Author's Note - What's this, another story? All I can say is my brain just kept bugging me until I wrote this down. I just wanted to say that, to put it in my friend's words 'I suck at my own language'. I am not a professional and my grammar is just... I don't even have the words but if anyone wants to give me constructive criticism I would be great full.
Getting on with the story. This is a slow burner when it comes to Tom and Harry. Harry is going to be powerful and very, very smart. Death is his best friend and has the mind of a three year old. Wouldn't you if you've been stuck by yourself for centuries on end?
Hope you enjoy. Allons-y!
"Harry, no! What are you doing here?!" Hagrid cried.
It's time. He had to do this. 'I'm ready'. He kept on repeating in his head. This wasn't supposed to be the plan, he wasn't supposed to die, yet here he was. When he first realised he was being used back when he learnt about the Order, he was furious. Millions of questions went through his head at the time, the first being if anyone actually cared about him, second was what else were they lying about? It was too late. He had to play the part of not knowing and look where that got him - Sirius died. Sirius. He still hadn't forgave himself, the look of acceptance Sirius had given just before the ve-.
No. He cant think about that. He often wondered what they would do if he joined Voldemort, or if he had been in Slytherin, like the hat wanted him to be. If he had, would he have ended up here?
"Harry Potter, come to die," Voldemort sneered, bringing Harry out of his musings. He really did hate that man, just the sight of Voldemort made his blood boil. In this moment he wanted to throw Voldemort off by smiling but Harry knew that would only make things worse. He took a deep breath, counting to ten. Glancing to Hagrid, who looked like he was going to cry at any moment, he tried to smile, say it was going to be alright to his old friend. But there was no time, all he could do was a small nod before he heard the dreaded two words.
"Avada Kedervra!"
His vision blurred, the figure of Voldemort looking like Christmas had just come early was the last image he saw before total darkness.
The next thing Harry saw was white. Frowning, he got up, very confused. He was still alive? How could that be? And what on Earth was he doing at Kings Cross Station? Walking along he saw a few benches and strangely enough he heard struggled breathing. As he approached one of the benches, he saw it. A creature, curled up like a ball, covered in red and so, so thin that he could see it's bones and it's red eyes. Harry shuddered, dreading to think who, or what that creature once was.
"You can't help it," A grave voice caught his attention and as he looked up he gasped out of shock.
There was a cloaked figure in the distance, gliding towards him. Harry shivvered at the sight, the creature was dark, so dark. He could see the outline of a face behind the hood, which reminded him strongly of the dementors. He suddenly felt cold as the figure stood right next to Harry and using whatever Gryffindor courage he had left, Harry asked,
"What are you?" His voice came out hoarsed, like he hadn't spoken in years. The figure laughed cruelly, goosebumps prickling on his neck.
"That's not what you should be asking, Mister Potter," Harry had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. He had hoped to get a straight answer but he had a feeling this figure was melodius, reminding him of Luna slightly.
"Then, what should I be asking?" Harry growled. Annoyed. No, slightly scared (although he'd never admit that out loud) of not knowing who or what this figure is.
"Use your brain, you're free of compulsions, free of an old man's lies - figure me out," It said, Harry could tell he was grinning. Biting his lip, he searched for answers. The figure couldn't be a ghost. And then he realised after a long three minutes, Harry had the Invisiblity cloak, he had had the Resurrection stone and lastly...
"I can't be the Master of Death, I don't have the Elder wand?" The figure hummed, as though it was amused.
"Ah, that's where everyone is wrong. To be the Master of Death, you need only two of three and my approval. I couldn't let Dumbledore have my powers now, could I? Imagine, he would have caused another World War. Muggles and Wizards alike, now, that would've been a disaster. You, on the other hand, Harry James Potter, have given me a fun task. And, more importantly, you are not hungry for power, quite the opposite of Voldemort and Dumbledore, who, in ways they could not think possible are more alike than they want to be,"
'Death', (Harry finally figured out) said. He couldn't believe his ears, Dumbledore and Voldemort, the same? Surely not? World War 3? Unlikely cause by Dumbledore... How much did he actually not know about that man? How had he been blinded by this knowledge? Compulsions? He'd have to ask later.
"Fun task?" Harry questioned. Death nodded.
