Temporal Paradox: The Second Chance of Harry Potter

January 3rd, 1977

She darted through the rattling hallway and inside the girls' bathroom before hastily closing the door behind her. She turned the lock until the satisfying clicking noises indicated that she had successfully shut herself off.

'Deep, steady breaths.'

Marlene exhaled deeply, steadying herself on the white porcelain sink with both hands. Swallowing down a small stab of panic at what she might glimpse, she peeked up to watch her reflection in the bathroom mirror.

'Morgana...'

The girl that stared back at her looked vaguely familiar. Undoubtedly it was some improvement over what she had looked like two days ago when she could barely recognize herself. Nevertheless, neither the muggle makeup nor the generously applied glamor charms helped hide the dark rings underneath her eyes. They usually sparkled like ice in the sun, now, her eyes looked dull and lifeless.

'Lifeless...'

A sharp pain surged through her and with it the memories of that horrible night.

Flashback

'Why did she leave?'

Everything inside her screamed that she should be out there right now, out there fighting side by side with him. She hated herself for fleeing to safety while the boy she loved battled against superior forces presumably by himself.

'Stupid boy!'

She wanted to run back out there, curse Harry for thinking she was some damsel in distress that had to be saved. Curse those dark-robed bastards, who attacked innocent guests while cowering behind their masks. Yet she knew that Harry would never forgive her and might even be unable to fight at the peak of his power if she distracted him with her presence.

'Harry hated seeing her in danger.'

She fought her way through the masses of people, as the mob pushed and drove to the entrance of the great manor. Explosions and spellfire growled from behind her, the screams of wounded guests and lost family members from in front of her.

"THE FLOO NETWORK HAS BEEN BLOCKED, THE MANOR WILL ENTER A LOCKDOWN WITHIN THE NEXT MINUTE!" The magically amplified voice of Lord Bones echoed through the manor: "GET BACK INTO THE MAIN HALL TO FIND SEPARATED FAMILY MEMBERS. THERE YOU WILL ALSO BE HELPED IF YOU ARE IN NEED OF SOMEONE WITH HEALING KNOWLEDGE!"

'Her family.'

Marlene had a good idea of where exactly her brothers might be right now, knowing that they would never shy away from a fight and would see it as their duty as Aurors to defend the other guests. Still, she would make sure that at least her father and mother were safe. 

'The Potters...'

'Harry's family!'

A sharp pang of guilt twisted within her when she realized she had to tell them that Harry chose to remain outside.

Marlene entered the main hall with the rest of the masses. Luckily the height advantage her heels granted her, allowed her to glance over the heads of many of the guests and search for either unruly ebony hair of the Potters males or alternatively, the golden crowns of the McKinnons.

"McKinnon!" A familiar voice shouted from her left: "Over here!"

"Where's Harry, McKinnon?!" James Potter fought his way through her, followed by his mother: "He was with you out there, wasn't he?" Potter shook her shoulders when she failed to answer: "Where is Harry?! Answer me, damn it!"

"James, stop it!" Lady Potter stepped before her son. Her robes were covered in crimson blood, as were her hands and arms where she had pulled up her sleeves: "It's not my own, dear." The woman quickly explained when Marlene's eyes widened at the sight: "I was a healer before I became a mother and housewife. Now, where did you last see Harry, Marlene?"

"He- He chose to remain outside." Marlene stuttered, pointing back to the balcony: "He said he was going to hold them off."

"Morgana!" Dorea's face lost all remaining color. Next to her, her son cursed harshly and looked about ready to head out there and join his close friend.

'Marlene couldn't fault him.'

'If only she hadn't promised.'

"Where is Lord Potter?" Marlene looked around them: "And have you seen my parents or my brothers?"

"My husband is also fighting out there, hopefully with Harry by now." Dark shadows of worry flickered in Lady Potter's warm gray eyes.

"Your parents are fine and got inside unharmed, however, I have not seen either of your brothers yet, my dear." The older witch gently cupped her cheek: "You have to be strong now, Marlene. Our men need us to be strong now for them."

"I- I don't-..."

"If you know a few healing spells then follow me and help me with some of the wounded." Dorea tried to take her hand: "Anything to distract you will do right now, I speak from experience, my dear."

