Disclaimer: I don't claim ownership over the Wizarding World or any other of J.K. Rowling's creations.
Chapter One:
"Can't let him go through with it." The wizard stood in his office before pacing and eventually plopping down into his chair, tapping the end of his quill on a piece of parchment. He had weighed the options, even asked Hermione what she thought. However, with her position in the legal department of the Ministry, she had to discourage the very notion of what he was about to do. Nonetheless, he had to leave a note.
Hermione, I'm really sorry but I had to do it. If anything should go wrong, find me at Hogwarts. I don't have much time. Goodbye.
He underlined the word 'time' twice before manually locking his office, then putting up wards. After everything was secure, he strode over to the bookshelf and pulled a small chest out from the middle row. He whispered, "electi maleficus" and there was a scraping sound followed by a click as the chest popped open. It was empty, or so the wizard intended any prying eyes to assume as much.
He pressed his finger into one of the corners so the wooden piece creaked and, as he released it, the piece flipped up revealing a secret compartment. It was an old muggle trick he had picked up during his time at Hogwarts. The faintest glint of gold glimmered and he slipped his fingers around the fine chain, pulling out the very illegal magical item.
Only in case of emergency, he told himself. Well, this certainly was an emergency. He donned the necklace and started fidgeting with the dials.
He screwed his face, thinking back to the exact moment in which to travel. "November… 20… 23rd…? November 24th!" His mind was flooded with the memory of dragons, Rita Skeeter's tiresome articles, and a wandering eye. When the moment was fixed, he could feel himself flying backwards and his office disappearing into darkness. It felt like eons before ground solidified beneath his feet.
He was at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, just yards away from the great big tent pitched for the Four Champions. He placed a concealment charm on himself before slowly inching closer to the tent until he could hear what was happening. A 14-year-old Harry was already inside, probably fidgeting he chuckled to himself, as Ludo Bagman began his announcement of the First Task. Moments later, Ludo and young Harry walked outside of the tent for some privacy.
In just a few minutes, Ludo would rush off and leave Harry. Sweat dripped down his brow in anticipation. Just a bit longer, he told himself as he watched. The window of time he had was so minuscule, he would have to use the strongest force of magic concealment.
Finally, Ludo hurried off. Before Harry could turn the corner of the tent, the older wizard Stupefied the younger wizard. He rushed to catch him before he fell to the ground and created a disturbance. He used a transfer spell to cloak him from the eyes of any passerby, and carried the young wizard deep into the forest.
When he reached a hollowed thicket, he dragged the boy's body inside and revived him. He didn't stir at first, so the older wizard muttered a spell causing water to splash into the boy's face. Harry coughed and sputtered, lifting himself to a sitting position.
"What happened?" He rubbed his eyes and brought his glasses back to his face. When he saw the man staring down at him, he tilted his head. "Who're you?" He then looked around curiously. "Where am I?"
He chuckled, "I'm sure you're familiar with the Forbidden Forest." Harry looked around more frantically. Sounds of a cheering crowd echoed into the thicket. "Relax, I'm helping you." Harry looked at him cautiously.
"Not to be rude, but nothing good has ever come from strangers helping me." The older wizard laughed.
"You mean, like Dobby?" Harry nodded before narrowing his eyes.
"How do you know-?"
"I have a lot to explain and not a lot of time." The wizard looked down at his watch and up at Harry again. "C'mon." The younger wizard didn't move. "Just trust me." He pleaded with the boy, who looked skeptical but sighed following the older wizard out of the thicket and into the open forest.
"I have to restore the concealment charm, but as soon as we make it to the castle, we'll be in the clear." The wizard did the enchantments and they headed out of the forest.
"Exactly how do I know you're not going to try to kill me?" The wizard didn't reply to Harry's annoyance. "You're not a Death Eater?" He pressed on, as they walked across the grass and up towards the entrance. The wizard lifted his sleeves, without turning to look at the boy. He seemed satisfied with the evidence.
When they entered the castle, the older wizard led the boy towards the library. He led them to one of the darker corners, finding a piece of parchment and a quill. He scribbled something down that Harry couldn't see. He spun around and inhaled deeply before beginning.
"You cannot complete the first task."
"I think you'll find I have no choice. Least, that's what Dumbledore and the others have told me numerous times." The older wizard held up a hand, shaking his head.
"There's too much at stake. You must not compete in the tasks. There's a way to forfeit as champion." Harry furrowed his eyebrows at the man.
"I don't understand. Why hasn't anyone-?"
"Because it's dangerous. And painful."
"Can't be more painful than being burnt to a crisp by a Hungarian Horntail." Harry retorted. The man nodded gravely. "What could possibly-?"
"There's a ritual called The Trials. It's ancient, almost as old as the Tournament itself." Harry started to look worried. The wizard continued, "After you've completed the Trials, you must go straight to Dumbledore and give him this piece of parchment." He held the parchment a hair's length from Harry's nose. "He'll know what to do. If you do this, you'll be saving hundreds, if not thousands, of lives. You could be preventing a war!"
"Why don't you just give this to Dumbledore now instead of giving it to a complete stranger?" The man shook his head and smiled.
"You are no stranger." He stuck out his chest. "You're the Chosen One." Harry mouthed the words 'chosen one', taking the piece of parchment. He looked from the parchment to the wizard before him.
"Who exactly are you?"
The wizard tilted his head at Harry and curled his lips into a smile. "Well, I'm you, of course."
A/N: Non-Cursed Child compliant. I know it seems that way, but it's not. Also, there will undoubtedly be some consistency errors. I apologize for future reference. This is a challenge fic from user spookdoder, so fingers crossed!