Chapter Text
...
"One mistake," growled one figure, "All that work undone by a single mistake. How did we not predict that? Why after everything are we still falling to restore the balance?"
"They are humans," growled another, "They are unpredictable and destructive. Even those meant to restore the balance have lost it and succumbed to the temptation."
"And now another universe falls," whispered the first voice again, "Everything we have done and can do has failed. Humanity across the universes no longer has their faith. There is nothing more we can do."
"There has to be something," hissed the second.
"There is," declared the third figure as they stood up from the table, "We can send him once again. One final attempt to return the balance."
"He's failed before," snarked another, "We all agreed after that last disastrous attempt that he is not allowed into the worlds again."
"We need someone that can understand humans," retorted a fourth, "I say if that if he is our best chance at restoring the balance than we send him out again. One world to restore the balances. Just one to regain our strength."
"It has been ages since that human has lived in the realms of man," mused the fifth, "Would he even agree?"
There was an rattling then the one in black said, "If we agree to give him, his peace. He has lived or this half life for far too long. For that he would indeed agree."
"It is agreed," the first spoke up, "This will be our last chance."
...
"Another failed universe, Death?" Asked the green eyed man.
"As sneaky as ever, my young friend," half chuckled Death, "How long were you listening in?"
"I wasn't," he denied, "But I felt it. As I always do. What's the point of this anymore?"
Death gave the human a look before asking, "Are you done then? With your existence, you would like to cease?"
"I've been ready," admitted the man, "I never wanted this endless cycle. But you, Gods," the word was spat as if it was poison, "Won't let me rest."
Death felt for his unwilling Master. Harrison 'Harry' Potter, reminded him so much of Ignotus Peverell. Someone who had power but didn't want it. Unlike Ignotus, Death had not allowed his little Master the final peace of death.
Despite everything that he had been through. Despite the death and destruction he had seen. His Master's soul was still bright. He may call the youth his Master, but even he could not release him fully into the void. Only give him a short leave before their work started again.
Each time, Harrison became more closed off than the last. Now he barely acknowledged the existence of the entities. His Master's eyes, once full of wonder, were empty. The only light in his eyes was a faint emerald.
The only time he would react was when he would sense the universe begin to unravel. And even then it was only a sigh or a groan. Death didn't blame his Master for his attitude. Like the entities, he felt the balances shift and distort.
He had watched the universe fall into decay. Watched humanity fight, destroy, and tear down what their ancestors built. All he had to do was open his senses and he could feel the imbalance. Feel the magic drain away and the chaos build.
"It would be different this time," assured Death, "There will not be any interference."
His little Master didn't look up at him. Just the same blank stare.
Death continued, "If you go and succeed you will find the rest you so seek. We will not force you back into this existence."
That caused him to look up at Death. Those brilliant eyes held his for a few minutes before glancing over to the others. Each nodded their heads or shrugged.
"Just one universe," repeated Harry, "One more universe and I'm free. No more fighting the imbalances."
"Once that universe is back on the proper path," corrected the hooded entity.
"I want a true contract made," growled the youngest.
"Very well," replied the first.
...
Being reborn burned like hell fire through his veins. It wasn't the worst way he had come back, but it wasn't the most pleasant either. In fact, he would rate it somewhere between dying from a cursed knife and being drowned.
At least this time it wasn't as a baby. But they couldn't have at least made it easier on him? Fucking Gods.
Sitting up Harrison placed a hand under his ribs as they shifted. This body had taken quite a beating. He didn't think anything was broken though.
Looking around he found that he was in a back alley. The strength of the Ambient Magic caught him off guard. He must be in a magical district but the world's Ambient Magic was stronger than any world he'd been in before.
Standing slowly, his right leg tried to buckle out from under him. Yep still a bad right knee because fuck him apparently. If he got the chance to he was going to bite the heads off the Gods. What was the point of making his knee practically useless?!
Taking his time, Harrison was able to limp his way towards a street. He was in Diagon Alley. It wasn't how he remembered it. There were more people running around in it. Witches and wizards were dressed in robes that were older than the 90s of his original world.
When was he?
"You alright dearie?"
Harrison looked over his shoulder. A middle age woman was holding the hand of a small girl. Both wore robes and the older woman carried a wand.
"Just a bit turned around," he answered giving her a fake smile, "Could you tell me the date please? And where I am?"
She gave him an odd look but told him but said, "It's July 17, 1971. You're next to the second hand bookshop in Diagon Alley. It's two o'clock in the afternoon. Are you sure you should be out on your own? You look barely old enough to go to Hogwarts."
"Yeah," Harrison waved off her concerns, "Just a little dizzy is all. I'm meeting my father here. I'll be fine. Thanks for the information. I hope you have a nice day."
"Be safe," she called after him.
