So, my crack story has developed a terminal case of plot. We might have the year two arc, a time skip, with third year kind of brushed over, with all of the highlights being hit, and then one last adventure leading up to Harry's fourteenth birthday which would tie things up in a bow. I'm aiming for a round fifty chapters for this story, but plans have a nasty tendency to change.
The Next Great Adventure.
I arrived at St. Mungos, with Ariana and Elle. And Nicolas stood there waiting for us.
"I heard Albus finally stopped screaming and calmed down," Nicolas said. "Ariana sent me an owl telling me that this might be it, so it's time to saa goodbye to that young fool."
"He wanted to see me as well," I said.
"I'll be here," Elle told me.
I never really knew what I would get with Dumbledore. Our interactions this time around, the few they were, had been hostile to say the very least. The Flamels, Ariana, and I walked inside. The Healer at the bed walked up to meet us. He was a middle-aged gentleman with dark brown hair. Average looking, just your typical face in a crowd type.
"He's finally stopped," Healer said. "And now he only wishes to speak to Harry Potter. Before it's too late."
"I'm here," I said. "But, I want Nicholas and Penerelle to be with me. And…their charge."
The Healer blinked and looked at Ariana. Ariana's expression grew a bit stormy when laying eyes on the Healer. She had really bad experiences with healers.
"Of course," the Healer said. "Harry Potter, here. What are the odds?"
Pretty high, although I made it abundantly clear that my wishes were never get sent to St. Mungos as a patient. I would have to recruit a couple of Healers to have on call, who were independent from the hospital. I had just not gotten around to doing so yet.
Something to work on now Voldemort is out of the way, given how much trouble I had gotten here.
"Nicholas," Albus said in a weak voice. "Are you here to tell me that you told me so?"
"Oh, I'm going to leave that to the younger generation," Nicholas said. "Harry Potter, at your service."
"Professor," I said.
"Well, I've heard enough to know that I am not a Professor of anything," Dumbledore said. "There are some changes at Hogwarts, and I daresay they may just be for the better. I have been blinded for too long, with the allure of my own influence. It's like an addiction. I should have stepped away from public life years ago. I just found excuses and reasons to keep sticking around."
"Well, Albus," I said. "We need a private word."
"Yes," Dumbledore said. "Strange effects in Godric's Hollow that…"
I clicked my fingers and time froze to everyone but Dumbledore, myself and the Flamels. This spell was a simple one to use. A bit of a drain on most. Although it was not advised to be done in a combat situation.
"Time grows short," I told him. "Voldemort's gone, his Horcruxes are gone, I'm free. And the Dursleys are paying for your crimes."
"I do wish you would have found it in your heart to forgive them," Dumbledore said. "Although, Horcruxes…yes, I long suspected the measures Tom took. Given the strange aura around your scar when I first examined it. Is he gone?"
"Gone," I said. "For good. And anyone who has been marked by him, they may have lost their ability to perform magic."
"Even the tragic Bellatrix Lestrange," Dumbledore said. "I admit, I had little choice putting her in that role at Hogwarts. It appears the curse has struck down one final victim."
"Did you even try and remove Riddle's curse?" I asked him. "Did you even try to understand the magic that my mother used to protect me?"
"I assumed that you would be safe with your aunt," Dumbledore said. "I am sad to say I was wrong. Fatally wrong."
"It's a good thing I didn't turn out like Voldemort," I said.
"Oh, you are most certainly something different than him," Dumbledore said. "Given where Ms. Logue was, and how she may be tainted, I do fear that she may have colored your perception. Removing those memories was necessary. I just wish I knew how you got them back."
He did not know. And I was not going to tell him.
"You have all of my cherished childhood memories," I said. "Did you enjoy living my life for the past eight months?"
"I regret much, Harry," Dumbledore said.
"You should," Ariana told him.
"Yes," Dumbledore said.
"Your hubris got the better of you, young man," Nicholas said. "I thought, maybe I could keep you grounded, keep your head level. But, the more influence you got, the more you got out of control. And here we are."
