Three Wishes
As the three of them were lead into the grand hall, all dressed in the best gowns imaginable, black smooth satin, with beautiful suits underneath, Hermione sporting a beautiful rose evening gown, they at first were too nervous to glance around. The room had been arranged with beautiful bouquets of flowers, and brightly lit candles of all colors, while the ceiling was at least 30 feet high, with a grand painting, which seemed to move along as they walked towards the three podiums at the front of the assembly.
Ahead of them lay an ensemble much resembling a court room, with an aged magician sitting in the highest chair, akin a throne. The man's pale green eyes were on Harry, as the three of them walked, quietly down the center aisle. No word was spoken, as the three stood in the middle of the room, standing behind the podiums provided, spaced evenly three feet apart, back to their audience, and eyes on the one and only founder of magic. Merlin. The Merlin.
"Your honorary Grandmaster Merlin," Hermione finally greeted, softly, offering a formal curtsy mindful to incline her head briefly, with the two boys bowing on either side of her.
"You may rise," the man's voice was like music, soft, and powerful, carrying a magical aura strong enough that it stole the breath of every attendee in the room.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, and Miss Granger," He said, offering a smile, his voice reverberating through the room, causing Harry to immediately break out in goose bumps. "Thank you, for accepting my call, and gracing me with your presence. It has been quite some time, until I felt the desire to meet those magicians of the side of the living." He offered, smiling.
"Thank you for your invitation, Grandmaster Merlin," Hermione said, "It is the greatest honor to meet you."
"Thank you, my child." He said, before his eyes fell to Ronald.
"Mr. Ronald Billius Weasley, such an excellent mind," he said, and the ginger blushed to the tips of both ears. "Before you leave, you must play me in a round of chess. It has been centuries since I've had a worthy opponent." He said, and Ron gave a nervous, laugh, before he nodded, and bowed, not trusting his voice. "Most, if not all of us have been watching you three grow over the last decade, some of us had the opportunity to watch you grow in person, guide you and mentor you. Others here, had the opportunity to watch you from afar. You have grown into a very strategic and critically thinking young man. Never underestimate just how much have you contributed to this successful outcome."
"Master Harry James Potter," Merlin said next, his eyes lingering on the boy, eyes full of pain. "I cannot imagine the pain you are feeling," he said, and lifted his right hand, softly whispering, before flicking it softly, and Harry gasped as warmth spread through his body, so warm, that it was nearly uncomfortable, before peace befell him.
"Now that I have your attention," the man continued, smiling softly, a twinkle nearly resembling Dumbledore's, "I wanted to express my sincerest gratitude, to you three. I can't remember a time where I have been so enthralled by the happenings beyond the veil. We have watched you grow into a courageous young man, and let me assure you, we all suffered with you. We all hurt with you, and there wasn't one in this room, who wouldn't gladly taken your place, and spared you the pain and suffering you had to endure."
He inclined his head to the young witch before him next.
"Your mind," he said softly, "your grace, your inner- and outer beauty, are values rarely found all in one person nowadays. I admire your strength, and fortitude that you have shown, as you fought alongside your friends, defending your honor, your rights, and the correct way of magic." He smiled as the young witch next to Harry nearly fainted at the praise, and the pure magic being directed at her.
"Mr. Potter, you are incredibly lucky to have those two as your companions."
"Yes, Sir. I've valued their sacrifice all my life." Harry replied, giving the two a look full of gratitude.
"You have been invited to attend this Gamot, so that we may bestow upon you three, a wish each. This wish, has no boundaries, as magic has none. But you must be warned, the wish will have consequences, some of which, we cannot foresee. Be mindful, that a wish such as "There shall be no more illnesses or diseases" is not one we can fulfill, as we cannot alter the future. But you three shall each have a wish. That wish, make it carefully. Think about the consequences before you utter it. You may, as we have, discuss amongst yourselves. Due to my presence however, you are limited in time. There is only so long, that I can spend in the presence of the living. To that also, there are consequences."
Harry, Ron, and Hermione had already discussed in the study, thanks to Snape's warning. And the three quickly stood together again.
"Nr. 1 – Return back in Time, with our memories intact, to the day we departed for Hogwarts. Our memories shall be intact, but muted, so that we may live a normal childhood, but be able to recall prior happenings at will, but shall not be burdened.
Nr. 2 – Professor Severus Snape shall also retain his memories, and function as a mentor, tutor, caregiver, and friend to the trio, and any others that he so wish or as the need arise.
Nr. 3 – Mister Arthur Weasley will be promoted to Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement with his turning in Peter Pettigrew, and proving quite worthy in that department due to having anonymous contacts that will provide him with more names of death eaters.
"Are we sticking with those?" Harry asked, as he glanced at the sheet in Hermione's hands. "If they can work that out, it'll be good. Mister Weasley will be great in that position, and we can feed him information about other Death Eaters, and see to their capture and sentencing." Harry said, thinking earnestly.
