Tamper with Time
Written by: HoshiHikari
Disclaimer: I do not own HP! That's right, the characters still all belong to J.K Rowling As for the plot, it might have been done before, so I won't take credit for that either
Summary: Complete darkness had befallen across the entire world, wizardry and Muggle alike. The final battle between Harry and Voldemort takes an unexpected turn. Now, the remaining survivors are thrown back into time. Harry must now face a younger and stronger Voldemort, the Voldemort that is currently at the height of power. Can Harry fulfill his destiny before the entire world collapse around him and is consumed by Darkness…again?
Author Notes: ok, I don't know why this fic is turning out this way. It's very different from the original story line. Therefore, I am starting to pull it back together again. For Harry's (Harold's character) ok, he wasn't suppose to turn out that way. Just suppose to be someone who was desperate for change in the past that might make things in the future better. He's just approaching it the wrong way and therefore messing up. I guess I'm not doing a very well job at that. It's my first story for a long term GOOD Harold, except, even unintentionally he's turning EVIL (all/most of my other HP are evil Harry) so sorry about that, I just got to watch him closer and be more careful.
Author Notes: "…." talk Italic thoughts/dreams /…/ Parseltongue Snake language text/letter/writings bold/italicslyrics from songs
Thanks to all who reviewed!!
I'm going to update my bio often so please check it out
Chapter 13 Aftermath and reflectionsIt had been two days since first DADA lesson between the 7th year Gryffindors/Syltherins. What had occurred during the lesson spread quickly through the school, with each person telling their own heroic tale. However, one tale was not missed and was fast becoming wilder and wilder, with each new person telling the tale, a bit more of the truth became lost.
The rumor, as that was what it now was, all began the same way. It began with the confrontation between the Marauder's and the Malfoy gang, with an added twist of Lily and Severus thrown in as an added bonus.
For all that the school knew, and could piece together, Lily had rescued Snape from a vampire. From then on, things became a blur. The Potter and Malfoy group had somehow ended up becoming involved. Rumors flared about how Lily fancied Snape just by showing that she DID care about the good physical shape that he needed to end in, for all these years. More then that, was the rumors about how Snape had single handedly went against his own house to protect Lily from Malfoy after she had deliberately rejected his hand of friendship. Of course, accompanying these were the fact about James' affection for Lily, and how he had tried to pin her since the very beginning of time.
Thus, the school concluded that Lily was playing with the two boys feelings and enjoyed being within the triangle. How wrong the entire school was, with the exception of a few who were close to the Maruaders or had better sense and knew otherwise, those being a select handful of people. The general population believed otherwise, and was intent on believing it that way.
Truth was, the rumors regarding the triangle weren't far off, only off by a billion miles. Snape DID fancy Lily. James DID love Lily and was determined to marry her. However, Lily Evans DID NOT like either of them, not even close. She did not play with either feelings. To her knowledge, those two were just helpless men, in desperate need of a harsh reality check.
Still, even so, for the past two days she found herself being the talk of all discussions. She hated it, she hated all the back stabbing and ridicules nonsense that she kept overhearing, time after time. All she knew was that she had the worst end of the bargain. If she had only been a little keener on her surroundings, she might have noticed that she wasn't the only disturbed person. Compared to her Professor, she was floating in shallow water while he was treading in the deep end, trying desperately to stay a float and fix all the problems that he had made himself. If those two were at the extremes, then of course there were those in between, some in deeper water then others.
For instants, James and Severus was in the same boat as Lily, though neither would admit it. Being a Gryffindor though did put James on the upper hand. At least he did have House support. Snape was all for himself as the other Snakes despised him for his taste and the rebellious upheaval that he seemed to have pulled their House into.
Down further toward the deep end was Swell. He had already earned himself the reputation that he had upheld for years. He was still the same Potion Master hated by all Houses. He was just as nasty as he had been, if not worst toward those unfortunate students who found themselves withering helplessly in his grasp. Keeping this up was not difficult, and he enjoyed it greatly. That being the case, then what could it be that was disturbing him. Well simply that he had been carefully brewing an extra dose of wolfbane while trying to ignore all that was thrown at his younger self.
Swell had been standing inside the room of Requirements for nearly 5 hours. Mixing and brewing, and waiting. His patience was running thin. He growled impatiently, waiting for the second dose to be completed.
Young Lupin though was not in as bad of a condition as Swell was, he too was disturbed. He had no clue whatsoever of how to begin telling his friends what Stone, Wolfe, and Swell had told him. He stalked the empty boys dormitory as he thought of how to approach the situation.
