have finally overcome the curse. I'll make a bet right now that the next Weasley child will be a girl as well."

Those watching and listening laughed. Everyone knew how rare female children were in that family. One girl was amazing. Two girls? Inconceivable!

Molly laughed. "Well that's a few years off." She turned and introduced Gary to the rest. Most of them had met him. Charlie, Bill, and Percy all rushed over to hug him. The three year old twins toddled after their brothers.

After hunkering down and embracing each he said, "Hello, boys! It's good to see you again. How are you doing?"

Bill said, "Uncle Gary! I'm going to Hogwarts this year!" The other boys also were interjecting things.

"Congratulations, Billy Boy! You'll love it." He also answered the other boys.

It took perhaps ten minutes before everyone had returned to their seats and dinner could progress. Gary was amused at the one year olds: The blond Longbottom, the brunette Potter, the red-haired Weasley, and the strawberry-blonde Bones were all chattering at each other as they played with their food.

At a certain point, Sirius and James had pulled Gary to the side. Albus Dumbledore had tasked the Order to take word to him should Gary show up again. They wanted his permission as Gary was under no obligation to talk to the man.

Gary sighed as he agreed. Talking to Albus Dumbledore, no matter which one, was almost always taxing. He could just imagine how taxing it would be while he was still pondering the Prophecy he most assuredly had already heard.

Of course the idea that this world's prophecy was different never even crossed his mind.

It was Sunday at 1:00. The conference room within The Redoubt which held the Headquarters of the Order of the Phoenix had been greatly expanded.

Gary had insisted that Molly and Arthur Weasley be included in this meeting. As a result, Molly had been shown the secret and Gary had helped her through the access entrance from the cellar at the Burrow. Arthur, Gary, and Molly were now the only ones who knew of the access door. Even Albus Dumbledore didn't know of it. Gary had insisted as there was no way an 8 ½-month pregnant woman could be brought via floo or apparition. Only special portkeys normally used for pregnant women could safely carry her and only St. Mungo's could pass them out.

When several people asked how she could arrive, Arthur would only smile enigmatically.

Arabella Figg was tasked with watching the many children of those that were present. She was in the Burrow on the second floor, which was considered the safest place outside of The Redoubt itself.

Sirius Black had brought several people who wore cowls attached to their robes. None could identify them other than three were women and two were men. Gary, upon finding out who they were the day before and hearing the whole story, had grinned and helped convince Dumbledore – through Fawkes – to allow it.

Promptly at 1:00, Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster, Mugwump, Senior Wizengamot member, and leader of the Order of the Phoenix entered from the hallway. The room quieted down.

He sat down and said, "Welcome all. We are here to brief the Order on a number of matters. I have been convinced to allow several unknowns and non-members to attend this meeting. Sirius Black has gotten Oaths from them to protect this facility. I would like them to introduce themselves."

Gary stood. "The name I am known by is Gary Seven. I have a number of other names, but I will explain them once the meeting starts. I, along with a few people here, am the primary person behind the design of this facility and am the reason the Order has such a headquarters."

There were murmurs of surprise and approval from those present.

Sirius stood. "First," he pointed to one of the women who dropped her cowl, "Andromeda Tonks, my cousin." The stately woman nodded regally at those watching. "Next," and another one dropped their cowl, "the head of my Family, Arcturus Black." The murmurs in the background were not so approving. The Blacks had a poor reputation.

Dumbledore called for quiet. "Every one here has taken an oath. I can assure you all that these can be trusted." The murmurs stilled.

"Next," another cowl dropped, "my mother, Walburga Black." Those who knew the woman were amazed. She looked quite different than their memory of her.

"Next, the man who first defected," Regulus dropped his cowl, "my brother, Regulus Black." The murmurs were now of amazement. Even the other Marauders were shocked. Regulus had been a pureblood bigot in Hogwarts.

"And finally, – Alice and Frank, as well as Edgar, can bear witness that she is completely safe in being here – my eldest cousin," Bellatrix dropped her cowl – which caused stunned silence, "Bellatrix Black."

Dumbledore was completely shocked. According to reports, Bellatrix had disappeared. Speculation was that she was dead. "Isn't Bellatrix Lestrange more correct?"

Arcturus, who had remained silent, answered this. "No. Her Marriage was annulled when I determined that it proved a threat."