"How would you feel about going back in time? To where it all began? To make you feel like you belong..." Death said dreamily.
Back, back in time? To when?
"How do the 1940's sound?" Death asked. Harry's eyes widened as his brain blanked. 1940? Wasn't that when Grindelwald was around... And the first world war? He couldn't go back that far, was it even possible?
"What about Hermione? Ron... Ginny?" He thought out loud.
"Neville steps up, takes your place and you're replaced with in a blink of an eye," Death replied, sounding bored, leaving Harry to openly gape at him. They wouldn't, they couldn't... After everything they went through. They were his friends. Oh, he would have a headache just thinking about what he didn't know about his own life. Maybe starting fresh could be a good thing, he could be normal, no attention... No more weights on his shoulders, no more being the 'Saviour'. He could chose his own path, without appealing to the public's eyes, without Dumbledore's twinkling old man's eyes shining, expecting so much. It all sounded too good to be true.
"I'll do it," Harry said. But, he couldn't help but ask, "Hermione always said strange, awful things happens to Wizards who mess with time, it this, well... Allowed?"
He didn't even need to look at Death to know he just asked a stupid question. Tempted, he looked up anyway and immediately he grimaced. It was the look the teacher's would give them if they didn't know what 2 plus 2 was.
"Harry, I'm Death." Death drawled out slowly. "You're talking to Death. Of course it's allowed!" He tutted in a disappointed way. "Now, use the name Harrison Carrow," Harry frowned. No way in Hell!
"What type of a surname is that!" He exclaimed. It obviously, strongly reminded him of the Carrows. He didn't like that one bit. Having to share a surname with loyal Death Eaters? He was utterly disgusted. Death sighed, put out by the boy.
"The only one you're getting, Amycus Carrow had a cousin that they didn't know about till recently and you will turn up to Hogwarts after a duel between yourself and one of Grindelwalds followers and are hurt badly. You were homeschooled and that's the basics. The rest of your story will come naturally to you. Are you ready, Harrison Carrow?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," 'Harrison' grumbled. Death clapped excitedly. The last image Harry saw, was Death jumping up and down Kings Cross, humming to the old Muggle song, 'If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands'. He stared ludicrously. Death went to serious to acting like a child in the space of five minutes. He was speechless.
Mood swings, much?
OoO
Dumbledore was having a great day, first, he upped Riddle in their Transfiguration lesson, then, he had seen the teen fighting with Rosier and lastly, he had just gotten a load of new sweets - lemon drops for his classroom. Just as he sat down in his chair he heard the sound of footsteps and loud voices, clearly panicked. He stood up when the door opened, to reveal Dorea Black, Septimus Weasley and Edwardo Diggory looking like they've just ran around the lake ten times. He raised his eyebrows.
"Black, Weasley, Diggory, what on Earth..."
"Professor! Come quick! There's a boy, just by the Whomping Willow, he's hurt badly... Not from Hogwarts, muttering about 'Almost got them'" Weasley said far too quickly for him to register but as soon as his brain caught up with him, Dumbledore's eyes widened and he speedily walked out of the classroom.
"When did this happen?" He asked sternly.
"About five minutes ago, Sir. The boy couldn't stand still, Potter is with him now but we aren't sure how long he will remain conscious!" Black gulped. Dumbledore nodded. Nothing like this had happened before, was this the first sign of the War, in Hogwarts?
It took a few minutes for them to reach the Whomping Willow and when they did he gasped. Potter was holding a blooded boy of about sixteen, who looked pale as a sheet, holding his wand as if it was the last thing he owned. Taking in his appearance, he was strongly reminded of The Carrow's, the hair... The cheekbones. But the clothing threw the professor off slightly. The boy was in Muggle attire, trousers and an old, warn out t-shirt.
"Potter! Bring the lad over here, has anyone thought to get Chang?" The group shook their heads. Dumbledore groaned internally. Children, he'd never understand why they didn't use their brains.
"Nevermind," He murmered, before saying, "Thank you, thirty points each to your house, everything will be confirmed shortly," He nodded and then, with a click of his fingers, he apperated. Technically this wasn't allowed in school grounds, but he managed to pull a few strings, being Deputy Headmaster had a lot of responsibility. Or so that was what he told them.
