Chapter 2: The Truth

Author notes:-

I have taken up the leverage to circulate the updates in one week to fifteen days cycle. I have one more story I am working through, additionally I am a student so I need to invest a lot of time in my college studies.

That's it.

Harry walked out of the Three Broomsticks and strolled in the village of Hogsmeade. Hogsmeade, unlike Leaky cauldron looked quite different from his time. The buildings around the village were less worn-out and stood straight rather than the minute lean they had adopted through two decades. He crossed the Hogsmeade in quick strides and moved in the direction of Hogwarts.

Harry didn't sped up in the direction of Hogwarts as he did have a lot of time at hand, unfortunately as well as ironically time was all he was left with. He flunked those thoughts to the back of his head and instead focused on savouring the woody scent leaking out of the forest along the path he walked on. In the hindsight, as a new semester was about to start in upcoming September and it was still July, students would be at their respective homes on summer vacation. Thus, his meeting with Dumbledore wouldn't be disturbed, neither would he come face to face with anyone unwanted. He crossed the outlines of the forest sidelining Hogsmeade and Hogwarts simultaneously to reach the grass field, for he reached the area from where Hogwarts could be seen clearly he felt delusional wards and invisibility charms covering the entire area, probably to hide Hogwarts's presence from Muggles. He quickly casted a charm over himself wandlessly so that the wards will recognize him as a wizard, even in the future the wards around the castle were set to reveal the fortress only to witches and wizards.

The wards recognized his magic and he phased through them to continue his steps toward his former school or he should say his adobe for next few years, if he could get the permission for that, after he phased through the wards he looked up and a nostalgic feeling arose in his heart. Infront of him stood the large, ever-present Castle that was his home at once, it always initiated a welcoming and warm feeling inside him. Since, He never felt safe or at home with his Aunt Petunia and Dursleys, his description of the word 'Home' often depicted Hogwarts. He still had to travel certain distance to reach the castle, yet he could see the castle at its full Glory, though in the end it all fell to rubbles when the Battle of Hogwarts ended. Nothing more than ruins, in memorial of the enormous castle once it was, remained standing when he had jumped off the bridge. Voldemort and his army had decimated the castle, the towers and the whole area around it. At the moment, when he thinks over his journey it rather appears unreal to him, hypothetically he wouldn't have believed a man who'd declare himself as a time traveller. So. why was he so keen on believing that the Headmaster would understands his situation? Sense of loyalty and respect maybe, he was truly loyal to the man in question through his years in Hogwarts, furthermore, He also respected the man after their adventures and one on one conversations, particularly through his 6th year.

He strolled on for a few miles further untill he reached the large iron gates of the school, as he looked toward the guard house his eyes widened for a second before he recomposed his facial expressions. Standing infront of him was a much younger Rubeus Hagrid, with not so imposing beard but still as heavy body as always. He had progressed fine through Harry's years at Hogwarts. Hagrid had died early in his time, after the demise of Dumbledore Hagrid tried to make Giants see reason to join the Orders' cause but failed miserably. As School was taken up under Voldemort and Snape was assigned as the new headmaster during his 7th year, Harry refused to return to the school instead he went into the search of horcruxes.

During one such run he came across the Giant, Durslév, Hagrid's and Madame Maxime's head were hung on his waist due a rope as a trophy, Harry and Hermione had killed the Giant very brutally. Harry would cast sectumsempra (even if he had been previously stubborn on not using the spell created by his treacherous of a teacher, he didn't had a torturing spell untill then in his arsenal) on and on and Hermione would heal the wounds for further torture, for nearly two hours they tortured the giant before killing it. The three of them Himself, Ron and Hermione, had mourned for their half giant friend for two days.

To see him standing infront, Harry had to control his urge to hug Hagrid fiercely. He walked on to meet Hagrid. For he stood infront of the large gates of his school, he couldn't formulate a plan to ask for an audience with Dumbledore subtly, Nervousness hitched his mind and he started running his mind through different plans as fast as he could, fortunately he found a way, so he followed on to it.

"Good morning sir" greeted Harry cheerfully.

Hagrid nodded toward him and replied with a greeting of his own.

