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 underline text/letter/writings bold/italics lyrics from songs
Chapter 28 The second task: the agreement
Thump, he landed hard on the grassy floor. Within seconds, he heard footsteps and voices calling his name.
Harold turned to see all the other participants there.
"So you got the message?" McGonagall pressed without preamble. "I knew you'll abandon the task, just like the rest of us, though of course I was surprised to find you here last. We've been waiting for you."
"What message?" Stone asked. His heart thumped loudly as he worried something horrible had happened.
"Dumbledore said Hogwarts was being attacked."
In an instant, Stone was on his feet. He didn't even notice that Johnson fell off of him. Lee being the closes reached out, and gave a yelp. The body was icy cold.
"She's dead," he exclaimed. "Dead."
Murmurs immediately spread.
"Stone! Stone!" McGonagall called. She and the rest of them dashed after the man. When Hogwarts came into view, Stone halted. He could clearly see the Dark Mark hanging above.
"I'll explain later. Death Eater's attacked. Voldemort possessed me and I killed her. I brought her back as well. I didn't know Hogwarts was attacked, though I suspected it."
His audience stared at him stunned, perhaps by the name of the unspeakable or the deeds that were done.
"All done less then 48 hours." Akiwara noted.
"Hogwarts attack, at 36 hours,." Madame Hooch said softly.
Stone looked between Hogwarts and the Professors, taking in each person carefully.
"Look. We're here because we left for the second task, the unaccomplished task." He said slowly. "We've all survived the first task, difficult enough, proven that we are all strong magically. Aside from perhaps Dumbledore, we're the best Hogwarts has to offer."
There was a murmur of agreement.
"We're now a team, so we work as a team. Hogwarts will be saved, or we perish trying." Stone stopped, not knowing what to say, though he gave many similar speeches in the past.
"Now, we'll remain in our small pairings. Two is always better then one."
"But how about…"
"I work better alone." He replied emotionlessly. "It's always been that way." He thought before adding. "Those who get close to me, die."
There was a silence.
"Now I believe being Professors, you are all familiar with the castle."
There were quick nods.
"Including the hidden passageways."
A few eyebrows rose in question.
"No matter, I will tell them to you, the ones necessary." Stone looked around. "Now I want you all as pairs to enter Hogwarts through the hidden passageways that I shall direct. Find as many survivors and evacuate. Survivors as in those capable of fighting. The others we shall come back for later. A battle is inevitable."
To his surprise there was no protest.
"and you?"
"I shall find Voldemort and do what I must do."
McGongall raised a questioning eyebrow, but Stone ignored it.
"If there are no questions, we must hurry."
Not awaiting for an answer, he began directing people. "Minerva go to the south tower, walk halfway and you'll see a statue of a gnome. Mutter 'let me in' while swinging your wand," here he showed here how "and it'll move aside to let you through. Flickwick go to the north tower, feel along the body bricks until you find a jagged one, fit like a handle. Pull it to the right. It will open. Madame Hooch, go to the west tower. Right where there is a statue of the golden snitch, tap its wings three times, turn it to the left, and then right, and it'll open. All secret passages are connected, so don't need to be revealed. Stay hidden. I'll give 10 minutes to get situated before I allow fate to take control."
He let everything sink in. Without saying another word, he turned and jogged towards the east, where the main entrance laid.
Stone stared at the main entrance, long and hard, not knowing what to expect inside. He had already decided to announce himself. Perhaps it would take attention off the school. This was for the best. Voldemort had come for him, and that was who he was getting.
Dumbledore sat at his desk, arms crossed, staring at the clock as hours ticked by. 36 hours had passed and soon in 12 hours all his Professors should be back. In fact the only reason he was up at this time was he was sure Stone and Johnson would be done, as that man had proven countless times that he was a thousand steps ahead of everyone else.
Tick tock, tick tock, the minutes slowly went by. At last he felt the gargoyles spring open. Straightening up, he waited. Footsteps echoed through and he counted, 1 person, 2 people, 3 people, 4 people. Dumbledore frowned. There was something wrong. Silently, he took out his wand and held it under his desk.
Bang! The door suddenly flew open. Albus stood up, raised his wand and pointed it at the intruders. For once he was glad that he followed his instincts.
Dumbledore glared at his one time student. He hadn't felt the wards of the school break and had immediately sent off Fawkes to call back his Professors. He had been surprised when Voldemort ignored his signal for help and let it pass.
"Tom, what a pleasant surprise." He said, though he did not sound pleasant at all. His face was cold and expressionless though inside he was wondering why he hadn't sensed the other and why the wards hadn't gone off.
