A Twist In Time - A Harry Potter Next Gen Fanfiction

Twelve.

A/N - In case you need the reminder, past names are in normal font, future names are in italics. You might need it for this chapter!

The next day, everyone gathered around the table, eating a wonderful breakfast prepared by Mrs. Weasley, Ginny, and Hermione. A heavy, awkward silence filled the room, laced with tension and a little wonder. The initial shock of Harry, Ginny, Ron, and Hermione's arrival had worn off, but that didn't stop the curious glances shared between the teens and adults sitting around the table. Harry couldn't help but notice the way his younger self would catch young Ginny's gaze, only for both of them to quickly look away with flushed cheeks. He looked towards his wife, and her attempted hidden smile and short nod confirmed she shared his curiosity and suspicions. If anyone else noticed the awkward glances and sudden shyness between Harry and Ginny, they didn't show it. Except for Hermione, who watched them with curiosity of her own.

"Are we going home today?" Lily asked, blissfully unaware of the tension surrounding her. Harry had never been more grateful for her young innocence.

He placed his coffee mug on the table. "Uh, I'm not sure, Lily. Maybe not today, but soon, I promise."

"Okay." Lily nodded her head once and turned back to her plate, shovelling a generous helping of scrambled eggs into her mouth.

At the other end of the table, Molly chuckled softly to herself. "You Weasley's could learn a thing or two from that girl."

"Meaning?" Ron raised an inquisitive brow.

"Meaning," Molly lowered her fork, "you could learn some manners. Notice how she didn't argue or kick up a fuss? Her question was answered, and she accepted the answer."

Harry snorted a laugh. Before he could inform Molly that Lily was not always as innocent as she seemed, the eight year old spoke up.

"He promised." Lily shrugged. "My daddy never, ever, breaks a promise."

Her tone was so matter-of-fact that it left no room for argument. Like her father's promise was the equivalent of a signed contract that could not be broken. Like she was so convinced of her father's abilities, there was no possible argument to make her think otherwise. Harry paused mid-chew and glanced to his left at Ginny. She met his gaze with a knowing smile. 

"She's got you there, Harry." Sirius smirked over the rim of his pumpkin juice.

"Please." Ginny scoffed with a smirk. "This is an almost daily occurrence in our house. If there's one person Harry can't say no to, it's Lily."

"That's not true, I say no to her all the time." Harry argued.

"When was the last time you said no to her and actually stuck to it?" Ginny raised a brow.

Harry paused and stared at his wife as he wracked his brain for any such incidents. She waited patiently, her smug smile of triumph growing with every second he remained speechless. A flash of red moving on the other side of the table brought forth a certain memory.

"Last summer, when she asked to move to Romania with Charlie because she wanted to play with the dragons. I said no." Harry said proudly.

"Uh huh." Ginny nodded once. "But what did you do two weeks after that?"

Harry's eyes narrowed. "Shut up."

"Didn't you.." Teddy began, only to be cut off by Harry.

"No."

"Dude, what did you do?" Fred asked, watching them eagerly, much like everyone else at the table.