"I need to meet Professor Dumbledore. I am a student and wants to enroll in the academy, if you could, please lead me to him." Harry asked

"Can I gech' yer name boy?" asked Hagrid displaying his uneasiness broadly.

"My name is Harry" replied Harry with a smile to ease the awkwardness between the two.

Before Hagrid could answer, a big, husky brown colored mastiff dog came running and sniffing around Harry's feet. Harry didn't made any sudden movement and let the dog sniff him, as soon the dog was done sniffing Harry knelt down slowly and started rubbing the back of its ear. Hagrid had a similar boarhound in the future, he had learnt from the man about taming such dogs. Harry started rubbing beneath the mutt's jaw to relax it further and the next moment flipped it on its back gently to rub its stomach. Hagrid stood amazed at the boy's skill while he tamed Brooder, if he wasn't sure he didn't knew the boy he would say the techniques were taught by him.

'arry, Yer sure a surprise, He isn' friendlier with mos' of 'he people" praised Hagrid

"Come on, I will lead yeh ter the 'eadmaster's office" Hagrid agreed and led him through the castle. For the sake of his secrecy he had to hold his nostalgic smile and expression off his face as travelled through the familiar corridors and stairs.

They soon reached the staircase that led to Dumbledore's office, the stone gargoyle at the gate moved off as soon as it saw Hagrid. Any other teacher or staff wouldn't have agreed to lead him upto the headmaster office so quickly without confirming his intentions. However, as Good and pure hearted Hagrid was he was also a little dumb and clumsy.

" 'ere yeh go, I should warn yeh ter keep yer wand off while yeh talk ter 'im" warned Hagrid stoically.

"I don't have one, besides I am not that idiot to point my wand at the world's strongest wizard" Harry praised Dumbledore, he knew a little appeasing of the headmaster would go fine with the Gatekeeper.

Hagrid nodded in response and signalled him to move inside. He stood up on the stairs and it soon led him up to a small chamber like space with an oak door.

He knocked on the oak door.

"Enter" came the reply from inside.

He entered the chamber and saw his not so young headmaster sitting in his usual seat behind the oak desk, it appears that the time hadn't had much effect on Dumbledore's appearance through two decades. He couldn't see a single strand of black hair among white ones on either the Headmaster's head or face. At least his wrinkles were a little less around his eyes and forehead than the last time he had seen him, Dumbledore looked up due the lack of reply from the other side.

"James potter? What are you doin..." Dumbledore stopped his questioning and focused on the boy infront of him intently before he replied again. "Wait, You're not James, are you?" Dumbledore asked puzzled, he was sure that in a single frame of a second he saw James potter entering his chamber without his glasses.

But momentarily, when he scanned the boy up and down he concluded that the boy surely had an uncanny resemblance to James, however he wasn't James potter in anyway. He was tall, a bit taller and broader than James. He didn't wore glasses and his eyes were shining emerald instead of light browns of James, further Dumbledore could see a fading scar shaped like a lightning bolt on the boy's forehead and a scar adorning left side of his face over his eyes. Still, the resemblance between the two was there, and striking resemblance would a better term. Dumbledore also noticed the powerful aura surrounding the boy like a cloak, Dumbledore pre-concluded that the boy was more than he let on. A magician aura wasn't something that any Wizard could brag about, it was a trait that can only be acquired by powerful and skilled wizards, for a boy so young to emit such aura without even trying wasn't something to joke about.

"I am sorry young man, but I am afraid we haven't met yet. Still, you have an uncanny resemblances with one of my students, care to explain me why" inquired Dumbledore slipping off some of his curiosity in his words.

"Indeed, Professor. If you allow, we could sit and I will explain everything" offered Harry.

"Yes please, mr..." Dumbledore asked for his name.

Death had warned him against spilling out about his past, however he had also advised him to take some trusted individuals as allies. At last he decided that if he needs Dumbledore's help he would have to tell him about his past, not completely but still enough to form trust.

"Harry, it's Harry Sir" Harry gave his a true name.

"Please have a seat Mr. Harry" requested Dumbledore and took his seat.

