Chapter 2
The next morning Harry awoke to the smell of bacon, his body felt a great deal better than the night before, still he ached as he slowly shifted to a sitting position. He started with surprise as his hand landed on coarse hair, after a moment he realised it was attached to a person "Hermione!" The girl in question jumped in surprise, sitting upright in the chair she appeared to have slept in. Before he got the chance to speak again a hug that squeezed the air from his lungs was upon him. "Harry!"
"Get a room!" A laughing voice called from across the room, his eyes drifted over to find Ron, leg raised in a bed across from him, grinning from ear to ear. Hermione simply sent him a frustrated look as she sat up, wiping some tears from her eyes. "We were worried sick!" She huffed with a not so gently smack on his arm.
"Ow! Come on Hermione, I've survived worse!" This only spurred on another round of attacks, though they weren't nearly as hard. "You idiot Harry! You complete and utter idiot! You were out cold for days!" This had Harry for a loss, he had woken up in hospital during the night, he was sure it hadn't been that long.
"What? I thought it had only been one night…" Hermione sniffled. He glanced to Ron, looking for support but his grin had shifted to a frown. "Harry, mate…. you've been in the hospital wing three days! I refused to take the skelegrow to stay with you. Fudge has been going mental since we got here. He wanted to charge you for killing a dementor! Can you believe it?"
"Wait, WHAT?" Harry turned back to Hermione, face aghast. "I couldn't kill a dementor! I thought they were immortal!" Hermione's face wrinkled slightly, as she nodded. "They're supposed to be… but Dumbledore confirmed it." Harry groaned; he had no idea how he managed it. Reaching up he rubbed his face, trying to get some of the sluggishness out of him after that sleeping draft. It was then he noticed, he wasn't wearing his glasses. "I can see." He muttered in surprise.
Hermione didn't seem to get it. "What do you mean? Did you hurt your eyes when the dementors attacked?" Shaking his head Harry pointed to his eyes "No Hermione, I can SEE." She just stared at him for a few moments before her eyes widened. "Your glasses!" She gasped.
"Uhm…. Anyone want to fill me in?" Ron chimed in from across the room. "What's wrong with his glasses?" Hermione turned, scoffing "Honestly Ron, you're so slow sometimes, Harry can see without his glasses!"
Ron cheered, "Hey way to go mate! Didn't know Pomfrey could fix eyes!" Ron's cheering was finally enough to call the attention of the matron over to their little group. "I can't Mr Weasley, that's precisely why Ms Granger is so surprised. I must admit, I've never came across such a thing before. There's something special about a person's eyes, something tied to the very soul of a witch or wizard. Any attempt to heal their eyes are usually stopped by the patient's magic, and if it isn't the patient will likely find their magic impossible to control."
Hermione chimed in "There's a muggle saying that the eyes are the window to the soul." To which Pomfrey nodded "It comes from wizards, there are several dark rituals that rely on stolen eyes, though they mangle the soul, leaving the ritual's caster twisted and deformed. Now, Mr Weasley, I do believe you told me you were allergic to scarab beetles. I have been hard at work brewing a bone knitting solution for you." The matron tutted with frustration waving away Ron's attempts at apologies "Never mind, the potions cabinet has been woefully understocked lately. Thanks in no small part to Mr Potter's frequent visits."
Harry shrunk under those words, it seemed he was doomed to be a burden to everyone. "Chin up Potter, I'll be discharging you today. Young Ronald will be out by dinner, after a dose of skelegrow and some time helping me in the wing." Ron grimaced, while many would give their left arm to be tutored by Pomfrey in the healing arts, Ron had no doubts he wouldn't be having a study session, instead an afternoon of cleaning and manual labour.
"Now, I had to give you a rather extensive range of potions so you may have some digestive issues, I recommend you stick to small plates of food for a few days. Miss Granger was kind enough to bring you some breakfast." Madam Pomfrey gestures to a plate on the bedside table: some toast, bacon and, a single fried egg. Harry never really stomached large portions before, so he was happy to dig in while the matron continued.
