Introductions - Part : 1

When Mr Weasley briefed them about the unexpected turn of events, the Order appeared too stunned to comment anything. Remus and Tonks inspected the time-travelers closely, but they could only make out their outlines in the darkness.

The strangers were huddled up in a corner at the far end of the garden, talking to each other in whispered tones. Kingsley and McGonagall kept throwing them suspicious glances, while Hagrid darted his eyes between the present lot and the future kids, his face a mask of utter disbelief.

"You say the blonde woman is Bill and Fleur's daughter?" Nymphadora Tonks Lupin said in a voice filled with wonder. She pointed to a young woman who was giving out instructions to her attentive audience.

"Apparently" Remus answered his wife, squinting in the darkness to get a better look. His eyes fell on the eldest boy in the group. Although he couldn't see him clearly, the boy's profile intrigued him. He remembered Arthur telling him about the boy claiming to be the only one amongst the group who wasn't his future grand-child, which brings him back to the question 'What is this boy doing at the Burrow?'

Tonks turned to her husband, her eyes burning with the intensity of the feelings they tried to contain. "You know what this means?"

Remus looked at her, his lips curling up into a wry smile. He tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and ran a hand through it. At his simple touch, the color of her hair changed from light pink to his favorite, deep lilac.

"I do know what they represent, and if they truly are who they claim to be, then their actions in this time-line will greatly determine the future." The worry in his voice betrayed the fear deep inside him. "Their safety is of utmost importance and if Merlin forbid, Voldemort comes to know about them, the consequences will be quite deadly. We're as good as finished if that happens!"

"Then the future we have strived to create for the sake of our children will be for naught!" Tonks added looking distressed.

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Harry pulled up a chair next to Ginny who gave him a brief smile before interlacing their fingers together. He could tell she was anxious to get to the introductions part. Her eyes remained unfocused and she kept staring at the kids with a curious expression on her face, but Harry couldn't tell whether it was from fear or longing.

He didn't allow himself much space to think about them. His children. The idea of someone truly belonging to him felt so surreal, so wonderful, that he feared if he believed it even for a moment, then all of it would slip away. A life with Ginny; being married to her and making few wonderful babies to complete their family was a dream he never dared think before with Voldemort lurking around to wreck havoc in his life. The entry of these kids raised his hopes more than he would care to admit.

Harry mentally kicked himself at his dangerous trail of thought and instead, tried to concentrate on the turquoise haired boy, Teddy. He was close enough to make out that Teddy looked disturbed. There was an almost trance like expression on his face as he gazed at Remus and Tonks, and also something knowing about the boy that peaked his curiosity.

Teddy couldn't seem to drag his eyes away from them. He turned deadly pale, and his body appeared rigid. Not even his girlfriend's touch on his shoulders could shake him from his stupor. Harry sensed a deeper pain within the boy that he couldn't quite place but felt familiar with.

"They're being ridiculous!" Ginny burst out suddenly, startling him.

Harry was about to question her when she pointed towards his two best friends, both of whom were seated farther away from each other. Hermione had her arms crossed, and she refused to look in Ron's direction, while Ron in turn was doing a great job of pretending everything was alright by diligently nodding at whatever Charlie was saying to him.

Ginny frowned. "I don't think I had ever seen them apart since Hermione's arrival at the Burrow."

Harry shrugged helplessly, not wanting to interfere in their matters. He knew no amount of persuasion or reassurance will make them admit their feelings for the other. They needed to work things out by themselves, and Harry understood enough to realize the significance of this evening as it could very well be the making or breaking of their relationship.

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"Why isn't Mum sitting with Dad?" Hugo asked perplexed, frowning slightly.

"Because they haven't gotten together yet." Rose explained her brother patiently. "Remember Mum telling us about it once?"

Hugo nodded although he appeared troubled. "Do you think we should do something about it?"

"No, Hugo. We can't risk changing anything. Don't worry. This is Mum and Dad we're talking about, they will be fine." Rose dismissed it casually, trying to suppress her own growing panic. What if they were stuck in this timeline with no way out? For Merlin's sake, their parents didn't even know them! Or worse yet, what if they chose to be with different people? It was a possibility which made her sick to the stomach.