Harry didn't took the seat instantly, instead he moved toward the Phoenix perked on a stand behind Dumbledore in a quick stroll. Deeming it as a offensive move toward himself Dumbledore slid off his wand out of his sleeve for self defense, not recognising and shaking off even if he did recognize his former professor's sudden movement, Harry started stroking Fawkes's head. Dumbledore looked in amazement as the boy petted his bird as if he knew it personally.

"It's been long, don't you think my friend" commented Harry as he stroked the bird's head.

The bird screeched confusingly, Harry's aura wasn't as strong as Dumbledore but it was as calm as the old wizard.

It further amazed Dumbledore that his family bird didn't avoided the touch or attacked the young boy at the first move, this cemented his opinion that the boy wasn't a threat to Dumbledore, or had dark intentions for that matters. The Phoenix was a familiar of Dumbledore family, it wouldn't accept single touch from an individual with even a little hint of dark intentions.

Harry backfooted after a few moments of petting the bird and took the seat in front of Dumbledore.

"Apologies headmaster, couldn't restrain myself from greeting a long time friend" said Harry, he knew he had to explain much of past to the man so slipping off his acquaintance with the Phoenix would sit well with the legendary wizard infront of him as a first appearance.

"It certainly amazes me Mr Harry that Fawkes let you touch her, moreover I have noted that you greeted her as if you've known her for quite some time. However, I am certain that neither my bird or I have met you before today. Your acquaintance with Fawkes should be explained, Don't you think my boy?" Dumbledore let his curiosity get best of him, his mask slipped to a further extent and his eyes were boring holes into Harry.

"Precisely sir, However, the explanation I am about to give you is rather irrational if you think upon it" suggested Harry, he had several ways to prove his words but a foremost warning was necessary in such delicate situation.

"In spite of your consideration, Atleast let me hear it Mr Harry" Dumbledore replied quickly, giving the younger man a glimpse toward his curious self.

"Indeed, As I have told you sir, My name his Harry. But, that's not my full name, My full name is Harry James potter. before you ask me any questions, I must tell you that I don't belong in this time. Rather, I am from future" explained Harry praying the man doesn't send him to St mungo deeming his as a mental patient.

"A Time traveller? How many days particularly into the future Mr Potter?" questioned Dumbledore periodically, frowning a little and straining the word Potter.

"Years, 25 years in future Headmaster" Harry clarified in the same manner.

"You don't look like a much older boy, albeit your aura does suggest that you're more than you show. Although you look like young James quite a bit, but your eyes, they match with an another student's eyes" Dumbledore commented as he stroked his beard softly.

"Yeah, Lily pot-Evans" Harry accepted honestly.

"Quite distinctive pair of parents you claim to have there, Mr potter" Dumbledore added periodically.

"Yeah" Harry responded softly and waited for the older man's response.

"Now Mr Potter, I have came across people claiming weirder theories than you. Yours seem plausible but still I need some undeniable proofs. I believe you know the situation out there, I couldn't just believe your words in time like these" countered Dumbledore swiftly. Harry knew Dumbledore was implying to the news he had seen in the newspaper this morning, that means he knew that this isn't some mad man assembling an army of dark creatures but a dangerous man trying to assert himself as a new dark lord, as usual quite predictive of the Headmaster.

However, unknown to Harry Dumbledore had little to no suspicion over the boy's claims. Dumbledore could compare Harry's facial features with that of James and the result were near prefect, leaving out the scars covering Harry's eye and forehead and lack of glasses on Harry's side, he could clearly see James inside Harry. Furthermore, his interaction with Fawkes had confirmed that Harry didn't held any bad intentions toward him or anyone for that matter. Moreover, he was curious to see what Harry would do to prove his words.

"If you need Headmaster, you could examine my memories through legilimency. Or, I could provide you with memories of my past life, I suppose you do possess a pensive, Headmaster" replied Harry in a questioning tone, Dumbledore just nodded softly in response. "Although, before you choose either of them I must ask for audience of a particular Wizard" Harry knew he had to be discreet with his approach, he couldn't let Dumbledore get better of him. As far as he knew, Dumbledore was as manipulative, of course in a good way, as he was strong.

"Whom?" was the single word question asked by Dumbledore, it didn't helped that he took a rather defensive stance at this point.