He wasn't in the time he knew. The Gods couldn't have sent him to a time that he was at least familiar with? Inconsiderate assholes.
Alright first things first. Go to Gringotta and figure out who he was in this world and if he had any vaults. Then he'd get a history book and try to find out what was different about this world.
Harrison limped towards the bank, his knee protesting with every movment. As he passed the glass of one shop he found he still had his piercing green eyes. His hair wasn't as much of a bird nest as it had been in his first life but it was still messy. His features were sharper and Harrison was pretty sure he was a pureblood. He wore a pair of black slacks, a white dress shirt, and a pair of black gloves.
Great.
As he reached the bank he bowed respectfully to the guards outside. They stared at him in surprise but he didn't wait for them to say anything. He simply entered the bank and went to the first teller. There was a decent wait time as it was mid-July.
"What do you want child?" Growled the goblin when he stepped up.
"I am here to request a full Inheritance Test," said Harrison bluntly.
Goblins preferred blunt honesty than fake smiles. If a wizard showed respect to them, it was met with mistrust but eventually returned.
The teller paused. He stared at the boy and his clothes. He had no family insignia and was wearing a simple shirt and slacks. He had no wand on him.
"Can you pay for an inheritance test?" Sneered the goblin.
"It won't be a problem," he growled in return.
They stared at each other for a moment longer. Then the goblin growled something at another. Harrison was told to follow the second goblin. He did without complain just shoving his hands in his pockets.
He was taken to a small office with a younger looking goblin at the desk. When he saw Harrison, he sneered.
"What are you doing here?" He snapped.
"Inheritance test," responded the young man, "I'd like a full one."
"Who is your family?" Demanded the Goblin.
Harrison didn't answer and stood his ground. Instead he lightly tapped into the Ambient Magic around him. A faint glow took over his eyes.
"If you won't do the Inheritance Test then find me someone who will," snapped Harrison.
He wasn't sure what changed the Goblin's mind. Whether it was the tone of his voice, his glowing green eyes, or his words, he didn't care. All that mattered was that the Goblin finally did the Inheritance test.
Harrison paid the 25 galleons for the test. Only good thing about the Gods sending him back. They made sure he had money to get by at least for a few days until he got settled.
Once the goblin was sure his money was real he was handed a ritual dagger. A scroll was placed in front of him.
"Three drops child," demanded the goblin, "No more. No less."
Harrison simply nodded his head. Without flinching he cut his finger. Once, twice, and the third. Each drop hit the scroll. For a moment nothing happened.
Then a swirl of ink spread across the parchment. Lines and words formed on the paper. The goblin grabbed the sheet and looked over it. He stared at it a second more. Then he pulled a pen and paper and began writing.
"Do you have a guardian currently?" Questioned the goblin.
Not that he knew of? Instead of answering Harrison shrugged. He held out a hand for the parchment. It was handed over if reluctantly.
Name: Harrison Atlas Peverell
Birthday: October 31, 1960
Parents: Henry Peverell (Father) deceased, Nova Peverell née Black (mother) deceased.
Blood Status: Pureblood
Well great. He was an orphan. Again. At least his name was the same this time around.
Under his status was a list of vaults that he wouldn't have access to until he was 17. At least he had a trust vault in this life. By the number of galleons in it he was sure he could make it stretch to his 17th birthday. Death must be laughing at him for his birthday. The God did always have an odd sense of humor.
There were a set of properties that he could hide out in. He didn't know if he would be attending Hogwarts in September. If he was going to save this universe he probably shouldn't.
"Are you here with anyone?" Questioned the Goblin.
"No," he said, "Just visiting before returning home."
"You don't have any guardians then," stated the goblin, "You realize that you cannot leave without a guardian?"
That startled Harrison from his reading. There was something that had caught his attention. The word 'soulmate'. What the fuck was a soulmate? And what did the goblin mean he couldn't leave? Watch him!
"Pardon?"
"You are a minor," snarled the Goblin, "Specifically you're not even Hogwarts age yet. You cannot be allowed to live on your own."
"You think you can stop me?" He asked darkly.
Harrison loosened his muscles. This body wasn't in fighting shape but he could continue to draw upon the Ambient Magic. While a lot of wizards and witches couldn't control it, Harrison had no such limitation.
His heart beat a little faster. Was this excitement? Harrison hadn't really felt anything in a long time.
The Goblin tensed but said calmly, "Little wizard, if you don't have a guardian I will have to inform the ministry. Or we can do another test."
"How would the other test help?" Questioned Harrison.
"It will reveal the closest eligible potential guardians. Up to seven in total," revealed the goblin.
Harrison weighed his options. If he let the goblin inform the ministry the chance was high they'd take him in and put him in an orphanage. Harrison didn't want a guardian breathing down his neck though.
There was no doubt in his mind. The Fates were fucking laughing at him.