THE HIDDEN HEIR
Chapter One
by MadameProngs10
SUMMARY: When Harry and his friends travel back in time to the Marauder's 7th year at Hogwarts, Harry is given the chance to reunite with his parents and gain powers he never thought possible -- powers that could mean life or death for many Wizarding and Muggle families. Mostly canon compliant up until the end of GoF.
DISCLAIMER: I do not, nor will I ever, own JK Rowling's glorious world of Harry Potter.
"Where do you think you're going, boy?" demanded Uncle Vernon, using his beefy hands to lower the newspaper he was holding and glaring at his nephew. He was sitting on the couch next to Aunt Petunia, observing Harry with the usual 'you're scum and don't deserve to have your own life' attitude. Harry had been home from his fourth year at Hogwarts for barely over a week, but the Dursleys, of course, had already found plenty of reasons to be upset at him.
The boy in question didn't bother looking over his shoulder at his uncle as he replied; instead, he seemed to be concentrating on the clock above the mantle. "To visit my godfather," he replied, a smirk forming on his face. "You know, the escaped convict? Time for one of those follow-ups I told you about last year... if I don't show up today, he'll probably come here looking for me. I'm sure he wouldn't be very pleased. He's got a nasty temper too, no telling what he'd do..."
Harry didn't have to turn around to know that Vernon Dursley was wearing a look of pure horror and loathing on his fat face. As Uncle Vernon seemed to be trying to regain his ability to speak, the clock struck three and Remus Lupin stepped out of the fireplace. He gave Harry a genuine smile as he stepped through the flames, even though he was noticeably pale and sickly; Harry knew the full moon must be approaching. Oh, what would the Dursleys think if they knew the man standing in the room was a werewolf? Of course he would never tell Remus' secret, but it was still a highly amusing mental image and...
Struck with an idea, Harry returned Remus' smile with one of his own. "Hello, Professor Lupin!" he greeted, perhaps a bit too brightly. "Nice to see you again."
The former professor seemed not to notice his old student's attitude. Harry went on, finally facing his aunt and uncle. "This is my godfather," he introduced them cheerfully, confident Remus would play along. Both Vernon's and Petunia's eyes instantly widened, terrified. Before they had time to butter up to 'Sirius' or plan their escape, Remus spoke up. He allowed Harry a cross between a small smile and a disapproving look, but once again, Harry was sure he'd go along.
"It is nice to see you again as well, Harry, but how many times must I remind you I am no longer your professor?" Lupin admonished lightly, a pot of Floo powder in his hands. He nodded to the Dursleys then, "Nice to meet you. Harry has told me much about his aunt and uncle. I trust you are treating him well?"
"I-I... we..." the Dursleys stammered as one. Harry watched on with interest, but Lupin, apparently uninterested in scaring his aunt and uncle, simply held the pot of Floo powder out to Harry.
"Now, Harry, we really must be going. The matter Sir -- Professor Dumbledore, Remus and I," he caught himself, remembering he was supposedly Sirius at the moment. Remus' smile was now replaced with a serious expression. "Need to talk to you about is really of utmost importance. Harry should be back to you by next summer," Lupin added to the Dursleys, as if they would have been concerned if he didn't come back. "There is no need to worry. I promise he will be in good hands."
Curious, but knowing he would get to ask his questions soon enough, Harry picked up Hedwig's cage and his trunk, reaching into the pot for some powder before stepping into the fireplace.
"Dumbledore's Office," instructed Lupin before Harry could ask where he was to Floo. Harry furrowed his brow at this; he had been to the Headmaster's office plenty of times, of course, but never during the summer. Was what they needed to tell him really so important that they needed that level of privacy? It's probably about Voldemort, he realized darkly, his mood dropping as he recalled watching Cedric Diggory murdered at the graveyard. A second later, Harry roared 'Dumbledore's Office!', and disappeared as the flames turned green.
Harry's first time using the Floo system had been nearly three years ago, but he found that he was still unable to land on his feet. A very familiar, bark-like laugh echoed in Dumbledore's Office as Harry appeared in the Headmaster's fireplace and promptly landed on his bottom and Harry forgot to pretend to be annoyed as he looked up at his godfather in elation.
"Sirius!"
Still laughing, Harry's godfather rose from his seat across from Dumbledore's desk as Harry stood up and brushed off his jeans, making his way to his godson and embracing him. Harry and Sirius exchanged greetings as Remus arrived, then Dumbledore cleared his throat to capture their attention. "Good afternoon, Harry," Dumbledore spoke to Harry while offering a smile, although the trademark twinkle in his blue eyes didn't seem to be present. In fact, they seemed empty and distant... almost worried....
What would cause Professor Dumbledore to worry?
"What's this about, Professor?" questioned Harry at once, slipping into a seat next to the one Sirius had been occupying. "It's about Voldemort, isn't it?"
Harry could feel Sirius place a comforting hand on his shoulder, like he had not so long ago when Harry had spoken of seeing his parents come out of Voldemort's wand, as his godson mentioned He Who Must Not Be Named. Professor Dumbledore sighed, looking very much like the old man he was, as he observed Harry over his half-moon spectacles. "I'm afraid so, Harry."
As always, Dumbledore had Harry's full attention. He waited for the Headmaster to continue, but he didn't; he seemed to be deep in thought. Finally, Harry couldn't take it any longer. "What is it? What's going on?"