"Now, I don't know what in Merlin's socks you three were up to but you Mr Potter are lucky to be alive. You faced some form of catastrophic magical backlash from whatever was in your scar." She gestured to his forehead, Harry's hand lifting to find it scabbed over. "The headmaster wasn't kind enough to tell me what exactly it was, or what caused it to be removed but it did a number on you. Whatever it was, it had been syphoning magic from you, along with hampering your development. Along with casting what I understand to be the single largest Patronus charm in living memory while an inch from death. Suffice to say you were in a terrible state. Your body, already working hard to right itself in the absence of that syphon draining you, only for you to exhaust yourself." He had never seen Madam Pomfrey so… shaken, Harry still wasn't sure what had happened, but it was clear from her expression it was serious,
"So… I'm okay now? The syphon's gone, I'm over the exhaustion, everything's great?" He asked, a hopeful smile on his face. "Well Mr Potter that is yet to be seen, you drank through my stock of muscle knitting, nutrient and blood replenishing drafts during your stay. I dare say you'll have a hard time adjusting, it's not just your eyesight that's changed." Harry furrowed his brows, looking to Hermione who simply handed him a mirror. His face was his, but different. Where it was thin and gaunt it had filled in, sallow cheeks and thin neck were now high cheekbones and a rugged jawline.
"I could get used to this… Think the girls will like it?" He asked with a grin, looking to Ron who just raised his hands in surrender. Ron had better sense, as Hermione began her assault anew "This. Is. Not. A. Time. To. Joke. Harry. James. Potter." He brought his arms up to defend the onslaught, even his arms were different, thicker, and he could have sworn they were longer somehow. "I surrender! I'm sorry!"
Hermione thankfully stopped, huffing with frustration at the boy who was so busy helping other people he couldn't keep himself safe. "Ron sent an owl home to get some of Charlie's old robes for your last few days." At a confused look from Harry, she continued. "You've grown, a lot. Whatever that thing in your scar was removing did a lot of good." Harry stretched out his arms, looking down to his feet as well he noticed he must have been taller.
Ron chimed in "Yeah mate, Charlie's should fit alright, he's the only Weasley that isn't lanky, you've filled out quite a bit with Madam Pomfrey's potions." The matron in question nodded in agreement "I must admit Mr Potter, you've definitely grown. I always found it peculiar the son of James Potter was such a small boy. Now, finish your breakfast and you can go, as I said, small meals. I would also recommend you limit your use of magic, magic exhaustion is a tough thing to pull off, if you're not careful it could have some serious consequences. Now, Ms Granger if you would kindly depart, your friends will be well in time for the parting feast."
Another bone crushing hug later Hermione made her way out, Harry finished his breakfast while Madam Pomfrey cast a few last-minute diagnostic charms to double check his health. With a full belly and a clean bill of health Harry got dressed, nearly tripping over himself as he struggled with his new height. "Catch you later Ron, don't have too much fun without me."
"Cold mate, cold. I was looking after you!" Ron complained, only placated by the promise of chocolate frogs on the way to Kings Cross. "Oh! You should head to Professor Lupin's office, he's leaving, something about his monthly problem leaking."
"Leaving?!" Harry bolted out the hospital wing barely remembering to grab his wand from the bedside table, though it felt strange in his new hand he didn't have time to waste. In a rush tripping twice over unfamiliar feet he made his way down the halls. He nearly crashed through the door to Lupin's now barren office, everything magically packed in the man's suitcase. "Harry! It's good to see you up and about… is there something different about you?"
"Taller, doesn't matter. What are you doing? You can't leave! You're the only decent Professor we've had! And… I didn't get a chance to apologise for thinking you were working with Sirius to kill me." Harry ranted out, panic and frustration bubbling to the surface as he raced to convince Lupin to stay.
"I'm sorry Harry, everyone knows. Once the board of governors got wind of a wild werewolf roaming the school's grounds, I knew I was out." Remus sighed, putting an arm on Harry's shoulder. "I didn't see it, but word is you cast one hell of a Patronus, I'm proud to have taught you. But all good things come to an end, and there's not much I could do to stay. Here." He handed Harry a ratty piece of old parchment he recognised as the Marauder's Map along with his invisibility cloak. "I hope you'll use them wisely. Or at least more wisely than your father did."
They sat for a while, talking about what Remus would do next and plans for the summer. Harry was happy to hear he planned to stay with Sirius while he waited for a trial. Sirius had already been placed under house arrest in his family's home, Dumbledore using his authority as Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot, the wizarding parliament to ensure he received a proper trial.
Remus left for his carriage, it was a hard goodbye, but Harry smiled, knowing he would take care of Sirius till Harry could join them.
Making his way to the common room Harry skilfully avoided others, just wanting peace and quiet after recent days. He narrowly avoided Malfoy cursing about Buckbeak, the brat couldn't even let it go after the death of the noble beast.