A smirk formed on the Dark Lord's mouth and his face twisted into a grin.
"You were the past, I am the future, and it is obvious why our powers differ. Hogwarts gave in, knowing she was inevitably going to fall."
An eyebrow shot up from Albus. He was very startled that his metal defenses could be penetrated so easily.
"Now I kindly request that you follow me to the Great Hall without protest where we will be discussing terms."
"Terms?"
"Surely the fight is over. I have penetrated Hogwarts, put down the Professors and taken the students hostages." He said quietly. "I'm sure you'll find me quite reasonable."
Albus face remained unreadable, though he did give a slight nod. In silence, Voldemort let Dumbledore to the Great Hall, encircled by the ring of Death Eaters that had accompanied him up.
"Where is he?" Voldemort asked Dumbledore, once they arrived, for he could not find the one he was looking for. "I thought he would be here by now, seeing how he loves to play hero."
Dumbledore frowned, he had no idea who the other was talking about.
"You can't protect him forever." The Dark Lord continued. His eyes scanned the crowd and finally landed on the ones that might help him get what he wanted. A cruel smile crossed his face as he walked over towards James and Lily.
An inhumane growl caught his attention and he turned to see Wolfe who had a wand jabbed at his throat. He had been one of those who were told to be explicitly careful with, the others being the two other present time traveler, and among those three one of them who was Swollowtail.
Wolfe gave him his most venomous, beastly look which Voldemort only returned with a smirk.
"If you do anything, I swear I will."
The Dark Lord placed a hand on each child's shoulder, gripping it hard, until a loud crack sounded. Both James and Lily cried out in pain at once.
"Where is he?" Voldemort asked softly.
"Let go of him!" This time a younger voice shouted. Voldemort paid no attention to the boy next to James. "Let go of my best friend!" Sirius cried out. The boy struggled hard. "Let go of James!"
As this entire racket was going on, 4 doors near the walls open a cracked. Soft stunners were cried and Death Eaters near the wall fell silently. Just as silent, and fast as the Death Eaters fell, students were being evacuated.
No one except Dumbledore seemed to have noticed. As much as he hated the distraction Voldemort was put in, he knew it was for the best. After all, what harm was there to sacrifice three students, and a Professor if everyone else lived? So he remained silent. Once again he turned his attention back onto the commotion, hopping no one noticed he was distracted. He watched as young Sirius Black somehow broke free of Death Eater restraints and ran to help his friend.
"Cruio!" Voldemort said lazily. He looked around, knowing how many winced.
/You're early Voldemort. Let go of my family. You wish not feel my wrath./
Voldemort held his curse, but did not let go of Lily or James. There was only one person who could speak that language besides himself. He waited but no one showed up.
/Resorting to parsaltongue are we/ he hissed back.
/Fight me man to man. You know as well as I, it's me you want./
Voldemort scowled. The brat was smart, the voice wasn't coming from just one location, it was constantly moving.
"Then face me man to man, speak in the human's language." Voldemort said softly. "I give you three to appear. When did you become a coward. I thought you were a Gryffindor. Dumbledore would be upset." He glanced at the man. "your parents would be…"
The doors to the Great Hall opened. All heads turned to see who was there. To their disappointment there was no one.
Suddenly Voldemort felt his grip loosen and the next thing he knew he was gripping air.
/I'm right here./ The voice said.
Voldemort turned around to see Harold standing behind him. Behind the man, was the two six year students.
"Potter." Voldemort growled.
Stone ignored it. He felt Potter back away even more. He turned his left hand around and grabbed onto James to prevent him from walking into the Death Eaters again.
"Don't move." He said without turning back. "Don't either of you move."
There was a long silence as the staring contest continued.
"Harold?" Dumbledore tried speaking.
/October 31st, two years time./ Stone said ever so slowly. He ignored the gaps from people about his ability.
/Halloween./ Voldemort sneered.
/Come back then, find me then. Let's finish this back on the very day it all began./
/You merely wish to be born./
/Perhaps. However if history is to repeat itself, as history always does, I believe you shall perish for another 14 years afterwards. Do you really want to go through that/
/What are you trying to get at./
/Lets finish this the day it begun./ Stone said firmly. /We shall confront each other that day./
Voldemort stared into him.