Dumbledore nodded somberly.
"Maybe if my harshest critics were also not easily dismissed as blood purists, fanatics, and awful human beings, things might have been different," Dumbledore said. "You cannot change what was. Merely face the future. Which I have no idea what is ahead of you. But, I do wish you the best of luck, Harry. And I think it's now time to say goodbye."
He turned to Ariana.
"I'm glad you have another chance," Dumbledore said. "You know who performed that fatal spell, don't you?"
"You always did know ," Ariana said.
Dumbledore's eyes closed shut and one last breath left his body. I could tell instantly that Albus Dumbledore had been led to his next great adventure by Death's guiding hand. A figure appeared briefly, an attractive, and perky gothic woman wearing robes. She smiled and blew me a kiss.
"Talk to you soon, beloved," Death said. "And Nicholas…another year?"
"At least two years, one month, and twelve days," Nicholas said. "And I'll come peacefully."
"August 1st, 1994, you will take my hand, and we're going this time," Death said sternly.
"Of course, I understand," Nicholas said. "Two more years, and I'll make it the best damn two years of my life."
"I'll see you on the other side," Death said.
The charms around the bed indicated that Albus Dumbledore finally passed away. I am not sure what kind of funeral he would get. Given his reputation took a beating in his last few months. Ariana reached over and touched Albus's forehead.
"Find your solace," Ariana said.
"Well, that's Dumbledore gone," Elle said.
"It doesn't bother you that your husband will be gone in exactly two years and one month?" I asked her.
"And twelve days," Nicholas said. "Oh, and seventeen hours, eighteen minutes, and thirty-nine seconds. Thirty-eight seconds. Thirty-seven seconds."
"Morbid enough as it is without you running a death clock," Elle said. "Nicholas has been bargaining with Death to stall for decades. She's been very patient."
"I've helped her chase down a few tricky immortals and bring them to the other side," Nicholas said. "But, my clock should have punched at least fifty years ago. Given how the Elixir is less potent with each passing dose."
"He really should have got a move on," Elle said.
"You'll miss when I'm gone," Nicholas said.
"Yes," Elle agreed.
"Although, I know this dashing young man is more than able to pick up the slack I left behind," Nicholas said. "And then some."
I just nodded. Nicholas Flamel's death clock reminded me of the time that I had before my first maturity.
"Time to give the Longbottoms their treatment," another healer murmured. "Not sure why we keep them around. They aren't getting any better."
"The administration wants us to keep with the treatments," another healer said. "They're a very powerful and respected family and the board signed off on these treatments. Who are we to question this?"
"Just wish their grandson hadn't been making a stir," a third healer said.
I made a split second decision.
"I'm going to need to get in there and check out the Longbottoms," I said.
"Isn't that dangerous?" Elle asked.
"Danger is my middle name," I replied.
"I thought it was James," Nicholas said. "Or did you get that changed when I was not looking?"
"He wasn't being literal," Elle murmured.
"We're going to need a diversion," I told them. "One that will draw all of the Healers away from the ward."
"You mean like a senile old man going crazy and making a scene?" Nicholas asked.
Elle made a look which plainly said "oh God, what have I gotten myself into now?"
"Yeah, that works," I said. "Can you do it?"
"I'll do in a pinch, Mr. Potter," Nicholas said.
I can only imagine. Elle and Ariana walked away from them.
"Just don't get yourself committed, whatever you do," Elle said.
"Oh, relax, they're not going to keep me, I don't have any gold at Gringotts for them to drain," Nicholas said. "Fourth-dimensional chess plays here, Elle."
Nicholas tapped his nose. And it was time for him to make a scene.
"Did anyone see a duck in here?" Nicholas asked. "Because, I'm beginning to think this Healer is a real quack!"
He jumped on one of the Healers and started to make duck sounds. And I am sure that is just the beginning.
"I've got ants in my pants, a turtle in my girdle, and bees in my knees! Tell me good sir, do you know the Muffin Man? Because, he owes me twenty Galleons. WAKA, WAKA, WAKA!"