If young Lupin was distressed, then Wolfe, his older self was a thousand times worst. Place on a scale of 1-10, Lupin was on a 3 and Wolfe a 6. The gap separated the shallow and the deep end.
Jay Wolfe paced up and down the Shrieking Shack. He couldn't believe how Stone had so boldly stepped into his personal business. Worst of all, he couldn't believe how he had allowed Stone to screw his childhood life.
What the f—k was I thinking? How could it lead to this? To imaged my monthly childhood transformations be tampered with this way. How in the world could I survive without the help of my friends. True, there is now wolfbane to keep me in the state of human mind, yet this is wrong and for numerous reasons it is wrong.
First, I am Harry's guardian. I shouldn't be pushed around by him to do things his way, when in truth it is not the correct path. No, I must use my power to once again show him his limits.
Secondly, the best times in my Hogwarts years were during that one month transformation. We had so much fun. Such memories could not and will not be replaced.
Thirdly…
Well he couldn't think of one yet. Still, the two reasons was enough to tell him to retaliate towards Stone's personal interest. He needed to see his younger self personally to fix it before the next full moon.
Having made his decision, he exited the Shrieking Shack to find young Lupin. One way or another, he was going to fix this problem, though he did not know how. Still, heck, he was going to think about it later, after all he was a Marauder, was he not.
It was in the boys dormitory that Wolfe found his younger self, plopped up on his bed, and reading. There was a stack of books at his side. Looking back at his younger self, Wolfe found that he (young Lupin) had many Hermione characteristics. Not wanting to disturb the boy, he waited until finally Lupin had placed down the book, and grabbed another.
"May I speak with you for a minute of two Remus?" Wolfe asked, after knocking once to indicate he was there. It felt awkward to talk to himself.
"Yeah sure…." Lupin nodded his Professor to come in and indicated a chair for him to sit in. "What's this about." He asked keenly.
"I want to apologize…." Lupin seemed taken aback. "I want to apologize, on my as well as Professor Stone's behalf about the monthly transformations…"
"Oh…" Wolfe waived him off as he wanted to speak.
"We have no right to interfere with our students personal lives….No right at all….I'm sorry…." Lupin's eyes lit up for the briefest moment.
"What I am trying to say is that maybe we could arrange something so that you COULD spend full moon with your friends…"
"Really….??" "yes, really…" Wolfe paused again. "of course as long as you promise that you will all remain safe…." Lupin jumped up from his bed. "Oh Thank you professor….Thank you…."
"however…" for the slightest moment Lupin's feelings seemed to drop. "keep it a secret eh? Professor Stone needs to know not of this eh?" Wolfe could have swore his younger self beam. "no problem Professor. Secret's safe with me…." "Maruder's secret?" Wolfe asked hesitantly. Lupin seemed surprised, but he was too happy to object. "Marauder's secret"
Lupin pulled his Professor into a hug, when he let go, Wolfe spoke again.
"I was once a young cub myself. So don't think I don't know what its like." "So you really are a werewolf" Lupin asked, before adding. "Sorry I thought it was all a joke or something…." "A genuine werewolf…" pausing while rubbing his younger self's hair.
"and I hope you will understand while it must remain a secret." Lupin smiled. "Of course….wolves won't betray their own pack" It took a while before what was said was registered in Wolfe's mind. When it did, the old man pounced onto his younger self. "Come here you…."
Not long after, the two people were having the time of their lives. For the briefest moment, Wolfe felt like a young cub again. The feeling was only disturbed when his senses told him that they were being watched.
"Moony….what are you two up to …" James called out from the doorway, eyeing the Professor. Behind him, Sirius was laughing loudly.
"He started it…" both Remus and Jay pointed at the other one. Jay, being his more older, mature self, just brushed off the wrinkles on his clothes and headed for the door, pausing to look back once.
"Marauder's secret?" Wolfe asked. "yes, Marauder's Secret…" Lupin confirmed with a thumbs up sign. Having that reassured, he left the group, having Moony to deal with his friends. What he didn't noticed was Wormtail wasn't there with them.
Ever since that first DADA lesson, Wormtail had kept mostly to himself, insolating himself, including being away from his best friends.
Peter Pettigrew was a fragile person. Though he did not show it, he was traumatized and scared out of his wits when he was tortured by 'Voldemort'. He didn't know what to do or who to turn to. He was afraid to turn to his friends as Voldemort had specifically said to either they die or he does. Naturally being the Rat he was, his life came first, before his friends.