"B- But, I- I can't stay here." Marlene shook her head, her eyes roamed over families taking each other in their arms, crying tears of joy, or the many wounded, who were attended to by other guests: "This was a mistake. I should've remained with Harry."

"Marlene, pleas-"

"No!" Marlene slapped her hand away and turned on the spot, running.

'Harry needs me.'

She hurried back the way she came to the balcony, bumping into people as she did so. The stream of fleeing guests thinned out until she only encountered them occasionally. Instead, the sound of spellfire and noises of fighting increased with every step she took.

Finally, she stumbled into a group of people, all training their wands at the entrance to the balcony. She spotted the head of who Marlene presumed to be Gideon Prewett peak through the entrance, speaking to Bartemius Crouch.

'What was going on here?!'

She heard the man yelling orders when she approached closer: "The ward will be up in a few seconds! Get everyone inside now, Prewett!"

The Head of the DMLE turned on the spot and caught sight of her: "What are you doing here, girl, get back to the hall, now!"

Marlene was about to tell the asshole exactly what she thought of that idea when she made out her boyfriend's shout from outside.

"RUN!"

'It sounded frightened.'

'Harry had never sounded so frightened before.'

"What's going on out there?!" Marlene tried to sidestep Crouch's attempt at grabbing her, but the man's iron grip caught her on her wrist: "Get off me! Let me go! I need to get out there!"

"Avada Kedavra!"

A frightening cold seized her heart, freezing the blood in her veins upon hearing that incantation and the unknown heigh voice that spoke it.

She could not see what actually happened outside since her vision was blocked yet even around the corner, she made out the bright green flash of lightning, which illuminated the entire entrance to the balcony. As if that wasn't enough, she also heard the faint thud of a body dropping to the tiles.

"NO!" Marlene cried, clawing on Crouch's arm with her nails and hammering against his shoulder, yet to no avail: "NO! Harry!"

But it was not Harry's name that was shouted in sorrow.

"NO!" 

"MARCUS!"

Never before had her older brother, who always remained composed no matter how dire the situation, sounded so defeated.

Marlene had almost managed to escape Crouch's clutches when a massive explosion shook the entire manor in its foundation. Thrown to the floor, she felt momentarily dazzled and her vision swam.

Suddenly people hurried in from the outside. She recognized the two Prewett twins, which darted straight to Crouch. Their lips moved frantically, yet Marlene struggled to understand what words were being spoken. She used Crouch's monetarily distraction to crawl around the corner on all fours and peek outside on the balcony.

Thick smoke hung in the air, not allowing her to see any further than a few feet. She thought to have spotted a few unmoving limbs close to the entrance. Despite knowing that anyone she found might be a person she loved, Marlene continued crawling towards the entrance.

"RUN!"

Harry's voice boomed through the smoke towards her a second time, echoing through her skull. Suddenly a trio of wizards were thrown through the air and stumbled over the threshold of the entrance. Two of them immediately got up, she recognized her oldest brother and the Potter Lord instantly, yet one of them remained unmoving.

'Marcus!'

Her sibling lay unmoving in his older brother's lap, traces of surprise on his ash and blood-covered face while his eyes stared towards the ceiling, not moving, not even blinking. His robes were torn and ripped in a few places.

"Marcus! No, no, no, Marcus!" Her older brother cried: "Come back to me, dammit!"

'It can't be.' Marlene shook her head. Marcus was an Auror and he was her family. Aurors don't die at a New Year's Eve ball. That was just silly...

'Perhaps he's just unconscious?'

Marlene still struggled to grasp what was happening around her. All she did gather was that three people arrived, and someone was still missing...

'Harry.'

Charlus Potter's face was a grotesque mask of misery. The older wizard limped back to the entrance, where Marlene thought she spotted a faint rippling barrier, which she was sure hadn't been there mere moments ago.

"HARRY!" The Potter Lord hammered against the barrier with his bare fists, kicking it and slamming against it with his shoulders, yet it was all to no avail: "NO, HARRY!"

'He must be still out there then.'

Marlene clung to the wall as she pulled herself up to both feet and stumbled over to him while a set of heavy wooden doors closed behind the barrier. She yanked on the older wizard's arms and forced him to face her: "Where. Is. My. Harry?"

