Breakfast at the Great Hall was always a noisy business. This actually suited our time travelers well. Sirius, Tonks and Remus were deep in a conversation that they most certainly did not want overheard. Remus had come across some good news in his research of the proferru tempus spell and didn't know if they should share them with the kids. He was afraid of lifting their hopes up just to see them shattered later. So he decided to consult with the other adults before. They were so immersed in their discussion that they did not see as George approached the Gryffindor table and led the Ron, Fred, Ginny, Hermione, and Harry out of the Hall.

They walked to the seventh floor and puzzled at George's behavior. He was walking back and forth in front of the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy's foolish attempt to train trolls for the ballet. Suddenly a door appeared on the wall in front of the tapestry and George motioned all of them in.

"This is the Room of Requirement" George explained "The room suites what the seeker needs. In our case a place to talk privately."

The others, except Fred that knew about the room, gazed around in awe. The room wasn't very big. Just the right size for them. There were armchairs around a small coffee table. All of them took seats and George started.

"I brought you here, because we've been thinking Harry."

"What?" Harry looked at the others, who up until now had looked as puzzled as him but now looked as if they understood something.

"This is about what we discussed last night?" Ginny asked and George nodded.

"What did you discuss?" Harry asked, he was starting to feel left out. One night of not sleeping in Gryffindor Tower and he already was behind on the events.

"Well," Hermione started awkwardly "we were discussing how we are going to defeat You Know Who."

"What!" Harry said, "What do you mean we? Did you not hear the prophecy? I have to finish him off. Me alone."

"Exactly," Fred said and Harry started calming down, finally someone saw reason, but Fred continued, "You have to finish him off, that doesn't mean we can't help you get there."

Harry stared at him not really knowing what to say. Was he being serious? Did he say what Harry understood?

"We are going to be by your side mate," Ron said and the others nodded. "We are going to help you get there, find out what that power you have is, and how to use it."

Harry couldn't believe his ears. He had been afraid they would desert him since he heard the prophecy, run away like he had some infectious disease. But they didn't. He fully appreciated how Remus must have felt when his friends became Animagi for him, because he was sure that that was what he was feeling now.

---

After dinner, Harry said goodbye to his friends and made his way to Dumbledore's office. When he got there the Headmaster was seated at his desk and motioned Harry to take a seat in front of him. He did so apprehensively.

"No need to be afraid Harry. This isn't going to hurt."

Harry looked at him disbelieving and thought that every time that he'd been in Voldemort's mind it hurt like hell, so why wouldn't this.

"Because Voldemort is full of hatred, I'm not," Dumbledore answered his unasked question.

"How did you..." Harry started but Dumbledore cut him.

"Because I used Legilimency, Harry, to see in your mind."

"You read my mind?" Harry asked feeling a little invaded.

"In a certain way, yes. Legilimency is the art of extracting feelings and memories from another persons mind. If you know how to look you can usually get the information you need. Lord Voldemort, for example always knows when someone is lying to him. Only those skilled in Occlumency are able to shut down the feelings and memories that contradict the lie. And that is what I'll be teaching you, Harry. To shut your mind to Voldemort. Usually, a Legilimens needs to make eye contact to "read" someone's mind, this does not seem the case between you and Voldemort, but the principles of what is happening seem to be the same, so I am confident that the same protection may be used."

"How do I do that, sir?" Harry asked.

"You will try to fight me, I'll penetrate your mind and you will try to throw me out, until you are able to shut your mind enough that I will not be able to go in to start with. The best way to block someone out is to clear your mind from thoughts and emotion, so I will also ask that every night before you go to sleep to clear you mind. Understood?" Harry nodded, but then asked.

"Professor, I don't understand what you said before, about you not hurting when Voldemort does."

"What hurts you Harry, is Voldemort's hatred, not his mind. From what you all have told me about what happened, you Harry not only have been touched by love, protected by love, but are full of love yourself. I can see that in your relationship with your friends, your guardians and even the parents that you barely knew."

