Smartest Plan Yet
To say that Harry, that is to say the Harry from 1995, was freaking out would be a complete under statement. The amount of information that was being said from those from the future was bind blowing. Everyone was hanging on their every word, some trying to mask it with mild curiosity or casual indifference, but the truth was everyone was listening with rapt attention. The worst moment—the absolute worst moment was when those from the future reluctantly told of the deaths soon to come. Every name mentioned was like a blow to his stomach, making him want the throw up his dinner. The first mentioned was Sirius.
"No!" Harry shouted. "It can't be true! He can't be dead!"
Older Hermione looked at Harry with such sadness it pulled at his heart; that's when he realised they were telling the truth. Sirius had gone deadly pale as James, Lily and Remus shook their heads in a daze, trying to come to terms about what was being said. "How," Sirius gulped heavily. "How do I d-die?"
Snuffles whimpered softly from his spot on Harry's lap, who seemed to be holding onto him tightly. The future travellers shifted in their seats and shot uneasy looks at each other. Then, very unexpected from those from the present, Neville took a deep breath and spoke with clarity and strength it sounded nothing like the Neville they knew. "It was when we were in The Department of Mysteries—."
"The Battle of the Department of Mysteries!" Dominique said excitedly. When people looked at her in silent annoyance she lowered in her seat and smiled sheepishly. "Just another thing I learned in class," she said timidly.
Neville cleared his throat, grabbing everyone's attention once again. "So we were in The Department of Mysteries trying to 'save' Sirius."
"Who's 'we' and why would you need to save Sirius?" Lily asked from beside James and didn't seem to mind having his arm around her.
"'We' being myself, Harry, Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Luna," he explained. "And we didn't have to save Sirius because it was trap set by Voldemort and his Death Eaters."
"Neville, you said his name," Dean from 1995 said in astonishment.
All those from future laughed at the expression of those from the present. "Mostly everyone says it now," older Seamus said to his younger best friend.
"But we shouldn't," Cho Chang said. Questionable looks were sent her way but she just rolled her eyes. "I'm not scared of the name anymore," she explained. "It's just that there's a taboo on the name," she said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, but mostly she was trying to seem like she knew what she was talking about in front of Harry.
"Not in 1995, Cho," Ginny said as if talking to a small child. She knew exactly what Cho was trying to do.
"Anyway," Neville began as Cho narrowed her eyes at Ginny. "We went to The Department and it was trap. We fought Death Eaters and narrowly escaped until The Order came—"
"What's 'The Order'?" an anonymous voice asked from somewhere in the hall.
"The Order of the Pheonix," Neville said distractedly, trying to continue. "The Order came and we were able to get away for a while and then Dumbledore came and the fighting stopped but Bellatrix and Sirius were still fighting and Bellatrix knocked Sirius into the Veil, you know the veil that separates the living from the dead?" he asked not really expecting an answer. "That's what happened," he finished in a apologetic voice to those around him.
All was silent for a moment until Snuffles started barking loudly and Sirius raised his head. "You're telling me," Sirius said over his own barking. "That my cousin Bellatrix defeats me?!" he looked around at the future people who nodded warily. "Oh, c'mon," he said in an exasperated voice, "you've got to be kidding me."
"You're taking this better than expected," Teddy said cautiously after Snuffles barks subsided.
"Really?" Sirius said loudly, though he didn't notice he did. "Because I am bloody—"
"Sirius," Lupin said warningly. Sirius stopped at his tone and realised that there were minors around so he couldn't use his infamous colourful vocabulary. He sagged in his seat and put his head in his hands and mumbled something incoherently. "What?" Lupin asked his younger friend.
"I said tell us another story," he said more loudly, although his head was still in his hand.
"Well we have plenty of those," said Lee Jordan. "Depressing or happy?" he asked as if he were asking them whether they wanted chocolate or strawberry flavour ice-cream. "We're running low on happy, but we have plenty of depressing." Everyone frowned at his tone, so used to his cheery commentary and finding his dark humour disheartening. No one said anything for time and Alicia elbowed Lee in the ribs for making things awkward.
"Why don't," Harry from 1997 finally said, not being able to handle the silence, "we get the depressing ones over and done with, then we can finish with the happy ones," he said in a monotone. Not wanting to agree out loud, everyone nodded mutely.
So the story went on, with the occasional interruption which was rather irritating to the story teller. There were many cries of disbelieve and mutters of doubt. The uproar was deafening when Dumbledore's death was told. There were tears and sobs and hugs of support. The travellers form 2017 and Lily from 1977 were quick to defend Snape when his part was put in.
"I am heartened to know that I have to as much love from my student as I do for them," Dumbledore said warmly with the biggest twinkle in his eye they had seen that evening. "But I trust Severus Snape with my life and do not doubt that he was innocent in my death." His words calmed people down, but the odd glare was sent Snape's way from time to time.