Several Healers rushed to grab the demented and powerful wizard which allowed me to slip into the room with the Longbottoms unattended.
"Well, it's just like this. When I went to school, I walked fifteen miles with an onion on my belt. That was the style at the time! We didn't have Knuts then, and if you ask my wife I still don't have any knuts!"
Harry moved into the room where Frank and Alice Longbottom were laying. The lights looked on, but there was no one home. In fact, all of the Healers have been drawn out.
Which left all of the guests of the Janus Thickey Ward to wander. Granted, they were so potioned up, they were zoned out, but still.
"Harry?"
Well, this was unexpected. Neville stood in the hallway about to enter to visit his parents.
This might be a problem.
"What are you doing here?"
"I'm visiting my parents," Neville said. "All of the healers ran out to try and deal with some crazy old man making a scene. You wouldn't happen to know him, wouldn't you?"
"Never met him in my life," I said. "I'm going to take a look at your mum and dad. Because, something's not right."
"Yes, because they've been here for ten years," Neville said.
I took a look at the medical charts.
"None of this makes any sense," I muttered. "These potions are for people who are under the Imperius Curse for one thing. Because their brains have been addled. And they are a danger for themselves and others."
"How do you know?" Neville asked.
"My mother was a Potioneer," I told him. "I found some of her notes in my vault at Gringotts."
"Oh, that explains how you're so good at Potions," Neville said.
I hated lying, but far too many people knew about the time travel thing. I am about two steps away from pulling a Tony Stark and holding a press conference about it.
"They are getting shock-spells every three days, to prevent their neural endings from reconnecting," I said.
"Well, I guess that might be to prevent them from feeling the pain that they were under from the Cruciatias Curse," Neville remarked. "And…Mum?"
Alice sat up out of the bed and stuffed a gum wrapper in Neville's hand.
"Does she do that often?" I asked.
I knew the answer, but Neville did not know that I knew the answer.
"Yes," Neville said. "Gran thinks that I should throw them out, but I saved them all."
"All of them?" I asked.
"Yes, you must think I'm mad," Neville remarked.
"No," I said. "You're not. In fact, I want to see your entire gum wrapper collection if you have it."
Now Neville looked at me like I was mad. To be fair, I had the most insane idea possible.
"I wouldn't want anything to happen to it, because…that's just the only thing that reminds me of her," Neville said.
How to tell an almost twelve year old that I have a strong suspicion his mother is trying to pass along a coded message about an ancient magical conspiracy?
Nicholas is running down the hallway clucking like a chicken. I made a split second decision do something drastically stupid.
"I've got to go to the loo," Neville said. "Do you think you can stay with them?"
"Yes."
Neville ran off. My charm did its duty. Pun intended.
"Frank, Alice, let's see what your brains look like."
I'm going to need to get my hands on their medical records somehow and I had a feeling that it would not be through legal, ethical means. I leaned over on the bed and slowly weaved my way through the maelstrom that was the brains of the Longbottoms.
Their minds were a mess. Memory charms all over the place. Parts of their brains picked apart and put back together. Oh, what the hell was going on? I would need mind healers, an entire team of them just to untangle their minds. Along with full diagnostic scans to undo almost ten years of damage.
"James Potter," Frank rasped.
"No, the eyes," Alice said. "Lily's eyes."
"Need to run," Frank said. "Need to run. Terrible danger."
"Bartemus Crouch is merely just the surface," Alice said.
"They're everywhere."
The Longbottoms lost their moment of being lucid. Eyes rolled into the back of their heads. It cost them a lot to get those words out. They were not completely gone.
But they were barely here. I placed a stone down onto the wall. Invisible lines of magic shot though the entire building.
This was perhaps extremely risky and the chances I will get caught doing this.
"Gideon, I'm establishing a link," I whispered into the watch. "There's something really dodgy here. I am copying all of the records stored in St. Mungos."
