Present Mixed in the Past

Chapter 3| Begin Again

Harry blinked his eyes open slowly, tilting his head some as tried to see what was around him. It took several tries before he could make out toys and what seemed to be large items. It quickly dawned on him that he was a baby, that he was back to that awful night.

Hurried footsteps sounded to his ear before he saw a vague outline of a red-haired woman. She scooped him into her arms, tears falling down her face and onto his head. Sniffling, she placed him in his crib, covering him with some blankets. Not enough to suffocate him, but enough in an attempt to hide and shield him.

The woman, Lily Potter, knelt down to his level. Her face was twisted with pain and grief as she tenderly stroked his face. She gave him a strained smile.

"I love you... Pl-Please... Please remember, I will always love you... N-No matter what..." Her tears flowed down faster, her having to close her eyes to control herself even the littlest bit.

The young baby shifted some, reaching a chubby hand out to touch hers. She looked at her baby and she gave him one final loving smile before she yanked herself up, blocking him from viewing Tom as he entered the room. There was polite talking before a woman's scream was heard. A tear slid down Harry's face as he sat up to look the Dark Lord in the eyes.

The powerful wizard had red eyes, a pain expression on his face. He didn't look like he wanted to do this. The old wizard tilted his head, his baby body almost tilting over. The Dark Lord shook some, hissing slowly. It was Parseltongue.

"It... Hurts... I want... I want to... stoop..." The pained expression on his face told the man everything he needed to know. Tom Riddle didn't want to hurt the boy, to make the prophecy real.

Harry gave him a hum, raising his baby fist. The snake-man's expression shifted some to a form of understanding. He then gave a slow nod to him before he closed his eyes and did as he was commanded to.

The boy woke up to someone screaming, someone calling out for Lily. The dark-haired boy sputtered a little as he began to cry himself. He may not have spent so long with her, but he still couldn't help it. Her life was cut short because of the old bastard, he and so many others have to suffer for there.

After a long while, he felt himself being picked up and cradled carefully. The person holding him was still crying, hiccupping a little. The powerful boy looked up to the person, finding a younger version of his Potion Master's. He was crying, a sad look on his face. Then there was another person, Sirus Black...

Harry couldn't stop himself from crying, curling into his teacher but he raised a hand toward the Grim Animagus. He missed the two, he wished he could've had a better and longer relationship with the two of them.

The two men gave the baby a sadden look, Sirus gently holding his godson's hand. Oh, the poor baby. As much as the two men hated each other and held little respect, in that moment there was only a form of soft sorrow. For a moment, the Grim Animagus forgot who had betrayed his friend, and who had left his godson parentless. Severus felt his heart break as he saw his love's child clinging to him.

Eventually the two older men had to give the baby up to the friendly half-giant when he came. Harry was drowsy, so he fell asleep on the ride to the Dursleys. He knew he wouldn't be missing much. He'll get started on a plan later, when he's old enough to actually make a difference.