Once again, the old man seemed to take his time answering, but he finally did after a few long moments had passed. "I think there may be a way to finish Voldemort off for good. Possibly even the first time around, in the best case scenario..."
Harry's eyes widened. Dumbledore couldn't mean what he thought he meant, could he? "You mean... before my parents died?" he asked, his heart thumping wildly. No, of course he couldn't mean that... Harry must have heard him wrong...
"Possibly," Dumbledore stressed. Rather than smiling at Harry, he frowned. "It is extremely dangerous and could cause no small amount of damage in the worst case scenario, but I believe it is the best course of action to take. The Ministry does not believe you and me, Harry, and refuse to admit that Voldemort has returned. If we wish to defeat him quickly then we will need more help than that. Of course, whether you want to go through with this or not is entirely up to you--"
"But sir," interrupted Harry, confused. "I don't understand. How can we stop Voldemort the first time around when that was nearly twenty years ago?"
Dumbledore leaned forward slightly, staring straight into Harry's eyes. Sirius' grip on Harry's shoulder tightened and Remus looked on the situation quietly. "Tell me, Harry: have you ever heard of time travel?"
"Time travel?!" repeated Hermione, gawking at Harry as if he had grown three heads. "Has Professor Dumbledore gone insane? He expects you to travel back in time to your parents' seventh year? That is extremely dangerous, Harry, and you've only just completed your fourth year!"
"Dangerous, yeah, but bloody awesome!" chimed in Ron as he walked along-side Hermione and Harry. They were currently in the Weasley's
backyard, the only part of Ron's home that was at least semi-private for the time being.
"I know," said Harry, replying more to Hermione than to Ron. Of course he knew it was extremely dangerous and he didn't completely get why Dumbledore had agreed either, but he wasn't going to complain. He would get to see his parents! If he died in the past, then so be it. "But think of all the lives I'll be able to save if I can do it! I can't say no!"
Hermione's tone softened; she knew Harry was thinking of his parents. "I know you want to see your parents, Harry," she told him quietly, facing him. "But are you sure you want to go through with this? The results could be disastrous..."
"I'm sure," nodded Harry, taking all of one second to think about it. He wanted to see his parents more than anything in the world and now he'd finally be able to! And maybe he could warn someone about Cedric and Neville's parents while was at it... why was Hermione so reluctant? "Professor Dumbledore said you two could come along, but I know you probably don't want --"
"Of course we're coming!" Ron and Hermione yelled together as if Harry was insane.
"Harry, we're your friends. No matter how reckless I think this is, Professor Dumbledore must have some reason for allowing you to do this. He wouldn't lead you to your death on purpose. I'm sure at least a large part of him thinks you -- we -- will succeed," Hermione reasoned. She still didn't quite understand all that had transpired, but no way was she going to make her best friend go off to the past by himself.
"Exactly," Ron agreed, nodding.
Although he smiled at his friends, Harry couldn't help but feel guilty. He almost wished they would have declined the offer. What if they were killed in the past? It would be all his, Harry's, fault and he would never forgive himself for it. "Are you sure?"
"Stop being so bloody noble," Ron laughed, reaching out to punch Harry's shoulder. "'Course we're coming. We're your best mates."
"So did Dumbledore say anything else?" inquired Hermione, nodding after Ron spoke. "Surely he gave you more to go off than 'if you're willing, I'll send you to your parents' seventh year'..."
Swallowing, Harry nodded. This part had been the most confusing to him and he hoped Hermione would have some idea of what it was supposed to mean since Remus, Sirius, and Dumbledore hadn't exactly agreed to answer this question. He supposed it must be important to find this out while in the past, but Harry wasn't exactly known for his patience. "The whole reason Dumbledore's doing this," he began, his voice barely above a whisper, "is because Sirius told him about something my dad made him promise a long time ago or something. If anything happened to my dad or my mum, Sirius was supposed to explain something to me -- I don't know what -- or send me to the past with some object my dad had given Sirius so I could find out for myself once I was old enough. Sirius told Dumbledore about this a few days ago, I guess, and Dumbledore didn't waste any time deciding that me going to the past would be best, even though he gave me the option of staying and letting Sirius tell me instead --"
Harry was still talking, but Hermione interrupted. "Wait, your dad had something that crucial to tell you? Something so crucial that Professor Dumbledore and Sirius seem to think that it could mean the difference between Voldemort existing?"
"Yeah, I guess," shrugged Harry. He had no idea what it would be. "Sirius didn't seem to want me to go, but he eventually agreed that it would probably be best."
"Why couldn't your dad just use whatever secret it is to get rid of You Know Who?" Ron asked, just as confused as Harry.
Once again, Harry couldn't answer the question. He had been wondering the same thing himself -- unless maybe his dad knew something about Harry and only he could dispose of the Dark Lord with whatever secret it was? Was it a secret weapon, maybe? Wait, but that didn't make sense... if they were sending Harry to James and Lily's seventh year, then James didn't even know Harry existed yet... and how would he know to confide in Harry anyway? Dumbledore said Harry and all his friends would have to be disguised.
"I don't know, but I reckon Dumbledore knows what he's doing. I expect we'll have all our answers soon enough," Harry forced himself to say, suddenly aggravated with the Headmaster, Remus, and Sirius for refusing to give him more information.
He kicked a rock as the trio made their way inside the house so they could prepare to leave the next morning. Even though Harry had left Dumbledore's office as confused as he was when he had entered, a large part of him was jittering with excitement: he was going to see his parents tomorrow!