"Albus."
The name felt strange in his mouth. It felt strange by how easy it seemed to just say it.
This Albus Dumbledore had asked him to call him by this name and yet there was something quite forbidden about it. Calling your teacher by his given name, calling Professor McGonagall 'Minerva' or even Professor Snape 'Severus'. It felt like a disrespect and Harry despite Professor Lupin's encouragements had never managed to call the wizard 'Remus'.
Yet here he was, in his bed, trying to get used at the idea of calling Professor Dumbledore's younger self 'Albus' at three in the morning.
He sighed and tiredly pinched his nose, wondering how this had become his life.
He had a point, he grudgingly admitted. This Dumbledore was not that Dumbledore. Except he was. Or he was going to be and isn't supposed to be the same thing? And God wasn't that all so confusing.
He put his hand on his face and sighed.
He knew it was a tall order to ask the fifteen years old Dumbledore to fill the shoes of the one-hundred and fourteen Dumbledore. He knew how cruel that was, and he owed it to the fifteen years old wizard to at least acknowledge him and see the wizard he was right now.
But if Harry did that, if Harry were to look at him and only see Albus, wasn't he letting go of Professor Dumbledore? And if Harry were to let go of his Headmaster, wouldn't he also let go of everything he represented? Did embracing that strange past mean he had to let go of his present? And wouldn't that be the biggest betrayal of all?
He groaned. He knew there was a reason why he hated reflecting over that sort of stuff. And he was most certainly overthinking this.
He looked at the ceiling and wondered what Professor Dumbledore, the one who was actually looking at him in the eyes, would tell him if he knew how torn he was on such a seemingly pointless matter.
Harry spent the entire night trying to imagine it. He tried to imagine Professor Dumbledore listening to his grievances with several well-placed nods and afterward say just the right thing. He would say something very wise and it'd suddenly look like it was the most evident thing in the world.
He tried to find what words he would use and shake them off whenever they sounded wrong in his head. Too direct, too insensitive, far too sulky.
Finally, he settled for what his mind had cooked up and deemed it to be the closest he would ever get to an answer.
"Embracing the present does not necessarily mean letting go of the past or, in this instance, the future. In fact, if you do not mind me giving my opinion on the matter, accepting the past is necessary to respect the present and confidently walk to a brighter future."
Harry thought about it for several long minutes. Finally, he sighed.
He didn't know if the real Professor Dumbledore would actually say that, but he supposed it would have to do.
The next day, Albus could see the wizard was making an effort. The 'good morning, Albus' had been hesitant, and the he had grimaced as soon as he had said his name but Albus appreciated that he was at least trying.
"I suppose I should thank you again," Harry told him after Transfiguration. Looking at the people in the corridor, he continued, "For your help, I mean. I know how busy you must be, and it must be so complicated for you..."
He smiled. "I do not mind helping you in the slightest, Harry."
Harry smiled back. "Still, thank you. Is there..." He hesitated a moment. "Is there anything I can do to help you?" he finally asked. "To pay you back."
"That is very kind of you. I do not particularily need your help at the present moment, if you want to know. Although, I admit I do not know if that will always be that way so I suppose I can keep your offer in mind."
Neither of them said anything until they entered Gryffindor Tower.
"I suppose I should wish you luck for tomorrow's match. I am sure it will be quite a thing to watch."
Harry blushed in embarassment and looked away.
"W-Well… Higgs is the youngest Quidditch player in a century," he began after a moment of hesitation. "So it feels like… I don't know, it feels like this match is the most important I will ever play. Like there is something I need to prove there."
Albus slowly nodded.
"The two of you have had a talk earlier, is that correct?"
Harry nodded. "I don't know how you know, but yes. I wanted to… I wanted to talk to him and wish him luck, I suppose." He grimaced. "Didn't really go well."