The common room was alight with chatter and celebration after a long year, a few of the older Gryffindors were gathered near the fire, passing what he could only assume to be a flask of Fire Whisky between them. He found Hermione near the back of the room, hunched over a book as usual. He stood beside her, a little surprised as she called out "I've not told McGonagall you've been passing around alcohol so you could at least give me peace to read." Frustration evident in her voice.
"What are you reading?" Harry asked curiously, looking at a page covered in arithmantic symbols. "Something for Harry…. Harry!" The girl jumped in fright, Harry realised she hadn't even recognised him, as she got to her feet, he couldn't help but notice she was a good deal shorter than him now. "I thought you were an upperclassman! I knew you grew but wow. Seems like just a few days ago you were shorter than me." She let out a soft laugh.
"It was just a few days ago… I didn't realise I changed this much. I don't think half of our classmates recognise me, I made it through the common room without being interrogated." Hermione nodded in agreement, taking a step back to look at him more carefully. Harry squirmed under the scrutiny as Hermione mumbled to herself.
"Uh, Hermione?" He asked, letting out a squeak as she poked at his side and stomach. "What? Oh, sorry Harry, it's just surreal. There's lots of magic that can make you LOOK taller, there isn't much to actually change you this much. There's metamorphmagi - they can change their body at will - but they're shockingly rare."
"I know, it's odd, but stop looking at me like a science experiment it's kind of embarrassing." Harry replied in a soft voice, to which Hermione just laughed. "I'm sorry but you're going to have to get used to it. People stared because of your scar, now they have a whole new reason. Be happy, you're probably going to be an even better seeker than before, core strength is important."
"It will never cease to baffle me you know so much about quidditch yet run in fear of brooms." Hermione just rolled her eyes, motioning for Harry to sit with her at her reading nook. "Books don't give me a fear of falling to my death, I'd rather not leave my fate to someone's cushioning charm."
"Fair enough, now, what are you reading?" Hermione's eyes lit up, once the topic of books and study was brought up there was no stopping her giddiness.
"Well, I was reading about magic parasites and magical exhaustion. I still have no idea what was in your scar, but I have a theory on how you killed the dementor." Harry leaned in, reading a portion of the book she had pointed out.
In relation to long-term magical stress brought on by a magical parasite a witch or wizard's magic may 'build up' so to speak, this can present itself in a number of ways: a difficulty in magics relating to the mind which require a fine control over the user's magic, the creation of a obscurus (See: Chapter 14 of the Revised Fantastic Beasts and where to find them – Newt Scamander), as well as a general weakness in the fine control of ones magic.
…
Where a build up of magic is large, removal of the parasite may be a dangerous endeavour, requiring the patient to expel magic soon after the removal. This in itself may have unintended consequences, including but not limited to squibbing, coma, and death.
"So, my Patronus saved my life?" Harry asked, trying to wrap his head around the equations Hermione had been scribbling on spare bits of parchment. Hermione nodded excitedly "Exactly! And from the size of your Patronus, along with your recovery time I've worked out your parasite must have been with you from the beginning, something about you-know-who's curse that caused that scar caused the parasite itself!"
"So, what does this mean?" Harry scratched his head lightly, leaning back in the chair. "Well, nothing yet… But I've got some ideas. They'll need to wait till next year, I won't be able to visit the restricted section of the library, and I doubt my parents would let me visit Knockturn alley."
"I don't recommend visiting there myself. Wait… How do you know the size of the Patronus? Did Dumbledore tell you? We were both out cold!" Hermione shook her head. Leaning In, she whispered "Dumbledore sent me back! The broken pot in the hut, the howling in the forest, it was me!" Harry gaped in shock.
"Time Travel?!" Harry yelped, only to be shushed by Hermione "Professor McGonagall gave me a time turner at the start of the year, it's how I've been able to get to all of my classes. Though, I admit I bit off more than I could chew. I've already gave it back to her. Besides, I dropped divination, in fact I might talk to her again at the feast… "
"Never-mind that, I knew you couldn't make it to all those classes! Some of them overlapped, I knew it! Well, I didn't know you were literally time travelling apparently, but I knew something was weird!" Hermione sighed, rubbing her face. "Well, I've learned my lesson not to mess with time again, though, it certainly helped us. Professor Lupin would have had an even harder time had I not, and Buckbeak would have been executed."
"Wait, Buckbeak's not dead? So that's why Malfoy was cursing about him! I thought he was just being his usual git self. Well… That's good news, thanks Hermione. What would we do without you?" Hermione's cheeks darkened slightly; she was always a sucker for praise. "So, what's my Patronus?"
