A.N. A really big thank you to everyone who has reviewed.Sorry if you don't get a reply from me but unless there is a question in it or I think I really need to I don't tend to reply very often. A terrible habit I know but one I can't seem to break. I just don't know what to put on most of them.
From the time that Harry picks his new name I will refer to him by that only ok. Thought I'd tell you so nobody gets confused like I do when I'm writing it. hehe.
Any way I hope you all like this next chapter. And please keep up the reviews. I really do like them. (hint hint)
Chapter 2
Harry woke up in the Infirmary. Even without opening his eyes he knew that he was in the third bed on the right, furthest from the door and that, for the moment anyway, he was alone. He felt like he had just been trampled on by a hippogriff. Suddenly he remembered seeing his father, Sirius and Remus. He had knocked over Snape's cauldron! 'Wait. He was younger. And my parents were there.' Quickly decided on a course of action, Harry cast a glamour on his scar and one that would prevent anyone from casting a spell to learn his identify. If he had been captured by Voldemort then the man truly was growing more insane by the year. If he honestly believed that Harry would fall for this act then he was in for a big surprise. He also decided to cast the eye correction spell he had been considering for a while now. In his own time he was recognised by his messy hair, glasses and scar. Now he had none of them, which gave him a chance to start over afresh.
Just then Dumbledore walked in and sat down in the chair next to Harry's bed.
"You gave my seventh year Gryffindors and Slytherins quite a scare when you 'dropped in'. Who are you and what are you doing here?" He asked harshly.
Harry stared at Dumbledore assessingly. 'He doesn't know who I am?' The man looked younger. Less tired and worn, the war had done that to him but he did still look like Albus Dumbledore. No one could imitate the older wizard quite that well. The twinkle alone was impossible to reproduce. Another idea suddenly occurred to him.
"What year is this, sir?" He asked quietly almost afraid of the answer.
"It is 1976 and you still haven't answered my question, young man." Dumbledore replied in an irritated tone.
Harry closed his eyes and breathed in deeply. That confirmed his suspicion. He was really in the past. Twenty years in the past. His parents were still alive! Sirius was alive! They were just seventeen, like him, the war had barely affected them yet. They hadn't been betrayed yet. He could change so much if he wanted to but it would affect so many lives. Did he have the right to meddle with the past? If he saved his parents then he would never have defeated Voldemort at the age of one or if he killed him in this time then a lot of people would be saved but so many lives would be altered. Who knew what Voldemort's defeat in 1981 had affected. New inventions. Children. Could Harry risk other people to get what he wanted?
"Sir, I'm from the future. If I told you my name it could create a time paradox. I am sure that you are aware of the rules on time travel. As for what I'm doing here; there was a potions accident in my time. My cauldron exploded and the contents hit me. The next thing I knew I was on the floor, twenty years in the past." He finished rather hysterically.
Dumbledore looked at him sympathetically but sceptically. "How do I know that you're telling the truth? You could be a spy for Voldemort."
"I would never work for the man who killed my parents." Harry spat. "The man goes around killing muggles and muggleborns raving about blood purity when the man's a flaming half-blood himself. What a hypocrite! As for how you know that I am telling the truth. I believe there was an incident last year in the Shrieking Shack. Remus Lupin, who is a werewolf, almost attacked Severus Snape, who had been lured there by Sirius Black but James Potter saved him at the last minute." Harry relayed to the gobsmacked headmaster.
"Very well. I believe you. That incident is only known to four other besides myself and they have all been sworn to secrecy." Dumbledore said. He had seen the truth about Voldemort in the boy's eyes. Besides, not many people knew about Riddle's heritage, only himself and a select few in the Order. However, the haunted look in the boy's eyes made him uneasy. 'What had happened to the boy to make him like this?' It was obvious that he didn't trust easily as he had sat with his arms wrapped around his legs for their entire conversation. Albus was proficient in reading body language, which was why many people thought that he could read minds. Even though he could he didn't use it often. "Since you can not use your true name here what do you wish to be called whilst you are with us?"