That was quite an understatement honestly. From what he had understood, the wizard had refused to shake his hand and announced him he knew the Gryffindor would be playing with an old Oakshaft 79 and pointedly informed him that he had a Silverwing which could fly up to ninety miles per hour while Potter's broom couldn't go above seventy and that he was the future of Quidditch while Potter was nothing but a relic of a past long gone.
Potter's snort, it was said, had broken something in the man who had then began shouting and copiously insulting him.
"Still, I wouldn't have taken you for the type of wizard to enjoy Quidditch," Harry pointed out.
Albus frowned, trying to find how the other wizard could have reached such conclusion.
When he did, he couldn't help coughing. "Oh, I just come to your trainings to encourage Aberforth," he said as he embarrassingly waved his hand. "As a general rule, I am quite indifferent to Quidditch. I need quite an incenstive to be interested, to be honest."
Harry at that broadly smiled. "Well then, we will try not to disappoint. Watch carefully tomorrow, it is going to be the match of the century."
Finally, it was the highly anticipated beginning of the Quidditch season. Slytherin vs Gryffindor.
In the changing room, each captain was giving their last prep talk.
"We have all trained very hard," Gladys Boothby told her team. "We have the best chasers," she said as she turned to them, "we have damn good beaters-"
"Thank you," Aberforth said as he raised his hand.
"-even if a bit too hot-blooded. And our seeker is very good."
The last part seemed however weaker than the rest and Harry grimaced.
He knew better than anybody how terrible the broom he had taken from the broomshed was. And even if Boothby had tried to charm the broom to be easier to control, it was still terrible compared to brooms such as his Firebolt or his old Nimbus 2000, or whatever broom they had in that time.
They may acknowledge his skills, and the other Gryffindors seemed to believe he would pull some miracle, Boothby had never quite managed to hide the fact that, to her, he was the team's weakest link.
His ego still had to recover from this realization.
As Harry laced his Quidditch boots, he couldn't help thinking about Victor Higgs, Slytherin's seeker and star player, and how the wizard had hardly be better than Boothby.
When Elphias had pointed the Slytherin in Charms the day before, Harry hadn't helped wondering what sort of player he was. The youngest Quidditch player of in the 19th century, Harry hadn't helped feeling some sort of kinship to that player as soon as he had heard from the young Dumbledore about him.
That and a burning need to find out which of them was the better player.
But a five minute discussion the day before when Harry had wished the youngest player of this century 'good luck' had revealed the man to be nothing but a ponce.
Harry had never thought of himself as an arrogant man, despite what the likes of Snape would say. In fact, some of his friends liked to tell him he was too modest and would outright laugh to his face whenever Harry tried to explain they needed to stop embellishing anything he had done.
But the utter contempt on Higgs' face as Harry had introduced himself to him… Looking down on him as if he was nothing but a bug to be squashed… Telling him he couldn't possibly win because he had a rusty broom and he wasn't that good anyway...
Harry gritted his teeth and grabbed the Oakshaft 79.
That wizard was going down.
"Welcome everybody for today's Quidditch match!" Elphias' voice resonated in the stadium. "I am Elphias Doge and I will be your commentator for today's match, the one everybody has been waiting for: Slytherin vs Gryffindor!"
"Slytherin has been the reigning champion for four years straight," he continued. "Will they repeat their exploit and defeat Gryffindor once again, and will Gryffindor show them who the superior team clearly is?"
Gryffindor's side roared in approval and Albus couldn't help shaking his head in amusement.
He knew how anticipated today's match was. After all, Victor Higgs was now captain of Slytherin Quidditch Team and Slytherin's star player was expected to lead his team to a complete victory.
On Gryffindor side, however, the news that Harry Potter was their seeker had somehow convinced their house something extraordinary was going to happen and that Higgs was going to bite the dust.
Was today really going to be the match of the century as Harry had told him before snickering, Albus did not know. But there was little doubt in his eyes today's match would not be easily forgotten.
Finally, the referee threw the quaffle and the match began.