"This will take some time to decipher once you've copied them," Gideon said. "Anything else?"
"I'm kidnapping the Longbottoms," I nonchantantly said.
"Of course, you are," Gideon said. "Do you need any help?"
Before I could answer that question, a curse nearly whirled past my ear. Frank Longbottom was up and he pointed a wand at me. Wait, how did a comatose patient get a wand?
And then Alice fired a curse at me. Okay, new question.
How did two comatose patients get their hands on wands? Regardless, they fired hexes at me, almost as if they were on autopilot. I had no choice to fight back. While also protecting the other patients from getting hit by unfriendly fire.
You know, I cannot for the life of me think of a worse place to have a firefight. The Longbottoms were pretty fast on their feet for being in horrible states for all of those years.
Alice went down first, restraints snapping around her body. Frank fell down next, although he did manage to catch me with a glancing blow and cut the side of my face.
That's going to leave a mark. Both of the Longbottoms had been bound and returned to their not so lucid states. Something was completely wrong.
"My husband, he just needs a lie down," Elle said from outside.
The moment Neville came back, he saw me with both of his parents bound.
"You're not going to believe this," I said. 'But, your parents woke up and attacked me."
"I don't believe it," Neville said.
"I know," I said. "I'm going to have to kidnap them now. Toodles."
Suddenly, I took Frank and Alice and teleported away with them.
Oh, Mr. Potter, you're committing a very big felony today, aren't you?
I was really banking on Neville's story of what just happened being so absurd that no one really believed him. Or Neville deciding not to just say that Harry Potter abducted his parents. Because it sounded completely bugfuck bonkers. And thus, he did not want to be committed to St. Mungos himself.
The fact this does not even crack the top twenty most absurd things I ever did is really concerning.
My little escapade did not make the Prophet. Perhaps one could account for the fact that Dumbledore dying being front page news. Or Nicholas Flamel going off of his rocker and causing a ruckus. But Harry Potter abducting two war heroes from their room should have really warranted a mention.
I wondered if it was too late to tag along with Merula and Cassie and play a little game of "catch me if you can" with the Ministry idiots.
Daphne sat down next to me. Astra and Kara let her in on what I did.
"Well, I guess if you're a felon, the value of your ice cream bars will skyrocket," Daphne said.
"Has anyone been talking about what happened?"
"Well, it's all about Dumbledore, with a few people being amused at what Flamel did," Daphne said. "Nothing about you kidnapping the Longbottoms."
"Hmmmph!" I said. "Has anyone seen Neville?"
"I don't know," Daphne agreed.
"You are completely insane."
Hi, Astra, nice to see you as well.
"This is supposed to be Ravenclaw night, you know," I told her.
"You kidnapped Frank and Alice Longbottom," Astra said.
"Yes, I'm aware of the very obvious felony I just performed," I told her. "They're in a safe place."
"You left them with Kreacher, didn't you?" Astra asked.
"That's a pretty safe place," I said. "Kreacher will take good care of them and the other elves as well. You know the ones we recruited for our indentured servant program."
At least I could find a healer or two who were not in the pocket of a mysterious magical cabal.
"Thanks for the exposition," Astra said.
Sophie, Mandy, Padma, Andrea, Tracey, and Su walked in. Cho and Marietta followed and they were highly amused about something.
"Nicholas Flamel lost his mind," Cho said.
This had been the first time I saw Marietta laugh since her mother wanted her to attend the Ministry's new school. Which still had not had any premises, name, or much staff. Only a promise that it would open in September.
"But, did you hear, there was a security breach at St. Mungos?" Marietta asked.
"I thought that was a rumor," Padma said.
"Oh, it's more than a rumor, it actually happened," Andrea said. "There was a huge fight in the Long-Term Spell Damage Ward. It was happening when Flamel had his episode."
"You were there, weren't you, Harry?" Tracey asked.
"Dumbledore wanted to see me before he died, yes," I said.
I played this coolly. I had no idea what they knew.
