Summary: A betrayed and heartbroken 39 year old Harry Potter travels back in time to minutes before the Final Task of the Triwizard Tournament, and merges with his younger self. HHR; Harmony; BAMF Powerful!Smart!Independent!Harry; Severe Character Bashing: Dumbledore, some Weasleys and others. Manipulative!GreaterGood!Dumbledore. Rated M For An Eventual ReasonHarry Potter, M, English, Romance & Adventure, chapters: 11, words: 75k+, favs: 6k+, follows: 9k+, updated: Jun 12, 2020 published: Oct 29, 2019, [Harry P., Hermione G.] [Sirius B., Amelia B.]
Chapter 1: Return And Resurrection
Title: A Time For Harmony And Vengeance
Summary: A betrayed and heartbroken 39 year old Harry Potter travels back in time to minutes before the Final Task of the Triwizard Tournament, and merges with his younger self.
Rating: M
Warnings: Time Travel, Underage Sex, Ancient and Noble Houses, Lords and Ladies, Severe Character Bashing – Dumbledore, some Weasleys and others; other warnings labeled individually in chapters.
Ships: Harry/Hermione, Sirius/Amelia
Disclaimer: J.K Rowling owns the characters and the world of Harry Potter. I do not. I just like to play in her sandbox. No copyright infringement intended.
Author's Note: I feel like I need to apologize for the shoddy title of this story. I literally could not come up with anything better!
Okay... so it wasn't anywhere in my plans to start publishing this story anytime soon. But the early preview of this chapter in "Fable of Firsts" got 33 Reviews on Fanfiction Net in less than two days, the most out of any of my "Firsts." And so many of my readers want to read more of this. So that tells me I should start publishing this now, even if it means I don't have a great number of chapters ready. I have four total chapters finished as I start publishing this. Do not expect to get several chapters so soon in the future, however. I am focused on other stories (Yule Ball Drama and Free Use Experience) as well.
This story probably won't be anywhere near 50 chapters. I'll be surprised if it gets to 30 chapters.
Parts of this story is inspired by DrT's story "Re-Ordered", found on FicWad.
Disclaimer: Recognizable sections of this chapter come directly from Chapter 31 and 32 of "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire" by J.K. Rowling. I do not take claim to these. Only my own additions.
Chapter 1
Return And Resurrection
Thursday, June 24th, 1995
Minerva McGonagall was currently escorting Harry Potter toward the Quidditch Pitch, where the Third, and final, Task of the Triwizard Tournament would begin shortly. She was very concerned for the young man, who she sometimes thought of like a grandson, and was one of her favorite Lions of Gryffindor (however, if asked if she had favorite students, she would vehemently deny it).
Harry Potter had gone through so much over the past several months, ever since being entered involuntarily into the Triwizard Tournament. Truthfully, she could say that Harry had gone through so much since he had entered Hogwarts as a first year back in September of 1991! But this year was so much more terrible than anything Harry had faced, and she was happy and relieved that Harry had survived it so far.
So far...
The number one theory about why Harry was entered into the Triwizard Tournament was that someone had wanted him to be killed in the Tournament. He had done well enough in the first two Tasks, though he had been injured in the First Task. But now... whoever wanted to hurt the young man only had one more chance if they were, indeed, trying to interfere in the Tournament and kill him.
Minerva wanted so badly to help Harry and give him advice on what he should do in the hedge maze. She wanted to tell him of the magical creatures and various magical enchantments he could find there, but she could not. She, like all the other Professors, could not help him prepare for the Tasks. So all she could do was give him well wishes and wish him good luck.
And hope. Hope that the young Lion would be able to get through the Task alive, if not unharmed.
She barely glanced over at the young man who was walking beside her, if only so he wouldn't notice how concerned she was for his well-being.
And then something happened that made her focus on him more than she had been. Something that made her even more concerned than she had been.
Harry Potter collapsed bonelessly onto the ground, and seemed to have a brief seizure, before he went unconscious.
Harry Potter blinked his eyes open and found he was laying on his back. However, he was not on the grassy Grounds of Hogwarts Castle. He was in some kind of bright, white and very nondescript room. He looked around, and nearly yelped as he found that he was not alone. A man was standing near him, frowning and looking down at him. As Harry studied the man, he gasped out loud, as he realized who the man looked like.
"D-Dad?" Harry asked.
"I am not James Potter, though I can understand why you might think so," the man said, "Everyone always comments how much we look like our father..."
"'We?'" Harry echoed, "'Our?"
"Yes," the man said, "I am you, Harry... from the year 2019. What is today's date, for you?"
"June 24th, 1995," Harry said. "I was heading down to the Quidditch Pitch with Professor McGonagall for the..."
"The Third Task," Future!Harry said, then he nodded, "Not exactly when I had hoped to return, but it is, I admit, better than what it could have been. I wanted to return at least a month before now so I could do some things before the Third Task. I suppose I'll just have to rework my plans a bit."
"You traveled back in time," Harry realized, "Why? Was the future that bad?"
"Allow me to show you," Future!Harry said.
Future!Harry's memories went through the younger Harry's mind in a split-second, but he had seen everything. Being transported via Portkey from the maze to a graveyard. Cedric Diggory's death. Witnessing Voldemort's resurrection. Being attacked by two Dementors. The Order of the Phoenix. A sham trial. Having to put up with a vile woman named Dolores Umbridge, who had been the Defense Professor for Harry's fifth year, but was really there to cause havoc and take over the school.
And on and on it went... through the rest of fifth year. Sirius' death nearly caused Harry to faint again. And things just got worse. The Prophecy. Horcruxes, more death, more destruction. Wait... what was that about dating Ginny Weasley? He didn't even like her that way. What changed in the next year or so?
But then Harry defeated Voldemort at the climax of a huge battle where several people, including students and friends of Harry's, died.
Life continued after Voldemort's demise, with Harry dating Ginny Weasley more and getting married to her. Hermione getting married to Ron Weasley. Harry having children with Ginny. But Harry couldn't shake the fact that his life with Ginny seemed wrong.
Then he got his answer as to what was exactly wrong.
"No! Hermione!" Harry cried out as the story became clearer. "What happened to her? Oh... those... those bastards!"
"Coming back this far and being able to defeat Voldemort early," Future!Harry said, "while saving Cedric, and Sirius and everyone else who died – that's just a bonus, My real reason for being here is to make Ron, Ginny and Molly Weasley, and Albus Dumbledore pay for what they did to us. And, of course, to have a life with Hermione that I had once been robbed of.
"So now you understand. I wasn't supposed to fall in love with, and marry Ginny Weasley. Hermione and I were meant to fall in love, get married, have some beautiful children and live happily ever ater. But due to Molly giving Hermione and I Love Potions, the summer before sixth year, keyed to Ron and Ginny respectively – something those traitorous bastards certainly agreed with – that didn't happen. And Hermione paid for those mistakes with her life. Ron Weasley beat her and abused her on many occasions, and Ginny and Molly helped him cover it up. Until one day, Ron snapped and killed Hermione. And as you saw, I made them all pay for it."
"But even then you couldn't live wih the fact that she was gone," younger Harry said.
He couldn't blame his future self. Hermione had been his rock throughout the past year, when it came to the Triwizard Tournament. While Ron Weasley had shunned him for nearly a month, believing he entered his name in the Goblet of Fire, his friendship with Hermione remained solid, and grew even stronger. It was no surprise that he could fall in love with Hermione. He could still remember seeing her walk down the stairs toward the Entrance Hall the night of the Yule Ball. He could still remember how she had taken his breath away.
"Yes," Future!Harry said. "Even having the children around couldn't keep me happy."
"Because those children were reminders of yours and Ginny's, and Ron and Hermione's false relationships," younger Harry said, nodding. "But I don't understand. Where does Dumbledore come into this? I know he hid the Prophecy and the fact we're a Horcrux from us. But... what else did he do?"
"He was in on the Love Potion plot," Future!Harry said. "I found out that Dumbledore didn't want me and Hermione together, because she would help me become smarter and stronger. If I was with her, if I loved her, if I wanted to have a happy life with her, I wouldn't have gone into the Forest to meet Voldemort. I wouldn't have sacrificed myself..."
"Was it so bad?" younger Harry asked. "I mean... you survived it."
Future!Harry scoffed. "I shouldn't have had to do it in the first place. The Goblins of Gringotts can remove the Horcrux from our scar. If I had the proper relationship with the Goblins and Gringotts early on, instead of after I defeated Voldemort, they could have removed the Horcrux from my scar, and I wouldn't have had to get hit with a Killing Curse from Voldemort. No... Albus Dumbledore didn't tell me about the Horcrux in our head, because he wanted Voldemort to kill me. He didn't plan on dying, oh no. He planned on living to see Voldemort kill me, so he could kill Voldemort and lead the magical society of Great Britain as the Vanquisher of Voldemort, just as he had when he defeated Grindelwald. He didn't want to face the possibility of someone else taking over as the Leader of the Light, leaving him as simply another page in a history book.
"Dumbledore needs to be taken down a few notches. I plan on dealing with Dumbledore, the Weasleys, right along with Voldemort, his minions, and anyone else who wishes to cause me and my friends trouble."
"Like Umbridge... and Fudge," younger Harry said, nodding. "What about Snape? I saw in the memories... you seem to have some respect for him after his death. You named one of your sons after him... and Dumbledore!"
Future!Harry grimaced. "Albus Severus Potter was Ginny's idea, not mine. I understood after I discovered the Potions plot why she wanted to name our son that. Albus Dumbledore helped her enthrall me... and so did Snape... he and Molly brewed the Potions that Hermione and I were dosed with. And I think it was part of those concoctions of Potions that forced me to respect Dumbledore and Snape."
"Oh," younger Harry said, nodding. "So... what happens now? Do you... take over? Or what?"