"Ross takes the quaffle! Ross to Pallas, Pallas back to Ross. Ross sends to Prewett who sends the quaffle to- Flich intercepts! Flich to Norris, Norris to Figg. Figg throws the quaffle and-"
Slytherin's side cheered when the Quaffle went through the hoop.
And if Gryffindor's groaned at this development, their Seeker for some unfathomable reason seemed to be having a laughing fit as the chasers were fighting for the Quaffle.
He then stopped and abruptly flied ahead.
"Looks like Potter has already spotted the snitch," Elphias commented. "Go, Potter, go. You can do it!"
But Higgs was catching up and the seeker flied past him with what seemed to be ridiculous ease.
Harry cursed and desperately tried to fly faster.
Unfortunately, the Oakshaft 79 was many things, but a fast broom it certainly was not.
For a few horrifying seconds, he saw Higgs getting closer and closer to the snitch, his fingers almost touching the elusive ball.
A bludger hit the seeker's back. Higgs lowered in arm to grip onto his broom in order not fall.
That was enough for the snitch to escape.
Gryffindor cheered as Harry shakily breathed, thanking his lucky stars.
"A well-placed hit from Dumbledore," Elphias's approving voice said. "Looks like the match is not yet over. Now, Pallas in possession. She flies past Slytherin's defense and sends the quaffle to-"
Boothby had been right, he thought as he flied up. His broom was a handicap. He had known it was very slow, but Harry hadn't quite realized how comparatively faster Higg's would be. Compared to him, Harry was as slow as a snail. And because of that, Gryffindor had almost lost.
Boothby had been right: he was the team's weakest link.
Harry gritted his teeth and moodily flied up, holding unto the handle so tight to stay in control he could swear the wood was cracking under his hands.
It was supposed to be the match of the century. It was supposed to be a daring duel where everybody would be holding their breath before Harry ultimately won. Instead, it was basically Harry trying to catch the snitch only to see Higgs reaping the benefits of his find, Harry struggling with his broom's lack of agility and Harry being unable to do anything because this broom was lesser.
Harry being outclassed because he did not have the right broom to stand on an equal footing, and as a result letting everybody down.
To think he had thought he would show off and prove himself to be worthy of being the youngest Quidditch player in a century.
Albus Dumbledore had to be truly underwhelmed.
So, that is the best the twentieth century can do? he was probably thinking.
"-and Dumbledore hits Fudge with his bat!" Elphias exclaimed as the referee flew in the direction of the two beaters fighting. "Dammit, Dumbledore! There is supposed to be a bludger between you and the others, you know?"
Albus sadly shook his head as his brother got reprimanded by the referee. He didn't know why he was even surprised.
"Penalty. Yes, it is only natural," Elphias sighed as Barnaby Flich took the quaffle. He scored and Gryffindor groaned in displeasure. "And we are now at 120 to 90. Wake up, Gryffindor."
Above, the two seekers were flying in circle, like two birds of prey waiting to find a prey to seize.
Finally, one dived.
"Looks like Potter has spotted the snitch again! Higgs is trying to catch up with Potter. But will he be on time?"
Encouraged by the screams, both seekers sped up. Harry going closer to the ground, Higgs catching up with the Gryffindor until they were both side by side a couple feet above the ground.
"Come on, Potter! Hurry up!"
But Harry pulled up at the last second while Higgs crashed. Higgs rolled on the grass and lied there, unmoving.
"I-Is he okay?" Elphias fearfully asked. "Oi, Higg! Are you okay?"
But the player in green didn't move. And he still didn't move when the time-out was called and Hogwarts' matron rushed to the middle of the pitch.
Finally after what seemed to be an eternity but mustn't have been longer than a couple of minutes, the player got up. He then shakily grabbed his broom and mounted it under the crowd' applause.
"I crashed like that once," Elphias commented. "Thought I'd never get up. I've got to say, I don't know how he's doing it."
But even though it was clear the wizard could still fly, the wizard now seemed hesitant. After a couple of minutes, Albus realized Higgs was actively avoiding Harry and frowned at that, wondering why.
