Title: Time Warp: Year Two
Author: Laen
Chapter: (6) Explanations
Summary: For every mistake you make, you'll end up with consequences... exactly what kind of consequences does Harry and the gang get?
Disclaimer: All characters below belong to Joanne K. Rowling; the idea of Harry going back in time came from Back to the Future.
Beta(s): Linda, and Equasarus
A/N: This chapter is dedicated to Vivi and Lily, thanks for all the memories and smiles... I'll never forget them
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"Um... hi?"
Whispering broke out in the great hall, and Harry squirmed slightly when he noticed the large amount of people staring at him. Although he'd been stared at a lot in the past six years—including the ones he repeated, Harry couldn't help but feel awkward.
"Ah... Mister Potter... Misters and Miss Weasley... so kind of you to join us..." Headmaster Dumbledore said as he got to his feet, and smiled at them in a kind way.
"Professor! The barrier at King's Cross—we couldn't get in and—"
"We've been notified of that," Severus Snape hissed with a smirk, not bothering to get to his feet to address them.
"But Professor—there was this spider at least ten feet high named Aragog that tried to kill us!" Percy shouted as Harry groaned.
"Can't you shut him up?" Harry asked the twins with an expression that clearly stated he wasn't in the mood to explain what had just happened.
"It wasn't ten feet high you exaggerating idiot," Fred said as he whacked his brother across the head.
"Yeah, it was only eight feet and a half, I even measured!" George lied as a few girls in the Great Hall screamed.
"Headmaster... perhaps another location...?" Professor McGonagall suggested over at the staff table. Dumbledore nodded.
"My office is free to be used if it's needed," an annoying voice offered as McGonagall rolled her eyes.
"Thank you Gilderoy, but I believe Minerva's office is closer." Dumbledore said as he began to head towards the group of Gryffindors who were now arguing.
Had the old Headmaster turned back, he would've seen Gilderoy glaring at him in a very rude way.
"Shut up and stop acting like an idiot, Percy!" Fred shouted angrily as Percy's face reddened.
"At least I wasn't stupid enough to sacrifice family members to giant spiders! Unlike you!" Percy cried out as Fred got ready to hex him, but just in time, Dumbledore stepped in.
Instead of saying anything, Dumbledore merely gave the group of Gryffindors a look. Those who were arguing earlier dropped their heads in shame.
"Follow me," Dumbledore said in barely a whisper as he headed off towards McGonagall's office.
Once he arrived, he requested that Professor McGonagall and Snape stayed outside while he talked to the students. Apparently, Snape was more then interested to find out what had happened.
After Dumbledore closed the door, sealed it with a powerful charm, and placed a silencing spell around the room. He summoned chairs for everyone, and then sat down.
"Explain yourself," Dumbledore said in a serious tone.
The Gryffindors could tell Dumbledore wasn't asking them, he was demanding them to answer him.
"Sir—" Harry broke the silence, and paused for a moment before continuing, choosing his words carefully.
"We were about to enter Platform 9 ¾, when the barrier suddenly closed on us... Mr. and Mrs. Weasley thought of driving to the Leaky Cauldron and having us floo to Hogsmeade then walking to the school. But that didn't work..." Harry paused again, and looked over at his friends, wondering if he should tell Dumbledore what happened next.
When Harry didn't continue speaking, Ginny decided it was her turn to speak up.
"Professor—my dad's car broke down and we ended up sending Harry's owl to the ministry to request for a portkey, when we didn't get a reply a while later, my mum left to check what was wrong and then—"
"This man came and gave us a portkey!" Ron cut in quickly as all heads turned towards him, some in confusion, and others in slight shock that Ron would actually lie.
"A man came and gave you a portkey?" Dumbledore asked as he stared into Ron's eyes.
"Yes," Ron said as he looked downwards, avoiding Dumbledore's piercing eyes.
"How would you know if it wasn't a trap?"
Ron shrugged.
There was another awkward moment of silence before Harry coughed lightly and Dumbledore finally softened. After a wave of his wand, and removing the charm around the office, he spoke.
"Mr.'s and Miss. Weasley, you may leave. Harry—stay behind, I must talk to you."
Fred and George couldn't help but pale. They knew that Dumbledore could be scary when he was mad.
"Come on guys... let's go," Ron said with a gulp as he got to his feet, and gave Harry a sympathetic look.
His brothers followed shortly, and soon, only Percy, Ginny, Harry and Dumbledore were left in the office.
"Come on Gin, let's go..." Percy said as Ginny Weasley stood to her feet.
"Excuse me Professor, but—I haven't been sorted." Ginny said in a quivering tone.
"You'll be sorted into Gryffindor," Harry stated as he looked at Dumbledore, before turning back to Ginny.
