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
A-man: Still think it is everyone. The Dumbledore theory….not going to comment on that, as it would coughs coughs.
Pleione: well you never know. The possibilities are out there. It may be Cho, it may not be. Dumbledore is defending her (well maybe because she told him things that weren't meant to be said).
Nogoalielikemethe 100th reviewer! If only you've had questions….maybe I would have been happy to answer them! Yes, the plot does seem to thicken doesn't it. That's only natural.
elvishchic14: thank you! I will try to update soon! At least as much as possible since I have 'the final lesson' going at the same time. I try to keep both running.
japanese-jew how can you be so certain? Don't quite see why Harry could be Swallowtail, I must be hinting at him subconsciously, as I don't understand the reason behind it. Oh well, then again, I'm going in circles when it comes to this. I don't want to spoil anything.
sami1010220: thanks for the review! Yes, I suppose it is unique, at least try to make it different from other fics out there. The letter was presumably read out loud. Yes, it is a threat to a student, more specifically to a Potter, in this case James Potter. No one knows that they are dealing with time travelers and that the Potter mentioned was suppose to have been Harry (as Voldemort in this time is from the future as well, but no one besides some people know that). Therefore naturally Dumbledore would think it as James, and it being a threat to him (for what reason/why it may be so, and he isn't too fazed by it the answer is in this chapter. He think it has something to do with something else that happened) and he would want to protect him.
Chapter 21
He strode into the Headmaster's office, with a very confused expression on his face. He hadn't caused any trouble, in fact his arrogance was decreasing. After spending time with his Defense Professor and getting to know the man better, Stone had been able to correct some of his wrongs, pointed out his error approach to situations. The Professor had drawn a thin line between what he would permit, and what would not be tolerated.
"Headmaster, you wanted to see me?" James asked, closing the door behind him. His eyes frowned, seeing three of the new Professors with the headmaster.
"Come in my boy. Take a seat. Lemon drop?" The headmaster asked. James shook his head, taking a seat at the far end, next to Swell.
"Let me first assure you James, you are not in trouble and therefore have no need to find an emergency exit in the event to escape from punishment." The headmaster smiled at the 6th year. James face settled into a more relaxing mode. Dumbledore looked between the group, eyeing each Professor, giving them a hard look.
"I have said if any of you insist on keeping any more secrets, I will sack you." James gave a horrified look. "Excuses me Professor. May I ask why? Professor Stone is the best Defense…." Stone waived him off.
"I understand Headmaster, but you must understand my position as well."
"I trust you and your decision. Harry." The old man winked at using that name. James had a very curious look, eyeing the headmaster and then to the Professors, wondering who he was speaking to. "I don't know how to say this, but I feel that I know. That I know all of you. My mind tells me that mistrust is great, but my heart tells me otherwise."
"Headmaster…why the sudden…" Stone was cut off.
"After the turn of events between the attack of the Professor and the threat of a student, I believe certain actions need to be taken. I will not have you and your little group deal anymore of this alone. You aren't alone, so don't pretend to be." A penetrating gaze swept over everyone, sparing only the student. "I don't know what is wrong. Why it may be that you all, especially you Harold, carry the world's burden on a single shoulder. Open your eyes. Like it or not, the world doesn't revolve around you. It isn't the center of it."
"We understand Professor" Wolfe said softly.
"What exactly is this leading Headmaster?" Stone asked quietly. "That was out of the blue. One minute you want to sack us, the next you're try…"
"I have been thinking Harry." Dumbledore ignored the dirty look. "Do you want to be sacked?" he questioned off handily. "Of course not." Stone snapped back. "Good. Now, I have been thinking, since the attack last night." Stone raised an eyebrow. "That your skills and extensive knowledge of the Defense Against the Dark Arts are being wasted being a Professor."
"What are you suggesting?"
Dumbledore rubbed his hands together. "I'm asking you to join the Order, where you are better fit, and drop teaching."
Stone didn't seem fazed, but James jumped up at that. "The Order!" he exclaimed, wide-eye. "The Order of the Phoenix!" Dumbledore bowed his head, raising it to meet Harold's eyes.
"Sorry?" Harold asked, pretending to be as confused as possible, hiding the silent smile playing between the thin pursed lips as understanding washed over him.