They had all assumed Potter had been after the snitch, he suddenly realized, but Albus had never seen it once.
Harry sighed in relief.
He hadn't known if he would be able to pull it off with the Oakshaft, but his broom was slow so attempting a Wronski feint was probably less difficult. Still, he had geniunely believed for a moment Higgs wouldn't take the bait and he would crash like a moron.
Seeing the seeker's hesitant flying, he smiled.
While it looked like the crowd hadn't realized what he had done -and how could they? Wronski wouldn't be born before a very long time- Higgs did. And that was the most important.
Rather than playing as Hogwarts' youngest seeker in a century, Harry had decided to play as a man from the twentieth century and show everybody the best they could do.
And if the brooms from his time were considerably faster, that was not the only thing that had changed nor was it the only reason they were better than those before them.
Harry spotted a golden spark bellow and dived, full speed ahead.
"And Potter has spotted the snitch again! And Higgs is- What are you doing, Higgs?"
And Harry couldn't help laughing when he realized why the other wizard wasn't following him.
Sorry, that was the real deal this time.
Gryffindor Quidditch Team came back to their Common Room in thunderous applause.
Smile wide, the team bowed, accepting the praises.
"I can't believe Potter caught that snitch with an Oakshaft 79," Arthorius commented as a Second Year whistled. "When I heard he was flying on that old thing, I thought we were done. Should have known better. Do you think there is anything he cannot do?"
If there was, he was hiding it pretty well.
"Did you know? Higg is saying Potter tricked him. That he pretended he was after the snitch to get rid of him."
He did get tricked, Albus couldn't help thinking. And while it was most probable what the wizard had done wouldn't have been considered a foul, he could understand the bitter disappointment the Slytherin was most probably feeling.
After all, Victor Higgs was not the only one who had been defeated by Harry Potter.
Albus couldn't help but sigh at the remembrance of their last duel. He had several times since then tried to have a reduel during Defence Against the Dark Arts. Each time however, the new student would find a reason to refuse or he'd be foiled by Headmaster Black's son.
How was he supposed to avenge his honour if he couldn't find a mean for him to have his reduel?
Albus left his musing when he spotted Harry coming in his direction. "Excellent game," he told him with a smile.
Harry laughed. "I really thought I was done for a moment but I pulled through."
"I'm surprised you are not mentionning the feint you made near the end."
Harry's face brightened. "You noticed?" Seeing the prefect nodding he smiled. "I've never tried it before but I thought Higgs couldn't even think I'd do that and the broom's maximum speed is only 60 miles per hour so…"
"I'm surprised you are not confirming Higgs' claims."
Harry scratched the back of his neck and chuckled. "Probably wouldn't be a good idea, with… you know..."
Albus knowingly nodded. After all, a feint such as this one was more effective when nobody knew it existed. He could respect such strategic decision.
"At least you noticed. I don't really care if the others don't know but you… You, I wanted you to know."
Albus' cheeks felt rather warm. "Really."
He smiled and nodded. "The others cannot understand but you… you, you get it, why I needed to catch the snitch before Higgs."
Before Albus could congratulate him again and ask for clarifications, Virginia Selwyn walked in their direction and gave Harry a flirty smile. "Excellent game, Potter."
Harry flushed. "Th-Thank you."
The witch began playing with a strand of fiery red hair. "When you and Higgs dived, I thought my heart was going to stop. I should have known better. You are a terrific flyer."
To Albus' horror, the wizard chuckled and nervously ran a hand through his hair. "Really now?"
"Virginia," Albus decided to cut in the conversation, "before I forget, the Headboy has asked me to inform you about some modifications with our rounds."
Virginia sighed. "Has he now?"
"Quite. Now, if you would please follow me and allow me to explain it in details..."
The next day, Harry began considering if joining the Quidditch Team had been such a good idea.