"Honestly Harry I'm not sure, it was so bright I couldn't make out the details, but it had wings! Maybe a bird? Or a hippogriff? Magical Patroni are uncommon but they're not unheard of, Dumbledore's is a phoenix after all." Said Hermione, glancing over some of her notes. Harry sighed; he'd have to ask Dumbledore if he got a good look at it.
After a long pause Harry looked over to Hermione. "I think it's a sign." Confused Hermione looked back to her notes. "No, not that. The changes, I'm taller, I don't need my glasses, honestly, I feel like a whole new me. The outside changed but I don't think that's enough, with Sirius getting a trial I'll finally be able to leave the Dursley's. I've got to make the most of it… or something."
Hermione grinned "That's right! With Sirius free you'll be able to leave them, I… didn't really want to bring it up, you never seemed to want to, but they seem awful! Bars on the window, that nasty aunt Marge. Do you know when you'll be able to move in with him?" Harry shook his head sadly. "Professor Lupin says I'll likely have to wait for the trial, apparently the house of a suspected mass murder isn't considered 'suitable arrangements' for a minor. Doesn't matter though, I'll get to see him during the trial, it's scheduled a week before my birthday according to Professor Lupin. Not a bad present, leaving the Dursley's."
"That's great Harry, but don't let it distract you from homework, Professor Snape expects 30 inches on poisons and their antidotes, which is outrageous because I heard the Slytherins only got 13 inches. I mean, I won't have any problem, but Ron might be pulling his hair out by the end of the holidays! Harry, are you listening?" He wasn't Harry got caught up daydreaming about leaving the Dursley's, maybe Sirius could even leave them a parting hex.
"What? Oh, yeah, homework… Hermione, can someone change subjects going into fourth year?" Harry asked, it was clear divination wasn't going to be useful to him, and as much as he loved Hagrid, he wasn't going to pursue beast-keeping in his future.
"What brought this on? I suppose you could, but you'd need to be able to catch up, one year is a lot of study to catch up on. Though I don't blame you for wanting to drop divination, even Professor McGonagall agrees it's imprecise, and useless if you're not already a seer." Hermione seemed to perk up whenever he or Ron tried to take study a bit more seriously, she was endearingly obsessed with study.
"I don't know, I guess I'm tired of not really trying. I wasn't really allowed to in the Dursley's, I'd be punished if I got a better test score than Dudley, which wasn't hard. I never really let go of the mindset that I wasn't allowed to try. I'm thinking of switching to more practical skills, like Ancient Runes or Arithmancy. Maybe both, Hagrid's great but between biting books and flobberworms I don't think it's for me, and if I'm taking new classes, I'll need the study time." Hermione was practically glowing as she beamed at Harry.
"I can't tell you how happy I am you're finally taking your studies seriously! We can have study sessions in the library, grade each other's mock tests, it will be great! You should talk to Professor McGonagall during the feast, she'll know what to do." Harry just smiled; he wasn't sure he wanted to commit to all that, but he couldn't burst Hermione's bubble just yet.
"On that note, I'm going to grab a shower, there's only so much a cleaning charm can do, and I've been in that hospital bed too long." Hermione nodded, already back to research by the time Harry left his seat.
Harry found the dorm empty, he was thankful, he wasn't sure he had the energy to explain to his dormmates why he suddenly jumped from barely five feet, to at least 5 feet 8 inches. Grabbing a shower, along with some clean underwear he was suddenly glad for Dudley's hand-me-downs, while they were still ragged and baggy, they fit his new build. He'd have to go shopping for clothes, he wasn't sure he'd ever shopped for clothes himself, besides school robes. Pushing that aside in his mind he got back into the moth-nibbled robes handed down by Charlie, feeling at least somewhat refreshed after a long stay in bed. He decided to keep to himself till the feast. Packing could wait, he had some owls to send.
Harry made his way to the Owlery without problems, a letter to the Weasley's thanking them for the robes, along with one for Sirius. It was a bit of a mess; he wasn't sure what to say to the man he thought was going to kill him just days prior. He eventually landed on something of an introduction, as well as asking Sirius about himself, and a small plead to send more letters before the trial.
On his way back he near fell into Ron as he tumbled out a passageway between the owlery and Gryffindor tower. "Oi, watch it! Where do you think you're… oh, Harry?" Ron grinned, recognising him after a moment. Slapping a hand on Harry's back he laughed "Nearly didn't recognise you. Guess I didn't realise how tall you'd actually gotten." It was true, Harry was maybe an inch or so taller than his friend, though he didn't think it would last, Weasley's grew like weeds, shooting up overnight. "Ready for the feast? I'm starving!"
