Project Muggle:
The Rewrite
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. All rights go to J.K. Rowling. The only thing I own is the plot, and some of the theories and ideas. I also own any original character that is not mentioned in the Harry Potter series, and/or anywhere else. I also kept most of J.K. Rowling's scenes from Deathly Hallows, because I can't write action. Please take note of this, before you go to my lawyers.
Note: This is the re-write of my other story, "Project Muggle: America". This follows a similar plot-line, only it is much better organized, spaced-out, researched and it has more details and makes more sense. It also features the 'gang' going to Paris instead of America. This is because I have actually been to Paris, so this makes everything much easier on you and me. Anyway, I shan't dawdle! Don't forget to leave a nice little review.
Chapter Warnings: Slight spoilers for Order of the Phoenix, half a scene from Half-Blood Prince and huge spoilers for Deathly Hallows.
When you see * ... * before/after a part of the story, it means that the part selected is excerpted straight from HP and I have not written it.
Prologue
Recollections of a Pensieve
Saturday, October 31, 2010
Potter Manor
5:04 pm
The Pensieve lay in a corner, its clear blue waters rippling against the round rims of the bowl. At the head of the Pensieve, three emeralds sparkled against the marble boards. The sun poured through the windows, and beat against the water, illuminating each perfectly curved wave. It glistened at its place in the dusty cellar, as if calling everybody who dared come to approach it, to gaze upon its magnificence. No-one responded to its call.
It lay forgotten for years, as did the precious memories that were stored in its magic. Some of those memories were ones that had shaped history and the world as we know it. Still a man, only thirty or so, hovered over it. He turned to look at his partner, a beautiful woman with hair like melted chocolate.
The words from the man's mouth were croaked, as if reminiscing about something particularly sad. "I had forgotten this. It was your birthday present wasn't it? I think Pansy locked it up, because she didn't want the twins near it."
"Hm, yes...I recall Millicent Crabbe gave it to me because her husband was far too inept to watch where he was lumbering. I still pity her every day." The brunette smiled, as she walked over to the glass shelf. She pulled out one of the bottles, and rattled the silver liquid inside it. "You know – if you had asked me thirteen years ago where I would be, there would be no way I would depict our life as it is."
"I still remember when this whole thing started, it was fifth year, when Sirius died." the man sighed, as he gently took the bottle away from her. "No, really, I think it might be sixth. You know, with the whole Half-Blood Prince thing."
"And you and Ginny," the brunette reminded her, her lips curving. "Not that all the pushing Ron and I did helped you very much. You got two different partners, though I suppose it's the happiness that counts, really."
"Hey," the man defended himself, as he held up his hands. "Look at you! I don't think you can say very much either."
"True," the woman grinned. She turned back to the Pensieve, "Albus's fall off the tower was really the start point. I can't even think about what would happen if the events turned out differently. If Severus had said another curse, the Killing Curse, I mean."
The black haired man winced, as he slowly uncapped the bottle. After a long silence, he looked back up, emerald eyes shining. "So, want to take a trip back in time, Hermione?"
"Sure, why not, Harry?"
Sunday, June 15, 1997
Headmaster's Office
8:54 pm
*Snape said nothing, but walked forwards and pushed Malfoy roughly out of the way. The three Death Eaters fell back without a word. Even the werewolf seemed cowed. Snape gazed for a moment at Dumbledore, and there was revulsion and hatred etched in the harsh lines of his face.
"Severus…" came the feeble voice of Dumbledore, "...Please."
Snape raised his wand and pointed it directly at Dumbledore.* He barely hesitated, before shouting out a curse – "Reducto!" (1)
A beam of light shot out of Severus's wand, and hit Albus Dumbledore in the chest. The pressure of the spell made the headmaster wobble, and in one movement, he had tripped over the tower window and was falling to his death. Meanwhile, Bellatrix Lestrange was growling, her teeth forming a malicious smile.
"Why not kill him, Sevi?" said the woman, "Never mind, that fall shall surely kill him. The Dark Lord shall be pleased with you."
Fenrir stopped suddenly and then sniffed the air, his nose twitching uglily. He smiled a wide grin, and his razor sharp canines bit into his lip, and more blood blotted his lips. "The wards are coming down; we can Disapparate right out of here."
"Quick, Draco, grab my arm." Bellatrix hissed. The blonde boy grabbed his Aunt's hand quickly, and soon he disappeared out of sight. Fenrir followed Bellatrix soon after, blood still trailing from his lips. Snape was last, and before he left, he shot one withering look to where Harry was hiding under and invisibility cloak, before disappearing.
Harry darted towards the window, and fought back tears as he saw Dumbledore falling. He whipped out his wand and started yelling out all the cushioning charms he knew. At last, he hit the floor with a soft thud, and his blue eyes flickered close.
His piercing shriek echoed across the room.
5:16 pm
Harry exited the Pensieve and then turned towards Hermione, his face looking very serious.
Hermione gave him a tentative smile, "Hey, I know it's hard to see it all over again, but remember what you saw was the past."