Once again more stories were told. Starting with how Harry was moved from the Dursley's to the Burrow and how George lost his ear (more glares sent towards Snape—none more fierce than that of the Weasley's) and the death of Mad-Eye Moody, who shrugged and said, "at least I went out fighting". Then the retelling of Bill and Fleur's wedding was told from those present during and after. The future children we shocked to learn that what happened at one of their family events and the trio were relieved to know that there weren't any deaths after they left. "Where did you guys go?" Lee asked. "In all the panic I didn't seen you guys go. And were you even there Harry?"
The trio explained their journey and the fight between the Death Eaters at the café then going to a 'safe place', not mentioning Grimmauld Place in front of so many people. Then the told of how they snuck into the Ministry and told the school loudly about what Umbridge's role in the Ministry was in their time.
"She's doing what to muggle-borns?" mostly every muggle-born said in a shrill tone, none louder than that of Hermione and Lily.
"She can't do that!" Hermione said in outrage. "It has to be illegal."
"It probably is, Hermione," Ron said placating. "But obviously not in their time. It's obvious their time is completely messed up."
"Lies," Umbridge hissed from the High Table. She leaned across the table as if trying to get her words closer to them, her stubby fingers spread on the clean cloth on the long table, wrinkling it in the process. "This boy spreads nothing but lies. I see age doesn't change him at all," she seethed poisonously, her eyes changing from wide frog eyes to narrowed snake eyes. "I would never do such a thing, his group of friends," she hissed the 's', "are obviously trying to show me in a bad light by saying I aligned with He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named in the future." She sat back in her seat slowly, still glaring at the future trio. "Which is absolutely preposterous," her voice suddenly switching from low and hissing to sickly sweet with the wide frog smile back in place.
"You must not tell lies professor," both Harry's said at the same time and glared in her direction. Before Umbridge could croak another word older Harry, Ron and Hermione carried on with their story until they ran out of story to tell. "… and then we appeared here and you all know the rest," they finished.
"Okay," 14 year old Ginny said thoughtfully, "why was Ron about to leave and why were you fighting?"
The future trio exchanged looks uneasily. "Just a little problem we were having, but it's all sorted now," Hermione said lightly. "Neville, Luna, Ginny—tell us about what's been happening to you."
"Well our story isn't any better than yours," Neville began. To the shock of all listening, which was practically everyone, they described how Hogwarts had changed for the worst, how they started their own rebellion, explaining how they started the D.A. again."
"What's the D.A.?" Remus asked curiously.
This made all those from the future smile and sit up proudly. "The D.A. is Dumbledore's Army or the Defence Association," Luna said clearly, lacking her normal dreamy voice. "Harry, Hermione and Ron started in our fifth year, this year, right?"
"Wait," Harry said, turning to Hermione and Ron. "Is this what you're trying to convince me to do?"
They both shrugged, nonplussed, "We don't know," they said.
"In our defence, we didn't know it would turn into something so important," older Ron said, to which those from the future nodded.
"Okay, it's a group called Dumbledore's Army," Remus summed up, "but what do you do?"
"When we were in the year 1995 we joined together because our D.A.D.A. professor was rubbish," Angelina spoke up. "Harry taught us lots of defence spells, we really learnt a lot."
"Hem, hem," the irritating voice called from the High Table. "This group is against the rules," Umbridge smiled.
"Since when, Delores?" McGonagall asked with irritation clear in her tone.
"Since now," she sent a forced smile at Professor McGonagall. "I teach Defence Against the Dark Arts, there is no need for a bunch of trouble makers to practice spells unsupervised, especially if they're taught by Mr. Potter," she ended with a sneer and a glare sent to both Harry's, who happily sent one back.
Unexpectedly, Neville laughed. "If Death Eater can't stop us, you definitely can't," he said, which was met by a slight cheer by his companions. Before Umbridge could say another word Neville carried on with his story until he came to when Luna, Ginny and himself tried to steal the Sword of Godric Gryffindor."
"Why did you do that?" Older Harry said in alarm. He had his arm around Ginny's waist protectively, completely ignoring Ron's narrowed eyes and the promise he made to him on his birthday.
"Because it's yours and we thought you might need it," Ginny said simply. "We smashed open the glass case and tried to smuggle it down the staircase, but then Snape caught as we were leaving."
"If Hogwarts is full of Death Eaters then you could have got in serious trouble," said Harry. "They could've—"
"We know what they could've done but they didn't," Ginny said reassuringly. "Snape only gave us detention in the forest with Hagrid, which isn't really a punishment, seeing as we all love Hagrid." Harry opened his mouth to list off all the bad things that could've happened to her but Ginny put her hand over his mouth. "Honestly Harry," she said exasperatedly, "you go off risking your life on some crazy mission—that's fine, I accepted that—but while you've been doing your thing, I've been doing mine, which is leading the D.A. with Neville and Luna. It's dangerous and risky, but what you're doing is even more dangerous and risky. So don't you dare lecture me, Harry Potter," she finished with narrowed eyes and strong determination on her face. All was silent for a moment until an anonymous student made a whipping sound, making everyone snicker.