"You said something like that on my first year. Voldemort tried to steal the philosopher stone by possessing Professor Quirell, but Quirell couldn't bear to touch me. You said that that was because of my mothers sacrifice. That was ancient and powerful magic," Harry said.

"Exactly, love is very powerful magic. You see, Harry, our magic is related to our emotions. Voldemort is moved by hatred, so when he is at the peak of his emotions, very angry or very happy, your scar hurts, because you, yourself are full of love. That Harry is the power I believe you have that he knows nothing about. Love," Dumbledore said satisfied, but Harry looked at him as if he had gone mental. Love, that was the power he had, that was going to defeat Voldemort. Voldemort could kill and the best Harry had was love.

"Yes Harry, love. Voldemort can kill because he hates. He has pleasure on inflicting pain. To cast the unforgivables you have to enjoy the pain. You, Harry, would never be able to master the killing curse."

"But then, how am I supposed to kill Voldemort?" Harry asked, a little desperate.

"I still don't know, what I know is that whatever you use against him has to come from love, the exact opposite of what Voldemort is all about. But now Harry, we have business to attend to," and Dumbledore rose from his chair and walked around his desk. Harry rose from his chair and they were facing each other. "Take your wand Harry. I will invade your mind and I want you to use any spell that comes to your mind to disarm me and throw me out, ok?" Harry nodded and Dumbledore said "Legimens".

A rush of images started flowing throw Harry's mind. He was catching Neville's rememberal, he was dancing with Parvati, him and Hermione were saving Sirius, Uncle Vernon was dragging him to his cupboard, he was in the graveyard with Cedric and Wormtail was pointing his wand at Cedric.

"NO!" he shouted as his knees hit the ground. He was back in Dumbledore's office.

"Good spell Harry. I think we can safely assume that you've mastered the disarming spell," Dumbledore said as he retrieved his wand. Harry got up, he didn't remember using the disarming spell. Dumbledore smiled at him and said. "I didn't expect for you to be able to shut me out from the start. Let's try again. "Legimens."

---

After an hour of having his mind invaded, Harry walked back to his quarters with a slight headache. No matter what Dumbledore said, this Legilimency business was very uncomfortable. He walked throw the portrait hole and found all the Weasleys and Hermione seated by the fire, he frowned and asked.

"What are you guys doing here?"

"Don't know. Sirius told us to be here?" Ginny answered.

"Yes I did," came Sirius voice from behind Harry and he gave a start. He looked at his godfather perplexed as Sirius continued, "We have some news we want to share with you," and he made his way to the couch, followed by Tonks and Remus that motioned Harry to do the same.

"Good or bad?" Ron asked.

"Can be good," Remus answered "but we are not sure yet. I came across some information that indicates that there may be a way back home. Apparently there is a way to reverse the proferru tempus spell. But I haven't found that way yet. On the text I found there was a mention of an entrapment and a break of powers, but I still don't know what that means. But at least we have some hope. I know this is little but we felt you had the right to know our progress."

"So we keep looking," Hermione said excitedly, this was her field, research. "Where have you been looking?"

"On the ancient magic section. The proferru spell is ancient, so that's our best guess," Remus answered, but that stirred something on Harry's memory. Ancient magic, powerful magic.

"Dumbledore thinks he knows what the power I have that Voldemort doesn't have is," Harry blurted.

"And you wait until now to give that news?" George said "Spill out."

"Well, it's actually kind of stupid." Harry started feeling awkward at all the stares "He says that that power is love." The Weasleys, Tonks and Hermione looked at Harry like he had finally lost his marbles. Sirius and Remus on the other hand looked pleased, and Remus said.

"Exactly, Harry. Love is the most ancient and powerful kind of magic there is."

Tonks looked at him and said "You knew?"

"Yes," but this was Sirius answering "Our Dumbledore thought so too, and he discussed this with me and Remus. But Harry had to understand this fully, and we were not the best people to explain. We were going to ask this Dumbledore to do that but looks like he was ahead of us."

