Present is the Future's Past
Disclaimer: J. K. Rowling owns Harry Potter…I do not or ever will...
Summary: This story starts at the beginning of the Order of the Phoenix when the Advance Guard gets Harry to Grimmauld Place. This story is AU where in the end of the fourth year Barty Crouch manages to do a little bit more mayhem than in canon. In the fight between him and Harry after the third task, Crouch kills Hermione. Harry is not allowed to go to her funeral, which results in him becoming resentful towards Dumbledore. Story will contain time travel and several other clichés. If you do not like those, please do not read. All this will be shown in the story.
Pairings: Harry/Hermione/Tonks and several other minor pairings
Warnings: Language, violence, sexual references, bad grammar…
***
Second chapter: Future changes but the past is always the same
Harry and Tonks waited for more than an hour before Dumbledore joined them at the Leaky Cauldron. The old wizard looked haggard and weary as he sat heavily on the chair they provided for him. Harry was curious about the reason for Dumbledore's state.
Dumbledore took a few minutes to relax before he offered them an explanation.
"Well, I must look like a mess, for you to stare at me like that," he chuckled lightly trying to order his mind.
"Sir, what happened to you," Tonks asked.
Dumbledore sighed. "I must say that I've had an unbelievable piece of luck to find one of Tom's horcruxes even before we began our journey."
"You found one already," Harry interrupted surprised and a little alarmed. Every horcrux they found would mean less time for him. "Where," he asked. "You told us you would search Sirius's place..." He stopped realising he answered his own question.
"Yes," Dumbledore confirmed. "The horcrux was in the house, in the living room at display for all to see. I must say I'm as surprised as you are to find it there."
"Why are you so fatigued, Professor," Tonks asked. She was worried because of his condition. Dumbledore looked all of his hundred and fifty years of age as he sat slumped. He looked like he was participating in the boxing match of the century and lost, badly. There were several superficial cuts on his hands and a small bruise had formed on his face, his normally warm eyes looking dull and tired.
"I have already dispatched the part of Tom's soul that inhabited the locket I found. This fight took a lot out of me, I must confess," Dumbledore responded.
"You could have waited till we were with you, sir. We could have helped," Harry responded, noting that Dumbledore again took off without him and didn't even bother to notify him about the reason. Granted, it was only a short time after they arrived in the past, but the whole reason they took this reckless journey was to defeat Voldemort with their joined forces. If Dumbledore wanted to do things on his own, then Harry could have been left at the Grimmauld place.
"There was no time, I had to destroy that thing before it could do any harm," Dumbledore waved Harry's concerns off. "Besides, you wouldn't be able to help anyway. There are only a few things that are effective against this type of Dark magic and I'm afraid you don't know any of them."
"Excuse me, sir, but aren't we here to learn those things," Harry asked, his anger growing quickly. He hated when someone patronized him.
"Yes, you are here to do just that. You still have to learn, Harry, and for the moment I was more than able to deal with the horcrux," Dumbledore responded, his normally level and polite voice sounding just a tad annoyed. "Unfortunately, I don't believe we will have this kind of luck with the next piece of Tom's soul," he concluded somewhat more calmly.
"Harry's worries are valid, sir. We could have helped," Tonks made her opinion known. "And what did you use to destroy it," she asked forcefully.
Dumbledore looked at her over his eyeglasses. "I used Fiendfyre to destroy it..."
He was cut off by Tonks' outrageous shout. "Fiendfyre, are you mad. That's terribly dangerous...." she trailed off when she saw Dumbledore's stern expression.
"Ms. Tonks, I assure you that I know what the casting of Fiendfyre entails," Dumbledore responded. "However, it is one of the methods that ensures the destruction of the dark artifact that contained Tom's soul."
"Are all of the methods so dangerous," Tonks asked concerned.
"Not quite so," Dumbledore answered evasively.
"Wait," Harry interjected. "What exactly is this Fiendfyre?"
"It's an extremely powerful and dangerous fire spell. It is also called Demon fire, because often the caster can't control it and the fire comes alive, consuming everything in its path. It was a favourite weapon of the Death Eaters and is very effective when dealing with the Inferius," Dumbledore answered.
"And you used it on the horcrux," Harry stated.
Dumbledore just nodded, not answering. He grimaced slightly. "It seems that the spell took more out of me than I realised," he said. "We must begin our journey. First stop will be Hogsmeade," he announced.
***
Ten minutes later, the three of them were sitting in one of the quiet corners of The Three Broomsticks. The pub was packed, as there were hundreds of witches and wizards that came to the town to see the last task of the Triwizard tournament. On the table next to them, two witches were loudly debating the uses of potions in everyday hair care while their companions were trying to place a bet with the Goblins on the next table.