He didn't dare turn to Dumbledore for he was sure that things would only get worst. He didn't like the idea of knocking on the headmasters doors and then state calmly that Voldemort asked him to join him. No, that could not happen. He wasn't going to let that happen. That was absurd. The only answer that he would probably receive was a definite 'No' and then be placed under protection and then go into hiding.
Well maybe he could go talk to Professor Stone about it. He shook off that thought. It would seem reasonable enough. The event did occur during the final lesson. For all he knew, Stone might just say that Voldemort as well as the other things were all illusions to build up their strength, endurance and agility. He didn't want to be made into a fool if that was the case. No one else to his knowledge, had run to the Professor to complain about the lesson. He wasn't going to be the first to do so.
Professor Harold Stone had his knees pulled up to his chest. His chin rested on top of them. He sat squatted in the dimly lit Chamber of Secret, the only place where he knew he would not be disturbed by anyone or anything. True, it was home of the Snakes, and it was under Gryffindorish to be here, however, it did provide him one thing, and that thing was what he had been looking for, peace and quiet.
Harold sat deep in thought. He was in deep water, and was desperately trying to stay a float. He had carefully spun himself a web of safety and security, and now, he found himself trapped within it. The once all high and mighty lion had finally been brought down by a series of arrows, fatal arrows. Sense was finally knocked into him, and he did not dare look for the consequences.
He had felt terrible the moment Remus, Wolfe had disappeared from his sight. From then on, the two had not spoken to each or acknowledged the others presence. In fact, it had been the worst fight the two had gotten themselves into since…since…since…well since before Harry could remember.
Remus had never been mad at him more of less angry at him for anything pass half a day, a day at the most. Yet two days had passed, and there was no signs of getting better, recovering. In fact they had gone to the point where either Swell or Zhang became the middle man/woman where everything was repeated twice, even if Stone and Wolfe were standing only 5 feet away from each other.
Stone sighed deeply. He truly regretted what he had done. He had once again let his emotions get the better of him and taking his frustration off on the very person he didn't want to hurt.
He had had enough with everything. First with the over looming threat of Voldemort couldn't have been worsened by the very fact, the ironic fact that Harold Stone, Harry James Potter had placed the disaster upon himself with the misjudgment of Wormtail. Then added with Snape/Swell's affections toward Lily did not make it better. In fact, it was worst, as Harold began having fears of one day not existing, not because he was defeated by Voldemort, but because Snape/Swell finally decided to mess things up. Truthfully, Lupin's/Wolfe's transformation had not bothered him in any way, it had just become an outlet of things.
Harold growled unpleasantly, causing the few snakes nearby to scatter. He had brought this ominous bad luck upon his future self. There was only one way to fix it and that was to take immediate action.
There, that wasn't that bad was it Harry. Admitting the wrongdoings and aiming to fix it huh?
Well, he knew what he had to do. Two things, maybe three needed to be done immediately.
The first being that he had to apologize to his guardian for being the jerk that he was and somehow, someway make it up to him. He needed all the support he could get in these dark times, and he knew that Wolfe would put down everything else to hold true his role as guardian. Knowing that, it only made Harry feel worst. Remus would put nothing above him, and he, Harry had treated, mistreated his guardian so many times before and Remus in the end would not hold that grudge.
Secondly was to fix the problem with Wormtail. He needed to prevent that situation from getting worst. He needed to do something to prevent that rat into becoming a Death Eater. Swell had told him the date that it had occurred that first time. Yet, the man had also mention the fact that they had no clue if Voldemort was his past self, or his future self, which was something that Harry knew would greatly affect the war.
Dam Voldemort. If Tom Riddle would have just died at the orphanage. Then, at least then only one innocent life would have been lost, compared to the millions and billions of people that later died on his account!
Controlling his temper, he stood up and stretched. He knew his mistake, and he was in every way keen on fixing it. Checking that the coast was clear, Stone left the Chamber, leaving no trace that he had been there, before hurrying through the secret passages to find where his guardian might be.
He found Wolfe walking along down an empty corridor, heading for dinner at the Great Hall.
"Jay!" Harold called. Though Wolfe heard, he made no sign that he noticed the man. Instead, he quickened his pace. "Jay!!" Harold yelled out again, finally catching up with him after the werewolf had turned the corner.
"Please…Jay…" Harold made sure no one was around before continuing. "Remus…" he whispered. "Moony…" Haorld tried all sort of names, but Wolfe did not respond.
"Alright, Ok. I know you're angry with me, and you have every right to be. I've been a jerk, and thought that I would have everything to be in your best interest…"
At this, Wolfe stopped and turned to face, snapping at him. "You're not Albus Dumbledore. So don't pretend to be" he hissed angrily. "You don't know me…You don't know my past, present or future. You don't know what's best for me…."