Harry thought about it for a moment, "Alexander Frost." He decided. He had always liked the name Alexander. The meaning was kind of ironic too, protector of man. What else had Harry been doing since he had entered the Wizarding World but fighting an evil dark wizard to protect the Light?
"Very well Mr Frost. Would you accompany me to my office so that you can be sorted and we will have to put you into classes?" The headmaster requested. Alex nodded, "Yes, sir."
"Madam Pomfrey, is Mr Frost alright to leave?" He asked the mediwitch when she walked in a minute later.
"Yes, he's fine." She replied after one last quick medical scan. "But no more potion accidents for you, young man. I don't want to see you back here again." Alex rolled his eyes. Even in the past he couldn't escape the mothering mediwitch.
They walked up to Dumbledore's office in silence. Classes were still in session so thankfully the corridors were empty although the portraits pointed and stared at the two wizards walking past.
"Chocolate frogs," The headmaster whispered to the gargoyle so that Alex wouldn't hear however he had been trained to pick up things like that so it didn't work. Alex smirked at the password; the man was so predictable, no matter the time.
When Alex was seated, without tea or lemon drops, he broke the silence by asking to be resorted while he absent mindedly stroked Fawkes. The phoenix had flown over to him as soon as he sat down and taken his shoulder as a new perch much to Dumbledore's surprise. "You see, sir, in my time I'm a Gryffindor but my parents are seventh year Gryffindors in this time and I believe that it would be better if I am not in a House with them. You do not need to worry about fixing the Sorting; the hat gave me two options when I was first sorted. I chose Gryffindor at the time but I have changed considerably since then." He explained.
"Very well, Mr Frost," Dumbledore replied and reached over to the shelf where the Sorting Hat was kept, "Let us see where the Hat puts you this time shall we."
Alex put the Hat on his head and once again 'heard' it talking to him.
"Well, well, what have we here? It's very strange to be sorting a seventh year. I see that we have already met yet I do not seem to remember you. Ah! A time traveller! That explains it. Twenty years into the future? I see you begged not to be put into Slytherin originally. But why? It would help you on your way to greatness. Ah I see. Rumours and superstitions made you think that it was a 'dark' house. You know differently now though. I see that you are the Heir of two houses too.
'What!' Alex asked in shock.
"Oh you didn't know? I believe that it's Gryffindor on your father's side and Ravenclaw on your mother's, Mr Potter. I distinctly remember sorting them. Your mother does not know of her heritage I'm afraid. She is from a long line of squibs. Do not worry I will not tell anyone. Who would I tell anyway? Not many people come and talk to me during the year you know! Besides all the Heir's identities are kept secret now, for fear of what people will do to them, Voldemort especially. But now where to put you? You have courage, yes lots of that but Gryffindor is no longer an option for you I see. You are smart and have a thirst for knowledge but Ravenclaw is not the house for you either. You are kind and loyal, always putting other before yourself yet you do not belong in Hufflepuff. You are cunning and sly and whilst courageous you no longer run into situations blindly. You do not trust easily either. Yes, the snake house is most certainly the house for you. Slytherin!" He Hat called out to the still-waiting headmaster.
Dumbledore was a little shocked, a lion in the serpent's lair? Yet looking at the young man from the future in front of him he found that he wasn't really surprised.
"Very well. I'll have school supplies sent to your dorm. The Slytherin seventh years have two to a room," 'Probably so they don't kill each other' Alex thought, "and luckily we had an odd number of boys this year." Dumbledore pointed his wand at Alex and changed his burnt Gryffindor robes into fresh Slytherin ones.
"Thank you, sir. Please may I visit Gringotts and access my account?" Alex requested sitting back down. Whereupon Fawkes took up his previous perch on his shoulder and gently butted Harry's cheek asking to be petted. Dumbledore's mouth fell open. His familiar was acting like he had known 'Alexander Frost' for years.
