Changing Times

A/N: Wow, I'm bloody fast this time, huh??? :D

Well, what's there to say...? Second last chapter. Where all your questions are answered. Or else you'll just end up even more confused. Who knows???

Wow, somebody reviewed!!! Here's to you:

DreamCloud56: I'm glad you waited. Forever is one heck of a long time! Well, here's your chapter. Is that answer enough? :P
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Alicia: AHH!!! I'm DYING to see CoS!!! I don't have tickets 'till Friday!!! I heard it was wonderful! Can't wait! :)
LiZz: Hm, yeah... Hermione Malfoy... that's just yuck! Well, I updated!!! Yay me!!!!!
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Chapter 19: Dumbledore's Office - Uncut!

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The wooden doors opened, and I walked inside. I walked quietly, staring at the floor. This was not going to be pretty.

I finally reached the steps of the altar, and looked up.

There was the priest, and there was Ron.

Ron. He was standing a weird place. At the place the best man usually stood.

And next to him was somebody else.

My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

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***Many, many years before...***

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As Ron and Hermione began their journey through time, Dumbledore turned towards Lily and James, who was staring madly at the spot where the two others had just stood.

"And now," Dumbledore said, "I have something important to discuss with you two."

And he smiled. He knew what they thought he was going to talk to them about, give them moral lessons about.
But that was not exactly the matter of the conversation to follow.

Lily and James stood frozen on the spot. They had sort of hoped that Dumbledore would let their little broom-closet-incident slide... and now what? What was going to happen to them? Why was Dumbeldore *smiling*, of all facial expressions???

"Professor Dumbledore, we're really sorry..." Lily started.

"Yes, it'll..." James took a deep breath. "It'll never happen again," he said, hardly getting the words out.

Lily looked at James, a little hurt. James looked to the floor.

Dumbledore smiled once more, but said, very seriously, "Yes, yes it will."

Both teens looked up in utter surprise.

"What I am about to tell you, will affect future history. I have had a little conversation with a certain someone... Myself, in fact, or at least a future version of me. I do that quite often, really. It is a very useful activity if you are into gambling on horses..." he said with a twinkle in his eyes.

Lily and James just looked at him.

"So, anyway," Dumbledore continued, "I have heard a bit about what is in store for the two of you and for many other people." He sighed. "I will not lie to you. Everyone keeps telling me to stay quiet and not talk to inexperienced children about matters of this sort, but I never listen anyway. So... People will die. In fact, you will both be killed by the future lord of darkness, Lord Voldemort."

Lily and James looked at him with a mixture of horror and surprise.

"And that is not all," Dumbledore continued unaffected. "You will have a baby son, Harry Potter, who will defeat the dark lord... and die in the process."

Now Lily and James' horror and surprise were mixed with a slight shade of blush.

"Yes, this is a lot of news. I have of course known about this for ages-" Dumbledore continued, but was cut off by James, who looked outraged.

"You knew? You knew all along and you never told us?" he blurted.

"Ah, mr. Potter," Dumbledore said quietly, "There are things that should not be altered with."

Lily, who had been quiet up until now, suddenly asked, "But sir... why are you telling us now then?"

Dumbledore's eyes twinkled now more than ever. "Miss Evans, in all of my career I have always let things happen, without interfering. But there are always exceptions, you know."

Dumbledore went over to the door, and opened it. "And if you will excuse me, I have to go see a certain Tom Riddle. Remember to buy Harry a toy broomstick when he turns three. I hear they will be the new hit."

And with that, Dumbledore left the office, leaving Lily and James completely thrown by all of this.

What did this mean?

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Ahh. Ohh. Hmm. (Huh?)

Bad? Good? Stupid?? Well, it's not the end people. One more chap to go... the closure!