"Please listen to me…."
Wolfe growled angrily, cutting him off. "So don't pretend to." With that Jay stormed off, reaching the entrance of the Hall doors which was closed as they were late, before being caught up by Stone again, who had somehow managed to grab a hold of his arm.
"Listen to me…" Wolfe tried to swing off the grip to no avail. In fact it only caused Stone to grip tighter.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry." Stone bit his lower lip as he had finally managed to catch the other man's attention. "I'm sorry for everything, for how I've treated you. I'm sorry for trying to take away the very thing that meant everything to you in your childhood years."
Wolfe scoffed loudly.
"I haven't been myself these last few days. I guess to say it simply, everything just suddenly crumbled around me. The truth hurt. I just couldn't deal with it all."
His guardian said and did nothing so Harold just continued.
"Every since I was a child, my life was skewed. I had no parents, I had no family. I didn't have a home and friends until I arrived at school. Even then, here in the wizardry world, I had been singled out, labeled, destined to be different. The death of Snuffles was a heavy blow. However, I need you to know, that without you, I wouldn't have been able to pull out of the darkness that I had let consume over me. The worsening of the war, only made it worst. People were dying everyday. Then when all hope seemed to be lost, we ended up here, with a second chance. At first, I was keen on changing everyone for the better good of society, to train them, and act harshly, to stop all foolish ways from occurring. When that didn't seem to happen, I just tried harder, making it worst. Then with the first lesson, everything fell again. I was blown with the harsh reality that everything was my fault, and it IS my fault. I guess I placed restrictions on Lupin because I was jealous, jealous that people could be so happy and jolly when I had to suffer so much. I just wanted to bring in the pain and the harsh reality."
There was a very long silence that followed.
"So yes, I am so sorry. From the bottom of my heart, and soul I hope you can understand. I just wanted everything to be better, but I only made it worst. I make everything worst."
Harold then slowly looked into his guardian's eyes.
"You've done so much for me. Been there through my worst hell like nightmare realities. I don't want this to turn our bond worst, which it has, as we never had an argument last longer then half a day. What happened, what was said, was not meant at all, and only done from the view of a helpless, trapped lion who took out his own problems by hurting others, the people closest to him."
Before Harold knew it, he was held securely in his guardian's arms. "I'm sorry….I'm sorry…Remus I'm so sorry…"
"No, Harold, Harry, I should be the one to apologize. I should have known better then to abandon you during this time of need. I shouldn't have foolishly held that grudge when my heart said that you did not mean it. I should have know better, and shouldn't have done what I have done." Wolfe held Harold closer before whispering. "That may have been why Sirius was your Godfather, and not me. I am no father figure. I become as frantic as you do. I cannot handle situations half as good as Sirius could. I become as helpless as you do"
"That's not true. You know it. Who was there with me through my roughest, darkest and cruelest hours? You were that hand that pulled me out and gave me hope where there was none" Wolfe managed to force a smile. "Your parents and Godfather would have done the same, if given a chance…"
The two held each other for a little longer before releasing the other. "So we're on even footing again?" Stone asked. Jay grinned at him. "You bet we are, Cub"
Stone glared. "I'm not a Cub." Wolfe laughed. "Sorry Harry, no choice. Even if you're a 100 and me in my late hundred twenties, early thirties, you'll still be my little Cub."
Harold snorted, but let the subject matter slide. "So what are you going to do about young Lupin?" He led his guardian to a secret passageway so that they would not attract too much attention for being late at dinner.
Wolfe gave him a mischievous smile. "Marauder's Secret" was all that he said, before adding "Hey I got it under control. Did you really think I'll go with it?" Wolfe continued smoothly. Stone shook his head. "See, that's why you're the survivor…"
"Well, well, look here, back on friendly terms so soon?" Swell muttered, as the two slipped into the staff table, hopefully unnoticed by others, which was likely, as Dumbledore was standing before the school and making another speech.
"50 galleons Chang" Zhang begrudgingly slapped the money onto her ex-Potion's Professor's outstretched hand. "We had a bet" she grumbled. "50 galleons for predicting how long you two would stay mad at the other. I said after 3 days before recovery, guess I lost"
Jay chuckled under his breath. "Come on, you should have known better…." He laughed silently. Stone ignored the conversation beside him as he focused on what the headmaster was speaking of.
"So we are half way through our second week of the beginning of term. At last, I hope you, new and old, student and staff have found Hogwarts to be a secondary home."