"I assume that you know Fawkes in your time?" He asked when Alex simply laughed at the bird and stoked its head complacently.
"Yes. I know Fawkes very well. As I know you equally well, sir." was Alex's cryptic answer.
Dumbledore cleared his throat, "Ah, well. Of course you may visit Gringotts although I am not sure how you are going to access your account if you are not born yet. All that is left is to sort out your classes. What were you taking in your time?" He asked curiously.
"Advanced Defence Against the Dark Arts, advanced Transfiguration, advanced Potions, advanced Charms, advanced Herbology, advanced Astronomy, Healing, advanced History of Magic, Duelling and Spell Weaving." Alex recited with a small smirk at Dumbledore's shocked look.
He coughed, this boy was shocking him more every minute, it was quite offsetting, and then informed him, "I believe that Mr Snape has the same timetable and by a stroke of good luck he is also the Slytherin with his own room so he can show you around if need be."
Alex just smirked; he probably knew the school better than the Marauders. 'Oh Merlin! The Marauders! Well they aren't going to pull any pranks on me that's for sure, father or not I will not be humiliated by them.'
"The students are still in their lessons so do you wish to go to Gringotts now and then I will introduce you at dinner?" Dumbledore questioned.
Alex nodded. He would need some new robes not to mention books and supplies.
"Do you wish to go alone? You will not know many people in this time and Diagon Alley is rather crowded." Dumbledore pointed out.
"I would appreciate it if you would come with me, headmaster." Alex replied.
"Alright then. Let us go now then." The headmaster announced happily. There might be some clues as to the boy's true identity at Gringotts. What account could he access if he was not born yet unless it was an extremely old one?
Alex rolled his eyes, discreetly, nodded and got up. Fawkes flew back to his usual perch after trilling happily at Harry.
They used floo powder to get to The Leaky Cauldron. Tom had greeted them with confusion. Why was Albus Dumbledore accompanying a student? And why was a student going to Diagon Alley during the middle of the day when he should be in class? The elder wizard greeted the pub owner warmly and led Alex to the back where he tapped the wall to reveal the Alley.
"You have your wand I presume?" He asked as they passed Olivanders.
"Yes, I had it in my robes when I was hit with the potion so it came with me." Alex assured the other man.
They quickly made their way up the street to the Wizards bank. Alex walked right up to the goblin at the desk and cast a powerful silencing spell around him and the goblin so that no one would overhear their conversation. The goblin looked at Alex questioningly and Alex spoke up respectfully, "I do not wish for anyone to overhear what I have to say. I would like to access one of my accounts but I am not in my own time and I have not been born yet. Is it still possible for me to enter the Gryffindor vault?"
The goblin's mouth fell open in shock. The Gryffindor vault? Was this true? "I am afraid that we will need you to submit to an Ancestry test before we will allow you to enter the Gryffindor vault. Besides if you are lying to us, then the wards will destroy you so it wouldn't work any way." He said evilly.
"That is no problem. Could the test be performed in private please? I would rather keep my identity a secret. It is very important that I do, Griphook," Alex pleaded. He recognised the only goblin he knew and called him by his name as not many wizards bothered learning goblin's names. It would be seen in his favour and he really wanted to do this privately.
"Very well," The goblin replied astonished that the young wizard had know his name and led Alex to a small antechamber, leaving Dumbledore in the marble hall.
A piece of parchment and a knife were produced. Alex cringed slightly as Griphook cut his finger. He let a drop of blood fall onto the parchment and waited for a moment. It glowed red.
"It would appear that you are telling the truth, Mr…" Griphook trailed off. Alex had never told him his name.
"Frost while I am in this time." He supplied.
The goblin nodded in understanding, "I see. I shall take you down to your vault immediately, Mr Frost."