"We have our three wishes, your excellence," Hermione said after a few moments of silence, and turned slightly, to look at Severus, smiling softly.
"We must ask a question, however," She stated at the soft nod to proceed. "Is it possible to turn time back, much like a time turner?"
"Yes," Merlin stated after a few seconds of silence.
"And if we were to ask to turn time back, would that be for the full world, or just those involved in the wish?"
"Pending on the wish, but we can turn back time. It would essentially work, as you've said, like a time turner, without your echo self-remaining. Essentially just deleting the last however much time you would ask for. Is that what you are asking?"
"Perhaps. Would that mean that memories get lost?" Hermione clarified.
"It would be, as if the future had never happened."
"Could we select for individuals to retain their memories?" Harry chimed in that, nearly over his shoulder aware that Professor Snape was burning holes into his back with the sheer ire in his eyes.
"Yes, that could be allotted." Merlin supplied.
"We shall speak once more," She said, and gathered the boys around her.
"We need more with their memories intact. What if we were to ask for each member of the Order, to retain their memories of the future, but muted, without being able to act on said memories?"
"But wouldn't that defeat the purpose? I mean, wouldn't we want the order to fight this before it all starts up again?"
"We need more people, just in case something were to happen to Snape. What if Voldemort offs him in second year?"
"Okay, then what about all those of the Order that died during the War? That would make Snape, Fred, Remus, Tonks, Dumbledore, and Sirius. – But our third wish takes care of that."
"That sounds fair."
And so it happened. Hermione spoke their wishes clearly, concisely, scripted in such a way that she truly hoped, there would be no unwelcome unforeseen circumstances. They dutifully ignored Snape's cry of outrage from the back, when he heard his fate. The Mentor for the trio! What in the world were they playing at!
"I hear your wishes and shall grant them, with some adjustments. I find, that I owe you three a chance at a happy Childhood, free of the burdens of the past. So I will arrange for your memories to be blocked in such a way, that they only reveal themselves if necessary for the light. Meaning, only your guardian, Severus Snape, shall be able to unlock them otherwise. This will allow for a life of peace, a true childhood, if you so please. I will also not burden an unnecessary amount of people with the knowledge of the future. Those that I select, will be trustworthy and will have the power to influence change. Those that are not selected aren't untrustworthy, but perhaps they would fall victim to the lure of power too quickly, or perhaps, they are too young, and deserve a chance at a happy life."
"Thank you, your excellence," Hermione said, breathlessly. Her nerves were frayed. The terror she felt was unimaginable. What if she messed up? What if her wording was messing up her thoughts?
"Very well, Mr. Weasley, would you accompany me then? For that game of Chess? Miss Granger, I believe you would like access to my library? Professor Snape, I am sure, would like to speak with you anyways, he can guide you there. Mr. Potter, please follow me," he said, as he stood, the hall stood.
"Thank you all for your attendance today. Thank you also, for your sacrifices, and thank you to the Golden Trio, as you are known, for making a wish that not only grants you a second chance, but also all those in attendance." With that he turned, and walked out of the room. Harry didn't hesitate, as he and Ron rushed after the man.
"Good luck mate," Harry said, as Merlin pointed towards a door for him, but motioned for Ron to follow him.
Hermione however, was a little more hesitant, as she approached Snape, who had murder in his eyes. She knew, that they had just now completely overhauled the man's life, as much as anyone else's, actually even more so.
"Miss Granger," he said silkily, before he stood and turned, and led the way out of the hall, through the building, towards the library. "A word, before you run off to read your eyes off," he said, sternly, indicating towards the settee arrangements he had only a few hours before occupied with Potter.
"I will say this now, because in only a little while, I feel this may be inappropriate to say to children," he said, flicking his wrist and summoning two tumblers of whiskey, thrusting one at the girl.
"You will find me, to be less forgiving of your theatrics that the three of you displayed while at Hogwarts, and you may just have given me ultimate power to put a stop to those, altogether," he said, a flash of anger in his eyes. "But, this is not why we're here. Did Potter not speak with you, about what we had discussed? What it meant to meddle with death? How very wrong this can go?"
"He did, Sir. Hence why we meddled with time instead. Death shall still receive his names, but perhaps not as early."
"You're still taking those he's claimed," Severus growled, taking a swig of the burning fire.
"And we shall deal with that, when that time comes. Who knows, perhaps Death won't know. Perhaps Death will just find himself returned eight years as well."
"And perhaps he wears pink and smells of roses! How ignorant are you child?" Hermione shrank away from the man, as he raised his voice, and nearly towered over them.
"Can't you just try to see the good in this, for once? We can chance everything Professor! You have a chance to change everything! To save lives, to make sure that Harry grows up safe and loved. That he doesn't have to nearly die every single year. You are an amazing Potions Master. With your knowledge now, you can truly heal the most complicated diseases and ailments. You can be the person, you never had the chance to be, because of a mistake you made when you were a child yourself!"
