Chapter 2- The Time Warp
Albus sprinted out of the Gryffindor common room as fast as he could. Tears pricked at his eyes and threatened to spill. Fiercely he wiped them away. He couldn't cry, not here not now.
As he fell out of the Gryffindor common room, he felt the cold November wind rush against his face. He felt destroyed and completely defenseless. He whipped his head to the left and to the right to check for Filch and Mrs. Norris. Albus didn't want to get into any more trouble tonight.
Making sure that the coast was clear he sprinted down the hall and took the stairs up to the seventh floor to where the Room of Requirement lay. He had found out about the ROR a few years back when he was just a third year student.
He had been surprised to find a room fill with such nice Quidditch equipment but yet when he had entered the second time, he had been shocked to find that the room had transformed into a library.
After a few more visits, he finally understood that this was the room James had been talking about all these years. James had bragged that the ROR was his secret fortress. Well… Not anymore, Albus had thought smugly at that time.
Over the years the ROR had became Albus's hide out when he couldn't deal with the pressure of being Harry Potter's kid. It had transformed into the room which he precisely needed. Sometimes it could be a soothing place with a warm fireplace and a comfy armchair, or something it could be a Quidditch pitch where he could practice.
But for now, all he needed was the warm fireplace and the comfy armchair in which he could sit in to cry. By now Albus had already reached the left corridor on the seventh floor. Now all he had to do was concentrate really hard…..
For a few moments nothing happened. Albus opened a fraction of an eye to be found with just a plain wall still. But slowly as if by magic the wall suddenly merged into a door.
Albus grinned. He turned the knob and walked right in. Strangely inside the ROR wasn't a warm fireplace with a squishy armchair for Albus, it had only a wardrobe. To be quite frank, a shabby looking wardrobe.
Slowly Albus inched towards it. He willed himself to open it, bracing himself for what was inside. However what was inside wasn't scary at all. A single piece of shimmery looking fabric was hung on a hanger inside.
Below the fabric was a note which looked as old as the wardrobe. The note said:
Oh ye is sick of life here
Take a trip where no one knows
Ye tired and ye bored of life
Well join me on this perfect ride through time
At first Albus was confused. Was this note suggesting that he could… travel in time? But that's impossible. Not even the most powerful witches and wizards could have mastered that skill. He was certain of that. Even Professor McGonagall had firmly told him so when he had asked.
But this… This.. wardrobe was it really offering him a chance to escape? But where would he end up at? Would he even be happy? Would it be better than the life he had here?
Questions swarmed like bees inside his head. It wasn't everyday that Albus got a chance to escape. He hesitated. As if the wardrobe could sense Albus's hesitation, the shimmery fabric had turned into a sort of portal.
Albus could see himself! But wait.. he wasn't at Hogwarts. Well he was but not in this time at least. He could see a girl with bushy brown hair in the background. She actually looked quite pretty. He blushed.
The imaged shifted focus and he saw himself playing Quidditch. His hands closed around the snitch and his heart leaped. He had captured the snitch which would mean that Gryffindor had finally won the cup!
His heart swelled with pride and warmth. Maybe escaping wouldn't be so bad. He took a step forwards. What would this magic fabric show next? Just then the image blurred. Panicking Albus grabbed the fabric. Just as his hands closed around the silky cloth he felt himself being jerked forwards.
His stomach gave an uncomfortable lurch. He wanted to go back desperately but it was already too late. He had made his decision without meaning to. He was already traveling through time.
Albus landed with a soft thud on a grassy piece of land. Groaning he got up. Time travel was certainly not his favorite way of transportation. His stomach felt all queasy and he had a major headache.
Just then he stood up and inhaled a sharp breath. He was at Hogwarts. But not the new Hogwarts. The original. It was the Hogwarts before the Second Wizarding War and boy was it beautiful. With its turrets and beautifully built towers it looked magnificent, even better than the new Hogwarts.
Albus had been able to recognize Hogwarts as the original one due to the fact that he had seen almost a thousand pictures of it back at home. Mum and dad would never stop nattering about how Hogwarts used to be like.
He inhaled in the fresh morning air and finally took a look around himself. He was on the Quidditch pitch. Oh how he would love to just have one fly around. As if someone had heard his thoughts, a broom appeared by his side.
He picked it up. It was a Firebolt. He had heard enough from dad to know that this had been the fastest broom of his time. His heart caught in his throat. Was he… Could he be in his father's era?
The broom leaped into his hand and he felt the glossy wood against his palm. The feel of the soft wood immediately calmed him. Even if the Firebolt had been a million leagues behind Albus's broom, The Lightning Strike, it was still a nice broom.
Albus took several minutes surveying it. The wood seemed to be good enough. And its speed… Oh how Albus wanted to know how fast it could go. Before he knew it, his feet were already planted firmly in his usual kick off position and the Firebolt was nestled snugly in between his legs.
Without further a due, Albus felt his legs kick against the wet morning grass and he was off! The morning wind whipped against his face. It felt refreshing. He gave a loud whoop and egged the broom to go faster. Albus had to admit, the Firebolt was a remarkable broom. After he had done a few laps and began he started to descend he heard the voice of someone calling for him.
"Oi! What do you think you're doing with my broom?" he heard the mysterious person snap at him, obviously irritated. Albus jumped off quickly. 10 minutes in this time and already he had made someone angry.
"Uh… uh.. Well I just found it here and I thought that maybe I could have a ride?" Albus tried to explain himself. The mysterious person was storming clearly into view.
Albus could just make out his untidy jet black hair and bright green eyes which were framed by round glasses and… oh, the lightning scar on his forehead. Could it be..?
"Dad?" Albus whispered under his breath.
"What did you just call me?" the person asked annoyed. Albus shook his head and extended his arm.
"Nothing. I'm Albus P-. I mean I'm Albus," he replied, catching himself before he told his then 16-year-old father that he was his son.
"Eh? What did you say your name was? I wasn't aware that there was a student named Albus…" Harry muttered softly to himself. Albus cocked his head to his side, studying his 16-year-old father.
He had the same untidy jet black hair and bright green eyes. The only difference was the scar that stood out prominently on his father's forehead.
"What are you staring at?" he snapped self consciously flattening his unruly hair. Albus grinned. He couldn't believe his luck!
"Well anyways, better get you inside. You're probably new and had just missed the train yesterday," Harry muttered before snatching his broom away. Harry turned around and walked towards the castle.
For a few moments Albus wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. Was he suppose to follow Harry? Did Harry even invite Albus to follow him?
As if Harry had just read his mind, he swiveled around and cocked his head to his side. "Well? Aren't you coming? Oh and by the way, the name is Potter. Harry Potter," he introduced with a twinkle in his eye.
Albus grinned. He couldn't believe it. He had actually traveled back in time. Cool! Quickly he scuttled alongside Harry, laughing and joking around. Albus laughed. This was surely the right decision… right?