"Charlus potter, I mean he is the head of potter family at the moment, right?" Harry asked with uncertainty, and continued his explanation after Dumbledore nodded positively. "So, it would be better if we discuss things about my past infront of him, it will also save my time with an another process of explanation with him" clarified Harry.

He wasn't unfamiliar with his situation he knew anybody will take one look at him and know he is a Potter, his resemblance to his father was uncanny and confirmed when even Dumbledore had to look twice to differentiate between the pair. Not to say that he also looked like his grandfather as his father's looks also matched that of his grandfather, he couldn't take Polyjuice potion for whole life. He had to disclose his identity, at least to his grandfather.

Sirius had told Harry about his grandfather, Charlus Potter. Sirius had been adopted by Charlus as soon as he moved in with James after the brutal beating he received from his mother, Charlus had welcomed him and taken him in as a son rather than a friend of his son. But, it was not be fooled by his pure and welcoming nature that Charlus was a timid person, rather his personality was that of a man that could be either strict and unforgiving or warm and gentle depending on the person he was dealing with. Harry had to acquire some powerful allies, what ally could be more trustworthy than his own family. Moreover, at this point of the time Charlus held allot of political power, for he was the head of one of two richest pureblood families, and it didn't helped that Harry strived family, he needed someone trustworthy as a support after the whole ordeal with Voldemort a few days ago. He knew he was being selfish, but that was all he did during his last one and half years in his time, he was fighting with Voldemort and his army for revenge. Beside this was the reason behind his return to the past, he wanted to spend time and meet with his family and friends.

"I see your point Mr Potter, but even then I can't just allow you to meet one of the Lords, not without a proper confirmation that you're not a threat" Dumbledore pushed Harry further to check his limits.

"Sure, You can check me for any weapon or malicious artifacts. I can assure you that I haven't even acquired a wand of my own till now." assured Harry honestly.

"Very well" muttered Dumbledore and ran several diagnostic charms over him and a few enchantment that would recognize dark artifacts.

"You're all clear, Mr Potter. Now wait for a few moments, I have to send a letter of appointment" Albus commented as he nodded to himself. He took out a parchment form his drawer and wrote something on it with the quill stationed at his desk, he handed it to Fawkes and the bird disappeared in flames.

"In the meantime, Could you tell me why did you chose me to enlighten with your story?" asked Dumbledore softly, turning in toward Harry again.

"I must insist that it's not a story, as for my reasons you will know that in a few moments, have some patience Headmaster" Harry replied swiftly.

Silenced by a boy this young didn't upset Dumbledore, instead it gave him insight that the boy infront of him could be assertive if needed.

It did actually took quite sometime for Dumbledore's floo to light up in orange flames instead of normal green. Two people, a woman and a man, walked out of the floo one after the other respectively. Harry's eyes caught the first glimpse of his grandparents, he had seen them before but only in pictures, a real confabulation wasn't same as a picture. An unknown feeling found a place in his stomach just as he saw his grandmother, he was overflowed with emotions.

His grandmother, Dorea black, was probably in her early fifties, a very beautiful woman with long and straight black hair, very delicate facial features and same coloured eyes as her hair, she held herself beautifully and had a warm aura around herself.

On the other hand, His grandfather, in his mid fifties, stood with grace, the man was of a tall stature at least 6ft tall. He had light brown hairs and same coloured eyes, physically he had broad shoulders and chest and looked quite imposing in his full glory. Looking up toward his grandfather he could say with certainty that he was a strong wizard, and that was surprising because he had never heard about his grandfather apart from Sirius's stories.

"Charlus" Dumbledore greeted the man changing his demeanor to neutral from his curious self. Harry wasn't surprised by the sudden change of his Headmaster expressions, he himself was trained by Moody in hiding his emotions through change in demeanor. He was able to take up an impassive front if he was to attended official business or for confrontations, while he knew the techniques the reason behind Dumbledore's sudden change wasn't known.

"Albus" His grandfather replied in a cold and firm tone, before adjusting a nod toward him.

Dumbledore nodded toward Charlus as a respectful gesture, and bowed slightly toward his grandfather.

"It's been long, Lady Potter" Dumbledore said in a neutral tone.