"Right, and Susan told me that Neville told her that you and him were walking and talking about his options regarding his parents, when there was a commotion," Padma said. "And when you two made it back, there were signs of a fight, and his parents…they were gone?"
Well, that's a twist. Astra and Daphne caught my eye briefly. So, that's what Neville claimed. Let's go with that.
"Did they escape or did someone take them?" Astra asked.
"Well, no one knows," Padma said.
"Between that and the weirdness at Godric's Hollow the other thing, things are strange," Su said. "Really strange."
"I'm surprised that Harry Potter is not being accused of abducting the Longbottoms," Andrea joked.
"Oh, come on, Runcorn," Daphne said. "Harry's good, but St. Mungos has some of the best security in the world. Do you really think a first-year could abduct them?"
We all laughed in amusement at that.
It's really funny because that's what I just fucking did.
"Poor Neville," Tracey said.
"What if it was a Ministry job?" Morag asked. "I mean, they set up the fight, to get rid of the Longbottoms. People are asking questions. What if they know too much?"
"I think you read the Quibbler too much," Lisa joked.
"Well, I wouldn't be surprised," Mandy said. "Miranda is running into all sorts of trouble trying to get any kind of information."
I just let them talk about it. We enjoyed our S'Mores.
"I wonder what the summer is going to bring," Su said thoughtfully.
"Well, it can't be any weirder," Cho said.
"I'm not sure if I would take a bet on that," Daphne said. "Things are bound to get weirder."
See, Daphne knew what she was talking about.
"Mmm, I can see your point, Greengrass," Andrea said.
They all nodded. It was a nice night. We would have our exam scores and we would be off.
"A moment of silence for Penelope Clearwater," Cho said. "Our favorite prefect is preparing to take her OWLs after we're relaxing for the summer."
"Penny will be the best," Tracey said.
"She is the best," I told them with a smile.
They all agreed. One of the older students brought us all butterbeer as a treat. Once Penny was done, I would be taking her on a long deserved holiday for all of the things.
"Camping is going to be great," Sophie said. "You're all going to love it. We're meeting at the end of the month, after OWLs, right?"
"Last weekend of June," I said. "Can't wait."
"Neither can I," Sophie said. "Going to teach you wand wavers a few things about surviving in the wilderness."
We all laughed and continued to make light conversation over S'Mores and buttebeer. I hoped I could talk to Neville before we got on the Hogwarts Express.
I waited in the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom right before the closing feast. Neville stepped in to meet with me.
"You got my message?" I asked.
"Yes," Neville said. "There's a good reason why you took them."
I handed Neville the medical reports.
"Early birthday present for you," I said. "Chew on that. And let me know about those gum wrappers."
"Why do you want them so bad?" Neville asked. "They mean something because Mum gave them to me. But they can't mean anything to you."
"They mean everything to me," I told him. "Thanks for covering for me."
"Well, I had no choice," Neville said. "Implicating Harry Potter in kidnapping is not something you do without any proof. And while I saw you, my word is not enough. I just hope they're fine."
"They are," I said. "Have you heard from your grandmother?"
"I think Gran blames herself," Neville said. "Maybe if she just kept Mum and Dad at home and had the elves look after them, none of this would have happened. But she could not stand to look at them day after day like that. And she's the one who said I should not be ashamed about them."
"Some people project their own insecurities on people," I said. "Good luck."
Neville and I walked off, only for Malfoy to step inside past him.
"Malfoy," Neville said.
"Longbottom," Malfoy said.
Neville walked off. Perhaps he was better off not knowing.
"Potter, I don't want to know," Malfoy said. "You said you had something for me."
"The medical records of Lyra and Draco Malfoy," I told him. "Happy Birthday."
Malfoy took them.
"I feel like I'm opening Pandora's box with these," Malfoy said.
"Your choice," I said. "Our deal is done."
"Yes," Malfoy said. "Did you…"
I cut Malfoy off.
"It's not my business to look at them. Good day to you. Oh, and Malfoy?"
"Yes, Potter."
