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: "…." talk Italic thoughts/dreams /…/ Parseltongue Snake language underlinetext/letter/writings bold/italicslyrics from songs
HP-Scriptor: first off thanks for reviewing. Secondly, thanks for the invitation to the RPG. I'll check it out, and then decide later.
A-man: Glad its less confusing. Spy? Who? Well, the hint is Swallowtail, and that is a big hint. The name kinda gives it away. Well its definitely not Snape (he can't be swallowtail at the same time), so either Remus or Cho….but which one? Or maybe Harry himself? Really not going give it away. Well maybe there really isn't a spy at all. Snape on Harry's side, that depends on you and how you view the whole fic. (most of my fics though, Snape ends up on Harry's side, whichever that is)
Thanks to all who reviewed! I'm going to update my bio often so please check it out
Chapter 19Swell gave Wolfe a funny look as he was offered a piece of chocolate. Still he accepted it graciously. When they were done so that at least the Potion Master was capable of telling his tale, Stone demanded to hear it. Swell looked between the two, back and forth. Finally he decided to stand. He pulled Stone aside so that they were as far away from Wolfe as possible before whispering. "There's a spy among our time travel group."
Swell studied his ex-least favorite student's face. At first it was blank, then shades of color descended upon it, rapidly changing from one color to the next. There was a non believing look, then replace with understanding and finally acceptance. Swell did not understand that at all.
"There… is… a… spy…among…our…time… traveling…group" he repeated, clearly word for word as though Harold had not heard.
Stone had heard the first time, except it was had to believe. However, by the second time, something else flashed through his mind, and he was more open to accepting it.
"There is a bigger Rat that needs to be caught. In time, you will learn that Peter will not be of your concern."
The words from Albus Dumbledore filtered into him and at last seemed to have made its mark. Glancing from Swell to Wolfe, his thoughts spread and questions aroused. Reality seem to strike, and possibilities probed his mind.
Could Remus be the Spy?
As quickly as that thought had entered, it left. There was no way, no way that Remus Lupin was the spy. Harold was sure of it. But, then, if it wasn't Remus, then it must be Cho, as Snape could not be the unknown spy and there was no way that he himself was, so it must be one of them. Harold shook his head rigorously. There was no way it could be either of them. Remus was his guardian, one of his father's best friend, there was no way it could be him. On the other hand, he loved Cho, and he was sure it was the same visa versa. She couldn't be lying to them, could she?
"Harry, are you ok?" Wolfe asked from afar. He had respected them when Swell had motioned Harold aside, so he knew nothing that was occurring. However, the look on Harold's face was enough to convince him that something was wrong very wrong.
Stone did not reply for the longest time. He just stared at Wolfe, taking him in, and for the first time was very cautious around that man. After all there was no previous warning of Peter's strike, therefore it was very plausible that there wasn't going to be one this time either. Stone just had to tread softly. As much as his instincts told him there was no way that Remus could be a spy, he still had to be cautious.
"er…yeah, I'm fine" Harold replied slowly. "er…it's getting late. Still have a few things to discuss with Severus….if you wouldn't mind…" Wolfe nodded, understandingly, yet incredulous at the same time. "I'll see you tomorrow then." He added briskly. "Yes, I'll see you tomorrow."
When Wolfe had left and at least 15 minutes had passed in silence, Stone spoke again. This time though, he had his wand out, and pointed in front of him, at Swell's head. Samuel didn't seem fazed by it. His face was emotionless without surprise.
"Ready?" Stone asked quietly. Samuel gave a blunt nod. "Legiilimens Maxima"
As of the beginning of the Second War, this was how the Order relived the needed information from the Spy. It was much more reliable and convenient as it enlarged the memories and allowed all within proximity to view freely view its contents. The caster could then freely choose, probe, pause and play, which made it easy for the group to discuss. This method showed tremendous trust between the caster and the one which it was cast upon as Veritaserum was not necessary and there was a mute trust between the two. The caster would not pull anything fishy as perform an unexpected task for that matter, while the one whom it is cast on would not hide anything and put down all mental barriers.