"Indeed, it's been" said Dorea.

"Am to assume he did something again? This boy never learns, he j..." Charlus musing stopped in mid as his eyes fell upon the fourth occupant of the chamber.

"James? Why are you standing there?, and When did you reach Hogwarts? Didn't I told you to wait?" questions flew out of Charlus mouth in a queue.

Harry's cheeks reddened a little at the complication, if his grandfather wasn't able to tell difference between him and his father the he truly was a perfect replica of his father. "I am not James" Harry gathered as much courage as he could to blurt out the sentence.

"No, you're not my James. But, you look rather similar to my son James Potter. Why is that?" asked Dorea in soft but strong voice, a little confused.

"Don't you see Dorea, He is James. He has somehow casted a..." Charlus didn't completed his sentence as Harry moved in front of him slowly.

"Look at my face carefully, you'll see for yourself, sir. I am not James." he said softly.

Now, when the boy told him Charlus focused on his face and could see the difference. The boy can surely pass for James, a twin is a more accurate assumption if you don't know James was the only child of his parents. The boy was a little taller than James and wider too, his face also had a slight narrow cut instead of long like James. He had two distinctive scars on his face, one fading scar on his forehead and another deep scar over his eye. He also had slightly glowing emerald orbs as eyes not the James's brown ones. The lack of glasses was ignored as James didn't usually wore glasses inside house.

Charlus also noticed that the boy had a certain aura around him, and his voice sounded far more deeper than his age. By the look of his face and body, the boy would 16-17 year old, but his eyes had a strange glint in them and wariness, yes Charlus could see that the boy was rather something else entirely. The look in eyes weren't of a 16 year old playful and mischievous young boy, but rather a man who had seen war and lost dearest of people in it.

"Pardon me young man, but you look quite similar to my son James potter. I just thought he had not followed our instructions and barged into the headmaster office" apologized Charlus taking several steps back and aligning himself beside his wife.

"No need to apologise, It was rather honour to be compared to Da- I means James" Harry held his tongue in correction, even he was about to tell them about his identity it has to be subtle and slow.

Charlus was confused, why was this boy honoured to be compared with James. His wasn't the most kind child of his year, nonetheless respected. (Untill his mid of sixth year James potter was a known bully and a troublemaker, even his parents knew about his behaviour didn't supported the bullying part)

"You didn't answered my question, Why do you look like James? We are sure that we only have one child, but you look too similar to James to be not connected with him somehow" Dorea asked for the second time, this time more eagerly.

"That is the reason I have called you two in here, first let's us be civil and sit down for the explanation" Dumbledore led them to his desk and conjured up two more chairs for three of them to sit.

"So, focusing on our first question. This boy here claims to be the son of James potter and your grandson" Dumbledore replied carefully.

"Have you gone senile in your old age? This boy is no merely younger than James himself, how can he be his son? This is outrageous" Charlus demanded furiously after glancing toward Harry subtly, and was about to stand when Dorea put her hand on his shoulder and signalled him to sit back.

"We should atleast hear his reasons dear, if the boy is claiming something like that he would have a solid reasoning for that" Dorea calmed him down and looked toward Harry for answers.

"Whatever he is saying" He signalled toward Dumbledore "is true, I am son of James potter. I can prove you that everything I say is true, for that I would allow you look into my memories through legilimency, I will hold down my occlumency shields for you.." Harry's clarification was cut short due Dumbledore intervention.

"Wait! You know occlumency?" asked Dumbledore and Charlus a little curiously.

"Yes, I have been trained in Occlumency. There was a war going on from where I come." Harry explained them, leaking out some more information about himself and his past.

"War?" a frown took upon Dumbledore's face, He wasn't naive to not understand that things didn't went right If the man infront of him had returned to past to change things. But, just for his optimistic self he prayed that the young man had came back to correct his mistake or something. However, the teen bursted his optimistic bubbles and confirmed his former suspicion, things didn't went well and the future generations had to see war.

"I will explain that later. For legilimency, I think and Lord potter and Headmaster could do it." Harry deducted quickly.

"No, We don't need to do that. We can simply do a blood verification charm with the help of Charlus or you could volunteer to take Veritaserum and answers some questions" Dumbledore said in clear voice.