"Don't do anything stupid."
"Yeah right," Malfoy said. "Reach rich coming from you,Potter."
Malfoy and I parted ways with each other. The latest Daily Prophet had an extensive article about the life and times of Albus Dumbledore. The Longbottoms were regulated to Page Seven.
Although I am sure that certain people are looking into the matter. And certain people are losing their shit.
I am pretty much throwing the gauntlet down and telling the Cloaks to come at me.
Back on the Hogwarts Express and on my way home. I honestly had no idea what the future would hold after the madness that was this year. I had been in a far different place than I was the first time around.
I saw Eddie Carmichael hawking Dumbledore merchandise. Well some things never change.
"Bro, this is a genuine piece of Albus Dumbledore's beard!" Eddie was telling some third year Gryffindors. "It's a real steal. I would normally sell this baby at twenty Galleons. But, for you, for you, eighteen Galleons baby. And I'll throw in a package of Dumbledore's preferred Lemon Drops."
"I'll miss this," Marietta said with a sigh. "Hogwarts is turning into an amazing place. Rowena's doing so much for that school. And a group of Ministry idiots are going to ruin it."
"And your mother won't budge?" Cho asked.
"Not at all," Marietta said. "She told me that if I wanted any kind of future, I should go to a Ministry approved school. I think there's people out there who are going to try all sorts of nasty tricks to prevent people from going to Hogwarts."
Well, perhaps I should pull all kinds of nasty tricks to prevent there from even being a Ministry of Magic. Just food for thought.
But, I have bigger fish to fry.
"Mum's all in," Padma said. "She's put her heart and soul into creating a Potions program which will rival anything that has happened in any magical school in the world."
"Your mum should be proud," Cho said.
"I would be proud if she was my mother," Marietta said.
"Is there any way to change her mind?" Mandy asked. "The exam scores are out. They're much higher than they have been in years. Even among the people who are leaving."
"She refuses to think the Ministry can ever do anything wrong," Marietta said.
"Oh, they've done plenty wrong," Astra said.
Astra still could not believe I had gotten away with the Longbottom thing. And to be honest, neither can I.
"Well, if they offed the Longbottoms, they did," Tracey said.
"And there's also the Rotfang conspiracy," Lisa said. "Morag showed me the Quibbler, and it does make a lot of sense."
"Does it?" Daphne asked.
Well, they nailed the entire Stubby Boardman thing at least.
Beatrice stepped into the compartment and eyed me. I rose up and faced her.
"How are you doing?" she asked.
"Fine," I said. "How are you doing?"
"Been worse," she said. "Do you mind if I write to you?"
"Oh, not at all," I said.
"Good," Beatrice said. "I wonder what you'll bring to this world next. Oh, and I swear I saw our friend from the forest last night. You know the one."
"What were you doing out that late?" I asked her.
"Insomnia," Beatrice said. "I almost wanted to ask her if the stars changed. But, I figure her dear daddy would not approve of her mixing with humans. Even if they're no different."
"I've been checking up on her about every week," I told Beatrice. "And stars are changing. Things are bright."
"You haven't talked to her?"
"I might," I said. "I think if necessary Nocturna will seek me out. No matter what the risks."
"Did you hear from our mutual friends?" Beatrice asked.
"They're out there," I said. "Dumbledore's really taken over the papers with his death.
Beatrice just snorted.
"Guess, he is an important figure in history," Beatrice said. "Have a nice summer, Harry."
Beatrice leaned in and kissed me on the cheek. And then decided to say screw it, and kiss me full on on the lips. It was a nice kiss and made me hate the age-gate spells.
"See you around."
"Bye, Bea, have a good summer," I told her.
Kara stepped on from behind me and smiled.
"You're going for both of them, when you can, right?" Kara asked. "Both sisters?"
"You know me," I said.
"All too well," Kara said.
"I really never thought that I would be drawing more of them in," I said.
"Really?" Astra asked.
"Yes, really."