Harry carefully monitored the Pub for any familiar face that could maybe recognise them. Well, maybe recognise them. Harry was definitely sure that no one would recognise him even if he yelled his name at the top of his lungs. He was wearing his disguise, thanks to the Transfiguration skill of the great Albus Dumbledore. He changed his eye colour to blue and changed the shape of his eyebrows and facial features. His messy, black hair was currently an unusual red colour. Dumbledore told him that his mother often wore that colour on her hair. Harry, always wanting to be more like his parents, was actually thankful to Dumbledore.
After they made sure that they weren't listened to, the three time travellers started to work on a plan of action. Harry was apprehensive of Dumbledore's idea that the old man goes by himself to Hogwarts, replace Hermione and get out as if nothing happened. Actually, that was their plan in a nutshell, but they had to work out some things, like with whom to replace Hermione with. Harry internally voted for Malfoy but he knew that this suggestion wouldn't meet Dumbledore's approval. Harry actually saw Hermione being hit with the sickly green of the Killing curse and even Dumbledore saw the body of the girl and pronounced her dead.
***
Harry followed Dumbledore as they made their way through the secret corridor that connected the Shrieking Shack with the Hogwarts ground. He was slightly relaxed now that they decided to act, finally. He was always more comfortable when something happened and he was able to act.
Two figures emerged from the hidden entrance to the tunnel below the whomping willow, after immobilizing the tree so they wouldn't be hurt. Quickly moving over the open grounds, under the disillusionment spell cast by Dumbledore that guaranteed their undetectability, they approached the main Hogwarts' entrance. Once inside the castle, Dumbledore went towards the dungeon and Harry continued towards Crouch's office and quarters. He had the Marauders' Map so he easily avoided the occupants of the castle. As he arrived at his destination, Harry took out his Invisibility cloak, readying himself.
More than an hour and a half passed as Harry waited, although for the young wizard it seemed like days passed. He was waiting right in front of the door of Crouch's cabinet, readying himself as he heard the sound of footsteps and the heavy sound of the false Moody's wooden leg. He was still under Dumbledore's disillusionment spell, which made him invisible to the magical eye that Moody possessed. Harry prepared himself, hoping that they would manage to save Hermione.
Harry just hoped that Dumbledore did what he was supposed to do.
False Moody and Harry entered the teacher's office and Harry hurried towards the end of the corridor. He heard someone running towards him and he cancelled the disillusion spell, appearing in the middle of the corridor. He knew that Crouch was currently entirely concentrated on Harry and that his magical eye wouldn't notice him even if he danced polka in a pink tutu right in front of his door while a hard rock band of house elves played the music. However, he counted on Hermione noticing him and wasn't surprised when she stopped right in front him with a confused look on her face.
"Harry, what..." she began only to be interrupted by Harry's quietly spoken Stunning spell.
Harry smiled grimly and put a small letter on her, before tapping it with his wand. The letter glowed blue and the girl was whisked away by the portkey while Harry grimaced at the next part of the plan. He really didn't want to do this.
He took a small flask from his pocket and opened it. With a slightly trembling hand, he put a hair in it. He waited for a moment for the potion to accept the hair before taking a sip. In the next moment, Harry changed into the form of Hermione Granger. He panicked when finally realising the true nature of the potion-induced transformation but he quickly calmed himself as he prepared for the next part of the plan. He just hoped that Hermione didn't kill him the next time she saw him. Harry took a small piece of marble he carried in his pocket and enlarged it. He casted a spell to reduce the weight of the rock before putting it in his shirt. He blushed as he felt some new parts on his body. Now he knew that Hermione would kill him. With a quick and simple spell, he glued the marble piece to the shirt he wore and continued towards Hermione's intended target.
The door was locked and Harry sighed knowing what he had to do. He quickly took a small form from his pocket and put it on the ground where he was supposed to land in few minutes. He steadied himself, before blowing the door from its hinges with a Reducto. The splinters from the door flew inwards, forcing the surprised Crouch to shield himself. That gave a moment for Harry to enlarge the form on the corridor floor behind him. In the next moment, he heard himself shouting and saw the green curse that sped towards him. He chuckled slightly as he remembered what he did to Crouch after the bastard cast the Killing curse. However, the next moment he felt like he was hit by a rock the size of Hogwarts as the curse struck the marble that protected him. He was tossed to the other side of the corridor, hitting the wall hard. He saw the forms of Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall as they run towards him. He groaned quietly and activated the portkey to the Shrieking Shack.