"Not exactly," Future!Harry said. "We're going to merge. Magic, power, knowledge, skill, memories, et cetera. Together, when we merge, we'll be ready to do everything I want to do. This summer, I'm going be working on a few Potions, including nutrient potions and others of similar types. Most of these recipes I have planned haven't been discovered in this timeline, but I can make them anyway. All the ingredients are readily available in any Apothecary. These Potions will make us healthier, taller and stronger, when it comes to our body. There will be other benefits as well."
"Cool," younger Harry said, "That sounds brilliant!"
"It truly is," Future!Harry said, "Anyway, the main reason I am not going to take you over completely... is because it has been a long time since I was a teenager. I am, after all, thirty-nine years old. Without you, people like Dumbledore and Snape might figure out what is going on."
Harry didn't completely understand, but he nodded anyway. "Alright. So... what happens now?"
"Now, we wake up," Future!Harry said, "Professor McGonagall must be going out of her mind. Fortunately, we've only been out for less than a minute, so I doubt she could do too much. We'll just make up an excuse. Ready?"
Harry gulped and nodded. Then he blacked out again.
When he came to, Harry was laying on the grass of the Grounds of Hogwarts. Professor McGonagall was waving her wand over him.
Harry grunted to show he was awake.
"Oh, Har – Mr. Potter, you're awake!" McGonagall said. "Thank goodness! You collapsed and..."
"I'm fine, Professor," Harry cut in.
Much to McGonagall's consternation and fuss, Harry got to his feet.
"Mr. Potter, you shouldn't be standing!" McGonagall growled. "You fainted!"
"I'm fine, Professor," Harry repeated. "Just a bit overwhelmed. I believe you were taking me to the Quidditch Pitch."
"Well, I was, but now I believe I shall take you to the Hospital Wing!" McGonagall said. "Then I can tell the Headmaster we must delay the Task."
"No!" Harry growled., and continued before McGonagall could say anything. "Think, Professor! If we delay it, anything could happen. Bad things could happen. The powers that be – the Goblet of Fire or whatever – could decide that I am forfeiting, which means I could lose my magic!"
McGonagall stared at Harry, frowning. Then she sighed deeply. "You have a point, Mr. Potter. Are you sure you're able to compete? There is the option of beginning the Task then backing out. That would be enough for 'the powers that be', as you say."
"I'm fine, Professor," Harry repeated for a third time. "If I pussy out now -"
"Mr. Potter!" McGonagall gasped, "Language! You're lucky I'm feeling compassionate about your plight right now, or you'd be losing points and getting detention!"
Harry sighed. This was exactly why the future Harry was worried about completely taking over. Some of his behavior of his future self might show itself. He didn't care about minding his language in the future. He also was far more opinionated, as well as other things. He was no longer the malleable puppet Dumbledore had hoped he would be. He knew he'd have to watch himself, and allow his younger, present self to influence him. Otherwise his enemies, such as Dumbledore, would discover his game too early.
"If I back out now," Harry amended, "I will be the laughingstock of not only Gryffindor but Hogwarts as well. I might as well never show my face in Gryffindor Tower again! It is the home of the brave after all!"
McGonagall actually looked proud for a moment, before her expression sobered.
"I suppose you're right." McGonagall said, then sighed. "Fine... follow me, Mr. Potter. We'll go to the Quidditch Pitch. But you will allow Madam Pomfrey to look you over before you begin the Task."
"You mean she's going to be there?" Harry asked, with a sly grin, "And not in the Hospital Wing where you were thinking of bringing me?"
"You are as cheeky as your father at the worst of times, Mr. Potter," McGonagall groused.
"And you just sounded like Snape, Professor McGonagall," Harry replied.
"That's 'Professor Snape', Mr. Potter," McGonagall said.
"He calls me 'Potter', so I call him 'Snape'," Harry said, shrugging.
McGonagall sighed and shook her head. "Follow me, Mr. Potter. We cannot delay any longer. We're lucky your collapse hasn't gained any attention!"
Harry silently agreed as he followed the Transfiguration Professor. Luckily, none of the students had come out of Hogwarts just yet, to make their way down to the Quidditch Pitch. And neither Cedric, Fleur or Krum seemed to be nearby. He could imagine the looks on their faces if they had seen him collapse.
Maybe it would have been better if they saw me faint, Harry mused. Thinking I am nervous about the final Task. Thinking I am weak. It would let them underestimate me. Oh well... not like I really need them to underestimate me. There's no chance of them beating me.
Harry considered himself lucky that he had prepared himself for the maze in the future before he had traveled back to the past. He had considered waiting until he was back in the past to prepare for the maze. But he decided against that, in case something like this exact scenario happened – him arriving back in the past the day of the Third Task. The fact that he had arrived only mere minutes before the Task was rather disconcerting, but, as he told his younger self, it was doable.
His preparation for the maze in the future was diving into a Pensieve and studying his memories of the maze. He decided to use the same route, minus the many wrong turns and dead ends he had encountered the last time through. He would just get through the obstacles quicker than he had last time. With his magical knowledge and skills, he had no doubts he could get to the Cup long before Cedric did.
Cedric will not be going to the graveyard with me this time, Harry vowed. This time, he will live.
Soon, Harry and Professor McGonagall arrived at the Quidditch Pitch, which was just as Harry remembered it at this moment in time. The hedges were twenty-feet high, and Harry could see the four archways which led into the maze. Each champion would choose one of the entrances. Harry and Cedric would be going first, as they were tied for first in points leading up to the task.
Professor McGonagall led Harry over to Madam Pomfrey who was standing outside a makeshift Hospital Tent.
"Poppy, Mr. Potter fainted on the journey here," McGonagall said. "Could you check on him, please?"
"I cannot give him any Potions until after the Task, Minerva," Madam Pomfrey said, "That's the rules of the Tournament, no matter how much I wanted it to change. I can only look him over."
"Very well," McGonagall said.
As Madam Pomfrey readied her wand Harry waved his own hand where neither the Deputy Headmistress nor the Hogwarts Healer could see it. He cast a wandless, silent Compulsion Charm on Madam Pomfrey, so she wouldn't notice anything too off about him. He wasn't sure whether or not his recently merged forms of his future and present selves would be identifiable with Diagnostic Charms, especially this early on, but he didn't want to chance Madam Pomfrey discovering anything, and telling Dumbledore about it.
Harry was an expert at wandless and silent magic, having trained with it and mastering it during his career as an Auror. He had theorized, due to the merging, that he would be able to do wandless and silent magic in his fourteen year old body. He was quite happy to have it confirmed, as he noticed Madam Pomfrey's eyebrows flutter as the Compulsion Charm settled over her.
Madam Pomfrey waved her wand over him a few times, then smiled at Harry and Professor McGonagall.
"He doesn't seem to be affected from his bout of fainting," Madam Pomfrey said. "I have no complaints about him performing the Task."
"Truly?" McGonagall asked.
Madam Pomfrey merely nodded and smiled.
"I told you I was fine, Professor," Harry said.
"Well, it is nice to have it confirmed anyway, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said.
"If that is all," Harry said, "I need to get ready for the Task."
"Of course, Mr. Potter," McGonagall said, "Harry? Good luck this evening."
Harry was momentarily shocked that the strict Professor had called him by his first name. Even as an adult, she called him Mr. Potter or Lord Potter.
"Thank you, Professor," he said with a smile.
The students and other spectators were making their way to the seating areas, as Harry walked over to the other three Champions. Almost immediately, Harry found Hermione standing, smiling and waving in his direction. Ron, Ginny, Molly and Bill Weasley were all near Hermione, as were several other Gryffindors. Harry had to use his Occlumency abilities to calm himself down so he wouldn't express any of the emotions he felt for the three traitorous Weasleys, who dared to believe they were his friends. He simply waved and smiled, focusing on Hermione, even though the others would think he was waving at them as well.
Harry turned his attention to his three fellow Champions, all of whom were staring at the maze with different expressions. They all seemed focused on the task ahead, however, as none of them were glancing his way.
The sky was a deep, clear blue now, and the first stars were starting to appear. Hagrid, Professor Moody, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Flitwick came walking into the stadium and approached Bagman and the champions. They were wearing large, red, luminous stars on their hats, all except Hagrid, who had his on the back of his moleskin vest.
"We are going to be patrolling the outside of the maze," Professor McGonagall said to the champions. "If you get into difficulty, and wish to be rescued, send red sparks into the air, and one of us will come and get you, do you understand?"
The champions nodded.
"Off you go, then!" said Bagman brightly to the four patrollers.
"Good luck, Harry," Hagrid whispered.
The four Professors walked away in different directions, to station themselves around the maze.
Bagman now pointed his wand at his throat, muttered, "Sonorus," and his magically magnified voice echoed into the stands.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "the third and final task of the Triwizard Tournament is about to begin! Let me remind you how the points currently stand! Tied in first place, with eighty-five points each — Mr. Cedric Diggory and Mr. Harry Potter, both of Hogwarts School!" The cheers and applause sent birds from the Forbidden Forest fluttering into the darkening sky. "In second place, with eighty points — Mr. Viktor Krum, of Durmstrang Institute!" More applause. "And in third place — Miss Fleur Delacour, of Beauxbatons Academy!"
As a third round of applause rang from the spectators, Harry and Cedric made their way over to two of the four archways. Harry had made sure to stand nearest the same archway he had been in front of the last time around. He didn't want to risk the chance that Cedric might choose it, and he would have to go into a route he wasn't prepared for.
Harry looked toward Cedric, who glanced back at him. Harry gave him a small smile and a nod, which Cedric returned.
Sorry, Cedric, Harry said, Won't let you get anywhere near the Cup this time. You're going to live and have a happy, and healthy future, whether it is with Cho or not.
"So... on my whistle, Harry and Cedric!" said Bagman. "Three — two — one —"
He gave a short blast on his whistle, and Harry and Cedric hurried forward into the maze. The towering hedges cast black shadows across the path, and, whether because they were so tall and thick or because they had been enchanted, the sound of the surrounding crowd was silenced the moment they entered the maze.
