Disclaimer: All characters and places in the Harry Potter series are owned
by J.K. Rowling. I have created a few characters and places of my own in
relation to this story. But everything else is owned by Rowling.
Chapter 15: "The Life that was Forced to Exist"
"This is not happening," Harry said.
"Yes, it is. And there's your proof," Draco said, gesturing towards Dylan.
Harry straightened on his seat. "Are you trying to tell me that you and Hermione ended up together?"
"Actually, they didn't," Dylan butt in.
"Then why do they have a son? Why are you here?"
"Five years from now, you and Hermione will be engaged. But you will also be busy being an Auror. Ron was busy taking care of his family, so Draco was left looking after Hermione. You didn't mind because he was your friend, and you even asked him to look after her. Until one night, something happened between them."
Both Harry and Draco gasped.
"It wasn't like that. It was more of an accident. Hermione took out some wine and asked Draco to drink. They were only supposed to have some fun, but they both got drunk, and-you know what happened next."
"I'm not hearing this," Harry said, shaking his head with his hand on his temple.
"Do you think you're the only one having a hard time trying to believe this? I have an illegitimate son!" Draco said.
Dumbledore, who was well aware of the tension, decided to butt in. "Dylan, could you please tell them why you decided to drop by 16 years into the past?" he suggested.
Harry and Draco looked at him like he was going to do something dangerous.
Dylan looked at Harry. "Hermione didn't know she was pregnant, not until the two of you got married, which was only a few months later. She didn't know how to tell you, so she just made you believe that it was your son. Eleven years later, when I got my letter from Hogwarts, Hermione decided to tell you the truth. Of course, you didn't take it very well. You got so angry that you left home for many days. Life was hell from then on. Hermione-mom, was crying all the time, and she didn't even seem to notice I was there. I tried to find out who my real father was, and when I did, I went to see him. You, of course," he said, looking at Draco, "was shocked to hear the news, and it was hard for you to accept me. But I came at the manor everyday, just dropping by, just in case you've changed your mind. Until one day, when I came, you told me that you weren't ready to have a son. I told you all wanted was for you to acknowledge my existence, and see you every once and a while. But you said you weren't ready to accept me. It hurt me so bad that I just ran away from you as far as possible. But I got lost inside the mansion. I ended up inside the library, and there, I found the book. And when I opened it, I saw the spell that would bring me back in time so that I could help mom and my real father end up together. That way I would have a family. And not be alone anymore. But all I did was screw everything up. And now, my mom's life is in danger. All because of me. If she dies, I have nothing to go back to. If she dies, I wouldn't even exist. I should have known better."
The room was quiet as if there was nobody there. Dylan was looking down on the floor. Both Draco and Harry were staring up the ceiling. Professor Dumbledore was just observing the three of them. "The rip that I was talking about," Dumbledore cut in the silence, though no one bothered to look at him, "didn't allow Dylan, Hermione, and you, Draco, to be at one distinct space at the same time-the very reason why Dylan vanished when you entered that hallway."
"But it was an open space, there was no physical barrier separating us," Draco said, finally looking at Dumbledore.
"Doorways, windows, and the corners of hallways and corridors are invisible barriers, Draco," said Dumbledore. "They are where shadows often lie, hidden from the light of the sun."
"That is why I didn't enter the Hospital Wing when you dragged me there. I have learned my lesson before," Dylan told Draco. "That is also why I never go down the Great Hall whenever you and Hermione are there."
"And where do you exactly go when you vanish?" Draco asked.
"I go back to my time. Then I just cast the spell again."
Harry suddenly looked down at them. "Does this rip, the one you are talking about, does this have anything to do with what is happening to Hermione?"
Dumbledore gazed at him surprisingly. "Yes, Harry, it has."
"I don't understand," Draco said.
"You see, messing with the time-space continuum has serious consequences. Just the fact that Dylan has traveled back in time can make damaging changes in his present, our future. You remember, Harry, how strict I was when I asked you and Hermione to use the Time Turner before?" Dumbledore said. "The long term effect of this 'hole' Dylan's illegal journey has created, is the imbalance of life here and in the future."
"Imbalance?" Draco butt in.