"I am quite sure you are in Gryffindor, Ms. Weasley, but it is best you are sorted anyways. Minerva—" Dumbledore paused as McGonagall popped her head into the office, "—please take Miss. Weasley to my office and have her sorted."
Professor McGongall nodded, and Ginny stood to leave. She was about to walk towards the exit when Harry grabbed her arm suddenly.
"Be careful, okay? Look both ways before walking across the hall..." Harry said with a small smile as Ginny nodded her head.
Although she had no idea why Harry mentioned looking both ways before walking across the hall, she still gave him a warm smile back.
"See ya," Ginny said. Then she was gone.
"So... Harry..." Dumbledore said slowly.
Harry turned to face the Headmaster, and raised his eyebrows slightly, as if expecting Dumbledore to continue. But before saying anything, the Headmaster added the charms around the office again.
"What really happened?" Dumbledore questioned after, expecting the truth this time.
"Mr. Weasley created a portkey for us when he got tired of everyone complaining. I think he messed up on the incantation because we ended up pretty deep in the forest. We ended up meeting some spiders... that was all." Harry explained, purposely leaving out the part about the centers.
"Is that all?" Dumbledore continued as Harry nodded, making sure he wasn't making eye contact with the old man.
"What happened when you fought the spiders?"
Harry looked down at his clothes and frowned.
"Isn't it obvious?" he threw back as Dumbledore frowned slightly.
"I see... well... if there isn't anything else I can help you with; perhaps you should return to Gryffindor tower..." Dumbledore muttered as Harry smirked.
"Think you can kick Lockhart out?" Harry asked, taking a shot at getting rid of the horrid professor before he had to endure a year of learning from an idiot. Again.
"Afraid not Harry..." Dumbledore said with a small smile.
"Oh... well, I'll be on my way then..." Harry sighed as he rose to his feet.
"Wait... Harry..."
Harry froze.
"Have you changed anything about the past?" Dumbledore questioned.
"Of course, loads." Harry said as he turned to head towards the exit.
"I thought I told you not to," Dumbledore said as Harry made it to the door, and placed his hand upon the doorknob.
"Professor, everything happens for a reason, maybe I was sent back to change some stuff..." Harry paused, and sighed before continuing, "I'll see you around."
And with that, Harry Potter left the office.
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"So that was it? No punishment? At all?" Ronald Weasley asked in shock, and Harry nodded his head.
"It wasn't really our fault anyways..." Harry pointed out, and was about to continue explaining why, when Hermione cut in.
"I can't believe the barrier just all of a sudden closed! Are you sure you don't know what was wrong Ron?"
"For the last time Hermione! It was some sort of freaky unknown magic!" Ron shouted as he jumped to his feet in anger.
Several people in the common room turned at this outburst, and Harry had to grab his best friend by the sleeve to pull him back down to avoid attracting attention. They already had to deal with questions when they returned. Fortunately, the Weasley Twins took care of that.
"Has the Ministry checked to see what was wrong?" Hermione continued to ask, and from the corner of his eye, Harry watched as Ron threw his hands up in defeat.
"Harry—you deal with her, I'm—I'm going to get something to drink from the room."
Harry frowned slightly, not knowing a word Ron was saying, but after Ron walked back and forth in front of him three times, he understood.
"Get me some," he muttered and Ron nodded.
"Where's he going?" Hermione asked after Ron left the common room.
"To get a drink," Harry said as he gave Hermione a look, "didn't you hear what he said?"
"Of course I did—but what was with the pacing?"
Harry shrugged.
"I've got to go do some last minute homework... night Hermione," Harry said as he got to his feet, and headed towards the stairs.
"But Harry, I thought you said you finished your homework already!" Hermione cried out in disbelief as Harry turned and smiled sheepishly at her.
"Forgot about Potions," Harry lied, and Hermione scowled at him.
"Night," Harry repeated himself as he walked up the stairs to the boy's bedrooms.
Once he was inside, he fell back onto his bed, and sighed. He hated lying to Hermione, but he doubt he couldn't have handed the large amount of question that were thrown at his face.
Deciding to get some reading in, Harry opened his trunk, and began to dig through it, searching for a book. After a while, he pulled a book out of his trunk with a large grin on his face.
It was a book he hadn't opened since last Christmas, and was rather eager to read...
101 Steps to becoming an Animagus...
Harry's grin slowly changed to a smirk, and as he plopped back onto his bed, he couldn't help but wonder what his form would be...
A/N: Hey guys, hope you liked this chapter. I apologize for the shortness of it, but I need to work on a speech that needs to be an hour long, I won't be able updating as often now... anyways, don't forget to REVIEW!!!