"I am still tainted! I am still marked! This doesn't change who I am at my core, Granger! I still did the things I did, and thanks to your wishes today, I won't have the good fortune of forgetting the atrocities that I committed!" Severus growled, before he jumped when the door behind him opened, and to his shock, and surprise, Merlin entered.
"Your Majesty," Snape immediately said, and with a flick, he banished the tumblers from both himself, and the girl, backing up a step. His insides twisting in anger and nervous anticipation.
"Miss Granger, I fear that Mr. Weasley may need his ego patched, he is awaiting you in the foyer." The dismissal was apparent, and with a brief curtsy, the girl excused herself and rushed from the room, throwing one more look at the Grandmaster and Potions Professor.
"Your life will change drastically," Merlin said, as he flicked his wrist, and two tumblers reappeared, floating between the two, Severus carefully taking one with shaking fingers.
"I have taken the liberty to amend the wishes in such a way, that no bad shall befall the children, or anyone involved… which, come to think of it, will be the entire world," Merlin said, chuckling softly to himself. "The unspeakables will be informed of the change in the future/past, and present," he added upon seeing the man's hesitant look. "The greatest minds are right now working out the plans to enable to three wishes, ensuring that "Death", as you so fearfully call my dear friend, shall not destroy any hope that currently resides within your heart." Merlin motioned for Severus to sit, and Severus immediately fell into the cushion.
"You shan't be the only one who will return with full access to their memories," Merlin said, "I mustn't stress how very important it is, that you do not abuse this power. I will however stress, how important it is to me, personally, that you take this chance at happiness yourself. Your purpose is not to take the weight of the world onto your shoulders, but to rather find happiness and love with those children who will soon reside with you."
"Grandmaster-"
"You deserve happiness, Severus Tobias Snape," Merlin said, as if the man had never spoken. "You deserve a life free of the errors of your past," and with that the men held out his hand, and Severus didn't have to ask, to know which arm the man requested. He set the tumbler down, and rolled up the sleeve of his robes, revealing the tattoo that branded him.
"This may hurt," Merlin warned, cheerily, before he placed his hand on the mark, and exhaled sharply, blowing his breath at the mark. Snape gasped, before he groaned, his eyes tearing up, nearly jerking his arm back. It felt as if the mark he was bearing seared deeper into his flesh than it had before, eating away at his skin, his muscles, burning his nerves. But when the noble man before him lifted his hand, the mark was gone, and no trace remained of the past, except for a small mark, resembling a doe.
"You are free," Merlin said, before he leaned back and took a sip of the Whiskey.
"Thank you, Your excellence."
"Merlin, please." The man said, before he flicked his wrist, and a chest set appeared before them. "Do me the honor?"
They spoke quietly, while they played, and Severus was aware that no matter how well he'd play, he stood no chance.
"How do I ensure that I remain in control? Who else will retain their memories? Where do I start?" Severus finally asked, when Merlin had beat him, after only 11 moves.
"Start by reflecting on yourself, you are now free, you are no longer enslaved to either side. Neither the Dark, nor the Light. You may forge your own path. Once I act on these wishes, I will no longer influence the path that you take. It is important that you realize that no matter your knowledge, you will never be in control. You may influence some matters, which will shift others. You may stop the boy from going after Tom Riddle his first year, but if Riddle does not get the stone, what will he do? There's a cause and effect, every action and inaction will have consequences. The only thing you will know for certain is, that if you don't do anything, then perhaps nothing will change, the same course will take effect. But my question is, will you be able to not act, if you know what is to come?"
Severus sat quietly for a few seconds. "Do I start by destroying the Horcruxes? How many before he notices? Where do I start?"
"Start with yourself, Severus. Everything will happen, as destiny designs it to happen. I have meddled with Destiny before, sometimes I regret it, and other times I feel it has worked for the better. Just know, that there's always a reaction to an action. If you rid the world of Tom Riddle, will there be another to take his place? Can you rid the world of the Monster you know now, without creating a void that will breed another?"
Severus sat, contemplative. "Who else, besides me will retain their memories?" He asked, as he moved a pawn, idly in his hand. Was he to be a pawn once more?
"I will not disclose that. The others that will retain their memories, will have to decide whether or not they wish to action on those. They must decide upon their fate and destiny. I will not take that right away from them. Just know, that those who will be granted this opportunity, those who must bear this responsibility, also have the choice to deny their role, and simply return as is. You must not take this on, if you do not wish, Severus."
Severus nearly snorted, but stopped himself in time.
"Are there rules? Am I allowed to gamble? Make bets upon outcomes I now know?" He asked, a small gleam in his eyes.
"There are none, none aside from the oath you will take to not disclose the happenings here, naturally."