Harry just smiled and pulled her closer. "I just want you to be safe."
Ginny's expression softened and smiled back at Harry. "I just want you to be safe, too," she ended with a soft kiss, to which Ron groaned.
"Not again," he whined. "If you're gonna start that again, don't do it in front of me."
Younger Ron look on with shocked disbelieve written across his. "I am never gonna get used to that," he murmured with a shake of his head.
Ginny glared at her brother and hissed, "Do I have to remind you of Lavender?" which made Ron blush bright red and sink in lower in his seat.
"What about me?" Lavender asked from down the table. She was one of the many people listening in on the conversation, but got uninterested when the sentimental Harry and Ginny conversation started until her name was suddenly mentioned.
"Err, nothing," Ron quickly said and hastily tried to change the subject. "So what happened next Neville?"
Neville carried on with his story with an amused smirk on his face until he got to the bad parts if the story. His voice turned grave as he reluctantly spoke the names of the ones who died in the battle. Remus and Tonks were told first.
"We die?" Tonks said in high pitched voice. "B-but—No! Remus and I get married! We have a baby boy! We have Teddy! We can't die! No!" Her voice became thick as tears threatened to choke her. Lupin pulled her into a hug as she cried into his chest. "What about Teddy?" she asked weakly.
"My Grandmother, Harry and Ginny look after me," Teddy said faintly. Tonks pulled out of Lupin's hug and tugged Teddy into their family hug. Teddy hugged them tight and tried to engrave the feeling into his head.
"I'm sorry," was all Lupin could seem to say to his future son and hugged him tightly, never wanting to let him go. All those watching the small family seemed to tear up, although some would deny it to their dying day.
Meanwhile the younger Remus sat shocked in his seat, not seeming to hear or respond to his friends' words of comfort. He knew everyone died at some point, but to actually hear of his own death was crazy. If he wasn't freaking out before, he was silently freaking out now.
Both Harry's shook their heads in sorrow, guilt taking over their hearts. Harry couldn't lose Remus. He's already lost too many: his parents, Sirius, Dumbledore and now Remus and Tonks. This can't happen. The student in the Hall bowed their heads at the tragic thought of losing one of their best Professors—this time travel thing was crazy.
There were gasps of shock and tears as some other names were mentioned such as Dobby and Colin. There was no louder cry than that of the Weasleys as Fred's name was said. "Me?" Fred said numbly. "I d—," he broke off, not able to finish that sentence. He looked over to his future niece with clouded eyes. "But you said I was…"
Roxanne looked sadly at the Uncle she never met. "I'm sorry Uncle Fred," tears welled up in her eyes, along with all her other cousins. "I just couldn't tell you that—I'm so sorry Uncle Fred…"
"I-it's fine," Fed tried to smile. "I-I'm fine. At least I go out fighting right," he chuckled weakly and hugged his twin tightly as George grabbed him into bone crushing embrace. Both Rons and both Ginnys joined the hug, surrounding the Twins in a family hug, holding them close.
"I can't lose you, Fred. I won't lose you—I can't," George mumbled in the hug.
The Great Hall became quiet, no one wanting to interrupt the heartbreaking family moments taking place. Remus, Tonks and Teddy, were joined in a close embrace, Colin held his younger brother as he cried for his brothers ill fate, all Weasley's plus both Hermiones and older Harry sat together, consoling each other as best as they could. Younger Harry sat with his parents, younger Remus and Sirius, with Snuffles in his lap, holding him tightly as they tried tell each other it was okay.
Dumbledore looked down at all his students, past, present and future. Maybe I shouldn't have let the future be told, he thought too late as he watched the tears roll down sad faces. Can this be changed? He asked himself and began to think of all the possible outcomes these visitors may have made.
"Oi!" Fred suddenly shouted out to the whole Hall. "We're not actually dead yet!" he shouted out, to the shock of the whole hall. "And I don't know about you but I don't want to spend the rest of this evening depressed about something that hasn't happened yet."
People looked at Fred in disbelieve but most agreed with him. "I agree," Colin spoke up with a smile, nudging his brother playfully to make him smile, which seemed to work as the boys started to have a nudging match amongst themselves on the Gryffindor table.
"Me too," Sirius said, his charming smile back on his face. "This is obviously a once in a lifetime opportunity, I mean, we time travelled for Merlin's sake! Lets enjoy it and get to know each other."
Both Remus' nodded and smiled at their friend, Tonks untangled herself from Lupin's arms and sat up straighter, agreeing with her cousins words. "Yeah," Tonks said brightly. "What about those happy stories now?" she asked the time travellers. "I don't know about you guys but I think we could all use a happy story right now."
I know, I know, it was sad and depressing and it took me awhile to have this chapter up, so please forgive me for that. A thank you to Anora Blaze Trueheart, who pointed out a very good point... Harry would definitely be freaking out... Again, I'm sorry this small chapter is depressing but the next one won't be, I promise. Pretty please with a cherry on top, REVIEW? Please... Well, until next time..
PurpleFire...x