Harry closed his eyes for a moment, as he focused on the memories of his Pensieve sessions, in which he studied the maze. He opened his eyes and cast a charm over himself, enhancing the speed of his jogging. He started forward through the maze, letting his memories guide him. By the time Bagman blew his whistle a second time, signalling Krum entering the maze, Harry was already several yards and a couple left and right turns into the maze. Owing to the Pensieve studies, he knew which directions to go, which paths to take, and how to avoid dead ends. Like last time, he hadn't encountered any obstacles by the time the sharp whistle rang out, announcing Fleur's entrance into the maze. He knew Crouch, Junior, posing as Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody was clearing a few obstacles for him.
He soon came upon one path in the maze where, during the last go around, he had run into Cedric Diggory, who had gotten on the wrong side of a Blast-Ended Skrewt. However, it appeared he had arrived there much sooner, owing to him avoiding dead ends. He simply hurried forward and immediately felt the obvious chilly air of a Dementor. However... owing to his Pensieve studies, he knew this wasn't a real Dementor.
"Riddikulus!" Harry exclaimed.
There was a loud crack, and the shape-shifter exploded in a wisp of smoke. Harry smirked and hurried forward. Again, he was able to avoid going toward a couple dead ends he had encountered the last time around.
Soon enough, he encountered a golden mist he remembered from his Pensieve studies. Harry cast an advanced charm he studied for this exact moment, and the golden mist vanished. Still, he cautiously moved forward until he reached where the mist had been. When nothing happened, he sighed in relief and hurried forward, having passed the obstacle.
Nearly five minutes later, five minutes of encountering nothing – Crouch, Junior seemed to working overtime, since he was doing so well in the maze – Harry heard Fleur Delacour scream out in fear and pain. He knew an Imperiused Viktor Krum had attacked her. Harry closed his eyes for a moment, and continued to move forward. He then recalled that he had been back at the golden mist the last time Fleur had been attacked by the Imperiused Krum. He was already five minutes ahead of schedule. This was a very good thing.
Another three minutes passed, easily avoiding a couple more wrong turns and dead ends, as he recalled the Pensieve studies. Soon, he encountered a Blast-Ended Skrewt.
"Flipendo, Bombarda, Impedimenta!" Harry exclaimed, casting a spell-chain of curses and hexes.
The Skrewt screeched in agitated pain as he was flipped over, then thrown backwards, then finally froze, all in only a couple of seconds. Harry cast an overpowered Stunning Spell on the vulnerable underside of the Skrewt, knocking it out for good as he ran past it, and hurried further into the maze.
After another five minutes, he came upon a familiar spot where, last time, he had encountered Cedric and Krum dueling, with Krum throwing Cruciatus Curses. However, due to the speed and lack of dead ends and wrong turns, Harry was at least five minutes – if not more – ahead of Cedric and Krum.
Harry continued moving forward, and three minutes later, he found what he was looking for: the Sphinx.
It had the body of an over-large lion: great clawed paws and a long yellowish tail ending in a brown tuft. Its head, however, was that of a woman. She turned her long, almond-shaped eyes upon Harry as he approached.
"I seek the path beyond you, great Sphinx," Harry said, calmly. "Give me your riddle, and I will answer it."
The Sphinx raised an eyebrow, then nodded. In a deep, hoarse voice, she said, "Answer on your first guess — I let you pass. Answer wrongly — I attack. Remain silent — I will let you walk away from me unscathed."
"Very well," Harry said.
The sphinx sat down upon her hind legs, in the very middle of the path, and recited:
"First think of the person who lives in disguise,
Who deals in secrets and tells naught but lies.
Next, tell me what's always the last thing to mend,
The middle of middle and end of the end?
And finally give me the sound often heard
During the search for a hard-to-find word.
Now string them together, and answer me this,
Which creature would you be unwilling to kiss?"
Harry sighed in relief. He had hoped it would be the same riddle as last time, and it was.
"The answer is a Spider, Great Sphinx," Harry said.
The sphinx smiled broadly. She got up, stretched her front legs, and then moved aside for him to pass. Harry merely nodded at her with respect, which she returned, and he hurried forward.
Two minutes later, he turned a corner and saw – at the far end of the path – the Triwizard Cup. However, he knew the obstacles weren't finished. He knew what he was about to encounter. Last time, he had injured his leg due to this encounter, which had caused him a lot of pain during his time in the graveyard, and had definitely reduced his mobility. This time, he would not, could not, let that happen. If he was injured before he reached the graveyard, it would make his plan far more difficult.
He inhaled and exhaled, focusing himself, then headed forward. Halfway down the path, he heard movement to his left. He turned and found a large Acromantula heading toward his direction. He immediately cast several lethal and powerful spells, including Bombardments and others toward the large spider. He aimed several spells toward the legs and on either side of the spider just in case it tried to dodge. The spells hit two of the spider's legs, followed by a Bombardment directly to the face. The Acromantula screeched in pain as it was thrown backwards through the air. Harry cast an overpowered Stunning Spell to make sure the spider stayed down. Then he turned and walked toward the Triwizard Cup. As he reached the cup, he inhaled and exhaled. He knew what needed to happen. He had prepared for this moment.
Harry grabbed the handle of the Triwizard Cup with one hand and felt the familiar tug of his navel as the Portkey activated. A swirl of color and a gust of wind surrounded him as he traveled with the Portkey. As it slowed down, he pushed his legs forward, in a walking motion, as he landed on the ground.
Sure enough, he was standing in the graveyard.
Time for a little show, Harry mused.
"Uh – er – I suppose this must be part of the Task then," Harry said, faking a timid, unsure tone, "So what do I need to do now then?"
He pointed his wand forward, then heard what he was waiting for: Peter Pettigrew, also known as Wormtail, cast an Expelliarmus. Harry dropped his wand, near the Triwizard Cup Portkey, before the Disarming Hex could reach him, and was relieved when it didn't go toward Wormtail instead.
Wormtail walked toward him, pointing his wand – or rather Voldemort's wand – at Harry.
"You!" Harry snarled, though he was mostly acting at the moment.
"Y-yes, it is me, H-Harry!" Wormtail stammered. "S-surprised to s-see me?"
"What do you want?" Harry asked.
Harry knew it was coming, and he allowed it to happen. Ropes appeared from Voldemort's wand and wrapped around Harry. Harry fell over, then was brought back to his feet with another spell. He was lifted into the air and found himself floating over toward a marble headstone, which he knew belonged to Voldemort's Muggle father. Soon enough, he was tied to the headstone, his back pressed against the marble. Once sure that Harry was bound so tightly to the headstone that he couldn't move an inch, Wormtail drew a length of some black material from the inside of his cloak and stuffed it roughly into Harry's mouth; then, without a word, he turned from Harry and hurried away.
Harry rolled his eyes. He didn't mind the gag or the ropes. He'd easily be able to do away with all of it, but he couldn't do it yet. He had to wait for the opportune moment.
He could hear noises at his feet. He looked down and saw a gigantic snake slithering through the grass, circling the headstone where he was tied.
I'll deal with you and the Horcrux inside of you soon enough, Maledictus, Harry vowed.
Wormtail's fast, wheezy breathing was growing louder again. It sounded as though he was forcing something heavy across the ground. Then he came back within Harry's range of vision, and Harry saw him pushing a stone cauldron to the foot of the grave. He then begun to prepare what would ultimately be the ritual that would bring Lord Voldemort back to a full body.
Would you hurry up, Wormtail? Harry mused, I don't have all night!
Wormtail walked away, out of view, again, and returned a minute later, carrying what Harry knew was the homonculus form of Lord Voldemort.
"Is it ready, Wormtail?!" Voldemort hissed.
"It is nearly ready, M-Master," Wormtail stammered, "S-Sorry it was not ready s-sooner. The boy m-made it here quicker than was assumed. Junior m-must have b-been rather eager to m-make sure the b-boy made it through the m-maze."
"Of course he was," Voldemort hissed, "He is my most loyal servant, after all. Now silence yourself, and get your task done! Now!"
A moment passed, and the whole surface of the water was alight with sparks.
"It is ready, Master," Wormtail said.
"Now," Voldemort hissed.
Wormtail lowered Voldemort into the cauldron; there was a hiss, and the homonculus vanished below the surface; Harry heard its frail body hit the bottom with a soft thud.
Wormtail was speaking. His voice shook; he seemed frightened beyond his wits. He raised his wand, closed his eyes, and spoke to the night.
"Bone of the father, unknowingly given, you will renew your son!"
The surface of the grave at Harry's feet cracked. Harry watched as a fine trickle of dust rose into the air at Wormtail's command and fell softly into the cauldron. The surface of the water broke and hissed; it sent sparks in all directions and turned a vivid, poisonous-looking blue.
And now Wormtail was whimpering. He pulled a long, thin, shining silver dagger from inside his cloak. His voice broke into petrified sobs.
"Flesh — of the servant — w-willingly given — you will — revive — your master."
He stretched his right hand out in front of him — the hand with the missing finger. He gripped the dagger very tightly in his left hand and swung it upward. Harry watched, with a cold smirk, as Wormtail brought the dagger down and cut off his hand at the wrist. Wormtail screamed out in agony and pain as his hand fell to the ground with a sickening thud. Wormtail picked up his hand and threw it into the cauldron with a splash.
Ignoring what the cauldron was doing, Harry wandlessly and silently cast a numbing charm on his arms. He knew what was about to happen, and he didn't need the pain to distract him.
"B-blood of the enemy... forcibly taken... you will... resurrect your foe," Wormtail chainted.
The dagger came down on Harry's arm, slicing it open. Though he felt no pain due to the numbing charms, he let out a scream, so Wormtail would think he was feeling the pain. It seemed to work, because Wormtail made a satisfied sneer in Harry's direction as he collected a few drops of blood on the dagger.
As soon as Wormtail turned around, Harry cast a Notice-Me-Not Charm on himself, then cast silent charms on his gag and ropes. By the time Wormtail was dropping the blood into the cauldron, Harry was free of his bindings.
