CHAPTER 9
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Oh, I'm happy, I got lots of reviews. Thanks everybody who reviewed!! Yay!!!
Right...
I'll just start now...
{*********}
Ron stopped dead in his tracks. He knew that voice. Could it be? Had they come back?
Just turn around, stupid, Ron told himself.
Ron turned around. There, standing on the outskirst of the Forest, were Harry and Hermione, one smiling and one close to tears.
As glad as he was to have them back, Ron felt stupid for worrying so much.
Of course they would've come back, he scolded, They wouldn't've stayed forever.
~~**~~
Harry had to drag Hermione away from the bridge as she was trying to get back across. Even though she was having no luck, she tried and tried until Harry took her arm and pulled her away.
Harry could barely believe that Hermione, sensible, smart, down-to-earth Hermione was acting like this. Sure, she had left her friends, but she still had him and Ron...and now, he thought, now that my mother--hopefully--is alive, she can always...visit.
Hermione had finally calmed down. Apparently, she had convinced herself that there was no way to get back, and she'd just have to live with that.
"Harry," Hermione whispered shakily, "Do you think...think that...your parents...are alive?"
Harry breathed deeply. "I hope so."
Harry and Hermione had finally reached Ron, and all three of them shivered in the snow. Harry didn't remember the snow being this thick in 1976...but then again, he had just traveled twenty-one years into the future.
Ron sighed with relief. "Good," he said, "We're all back."
"It's not *good*!" Hermione snapped.
"Look, Hermione. We know your upset about losing your friends and everything, but you don't need to take it out on us," Harry said, "We're your friends, aren't we? Isn't that good enough?"
Hermione glared at Harry. "You just don't understand," she said, starting to stomp away.
"No," Harry said softly, "Don't go yet. We--all--need to go see Dumbledore."
~~**~~
"Going back?" Lily whispered, eyes widening.
James nodded. "Yeah."
"This is weird," Lily confessed, "When we get married--and have Harry--we'll have already met him. When I'm....with child...we'll know it's a boy. We'll know who is friends are, we'll know almost everything."
"It is weird."
"It's odd," she said, "I sort of...miss him."
James looked at his girlfriend sympathetically. "He is...was...oh, I don't know...our son."
"Our son."
~~**~~
Almost exactly like their arrival in 1976, the three time-travellers found Dumbledore standing outside of his office, next to the gargoyle statue.
"Mr. Potter. Mr. Weasley. Miss Granger," he said, "I've been expecting you."
"How did you *know*?" Hermione asked, incredulously.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, full of knowledge. "Like I said in 1976, Miss Granger, I always know."
Hermione nodded, looking mad at herself for not remembering.
"Would you like to step inside?" Dumbledore asked.
~~**~~
Ron, Harry and Hermione had settled themselves in Dumbledore's office. It looked almost exactly the same as it did twenty-one years ago.
"I suppose you are full of questions," Dumbledore said, "Miss Granger, ladies first."
"I was--wondering--why us? Why did we go back?"
"Ah, excellent question. I do not know why, though, Hermione. The bridge, not me nor any other living being, chooses who goes back."
"Then all the people we met in 1976...will they remember meeting us?"
"I do."
Of course! Hermione thought. Dumbledore met us when we went back...and he remembers...so other people will, too!
"Mr. Weasley, any questions?"
"N-no," Ron replied, shaking with cold.
It was Harry's turn. He got to ask his questions--and get them answered. He had been waiting for this most of all. He would find out if his parents lived, what happened to Sirius, Remus...Peter and Voldemort. His, he thought, was the most important question.
"Harry," Dumbledore said, looking over his half-moon glasses, "I wish to speak to you alone, so if your friends here don't mind..."
Ron and Hermione took the hint. They left the office, deciding to wait outside. Naturally, they pressed their ears up to the wall, straining to hear.
~~**~~
"I am sure, Harry," Dumbledore said, "That you are full of questions. Ask away."