One long cart journey later, Alex arrived outside huge doors. They were very deep underground. Alex was sure that they had passed several dragons on the way here.
"If you would just run your finger down the door and let it identify you it will open." Griphook stated.
Alex did as he was told and the doors swung open noiselessly. His mouth dropped open in awe. The vault was huge and filled with articles. On one side there were huge piles of money and on the other paintings, books, trunks, Alex could even see a couple of Pensives in there along with clothes. It was amazing. Closing his mouth he walked over to the piles of galleons, sickles and knuts. He found a purse lying next to one of the mounds and picked it up. Deciding to take only enough to use for a year Alex filled the purse with coins. It didn't even make a dent in the piles and the bag was a bottomless one Alex discovered.
Vowing to return once he got back to his own time Alex left the vault and got back into the cart with Griphook who had respectfully remained outside.
Alex returned to the marble hall and approached the headmaster, "I am sorry I took so long, sir. We can go now if you have no business here."
Dumbledore shook his head and the two wizards stepped back out into the sunlight. First they went to Madam Malkin's. Alex purchased school robes, a few plain everyday robes in various colours and, at Dumbledore's hinting, a set of dress robes in green with silver trimming.
Next they entered Flourish and Blotts to buy the books for the following year. Alex already had many of them in his own time but would need them in the lessons. He also bought many books that drew his attention. After asking Dumbledore to shrink his bags he left and went into a shop that sold trunks. He did not have his with him and he would need one. He picked a plain black one and had his new initials set into the top.
As they walked past Eeylops Owl Emporium Harry remembered his beloved familiar, Hedwig. He would not buy another owl. If he needed to send a letter he would use a school owl. She was in his time waiting for him. Dumbledore noticed his charge's unhappiness and after guessing the cause led him to the stationery store. Next they went into the apothecary. Alex bought some of every ingredient in stock not just what was needed for the subject at NEWT level. As Albus watched the young man he was strongly reminded of another student he knew, Severus Snape. The caldron store was the next stop and then Alex was done. He felt no inclination to look at Quality Quidditch Supplies, he still loved flying. It gave him a sense of freedom he rarely experienced anywhere but it took up too much time. It was, after all, only a game. He was expected to play in his time so he did but in reality he was not as obsessed with it was he seemed. He was definitely not going to pursue it as a career. He informed the headmaster that he was finished and the two went back to The Leaky Cauldron to floo back to Hogwarts. They stepped out of the fireplace in Dumbledore's office. The headmaster sent Harry's bags to his room and stated that it was time of dinner.
Harry entered the Great Hall behind the headmaster and went to stand by him at the Staff Table, while he was introduced.
"As no doubt the whole school knows by now earlier today a boy 'dropped in' on the seventh year Gryffindor/Slytherin Potions class. He is a time traveller and has my permission to lie all he wants if anyone asks him about what time he came from so I would recommend you keep you questions to yourself. He has been sorted into Slytherin where he will remain until he leaves us. His name is Alexander Frost and he is a seventh year. Welcome to Hogwarts, Mr Frost."
Harry quickly walked over to the softly applauding Slytherin table, blushing slightly and sat down in the first available seat. After his blush died down he looked at whom he had sat next to. He only saw shoulder length raven black hair then the person turned his head to look at the newcomer, he had felt a pair of eyes on him. Green met onyx. Harry did a double take that did not go unnoticed by the other boy. It was Snape! But he was gorgeous! Not greasy at all. Noticing the raised eyebrow of his future professor Harry realised that he was still staring at him blushed again.
"Sorry. I'm Alexander Frost," He said sheepishly holding out his hand.
"I never would have guessed." Severus replied sarcastically but took the offered hand suspiciously and said, "Severus Snape."