"Everyone understood right?" Rose heard her cousin, Victoire say. "You may speak whatever you wish to say about yourself but leave the rest of the details of the war and it's outcome to me and Teddy!"

Rose bit her lip observing Teddy closely. Normally, he would be the one doing all the talking, while they did the listening. But ever since his parents' arrival at the Burrow, he grew extremely quiet. He had a distant look on his face and his gaze never wavered from them. She felt bad for him, not knowing exactly what he was going through; having to meet his dead parents for the very first time in this way must be really hard.

She watched Lily walk towards him and cling onto his waist. He snapped out of his trance and gave her strained smile. Rose knew Teddy was very fond of Lily and treated her as his own little sister. It was the same with the youngest Potter, who adored her honorary brother.

"Will you stand next to me when I introduce myself, Teddy?" she asked him with big brown eyes.

Teddy lifted her off the ground and gently placed her on a near-by stone table. "I will, Lily-bells!"

She giggled at being called by her nickname and hugged him tightly. At 8 years, Lily was the youngest in the group, closely followed by Hugo. As an older sister, Rose was incredibly protective of Hugo which she knew drove him mental sometimes, but she couldn't help herself. Hugo was same with her; ready to go on the offense when she so much as shook hands with a boy, her age or older, who wasn't family.

At the moment though, Rose knew her brother needed her. He hardly left her side and there was a longing in the way he stared at their parents. She sighed, knowing she will have to talk to them soon. Truth be told, she missed her father's loving protection, and her mother's tender caresses. In this time frame, her parents barely looked at each other and the possibility that they did not care for herself and Hugo, weighed heavily on her mind.

She wanted to hex James and Albus for putting her through this. True, her brother was also involved, but he was more of a follower than an ardent prankster. That credit truly goes to James, for not only pulling off the stunt with flying colors, but also for convincing Al to participate.

"I think I'll go first, since they know a little bit about me already!" Victoire said. The group shrugged. It was clear they were all itching to get over with this ordeal.

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As soon as everyone settled into their seats. Remus summoned a raised platform into their midst, so that everyone can see the speaker clearly. The young blonde took the centre stage, facing them with a confident smile. Harry couldn't help noticing Bill fidgeting in his chair in nervous anticipation, while Fleur beamed proudly.

"Hello everyone! I know this is a lot to taken in at the moment. So, we've decided to restrict ourselves to the introductions." She threw a challenging look, daring them to argue and when no one did, she went on contently.

"I am Victoire Annabelle Weasley. I'm 17 years old, currently into my 6th year at Hogwarts!" Harry noticed Fleur's face fall slightly at this. She was probably disappointed that her future daughter didn't go to Beauxbatons. "I'm sorted into Gryffindor and play chaser for the team. I'm also a prefect, like my father!"

"Go Gryffindor!" Fred and George cheered proudly, punching their fists in the air. Even, McGonagall looked pleased.

Victoire gave them an amused smile. "Oh! By the way, if you haven't figured it out yet, my parents are Bill Weasley and Fleur Delacour." Bill's face turned a bright shade of red, while Fleur looked on the verge of tears. "I have two younger siblings. Dominique is two years younger to me, and she takes after our father. She plays beater on the team, while Louis is into his first year at Hogwarts. Both of them are sorted into Gryffindor!"

Charlie let out a wolf-whistle, clearly finding his older brother's predicament amusing. "No longer a Casanova, huh Bill? Became tame as a unicorn, have you?"

"Shut it, Charlie!" Bill growled darkly, scowling at his younger brother.

Billl was horrified that he had not one but three kids, in contrast to Mrs Weasley's delighted face which lit up as if Christmas had come early. Mr Weasley was too dumbstruck to say anything.

"Ah! Must be going at it rampantly, those two!" Ginny whispered in Harry's ear, gesturing to her eldest brother and his fiance.

"Ginny!" Harry exclaimed scandalized.

"What Harry?" Ginny cried out, crossing her arms in a defensive stance. "All the sexual tension has to be released somewhere!"

Harry couldn't help it. He laughed while his girlfriend threw him an annoyed look.

