Chapter 2 – Gathering
Harry ran down the corridor, a smile on his face.
He had a chance to end the war, end Voldemort and keep his friends and family safe.
He yelled "Mars Bars" at the gargoyle, not breaking his stride even when he burst into Dumbledore's office; much to the surprise of the man himself.
Dumbledore's blue eyes sparkled over his half-moon spectacles as he petted his frazzled phoenix.
"What can I do for you Harry? If I recall you're supposed to be in Transfiguration right now."
"Sorry…Sir. But you… need to see this." Harry panted as he thrust the letter towards the man.
Dumbledore's eyes scanned the letter, widening as he popped a lemon drop into his mouth. He considered it for a moment before lifting his gaze to the panting Harry.
"Well… what are we waiting for?"
Harry beamed as Dumbledore rose, Fawkes perched on his shoulder.
"You gather your friends and I'll gather the others and meet you on the 7th floor. I believe Luna has Charms."
Harry turned to leave.
"Oh, Harry."
"Yes, sir?"
"Inform Professor McGonagall for me."
"Of course."
Harry headed to the Charms classroom first as he only had to collect Luna, so it would be easy to get her first, then head to the Transfiguration to get everyone else. Harry entered Flitwick's classroom, grabbing Luna from the front and shouting apologies to the Professor as he headed towards McGonagall's classroom.
The door banged open, McGonagall raised her eyes for marking essays to find a dishevelled Harry and beaming Luna.
"Mr. Potter, I do believe you're 40 minutes late." McGonagall snapped.
"Sorry Professor, I was with the Headmaster. I am to gather you, Ron, Hermione, and Neville to meet him on the 7th floor."
Ron, Hermione, and Neville rose quickly, packing their things away and baffled McGonagall following.
"Oh, guys, take Luna with you. I still need to get the twins and Ginny. Do you know where they are?"
Hermione spoke first.
"Ginny has Defence and the twins are in Potions."
Harry spun to head down towards the classrooms, only to see them running towards him; the Weasley clan and Professors following behind. He spotted Tonks' bubble-gum pink hair straight away, and the real Moody limping behind. He had been in the hospital wing with Harry last year and obviously wanted to check everything out before letting them rush in.
Harry also noticed how much Andromeda looked like Bellatrix, the same face and hair, although Mrs. Tonks' hair was a light brown to Bellatrix's black mane. Narcissa also had a striking resemblance to her sister but her blonde hair and pale blue eyes set her apart.
"Harry, my boy. We were just headed up. It will take a moment to get up all the stairs." Dumbledore said with a laugh.
"Don't worry Professor, I know a shortcut." Harry winked.
He led the group to an unassuming statue finding the loose brick and pushing it in to reveal a slanting passageway. He had a feeling the Headmaster already knew about this one, and as the group appeared on the other end in front of the portrait of Barnabas the Barmy teaching ballet to trolls, he asked the castle for the room mentioned in the letter. The door appeared, swinging open, inviting them in.
The group headed in to find a roaring fire, tea and coffee was being laid out by the 3 house elves. Dobby bounced over to Harry, leading him to the sole armchair closest to the fire. A ring of sofas surrounded them, and everyone shuffled into place looking at Harry.
Harry took a quick sip of his coffee, noting the only other people sharing his love of the beverage were Mrs. Tonks and Snape. Everyone else had tea, with the exception of Remus who had hot chocolate.
Dobby must have remembered the Professor's chocolate addiction.
A shaggy, black dog lay at Remus' feet. Noticing Harry, the dog bounded over, launching at Harry, licking all over his face.
"Come on, Snuffles. No licking please."
As the dog relented, Harry laughed. Ron and Hermione, who had not heard him laugh almost all year, looked hopeful that things would get better for their friend.
"Right. You are all probably wondering why you are here."
"Obviously, Mr. Potter." Snape hissed at the boy.
"Severus, please."
At Albus' command, the man huffed and settled on the end of the sofa furthest away from the boy.
Harry quickly recounted the details of the letter and everyone's eyes widened.
"Books for the future?" Hermione gasped.
"That's impossible." Snape snapped.
"Settle down, everyone."
The chatter stopped as the Headmaster spoke. Before he could say anything more, a loud pop rang out and 7 books fell onto the table. The title of the topmost book glared at Harry. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
"Ready?" Harry asked.
21 heads nodded and the 3 house elves settled themselves near Harry's feet, cushions appearing for them.
"This is a book about my life…"
Snape scoffed.
"…it holds details of the past which I will find uncomfortable and details of the future we can change. Together."
Everyone seemed to hold their breath as Harry commanded the attention of everyone in the room.
"We will take turns in reading chapters. We don't have to worry about food as my friends here…" Harry gestured to the house elves "… can provide that…"
"Also, anything else we need while we are here will be provided by the room." Dumbledore interjected.
"While we are here, I have suspended lessons and the other Heads of Houses and staff will be taking care of your pupils, Severus, Minerva."
He turned to Harry.
"Who will start?"
"I will." Harry said, "Then we will pass it around, so no one has to read too much."
Harry settled back into his chair, feeling the weight of the book in his hands. It would contain secrets he had kept for most of his life, secrets he kept from his family and friends, but if it meant saving people, he would give them away.
He just hoped they didn't react badly.
"Chapter One… The Boy Who Lived."