The images of the last two hours zoomed out of the wand and floated, suspended in the air. Neither person spoke, Swell not wanting to disturb the other's train of thought, while Stone wanted to memorize all aspects and detail of the situation before him so that he could invasion himself placed in that situation.
"It's not Remus." Was the first thing that escaped the younger man's lips. It came out relived and reassuring. "I was with him the whole night and he was never out of my sight. Besides, we shared the task of watching over the students." He paused as Swell interrupted. "Besides, if you notice, all those that did get initiated tonight was Cho's responsibility. Not to mention that there's the group of future Inner Circle members, with the exception that Peter and I are not part of it…"
Stone let the words touch his outer thoughts. At the moment all possible evidence was pointed at Cho, however that was something that he wasn't going to accept easily.
"Yet it can't be Cho either." He said, defending the only person whom he had a crush on. "We would have known if something of this magnitude had occurred. I would have known. I'm not a man to be played. I won't be played, especially not by a woman." He said bitterly.
"Yet, that is where the facts lie. It's who the evidence, as you see yourself, directly points to…"
Stone remained silent, having an inner battle, trying to push the blame on anyone but the closest people that he knew.
"but what if, what if it's part of Voldemort's plan?" "explain." Replied Swell.
"What if Swallowtail does not exists? What if Voldemort is making this person up, just to cause inner conflict between us, to vanquish us from the inside? He made himself clear that his past and future has already merged together. So we are left with a Dark Lord that's younger and at the peak of his power who possess wisdom beyond his years. Is it so not possible that this is just one of his tricks that he has up his sleeve."
"Then that would mean he knows I am a spy…not for him. Then that would mean he's counting on me to inform you. If that is true then that means we're playing right into his grasps. If the Dark Lord's goal is to create hatred, confusion and suspicion, that he has long succeeded as we are here, struggling to pinpoint someone who does not exist."
Swell paused. "Yet, I highly doubt it. I believe Swallowtail exist." Stone's eyes locked onto his, pushing him to continue. "The Dark Lord is brilliant and cunning far beyond his age." Stone frowned at the compliment. "He would not have easily overlooked a point and continue with it, when we could have so easily see it as well." Stone turned away. He had so wanted Swallowtail to not exist that if Swell hadn't pointed out that fact, he would have ignored it completely.
"I think we're looking at it wrongly." Swell continued, as Stone made no comment. "What if it isn't Chang…" "but like you said, that's who all the evidence points to." "Exactly." Stone's frown deepened.
"What if it is Remus" Swell spoke quietly, making a bold statement. As expected, Stone's face darkened completely. "It's not him. We've established that fact already. You have no proof that he is. So don't you dare say he is." Stone snapped angrily.
"That's what he would want you to believe. The spy, whoever it is would want to erase all doubt that it could be him/herself by placing false facts on someone else, blame it on another…"
"Oh really!" Stone raised his voice. "Let me guess, you got that from the Marauders." He continued sarcastically.
"yes" this came out so soft that sound did not seem to come out. It took a moment before the answer registered in Harold's mind.
"Think about it. Please do not interrupt until I am finished. This is a possibility that cannot be overlooked." Stone said nothing, so Swell continued again.
"The Marauder's were four friends that were inseparable. Moony, Padfoot, Wormtail and Prongs. It was only until Dumbledore got short noticed about Voldemort's plan to attack the Potter's did he send them into hiding. James trusted Sirius to be secret keeper as he bet his entire life on it. Sirius knowing that Voldemort would come after him entrusted Peter, Peter and not Remus with the task! Why! Simply because he thought it was Remus that was the spy! Remus being as senseless as he was actually believed the press and the entire world that it was Sirius' fault! Both Remus and Sirius had all the qualities of being the perfect spy, but were they? No! No one, for 13 bloody years, no one thought twice of Sirius being framed. No one thought twice that Wormtail was alive! No one ever suspected that filthy Rat until you and your sidekicks uncovered the truth!"
"REMUS IS NOT THE SPY!" Stone roared at the top of his lungs. It was good that a silencing barrier was placed earlier as it would have awakened everyone at Hogwarts. He had been holding his temper down, but now it exploded like firecrackers.