"I'm sorry. It's just that, it made me wonder how many kids we would've had!" Harry whispered cheekily.

Ginny's features softened at him. "Two or more, I'm sure."

Harry's face flushed with pleasure. "And why is that?"

Ginny's face broke into a huge grin, lighting up her eyes and giving them a fluid quality. "Because I can't resist you, Harry Potter!"

A soft groan escaped from the back of his throat. Hearing it from her aroused him in ways even he couldn't fathom. Harry tried to push away the happy picture his life with Ginny presented, and instead, forced himself to concentrate on the present. His future looked bleak and even with these kids around, all he could see in front of him was destroying Horcruxes and battling Voldemort. Ginny gently squeezed his hand, perhaps sensing his change of mood.

Victoire silently walked back to her group to an applause. Teddy gave her an appreciative smile, which unfortunately didn't go unnoticed by Bill who glared at the boy's close proximity with his daughter. Future or not, he was still her father and a natural protective instincts that he saved only for Ginny resurfaced.

"That's wonderful Victoire! Who will go next?" Remus called out.

"I will!" A raven haired teenager stepped onto the stage, shoving his hands into the pockets. There was a mischievous glint in his eyes as his eyes trailed them, finally resting on Harry and Ginny.

Remus let out an audible gasp as the features of the boy became illuminated.

"My God, James!"

"Spitting image if not for his raven hair!" McGonagall exclaimed, looking at the boy in amazement.

Harry tensed instantly. He caught Remus's gaze who nodded back at him. He didn't know what they were trying to communicate, but understood enough to feel reassured by the man.

"Hey, that's not fair. How do you know my name?" The boy named James, addressed Remus curiously.

"Is that your name?" Remus asked, and when the boy nodded, a fond smile crept up his face. "You look exactly how my old friend James used to be at your age, except he wasn't raven haired!"

The perplexed frown on the boy's face faded, giving way to a wicked grin. "I have been told that many times. I take after my namesakes, both in terms of my looks and personality!"

"Sweet Merlin! I can see I wouldn't be having any peace of mind, even in the future!" McGonagall exclaimed, looking devastated.

"Maybe, Georgie and I could teach him a trick or two!" Fred put in wickedly.

"Yeah, he can carry on our legacy!" George agreed, sounding thrilled. He was already plotting ways and means inside his head to mentor James.

"Stop it right there, you two!" Mrs Weasley said warningly. If there was anything she couldn't stand, apart from Voldemort, it would have to be a trio of pranksters to fill her already prematurely greying hair.

Harry was hardly paying attention to the proceedings around him. He was too preoccupied with looking at his future son. He was named after his father, and apparently looked like him too! Seeing his own son in flesh and blood was almost too much to taken in, as the raw emotions he'd tried to suppress since their arrival, threatened to break free.

"I was right, Harry. We have more than two!" Ginny smirked triumphantly.

Harry smiled at her, pulling out his glasses and trying to discreetly brush away his tears, but she wasn't fooled. She slipped a supporting hand around his waist.

Remus however looked perplexed. "Namesakes? What's your full name, son?"

The boy gave him a crooked smile. "James Sirius Potter. The eldest, the smartest and the funniest of all the Potters, and prankster extraordinaire at your service!" He said, giving them a mock bow.

There was a collective gasp from the present lot as everyone's eyes turned to Harry who had eyes only for James. A feeling of warmth far more potent than a Firewhiskey surged through him as he watched his teenage son. James Sirius. His lips twisted into an involuntarily smile at his own cheekiness in naming his son after two of the most notorious Marauders!

His eyes caught sight of Remus whose face lit up with a huge grin, that he hadn't seen on the man since Dumbledore's death.

"Please, don't flatter yourself, James! We all know who's the smartest over here!" A voice squeaked from the time-travelers' group.

"Shut up Al! Wait until it's your turn to see the people's reaction to your name. It's going to be absolutely riveting!"

Harry craned his neck to get a better look at his replica, Al. His another future son? Whatever young James had said affected the boy immensely as he turned a famous Weasley shade of red. His heart swelled against his ribs as he looked at Ginny who'd her mouth open in a perfect 'O', blinking at Al.