"So what's Harry supposed to do, kiss Voldemort to death?" Fred asked exasperated.

"No. What Dumbledore means is that whatever Harry uses to finish Voldemort off has to come from love. Our powers come from our emotions, and love is a very powerful emotion," Remus explained.

"Dumbledore said that I won't be able to cast the killing curse," Harry said.

"Yes, we thought that too. As I already explained to you Harry, you're not a murderer. Not anyone can just go and cast the killing curse," Remus said "But then how will he defeat him?" Ginny asked.

"I have no idea," Remus answered.

"What kind of answer is that?" Ginny said.

"An honest one," Remus said. But the wheels on Hermione's head were turning, ancient magic, that was the key, love was powerful and ancient magic.

---

School was picking up, between classes, homework, papers to grade, quiditch, research and Occlumency our time travelers were swamped. September was gone in no time and October seemed to be going in the same way. The first Hogsmead weekend was upon them and the kids were exited. Apart from the trip to Diagon Alley they had been cooped in the castle since the first of August and had been really looking forward for a chance to get out a little. They had gone to Honeydukes and refilled of all their favorites. Fred and George had made them stop at Zonko's because they needed to inspect the competition. They decided to have lunch at The Three Broomsticks. As soon as they entered they heard "Wotcher!" and unmistakably Sirius, Remus and Tonks were seated at one of the tables.

Fred put a hand in his face and muttered. "Honestly, we can never get rid of them."

They made their ways to the table and Sirius said with a smirk.

"So, what are you youngsters up to?"

"Nothing much," Harry answered in the most innocent face he could muster while hiding the bag from Zonko's behind his back.

"Oh, I'm sure of that," James said from behind Harry grabbing the bag.

"I'm also sure there is nothing in there that Filch wouldn't approve of," Sirius said following James and pointing at the bag.

"What are you doing here?" Harry asked with a big smile on his face while his father hugged him.

"We decided to have a big family lunch. Rosemerta is setting a big table for us in the private parlor. The girls are there making sure everything is to their taste and caring for the children. Man, you two are hyperactive! Poor Remus. He wasn't fast enough to escape and is still there," Sirius explained turning to the twins at the last statement.

"Arthur went to fetch Bill and Charlie at the school. Since Charlie is not a third year he is not allowed out, but Arthur is getting special consent. I was about to go get you," James finished the explanation.

"So since there are people there that don't know who we are, you know," Remus said but the kids cut in unison.

"Play to our parts."

"We'll be getting an Oscar soon" Harry finished but only Hermione and Tonks laughed.

"Didn't get the joke honey, care to explain?" Remus said to Tonks.

"Oh, sorry, muggle expression. An Oscar is the biggest award a muggle actor can get."

They all but James laughed. He smiled feebly but that just served to remind him of Harry's upbringing. He knew that Harry had only made a joke. He didn't mean to make James uncomfortable, but he couldn't help the annoyance he felt as he thought that his son didn't get to have a proper childhood because of Voldemort and Peter.

"Everything ok dad?" Harry asked frowning.

"Yes," he answered and this time with a true smile. He called him dad. He had heard that before but every time he loved it. "Let's go rescue poor Remus."

They went to the parlor and found two baby's sleeping on their carriages and three kids running around. Or more specifically, Percy being chased by the twins. Remus was trying to stop them with no success. Lily and Molly were seated by the table chatting with another women they didn't know, but by the grimace Sirius wore Harry guessed who she was and was not disappointed as the introductions began.

"Oh, you're here," Molly said standing and going to hug her children. Lily did the same with Harry and then went on to hugging the other kids too. Harry was smirking at Ron's surprised look and thinking back to the first time Molly hugged him when none other than the woman herself pulled him into a hug. "And how are you doing Brian dear," she said

"Fine, thanks Mrs. Weasley." Some things just don't change.

"This is my fiancée Tess," Sirius started. "These are James cousins Brian and Amy. Amy's husband and Remus cousin Daniel. They're friend Joey. Arthur's cousins Ginny, Anthony, James and Arthur. And this is their friend Hermione."