He arrived in the middle of a dusty, filthy room, promptly collapsing as he felt sharp pain from his chest and back. Tonks quickly ran towards him and gasped when she saw the slight trickle of blood from his mouth.
***
At the same time in the office of Professor Moody, Harry was using every bit of his skill and magical power to hurt the bastard that killed Hermione. After he saw the Killing curse hit Hermione, Harry cast several cutting and blasting curses on the Professor. He managed to hit the man, and the murderer was now bleeding from the wound on his arm and good leg. However, the Impostor wasn't an idiot and he quickly dove to the floor, using his magical eye to track Harry through the desk he used as a shield. With a quick effort, he surprised Harry, aiming for the leg that was injured during the Third task. Harry cried out when the flesh-eating curse hit him and the pain tripled.
Knowing that he didn't have a lot of time before the curse became dangerous for his leg, Harry began casting frantically in the general direction of Hermione's murderer. One of his curses hit the man, making a deep gash on his arm. Harry saw his chance and cast two quick Reductos followed with an Expelliarmus and a Body bind. Not looking at the results of his magic, he tried to run towards the door only to collapse as the pain in his leg became unbearable.
However, in the next moment, he saw Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall enter and felt relieved. He closed his eyes even as he heard the unusually panicked shouts from Professor McGonagall. He didn't care anymore as he fell into blissful state of darkness.
***
At the Shrieking Shack, the older Harry wasn't in a much better condition. He lay on a transfigured medical bed while Tonks used her medical skills to stabilize his condition. She wasn't a Healer, not even close, but she knew many medical spells and had to pass a field medic exam that was a requirement for all Aurors. However, she had to wait for the Polyjuice potion to wear off before she could begin healing Harry. She used only simple healing spells on the form on the bed. Simultaneously, she took a few pictures of transformed Harry. Sirius and Remus would love to have them as a pranking material. Tonks also checked Hermione for possible injuries but didn't found any.
When she removed his shirt and robes, Tonks saw the marble beneath it. She banished all of it, as the stone was almost pulverized when the Killing curse struck it but luckily it didn't stick in Harry's chest, thus making it clear that all of Harry's injuries where internal. She saw a huge bruise where the curse struck him and her diagnosing spells showed several broken ribs as well as a punctured lung. She grimaced at that, they would have to get him to a Healer a soon as possible because she didn't believe that even Dumbledore knew how to fix that. He also had some bruising on the back and his spine was slightly banged up, but it was nothing worrying for the moment.
Tonks put him under a stasis spell that was used on injured Aurors to prevent any other injuries until they managed to get them to St. Mungo. She was trying to think of a Healer who could have helped Harry and still keep his mouth shut about it. In addition, Dumbledore was late; he was supposed to return before Harry to help deal with any problems that might arise. Obviously, there were problems and he wasn't there to help her deal with them. Tonks could really use his magical skill and knowledge to help her stabilize Harry. In addition, there was Hermione, who was still stunned and was lying to the side. Tonks wouldn't wake her as the girl didn't even knew who she was and only Harry or Dumbledore could explain to her situation in a way to make her believe it.
However, Tonks didn't count on Hermione waking on her own. Harry's stunning spell was underpowered, as the boy didn't wanted to hurt Hermione in any way, and now she was slowly coming awake with a headache that sometimes accompanied other effects of the stunning spell. Hermione saw the pink haired woman bending over someone who lay on a bed. She looked around, carefully, trying not to attract attention to herself. She recognised the room from the third year when they confronted Sirius. Hermione almost cheered when she found her wand was still in her robes. She slowly pulled herself up, aiming the wand right to the back of the woman's head. Her efforts to be as silent as possible were wasted when the floor creaked under her light step. Hermione cursed when she heard that and prepared for a fight as the woman in front of her turned around with a speed and nimbleness that surprised the young witch.
Hermione found herself at the business end of a glowing wand, as the woman was ready to start cursing. She prepared her best shield spell and waited for the curse. The next moment her gaze fell on the form that lay on the bed and every thought of defence left her head. She recognized Harry and saw that he was injured as his whole torso had a large bruise. Hermione didn't give a chance for the other witch to take the initiative. She started casting, combining stunning spells with disarming ones, throwing a vicious cutting curse for a good measure. Tonks' eyes widened when she saw the storm of magic coming her way, she really wasn't expecting it. She shielded herself with a basic Protego shield as she recognized the stunning spell. When the cutting curse impacted her shield and almost made it through, she started getting angry. Her attempts to communicate were prevented by a sheer amount of spells she had to defend against. She also couldn't move away from Harry, for fear of him getting hurt by a stray spell. Finally realising that the only way to stop the girl was to defeat her in this duel, Tonks began to act...