The wizard tried to continue his hopeless attempts, despite Marlene clutching to him, sobbing in between smashing his bloodied fists against the barrier: "Har- Harry is out there, fighting him!"

"Him?"

'No, it can't be!' Marlene shook her head, what Charlus was implying was impossible. 'Why would he be here?'

'But if his followers were here, was it so unlikely?'

"Fighting who?" Marlene inquired while fumbling for her wand around her waist. Hot rage pooled in her belly when everyone around her ignored her: "FIGHTING WHO?

"Th- the Dark Lord." Her brother sobbed behind her: "He killed Marcus before Harry pushed us into safety to face him alone."

'Voldemort.'

"No!" Panic seized her heart in a cold, vice-like, grip. Her skull was pounding like never before. Harry had told her again and again that he wasn't ready for that fight yet, that he still needed more time.

'I can't lose him.'

"I have to help him!" That was the only thing that made sense to her right now. Marlene drew her wand and aimed it at the rippling barrier, the only obstacle that stood in her way of getting to Harry: "Bombarda Maxima!"

The explosion threw her backward, crushing her against the opposite wall where she crumbled down. Marlene ignored her pounding head and the sharp pains where her bare skin had scrapped over the rough stones. She pulled herself back upward again, ready to slash her wand once more. 

'And again, for as long as necessary.'

"SOMEONE STOP HER BEFORE THE WARDS KILL HER!" A voice shouted behind her.

'Cowards.'

'Harry needs me.'

She ignored the stupid advice; the incantation was about to leave her lips again when a bright flash of red light caught her in the side and utter darkness engulfed her.

Flashback End

Marlene snapped out of it and turned on the tap over the sink. Taking handfuls of water, she splashed her own face, the refreshening coolness did wonders to wake her up and sharpen her senses.

She might look even worse now, but Marlene hardly cared. The stares she had attracted on Platform Nine and Three-Quarters or within the first five minutes of the train ride wouldn't magically stop just because one didn't see that she mourned her painful loss.

'The entire world already knew what happened to her brother.'

'Marcus...'

Her brother had been taken from her. Someone that had always been there for her during her entire life. Had protected her, taught her, and told her the most wonderful stories about magic and Hogwarts when she was still too young to attend herself. It felt impossible to imagine a world where Marcus McKinnon's genuine laughter and warm, kind personality had been taken away permanently.

When she had woken up after that horrible night, it had been in her own large bed back at McKinnon manor. Harry had watched over her, slammed into a chair next to the bed, yet never taking his vision from her. Sobs of despair and tears of relief had leaked from her eyes upon seeing him in good health, that was until her desperate hug had almost crushed his ribs.

'I haven't talked to him in over two days, ever since the events.'

A grim determination set on her face and with a flick of her wand she vanished any of the traces of makeup running down her cheeks. Tossing her golden curls over one shoulder Marlene unlocked the bathroom. She needed Harry and he probably needed her as well.

Marauder's Compartment

"Are you okay, Harry?"

James patted his shoulder and gave him a well-meant squeeze.

He was brought back from whether his thoughts had carried him and looked into his father's hazel eyes: "I will be."

The compartment door was opened and Peter and Remus entered, pulling their heavy trunks behind them.

"Thank Merlin, you guys are alright!" Remus left his trunk standing at the door and hurried inside. Starting with Sirius, he squeezes the boy in a tight hug and sighed in relief.

"Calm your wolf, Moony, the three of us are perfectly fine." Sirius patted the third Marauder on the back and tried to wriggle himself out of the awkward hug. 

His gray eyes flickered to Harry for a split second, who shook his head ever so slightly: "Luckily none of us were in any real danger, you know."

"It still looked quite terrible to the rest of us." Peter squeaked as he pressed his way past Lupin's trunk into the compartment: "My mother almost had a heart attack when she read the Prophet the day after." 

He held up a copy of the paper, making Harry roll his eyes. The picture of the Dark Mark hovering threateningly above the Bones manor took in the entire cover page.

TRAGEDY AT NEW YEAR'S EVE BALL 

Terrorist Attack On Bones Manor Leaves Wizarding World Shaken!

