Re:HP-A New Life

I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.

https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon

_________________________________________

Chapter Nine: A Timeline of Subtle Shifts

The room was quiet, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun filtering through the curtains. Harry sat cross-legged on his bed, parchment spread out in front of him. His mind, sharp with the mastery of Occlumency, worked tirelessly to unravel the threads of this new timeline.

The differences were subtle, but they were there, shaping this reality into something distinct from the one he had left behind. The single point of divergence, Harry concluded, lay in the year 1979.

In his original timeline, 1979 was a year of tragedy. Charlus and Dorea Potter—his grandparents—had died in Diagon Alley, fighting off a specialized Death Eater attack. But in this timeline, something had shifted.

The key difference was Arcturus Black, Dorea's elder brother and head of the Black family. A brilliant duelist and strategist, Arcturus had been a prominent figure during the Grindelwald era. But grief had driven him into seclusion following the death of his beloved wife. He had left the wizarding world entirely, retreating to the Black family's estates and cutting ties with most of society.

Yet in this timeline, Arcturus had returned.

The reason for his return was clear: Regulus Black, his nephew, had disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Rumors of Regulus's involvement with Voldemort's Death Eaters and his subsequent defection had reached Arcturus, sparking a fire that brought him back into the fold. Regulus's disappearance had awakened a sense of purpose in Arcturus, compelling him to reconnect with his family and rejoin the fight against the growing darkness.

When the Death Eaters launched their attack on Charlus and Dorea in Diagon Alley, Arcturus was with them. The ambush was brutal—twelve Death Eaters supported by a dozen Dementors, a strike force composed of renowned international dark wizards and witches.

In Harry's original timeline, Charlus and Dorea had fought valiantly, killing six Death Eaters before succumbing to the overwhelming odds. Their deaths had been a devastating blow to the Order of the Phoenix and the wizarding world.

But with Arcturus present, the outcome changed.

The three veterans of the Grindelwald era fought with unmatched precision and power, their combined skills overwhelming the Death Eater force. The Dementors fled as Arcturus conjured a massive, blazing Patronus in the shape of a serpent, its silver form driving the creatures away. By the end of the battle, nearly all the Death Eaters lay dead, their infamous attack squad decimated.

This victory not only preserved the lives of Charlus and Dorea but also bolstered the morale of the Order and the Ministry. The Death Eaters, though still dangerous, faced a significant setback.

The ripples of this survival extended to another fateful night: Halloween, 1981.

In the original timeline, Voldemort had arrived at the Potter cottage to kill baby Harry, his Killing Curse rebounding and destroying his body. Peter Pettigrew had escaped into the night, ensuring Voldemort's continued influence through his survival.

Here, events unfolded differently.

The emergency Order meeting that had called James and Lily away from the cottage also ensured that they were not present when Voldemort arrived. Protected only by a house-elf and the wards surrounding the home, Harry and Rose were left vulnerable. Voldemort's Killing Curse still rebounded, the ancient protection of Lily's love destroying his physical form.

But this time, Peter Pettigrew had not been spared. Caught in the magical backlash of Voldemort's failed curse, Peter was obliterated alongside his master's body. His treachery, so pivotal in the original timeline, never had the chance to cause further harm.

Without Peter to sow chaos, Sirius Black was never falsely accused. Instead, he remained free and active, a staunch supporter of the Order and a steady presence in Harry's life.

Harry leaned back against his pillows, his thoughts racing. The survival of Arcturus, Charlus, and Dorea had set off a chain reaction, altering the course of history. The Ministry and the Order, though still struggling, had fared better against Voldemort's forces. The absence of Peter Pettigrew had removed a key obstacle in the aftermath of Voldemort's fall.

Yet, for all these improvements, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that danger still loomed. Voldemort's essence remained, hidden and waiting, as Harry knew all too well from his memories of the Horcruxes.

He glanced at the mirror across the room, his gaze lingering on his reflection. The scar that once marked his forehead was gone, healed in this new life. But deep beneath the skin, he could still sense the faint echo of Voldemort's curse, a shadow of the prophecy that had defined his existence.

"This world isn't safe yet," Harry murmured to himself.

His green eyes gleamed with determination. The changes in this timeline had created new opportunities, but they had also introduced new uncertainties. Harry knew he couldn't let his guard down. Whatever lay ahead, he would face it head-on, armed with the knowledge and strength of two lifetimes.