"Anyway, as I was saying before my idiotic brother interrupted" Someone coughed from the crowd but James went on unperturbed, "I'm 13 years old, in my second year at Hogwarts. I play Chaser for the Gryffindor Quidditch team and we're in very good chance of winning the house-cup!" This time there was a deliberate clicking of tongue from the young bushy-haired, ginger girl. James threw her a dirty look, seeming visibly annoyed.

"So, yeah...that's about me!" James shrugged his shoulders casually, and was about to make his exit when Ron burst out.

"Wait! You can't leave without telling us who your parents are!"

Ron chanced a glance at Harry and Ginny, as he said this. There was a determined glint in his stare.

Harry watched his best mate in plain amusement. It couldn't have been more clearer to him if James had his parents' name stamped across his forehead. He saw Hermione look at Ron angrily, shaking her head at his amazing ability to be tactless.

James looked confused. "Why, It's Harry Potter and Ginny Weasley ofcourse!"

Assuming the truth had been one thing, but having it confirmed from the very lips of the boy he had managed to create with Ginny, the woman he was desperately in love with, was a different feeling altogether. Never had any words sounded more sweeter to Harry. Ginny Weasley was his wife, or will be, depending on how he sees it. Ginny gave him a hard squeeze on his shoulders, letting him know her mind was on a similar trail of thought.

He was in his own bubble of happiness to realize the imminent danger he was in, amidst the vicinity of the Weasley brothers. The angry glares he was receiving from Charlie and Ron, who both looked like they were ready to bolt out of their chairs and drag him out by the ears if they had to, told Harry enough that they wouldn't hesitate to beat him to pulp.

Bill looked slightly shocked but recovered enough to shrug casually, as if to say 'better you than any other git' while the twins were betting on which of the siblings, whether Ron or Charlie, would be the first to finish him off.

Harry was horrified to find James stroll up to the twins and place his own bet. The deadly smile that spread across the twins' faces at his future son's participation gave him chills. He made a mental note to be more strict with his son in the future.

Mrs Weasley was beaming at James happily, and was hardly paying attention to Harry's plight.

"My baby girl's a mother!" Mr Weasley said dumb-founded, finding it extremely difficult to wrap the idea around his head. He looked at his son-in-law to be, assessing him with an intensity Harry had never known before. He tried not to squirm under Mr Weasley's razor sharp piercing stare. The older man smiled before finally concluding that Harry was indeed worthy of his daughter.

"YOU KNOCKED UP OUR SISTER!" Ron bellowed, wand ready in hand.

"Ron-It's not wh-" Harry tried to explain, retreating a few steps at the advancing forms of both Ron and Charlie.

Before anybody could react, Ginny stepped in front of him, pulling out her own wand and looking battle ready.

"RONALD, CHARLIE STOP IT! If I see either of you use your wands against the poor boy, you will find dementors are puppies and kittens before my wrath!" Molly Weasley yelled at them.

Harry was left mesmerized by the astounding affect the Weasley matriarch still had over her sons who both stopped in mid-stride and gaped at her like a fish. "And Ginevra, you're underage to be using magic outside of school. Put that wand right away, young lady, unless you want to be in trouble infront of your teachers!"

Ginny reluctantly put her wand away, still directing death-glares at her brothers. Harry found her enticing; a fierce red-haired angel who'd come to his rescue! He blushed instantly aware of how pathetic it made him look...For Merlin's sake he wasn't some damsel in distress!

"Ha! Told you both Mum would win!" James said pocketing his winnings from the bet. Fred and George looked fascinated by their young nephew.

"So, you know exactly who will win the Quidditch world-cup next year?" Fred asked enthusiastically.

"Yep"

"Or which player is snapped up by which team?" George put in, thinking of ways to use this knowledge to full effect in betting.

"Yep"

"And for how much?"

"Yep"

"Or if Chudley Cannons will manage to win a match?"

James nodded at the rapid fire inquisition directed at him. He felt pleased by the attention he was receiving from the twins. He'd grown up listening to many amusing stories about his twin uncles' mavericks but seeing them live was beyond anything he'd ever imagined. They were everything his Uncle George made them out to be and much more, and