"You're always starving Ron. And yeah, I was just heading to find Hermione, she's probably still got her nose buried in a book." With a shared laugh the continued their way up, a quick password later they were in the common room, and sure enough Hermione was sitting in the back, more parchment scraps around her with arithmancy hastily scribbled all over them.
"Hermione, earth to Hermione!" Harry called out, spooking the girl from her reading frenzy. "Come on, it's nearly time for the feast."
"Right, yes, just got to…" she trailed off again, finishing calculations. Her hair seemed, bushier, Harry could swear the heat from all her thinking made it grow, it was the same during end of year exams.
"Come on, we might just head of without you, I think Ron's planning on beating his personal best on servings, can't miss that!" Harry got a friendly punch for that, though he was only half joking.
"I think I could, but you're right. Let's go." Hermione scooped up the parchment and book into her bookbag as they made their way down.
They made their way to the Grand Hall; Harry was only slightly surprised to find eyes drawn to him. First confusion then shock passed over every student that caught his eye. He did his best to keep his back straight, eyes forward, he was too big to slouch out of sight, he had to do his best to fake it till he made it.
They found their way to a spot near the staff table just as Dumbledore stood for his speech.
"Alas, the end of another year. While many of you I will see in the coming year, many are taking their steps into the wider wizarding world. I can't imagine it has been an easy year for those of you leaving us, but you studied hard, weathered dark spectres guarding our grounds and the threats of the alleged mass murderer Sirius Black. I have no doubt you all will find your place in this ever-changing world. A toast, to Hogwarts graduating class of 1994!" He raised a goblet in toast, an echoed chorus of cheers for the departing students filled the halls.
"Thank you, now, I hope those returning have a most wonderful summer break. Everyone, tuck in!" sad the beaming Headmaster, this earned more cheering as the tables filled with copious plates of food, from succulent chicken to roasted carrots. Ron was already filling his plate as Harry got up, quickly followed by Hermione. "Going to speak with McGonagall?" asked Harry as they made their way over.
"Professor McGonagall, Harry. And yes, I've already left divination but I'm dropping Muggle Studies too." Replied Hermione with a sigh, it was a worthless subject, but she still didn't like the idea of dropping a subject.
"I thought you got three hundred and twenty percent? It's the easiest A plus plus of your life." Said Harry, teasing the bookworm. "That's exactly the problem Harry, it's not worth my time, and I've lost enough sleep this year. Percy got top grades in his N.E.W.T.s, he didn't get those doing useless subjects." Harry nodded, letting Hermione go ahead to talk to Professor McGonagall first, catching Dumbledore's eye he motioned quietly to the side.
With a sage nod and a kind grandfatherly smile he stood, motioning Harry to follow him to the ante chamber that hosed Hogwarts' trophies. Moving quickly, though deliberately to avoid tripping over his new longer limbs Harry followed the headmaster.
"So, Harry, what can I help you with?" asked Dumbledore, in that odd way he always did when he knew exactly what Harry wanted to talk about but didn't want to give him the answers. Harry stood a little straighter, took a few deep breaths, he was going to get some kind of answer.
"I want to know what happened the night we met Sirius; Hermione's filled in some of it, but I want to know everything." Said Harry, with every bit of authority he could muster against the Dumbledore's disarming smile, full of grandfatherly kindness and acceptance. At his words however Dumbledore's smile wavered, something like grief overtook his features.
After a long pause, Dumbledore spoke "I will tell you what I said during your first year, that truth is a beautiful and terrible thing, and should therefore be treated with great caution. There are some things I can tell you, some things I don't believe I should tell you. I have lived a long time; I have seen what truth does to people."
Harry replied "Professor, I may be thirteen, but I've seen what secrets can do to people, and what they can do to those who keep them." He held Dumbledore's gaze for what seemed like minutes, staying firm as the great wizard stared back with a mixture of grief and something deeper.
"Very well my boy… very well. Come to my office after the feast, it seems I have something to show you. I've been rather fond of pear drop's lately." The wizened man offered, turning to lead Harry back to the feast. Harry wanted to object, to demand answers from the man that kept him in the dark for so long, but the grief he saw in Dumbledore's face gave him pause.
Head hung in defeat he followed the man back, Hermione still chattering at a now visibly tired Professor McGonagall spotted him, giving a thumbs up, more a question than anything else. He shook his head softly, moving to stand beside her. "He wants me to visit his office after the feast, I'll let you know what happens." Nodding she turned back to the transfiguration teacher.