"The Order of the Phoenix!" James piped up enthusiastically, sparing the headmaster one look before explaining to the group what it was. "it's a secret organization formed and headed by the headmaster dedicated to wiping out Voldemort. Unfortunately only graduated students can join…"
"and dam good that is. Do you realize how many innocent lives are spared with that age limit? How many deaths would be minimized? I must say, it's a good thing, people younger then that shouldn't be forced to fight till death when they barely begun to live" The words escaped Stone. He never believed the day would come when he would agree with Dumbledore with that particular rule, as he could still recall his eagerness to join early.
"You sound like Mrs. Weasley" James remarked, lightening the tense atmosphere. Stone's eyes snapped up at that, before softening quickly. "Who?" he pretended to question, trying to stifle a laugh that had been prevented with a jab in his ribs by Wolfe. He looked over at his guardian to find a 'You know he's right' expression. A look at Dumbledore only made it worst as the sea blue eyes were twinkling madly behind the half moon spectacles.
"Now doesn't he?" Dumbledore beamed. "Though more then often then not he's Alastor in disguise." James couldn't help but burst out laughing. Stone didn't fail to notice that his guardians were laughing softly as well. "Good one headmaster!"
"Sorry, Did I miss something" Stone tried to act hurt, but he failed miserably, only causing the others to burst out laughing even more. It was a good while later before the laughter subsided.
"So what do you think Harry, my boy? Would you consider joining this honorable society, full time?" Harold cocked his head to the side. "Only if you stop calling me that and acting all grandfatherly like. I'll like to continue teaching as well though." Dumbledore seemed to ponder before saying. "Then it's a deal Harry." Harold flushed up. "didn't I just say not to call me that. It's Harold." Dumbledore frowned slightly. "Ah, I thought you meant, 'my boy'." Harold nodded. "that too" he muttered, though by now he was use to be called that and he didn't really mind.
"Very well Harold. Then it's settled. You can meet up with the gang this Christmas, and be inducted then as well at headquarters." "I'll look forward to it." Dumbledore turned to the other two adults. "You're all invited as well, including Xi when she's better. I've come to understand this 'either take one of us, or none of us' business." Both Swell and Wolfe gave a thankful nod.
"Now, shall we move on to depressing matters." Dumbledore said suddenly, turning to James. "Now James, you know that I didn't need you to be here for this splendid announcement." The headmaster winked at him. "Though I doubt you'll not find out otherwise through other sources." James gave an innocent look. "and I trust you that this can remain a secret, so therefore it needn't be concealed."
"Then why exactly am I here?" James asked.
"Normally I wouldn't endanger the life of a student, when it comes to Order matters. However I am to inform you that it did occur."
"What?"
"You heard about Professor Zhang's condition"
"The rumors yes, I'll like to know the whole story though"
"Very well" Then with the help of the others, they retold the story. When the headmaster had finished, he handed the threat letter for James to see.
"I believe that you're life is currently in danger, and I have the duty to protect my students. I am sorry to say that I have placed your parents, you and your close ones in such a tight situation. I didn't know that task I sent them on would lead to this…."
"Are they alright?" Both Stone and James asked at once sitting on the edge of the chairs.
"for now yes. Both of them are currently at headquarters recovering." There was a collective sigh of relief that issued from both of them.
"You may visit them during the Christmas Holidays." The headmaster answered the unasked question, before addressing the Professors again. "You may all meet the gang then as well. We can formerly induct you all into the Order and discuss what should be done about this problem we have."
"Reasonable enough" Stone rubbed his chin.
"Very well then. I suppose we shall discuss this then" Dumbledore said, and the others stood up, knowing when a dismissal was in place. "We'll see you around Headmaster" James remarked. Dumbledore nodded, watching them leave, but before they could disappear completely he said. "James, Please don't tell this to your friends. I don't want any more people involved then necessary."
James wiped around in an instant, his face betraying him that, that was exactly what he was going to do. "Hey its good news, Padfoot and Moony deserve to know." He said casually, running his hand between his hair.
Dumbledore only gave a stern look.
"James" Stone interrupted. "You can do so at your own risk. Of course I would advice against it." The Defense Professor said, turning to give him a look that promised consequences worst then the headmaster himself. "Only if you believe you can live up to it. Swallow it down slowly, don't choke."
"Yes Professor." The effect that Stone put it made an immediate difference, and the look on his face made that clear. Dumbledore was now more then beaming down on Harold. "Thank you Harry" Stone squinted his eyes again. "and that goes to you as well Headmaster. When I say something, I mean it. Don't come looking for me when something does occur." The headmaster inclined his head with understanding. "Good day then" Taking the lead, he swept out of the office.
No one spoke for a while.
"Hey Professor Stone" Stone turned to James. "Yes?" The boy produced a snitch from within his robes and started playing with it.