"Best way to describe it," Dumbledore answered. "Every soul has its own place and time. When Dylan traveled back illegally, his soul was forced to exist in our time. As an effect, to redeem the balance that was altered, one life must be taken."
"Hermione," Draco said.
"But why her?" Harry said, standing up. "Why does she have to pay for what he has done?" he cried, pointing at Dylan.
"Yah, why not me?" Draco said, looking at Dumbledore.
"Because Dylan came from her," Dumbledore said. "It was natural that her soul would be taken away."
Dylan stood up as well. "I would just go back. I have caused too much trouble here. If that's what I have to do to save my mother's life, then I'll do it," he said.
"How do I know you're just doing it to save yourself?" Harry said, grabbing Dylan by the collar. "If Hermione dies, you won't have a life to go back to."
"Harry, let him go," Draco said.
"No! He's the reason why this is happening to Hermione!" Harry yelled.
"And you're the reason why I went back here in the first place!" Dylan shouted. "You weren't a good father to me! You just dismissed me when you learned I wasn't your son. Besides, do you think I still have a life to go back to even if she lives? I still wouldn't have succeeded in my original plan even if I go back," Dylan added, "I would have gained nothing." He didn't bother freeing himself from Harry's grasp. He knew that somehow, he still deserved it.
Draco stood up and took hold of the Harry's arm, the one that held Dylan's collar. "Release him, Harry. He's got a point."
"Just because he's your son, doesn't mean you should take his side!" Harry exclaimed.
"I'm not taking sides! Didn't you hear what he said? Even if he goes back now, nothing in his life would have changed; he wouldn't even have a life to begin with! The very fact that we already know our future ensures that it is bound to be altered. Dylan wouldn't even be born. But at least Hermione gets to live," Draco shouted back.
Harry released Dylan's collar. He sat back on the couch and buried his face on his hands. Draco sat beside him and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. "It's the only plan we've got."
Harry didn't say anything. Dumbledore stood up. "I guess your silence means we've got a plan. Dylan, are you sure you want to do this?" Dumbledore asked him.
"I wouldn't even remember about it," Dylan answered.
"Then it's settled."
Chapter 15: "The Life that was Forced to Exist"
"This is not happening," Harry said.
"Yes, it is. And there's your proof," Draco said, gesturing towards Dylan.
Harry straightened on his seat. "Are you trying to tell me that you and Hermione ended up together?"
"Actually, they didn't," Dylan butt in.
"Then why do they have a son? Why are you here?"
"Five years from now, you and Hermione will be engaged. But you will also be busy being an Auror. Ron was busy taking care of his family, so Draco was left looking after Hermione. You didn't mind because he was your friend, and you even asked him to look after her. Until one night, something happened between them."
Both Harry and Draco gasped.
"It wasn't like that. It was more of an accident. Hermione took out some wine and asked Draco to drink. They were only supposed to have some fun, but they both got drunk, and-you know what happened next."
"I'm not hearing this," Harry said, shaking his head with his hand on his temple.
"Do you think you're the only one having a hard time trying to believe this? I have an illegitimate son!" Draco said.
Dumbledore, who was well aware of the tension, decided to butt in. "Dylan, could you please tell them why you decided to drop by 16 years into the past?" he suggested.
Harry and Draco looked at him like he was going to do something dangerous.
Dylan looked at Harry. "Hermione didn't know she was pregnant, not until the two of you got married, which was only a few months later. She didn't know how to tell you, so she just made you believe that it was your son. Eleven years later, when I got my letter from Hogwarts, Hermione decided to tell you the truth. Of course, you didn't take it very well. You got so angry that you left home for many days. Life was hell from then on. Hermione-mom, was crying all the time, and she didn't even seem to notice I was there. I tried to find out who my real father was, and when I did, I went to see him. You, of course," he said, looking at Draco, "was shocked to hear the news, and it was hard for you to accept me. But I came at the manor everyday, just dropping by, just in case you've changed your mind. Until one day, when I came, you told me that you weren't ready to have a son. I told you all wanted was for you to acknowledge my existence, and see you every once and a while. But you said you weren't ready to accept me. It hurt me so bad that I just ran away from you as far as possible. But I got lost inside the mansion. I ended up inside the library, and there, I found the book. And when I opened it, I saw the spell that would bring me back in time so that I could help mom and my real father end up together. That way I would have a family. And not be alone anymore. But all I did was screw everything up. And now, my mom's life is in danger. All because of me. If she dies, I have nothing to go back to. If she dies, I wouldn't even exist. I should have known better."