She nodded politely at everyone but stared at Sirius, who just stared back as if defying her to say something, and she did.

"You look a lot like Sirius. You are sure you are not related?"

"I'm muggleborn and from what I heard of Sirius he comes from a very ancient pureblood family, so I don't think that's possible. You'll just have to live with the fact that you're fiancée has a common face," he answered and Remus punched him from behind while saying under his breath so that only Sirius heard, "Be nice."

"I will if she is," Sirius answered in the same tone. He wasn't heard by anyone but Remus as Arthur ,accompanied by his two eldest sons, entered the parlor and greeted everyone.

They talked about various subjects during lunch. Tess seemed intrigued by Sirius and couldn't help glance a lot at him who in the other hand was doing his best to ignore her all together.

"But you have to come to a game Mr. Potter," Bill was saying "Wood swears that Brian flies much better than you do and that the cup will be ours this year."

"I don't need to come to a game to know that Brian flies better than I do. I've seen him flying, he beat me to the snitch," James said smiling at the younger boy's bluntness.

"Did I hear this correctly?" Tess said amused "The great James Potter is admitting to not being the best."

"Well, Tess. I have to admit defeat when defeat is due. And he did beat me to the snitch, but you mustn't forget, he is a Potter," James answered her smirking.

"Yes, and in our school, Brian never failed to catch the snitch," Fred said proudly "even with rogue bludgers after him. He wouldn't give up."

"That's just because our captain had to go and tell him to get the snitch or die trying," George said shacking his head "And he took those words to heart, some people are just lunatics."

They all laughed at this and the conversation continued from quidditch to classes, to various other subjects. They were so absorbed in their fun that none of them noticed the big snake that had slithered into the parlor and was making it's way toward one of the baby carriages. The snake was coiling itself on the carriage and was almost facing the baby and preparing to bite when Harry stood up and shouted:

"STOP!" the snake looked back straight at him, he had his wand raised and pointed straight to it. "Get away from that baby."

"I have orders from my master," the snake answered.

"Well your master will have to be disappointed then, unless you want me to kill you," Harry said very calmly. The snake seemed to consider but then started retreating. Harry followed the snake's progression as it slithered to the door and said, "Tell your master that he won't be touching the Potters, I won't let him." And then the snake was gone.

"Ron!" Molly cried and ran to her son as Sirius made his way towards Harry putting a protective arm over his shoulder.

"Stupid snake, had the wrong baby," Ginny muttered.

"Thanks mate," Ron said to Harry. He too was at his side. All the time travelers seemed to be surrounding Harry from the onslaught that was bound to begin, and almost on cue Tess said with her hand to her mouth.

"He's a parselmouth!"

Sirius glared at her murderously and hissed, "Good for us or that baby would be dead by now." He then turned to Harry who was tugging at his sleeves. "Are you ok?"

"Let's go please," Harry said with a desperate tone. Sirius heart dropped at the fear in his godson's voice, he knew what Harry feared. He didn't want to wait for his parents' reaction to their son being a parselmouth. Harry didn't want to see the rejection on their faces. Sirius knew that his behavior would hurt James, because he was taking the role of a protective parent but he didn't care right now. Harry was more important, and a look at Remus eyes told him that Remus was thinking the same, so he said, "We're leaving, now."

The others didn't complain. Still shielding Harry they summoned their cloaks and accompanied the three professors. Let the people from the past deal with the aftermath of the attack. They walked in silence to the castle and to their quarters. This would be a mess. Bill and Charlie were sure to tell the other students what happened. This was going to be second year all over again.

Once inside their quarters Harry turned to the others and said, "That was Nagini."

"Voldemort's snake, are you sure Harry?" Remus asked.

"Yes, I'm not about to forget her anytime soon," Harry answered looking down. Remus patted him on the back.

"But how did he know to send her there?" Fred asked.

"Three guesses who tipped him off," Tonks said.

"Pettigrew," the others said angrily.