She crouched slightly to make herself a smaller target and changed her stance. Several curses impacted her hastily erected shield before she could start casting. Tonks noted that Hermione made sure she wouldn't hit Harry with any of her spells and that gave Tonks an advantage. Hermione was standing somewhat to the right of her, which gave her a free shot on the girl, as there weren't any obstacles between them. Having seen enough of Hermione's tactics, Tonks started her own run. She casted a simple disarming spell, followed by a leg locking hex and a tarantallegra curse. Hermione blocked her attack but she was badly shaken by the force behind the spells. She didn't hold back on her next spell, casting the most powerful stunning spell she could and leapt out of the way when Tonks returned the favour.
Tonks found her balance when the spell pushed her back. Hermione's power and determination surprised her and she started to take her opponent seriously. She just hoped that Harry wouldn't get hurt. The pink haired girl concentrated and started casting silently, first several stunners, and then disarming spells followed by body binds. She tried not to hurt Hermione by casting low level duelling spells. However, although Hermione couldn't hear what the other woman cast she didn't waver. She blocked the spells with a strong shield spell and parried with a few spells of her own. Hermione tried to take a break to rally her forces, as she felt exhausted from casting so much magic in a short time span. But, Tonks saw her chance and pushed forward. Several spells broke through Hermione's shield and the girl had to throw herself to the side not to be hit. Tonks aimed at the girl on the floor, finally managing to disarm her. She sighed in relief thinking she managed to calm the girl down.
In the next moment, Tonks found herself on the floor too. Hermione, while disarmed, was not helpless and she lunged on the other girl, knocking her to the ground. She unsuccessfully tried to get to her wand in the other girl's hand. Tonks used her skills to roll and pin Hermione to the floor. She sat on the other girl, her hair changing into the midnight blue waist length she wore when she was emotional. Currently, she was pissed off that a fifteen year old girl almost got her and without a wand at that.
"Listen, Hermione," Tonks growled, her eyes glinting dangerously. "I'll explain everything to you, if you calm down. Promise me that you will behave."
"Do I know you," Hermione asked equally angry. She wanted some information and for the moment didn't have any other option than to speak to the woman that sat on her. Hermione noted the change of the woman's hair length and colour, somewhat amazed.
"No, but I'm Harry's close friend and we are here to save your bloody arse so you should listen to what I have to tell you," Tonks growled a response at her.
"Funny, he never mentioned you," Hermione sharked back. "What do you mean, save me," she asked a moment later.
"Do you promise to behave if I don't sit on you," Tonks retorted.
"Yes," Hermione bit out sharply realising her position.
As soon as Tonks moved from Hermione, the girl was on her feet and moving towards Harry. She looked over him and noted all of his injuries. "What did you do to him," she asked furiously.
"Tried to heal his injuries," Tonks responded. "He took a Killing curse for you," she continued more softly.
Hermione looked at her, shocked. "Is he..." she tried to ask her voice trembling.
"He's alive, I've put him under a stasis spell," Tonks explained and Hermione nodded, knowing the effects of the spell. Tonks was surprised at that, but didn't show it. Tonks explained to Hermione everything that happened in the last few hours, also telling her the basics of Harry's last four months. She promised Hermione that she would explain everything in detail, later when they had enough time.
Her explanation was cut slightly short when Dumbledore's patronus entered the room and notified her that the old man has taken off on his own, again. In the short explanation, Dumbledore said that he found a lead to another item they were looking for and was now tracking it.
Tonks cursed the man. Of all the time to be irresponsible, he decided now was the time. She was also slightly worried, Dumbledore always cared for the men and women that worked for him and now he didn't even checked on Harry. Something was happening, Tonks was sure of that. However, she didn't have time to worry about Dumbledore as Harry was still lying injured on the bed. She had to decide what to do. One thing was certain; she couldn't contact anyone she knew, as it would lead to awkward questions and a possibility of detection. She resolved that she had to wait until Dumbledore returned and that was the worst option available.
Hermione was slightly confused by Dumbledore's message. She always thought that the man was infallible, great leader of the light and now he just left them to take care of themselves while he went to search to some item.
"What now," she asked Tonks. She was confused by the whole situation but the biggest worry on her mind was Harry's condition. He couldn't wait indefinitely and he needed medical attention as soon as possible. She hoped that they had a plan besides mucking about in an old, haunted house in the middle of nowhere.
"We have to wait for Dumbledore," Tonks answered. "I can't heal Harry's injuries and I don't know anyone who can that we dare approach .approach." She sighed; she really didn't want to be the one in charge.