As Harry was eating his ice cream he found his mind wandering to the person sat next to him. 'The incredibly good-looking person sat next to him' his brain unhelpfully supplied. Realising just where his thoughts were going Harry sharply scolded himself, 'It's Snape! He hates me! He's your professor for Merlin's sake.' 'But not at the moment he isn't. He's seventeen, just like you,' that traitorous part of his brain piped up again. He wasn't bothered that he was attracted to a boy. He had known that he was gay for about a year now. In fact he had been attracted to Snape for a while now but had never allowed himself to think about it or even actually acknowledged it to himself. Seeing his future professor as a teenager however made all his stifled feelings come rushing back to him.
To take his mind off Snape Harry looked around the hall for people he recognised. He saw a boy who was almost identical to Draco Malfoy higher up on the table looking at him appraisingly. Lucius Malfoy he realised and decided that he would try and keep out of the boy's way. 'He is most likely a Death Eater already and I would like to remain neutral in this time' He found quite a few familiar faces on three of the tables such as a woman who looked very much like Lavender Brown on the Hufflepuff table and a few people he had seen during his time at the Ministry. Then he looked over to Gryffindor. His eyes took in a very young-looking Bill Weasley, almost adult Frank Longbottom sat next to Alice soon-to-be Longbottom. He carried on up the table and saw his mother talking to another girl animatedly. His heart clenched painfully. She was so young, so full of life. She had no idea that she would be murdered less than four years later protecting her son from Voldemort. Sighing sadly he moved his gaze further along the table and caught the eyes of a black messy-haired boy wearing black rimmed glasses. His father, James Potter. He was glaring at him, as was his best friend, Sirius Black. Harry felt a lump form in his throat. It would appear that James Potter had seen Harry looking at Lily and thought that this was his competition. Harry raised an eyebrow at James and received another glare in return. Remus Lupin, however, was looking at him in curiosity, not hatred. Harry smirked playfully at him and thought that Remus understood that it was not malicious. They all looked so young, so carefree. Harry's heart ached to see them. They seemed younger than him. He had seen and been through so much and they knew nothing of the horrors to come.
Harry turned back to his plate, ignoring the questioning glance of Severus Snape and thought sadly, 'Great start. My dad and Siri hate me already.'
Dinner finished and Harry followed Snape down to the Slytherin dorms, paying attention to all the markers so that he would not get lost the next day. He looked around the Common Room. It hadn't changed at all in twenty years; it had looked exactly the same when he had been in it during his second year to question Draco Malfoy on the identity of the Heir of Slytherin.
Snape had assumed that the new boy would be sharing a room with him because he was the only Slytherin boy with his own room, well he had been. He wasn't that bothered, the boy seemed quiet enough. A little strange perhaps but seeing as he from a different time that was to be expected. Snape wondered why 'Alex' had looked shocked when he had first seen him and then stared at him at dinner but passed it off as nothing. No doubt the newest Slytherin would join Lucius Malfoy's group and ignore him as the other Slytherin's did. He had seen the way Malfoy had looked at Alex and knew that the time traveller would soon be in Malfoy's bed. What Lucius Malfoy wanted Lucius Malfoy always got. Snape idly wondered what time Alex had come from as he fell asleep and why he seemed so familiar while he tried to ignore the uncomfortable feeling he got when he thought that Alexander Frost would soon be with Lucius Malfoy. He understood why Malfoy wanted the new arrival. He was gorgeous and, from the way he held himself, didn't know it. Severus frowned as he felt a spark of attraction and promptly squashed it ruthlessly. Alexander would no doubt be returning to his own time soon enough so it would be idiotic to form a serious attachment to the boy. For all he knew he could be dead or not even born when Alex was in his own time. The Slytherin boy fell into an uneasy sleep.
Alex, on the other hand, had no idea of Malfoy's plans to seduce him and concentrated on emptying his mind before he fell asleep. Surprisingly he didn't dream of Voldemort. Could it be that because the bond had not yet been created Alex wasn't affected by it? He hoped it was true.