"Professor, Harry wanted to speak to you too, I have more questions, but I guess they can wait." Said Hermione as she turned to return to the feast, filling a plate for herself and a small one for Harry too. The transfiguration teacher smiled, turning to Harry, and saying "Well Mr Potter, I'm almost inclined to thank you. I must say Poppy may have downplayed your transformation, you're almost a young James Potter now. Now, what can I assist you with." Harry chuckled nervously at the comparison, he always got compared to his father but as time went on, he got more and more nervous of the implications, living up to the legacy of a man that faced Voldemort in his prime would be a difficult feat.
"I want to change subjects. Divination is useless, I get better marks saying I see myself breaking a leg than trying to do it properly, and Hagrid is great, but I really don't see myself handling magical creatures in my future. I was thinking about Arithmancy and Ancient Runes, I'll study it over the summer to catch up, Hermione said most of the first year is theory anyway." Said Harry, doing his best to justify the last-minute change.
Professor McGonagall watched him for a few moments thoughtfully, eventually nodding. "I'll speak to Professors Babbling and Vector, expect an owl with assignments you will need to finish by September. I can't approve a change in subjects if you cannot prove able to catch up, I hope you understand."
"Yes Professor, thank you." With an exchange of nods Harry returned to the table, digging into the plate Hermione prepared and settling into casual conversation, pushing from his mind the awkward conversation to come.
The feast came to an end, most of the staff already retiring to their respective rooms to unwind after a long year, a mix of graduating students from Gryffindor, Hufflepuff and even a few Ravenclaws stayed in the hall, laughing, and chatting about their plans after graduation. The rest went off, in pairs of couples and with their respective houses to enjoy the last night before they left in the morning.
Harry waved to Ron and Hermione, telling them he'd come see them after talking with Dumbledore. Walking through the halls Harry kept an eye on the map, avoiding the clusters of students and quiet pairs tucked away in the quiet corners of Hogwarts, finding himself in front of the large gargoyle protecting the headmaster's office. "Pear Drops." With the password spoken the gargoyle gave a small nod, stepping aside to allow Harry passage up the spiralling steps.
With a soft knock at the door and a quiet "Enter" spoken in a soft, tired voice that belonged to the Headmaster, Harry made his way into the office. Dumbledore was stood next to a small stone bowl, glowing with a soft ethereal glow. "Uh, hello sir." Said Harry as he approached.
"Harry, my boy, do you know what this is?" He asked, gesturing to the bowl, looking in Harry saw motes of swirling light dancing in some kind of liquid. "No sir, I've never seen anything like it."
"This, Harry, is a pensieve, a device used to replay memories. A very useful item for those of us who are blessed with long lives and the limitations of the human mind. I find myself using it more with every coming year. It is a simple thing to retrieve a memory, stored properly they can be viewed fresh as though it were only yesterday." Explained the elderly headmaster, placing his knobbled wand to his temple, gently tugging free something not quite liquid from his head, placing it gently into the pool the stone contained.
Dumbledore continued "We will be using it to observe my memory of the night you and your friends encountered Sirius, Peter, and the dementors. As well as the event proceeding it. I ask that you hold any questions till the end, I believe you will have many." Harry nodded as he watched the headmaster place the memory in the bowl. Tapping a few runes around the edge he instructed Harry to place a finger in the pool, doing the same himself.
Harry was falling, flashes of faces – other memories – passed by him as he fell. Suddenly, and without force of impact Harry was in the office once more, however there were now two Dumbledores, one standing beside him, hands behind his back observing the scene before them, the other sat at the large claw-footed desk resting in the centre of the room. Past-Dumbledore was looking over rolls of parchment, Harry never really thought about the work the headmaster did during the normal school year, he figured he had to be doing something all year.
There was a loud crack as the door to the headmaster's office slammed open, Severus Snape stormed into the office. "Good-day Severus, I hope there's an adequate reason for causing such a commotion." The past Dumbledore said in his typical jovial tone of voice.
Severus, panting from the effort of storming from up to the castle spoke "It's Black, he has the Potter Brat along with his gang of blithering idiots. They must be enchanted; the brat had the nerve to jinx me!" Dumbledore stood to attention grabbing his wand in one hand, a pinch of floo powder in the other. Tossing the powder into his fireplace he called through "Ministry for Magic."
Turning back to the potions master he asked "Now, where are they, he hasn't escaped with Harry yet has he?" Severus shook his head, replying. "No, they must have gone back through the passageway, I awoke near the whomping willow, but I believe your pet werewolf is on the loose without his wolfsbane potion." Dumbledore muttered some rather choice curse words, shocking Harry.