"Can I call you Harry?" Stone stopped completely, turning 180 degrees to meet the gaze of his student. The request was subtle but it caused Harold to suck in a quick deep breath. "Sorry?"
"Can I call you Harry sir?" For a second time, Harold repeated the action with the added fact that his eyes were closed. James studied him, as did the others, for it took an entirely different effect then when others called him that.
"why?" Stone reached out and caught the snitch that had been hovering between the tips of James' fingers. The boy looked at him, wide-eyed startled.
"I don't know." A pause. "I just feel like it." Stone eyed him intently. "The day we met, you've impacted my life in so many different ways, and for the better good. Heck, I think Lily's paying a bit more attention to me!"
Both Wolfe and Swell snorted at that.
"The point is, the point is….the point is" For the first time, James began to stammer as he fidgeted under the other's gaze. "the point is, after we started spending some time together, you made me feel like an equal, and saw me for who I was, something that only Padfoot and Moony can do" Then in a louder, happier, playful voice he added. "and the only way we can be equals is if we are on first name basics, something the Professors with a few exceptions don't do"
Harold watched, and watched, his face emotionless. Then slowly Stone's face broke into a smile.
"Only if you promise not go blabbing about it around the school, not even to your friends. I suppose I can live with that." A soft laugh. "and only when we're in private" James made an attempt to talk. "and only if you promise not to blackmail me with it"
A gigantic smile formed on James' lips. His hand suddenly snaked out from nowhere and tried to catch the snitch that the Professor was playing with. He was too slow as Harold clasped onto it and scooted it away. James' face dropped a bit, but then brightened. "Deal! Harry!" Stone smiled. He opened his hand and let James take the snitch back. Waving goodbye, James disappeared behind a corridor.
"I thought you don't want anyone to call you that" Jay commented.
"Hey give the man break." Swell muttered, coming into Stone's defense, surprising everyone including himself. "he's never heard his father call his name before, not even once, at least not in a good way. It's these small but subtle changes that make the most differences."
November and the beginning of December rolled by fairly quickly. Two weeks into the 11th month, Xi had been prompted well by Poppy and was allowed to leave the hospital wing and resume teaching. Aside from a few people, no one knew the truth about what had happened. The chat in the headmaster's office remained there. No word slipped out, and it was clear the James prided himself for being able to do so, especially with his friends nagging him about it. If there was one thing he prided himself more that that was the promise that he made regarding Harry instead of Harold. Not even Dumbledore ever spoke of that name again. James took his privilege seriously, not wanting to jeopardize it in anyway, having secretly believed that having this mutual trust between him and his Professor ran deeper then it looked on the surface, and was worth more to him, or just as much as his friendship with the other Marauder's whom he trusted past life.
By the middle of December, Christmas was within the air. There was only a week before break would officially begin and at least half the school would be gone for the holidays. Though the festivals were just around the corner, none of the teachers paid much if any attention to it. The work that was given was just as much as any other day.
It was during the second to the last day of class before break began when James lingered behind in his Defense class. His friends were with him, all four of them. Smiling brightly, he walked up to his Professor, who met him half way.
"Mr. Potter, how may I help you?" Stone asked, frowning as four envelopes was shoveled into his hand. He flipped it over to find the official Order of the Phoenix seal on it.
"On the behalf of the Order and my family, I would like to humbly invite my dear old Professor to my house for the holidays." He said, trying to sound serious while Sirius jabbed him in the side.
"Padfoot!" James yelled, slapping the other in his face. "What was that for?"
"for trying to pretend to be me!"
"oh get serious Sirius"
Stone watched his father and godfather fight, smiling silently while young Remus stood and watched giving his Professor an apologetic look. Peter just stared at the ground, as though out of place, shifting his weight from one foot to the next.
"I'll be honored." Stone said, very sincerely.
"Good, then we can expect all four of you Sunday?" James continued ignoring his friends completely. "everything you need is in the invitation." He added.
"Thank you. We'll be there then" Stone said briskly. "Well then, I should go and deliver these now. If you would excuse me." The students nodded as they watched the Professor leave them in a empty classroom.
Sunday
"Ready?" Stone asked, touching what seemed to be like a single phoenix feather. The others held onto it as well. They gave him a brief nod.
"Codric" With that the Portkey activated. There was a pull at their nape and then the four disappeared from their cave like temporary dwelling.
"Harold, Jay, Samuel, Xi, Welcome to the Potter Manor, better known as the Headquarters to the Order of the Phoenix"
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