"I've got to go back, haven't I?"
"That is up to you."
"I've got a choice?"
"Oh yes," Dumbledore smiled at him. "We are in King's Cross you say? I think that if you decided not to go back, you would be able to . . . let's say . . . board a train."
"And where would it take me?"
"On," said Dumbledore simply.
Silence again.
"Voldemort's got the Elder Wand."
"True. Voldemort has the Elder Wand."
"But you want me to go back?"
"I think," said Dumbledore, "that if you choose to return, there is a chance that he may be finished for good. I cannot promise it. But I know this, Harry, that you have less to fear from returning here than he does."
Harry glanced again at the raw-looking thing that trembled and choked in the shadow beneath the distant chair.
"Do not pity the dead, Harry. Pity the living, and above all, those who live without love. By returning, you may ensure that fewer souls are maimed, fewer families are torn apart. If that seems to you a worthy goal, then we say good-bye for the present."
(Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - 'King's Cross' Ch. 35. J.K Rowling)
As Harry listened to those words, an idea started to take root inside his head.
"And if there was another way?" His voice trembled for a moment in uncertainty.
"What do you mean, my boy?" Dumbledore's gaze was focused on him, his expression showing his confusion.
"I could change things. Save Cedric from dying so young. And prove Sirius' innocence and prevent him from dying at the Ministry. Save Snape from Nagini. Stop Malfoy from becoming a Death Eater, stop you from dying. And Fred and Remus and Tonks, and Dobby and all the other people that died in this second war". He didn't know if something like this was possible but if there was a way to save as many people as possible, he would find it.
"Change things?" Dumbledore appeared even more confused. It was strange, seeing that expression on his face. He, who always knew everything with his extraordinary mind.
"Yes. Change past events, fix history so that the horrible things that happened this time around don't happen again. Going back in time. As Hermione and I did to save Sirius in our third year, only not with a time turner this time. I mean, I'm technically dead, am I? So, it should be possible, going back so many years. My spirit - or soul or whatever - would simply go back to my old body. I could do everything right this time around".
And finally, Dumbledore understood and smiled at him. The proud smile of a father towards a son, or of a grandfather towards his grandchild.
"Yes, I believe it is possible. However, I'm afraid that you won't be back in your old body".
"Why?" Asked Harry confused.
"You are going to be reborn as someone new. This means that you won't actually be aware of who you were. For all intents and purposes, the person who will be reborn will be someone different from who you are now, who will make different choices. Of course, Fate will find a way for you to know what choices you need to change to create a better version of the life you have already lived, but that person will be someone else, someone that will effectively take your place as James and Lily's child, as the child of the prophecy. And I think that - since you're 'going back in time' exclusively to change things for the better - even your appearance will be different. Your body will take the form best suited for your purpose. You won't be Harry Potter anymore".
"I understand. But what does it mean 'the form best suited for "my" purpose'?" Harry asked. Now it was his turn to be confused.
"Let's take Severus and Sirius as an example. Severus despised you since the moment you entered Hogwarts for your uncanny resemblance to your father. Your appearance has clouded his judgment enough that he never realized what an extraordinary person you really are. He has never been able to see past your father's face when he looked at you. And the same could be said for your godfather. He had often confused you with James, wanting to relive the years he had lost while in Azkaban. Neither of them has really seen you while looking at you, I'm afraid". Dumbledore finished with an apologetic smile. Harry knew that what Dumbledore had said was the truth but it still hurt. He understood what Dumbledore was trying to tell him though. "Since your main purpose is to save both of them, you - or better yet, the version of yourself that you will become - will have to make them aware that you're your own person, not your father." Dumbledore continued. Harry nodded to show that he understood. "Or they're not going to listen to me and everything will be as it has already happened. Got it.".
"Harry, are you sure you want to do this?" Dumbledore asked him one last time. "If you decide to go through with it, Harry Potter will be no more. Are you really sure about this?"
Harry thought about Dumbledore's words for a few minutes and couldn't help but ask a question that was eating away at his mind. "Even if I will not remember who I used to be, even if I will not be the person that I am right now, will I still be me?"
"In essence, yes. Everything that makes you will remain. Your incredible ability to love, for example, your compassion, your bravery, your loyalty, your ability to forgive. All these things will still be the same". Dumbledore replied with a smile.
Harry nodded in turn and said "Yes, I am ready. Just tell me what I need to do!"
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