/To let you have the mere chance of survival. I cannot afford it./
/Can you afford half living, lower then a spirit, a ghost? Can you bear losing to a one year old? I will crush you./ Stone paused. /However, if you take my advice, and take time to prepare, you might find something to prevent./
/Why are you helping me? Aiding me? You are a Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived/
/Because it benefits me as well./ he replied simply. /Don't worry, you will be able to find me in two years time./ Stone pointed to his forehead, at something that only Voldemort seemed to be able to see.
/Two years, that's all I ask./ he thought some more. /In return I will not hinder your progress of world domination within this time./
Stone felt as though he was being stared through. At last Voldemort turned away. He gave the two students a hateful glare. Without saying another word, Voldemort turned and walked out of the Great Hall, robes billowing behind him. The Death Eaters stared at their master, and then at Stone, and then at each other. No one seemed to know what to do.
"I suggest you all leave Hogwarts now." Stone muttered softly, though loud enough for everyone to hear.
For a moment no one moved. Then all at once, the Death Eater's fled.
Stone grabbed James and Lily careful not to further injure the wounds.
"Let's go."
Steering them in the midst of Death Eaters, Harold slipped them into a secret passage way. He hushed James who gave him a questioning look.
"I'll escort both of you to the Gryffindor towers. Taker everything you need. There's a chance that we won't be coming back."
"Professor?" Lily asked uncertain.
"Questions later. We must get out of here now."
"but" James seemed to protest.
He ushered them up the secret passage ways to Gryffindor tower. On the way there he bumped into McGonagall and Akiwara with a group of children huddled around them.
"It's safe now. Voldemort's gone. Albus would need all the help he can get."
"Stone." McGonagall started, but didn't get to finish as she watched the man push the two six years ahead of him, rounding another corner.
Stone waited in the common room as James and Lily packed their things. Half an hour later, they were done.
"Neither met anyone?" he asked as he shrunk their trunks and pocketed them. They both shook their heads. "Good." Stone continued. "Now we'll drop by my office. I'll pack up and them we can leave."
"Professor." Lily tried again, only to be hushed by a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to see James shake his head. Stone gave him a grateful look.
The group walked in silence to the Defense Office. No one talked as they watched Stone pack. James and Lily walked around the office taking in everything. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. Harold looked up to find Swell and Wolfe standing there before turning to continue packing.
Wolfe cleared his throat. "Take the exit through the Whopping Willow."
Harold paused and looked up at him.
"Once in Hogsmade you can apparate." He continued.
There was an awkward silence.
"I know we can't convince you to stay," Swell added. "and we know you don't want us there, so we will not try to persuade either."
"Thank you." Harold said, straightening up as he finished. "This means a lot to me."
"Just promise me that you'll write…." Remus trailed off.
Harold shook his head. "I'm sorry, I can't." he seemed to think. "November 1st at Godric's Hollow in two years time. Meet us at that place." He said softly. "Both of you, and tell Xi as well." He added, seeing she wasn't here. "I will be there, I swear I will."
No one spoke, not knowing what to say. Harold went over and gave a hug to both Jay and Samuel.
"Let's go Lily." He said at last. James was already standing at the doorway waiting. There was no reply. He turned around to see Lilly at one of the far corners' of the room, engrossed in something. He went over and stared at what she found.
It was a butterfly, a very beautiful one. It was black with blush-green metallic colored. Looking closer, Harold could easily see a row of yellowish-white dots spread across the tips of its wings that was probably 3 ½ inches in wingspan.
"Is the butterfly yours?" Lilly asked.
"No," he replied. "I have no idea how or when it got here. I didn't know it was there."
The two continued to stare.
"Can I keep it? Can I bring it with us?"
"Only if you can care for it."
Lily nodded. Carefully she placed the butterfly on the palm of her uninjured hand. When she was sure it would not drop, she walked up to James.
"Let's go." Harold said, leading them out with Swell and Wolfe following them down to the entrance of Hogwarts. They all turned to stare at the building.
"Harry!" Wolfe called after them once more, as the others began to leave. "No matter what happens, I'll be with you. You're never alone. Please stay safe, stay alive. I'll be waiting for you at Godric's Hollow in two years! No matter what, you must come! Promise me Harry, promise me."
"I swear upon the millions of gravestones created by Voldemort that I will fulfill that task bestowed upon me. On November 1st, in two years time, I will be waiting at Godric's Hollow."
Well the last two chapters were not really the second chance, but depend on how you view it. The task could have been seen as being 'to save Hogwarts' or a failed task. Nevertheless something more important came up during this time causing Harold to take James and Lily to leave Hogwarts. As for the answer to Swollowtail, let's just say another huge clue was given away in this chapter. If you really want to know, read between the lines. Remember to Review!