Harry wasn't paying attention to the Cauldron at all. He knew what was going on, but he needed to be ready to make his move. He was mindful of where Nagini the Maledictus was, but he also knew his Notice-Me-Not was so powerful that Nagini wouldn't notice him until he lifted it. Harry crept over to the Triwizard Cup, collected his wand from the ground and waited.
He watched as the cauldron began to spit and bubble. As soon as he saw Voldemort began to rise out of the cauldron, Harry pointed his wand at Nagini, while watching Wormtail who was distracted, watching his Master rise again.
He cast a silent Cutting Curse toward Nagini, and the serpent cried out in shock and pain as the Curse sliced off its head. The dark, black vapor that used to be the Horcrux, screeched as it dissipated into nothing, causing Wormtail to turn toward the sound.
Harry lifted the Notice-Me-Not Charm, then pointed his wand toward Wormtail.
"Accio Voldemort's Wand!" Harry exclaimed, "Accio Peter Pettigrew!"
Wormtail yelped as Voldemort's wand was torn from his remaining hand and zoomed over to Harry. Harry caught it. Even before the wand reached Harry's hand, Wormtail was being thrown through the air toward him. Wormtail landed on the ground, and Harry cast a Stunning Spell on him.
Voldemort was still standing in the cauldron, but he was looking at Harry with an angry expression. Harry pocketed Voldemort's wand, grabbed Wormtail's hand, then waved at the enraged and shocked – and newly resurrected – Voldemort. He then brought his hand down onto the Cup portkey.
As he felt that familiar pull of his navel, Harry heard the enraged Voldemort scream out in frustration for a moment, before it was muffled by the wind whipping around him.
A moment later, Harry, Wormtail, and Voldemort's wand were on their way back to Hogwarts, leaving Voldemort in the graveyard alone with nothing but the corpse of his trusted familiar.
And so my newest story has begun! I hoped you liked this chapter, packed with action and mystery, and a probably a few unanswered questions. I know I was a bit brief and mysterious with the explanation of what happened in Future!Harry's future. It will be explained more in Chapter 4.
Voldemort knows nothing of Harry's ability to use wandless and silent casting. He was still 'cooking' and ressurecting when Harry unbound himself, so neither he nor Wormtail noticed Harry escaping his binds. Also, Nagini's death won't cause Voldemort to think Harry knows of the Horcruxes. He'll just believe Harry was defending himself against the snake.
Also, I am sure you're wondering why Harry didn't do anything to stop Voldemort's resurrection. He needed Voldemort to have an actual body, so he could be defeated in the future – after the other Horcruxes are dealt with.
Next Chapter: Harry returns to Hogwarts with Wormtail and Voldemort's wand, and his evening is only just beginning! What will Harry do next? How will he deal with Fudge, Crouch, Junior, Dumbledore and others? Find out next chapter! The second chapter will be uploaded a few hours after the first one does (on the same day this one is publshed).
Chapter 2
White Lies and Dark Truths
Author's Note: 40+ Reviews for the first chapter in only a few hours! That is awesome! Thank you for all the wonderful comments so far, and I am happy so many readers are excited for this story!
As per usual in most of my stories, Amelia is the same age as Sirius, Remus, Snape and Wormtail. And Harry's paternal grandparents were Charlus and Dorea Potter. Fleamont and Euphemia were Charlus' parents.
Warning: Severe Character Bashing: Albus Dumbledore
Thursday, June 24th, 1995
Harry Potter, the Stunned form of Peter "Wormtail" Pettgirew, and the Triwizard Cup landed on the ground at the entrance of the maze with a crashing thud. A loud cheer erupted from the spectators, all of whom obviously thought Harry was simply returning from the maze. Harry sat up as Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagall hurried forward toward him.
"It's Harry!" McGonagall exclaimed, "But there's someone else too! Who is that with him?!"
"That," Harry said, getting to his feet, "is Peter Pettigrew!"
"Impossible!" Cornelius Fudge growled.
The Minister of Magic arrived, with Ludo Bagman and Madam Amelia Bones, Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. Harry raised an eyebrow as he looked at Amelia Bones. He certainly didn't remember her being there the last time around.
"Everyone knows Pettigrew is dead!" Fudge exclaimed, "Sirius Black killed him!"
"Obviously not," Harry said, "As he is right here. The Triwizard Cup was a Portkey. It brought me to a graveyard. I thought it was part of the Task. Pettigrew appeared and he and I dueled. I hit him with a Cutting Curse, which hit his wand hand, cutting it off at the wrist, allowing me to summon his wand and defeat him. I Stunned him, then held his good hand when I touched the Cup again. And it brought me here."
It was a lie, but it was a necessary lie. A story he had prepared for this occasion. After all, he had used a Cutting Curse on Nagini, so if his wand was checked for spells, the Cutting Curse would be found, making his story believable. Obviously, he wasn't going to announce Voldemort's return in front of everyone, especially Cornelius Fudge who he knew would definitely not believe him. He would wait for the rest of the explanation for when he met in private with Dumbledore and others.
Harry then eyed a certain 'Professor' lurking in the background.
"During the duel," Harry said, "Pettigrew couldn't help but brag about certain things. I asked him if he was responsible for placing me in the Triwizard Tournament. He denied it and told me who really did. Stupefy!"
Harry pointed his wand toward the imposter Moody as he cast the Stunning Spell.
Dumbledore, McGonagall, Fudge, Bagman and several spectators gasped as 'Moody' fell to the ground, Stunned.
"What is the meaning of this, Potter?!" Fudge growled. "Bones, arrest him for attacking Alastor Moody!"
"That is not Alastor Moody," Harry said. "That is Bartemius Crouch, Junior using Polyjuice Potion!"
"Lies!" Fudge exclaimed, "Crouch, Junior is dead!"
Harry rolled his eyes. He saw Severus Snape walking over to the Stunned Moody.
"Professor Snape?" Harry asked, "Would you please take a sniff of the flask he is carrying?. Let us know what you find."
Snape glared at him, then looked toward Dumbledore. Dumbledore merely bowed his head and nodded. Snape found the flask then sniffed at it, and jerked his head away.
"Polyuice Potion," Snape said, "It seems Potter is correct. This is not Alastor Moody."
Severus waved his wand at the Stunned form of Moody. Harry recognized it as a charm that did away with Polyjuice Potion effects on a person. If he wasn't Stunned, Harry knew the impostor would be screaming in pain due to the forced change. The fake leg popped out from its socket, and the fake, magical eye did too as the impostor's body returned to its true form.
"Bartemius Crouch, Junior," Snape said, as he gazed at the man in shock. "Alive and well, it would seem."
"So, Minister Fudge," Harry said. "It seems we have two men here who were thought to be dead, who aren't actually dead."
Fudge blustered and stammered, but said nothing.
"Director Bones?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Mr. Potter?" Amelia replied.
"I assume you will take custody of these two men?" Harry asked.
Amelia smiled. "Of course, Mr. Potter."
"Now wait just a minute here!" Fudge exclaimed.
"Is something wrong, Minister?" Amelia asked. "These two obviously need to be questioned so we can discover why they are not dead. That is my job, Minister. Is it not?"
"I... well... yes, yes, of course it is," Fudge said, then turned to Harry. "Ah... Mr. Potter. Er... congratulations on winning the Triwizard Tournament!"
The crowd, which had been hushed as they watched the spectacle in front of them, cheered loudly as Harry was proclaimed the winner. Fudge was obviously elated by the reaction and he turned around to the crowd. Harry refrained from rolling his eyes. Fudge was just trying to get good publicity since he had obviously been 'fudging' things up since he confronted Harry.
"Tomorrow evening, there will be a presentation in the Great Hall," Fudge continued, "Where we will give Mr. Potter his winnings, and present Hogwarts, as a whole, with the Triwizard Cup!"
The crowd cheered again. Harry looked around. Using this as a distraction, Harry cast a wandless, silent Confundus Charm toward the Stunned Crouch, Junior. Like Pettigrew, he didn't want Crouch to mention Voldemort to Amelia or any other interrogator before Harry could give the explanation to Amelia.
Dumbledore raised his wand to his throat.
"Students, staff and guests, thank you for being here and supporting the Champions this evening!" Dumbledore said, mostly to the spectators. "Please make your way back to the castle."
He then turned to Harry. "Mr. Potter, would you please come with me so we can discuss the events of this evening after you were transported away from the maze?"
Harry knew exactly what Dumbledore wanted. Obviously the old man knew Harry hadn't been entirely truthful about what had happened.
"Albus!" Minerva scolded, "Mr. Potter has been through much this evening. He needs to be looked over by Poppy. I mean... look at his arm! He's obviously been injured."
"Pettigrew did it," Harry said, aiming a kick at the Stunned body of Wormtail, "He cast a cutting charm, and it hit my arm when I shield my body with it. I cast a numbing charm on it. It doesn't hurt much at the moment. I am willing to meet with Professor Dumbledore, then I will go to the Hospital Wing. I promise."
"Thank you, Harry," Dumbledore said; he turned to Madam Bones who was still watching the scene. "Madam Bones, you may use anything inside the castle to aide you with Mr. Pettigrew and Crouch, Junior. I am sure you need to summon some Aurors to escort these two back to the Ministry."
"Thank you, Albus," Amelia said. "I believe I'll take you up on that offer. I'll use one of your classrooms to put these two in."
"Something tells me the real Alastor Moody is somewhere in the castle," Dumbledore said. "If you will, please try to get his location from young Barty, please."
"I will need to use Veritaserum to do it, Albus," Amelia said.
"Of course," Dumbledore said. "Severus, Minerva and Filius will assist you with whatever you need."
McGonagall, Flitwick and Snape all nodded. Harry stealthily cast a silent Confundus Charm toward the Stunned Pettgirew so, even under Veritaserum, he would give Harry's version of the story. Harry wanted to give the real story of Voldemort's return to Madam Bones himself.