By Rita Skeeter

Disaster hit the wizarding world when the clock struck midnight on December 31st, 1976, announcing the new year. Hundreds of guests were enjoying the fantastic New Years Eve fireworks during the annual ball at the Bones family when suddenly the wards of the manor were attacked by unknown individuals. According to the statements from countless witnesses and the reports from the Auror investigation, the noise level during the fireworks was used to subtly penetrate the wards, until they were literally torn down by sorcery yet unknown to our experts. Panic spread when dark-robed and masked individuals apparated onto the balcony of the estate and started firing lethal spells into the crowd of guests, children, and elderly.

While suffering substantial and tragic losses, a few brave individuals, among them some recently promoted Junior Aurors from the Ministry, managed to fortify the entrance back into the manor and help as many people to safety as possible. A tribute ceremony, for those that have fallen while defending the innocent, will be held over the coming month. Magical Britain's heroes will be awarded the Order of Merlin, Second Class, posthumously for risking their own lives and paying the ultimate price to save the lives of the innocent.

Luckily the manor had been quickly put into lockdown mode and its wards recharged just in time to lock the attackers out on the balcony. Due to a lack of official statements from the Ministry, the Daily Prophet assumes that the group of terrorists failed to infiltrate the manor and took flight when the forces of the DMLE along with Hogwarts headmaster Albus Dumbledore arrived on the scene around 30 minutes past midnight. Nevertheless, if any of the guests who have been present witnessed what occurred, the Daily Prophet offers generous tips of up to 100 Galleons for vital information.

Furthermore, we firmly believe that the general public has a right to know that the Daily Prophet received a short missive via owl from an anonymous member of the very terrorist group, who carried out the cowardly attack, hours after it took place. According to said note, the attack was carried out by members of an organization, who refer to themselves as "Death Eaters" under the leadership of a wizard who calls himself (Entry redacted) 

Official statement from the Daily Prophet editorial office:  

The aforementioned wizard will from now on be referred to as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named during this and any following articles. 

The very same source proclaims that the spell that has been cast on site (See picture above) is referred to as the "Dark Mark". Our experts estimate that said "Mark" might be continued to be used as the recognizable symbol of either the terrorist group as a whole or their leader, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, during any future attacks. So far, the Unspeakables have failed to analyze the spell in more detail, however, they did successfully remove it from the premise.

The Daily Prophet sincerely expresses its deepest condolences to our brave fallen heroes and their families. In addition, we promise to keep our readers up to date on any developments.

Harry snorted and threw the paper over to the opposite bench. 

"I suppose none of you guys know any more details either?" Remus inquired after having stored his trunk up in the luggage compartment, his eyes lingering on Harry a tad longer.

Sirius, James, and Harry exchanged a silent glance before shaking their heads: "No."

"Well, my dad was one of the few people who came in last after defending the balcony." James admitted carefully: "However, even he had no idea what happened outside after the wards recharged."

'And it should stay that way.' Harry grimaced.

The prophet was unlikely to learn anything about what truly happened that night because only a handful of people knew and none of them would talk to the press. The majority of the half a dozen fighters who defended the balcony were off-duty Aurors and Crouch had immediately forbidden them to mention that they needed help from someone who hadn't even finished school to stop the Dark Lord and his followers.

Other than that, only the McKinnons, some of the Blacks, and the Potters knew of Harry's involvement and how he remained behind by himself. Yet even they haven't been told the full story of the aftermath. Harry had only trusted Charlus, Dorea, and Marlene with his interaction with Voldemort and how he killed Antonin Dolohov, one of the most fearsome dueling masters of the century.

'They deserved to know the truth.'

'Especially Marlene.'

The Dark Lord had been gone for barely a few seconds before Dumbledore, followed by multiple squads of Aurors, managed to finally tear down Voldemort's wards. Since Harry merely stated that he managed to convince the Dark Lord to stop his attack and refused to elaborate any further, many of the new Aurors had played with the idea of taking him into custody for a thorough interrogation under the charge of assistance to murder on a dozen accounts.

Still running high on adrenaline, Harry had heatedly replied that anyone was free to give it a try. 'I would've torn them apart.'