Present day Dumbledore said softly "I would appreciate it, Harry, if you never repeated those words." Keeping his mouth shut Harry simply nodded.
From the fireplace a voice left the green flames. "For Merlin's sake Dumbledore stop calling, we are not removing the dementors!" The voice of Cornelius Fudge left the fireplace, apparently getting word the headmaster called. The past Dumbledore replied, "I'm afraid Cornelius it is a matter of urgency, Black is on the grounds, we need you to send Amelia, preferably with aurors in tow to capture him."
"Nonsense!" Called out the minister, barging through the fireplace, dusting soot from his jacket. "Black is to be kissed on sight, I'll give the order, lead me to him." Fudge commanded, earning a sour look from the headmaster and a satisfied expression from the potions professor.
"Of course, Minister. But we should at least attempt a peaceful capture, no?" asked the headmaster as they began, as a group, heading from the office. "No Albus, he must be stopped! I won't have a debate on this, he has the boy who lived, you know what he means to the British magical community!" Harry cringed at the moniker though the present Dumbledore thankfully made it stop.
"We'll move to our arrival by the lake." He said, waving his hand, the scene around them dizzying, Harry imagined it was something like being in a movie when someone pressed fast-forward.
They settled once more, this time following the trio of older wizards through the forest, past-Dumbledore leading the way by wand light.
"Dumbledore! Harry's hurt! I surrender, please, take me for questioning but please, get Harry to Poppy!" He heard Sirius' voice, trying to dash forward past the men but unable to leave the scene Dumbledore could see. Fists clenched as they moved towards Sirius, unable to do anything to help the man.
He heard Fudge give the order to kiss him, even in a memory the order had Harry's heart beating in his throat, body clenched. It was only the present Dumbledore's gentle hand resting on Harry's shoulder that had him stop. Quietly the man motioned to the scene of dementors swarming Sirius.
Just barely in the light of Dumbledore's wand he saw his own arm raising slowly. The words passing his past self's lips were too soft to hear, but he knew them well. Light exploded from his wand, like a mist made of luminous silver expanding out. A scream filled Harry's ears, a horrid sound beyond anything he could imagine, scream was too tame a word. "What is that sir?!"
"I believe I stated to hold onto your questions, but I suppose I will humour this one. That my boy, is the death rattle of a dementor." Dumbledore replied, face sombre as light expanded faster and faster. It filled the night's sky with an ethereal glow. More screams joined the cacophony of noise till suddenly, silence. Blinking slowly, Harry's eyes slowly came into focus, and for the first time he saw his Patronus. "What is THAT?" Cried out the Minister.
His eyes widened as he breathed out "A Dragon…" filling the night sky was a dragon the size of a small yacht, snarling down to Cornelius Fudge, who Harry was quite sure just wet himself. Though soon the light began to shrink, as if it was drawn back into the wand, though he noted the tip was beginning to smoulder. He moved to check his own wand but found it missing in this strange realm of memory.
"I believe that is the sleeping dragon you have so boldly tickled." The past Dumbledore chuckled out.
"I was able to take advantage of your, ah, spectacle in order to apprehend Sirius without issue. It's difficult to administer the dementor's kiss without any dementors." Present-Dumbledore informed him, nodding to his past self magically lifting them, and moving them along with him as Cornelius spouted angry complaints.
As before, Dumbledore simply waved his hand to advance the scene, a restrained Sirius sat in Dumbledore's office as Cornelius Fudge did his best to demand an execution. "Why are we listening to the ravings of a muggle-born? She's clearly been bewitched by black!" Another floo message must have been sent as a rather stern woman in leather auror's garb stepped through. She was tall, mature and wore a monocle that looked likely to be more than a simple corrective lens.
"Headmaster." The woman offered with a stern nod, though she never took her eyes of Sirius, restrained as he was. Removing her gloves she reached into a pouch on her hip, withdrawing a small vial along with a small parchment notepad and smart silver-blue quill.
"Yes, thank you Amelia I –" the woman, Amelia raised her hand, baffling the headmaster into silence, not used to being treated in such a manner. "This is no time for informality Headmaster, it's Madam Bones or interrogator bones for the duration of this questioning. That means silence from both you, and especially you Minister. Honestly, making me dig through papers on a Saturday night. For papers that don't exist no-less!"