"I know," his eyes closed for a second, before he opened them again. They looked as alive as ever. "Do you remember what happened after that? Albus went into a coma and the whole school was so messed up. Remember the Horcrux hunt?"
"Yeah," Hermione admitted, "It was actually easier than I expected. I think it helped that Albus left his journal behind. I must say that it was quite a hunt. When we told him that we found all the Horcruxes in two months, he looked like he was going to faint."
"Well, he spent years looking for one, and he didn't have you." Harry pointed out, grinning. Hermione blushed, modestly, and he continued, "Besides, Kreacher literally pointed us to where the locket was, so that was easy. Albus took care of Marvolo Gaunt's ring and the Diadem we found the day after Albus's fall, in the Room of Requirement. Remember how distraught we were? What we were thinking?"
"Yeah, you wanted to hide the fake locket," Hermione nodded. "I think the only thing that was remotely challenging was Helga's Cup, but we solved that quickly didn't we?"
"You mean you solved that quickly," Harry quipped. "Polyjuice Potion was a stroke of ingenuity, Mione. Though, I never expected we'd end up riding a dragon out of there. You're right though, Nagini was killed off easily, and Voldemort took care of the Hocrux in my scar."
"Nagini," Hermione shivered, as she remembered Voldemort's pet. She picked up another bottle, and dipped it into the Pensieve. "I think this one's about her and – you know, Severus."
Harry took a deep breath. Hermione looked at him, concerned, but Harry managed a weak smile and then said, his voice wavering, "No, I have to do this. It's been thirteen years; I should be able to do this."
"If you're sure..." Hermione trailed off. She smiled at him, before letting herself fall into the Pensieve.
Saturday, May 2, 1998
Shrieking Shack
9:45 pm
The air around the shrieking shack crackled. Harry looked down at the Marauder's Map that was curled up in his hands. He didn't know what to think. Severus Snape – the man who had put Dumbledore in a coma was sitting in the Shrieking Shack – with Voldemort! Even if Dumbledore's diary had told of Snape's innocence, he couldn't just let the two sit there having coffee and biscuits, could he?
Voldemort wasn't supposed to be able to get into Hogwarts, even if Dumbledore was in a coma! He hadn't done it before – so how could he now?
Harry quickened his pace and slipped into the Whomping Willow in record speed. Making sure he didn't make any noise, he slipped into the room where Voldemort was speaking in his scaly, serpentine voice.
*"It cannot be any other way," Voldemort was saying, "I must master the wand, Severus. Master the wand...and I master Potter at last."
"KILL!" Voldemort shrieked in Parsletongue. *
Nagini eyed Snape hungrily and moved forward in rapid pace. Before he knew what he was doing, Harry had grabbed Godric's sword from his belt and had jumped in front of Nagini. The snake hissed at him.
"You are a fool for s-ssstanding in my masssstersss way, I will kill you...I will ssslasssh your throat..."
Nagini lunged at him, but Harry gripped the sword tightly, and remembering the basilisk in his second year, he plunged the venom-dripped sword into Nagini's heart. There was a high-pitched squeal, and Nagini's body withered into ash. Harry took a deep breath and whirled to face Voldemort, who was now looking furious.
"You have thwarted me at every turn, Potter, but not now." Voldemort hissed, and he whipped out the wand he was admiring...was it the Elder Wand? He pointed it at Harry, "Harry Potter – rest your eyes upon the Death Wand. The Elder Wand is invincible. It can kill anyone and anything – including you!"
Shock flitted across Harry's face, before he managed to call up his Gryffindor courage. Hadn't Voldemort just said that it didn't work? The snake in question cackled loudly as Harry stared at him defiantly.
"DIE POTTER...DIE!" Voldemort cried, "AVADA KEDAVRA!"
A bright green light shot from the wand and hit Harry in the chest. The last thing he heard, before blacking out was an eerie squeal. (2)
5:23 pm
"What happened after that?" Harry asked, as he swallowed the lump in his throat. "I mean, I know he killed the Horcrux, but how did I end up in the hospital wing?"
"Snape apparated you to Grimmauld Place, and then flooed you back to Hogwarts. Poppy was in shock when she saw you, and according to Ron, she was muttering about how it was always you that got in trouble." Hermione glared at him pointedly.
"Hey – you try having a madman chase after you," Harry laughed. "So, which memory is next? Draco, Blaise and Pansy's sudden decision to change sides in the war...?"
"You mean Draco and Pansy's decision to change sides," Hermione reminded, "Remember, the Zabini's have always been neutral in the war. Technically, Blaise was just choosing a side."
"Well, according to Ron, they were changing sides from Slytherin to Gryffindor. If I remember correctly, you said the exact same thing to him," Harry teased.
"Funny," Hermione remarked, dryly.
Harry grinned, "You know, I think Draco is rubbing off you."
"I'm sure," the brunette said, her tone a bit more amused. "To answer your question – the memory is set a few weeks after Albus woke up."