Harry sucked in his breath. "Did my parents live?"
"Yes, Harry, they did. They remembered, and took, your advice, and they lived."
"So they picked Sirius as the secret-keeper?"
"No, they picked me. They thought Sirius was the obvious choice, and decided that me, and not to be conceited, Harry, being the only one Voldemort feared, would be a better choice."
"Okay. So Sirius didn't go to Azkaban? Is he alive? He didn't still die, did he?"
"Your godfather, Harry, is alive and well, untouched by the vile clutches of Azkaban Fortress."
Harry's heart was rising...everything--so far--was turning out good.
"My childhood, sir...will I remember it with my parents, or the Dursleys?"
"That, Harry, is a good question. As you know, your parents lived, so you did not grow up with the Dursleys. I believe that if you concentrate hard, your childhood memories will come back to you."
Harry yearned to concentrate on his memories, but that would have to wait. He still had one more question.
"Professor," he said, "What happened to Peter? And Voldemort?"
Dumbledore's eyes looked away from Harry.
"It is a long story," he said, "But you deserve to know."
~~**~~
"As you witnessed in 1976, your father and his friends started...avoiding Peter. Shunning him. It hurt Peter's feelings immensely as he could not figure out the reason for their cold behavior. Peter strived to win them back, but nothing worked."
"Okay..."
"Peter is smarter than he looks. He thought that you had some sort of connection with your father, but could not figure it out. At the time, Voldemort was rising. Not very powerful yet, but he was slowly gaining it. Peter, having no where to go, joined him. It took a few years, but he was soon in Voldemort's inner circle, one of his most trusted Death Eaters."
Harry shuddered...what had Peter done?
"Peter was ordered by Voldemort to kill your parents. Personally. It finally hit him. He realized that you had come from the future, and told your parents how he was responsible for their death. What he didn't know was that in your version, he didn't kill them...although he as good as."
"Right..."
"Peter felt that he could not kill your parents. It would turn Sirius and Remus even more against him. And kill James? He couldn't do that. If it weren't for your father, Harry, Peter would have been alone and friendless all through school. So Peter decided that he would, at all costs, not kill your parents."
"Oh?" Harry asked, genuinely interested in the story.
"As you know, Harry, Voldemort was to strong for any normal person to...do away with him. But in the wizarding world, loyalty is strong. Very strong, Harry. Everytime an un-important Death Eater turned on Voldemort, it did not do much. But when a loyal, trusted Death Eater, like Peter, turned, it would be deadly. Peter told Voldemort to meet him at your parents' house, so he could watch them die. Peter made sure Sirius and Remus were also there."
"Uh huh..."
"Peter, though, had no intention of killing your parents, but he did, indeed, have intentions of killing somebody. I'll spare the details, Harry, as I've been talking for quite sometime. Peter led Voldemort in, where your parents, Remus and Sirius were eating dinner. Peter turned his wand on Voldemort and shouted the death curse. It did not kill him the first time, but the others got the message. They, too, pulled out their wands and shouted at the same time. That second time, Harry, did it."
"Not to be rude, Professor, but that seems a little...easy."
"Easy, Harry? Let me explain a little more. As I said, loyalty is a big issue. To first have one of, if not his, most trusted follower turn on him, is a big deal. To then have him attempt murder on him, that is serious. And thirdly, to have your mother, father, Sirius Black *and* Remus Lupin, some of the strongest sorcerors in the world, and Peter, attempt murder, that did it, Harry."
"What are you saying? Is he...Voldemort...dead?"
Dumbledore's eyes glimmered.
"Yes, Harry. That is what I'm saying."
{**********}
Dun, dun, dun. Did you like it? Well, since we can't communicate telepathically, I *guess* you're just going to have to review.
In the next chapter:
It's finally Christmas...and Harry goes home. Interesting stuff happens that I won't tell or else I'll give it away. And there'll be some other stuff that I haven't thought of yet. Sounds good, hmm?
Review!!!!
*Lily~Pad*
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter.