Luckily it didn't come so far since Charlus, Matthew McKinnon, Amelia Bones, and anyone else who had been on the balcony fighting with him immediately vouched for Harry and threatened to go to the public should Harry be taken into custody, to which the Aurors immediately backed down.

"I've read about Marlene's brother." Remus gulped heavily: "Let her know that she has my deepest condolences. I didn't know Marcus well, but I remember him being one of the few Prefects who genuinely cared for younger students from all houses, not just his own."

"I will." Harry nodded absently, still staring out of the window: "Thank you…"

"How is Marlene dealing with it?" Peter inquired.

"Well, what do you think, Wormtail!" James snapped up: "Voldemort killed her brother on bloody New Year!"

For some reason, hearing the rat's voice aggravated Harry, yet he controlled his anger, exhaling deeply: "She will be fine... eventually."

'Hopefully.'

He swallowed a small stab of discomfort at the realization that he missed her like crazy: "She needed some time for herself, so I haven't seen her since then..."

'It might take a while until she is fine.'

But Marlene is stronger than most, she will handle it.'

After Crouch reluctantly permitted him to leave, Harry had refused to go with the Potters just yet and instead persuaded the McKinnons to allow him to watch over Marlene at their manor. Dorea had told him that she suffered from a heavy concussion after trying to cast her way through the wards back out to him. 

Luckily Charlus had stunned her before she could do any serious harm to herself and Dorea had taken care of any of the small wounds and scratches within a few seconds. Since she was likely suffering from a light trauma, they decided to let her sleep until she woke up on her own the next day.

It had been heartbreaking to see her in such a state, especially since it was Harry who had to tell her what happened to her brother.

After she woke up, Marlene had patiently listened to everything that happened last night and then politely asked Harry to leave and allow her to mourn on her own terms until she felt ready to talk to him. It had been a very tough 48-hour period, but Harry couldn't deny her that wish and did not bother her.

'I just wish I could see and hold her in my arms again.' 

A knock on the door made Harry's head snap away from the window. The door to the compartment was slid to the side. Harry caught his breath when his girlfriend's form was revealed standing in the hallway of the train. Following her period of mourning, she wore robes of the deepest black, a matching hat, and scarf.

"Hello..." She fidgeted with her fingers and shot him a nervous glance while biting her lower lip: "Can I- Can I talk to you, Harry?"

"Yes, of course!" Harry nodded immediately and shot up from his seat, walking over to her. Marlene retreated further back into the hallway to allow him to step outside and close the door to the compartment shut. A flick of his wand ensured they could have some privacy and won't be bothered by other students for some time.

Seeing her up closer, Harry noticed how challenging the last two days must have been for her. She still looked beautiful, to him she will always be, but her skin, while still incredibly smooth, was paler than before, looking almost sickly. Dark bags hung below her eyes, which had been robbed of their usual sparkle and intensity.

Marlene avoided looking up at him, seemingly ashamed of something. It was obvious that she was searching for the right words, swallowing heavily as she bit her lip: "I- I..."

Harry could barely stand seeing her so anxious. He opened his arm in an inviting gesture. 'You don't have to say anything.'

Marlene rushed forward and collided with him so forcefully that Harry almost stumbled. Throwing her arms around his neck, she clung to him like a lifeline, burying her head in the crook of his neck.

"It's okay..." Harry whispered repeatedly, one hand holding her close against him by the waist, the other patting over her back and drawing gentle circles: "It's okay, my love."

"Oh, Harry." Her body jolted against his in stiff sobs; hot tears drenched the material over his shoulder while he simply held her and did his best to comfort her, whispering softly in her ear.

A few minutes must have passed before Marlene finally found it in herself to loosen her tight hold slightly and look up to him. Teary, reddened eyes met his own while she sniffed her nose very unladylike.

"I'm sorry for sending you away." Her lips trembled; blue eyes threatened to spill tears again: "It was so stupid of me."

"Shhh." Harry cupped her cheek and wiped away a single tear with his thumb: "You had every right to mourn. You still do and I understand... Perhaps better than most will."

He silently conjured a small handkerchief and handed it to her: "Here."