Harry wasn't keen to share his blood with anybody after the incidents in the final part of Triwizard Tournament, It was unlike he didn't had trust in Dumbledore's morality, rather the Dumbledore he knew and trusted wasn't in front of him. The man infront of him hasn't seen the war and led order of the Phoenix through it. He wasn't the man that had always tried to protect Harry and supported him, and he wasn't the same person that had mentored him throughout his sixth year, informed him about the horcruxes and died in the battle of astronomy tower.

"I will take the Veritaserum, I don't fancy sharing my blood with anyone, no offense headmaster" Harry replied calmly.

"Non taken, I must have one in my potions stand" Dumbledore said and moved toward one corner of the room.

After a few minutes of searching through the whole stand he found what he needed. A small vial with transparent liquid was in his hand, he glided toward Harry and stood above him.

"Do not try to resist the effect of the potion Mr Harry, please" requested Dumbledore as he dropped three drops of the transparent liquid in his mouth.

It took a few seconds to wear effects on him, he felt as if his mouth would only say what it wants. As if it had its own mouth, that was both terrifyingly familiar and constricting.

"Now for your introduction Mr Harry, care to tell us who you are" asked Dumbledore and the rest two pair of eyes were fixated on Harry for the reply.

"My name is Harry James potter" replied Harry in an honest tone. He knew he couldn't lie, the potion wouldn't let him. He was now cursing his instinct, why did he chose Veritaserum? He should have went with the Blood verification, it would have only confirm his relations with his father and Grandparents without revealing much of his information otherwise.

"What are..." Dumbledore wasn't allowed to continue his questioning as Charlus held his hand to stop him.

"As confirmed by Veritaserum he is our grandson, thus we have the rights to question him. However, you don't hold such rights Albus, so sit down I will ask the further questions" His grandfather instructed Dumbledore stoically. He also noticed that his grandmother's eyes had adopted a warm look inside them, as she glanced toward him.

Dumbledore nodded gruffly and took his seat, He was definitely unhappy with the intrusion from Charlus. Nonetheless, he didn't questioned anymore. Charlus rotated his chair toward him and adjusted it to face him completely.

"Now, Harry potter, tell us about your birth and your parents." ordered Charlus, Harry wasn't sure his grandfather taking the command should worry him or not, in sidelines he was happy that the Headmaster was out of the equation for now. He knew the old wizard would ask him most gruelling and unwanted questions that was confirmed by the glint of curiosity in the old man's eyes.

"I was born on 31st of July 1980, to parents James and Lily potter in Godric Hollows." replied Harry softly.

"What about us? I mean, Did you knew us in your past life?" asked Charlus, his voice couldn't hide his interest.

Dorea was baffled by this sudden blunt question but Dumbledore wasn't, she looked toward Charlus intensely and said "What are you asking Charlus? He would sure know about..."

"No" Harry's soft voiced cut through Dorea's. "No, I didn't knew about you at first. I only came to know when Sirius told me about you, but before that I had never heard your names or knew you" Harry continued in same soft tone.

"But, Why didn't you? I am sure James would have told you about us or we must have met you. Why didn't you knew about us Harry?" Dorea inquired, feeling a little uneasy.

"Dad would have told me if he was alive, I was an orphan. You both had died mysteriously under six month after my birth. I never got a chance to know or meet you untill now, though I had seen your pictures in dad's old trunk that was passed on to me by Sirius." Clarified Harry with a dark look on his face.

"You said you were orphaned? Can you explain?" asked Charlus with uncertainty reflecting in his eyes.

Dorea frowned at her husband, although she too was distraught and terrified by the news that her son would die in 5 years time, it didn't meant they should enquire about such delicate part of Harry's past.

Harry eyes caught the caring look that his grandmother harboured for him, it was both what he had strived for long time and a little hurtful feeling found its place inside him. Hurtful, as it reminded him that if his grandparents had survived they would have cared for him beyond his needs, in like manner they would've saved him from the abuse he incurred at the hands of Dursleys.