Oh, I'm happy, I got lots of reviews. Thanks everybody who reviewed!! Yay!!!
Right...
I'll just start now...
{*********}
Ron stopped dead in his tracks. He knew that voice. Could it be? Had they come back?
Just turn around, stupid, Ron told himself.
Ron turned around. There, standing on the outskirst of the Forest, were Harry and Hermione, one smiling and one close to tears.
As glad as he was to have them back, Ron felt stupid for worrying so much.
Of course they would've come back, he scolded, They wouldn't've stayed forever.
~~**~~
Harry had to drag Hermione away from the bridge as she was trying to get back across. Even though she was having no luck, she tried and tried until Harry took her arm and pulled her away.
Harry could barely believe that Hermione, sensible, smart, down-to-earth Hermione was acting like this. Sure, she had left her friends, but she still had him and Ron...and now, he thought, now that my mother--hopefully--is alive, she can always...visit.
Hermione had finally calmed down. Apparently, she had convinced herself that there was no way to get back, and she'd just have to live with that.
"Harry," Hermione whispered shakily, "Do you think...think that...your parents...are alive?"
Harry breathed deeply. "I hope so."
Harry and Hermione had finally reached Ron, and all three of them shivered in the snow. Harry didn't remember the snow being this thick in 1976...but then again, he had just traveled twenty-one years into the future.
Ron sighed with relief. "Good," he said, "We're all back."
"It's not *good*!" Hermione snapped.
"Look, Hermione. We know your upset about losing your friends and everything, but you don't need to take it out on us," Harry said, "We're your friends, aren't we? Isn't that good enough?"
Hermione glared at Harry. "You just don't understand," she said, starting to stomp away.
"No," Harry said softly, "Don't go yet. We--all--need to go see Dumbledore."
~~**~~
"Going back?" Lily whispered, eyes widening.
James nodded. "Yeah."
"This is weird," Lily confessed, "When we get married--and have Harry--we'll have already met him. When I'm....with child...we'll know it's a boy. We'll know who is friends are, we'll know almost everything."
"It is weird."
"It's odd," she said, "I sort of...miss him."
James looked at his girlfriend sympathetically. "He is...was...oh, I don't know...our son."
"Our son."
~~**~~
Almost exactly like their arrival in 1976, the three time-travellers found Dumbledore standing outside of his office, next to the gargoyle statue.
"Mr. Potter. Mr. Weasley. Miss Granger," he said, "I've been expecting you."
"How did you *know*?" Hermione asked, incredulously.
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled, full of knowledge. "Like I said in 1976, Miss Granger, I always know."
Hermione nodded, looking mad at herself for not remembering.
"Would you like to step inside?" Dumbledore asked.
~~**~~
Ron, Harry and Hermione had settled themselves in Dumbledore's office. It looked almost exactly the same as it did twenty-one years ago.
"I suppose you are full of questions," Dumbledore said, "Miss Granger, ladies first."
"I was--wondering--why us? Why did we go back?"
"Ah, excellent question. I do not know why, though, Hermione. The bridge, not me nor any other living being, chooses who goes back."
"Then all the people we met in 1976...will they remember meeting us?"
"I do."
Of course! Hermione thought. Dumbledore met us when we went back...and he remembers...so other people will, too!
"Mr. Weasley, any questions?"
"N-no," Ron replied, shaking with cold.
It was Harry's turn. He got to ask his questions--and get them answered. He had been waiting for this most of all. He would find out if his parents lived, what happened to Sirius, Remus...Peter and Voldemort. His, he thought, was the most important question.
"Harry," Dumbledore said, looking over his half-moon glasses, "I wish to speak to you alone, so if your friends here don't mind..."
Ron and Hermione took the hint. They left the office, deciding to wait outside. Naturally, they pressed their ears up to the wall, straining to hear.
~~**~~
"I am sure, Harry," Dumbledore said, "That you are full of questions. Ask away."
