Chapter 9
Who are you???
As she helped the tired old man across the rough ground, Druscilla was beginning to wonder if their situation had really improved very much. They had exchanged endless corridors for an endless barren countryside.
At the moment they were making their way through a desolate area strewn with boulders. Still, at least they'd got rid of the Deatheater - though it was very possible that more Deatheater's waited in ambush somewhere ahead. Old Harry came to a sudden halt.
He leaned gasping against a boulder.
It's no good, Druscilla,' he said angrily, hating to admit his weakness. I shall have to rest.'
Yes, of course, Grandfather, you stay there. I'll just go and see what things look like past these boulders.'
Druscilla walked a little way forwards to where the clump of boulders ended. The land sloped downwards a little. To her delight, there in a little hollow she saw a familiar castle in the distance.
She turned and called, Grandfather, look. Come and see!'
Wearily Harry heaved himself upright and came to join her.
What is it?' He stared. Goodness me the castle!'
What's the castle doing here?'
The discovery had revived the old man's flagging energies. I suggest we go and find out,' he said sharply, and set off down the path.
Young Harry moaned and stirred and opened his eyes.
He's conscious,' said Ron gloomily. But only just.'
Draco nodded. If only he'd recovered long enough to send that signal.'
Then to his utter astonishment, the door of castle opened and in marched a white-haired old man, key in hand. A slim platinum-haired woman was close behind him.
Ron, Draco and Hermione stared at the new arrivals.
The newcomers stared back at them with astonishment equal to their own.
Hermione jumped to her feet. Who are you?'
The old man snapped, More to the point, young woman, who are you?'
He surveyed the little group with obvious disapproval. What are all you young people doing inside my castle?'
"We were drawn here by my boyfriend over there," stated Draco pointed to the slight black-haired figure stretched out on the floor.
And who might he be?' asked the old man disdainfully.
Hermione got to her feet. He happens to be Harry Potter,' she countered.
She saw the old man give a gasp of sheer astonishment.
He's Harry Potter? Good grief!' Said the old man quietly.
A little stiffly, Old Harry went down on one knee beside the unconscious Young Harry, looking curiously into his face.
Young Harry opened his eyes, and saw the lined old face
looking down at him.
You're here!' he said delightedly.
'You're here!' Reaching out to clasp the old man's outstretched hands, he struggled into a sitting position.
Evidently, evidently,' said the old man gruffly. Now, take it steadily, my boy. Let me help you up.'
It was as though the younger man was actually drawing strength from the elder, thought Hermione. You could almost see the life flooding back into the younger Harry's body.
Young Harry hung onto the old man's hand for a moment, steadying himself. I was trying to send you the recall signal.'
Never mind about that. How do you come to be here at this castle?' queried Old Harry.
Young Harry looked puzzled. I'm not sure ... I was drawn here, I think. I don't really know.'
Well, it doesn't matter. The point is we're here.' Old Harry said smiling at his young counterpart.
Druscilla put a hand on the old man's arm. She was looking in astonishment at Harry's youthful face. Is he really . . .'
The old man said wryly, Me? Yes, I'm afraid so.'
Goodness me." said the young woman
"By the way, this is Druscilla.'
Yes,' said Harry gently. I know.' He smiled affectionately at Druscilla, a face from a future so far away it seemed hardly real.
The old man looked at Harry's companions. And you are?'
Ron Weasley,' said Ron briefly not sure what was going on.
I'm Hermione Granger." Hermione said, with her hands on her hips.
With a chuckle, and a twinkle in his eye old Harry looked them over "I forgot how close the three of us were when we were young" He said to no one in particular.
He then turned to where Draco stood and gasped. Druscilla turned as well and nearly bowled her grandfather over.
"What, what's going on? Why are you looking at me funny?" stated Draco nervously.
"Young man, are you pray tell, Draco Lucius Malfoy?" queried Old Harry
"I might be and who might you be?'
"I might be any number of things, young man. As it happens, I am Harry Potter-Malfoy. The original, you might say. Him!" as he pointed at Young Harry with a smirk on his face. "But from 100 years in the future!"
Draco looked at him and then back at his Harry and then back again. With a look of bewilderment on his face Draco turned to all present and promptly fainted.
Old Harry drew himself up proudly, hands tugging at his lapels.
"Looks like he handled that well," chuckled Old Harry.
Looking over at the new comers Hermione was perplexed as to why there were two different versions of Harry Potter sitting in front of her. It wasn't so much the older Harry's existence that puzzled her. By now she was familiar with the concept of time travel in th wizarding world. It was his presence, here and now.
"But you shouldn't be here, with him, at the same time - should you?" She asked the old man.
Vigorously the old man shook his head. "Always the bookworm aren't you Hermione but according to the laws of time certainly not! "Old Harry said. It only happens in the gravest of emergencies. Like now.'
Now, just make yourself useful, will you, young woman. These young fellows looks as if they are going to need some refreshment, and I know Druscilla and I do.' He said to Hermione as he helped Druscilla to move Draco to a couch, so she could revive him.
Druscilla pulled out her wand for the first time in years. It was made of Baobab, 11 inches, with a Thestral feather in the core. She looks down at the prone figure of Draco and said "Enervate" and the young blond man eyes began to flutter open and looked up at her smiling face. He looked into her eyes and is mesmerised, then it hits him who this young woman is.
"You're a Malfoy aren't you?" he whispers to her.
She bends down and whispers in his ear, "Yes and no, but I will tell you later when no one is around." With this Draco smiled and with help from his Harry, sits up on the couch near the fireplace.
Hermione glared at the old man in front of her in sheer disbelief. Now just you hang -on a minute,' she began dangerously.
Hurriedly Young Harry intervened. "'Mione, please. He gets a bit - tetchy, sometimes. Ron will help - won't you, Ron?'
Exchanging mutinous glances, Hermione and Ron left through a double door to search for the kitchen and rustle up some refreshments for the group.
The old man put his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Now then, young fellow, tell me all how you all managed to get yourselves all the way over to this island and into this mess." Old Harry asked.
