Cheating time, Unwilling fate.

“How do I end up here in of all the places?”

Harry grumbled as he looked around. Minutes before he was walking down the stairs perfectly well. Suddenly his feet slipped and damn he was here. He knew this place. He had been here before. Well if you can accept being in limbo so calmly you better be Fate’s favored. Whether it was a good or a bad thing he had yet to find out.

‘Back again so soon. At least, I am not naked. I got to know my grandparents before I died this time. Should I say fate has an annoying obsession with me? Why, she likes to kill me so many times. Let me recall three times now.’

“That would be correct”, a voice behind him replied.

He took in the visitor before him. It was a girl. She looked about fifteen with a beautiful face and deceptively calm eyes. She was dressed in beautiful green robes and wait she had in her hands a time portal.

“I am dead aren’t I. Finally, stretched my luck too far.”

The girl grinned mischievously.

“Congratulations you just won me a bet against Fate. I told her you would be calm about this and she was adamant you would not be. And yes, you are dead for the time being.”

“What do you mean for the time being? Either I am or I am not. Get me on the train to the next great adventure”, muttered harry sarcastically.

“But, your adventure had just begun. I am sorry, we had to meet like this but this was the quickest way for me to talk to you. Otherwise, I would have to create a bond with you and I think you already have enough of them. Do you want another voice in your head dictating what to do?

Harry shook his head.

“All right listen. We immortals have very limited means of entertainment. So we kind of try to influence mortals sometimes just for the fun of it.” Looking at Harry’s indignant expression she added quickly, “Mortals still have their free will. Let’s say we can manipulate a bit of situations here and there and place bets on the outcome. What mortals do with their chances is their decision and we win or lose favors. Quite like playing live chess. Fate though likes to play dirty. She had all these twisted plots and designs involving mortals, especially you. I personally think she is a bit obsessed with you seeing as you had made her lose quite a few bets. Must I mention your knack for surviving against impossible odds kid? That is why, she encouraged so many people hell bent on manipulating you in the first place. What she didn’t know that I and Chaos, my card partner you know have protections placed on you. We managed to keep you alive quite famously. Your mother’s love helped too you know.”

Harry stared. “So, you have bets placed on what I do with the chances I have been given.” He looked at the time portal.

“You gave me that didn’t you. When I went into the room of requirement to hide this first time there was no information on how to work it. Second time though, there was a book beneath it.”

The girl grinned, “Who made the Room of Requirement available to you? Wouldn’t you like to know? After all, the marauders never found it when they were at Hogwarts. Fate only helped Tom Riddle to find it. Didn’t you wonder why Neville got the room to work so flawlessly? He was the one supposed to find it and use it in the first place.

Harry smirked, “now you are going to tell me that Neville was supposed to be the boy who lived.”

The girl stared at him, “how did you know that?”

It was Harry who was speechless now, “what?” He screamed. “Oh if I ever meet Fate, I will have few choice words to say.

“It was your mother who saved you just like mine did. And Fate’s a bitch who likes to screw everyone even immortals.”

“Your mother.”

“Another story, another time, Harry. So, I wanted to tell you a few things. Don’t try to go back to the future. Fate was mad when you went back from limbo. Neville was supposed to kill the final horcrux and then Tom Riddle. She had it all arranged nicely. But then you foiled her like you always do and did I mention you are my favorite mortal. Then she began to plot so that people in the Wizengamot, sad traitors they are, would agree to send you to Azkaban because of fear that you might turn dark. Ginny loved you with all her heart but in time she would have been twisted by Fate too. So, I sent you the book to ensure that you got out of her reach. The portal had done its work. Now you no longer are Harry Potter but truly Alexandre Antione Potter. Your death was necessary to bring about the magical and physical changes necessary. In this time it would be hard for her to find people who would want to manipulate you. She will find someone, so stay on your guard. The future had not yet happened in this time. I am sorry but, I cannot allow you to go back.”

“I get it. Hell, if the future is going to be that, I am happier here. But what about real Harry now?"

She smiled, “maybe you will never be born. But it will be easier that way don’t you think.’

Harry agreed. It would be just too weird to see himself as an infant.

“So now is the time you go back.”