There were scattered nods.
My only home.
Stone corrected in his mind, but were one of the few professors that nodded to the comment.
"As you call all recall, the Head of the House Tournament Sign ups have officially begun." This was followed by enormous cheering, which had covered up the groan that came from Harold. He wondered briefly if it was possible to avoid any more unwanted attention.
"As usual, the previous Head of the House must participate to begin the traditions as well as uphold her name." There was whistling and cheers.
Then like a ripple, "Professor McGongall for Head" spread through the tables. For once, most of the students, regardless of House agreed.
This was no surprise to Stone. McGongall had sat in that position for as long as he could remember, ever since Dumbledore himself who had held consecutive rounds became Headmaster and ineligible to participate. This also had been one of the reasons why she was Deputy Headmistress of Hogwarts.
Dumbledore let it reign on for a few minutes before continuing, waving for silence. "Indeed, I daresay Minevera has sat in that position too long." From out of nowhere, he conjured a list. "So let us welcome some new competitors shall we?" he paused. "shall we found out now, who they are?" There were numerous cheers.
"Professor Flickwick!"
"Games keeper Hagrid"
"Professor Binns"
And so on down the list. Some names Stone recognized as his future Professors, others, like Professor Vector (?) who had taught Hermione, he only knew by name. Then there were those like Professor Felt, the caretaker, a young much more handsome and enjoyable man then Filch and Professor Smith, an older woman in her late 70's who taught Ancient Ruins which Harold had only met for the first time since school began.
Dumbledore eventually winded down the list, finally stopping. "At last, I see much of the staff has taken apart in his ancient tradition." He paused before turning to the new Professors.
"However, I must say, none of our new staff members had chosen to take part in this family tradition."
Stone felt the others push him forward. "Go on, you know you want the spotlight" Wolfe beamed at him. "You know you're dying to be in it" Zhang continued. "besides, when have you been surrounded by anything then fame and glory?" Swell grumbled.
Dumbledore look at each of them as though expecting an answer or expatiation as why none of them participated.
"I'm afraid I must pass up the offer" Stone spoke, before waving at his guardians who he knew was capable of an easy victory. "Maybe one of them would want to"
"We nominate Stone" Swell spoke evenly so that everyone could hear. "to represent us all" Wolfe continued.
Dumbledore's eyes were gleaming madly. "Then its settled…" he was adding the name when Stone gave a clear objection. "I am sorry Headmaster. Even if you put my name down, I will not participate. No one but me can decide what I should or should not do. No one, and I mean no one, can force me against my will to do something I do not wish to do" he said firmly and evenly, clear that he did not want to add more attention then he was already given.
A silence swept through the Hall. No one had been that defiant, and especially not towards Dumbledore.
Then softly a small drum roll began, echoing from the Gryffindor table, before spreading. "Stone, Stone, Stone" was shouted out, first by James and then his friends joined in with "Head of the House." Soon the rumbled and shouts grew louder and louder and was so pronounced that it began to echo and shake the walls itself.
Dumbledore turned to look at the school, who were by now up on their feet as one, with a few exceptions (excluding all Slytherins) and one or two of each house. Majority, and just by popularity, Stone had won McGongall by a billion times.
Stone looked on, surprised that he was so well accepted himself. He had no idea that after his own strict and paranoid and dangerous teachings that he would be so well liked and accepted by the school. The power he realized, that he possessed in school was overwhelming. Dumbledore too must have noticed as he turned back to Stone.
"You have much more Power, Influence and Strength that you can ever imagined. Use it wisely and correctly. For your sake, for their sake…."
"I accept" Harold Stone finally said as soft as a mouse, but silence immediately took shape, followed by cheers of encouragement and continued rally of 'Stone for Head'.
Through the excitement, Stone smiled secretly to himself.
"Well, guess I can't ever escape the life of fame" Stone muttered. "well of course, it is the life of a celebrity" Stone sneered at Swell's comment. "Oh right, just wait until the Prophet gets a hold of this: The boy-who-lived reigns supreme over the easy victory of "Head of the House" Stone punched Wolfe in his stomach, hard, but not harmful. Wolfe laughed weakly. "You know you'll enjoy it" he added, avoiding another punch from the smiling broadly Stone who just could not hold in his enjoyment of the situation.
New Year's treat!! Happy 2005!! (ok, a bit early, but oh well "The Final Lesson" was a day early for xmas, but oh well) Decided to put this up for New Years just to be fair! So how was it? A little lighter compared to the other chapters, hope ya like it! Revew!!