"LET ME FINISH!" Swell bellowed rising his volume higher then Stone so that it drowned it out completely. In fact so high that it in its own way scared Stone, not the way a boggart ever would, but it provoked a fear that only the Potion Master could accomplish. Fear that as odd as it was at the same time seem to calm the other man.
"I am just pointing out a point." Swell continued, now that he seemed to have gotten full attention. "We are four members of an inseparable family that live parallel lives against the Marauders. We are now facing the same problems. The only difference is, we know this is a possibility. You are trusting Remus blindly, the same way James trusted Sirius."
"and why won't I? Don't you dare suspect him just because of childhood grudges either"
"I don't. I am merely pointing out that is it safe to trust someone so blindly, when in fact he could be a Wormtail within? Like Remus and Sirius, just because there is no evidence that points to the possibility of Peter, it doesn't mean it isn't possible. We have no idea who the spy is, and we can't eliminate anyone other solid evidence surface."
Stone was very quiet. As much as he hated it, he had to admit that Swell was correct. He didn't want to think that way, but he didn't want to not think it either. He didn't want to judge now, he couldn't judge.
"and how do I know you are not the Spy Snape? How do I know you aren't actually working for Voldemort and as you said, try to cause the group to crumble from within?"
"You don't." Stone frowned, staring at the other one. "If I was, then I would have said nothing. I think you know me better then most people. You know that I am not the Spy." Another pause. "The same way I know you aren't either Harry. The day you side with Voldemort and hand over your parents as well as the rest of the world on a silver platter, is the day the we will finally face off on opposite sides. If it is you Harry, then I consider myself a dead man walking."
"but that doesn't lessen my suspicion on you Snape" Stone said, some what jokingly again lightening the atmosphere. "according to your theory on Remus, I think you are the more highly candidate." "No you're wrong. If that theory holds true, and by all heaven not, then it is you. You, Harry Potter is the very last person that anyone would ever suspect." Harold let out a shallow laugh. "Then I must assure you, it is not me. As you said, only a soulless, inhuman creature will sell his only family for a world tainted entirely by faults. I have everything I need in this world. There is nothing I would desire more then preserve it the way it is."
The two stared at each other for a minute or so, before a smile crept over both their faces. "Thus we have come up with that neither of us is Voldemort's lap dog. Therefore it can either be Remus or Cho who is Swallowtail." Harold nodded mutely. "Or neither of them at all, and its all just a whole thing Voldemort wants us to believe, to serve the same purpose that cost Padfoot his life on my account" Swell rolled his eyes, giving him another It-wasn't-your-fault look. "to scatter us and then pick us off one by one." "very true."
Another silence passed through them. Finally Stone spoke again. "It's getting late. We still have to teach tomorrow." Swell nodded. He followed Harold to the door, assuming that they would continue their conversation until they arrive at Stone's bedroom, which he would drop him off and then continue solitary to his own chambers within the castle. However, Swell had not gone 2 steps before realizing that Stone had not followed. He turned back to find Stone retreating in the opposite direction.
"Harold?" he questioned, seeing the other retreat towards the wrong direction. The young man stopped and turned sideways to look at him. "Go back first Professor, I need to take a walk, you know, just to let things sink in." he paused. "I swear after all this, I need a long break. Have the strangest feeling I'm turning into paranoid, and I assure you, its worst then Mad-Eye" Swell gave a curt nod, before replying dryly. "So you've finally noticed as well….it only took like two lifetimes to figure…not bad for your record." Stone smiled, "Right. Good night Professor" "Good night Harry."
Stone turned and hurriedly left in the opposite direction. Truthfully, he wasn't out here for a 'walk'. He was worried, very worried, but didn't want to let his fears settle onto another person. The moment he knew that there was a Spy, he had wanted to check up on the others, immediately, on first instinct. However, since Wolfe was with him the whole time, he wasn't worried about the man. Instead he was worried about Cho. Spy or not, she was either safe and sound because she was the spy and had purposely let those students escape to be initiated, or she had fallen victim to Swallowtail as in the end, it was those students that she was responsible for that ended up being initiated into the Dark Order.