For the first time he felt toward his grandmother as someone he could trust, he grasped her hands in his gently and muttered "It's okay" softly. He then went on to tell about his parents death under the effect or Veritaserum; "My father and mother had died protecting me from a dark wizard, the dark wizard was hell bent to kill me and they sacrificed their life so I could live" Harry remained calm through the whole explanation, but his eyes did reflect sadness in them.

As soon as Harry blurted out the lines he was engulfed into his grandmother's arm, he wasn't sobbing but his eyes felt damp and his vision seemed a little blurred. He stiffened for moment from the sudden foreign touch. He, of course, had received motherly hugs from Mrs Weasley but those didn't had such feelings attached to them. He felt an unknown comfort in his grandmother arms. He had felt the same during his conversation with his mother with the help of resurrection stone, but warmth of a real human body wasn't attached to that experience.

Dorea felt Harry stiffen for moment before he relaxed into her hug, she couldn't fathom the misery of losing ones parents and grandparents at a tender age same as Harry. Yet, someone would have been there to care for him and love him, Right?

She let off him but adjusted her chair so that she wasn't far away from his like before, Dorea knew no one could lie while under the effects of Veritaserum, not even the renowned Dark wizard Grindelwald. That means Harry was truly her grandson from future, as baffling as it sounded, it was true.

"Why did..." Charlus went on to ask but was interrupted.

"Please Don't, Why was he desperate to kill me isn't something I could tell you, Please respect my privacy" Harry pleaded to Charlus.

"That's enough Charlus, he told us what we wanted to know. If he is uncomfortable, we shouldn't force him" Dorea stated with a pointed look toward Charlus, Yes she was challenging him to argue further.

"Ok, but I need to ask one last question." Declared Charlus avoiding Dorea's eye and looking toward Harry. Harry nodded in response, unless the man asks any unwanted question he was fine. "Why have you travelled back in time Harry? What purpose does you have in mind for such unorthodox trip?" asked Charlus in an unitone.

"I have travelled back to end someone's life, Someone deserves punishment and wouldn't get it untill I make him." replied Harry darkly, he felt the effects of Veritaserum toning down, he can't speak lies yet but can hide some truths. He didn't wanted to tell him that he was tempted into this unorthodox trip by Death.

Soon, He felt the effects vanishing completely from his system. He, now could lie and make his way through here, for that purpose he didn't showed he was free of Veritaserum effects yet. Apparently, three drops of the potion could only force him untill now, Veritaserum could force a man to tell truth only for a certain amount of time. More powerful wizards or witches could shake off the effects before the average time, And, he was strong. As much as he hated to brag about his power he knew he was strong, He had trained brutally for last two years of his life in past, from defending himself against them he went on hunting Death eaters. The brutal training and his study of other branches of magics had bestowed more power in him, furthermore, he had felt an increase in both his magical and physical capabilities after the removal of Voldemort's soul fragment from his body.

It didn't helped that he had renounced his restriction on the use of Dark spells, though he still didn't used Unforgivables as they feed off the malice and hate inside the caster's heart. Rather, he had learned several dark spells much more dangerous and brutal than unforgivables, what else could you expect from a man that had lost his son at the hand of Voldemort. His brutality and use of dark spells wasn't unjustified, not from his point of view atleast.

"End life? Punishment? Why does a man so young as you should care about such things? You should worry about pranks and homework, not revenge. You're just an 16 year old boy" she pointed out.

"It's Complicated" replied Harry glancing toward Dumbledore for a fragment of second. He personally didn't wanted share some insightful into his life with Dumbledore around.

"I am afraid that you have to tell us Harry, you're one of us now even if you don't want that" responded Charlus calmly.

"But, it's...I don't...It's not right. I have told you what I should, you can't...I mean.. I don't want to do it" Harry inclined his head to right slightly in mid of his reply, he didn't wanted to make them worry about his personal demons. But, ironically, he himself had demanded their audience, he couldn't allow himself to make them see his miserable life.

However, Dorea and Charlus didn't bulged for a single moment, they were fixated on their demands. Harry shook and sighed heavily, he couldn't turn his back now. It was inevitable, they would try again and again, if Sirius words were to be taken true.

"Okay, but only one of you and that would be Grandfather" Naruto accepted their demand with a demand of himself.