The room was quiet as if there was nobody there. Dylan was looking down on the floor. Both Draco and Harry were staring up the ceiling. Professor Dumbledore was just observing the three of them. "The rip that I was talking about," Dumbledore cut in the silence, though no one bothered to look at him, "didn't allow Dylan, Hermione, and you, Draco, to be at one distinct space at the same time-the very reason why Dylan vanished when you entered that hallway."
"But it was an open space, there was no physical barrier separating us," Draco said, finally looking at Dumbledore.
"Doorways, windows, and the corners of hallways and corridors are invisible barriers, Draco," said Dumbledore. "They are where shadows often lie, hidden from the light of the sun."
"That is why I didn't enter the Hospital Wing when you dragged me there. I have learned my lesson before," Dylan told Draco. "That is also why I never go down the Great Hall whenever you and Hermione are there."
"And where do you exactly go when you vanish?" Draco asked.
"I go back to my time. Then I just cast the spell again."
Harry suddenly looked down at them. "Does this rip, the one you are talking about, does this have anything to do with what is happening to Hermione?"
Dumbledore gazed at him surprisingly. "Yes, Harry, it has."
"I don't understand," Draco said.
"You see, messing with the time-space continuum has serious consequences. Just the fact that Dylan has traveled back in time can make damaging changes in his present, our future. You remember, Harry, how strict I was when I asked you and Hermione to use the Time Turner before?" Dumbledore said. "The long term effect of this 'hole' Dylan's illegal journey has created, is the imbalance of life here and in the future."
"Imbalance?" Draco butt in.
"Best way to describe it," Dumbledore answered. "Every soul has its own place and time. When Dylan traveled back illegally, his soul was forced to exist in our time. As an effect, to redeem the balance that was altered, one life must be taken."
"Hermione," Draco said.
"But why her?" Harry said, standing up. "Why does she have to pay for what he has done?" he cried, pointing at Dylan.
"Yah, why not me?" Draco said, looking at Dumbledore.
"Because Dylan came from her," Dumbledore said. "It was natural that her soul would be taken away."
Dylan stood up as well. "I would just go back. I have caused too much trouble here. If that's what I have to do to save my mother's life, then I'll do it," he said.
"How do I know you're just doing it to save yourself?" Harry said, grabbing Dylan by the collar. "If Hermione dies, you won't have a life to go back to."
"Harry, let him go," Draco said.
"No! He's the reason why this is happening to Hermione!" Harry yelled.
"And you're the reason why I went back here in the first place!" Dylan shouted. "You weren't a good father to me! You just dismissed me when you learned I wasn't your son. Besides, do you think I still have a life to go back to even if she lives? I still wouldn't have succeeded in my original plan even if I go back," Dylan added, "I would have gained nothing." He didn't bother freeing himself from Harry's grasp. He knew that somehow, he still deserved it.
Draco stood up and took hold of the Harry's arm, the one that held Dylan's collar. "Release him, Harry. He's got a point."
"Just because he's your son, doesn't mean you should take his side!" Harry exclaimed.
"I'm not taking sides! Didn't you hear what he said? Even if he goes back now, nothing in his life would have changed; he wouldn't even have a life to begin with! The very fact that we already know our future ensures that it is bound to be altered. Dylan wouldn't even be born. But at least Hermione gets to live," Draco shouted back.
Harry released Dylan's collar. He sat back on the couch and buried his face on his hands. Draco sat beside him and placed his hand on Harry's shoulder. "It's the only plan we've got."
Harry didn't say anything. Dumbledore stood up. "I guess your silence means we've got a plan. Dylan, are you sure you want to do this?" Dumbledore asked him.
"I wouldn't even remember about it," Dylan answered.
"Then it's settled."