True, he was flying again, he liked the freedom and peace it gave him and he had managed to prove himself as the better seeker. But on the other hand…
Well, being Gryffindor's star player, he couldn't really say he was being very discreet now, could he? He had gained some kind of popularity he couldn't just shake it off. Also, he had a Quidditch season to play and couldn't just leave like a thief if he and Dumbledore were to find a way to bring him home. And what about the bloke who had been supposed to take his spot? What if that person had been supposed to be some great Quidditch player?
The more he was thinking about it, the more it seemed like it had been a terrible idea.
The butterfly flied in front of him and Harry, as he always did, blankly looked at it.
"What do you want now?"
The butterfly flipped his wings and made a few circles, as if to answer him.
Harry sighed and got up from his bed, the butterfly dutifully following him once he had left the washroom.
Albus was in the Common Room, engrossed in what seemed to be some project involving sweets. "Ah, good morning, Harry," he greeted him before waving his wand over a chocolate frog. "Animo."
A leg twiched.
"Are you trying to recharm it?" Harry couldn't help asking.
The auburn-haired nodded. "I am learning animation and that frog is so far the best item to start." Seeing him frowing, he explained further, "You may not know, but each chocolate frog you buy are animated."
"Really?"
The prefect nodded. "Not much, there is just enough magic for a jump or two, but ultimately yes. Animo."
Another leg twiched.
The wizard tried a few more times and Harry couldn't help wondering, "Why do you like transfiguration so much?"
"Hmm? Sorry, I didn't quite catch what you were saying. Would you mind telling me what you've just said again?"
"Transfiguration. Why?" The young wizard tilted his head. "I know you love transfiguration, but why?"
Albus seemed to consider the question a moment. "At the risk of sounding rather sentimental and childish, I've always seen transfiguration as the most magical magical art we learn. Besides," he continued with a small smile, "I have always been fascinated with the concept of transformation and it happens that transformation is a vital aspect of transfiguration and alchemy."
"Really."
He nodded. "There is just something truly breathtaking in change. For example," he began explaining with a sparkle in his eyes as the butterfly started flying over the chocolate frog, "I am sure your friend here will agree with me on the benefits of metamorphosis. And if a caterpillar can become such a beautiful creature, I am firmly on the alchemists' side when they say that we also transform all thorough our lives and that so can anything. Nothing is truly fixed or set in stone and transfiguration only allows you to either take shortcuts or push the transformation in a path that would normally be rather harduous to take."
Harry couldn't stop a smile at that. "Really."
He very seriously nodded. "The secret is to insure what you have under your wand takes the best path it can and that you guide it all thorough its journey to the best of your abilities."
Harry chuckled.
If he had any doubt that man wouldn't be a teacher, they were now put to rest.
"What about you now?" Albus asked Harry who stopped chuckling and frowned. "I can see you prefer Defence Against the Dark Arts. Is there a reason for this?"
Harry took a long pause. "I'm not quite sure. I mean," he continued, "it's not as if I've had many good teachers. It's just… it comes easily and…"
He stopped and couldn't help a humourless chuckle at what he'd just thought. "I've always had a gift with getting myself in troubles," he began explaining. "Because I didn't have a choice, because I thought it was the right thing to do, because people I love needed help. Hermione told me I have a 'saving people thing' once. Didn't like hearing it, but it's probably true." He shrugged. "I picked up Defence Against the Dark Arts because I knew I needed to learn it. It just happens I was good at it. Nothing really deep like you, sorry."
"Oh, don't sell yourself short."
Harry shrugged again. "I prefer your reason for enjoying magic. I've never seen it like this."
Now that he was thinking about it, it made an awful lot of sense. That idea everything was bound to change and transform. Being a man from the future, he could see how true it all was. How everything was going to vanish eventually and be replaced by something new.
Like this man sticking his tongue and attempting to animate his sweet. One day he would transform and become the greatest wizard in modern time. But until then, he was just Albus.
"Do you mind if I watch how you do it, Albus? Animation seems rather wicked and I'm tired of vanishing stuff."
So if he was bound to vanish, maybe he should accept him and live in the present moment.