"That was funny; for once the great Dumbledore was completely clueless. I still enjoy entertaining the thought, you know. It really was too bad he couldn't come to war, he would have helped us a great deal." Harry commented, "Though it was a bit weird that Severus, out of everyone in the world, decided to take care of him."
"I suppose he felt he owed Dumbledore," Hermione shrugged, as he reached for the next bottle, "Besides, is not as if it was terribly long. You tried to keep it as quick as possible, didn't you? Most of the people we lost were sixth years and such."
"Yeah, I suppose. Are we going to watch the Pensieve or what?" the black haired man moaned, as he ruffled his hair.
Hermione rolled her eyes, and poured the mist inside the Pensieve. Before Harry could submerge himself, she put a hand on his shoulder, "I took out most of the gruesome stuff. We only have the confrontation. It'll make it a bit easier for you."
Saturday, May 2, 1998
Hogwarts' Grounds
11:56 pm
Harry and Voldemort circled each other, their wands trained on each other.
"You look like you're in a pickle, Riddle. What happened, did the Elder Wand fail on you?" Harry taunted, as he twirled the said wand in his fingers.
"I need no Elder Wand – I don't need a stick to beat you, Potter!" Voldemort hissed, "You will never kill me. I am immortal!"
"Haven't you realised it yet, Riddle?" Harry laughed, as blood dribbled from his sweaty, scarred face. "We know all about your precious Horcruxes. You didn't think we wouldn't find out? We destroyed all of them – the diary, the cup, the locket, the diadem, the ring and your snake. Oh and how can we forget the Horcrux that you defeated yourself? Did you know that the day you tried to set Nagini on Severus, you killed a Horcrux?"
"I do not know how you knew about this, Potter," Voldemort muttered, trying to conceal his surprise, "But I assure you I did not kill any of my own soul pieces."
"You tried to kill me – you instead killed your Horcrux...how does that feel, Tom?"
"It does not matter," Voldemort continued, though you could see that he was faltering. "I will defeat you."
"You're going to lose, Tom," Harry said, "People are realising that, Draco Malfoy, Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, Daphne Greengrass, Narcissa Malfoy, Severus Snape...don't you see? You're fighting a losing battle."
"I have turned many of yours against you, too! Don't play with me, boy."
"You WILL die, Tom Marvolo Riddle. Voldemort will not rule a day longer."
*"AVADA KEDAVRA!"
"EXPELLIARMUS!"
Voldemort's green jet meet his own spell, saw the Elder Wand fly high, dark against the sunrise, spinning across the enchanted ceiling like the head of Nagini, spinning through the air toward the master it would not kill, who had come to take full possession of it at last. And Harry, with the unerring skill of the Seeker, caught the wand in his free hand as Voldemort fell backward, arms splayed, the slit pupils of the scarlet eyes rolling upward. Tom Riddle hit the floor with a mundane finality, his body feeble and shrunken, the white hands empty, the snakelike face vacant and unknowing. Voldemort was dead, killed by his own rebounding curse, and Harry stood with two wands in his hand, staring down at his enemy's shell.*
Tom Riddle was dead.
5:34 pm
"Everyone was so happy after that," Harry recalled, "We all went home and celebrated; only I stayed at Grimmauld Place with the Weasley's and Albus. It was times like then that I wish Sirius was still with me – or even Mum and Dad." The man's eyes misted over.
Hermione smiled at him, knowing that Harry needed some time to himself. Even after so long, Sirius's death was still a tender topic with Harry. On the way out, Hermione caught her reflection in a nearby mirror. The light reflected off of it and fell on her silver necklace. Hermione smiled as she remembered how she received it. She turned back to where Harry was brooding, and spoke.
"The tale only began from there. Just when we thought when it was over," Hermione said, softly, "Do you remember, Harry? Albus sprung a surprise on all of us; I guess he liked surprising us. It's his 'style' as Ginny calls it."
Harry looked up, and even though his eyes were sad, he managed to chuckle. "How could I not remember that, Mione? It was probably the most influential experience in my life. It could probably even top the whole fiasco with Voldemort."
"Definitely," Hermione giggled, "Though I don't regret it one bit."
"Me neither..."
The brunette ignored him, and continued, "You know, the girls and I still talk about it every time we have one of our sleepovers. You'd think we were too old for that, but we're not. I still remember the first time we talked about it. Remember the end? Well, we named our adventure – you'll never believe what Luna decided on – 'Project Muggle'."
(1) In the original series, Severus casts the Killing Curse, but in my version, I need Albus alive, so I settled for something pretty destructive – the Reducto curse.
(2) That is, by the way, not the sound of Voldemort. It is the sound of the Horcrux in Harry dying. I just thought I'd add that in case someone mistook that for Snape or whoever.
Footnote: Please do read the Note's at the top and bottom, please. Some of it really explains a lot. So, if you haven't read the Note up top, I strongly suggest you do. Anyway, I have set the Prologue in a very different format. The Prologue is actually in the future, so for the actual story, we will be back-pedalling thirteen or so. Anyway, review!
- FashionStarlet -