Harry sucked in his breath. "Did my parents live?"
"Yes, Harry, they did. They remembered, and took, your advice, and they lived."
"So they picked Sirius as the secret-keeper?"
"No, they picked me. They thought Sirius was the obvious choice, and decided that me, and not to be conceited, Harry, being the only one Voldemort feared, would be a better choice."
"Okay. So Sirius didn't go to Azkaban? Is he alive? He didn't still die, did he?"
"Your godfather, Harry, is alive and well, untouched by the vile clutches of Azkaban Fortress."
Harry's heart was rising...everything--so far--was turning out good.
"My childhood, sir...will I remember it with my parents, or the Dursleys?"
"That, Harry, is a good question. As you know, your parents lived, so you did not grow up with the Dursleys. I believe that if you concentrate hard, your childhood memories will come back to you."
Harry yearned to concentrate on his memories, but that would have to wait. He still had one more question.
"Professor," he said, "What happened to Peter? And Voldemort?"
Dumbledore's eyes looked away from Harry.
"It is a long story," he said, "But you deserve to know."
~~**~~
"As you witnessed in 1976, your father and his friends started...avoiding Peter. Shunning him. It hurt Peter's feelings immensely as he could not figure out the reason for their cold behavior. Peter strived to win them back, but nothing worked."
"Okay..."
"Peter is smarter than he looks. He thought that you had some sort of connection with your father, but could not figure it out. At the time, Voldemort was rising. Not very powerful yet, but he was slowly gaining it. Peter, having no where to go, joined him. It took a few years, but he was soon in Voldemort's inner circle, one of his most trusted Death Eaters."
Harry shuddered...what had Peter done?
"Peter was ordered by Voldemort to kill your parents. Personally. It finally hit him. He realized that you had come from the future, and told your parents how he was responsible for their death. What he didn't know was that in your version, he didn't kill them...although he as good as."
"Right..."
"Peter felt that he could not kill your parents. It would turn Sirius and Remus even more against him. And kill James? He couldn't do that. If it weren't for your father, Harry, Peter would have been alone and friendless all through school. So Peter decided that he would, at all costs, not kill your parents."
"Oh?" Harry asked, genuinely interested in the story.
"As you know, Harry, Voldemort was to strong for any normal person to...do away with him. But in the wizarding world, loyalty is strong. Very strong, Harry. Everytime an un-important Death Eater turned on Voldemort, it did not do much. But when a loyal, trusted Death Eater, like Peter, turned, it would be deadly. Peter told Voldemort to meet him at your parents' house, so he could watch them die. Peter made sure Sirius and Remus were also there."
"Uh huh..."
"Peter, though, had no intention of killing your parents, but he did, indeed, have intentions of killing somebody. I'll spare the details, Harry, as I've been talking for quite sometime. Peter led Voldemort in, where your parents, Remus and Sirius were eating dinner. Peter turned his wand on Voldemort and shouted the death curse. It did not kill him the first time, but the others got the message. They, too, pulled out their wands and shouted at the same time. That second time, Harry, did it."
"Not to be rude, Professor, but that seems a little...easy."
"Easy, Harry? Let me explain a little more. As I said, loyalty is a big issue. To first have one of, if not his, most trusted follower turn on him, is a big deal. To then have him attempt murder on him, that is serious. And thirdly, to have your mother, father, Sirius Black *and* Remus Lupin, some of the strongest sorcerors in the world, and Peter, attempt murder, that did it, Harry."
"What are you saying? Is he...Voldemort...dead?"
Dumbledore's eyes glimmered.
"Yes, Harry. That is what I'm saying."
{**********}
Dun, dun, dun. Did you like it? Well, since we can't communicate telepathically, I *guess* you're just going to have to review.
In the next chapter:
It's finally Christmas...and Harry goes home. Interesting stuff happens that I won't tell or else I'll give it away. And there'll be some other stuff that I haven't thought of yet. Sounds good, hmm?
Review!!!!
*Lily~Pad*