"That was bloody wicked! The boy was like boom and then Dumbledore was like bam and then he was like, I'm gone!" Septimus rambled, only shutting up when Charlus spoke.
"Yes, we were there!"
"Do you think he'll be okay?" Edwardo asked, still shocked by the whole event. Charlus looked skeptical, while Septimus nodded, grinning happily.
"He's a strong cookie, he'll be fine!" Dorea furrowed her eyebrows in confusion as she stared at her friend with distate. She tutted,
"Muggle reference? Really, Weasley?"
"But-"
And they quickly fell into an argument on Purebloods and Muggles, as a concerned Transfiguration teacher took an injured teenager to the Hospital Wing. He had no idea what to do, the War was starting to bring riots all over the country, scared families on the run to leave and more and more orphans. It was truly devastating. This boy must have a lot of power to apparate through Hogwarts protections, which was very intriguing.
"Albus! What happened!?" Amelia Chang exclaimed as he climbed through the entrance, only stopping to take a breather.
"This boy arrived here half an hour go, Weasley, Black, Potter and Diggory found him, he..." And then the Transfiguration teacher quickly explained what had happened, not noticing Harrison was slowly waking up. Chang rushed them in, placing the new Carrow on the nearest bed. Dumbledore held his breath as the boy opened his mouth.
"Where am I?" Harrison spoke, clearly tired from recent events. Chang answered immediately.
"Hogwarts, my dear, where are you in pain? Who hurt you -" She was interrupted by Dumbledore, who also asked, "What is your name?"
Blinking a few times, Harrison replied.
"I- I was attacked, a small village in Wiltshire. When they came, my village was set on fire, everything burnt so fast, there was hardly any time, my Mum... Dad... Both told me to run. I didn't want to just leave, but I saw my Dad being tortured and my Mum shut the door on me. I was about to go when, two men in black cloaks caught me. I fought them, but they had more power... I distracted them and finally got out, before landing here. I was so scared. I honestly don't know how I got out... I- I I'm s-sorry," He cracked, blushing slightly as he realised he had been crying. He was pretty upset about his parents deaths.
Dumbledore looked shocked and Harrison was amazed how the two were silent, taking in this information. Finally, it was the Nurse who broke out of the shock first. The boy looked 16/17, now that they fully looked at him they realised how shattered he looked but before they could speak, the boy spoke again.
"My name is Harrison Amycus Carrow," Dumbledore stiffened as his eyes grew cold, not noticing that Harrison saw. Another Carrow in the school, despite what the boy had been through, could not happen. No matter how much sympathy Dumbledore had for the Harrison, he couldn't let the Headmaster let him in. He would do everything in his power to stop that from happening.
"Mister Carrow, you need rest. I will personally inform the Headmaster of what happened and he will decide. I must ask you a question, could you tell us about your Mother? Who she married, whether you're a Half-Blood, or Pureblood, not that it matters, mind you," She said, grimly. Harrison nodded in understanding.
"Mum was Beatrice Carrow, she was a Pure-Blood, my dad was a Muggle born... Andrew Medley, I'm a Half-Blood. They kept their surnames, even though they were married... Arguments happened now and then, I know they weren't happy but they kept together to keep me happy," Harrison explained (partly true) more than he should have, but if he wanted one of the adults on his side, he had to make a sob story. Dumbledore's eyes softened. Harrison had to hide a smirk. Chang smiled sadly and handed Harrison a potion.
"It's a dreamless sleep potion, my dear, you will be allowed to stay here for a few days until you recover. Drink up. Dumbledore, I'd like a word,"
Anything else said, Harrison was completely oblivious, for he fell asleep with in the second, not realising how tired he actually was.
"Who lives in a pineapple under the sea?" Harrison heard singing, frowning, he looked around. Wasn't that potion meant to be dreamless - wait, was that Death... Eating popcorn? He stared at the sight before him, Death was sitting on a sofa, remarkably like the one in Gryffindor common room, watching SpongeBob Square pants. Now, that was something he didn't see everyday.
It truly scared Harry how childish Death could be. Forget dementors. He was now scared of Death.
"SpongeBob Square Pants!" Death song with the intro. Jesus, Death needed help. Chuckling, Harrison joined his old friend on the sofa. Death nodded in greeting.