"I'm glad you understand." Marlene pressed a thankful peck on his cheek after blowing her nose: "I was so worried that you might be mad at me..."

"No, never." Harry shook his head: "Though I'm glad you chose to speak to me again. These last few days haven't been the easiest for me either."

"I'm sorry," Marlene squeezed him tightly once more: "Did you tell anyone else what happened?"

"Only Charlus and Dorea so far." Harry admitted, his thoughts drifting back to the night: "But it will remain at that. All his followers know what happened already and I'm left with no other option but to bet on him keeping them in line. The fewer people know the details the better for me."

She nodded and tossed her hair over one shoulder: "You saved Matthew as well."

"I don't th-"

She pressed a finger to his lips: "He told me what happened, Harry. If it wasn't for your shield charm that explosion might have killed him. If not that, then Voldemort would have surely gotten to him after the wards recharged to full strength, yet you managed to banish them to safety just in time..."

"You know that we're just guessing here..." Harry tried again.

Marlene huffed, shaking her head sadly: "I love my brothers very dearly, Harry. Both of them are powerful in their own right, but none of them could have held themselves against someone like Antonin Dolohov as you did..."

Harry swallowed heavily but didn't deny it.

"Also, we both know that Voldemort would never have given them the same chance to fight for their lives as he did for you." Marlene shook her head when an apologetic expression grew on his face: "That's not your fault Harry, I know it's not."

"He could have easily killed me," Harry whispered, feeling a frightening cold clutch around his heart. He glanced over her shoulder to the wild scenery rushing past them behind the window: "I wouldn't have stood a chance if he had actually tried."

"But you're not dead!" Marlene cupped his jaw with slender fingers and turned his face back to hers: "You came back to me, Harry. And that's all that matters to me."

Harry exhaled deeply: "Perhaps you're right."

"It wasn't a total loss for our side, was it?" Her eyes hardened, sparkling like frozen blue crystals while she looked at him with determination "How many did you kill that night?"

"A few... At least five of them died in the inferno, including Dolohov." His fingers dug into her waist as he flexed his knuckles: "A bit more in total then. Perhaps ten?" 

"They don't matter to me, none of them do." Hatred spiked through him, consuming him from within: "They deserved what they got..."

"They did." The pressure of her nails on his shoulders and upper back increased until they dug into his skin almost painfully: "I want them dead, Harry, all of them, and I want them to suffer for what they did to my brother. Am I wrong for that?"

"No, you're not." Harry held her face with both hands, staring deep into her eyes: "These monsters murdered and tortured innocent witches and wizards; you saw them do so. They don't deserve your mercy, love. They don't deserve even a second thought from you..."

"You have to kill him." Marlene's fingers curled into his robes: "For everything Voldemort did to you, everything he did to us. You have to kill him."

"I will." Harry promised her, pulled her face up towards his, and kissed her deeply: "I might not be strong enough right now for him, but after that night, I know I can easily match any of his followers. I will hunt them down, one by one like the animals they are, no matter what people might think about me, no matter whether or not they call me a monster for it..."

He searched her eyes, hoping she would understand and not feel disgusted by his aims. 'I need her to understand.'

"I will help you anyway I can." Marlene whispered against his jaw, kissing the corner of his lip before capturing his mouth in a searing kiss: "I don't care how many of them you kill, as long as you survive and come back to me in one piece. You'll never be a monster to me."

"I won't ever leave you." Harry reciprocated the kiss just as passionately, pouring all the emotions he could foster into it, making sure she couldn't miss how much he had yearned for her during the last few days: "I will always come back."

"How do we go from here then, Harry?" Marlene studied his face, hands around his neck: "How do we make them pay for what they did? How do we make him pay?"

'She's with me.'

'She truly understands.'

"His followers... Voldemort is just a single wizard without them. A powerful wizard, sure, but a single one." Harry settled his hands back around her waist: "We start with whatever follower has been tasked to smuggle his Horcrux into the castle."

"And then?"

"Then we become stronger than them until, one day, we're stronger than him." Harry's eyes flashed a brilliant emerald green for a split second: "We become stronger no matter what it takes, no matter what we have to sacrifice for it."

"Alright." Marlene slowly nodded her understanding: "Then we should begin with the ritual."