"Jeez, Don't call me that. I don't look like a grandfather" Charlus chuckled for the first time. Dorea sent a suspicious look toward him in response "Okay...Okay, I do look like a grandfather but of kids far younger than him" he pointed his finger toward Harry, Dorea chuckled softly in response.

Harry chuckled for a first time in response to Dorea's accusation, as soon as the chuckle left his mouth Charlus attention was drifted toward him. He could see Dorea in his future grandson, he was obviously similar to Dorea and his mother, as some of his the antics didn't matched him, James or Dorea, in general.

"But, Why him? Don't you trust me Harry?" asked Dorea frowning a little the next moment, erasing the clues about her amusement of the moment before.

Harry eyes soften toward Dorea as he replied "No, I didn't mean that. Believe me, I trust you very much. It's just... some of memories aren't very good and I wouldn't' want you to see them." Harry responded remorsefully, and it hit Charlus, the boy was already protective of Dorea. The feeling was generous he could see in the boy's eyes, He was trying to shield her from his own miserable past, if anything to go by his sudden protectiveness for her.

Before Dorea could respond Charlus placed his hand on her shoulder, squeezing a little in the process.

"Relax dear, I will tell you later whatever I see essential for you to know" Charlus assured her.

"Occlumency would be time consuming" stated Harry and turned toward Dumbledore who sat remotely quiet throughout the whole ordeal "Could I borrow your pensive for a moment professor?" asked Harry.

"You sure could, Mr potter, but would you care if I join Charlus" asked Dumbledore without a hint of hesitation in his voice or eyes.

Harry mused over it, once again he himself had drew the attention of old wizard to himself. He himself had seeked the headmaster as an ally, he couldn't backtrack on him either.

"First of all, Call me Harry, Mr Potter sounds like too much formal" begun Harry, "You can Join us, however I have to demands if you want to do so" Harry demanded confidently.

'Much like his Grandmother, Sly but trustworthy' mused Charlus as he saw Harry making his ways through the demands. It was clear to him that the boy held mysteries far more darker than he first imagined, He was approachable yet a little cold in some instances.

Dumbledore nodded toward him smiling wisely, a signal for him to speak forward. He didn't like hiding things from the old man, Dumbledore was among a few people who had displayed trust and affection toward him. Still, his first priority was his secrecy, If Dumbledore did prove himself to be the same man he knew through his years in Hogwarts, he would try his best to reform his bond of friendship with the old man.

"Firstly, You have to take up an oath that whatever you had heard or seen related to my past would not be discussed with anyone, not even a hint, and neither will you share whatever you see in that pensive" Urged Harry directly.

"Happily" said the headmaster and took up an oath of secrecy. Dorea and Charlus were a little surprise by the amount of courage the young man had, he was demanding his way through one of the strongest wizard ever effortlessly.

"Secondly, You'll only look into selective memories. Some of memories are too sensitive and private to be looked by strangers, no offense intended Headmaster." Harry demanded sincerely.

"Precisely, Harry" quoted Dumbledore flicked his wand, the pensive rose out of the stone basin on the side and lingered over the desk. Dumbledore expanded it a bit to make it easier for three peoples to enter.

Charlus and Dumbledore looked toward Harry expectantly, while Dorea looked with worry filled eyes.

"Um.. you know, I don't possesses a wand right now, if any of you would be kind enough to lend me theirs for the moment." requested Harry getting a little nervous, considering asking for ones wand isn't the most pleasant thing to do.

Three wands were offered to him, but his eyes fell to the last wand and widened for a fraction of second before he composed his features. He trailed the hand holding it and it obviously led him to Dumbledore, theirs eye met and Harry felt a little nervous under the impassive gaze of his former mentor. Dumbledore held the elder wand out to him, taking in accordance that none of his grandparents were intrigued by this, he could foretell that either they didn't knew about the wand or rather they weren't interested in the tales of small children. He settled for Dorea's wand, hers was comfortable and soothing, an irony to her legacy relating the house of Black.

He point the wand to his temple and drew out a single strand of silvery mess and ducked it into the pensive, Dumbledore and Charlus immersed themselves into the pensive and Harry soon followed them to explain the ongoings.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter; All rights are reserved to Jk Rowlings.