"Harrison, good of you to join. Popcorn?" Harrison stared blankly, shrugged, then took the popcorn from Death and started eating.
"I was very impressed," Death added, Harrison smirked. "Your acting skills are exceptional. You had Nurse Chang wrapped around your little finger and almost Dumbledore. He doesn't like the Carrow's but that will soon change. Or will it? You need to pick a House, Harrison,"
Harrison blinked.
"No hello?" Harrison asked, grinning at the look of guilt Death portrayed. He playfully elbowed Death and laughed.
"I'm joking. I was thinking Ravenclaw or Slytherin? Imagine the outcry if a Carrow was placed in Gryffindor?" Death chuckled.
"Well, I hate to break it to you but you are by no means smart, could you even answer a riddle?" Harrison blanched, not knowing if he could or not.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," He replied sarcastically.
"If I drink I die, if I eat, I'm fine. What am I? One of the oldest and my most favourite Muggle riddle, I must say," Death mused, stealing back the popcorn. Harrison frowned. Now, this didn't make any sense. He was going to be stuck on this riddle for days now and it was all Death's fault. Harrison changed the subject.
"How long have I been out of it?"
"Three days. Dippet has decided you can stay as all of the information you gave on the attack adds up. No one else survived the attack, Harrison. Your parents are dead," Death said, somewhat grimly. Harrison rolled his eyes.
"Oh yeah, I will kill you one day!" Harrison informed Death, who, getting over the shock, burst out laughing. Harrison growled, why was Death laughing? What did he do this time? The Death of his parents were on Halloween. He had every right to be mad!
"Harrison Carrow, you will never fail to amuse me. Ahh, I haven't laughed like that in a long time, my friend. Watch out for the banana," Death added casually. Thinking deeply, Harrison didn't notice that everything had gone black and groaned in confusion as he woke up from his sleep.
"Mister Carrow, at last - I know you've only just awaken but could I have a word?" Harrison nodded, yawning.
"Firstly, welcome to Hogwarts, I hope you will be happy here. I am Headmaster Dippet,"
"Pleased to meet you, Sir," Harrison replied, still half asleep.
"Excellent manners, young sir. Now, how old are you?" Harrison had to think for a second, not knowing himself.
"I just turned sixteen," He replied. "I was born July 31st," He added. Dippet smiled warmly which made Harrison wonder what happened to Dippet and what he would think of the school fifty years in the future.
"Ah, sixth year. Bit tricky, but I'm sure you'll be able to manage. You have done your OWLs, yes?" Harrison nodded.
"O's in everything, Sir. I was Home schooled," Dippet hummed, taking everything in, writing a few things down. After a few moments, he finally spoke again.
"I will ask the Minister of Magic for a copy of your results and then we will get started straight away. Now, what electives did you take?"
After explaining to the teacher what his classes were, they went on to talk about Houses, the Sorting and when he would start. He told the man that he took Ancient Runes, Arithmancy, Alchemy, Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies. So say Dippet was impressed that Harrison had received all O's in twelve, OWL subjects, was an understatement. In fact, he said -
"You have done one better than anyone thought possible, our own Tom Riddle scored O's on everything bar History of Magic, where he got an EE. Truly a prodilgey. I'm sure he will be happy to have a challenger. He's in your year too-" Harrison cursed, he would have been happy if Riddle was in the year above, or the year below, because then he wouldn't have had to talk to him, but now - in the same year? He was going to have words with Death. And soon.
"Now, Chang wants you to eat, so, would you like to remain here, or eat in the Great Hall like everybody else?"
"Here, if that's alright. I don't want to be bombarded with questions I don't have the answers to and it would be awkward without a house. Is that ok?" He asked, acting slightly nervous. Dippet chuckled deeply.
"Of course. I'll leave you to it and I will be back shortly. Enjoy, Harrison."
This is going to be the most interesting year yet.
"I mean, I've fought Voldemort more times than I can count, killed a Basilisk, won the Triwizard Tournament, killed a load of Death Eaters and scared Umbridge off... I think I can handle being back in the past, should be a piece of cake," Harrison said to himself with a smirk. Yes, definitely an interesting year.