"Don't exist? But that's preposterous! Black was sentenced. There must have been a trial!" shouted the minister, puffing up like an angry balloon. Madam Bones turned daggers on the minister, making him shrink back, Harry was beginning to like this woman. "There was a single note stating he was taken in for questioning, and a boat order to Azkaban signed by Crouch and Bagnold. Hardly proper procedure."
"Sirius Orion Black, you are hereby formally charged with conspiracy to commit murder against James Potter and Lily Potter nee Evans the murder of Peter Pettigrew along with the murder of several muggles, do you understand this?" Sirius, dumbfounded at this point simply nodded. "With my authority as Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement I request your co-operation in this investigation. Do you consent to the use of veritaserum?" To this Sirius nodded enthusiastically. "Wonderful."
Sirius obediently opened his tongue, allowing for drops to be administered. Amelia laid her notebook down and tapped the quill with her wand, which stood to attention. "Investigation reference 2213553. Interrogator Madam Amelia Bones Head of the DMLE. Suspect Sirius Orion Black. Veritaserum has been administered. Would you please state your name, date of birth and wand specifications for the record."
"Sirius Orion Black, Third of November nineteen fifty-nine. My wand is Hawthorne and Dragon heartstring measuring 15 inches." Amelia nodded, checking the quill took the notes correctly.
Continuing she asked "Proceeding with questioning. Are you, or have you ever been a member of the terrorist group known as the 'Death Eaters'?"
"No."
Nodding Amelia tapped her foot gently thinking of how to word the questions "Did you reveal the location of the Potter's home to Voldemort."
"No, I couldn't." Sirius shook his head gently.
Amelia leaned forward in her seat "Elaborate please."
"I wasn't the secret keeper, even if I was, I'm Harry's sworn godfather, I couldn't knowingly partake in actions that harmed him."
This caused Amelia to pause, looking to the headmaster who was just as shocked.
"Who was the secret keeper. Also, when you say sworn, do you mean by ritual?"
"Peter Pettigrew. And yes, it was performed the day of Harry's birth." Said Sirius, prompting Fudge to stand up "That's illegal! Binding rituals can only be performed with permission from ministry officials!" yelled the man, who seemed eager to get rid of his Sirius problem.
"Minister! The sentence for such a crime is a fine! Not over a decade rotting in Azkaban. Hold your tongue or you will be removed." Amelia scolded, Fudge sitting looked a bit like a kicked dog. She took a moment to strike the outbursts from her record.
"Tell me, did you kill Peter Pettigrew and please describe the scene that occurred November first nineteen eighty-one when you confronted him."
"No, I had searched out Pettigrew and cornered him in a muggle street. When I attempted to capture him, he cast an exploding curse, using his Animagus form to escape after leaving a finger to fake his death." Sirius almost sobbed out, being his worst memory of failing his friends. Fudge attempted to object but the headmaster stopped him, shaking his head.
"Please explain to me the events of your escape, as well as what occurred tonight." Amelia continued
"While in Azkaban Minister Fudge left behind a copy of the Daily Profit, on the front page were the Weasley's who had won a prize. The photo included contained a rat, one I knew well. It was Peter's Animagus form, complete with missing toe. I had been using my own Animagus form to better defend myself from the Dementor's affects, motivated by the knowledge Peter was still alive I was able to slip between the bars in my dog form, and made my way towards the mainland. Tonight, I was given an opportunity, with the help of a half-kneazle to capture Peter, dragging him and the Weasley who believed him to be a pet rat, through a passageway…" the story continued, following their run in with Lupin, Snape and finally the swarm of dementors.
"I believe I have everything that I need. Mr Black, you are to make your way to your home in London, a mind healer will be making several visits. I expect you to be presentable for a hearing in July. You are not to leave your residence until the date of the trial, at which time you will make your way directly to the ministry." Sirius simply nodded to Amelia who returned the gesture. "Now, Minister I need you for a meeting, now." Like a scolded puppy Fudge followed her through the fireplace.
The present Dumbledore's hand rested on Harry's shoulder and they both lifted from the pool of swirling memories. Harry's mind was reeling with all the information presented to him.
With a very small smile, Dumbledore faced him. "Now, I do believe it is time for those questions."
A/N: Yup we're leaving it there, just before the good bit. Don't worry I hope to have weekly updates from here on, around the same length as this chapter. You might have noticed the timeline is a little different from canon, but this isn't canon! Don't get too hung up on the details, everything will come together as we get further into the story. I hope everyone enjoyed reading this as much as I did writing it. I know my dialogue has a long way to go but I did my best! Until next time. x