Alice, Frank, and Edgar all nodded. Frank supplied, "She was the main source of intelligence a year and a half ago which resulted in the Death Eaters being pushed back. She's been helping the DMLE in secret since."

There were now many sounds of shock and awe. Everyone present knew of the change in the conflict with Voldemort. Until late 1979, the Wizarding world and the Ministry had been in a losing battle. This was why most of them became involved with the Order – it couldn't be allowed to continue. But early in 1980, the forces under Voldemort had been pushed back. A string of successful victories had captured many, many Death Eaters and support for Voldemort's agenda had been drastically cut.

He stared at the revealed former Death Eaters with his mouth hanging open. Albus Dumbledore had asked repeatedly how such steps had been accomplished but oaths had prevented any who knew from divulging the secret. But even the Order had received an advantage in their intelligence gathering. Many doors that had been closed had opened and they had become more effective.

Albus said, "I was certain that I heard reports that two of these received Voldemort's mark. Yet they are here, where it is impossible."

Bellatrix and Regulus both pulled up their sleeves. The smooth skin below was obvious. Sirius even shot a Finite to prove that no glamour hid a Dark Mark.

Arcturus then said, "EVERY threat was removed. Including that one."

"Threat?" Albus asked.

"I will explain when that portion of the story is revealed."

Sirius then said, "The first part of the story – and the one no one knows, apparently – is Gary." He turned and said, "Who exactly are you?"

Gary stood. He turned to Molly and said, "Remember that I am the same person I've always been. When we're done here, I'll answer any questions you might have which wasn't answered here." Molly nodded. She had been curious, insanely curious, but Gary had proved himself too many times for her to be very worried.

"I have been known my many names in many times and in many places. In truth, I am a dimensional traveler. I was born 31 July 1980, the son of James and Lily Potter. My birth name is Harry James Potter." Several gasps were heard. "I also have been called: Maarek Ilumian, Fury of the Light, Boy-Who-Lived, Man-Who-Triumphed, Master of Death, and the Chosen One. Some alternates of me have been Lord of the House of Black, Lord of the House of Potter, Lord Gryffindor, Lord Slytherin, Lord Merlin – every world is different. I was the head of the Potter and Black families in my world – almost all the other candidates having died." He paused here. "The title I am most well known as among the many worlds I have visited is the Lone Traveler."

Every wizard-raised person – and a couple of the muggleborns – who heard this gasped and then fell silent. The Lone Traveler was a story that had been around for a long time. That he was now before them was shocking.

Albus could scarce wrap his wits around himself.

Gary turned to Molly. "When I first came to this timeline, I found something that surprised me. I appeared outside of the Burrow – and yet it was far, far different than the Burrow I myself had come to love as a child."

He looked to the Potters, who were in shock. "In my world, my parents died – and I grew up with my mother's muggle relatives. It wasn't pleasant." Lily gasped.

He looked back to the Weasleys. "In my world the closest thing I had to a family were the Weasleys. And the closest thing I had to a mother was Molly Weasley. And so, when presented with a Burrow I did not expect, I investigated." Molly was in tears watching Gary tell his story, but she was smiling.

"I found that Molly was pregnant and the Weasleys were expanding their home." He smiled at this. "Although I loved the crazy building I learned to love, no one could claim that it followed any logic or safety."

The Prewitts and Arthur all chuckled. They remembered the first conversation they had with Gary. Had he not arrived, they would have started building up – and none of them were really conversant with proper construction back then.

Gary then told of his various visits and the steps he had taken each time. Then he explained The Redoubt. "In my world, the Order was under attack and lost many members because they had no sanctuary. Arthur and Molly allowed me to build one. James provided the financing. And so this place was born."

Gary looked off thoughtfully. "One of the great tragedies that I often encounter is that one of the best families in many worlds is often destitute." He turned to Molly. "I knew how many children you had. And, even though I knew how much love and care you lavished, your family never got a break. Arthur was too honest to take bribes and your brothers … as well as the entire Order by the time I left … had lost their lives. I resolved to make certain that your family was at least safe and comfortable."

Molly reached out and pulled him down to embrace him. She whispered, "Thank you."

Lily Potter was a bit jealous. Gary saw that and said, "Lily. You have your son, Harry. I'm not he. Although my mother loved me (lost her life to protect me when I was only 15 months), it doesn't change the fact that you are not she. Love your son, and you have no cause for what you're feeling right now."