"If that is all, I must escort young Mr. Potter back to the castle," Dumbledore said.
"One moment, sir," Harry said. "Madam Bones? Pettigrew is a rat Animagus. Be sure to make sure you use Anti-Animagus enchantments wherever you place him."
"Thank you, Mr. Potter," Amelia said. "I will certainly take that under advisement."
"Thank you, Harry," Dumbledore said, "Please follow me. I assure you, Pettigrew and Crouch, Junior will not be going anywhere, with Madam Bones in charge."
Amelia nodded firmly in agreement. Harry followed Dumbledore out of the stadium, and they headed toward the castle. Halfway through the journey, a large black dog hurried up to them and started following them toward the castle. Harry blinked back tears as he realized it was Sirius Black in his Animagus form.
"It seems you have a loyal protector this evening, Harry," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling as he looked at Padfoot. "I will, of course, allow him inside the castle."
"Thank you, Professor," Harry said, then smirked. "I promise, he is house-trained."
Padfoot barked loudly, and Harry wasn't sure if it was in annoyance or agreement. Dumbledore merely chuckled.
"I trust you are correct," Dumbledore said.
"Perhaps you can allow him 'sanctuary'," Harry said, "Perhaps we could introduce him to Amelia Bones before she leaves with Pettigrew and Crouch, Junior this evening."
Harry noted Dumbledore's obvious hesitation, before the man bowed his head and smiled.
"If the opportunity arises, I will, of course, allow it to happen," Dumbledore said. "But yes, we can allow a bit of sanctuary for this fine animal."
Padfoot barked happily and Harry allowed himself a small smile. He knew Dumbledore wasn't exactly happy about how the current events were playing themselves out. After all, if Sirius was a free man, he would have a lot of power when it came to helping Harry in the future. Whether it be as Harry's guardian, or simply Lord Black on the Wizengamot.
"What happened to Cedric, Fleur and Krum, sir?" Harry asked. "I heard Fleur scream in the maze."
"Ah, yes, they are all fine and currently being looked after by Madam Pomfrey," Dumbledore said. "Viktor Krum was reported to have been suffering under the exposure of the Imperius Curse. He used a Cruciatus Curse on Fleur Delacour. Cedric Diggory found him in the maze, still suffering under the Imperius Curse, and Stunned him, then threw up red sparks. It was around that time when it was reported that you took the Cup, winning the Task and the Tournament. We were quite worried when you did not return back to the front of the maze immediately, like you were supposed to. It would seem now that Bartemius Crouch, Junior, posing as Professor Moody, used the Imperius Curse on Mr. Krum to eliminate your opponents."
"Which would make it easier for me to get to the Cup," Harry said, "Which would take me to the graveyard. I see."
"Yes," Dumbledore said. "We were all most confused about why Krum was under the Imperius. Karkaroff was blaming Diggory for it, as he was the one who Stunned the Durmstrang Champion. But I argued that Fleur Delacour was hit with the Cruciatus long before Cedric fought Krum. So if Krum wasn't under the Imperius when he tortured Champion Delacour..."
"Krum would be guilty of using an Unforgviable," Harry said.
"Yes," Dumbledore agreed. "Karkaroff withdrew his complaints after that. We were still arguing about all of it, and were quite worried as to why you hadn't returned to us when you touched the Cup. You returned shortly after that. It seems our questions have been answered now."
"Not all of them," Harry said. "I'll explain more when we get to your office, where our conversation wil be private."
"Of course," Dumbledore agreed, "I look forward to the explanation."
Twenty minutes later, Harry, Padfoot and Dumbledore walked into the Headmaster's Office. Dumbledore conjured a couple of chairs on the nearest side of his desk. He then walked around the desk.
"You may return to your normal form, Mr. Black," Dumbledore said, as he sat down, "Nobody here will cause you any grief."
Harry watched as Padfoot hesitated for a brief moment before he returned to his human form, revealing Sirius Black. Sirius grinned as he gazed at his godson.
Harry embraced his godfather, allowing a couple tears to fall down his face.
"Hello, dogfather," Harry said, "It is so good to see you."
Sirius barked out a laugh at 'dogfather'. "Hello, pup. It is good to see you too." He backed away from the hug. "You did it, Harry! You captured Wormtail!"
"I did," Harry said, smiling. "I brought him back with me so you could be free. I wasn't going to let him get away again, like he did a year ago."
"And that is a story I would very much like to hear, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said. "Please, sit down, the both of you."
Harry and Sirius sat down in the two chairs.
"Forgive me, Harry," Dumbledore said. "But I could tell you weren't telling everyone the whole story about what happened to you this evening. I believe you also might have told some white lies."
"How dare you accuse my godson of lying, Dumbledore!" Sirius growled.
"Sirius," Harry said, "It is alright. I did lie this evening about what happened."
Sirius looked at him in surprise for a moment, then he nodded soberly. "I assume you had a good reason?"
"Yes," Harry said. "I didn't want to let all the innocent students and spectators hear what really happened. Also... well... Professor, you saw how Fudge was acting tonight. Barking on about how Pettigrew and Crouch, Junior were dead when the evidence that they were alive was right in front of him."
"Yes," Dumbledore said, "Cornelius' behavior was most regrettable this evening."
"As far as I can tell," Harry said, "Minister Fudge is simply a peacetime Minister, who buries his head in the sand, instead of doing his job correctly. If I told him what truly happened, he would likely vehemently deny it, and maybe even try to do damage control and slander my good name – well, more than it has already been slandered this year by Skeeter and the Priophet."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "That is very wise of you, Harry. Yes, I do agree that Cornelius would likely try to bury what truly happened this evening from the public. So... what did really happen tonight?"
Harry embellished the story a bit, and told a few white lies, but he told Dumbledore and Sirius most of the story. He didn't want to let Dumbledore know he could do wandless and silent casting. So he merely explained that Wormtail must not have tied the bindings around his hands too tight, and his Binding Hex was poorly cast, which gave Harry the opportunity to free himself easily.
"When Wormtail was preoccupied with the Cauldron, I crept away from the headstone back toward the Portkey. Voldemort's snake familiar came close, and I didn't want her to reveal that I was free, So I killed her with a Cutting Curse, chopping off her head. Unfortunately, Wormtail noticed. So I summoned the wand in his hand, and summoned him as well. When he landed near me, I stunned him."
"Impressive work, Harry," Dumbledore said, "It is most difficult to summon a human being successfully."
"I was working on adrenaline and trying to get out of there alive," Harry said. "So obviously I put a bit of power into my spells."
"Completely understandable," Dumbledore said, nodding.
"By the time I was ready to escape with Wormtail and the Portkey," Harry said, "Voldemort was rising out of the Cauldron. He didn't step out of the Cauldron before I escaped, but I must assume he is now resurrected in a full body."
"That is probably a good assumption, Mr. Potter," Dumbledore said, with a frown. "It would seem Lord Voldemort has returned."
"Well, shite!" Sirius muttered.
"Do you still have the wand Pettigrew used?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry took the wand out of one of his robe pockets and placed it on Dumbledore's desk.
"It is Voldemort's wand, isn't it?" Harry asked.
Dumbledore frowned as he looked down at the wand, then up at Harry. "I believe you are right, Mr. Potter."
"So old Voldy is back, but he doesn't have his wand?" Sirius asked.
"Oh, I am sure he will find a way to obtain a wand sooner rather than later," Dumbledore said, sighing. "With the capture of Pettigrew and Crouch, Junior – both of whom, I assume, were Voldemort's closest followers over the past several months, Voldemort will have to find assistance elsewhere. If he hasn't already, he will likely summon his Inner Circle of Death Eaters – those not in Azkaban."
"Maybe he can't," Harry said.
"What do you mean?" Sirius asked.
"How does he contact the Death Eaters?" Harry asked, "Was there ever any information about how he did that. I know Death Eaters have Dark Mark Tatoos. Does he use those? Like... I don't know... point a wand on a tattoo, and it summons the other Death Eaters?"
"I do not know," Dumbledore admitted. "I must research that. However, somehow I doubt it, Harry. That would make him have to have a follower around him at all times. I doubt he wanted to summon his followers that way. It would make him kind of... subservient to them... in a way. But it is an interesting question, Mr. Potter. One that even I hadn't thought of. I will, indeed, think on this."
Harry rolled his eyes. He knew he was right, after all, having witnessed Voldemort use Wormtail's tattoo the last time around to summon the other Death Eaters in the graveyard. But Dumbledore, believing he was all-knowing and wiser than anyone else, would of course have disagreed with them.
How was I so oblivious the last time around about his 'I'm always correct and you're always wrong', attitude? Harry asked himself, "God damned sociopathic megalomaniac! It will be my pleasure to end you, Dumbledore, but not before taking you down several notches!
"Well, if I am right," Harry said, deciding to emphasize the fact that he thought he was correct, and show the old bastard that he wasn't always going to agree with whatever the 'Leader of the Light' said, like most of magickind did, "this might give us some time to prepare. At least... for the rest of the evening... to prevent Voldemort from getting another wand in the obvious way."
"You are speaking of Mr. Ollvander?" Sirius asked. "You think he'll go to him?"
"I doubt he would, himself, go to Diagon Alley," Dumbledore said. "He would send one of his followers there."
"Which he may not have right now," Sirius said. "Or, if Harry is right, doesn't have an immediate way to summon one. I see what Harry means now. But I'll let you say it, Harry. This is your idea, after all."
"Perhaps you, Headmaster, or someone else, should speak to Mr. Ollivander?" Harry suggested. "Voldemort might kidnap him – or, as you alluded to, have one of his followers do it – so the man would make him a custom wand. Mr. Ollivander might want to take precautions to prevent this."
"That is a very good suggestion, indeed, Harry," Dumbledore said, "I will make sure it happens. With Ollivander no longer an option, Voldemort might try to use one of his follower's wands, and as Garrick – Mr. Ollivander, that is – likes to say, 'the wand chooses the wizard'. Any wand he may take from one of his followers may not work as optimal as his would."