Harry found himself drifiting back. “Wait you have my heartiest regards but at least tell me your name.”

“Persephone.” The name lingered in the air around him.

Harry woke up and found himself staring into the eyes of James Potter.

“Er, Hello”, he said sitting up on the sofa.

“Dad”, James bellowed, “He woke up just now.”

Charlus and Dorea rushed in and sat down on the couch he was laying previously. They began checking him for injuries frantically.

“Are you all right. You stopped breathing all together. Oh god I thought you died. I was calling for a healer” Dorea exclaimed.

“Yes I did,’’ he said quietly.

“What?” she cried.

“Er, Charlus, Dorea. I am fine but we need to talk in private.

They nodded and walked to Charlus’s study. Harry threw a few charms on the door and secured the room.

He began quietly, “I kind of died.” Looking at the questioning looks he elaborated, “I came back through a time portal to see you because, all of my family is dead in my timeline and I never got a chance to know anyone. I wanted to find sometime so I could heal because of all that Fate has thrown at me. I just found out that me as Harry Potter wasn’t supposed to survive. So the other deities plotted behind her back and turned me into real Alexandre Antione Potter. Technically and magically I am your son Alexandre Antione Potter for all intent and purposes. I am here to stay, dad.”

As he had expected they stared at him but then Dorea rushed at him and hugged him. Charlus stared at him for a few minutes and then grinned,” I am so glad you are staying.” He joined in their group hug.

Then he added incredulously, “Wait you have goddesses fighting over you.”

Harry smirked and nodded, “The secret stays in this room.” Harry added seriously. All three nodded.

Harry and his parents walked back to the sitting room. James, Sirius and a beautiful girl who looked exactly like his twin sister would look like if he had one, were nervously sitting around. Denise Raphunzel Merci soon to be Potter was sure to attract a lot of attention and Harry was sure he would have his hands full with responsibility as her older by five minute’s brother.

Charlus cleared his throat. “All right kids we had a few things to tell you. James you have known Denise as your cousin for a long time. What is not known to anyone else is that she is your older sister and Alex here is her twin and older brother. The reason they were both hidden is that people tried to kill them when they were mere days old. So we hid them away for safety. Denise was sent to France and Alex was raised in muggle Britain. Alex is also, my heir being the oldest son.”

James eyes bugged out as Charlus finished his speech, “you mean these two are my real older brother and sister,” indicating both Harry and Denise. Charlus nodded. “Cool,” he breathed and bounded out of his seat, “hiya older brother and sis. As your official and only younger brother I offer you my heartfelt condolences to survive all the pranks I am going to get away with now. Er what happened to you before?” he smiled, gave them puppy dog eyes and bounded back to his seat.

The adults laughed. Harry smirked. “We’ll see little brother and I fell from the stairs and passed out for a while, not a feat I would like to repeat in near future.” he taunted playfully.

He walked over to Denise. “Hi, little sis.” She grinned at him and Harry suddenly found himself with an armful of his sister. Something in him clicked as if a long lost piece of him had just slid back into his heart. He held her tightly for a few moments. He might have gone to live with her had she been known to the world in his time. Maybe Dumbledore had found a way to get rid of her too. He didn’t know but he intended to save her this time. “Hi, big brother.” she whispered.

Harry suddenly caught the interested glance Sirius was throwing in her direction. Maybe he wouldn’t have to be so worried after all. He knew Sirius had been quiet the Casanova in his time at school, but nothing a few well placed warnings couldn’t cure. He nodded at Sirius showing his acceptance. Sirius’s eyes widened and he nodded too. Harry released Denise placed a kiss on her forehead and smiled. He approached his ex-godfather.

Sirius stood up and offered his hand. “Sirius Orion Black also called Padfoot, at your service.” he offered nervously. Harry took the offered limb and gave Sirius a half hug. “If you hurt her I will tear you from limb to limb,” he hissed quietly in Padfoot’s ear. Sirius stiffened marginally and nodded. Harry surveyed him from top to bottom which left Sirius squirming slightly, then went back to his parents.

James and others watched the interplay curiously. The adults grinned. It seemed Alex was quiet the fierce defender for his sister and they could breathe easy. Sirius was almost family anyways. If it worked out they would soon have him as the son in law.