The train ride ended and we all said our goodbyes, although many of us would be meeting up for the camping trick at the end of the month. Astra, Kara, and I moved off the train. Andromeda waited for us.
"Bellatrix is adapting," Andromeda said. "I think her magic is coming back a little bit. But, it's raw and unrefined."
"So she'll have to learn everything from scratch again?" I asked.
"Looks that way," Andromeda said. "Sirius says that he has to help with a few things, but he'll be by tonight in time for dinner. Are you three ready to head back?"
"Of course," I said.
I was also thinking of Penny, preparing for her OWLs which would begin tomorrow morning and go on for the next two weeks. Once they were done, she would be taking the Floo home and heading off with us on our camping trip. And then it was off to France.
I really did wonder what this summer would bring.
After lunch, Tonks dragged me off to have a private word.
"We need to talk about last week," Tonks said.
"Of course," I said.
"Merula knew you, but you two never met before, that I'm aware of," Tonks said. "You couldn't have. And there's something really strange going on with you."
"There is," I agreed.
"Do you care to elaborate?" Tonks asked.
"You aren't investigating me, are you?" I asked.
"I'm…just concerned that something really weird is going on," Tonks said. "You remind me a lot of Cassie when she gets fixated on something, and it scares me. She did some really questionable things in her obsession…well that's not important."
"The Cursed Vaults, I know," I told her.
"And I was there and others," Tonks said. "And how do you know about this?"
"Ask me no questions, and I tell you no lies, Nymphadora," I said. "I'm sure they're fine by the way."
Tonks stared at me.
"Are you really Harry Potter?" Tonks asked.
"Yes, Tonks, I'm really Harry Potter," I said. "Are you really Nymphadora Tonks?"
"What sort of question is that?" she asked.
"Because, it would be the easiest thing for an imposter to inpersonate a metamorpmagus, if they were a metamorpmagus themselves."
"Harry!" Tonks yelled. "I need answers to this. Please tell me that you didn't go back in time for some reason to mess with the timeline. Because, I swear if that's the reason, if all of these weird dreams are actually true, I don't know what I'm going to do."
Was she there that night?
"Were you investigating a disturbance at Hogwarts after Christmas?" I asked her. "Something to do with one of the Cursed Vaults being tampered with?"
"I…that's classified," Tonks said. "And I had a dream the night before about…well I was there and you. And I really can't talk about this. People are breathing down my neck about Godric's Hollow enough as it is."
Oh, Tonks dreamed about our future selves going back in time to do something really reckless. Time travel is a tricky thing. Best not to think about it too far.
I think she might be getting her old memories from the timeline back. The problem is, Nymphadora's brain chemistry is different due to her powers, so it's not really sticking like it did for any of the other time travelers.
"And please tell me you didn't actually kidnap the Longbottoms."
"Fine, Tonks, I didn't actually kidnap the Longbottoms," I said. "Happy."
"Not particularly," Tonks said. "Just like her."
I just kissed Tonks on the cheek.
"You need a vacation," I said.
"Yes, try telling Moody that," Tonks said.
"Don't fight these memories, Tonks," I said. "They happened."
"I…I don't understand this."
"You will once they all settle," I said. "Hope you're not too mad about what happened."
"I feel like I'm going to have a big headache."
I moved to the kitchen where Bellatrix had been levitating a feather. You had to start somewhere. Andromeda encouraged her sister who was frustrated.
Then everything froze around us. I was the only person who noticed anything moving. And I spun around quickly, and wrapped cords around the person who stopped time.
"Bode," I said.
"Vigilant as ever, Harry Potter," Bode said. "You upset the chessboard. And they don't like it when their game is ruined."
"Are you with them?" I asked him.
"Merely just reminding you that you play to win, or you will regret playing," Bode said. "Have a nice summer."
The lights flickered. And Bode was gone.
Bellatrix and Andromeda resumed like nothing happened. What was Bode's stake in this?
The more questions I had, the more baffling this was.
Well, I wanted the Cloaks' attention. I daresay I got it.
To Be Continued.