"Which may lessen his power, and therefore make him less of a threat," Harry said, nodding.
"Oh, he would still be a threat, of course," Dumbledore said, "But yes, an improper wand would impede him greatly."
"So what do we do now?" Sirius asked. "Should we go to this graveyard and see if he is still there? If he is wandless, he would be easy to capture or kill."
"I think not," Dumbledore said. "We do not know what we would encounter. Also, I believe that, with no wand, Voldemort may have already retreated back to his hiding spot."
"I suppose you might be right," Sirius conceded, "I believe our first move would be to bring back the Order of the Phoenix. The Order of the Phoenix, Harry, is -"
"A vigilante group you led during Voldemort's first reign of power," Harry cut in, "I am aware. Someone – Hermione I think? - told me about it. They probably got it from a book about yourself."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Ah, yes, that is very likely. I, myself, have read most of the biographies about me, official or otherwise. It is nice to read about adventures I do not remember taking, and facts about myself that even I didn't know were true!"
"Kind of like those 'Boy-Who-Lived' and 'Harry Potter adventure' books written about me," Harry said. "If I really slayed a dragon when I was five years old, it would have truly helped me with the First Task!"
Sirius barked out a laugh.
"Quite so!" Dumbledore said, with a soft chuckle.
"I believe reforming the Order of the Phoenix should be your second move, Headmaster," Harry said, firmly. "The first move should be setting up a meeting between Amelia Bones and Sirius. With Pettigrew's capture, Director Bones should soon realize that Sirius is innocent. I believe Sirius should stay here, under the right of Sanctuary, until he is able to get a trial."
"Sounds good to me!" Sirius barked. "When I obtain my freedom, then I can help you with the Order of the Phoenix, Albus. That is a promise. I might even have a good idea where the Order can meet in secret – perhaps even set up Headquarters."
Harry knew Sirius was suggesting #12 Grimmauld Place. He was rather surprised Sirius would suggest going back to the house of his childhood, a place he had hated. Harry then realized it was a bribe. In other words Sirius was saying 'scratch my back and secure my freedom, and I'll scratch yours and give the Order a proper place for Headquarters'.
Harry, however, was quite happy for Sirius to suggest his old house. It meant Harry could get in there sometime during the summer, and deal with the locket Horcrux.
"I was considering asking my brother if we could use the basement of the Hog's Head," Dumbledore said, "Which was, of course, a location we used last time. But your suggestion might, in fact, be better."
"Yes, and it has several bedrooms," Sirius said. "So Order members could sleep there, as could their family members if they need protection."
"A wise idea," Dumbledore agreed,. "Very well, I will ask Madam Bones to come here and meet with us."
"I could also tell her the story of what really happened tonight, sir," Harry said.
"Won't she get the true story from Wormtail?" Sirius asked, confused.
Harry shook his head. "I hit him with a Confundus Charm, so he would tell the story I wanted him to tell. Even under Veritaserum."
"And how did you discover that Confundus Charms were a counter to Veritaserum, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"I read about it," Harry replied, easily.
Dumbledore frowned, then nodded. "Is it wise to reveal the true story to the Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, Harry? After all, her boss is Cornelius Fudge. I thought you didn't want him to have this information, which is likely if we inform Madam Bones."
"I believe I can trust Madam Bones not to bandy about the information carelessly," Harry said, firmly. "As the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, she needs to know the threat of Voldemort has returned. Perhaps, with the Order's help, she can improve the MLE and Auror Departments in case they are needed... without Fudge, his lackeys, nor the Wizengamot, finding out the real reason."
"It is a good idea, Albus," Sirius said. "We could invite Amy into the Order. I know last time, she denied an invitation into the Order. But she was just a lowly apprentice back then. This time, she could be a great help with the coming troubles. She could bring in some Aurors to the Order as well."
Dumbledore didn't reply for nearly a minute. He merely looked down at his hands, which were set as if he was praying, and was obviously debating internally with himself. It was obvious the old man wasn't a fan of Madam Bones, and Harry knew why. She was a headstrong, opinionated and highly skilled woman who didn't put up with most of Dumbledore's bullshit. Also, she was the youngest DMLE Director in history, which was quite impressive. Dumbledore didn't like her because she would likely, and loudly, oppose his 'Greater Good' plan.
"I think I can agree with this strategy," Dumbledore finally said, which surprised Harry, who thought the old man would have outright denied bringing Madam Bones into the fold, "Very well. Hazel!"
An elderly house-elf appeared near Dumbledore.
"You called, Master Head Dumbledore?" the house-elf asked.
"Hazel, find Madam Bones, who is currently inside the castle," Dumbledore said, "and ask her to come to my office as soon as possible. Tell her the password is 'Tootsie Rolls'."
"Yes, Master Head Dumbledore," the house-elf said, before it vanished.
"Ah, Tootsie Rolls," Dumbledore said, "A most delightful confection. Speaking of confection, would either of you like a lemon drop? I am sorry I did not offer them earlier. Treating yourself to one would pass the time whilst we wait for Madam Bones."
Neither Harry nor Sirius accepted the offer. Dumbledore sighed and picked up a lemon drop then popped it in his mouth.
"Why does everyone deny my offer to treat themselves to a lemon drop?" Dumbledore asked, mostly to himself.
Neither Harry nor Sirius answered him.
Madam Amelia Bones, Director of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, was currently making her way toward the Headmaster's Office. She had left Peter Pettigrew and Bartemius Crouch, Junior with Filius Flitwick and Severus Snape. She did not trust Severus Snape to be alone with the two Death Eaters, especially as she wasn't one-hundred percent sure Snape was no longer allied with the Death Eaters. She trusted that Filius Flitwick, a renowned Dueling Champion, would be able to stop Snape if he tried to free Pettigrew and Crouch, Junior. Minerva McGonagall was currently searching for the real Alastor Moody, after Crouch, Junior had revealed, with the help of Veritaserum, where he was keeping the old Auror prisoner.
Speaking of Veritaserum... Amelia thought about Pettigrew's interrogation. After confirming Harry Potter's tale about what happened that evening, she switched her focus to what happened back in 1981. She almost cried when it was confirmed that Sirius Black – whom she had once been very close to – was actually completely innocent of all his crimes! Pettigrew was the true Secret Keeper of the Potters. Pettigrew was the one who killed those Muggles! He had framed Sirius Black and had escaped in his Animagus form. Thank goodness Mr. Potter had warned her about his Animagus form. She had placed the enchantments on the classroom she had put the two prisoners in, and as soon as Wormtail was woken up, he had attempted to change into his rat form. He was quite surprised to find he could not transform.
Now, I need to figure out where Sirius Black is hiding, Amelia mused, Maybe Albus knows? Or... maybe... Harry Potter knows?
She theories that Black had been in contact with Potter, in the time since his escape from Azkaban.
Amelia soon found herself in front of the gargoyle statue that was guarding the passageway to the Headmaster's Office.
"Tootsie Rolls?" Amelia said.
She had never heard of Tootsie Rolls before, but she assumed it was a Muggle confection of some kind. Dumbledore loved candy so much that he always used candy names for his password.
The stone gargoyle nodded and jumped to the side, revealing the winding staircase. Amelia ascended the stairs, and came upon a door, which opened as she approached it. Amelia walked into Dumbledore's office, and found the Headmaster sitting behind his desk. She wasn't surprised to find Harry sitting in a chair on the nearest side of the desk. She was, however, surprised to see a large black dog laying on the ground near Mr. Potter's chair. She knew that the dog wasn't a normal dog, but an Animagus. And she knew exactly who the dog really was.
"Greetings Albus, Mr. Potter," Amelia said, then looked down at the dog, "Well, well. Long time, no see... Sirius Black."
(Moments earlier...)
Harry Potter glanced down at Padfoot, who was laying in wait for Madam Bones. Sirius had transformed into his Animagus form, after Dumbledore announced that Amelia was approaching the gargoyle guardian.
Harry heard the door to Dumbledore's office open, and turned around to find Madam Amelia Bones entering the room.
"Greetings Albus, Mr. Potter," Amelia said, then looked down at Padfoot, "Well, well. Long time, no see... Sirius Black."
Harry's eyes widened, and he had a hex ready on his tongue to cast at the Director of the DMLE. He did not want to show his wandless, silent casting abilities in front of Dumbledore, but if Madam Bones dared to attack his godfather, he would have to risk it.
Padfoot transformed back into Sirius, who was now on his knees in a pleading stance.
"I'm innocent, Amy!" Sirius said, "You have to believe me!"
It was a tense moment, as Harry stared at Amelia, waiting for her response. He sighed in immense relief when a smile formed on the Director's face.
"I believe you, Sirius," Amelia said, "Pettigrew has told me everything, including what happened back in '81. Why didn't you come to me sometime in the past couple of years, Sirius?! You could have told me what really happened!"
"What was I supposed to believe, Amy?" Sirius asked. "You're the Director of the DMLE. I thought you would have investigated my case already, and decided I was guilty! I didn't even get a trial back then, you know!"
Amelia's eyes widened, then her eyebrows narrowed and she looked toward Dumbledore.
"Why wasn't I informed until just now, Albus, that Sirius didn't have a trial?!" she growled. "You were the Chief Warlock even back then!"
Harry turned to Dumbledore, awaiting the man's answer. He wanted to know this too.
Dumbledore sighed. "I'm afraid I was outnumbered by Millicent Bagnold and Bartemius Crouch, Senior. I told them that this would come back to bite them, but they decided to send a message to any sympathizers of Voldemort, by sending Sirius to Azkaban without a trial. However, I believe this gives us an advantage now. Sirius is, of course, the assumed Head of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black."
"Wait... what?" Sirius asked, "No, I'm not. I was disowned."
"You were disowned by your parents, Sirius," Dumbledore said, "Not by your grandfather, Arcturus, who was still Lord Black, after your parents died. When your brother died, Arcturus knew he needed an Heir and chose you."