He rounded the corner, walking quickly, wand out, having lit his way toward her chamber. Somehow he was nervous and the nag to make sure that she was all right at the present moment only caused him to quicken his pace. In no time, he had reached the outside.
He abruptly stopped, fear beginning to descend upon him. Something told him that there was something wrong, very wrong. He didn't know what it was, but he suddenly felt the dread to open the door and find out.
Harold paced around the outside portrait, wondering what it was, hands behind his back.
"Professor Stone, are you going to give the password or keep poor Violet up all night?" Harold looked up at that, and smiled wearily and the portrait. Violet beamed down on him, her eyes drooping to show her tiredness. "Huh, I only passed by" he muttered innocently. "Right, so conveniently to just pass by at this hour, when in fact I've heard that your quarters are on the opposite side of the castle." His face reddened a bit. "Oh right, I just wanted to check up on something that's all." Violent had an unbelieving look. "Something that can't wait until tomorrow?" Harold shrugged. "or is this another excuses to flatter Xi? If you need help, I can always give you a few tips."
"butterfly" Haorld whispered. The portrait swung open as the password was given. Violent continued to blab softly in which Harold ignored her completely. It was a good thing that he did.
As the portrait swung open, he was met with a strong stench of fresh mixed dried blood. The room was completely dark with no sort of unusual moment. The sickening feeling that spread from his stomach grew and filter itself into his entire body.
"Lumos Maxima!"
The room brightened so that it looked as though day break had occurred. Stone's face paled tremendously. There, right there, in the center of a growing pool of blood lay Xi in a heap with arms and legs forced into awkward positions.
Without thinking, and not taking in his surroundings, he immediately rushed forward, kneeled beside her and picked her up into his arms.
"Cho! Cho! Xi! Xi!" he practically yelled, shaking her vigorously, trying to wake the unconscious. It was to no avail. She had lost too much blood and was continually doing so.
"Hang on…on please, hang on! Don't die out on me, please." He held her close.
"Violet! Violet!" he bellowed at the painting outside. There was a suffling noise outside and Violet appeared in one of the inner paintings. She gasped and nearly fainted seeing what she saw.
"Alert Professor Dumbledore, Madame Promfrey, Professor Swell, Professor Wolfe and anyone else you see fit." Violet stared at him for a minute, before hurrying off. "Hospital Wing!" he called after the portrait.
He himself, cared less about the surroundings. Saving Cho's life was important. Questions could be asked, but it would have to come later.
Having made sure she was secured in his arms, he dashed out, only after making sure he had a set of secured wards around the area so that the place could not be disturbed and that he could come back and carefully investigate.
He was met half way down the hall towards the hospital wing by the headmaster. No words were needed to be explained. They exchanged one glance, before mutely bounding up towards the hospital wing. The two had barely placed Xi down when the doors opened again and in swooped the healer as well as his guardians. No one made a sound. They all stared at Xi as Madame Promfrey worked with her. It was until everyone had agreed that Xi was in a stable state before Dumbledore spoke.
"Harold, if you would explain." There was no reply. A moment's silence passed. Dumbledore finally turned to face the man, hopping to give him a hard look. His eyes softened however when he saw the exhausted man plop face down in a sitting position, head resting on a nearby bed. The headmaster sighed softly. He quietly walked up to the sleeping man and glanced down upon him.
Truthfully he had to admit he was relived to find the man sleeping. The past few days, even before the First Task, it was clear that Stone lacked sleep. It was a fact that all Professor and some students have noticed and tried to get him to rest. He didn't know why, but Stone seemed to push himself against someone, something, never getting a chance to rest, never giving it a chance. To the headmaster he seemed to be stressed over nothing.
Dumbledore let out another sigh. He bent over, levitated the man off his chair and into a bed. It was then that he noticed it. Clutched in one of the young man's arm was a piece of paper. Curious, he took the paper out, unfolded it and stared at it. It was only one word, but it sprouted numerous questions. He frowned, knowing that any questions would have to be asked after either one of those woke up. He shook his head slightly, rereading the word.
Voldemort
When, another chapter done. So who is Swallowtail? It can be anyone! Review!