Lily blushed a bit and nodded.

"And here's hoping your son doesn't have to grow up facing what I did: Troll at 11, Basilisk at 12, Dementors at 13, Hungarian Horntail at 14, Dementors again at 15, Inferi at 16, Death eaters regularly, Voldemort regularly .. and the loss of all I loved. I have taken steps to prevent that future."

Arcturus asked, "You were the one who informed the goblins of … tainted artifacts?"

Gary nodded. "I wanted to ensure they were destroyed."

Arcturus nodded grimly. "As the Head of the Family Black in this world, I approve of your actions. You have performed as I would expect and I hereby reaffirm you as a member of the House of Black with all privileges that entails."

Everyone was now curious as to what he was referring to. Gary looked a bit confused at this, but shrugged it off.

Sirius interjected, "It is time to tell the tale from when Gary prodded me to send a letter to my brother during his last visit."

Sirius told the tale of the letter sent and the meeting. Arcturus took over before he said too much.

"The Black Family has been traditionally much freer with Magic than others, embracing what most are too afraid, too squeamish, or too moral to learn. But we have an ancient directive that cannot be denied: We are sworn against threats to Magic herself. And Tom Marvolo Riddle, self-styled Lord Voldemort, presents such a threat. That is why the Black family, on my order, is now sworn to see him destroyed."

Gary suddenly had an epiphany. He had started this journey attempting to do as none had done before – something which might have constituted a threat to Magic. And now he combated threats to Magic in almost every world he visited. He didn't know why he visited worlds where there was no magic, but he was almost certain this was a contributing factor behind his current existence.

"My grandson, Regulus, discovered that Riddle performed Magics which are forbidden. He creates vile devices which I will not name and which I will not describe. The Black Family, including this one," he pointed to Gary, "has seen them all destroyed. We must now plan how to finally destroy the man."

He turned to Gary. "Why were you the one to destroy him in your world? Why not Sirius, your parents, the Headmaster?"

Gary sighed. "A prophecy."

Albus started. "You were subject to a prophecy?"

"Yes." He recited the prophecy word for word. The Order, who was listening to this story, gasped as they considered it.

Albus said, "Strange. That is different than the prophecy I heard."

Gary now looked at the Headmaster with some intensity. "What is the prophecy you heard?"

Albus looked around. "It would be best if I gave it privately. I would not want to see the security of it compromised."

Gary stood up in anger as he looked at the Headmaster, almost glowing. He didn't notice Arcturus moving behind his left shoulder, his family behind him. He also didn't notice Arthur move behind his other shoulder, James and Lily behind him. Molly was too encumbered to move so easily – even as she also glared at the Headmaster.

"Let me tell you something, Albus Dumbledore. In far, far too many worlds the very thing that you fight against almost accomplishes its goal. Innocents are lost. Families are extinguished. Those that fight against Voldemort are almost all killed. And almost universally there is one, unchanged, consistent cause: The man in charge of the fight against Tom Riddle is Albus Dumbledore. And Albus Dumbledore refuses, unless backed into a corner, to divulge necessary and needed information to those that follow him. I cannot even describe the countless innocents who have been killed in countless worlds because one Albus Dumbledore or another didn't believe anyone else was worthy of knowing what he knew or because Albus Dumbledore worked for a 'The Greater Good' which he didn't feel others were capable of comprehending."

Dumbledore, upon hearing this, paled to almost white. His face was a mask of horror at what he was hearing.

"So, I ask you: What was the prophecy that you heard?"

In a very quiet voice, Albus recited the Prophecy he heard almost 14 months earlier.

Gary sat heavily at hearing it. Those behind him moved back to their seats.

"Well, that is different. Obviously, I have changed something in this world." Arcturus snorted. Gary looked over at the man. "Lord Black. You say they all have been destroyed? All five?"

Arcturus nodded. "And I shall see to it that the cleansed artifacts are returned to Hogwarts when this current crisis is concluded."

This cut through Albus' self-recriminations. What was to be returned to Hogwarts?

"Well, one of them shouldn't be lightly used. But that is another matter entirely. What we have to do now is to devise a plan to ensure Riddle's destruction at a time and place of our choosing."

Arcturus nodded. "What do you suggest?"