"Oh," Sirius said. "I don't know how I feel about that."
"Well, if you do not accept the title and role, Sirius," Dumbledore said, "Then it would pass on to the son of Lucius Malfoy. I am sure you don't want that to happen."
"No, no, of course not!" Sirius exclaimed. "I will be happy to become Lord Black. However..."
"Yes?" Dumbledore asked.
"It is possible that Azkaban has made me sterile," Sirius frowned. "If that has happened, then I will choose Harry as my Heir, and not that Death Eater bastard's spawn. After all, Harry's grandmother was Dorea Black. So he would qualify."
Dumbledore frowned and looked from Sirius, to Harry, then back to Sirius.
"Do you truly believe Harry would be ready for such a responsibility, Sirius?" he asked.
"Better than a Death Eater's spawn, Albus!" Sirius growled. "Malfoy would convince his spawn to use the Black fortune to fill Voldemort's war chest! Trust me, we would lose the war if that happened! In fact, in order to prevent this, I might disown Narcissa and her son as soon as possible!"
Dumbledore frowned and looked back at Harry, who kept a neutral expression on his face. He sighed and looked back at Sirius.
"I suppose you are right, Sirius," Dumbledore said, "But I ask that you seriously consider your options if you no longer qualify as the Head of your House."
"Didn't you know, Albus?" Sirius asked, "I am always Sirius!"
Harry and Amelia groaned at the pun, and Dumbledore merely sighed deeply.
"Harry, I am ashamed!" Sirius exclaimed, with a pout, "I didn't even get a laugh from you for that! How can you disrespect your dogfather like that?!"
Harry simply rolled his eyes.
"Let us move on, shall we?" Dumbledore said, "Madam Bones, if Sirius is Lord Black, the other Lords in the Wizengamot will be most aggrieved to find out that one of their fellow Lords spent over a decade in Azkaban without a trial... especially when it is discovered he is innocent. I am sure, if we inform Cornelius of this... he would drop the 'Kiss-On-Sight' orders and give Sirius a trial, so that he can amend a mistake that the previous administration made."
The eyebrow over the monocled eye of Amelia raised, and she nodded. "I believe I can work with that."
"Good," Dumbledore said, "Until the Kiss-On-Sight order is dropped, and a trial date is set, I, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, and Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, am giving official Sanctuary to Sirius Black. So mote it be. On the date of his trial, I will escort him to the Ministry myself."
Amelia nodded again. "I can accept that. I just need a written statement from you before I leave."
"Of course, Director," Dumbledore agreed; he conjured a third chair, "Please be seated. Meeting Sirius is not the only reason I summoned you here, after all."
Amelia walked across the room, as Sirius returned to his own chair. She sat down next to Sirius.
"Before we move to the most important topic," Dumbledore said, "I must ask a question. Has Alastor Moody been found yet?"
"I found out from Barty Crouch, Junior that he had trapped Moody in a seven-compartment trunk in his office," Amelia said. "Apparenrtly the seventh compartment is like a deep well of sorts. Moody has apparently been trapped at the bottom of it, so that Junior could use his hair for the Polyjuice. Minerva McGonagall was on her way to find Moody by the time your house-elf gave me its message."
"How long has Crouch, Junior been posing as Alastor Moody?" Harry asked, though he already knew the answer.
"Since the last couple days of last August, it seems," Amelia said, then looked at Dumbledore, "This means Crouch, Junior has been in his position of Defense Professor since last September, Albus. He was, indeed, the one who placed Mr. Potter in the Triwizard Tournament."
"How is this possible?!" Sirius asked. "Alastor Moody is one of your greatest friends, Albus! How did you not know he was being impersonated?!"
Harry looked at Dumbledore, wondering how he would answer this question. After all, Harry had asked his portrait the exact same question and had forced the portrait to tell the truth. The truth was that Dumbledore knew Crouch, Junior was impersonating his 'good friend' all year and did nothing about it.
Dumbledore sighed. "I do not know, Sirius. I cannot say whether it is because Crouch, Junior did so well in impersonating my good friend, Alastor. Or whether I was simply so distracted due to the Tournament and other priorities that I simply never noticed. Or one of many other reasons. I cannot say. I can say I owe Alastor a very big apology for never noticing such a horrific plot."
Harry refrained from rolling his eyes. He was not surprised that Dumbledore gave such an answer. Harry couldn't tell if Sirius and Amelia believed Dumbledore, but as he was the so-called "Leader of the Light", they would probably give him the benefit of the doubt. For now, he would allow this. They would realize, in time, that Dumbledore wasn't as Light as they believed he was.
"For your sake, I hope he forgives you, Albus," Amelia said.
"I completely agree, Director Bones," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling. "If he doesn't forgive me, then I am sure I deserve it. Moving on. It is time for the most important reason I summoned you here, Amelia, and for that I will turn this conversation over to Harry."
Harry hid his surprise. He thought Dumbledore would control the entire situation, and simply ask Harry to give his story when it was needed.
"Well, first of all, I owe you an apology, Madam Bones," Harry said.
"Whatever for, Mr. Potter?" Amelia asked.
"For lying to you, and everyone else on the Quidditch Pitch about what really happened this evening, ma'am," Harry said, "You see, I placed a Confundus Charm on Pettigrew and Crouch, Junior so, even under Veritaserum, Pettigrew would tell you my version of the story of what happened this evening, and Crouch couldn't tell you who he was really working for."
Amelia raised both eyebrows. "Why did you do this, Mr. Potter?"
"Because I didn't want the real story of what happened tonight to get out to the public," Harry said. "I wanted only a specific number of people to know what really happened tonight, so they could help me do damage control before the truth got out to the public."
"I assume I am on this list of yours," Amelia said. "I am also going to assume Minister of Magic Cornelius Fudge is not?"
"He is not," Harry said. "He is a coward first, and a peacetime Minister second. He would vehemently deny the truth of my story, and merely smear my name, and anyone else's names, who believed me, so that the public and the Daily Prophet would call me a liar and a monger of rumors and tall tales."
Amelia raised one eyebrow again. "I am not sure I agree with that assessment yet, Mr. Potter. But perhaps I will change my opinion after you tell your story. So without further ado...?"
Harry then told the same story he had told Dumbledore and Sirius, embellishing certain parts, and telling white lies on other parts. But he explained exactly what he felt Dumbledore needed to know. He might decide to tell Sirius and Amelia the completely true story later, but for now, he couldn't allow everything to come to light.
Amelia looked quite pale by the time Harry's story was done.
"Are you completely sure, Mr. Potter," Amelia asked, "that... Voldemort... has risen again?"
"All I know is the thing that came out of the Cauldron was not the same thing that went in," Harry said. "I firmly believe it is Voldemort, from the brief view I had of him. I'm not sure I can give you a good description of that, however. I was focused on getting out of there, and bringing Pettigrew and Voldemort's wand with me."
"I do not blame you for that, Mr. Potter," Amelia said. "In fact, I would applaud you on your bravery and quick-thinking. You could have simply escaped without killing the serpent, or bringing Pettigrew and the wand back with you. But you did not. You risked your life to complete these tasks."
"I wasn't leaving without Pettigrew, Madam Bones," Harry said, firmly. "Without him, Sirius might not be able to obtain his freedom."
Sirius smiled at Harry, his eyes misting over. "And I will never be able to repay you for that, Harry. Never."
"I think that we can safely assume Voldemort has risen again, Amelia," Dumbledore said, quietly, before Harry could respond to Sirius; Harry noted this as the second time Dumbledore interrupted a moment between Harry and his godfather in less than ten minutes, "After all, Pettigrew was using Voldemort's wand -" He placed the wand in question, which had been in a pocket in his robes, onto the table, "- and the serpent Mr. Potter described is known as Nagini, a Maledictus, who was once, very long ago, a woman, but became a serpent, and was chosen by Voldemort as his familiar. As Mr. Potter explained, Nagini is now deceased."
"The Ritual Mr. Potter described, using bone of the father, flesh of the servant and blood of the enemy, is indeed a ritual that could bring a homonculus – which Voldemort was before the Ritual – back to a true form. I do not know what Voldemort may look like now, but trust me... he will not pass as human. He would look alien and monstrous, and I do not believe a glamour would be able to change such an appearance."
Amelia stared at Voldemort's wand, and shivered slightly. "Yes, yes, that is his wand. I would know it anywhere, having seen him using it multiple times. I think we can assume Pettigrew intended on giving Voldemort back his wand this evening."
"I completely agree," Sirius muttered. "That is definitely the bastard's wand."
"Yes," Dumbledore said. "At the moment, Voldemort is without his familiar, and two of his servants. Though I believe Pettigrew was the only one with him for most of the past several months, as Crouch, Junior was, of course, here posing as Alastor Moody. Before you arrived, Amelia, we had a discussion about what Voldemort's next move might be. It is assumed he has already left the graveyard that Mr. Potter was taken too. He has likely retreated to his last residence, which is likely under Fidelius. I believe he will likely summon a few of his Death Eaters who did not go to Azkaban, and will likely obtain a wand from one of them."
The look Dumbledore gave Harry told him the old man didn't want him interrupting the conversation with his (already confirmed) theory about Voldemort needing a Tattoed Death Eater with him before he can summon any more followers. Harry decided to let Dumbledore win, this time. He didn't want Dumbledore to think he was opposing him too much just yet, after all.
"Or he might go to Garrick Ollivander, Albus!" Amelia said, "The wandmaker must be protected."
"And he will be," Dumbledore promised. "Before the evening is over, I plan on meeting with my good friend, Garrick, and letting him know of a possible threat on his head. I think I will suggest he move here, where he will be safe. Anybody who needs a wand will simply have to make an appointment with me, and me alone, to meet Garrick here."
"That sounds like a fine idea," Amelia agreed. "Voldemort would never think of invading Hogwarts while you Lord over it."
"No, he would not," Dumbledore agreed. "In that aspect, he is most predictable."
"The bastard, himself, might not come here, Albus!" Sirius said, "But one of his servants might."
"Sirius, I know your feelings when it comes to Severus Snape," Dumbledore said. "But I assure you. He has my complete and utter trust."
"Yeah, and what about the spawn of the Death Eaters, Albus?" Sirius asked. "How many Slytherins currently in the castle are sons and daughters of known Death Eaters?!"
Dumbledore sighed. "While I highly doubt any Voldemort sympathizer who has children here, would actually go as far as risking endangering their children for such a stunt, it is, I admit... possible. I understand that having Garrick Ollivander here will be a risk, of course. But I will do my utmost best to make sure no harm will come to him."
Sirius snorted. "Yes, well, don't be surprised if he denies your invitation and decides to get the hell out of Great Britain and leave us wanting for a good wandmaker!"
"It is a possibility, I admit," Dumbledore said, with a nod. "One I hope does not come to pass for the sake of future students and anyone else who will need one of Garrick's wands in the future. His wands, after all, are some of the best in the world."
"Yes, well, moving on," Amelia said. "So I suppose we can assume that Voldemort will soon have a wand, thanks to one of his followers who did not go to Azkaban. Well, this means we need to act and act quickly. I'm willing to take any advice I can get here, people."
"I have two suggestions, Madam Bones," Harry said, innocently.
"Harry," Dumbledore said, frowning, "I think you should leave this to those of us who has been in this position before."
"Excuse me?" Harry asked. "With all due respect, sir. I completely disagree. Without me, none of you would know Voldemort was back, sir."
"I completely agree with Harry, Albus," Sirius said.
"As do I," Amelia said. "I would love to hear what suggestions he might have. You're outvoted, Albus."
Dumbledore sighed and nodded. "Very well, Harry. Let us hear your suggestions."
"First of all, Madam Bones," Harry said. "I'm going to assume you're going to be meeting with Minister Fudge in the very near future."
"Tomorrow morning if not this evening," Amelia said, nodding. "I will speak to him about Pettigrew and Crouch, Junior. And, of course, about Sirius, and to give him the Headmaster's writ of Sanctuary."
"I ask – no I plea – that you do not tell him anything about Voldemort's return," Harry said. "I firmly believe he will not believe Voldemort has returned unless he sees him with his own eyes."
"I agree," Sirius said, "I've come to learn that Fudge is basically bosom buddies with Lucius Malfoy, one of the Death Eaters who walked free. I can only assume Fudge is in Malfoy's pocket. Money talks, after all. Much of the fortune he has left, that which hasn't been spent in bribes – I mean 'gifts' – to Fudge – will likely fund Voldemort's side in the war. As long as Fudge is Malfoy's puppet, he'll never believe Voldemort is back until he sees him with his own eyes, and maybe not even then!"
"What say you, Albus?" Amelia asked. "Do you agree."
"Very much so," Dumbledore said. "The moment Fudge is told Voldemort is back, is the moment these troubles with Voldemort becomes that much more difficult. Cornelius would simply hinder those of us who wish to fight against Voldemort."
"With the help of Lucius Malfoy, the puppet of the Marionette known as Voldemort!" Sirius added.
"Indeed," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling.
"I agree," Amelia said. "I assume you have more, Mr. Potter?"
"Yes," Harry said, "Second, I assume you wish to bring Voldemort's wand back to the Ministry of Magic with you as evidence?"
"Yes," Amelia said, "It is DMLE procedure, after all."
"I believe this time, you should ignore DMLE procedure," Harry said, then nodded at Dumbledore, "And leave the wand with Headmaster Dumbledore."
"Why, Mr. Potter?" Amelia asked.
"Because before the weekend is over, it would likely be back in Voldemort's hands if you took it with you," Harry said. "I think it can be greatly assumed that Voldemort has several sympathizers inside the Ministry of Magic... including the higher offices. Perhaps even your own Department, Director, and the Auiror Department, as well as those close to the Minister."
Harry smirked. What he didn't say was that if Voldemort's wand was kept here at Hogwarts, and in the future, Voldemort just so happened to get it back, the blame for it could be handed to one of two people. Dumbledore... or Snape. And since Dumbledore wouldn't want to have the blame put on him, he would be forced to place it on Snape, saying that Snape stole Voldemort's wand from him, which would get Snape out of Hogwarts and in Azkaban before anyone could say "You-Know-Who."
"I firmly believe," Harry continued, "you need to find some way to figure out who exactly in the Ministry of Magic would support Voldemort in the coming months."
Amelia whistled. "That is a big project. An almost impossible project, Mr. Potter. I will need plenty of help with that. However... I will agree with you on your main point. Voldemort's wand stays here with you, Albus. Voldemort won't be able to get it back as long as it remains with you."
"Your confidence in me warms my heart, Amelia," Dumbledore said, "I will accept the job."
"As for discovering if any of Voldemort's minions are inside the Ministry," Sirius said, "When I am a free man, I will be of any assistance you need to make this happen, Amy! I completely agree with Harry. I also know where we can find some more help, and I am surprised you didn't think of this option, Amelia. If we're going to get this done, and get it done right and as soon as possible, we need to bring back the Great Alliance."
Amelia's expression brightened. "Why the hell did I not think of that myself?!"
"And... um... what is the Great Alliance, exactly?" Harry asked.
Of course, he already knew what the Great Alliance was. But he couldn't let Dumbledore know that. He learned in the future, that Dumbledore greatly feared the Great Alliance, and its political power, especially since the Great Alliance believed in everything Dumbledore was firmly against when it came to 'the Greater Good'.
Sirius was about to respond to Harry, when Dumbledore predictably cleared his throat, stopping Sirius from telling Harry about the Great Alliance.
"That is a tale that will have to wait another day, I'm afraid, Harry," Dumbledore said. "After all, Madam Pomfrey is expecting you in the Hospital Wing. You would not want to let her wait for you much longer, else she might make you spend the rest of the term in the Hospital Wing. Which means you will miss your celebration tomorrow evening! If you go now, I might be able to bribe Madam Pomfrey to release you in time for your own party!"
Sirius glared at Dumbledore, before turning back to Harry.
"Go on, kid," Sirius said, "I will tell you all about the Great Alliance tomorrow. How about that?"
Harry could see from Dumbledore's expression that the old man was very much against that. So he merely smiled and looked back at Sirius.
"I will hold you to that promise, Sirius," Harry said.
Harry stood, and so did Sirius. Godson and godfather hugged again.
"I'll see you tomorrow, kid," Sirius said, "Bright and early. In fact, I'll probably put myself in a bed next to you in the Hospital Wing, so that the good Madam Pomfrey can check me over."
"Sounds good," Harry said; he released Sirius, and looked at Amelia.
"Thank you, Madam Bones, for listening to my story and for helping Sirius. I wish you good luck with your future endeavors, including bringing Pettigrew and Crouch, Junior to justice."
"Thank you, Mr. Potter," Amelia said, with a smile. "And thank you for trusting me enough to tell me the truth about what happened tonight. I promise to be very wary with who I tell the story to."
"I'll hold you to that promise," Harry said, he turned to Dumbledore. "I will see you tomorrow, sir. Thank your for all your help tonight, and thank you for listening to me, as well as allowing Sirius Sanctuary."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled and he smiled broadly. "You are most welcome, Mr. Potter. Go on now. Madam Pomfrey is waiting."
Harry nodded, holding back a smirk. With his last words to Dumbledore, the old man would believe Harry still looked up to him as the trusting mentor and grandfatherly figure. He was quite fine with that for the moment.
He said a final farewell to Sirius, Amelia and Dumbledore, then made his way out of the office. When he was far enough away from the gargoyle, he checked himself for spells, and smirked when he found a Tracking spell on his glasses. If he wanted, he could transfer the charm to something else to fool the old man. But for now, he allowed it to remain until he had to go somewhere he didn't want Dumbledore to know about.
He would allow Madam Pomfrey to baby him tonight before she ordered him to go to sleep. If only so she would release him from the Hospital early tomorrow morning. If she didn't, he'd have to sneak out.
Because tomorrow morning, he would continue with the next step of his mission. A step he considered one of the most important.
Tomorrow, he would confess to Hermione Granger exactly how he felt about her. Her answer would decide what his next move would be.
He hoped she would give him the answer he wanted. Because if she didn't...
If she didn't, Voldemort's wrath would be merely a bug bite when compared to the wrath he would bring upon the magical society of Great Britain. Hermione Granger would live a long and wonderful life. Even if she wasn't by his side, he would still make sure she was happy. Even if he had to destroy every possible threat – current and future – in order to make it happen.
Harry Potter once experienced a time when Hermione Granger wasn't a part his life. It was the darkest two years of his life. He vowed never to experience such a time ever again.
And so help all of wizardkind if such a time ever came to pass again.
Yeah, so that last part was pretty dark, wasn't it? It tells you what Future!Harry's state of mind was after Hermione died. Will we learn more about what Harry did in the future after Hermione died? Yes... but I am saving that conversation for when he reveals the whole truth to Hermione. That will happen in Chapter 4!
So a lot of stuff happened in this chapter. Stories and lies were told. Plots and plans were made. And Sirius is a few steps away from becoming a free man.
Also, the part about Harry suggesting Amelia doesn't take Voldemort's wand to the Ministry for evidence was a last minute addition, because I find it makes it much less possible that Voldemort gets his true wand back. After all, if he does get it back – as Harry alluded to – Dumbledore and/or Snape will immediately be seen as the one to blame for it. I had a vision in my mind of Dumbledore meeting with Snape and being like "Here, give Tom his wand back, and make your position in his Inner Circle even that much stronger." But I doubt I'll do that, as it will be super obvious WHO gave Voldy his wand back. Dumbledore wouldn't be that obvious, would he?
Next Chapter: Dumbledore attempts to control Sirius' relationship with Harry, but it backfires on him! Cornelius Fudge returns to Hogwarts with Dementors and the true Dementor herself, Dolores Umbridge! How will Dumbledore respond? And much more!y