Hermione gaped. Harry was there, in need of a Healer, and the girl wanted to wait on Dumbledore even after he ditched them. Yes, Hermione always believed in the great Albus Dumbledore. She read enough books about him not to see him as anything than a great and wise leader those books portrayed him to be. Nevertheless, the last year and the whole Triwizard thing have changed her opinion. She was especially angry because she didn't have a choice when they told her she would be participating in the second task. Really, she only knew Victor for a few months and she doubted she was the thing he would miss the most. And now the man just left them to pursue some trinket. Well, to her, Harry was more important that any item she needed to find.
"Are you crazy," Hermione retorted. "Harry needs a Healer now, not in a three weeks time."
Tonks looked at her. "I know," she answered forcefully. "But what do you suggest? That we just appear in St. Mungo with him."
Hermione watched Harry, she understood what the girl was saying but she didn't agree with it. Maybe they could transfigure his appearance. No, that wouldn't work; the charms would wear off as soon as a Healer cast his diagnostic spells. They needed someone who didn't know who Harry was, or who they were for that matter.
"What if we go to a muggle hospital," Hermione asked.
Tonks just stared for a moment at the other girl before hugging her tightly. Hermione was a little embarrassed by the exuberant girl but understood the relief that she felt.
"You really are as brilliant as Harry described you to be," Tonks complimented her. "My father is a muggleborn and the thought of muggle hospital didn't cross my mind. Come on, help me," she motioned her closer to Harry. "We need to disillusion him so he can't be seen and we need to change your appearance too."
"Wait," Hermione interrupted her. "Where are we going," she asked.
"To the nearest hospital," Tonks retorted simply, thinking that the answer was obvious.
Hermione rolled her eyes. "Don't you think that it would be strange if we just appeared in the middle of a hospital without any identification?"
"A simple confundus and they won't ask any questions," Tonks answered.
"We are not going around cursing non-magical people," Hermione shouted at the top of her lungs. She hated the way the wizarding world treated the muggle one. She was horrified at the sheer lack of concern when the Ministry's personnel obliviated the muggles at the Quidditch World cup.
"Then what do you propose," Tonks asked her seriously.
Hermione watched her for a while, nervously nibbling her lower lip. "We contact my parents. They have a friend that works in a private clinic. And even if someone suspects anything the clinic is smaller than any hospital."
Tonks nodded. "Okay, we'll do it your way."
"Before we begin, I have three questions," Hermione responded.
"Shoot."
"What is your name? What are Harry's injuries and how are we going to transport him to London?"
Tonks was slightly embarrassed when she realised she had not introduced herself. In her defence, she did have other worries on her mind. "I'm Nymphadora Tonks, nice to meet you," she offered a hand to Hermione, which the other girl accepted. Tonks smiled at her before becoming serious. "As for Harry, he has a punctured lung and additional broken ribs as well as some major bruising."
Hermione gasped and moved back to Harry, gently touching his head. Tonks saw her expression and realised that the girl deeply cared for Harry. That was a complication.
"We need a safe location to move Harry to," Tonks added when Hermione calmed down a little. "Somewhere in London, near the place you wish him to move."
"My parents' house," Hermione said. "It would be best if I go first and explain everything to my parents. They should have been notified of my death already."
Tonks thought her suggestion through. "Okay, I'll make a portkey for you. Harry and I will follow fifteen minutes later."
"How do you know where my house is," Hermione asked.
"I was at the funeral as protection for your parents," Tonks answered. She took a candle from the wall and muttered, "Portus." She gave the candle to Hermione and the girl disappeared in a flash. She charmed another portkey and put it on Harry, ready to activate it in a few minutes.
***
Hermione appeared in the backyard of her house. She heard voices coming from the living room and she quickly moved out of the view of the windows. She placed herself so she could hear inside. She heard her mother sobbing and the calm voice of her father as he picked apart the person that delivered the news. Then she heard the slightly raised voice of her favourite professor. Professor McGonagall tried to calm her parents but was unsuccessful. After a few minutes, Professor left and Hermione entered from the backyard into the living room. Her mother managed to hug her before she entered the room and her father looked tremendously relieved, his bloodshot eyes evidence of his tears for his daughter.
In the next ten minutes, Hermione realised how much her parents cared for her. She managed to convince them to allow Harry and Tonks to arrive and promised to explain everything later. Her father immediately called his friend from college who run the clinic Hermione thought of and convinced him to help.
Hermione was relieved her parents believed her and that they agreed to help.
Two hours later, Harry was under heavy anaesthesia. The doctors operated him, patching him without a problem. Meanwhile, Tonks and Hermione explained to her parents what happened. Both of the girls were relieved when Hermione's mother insisted they would be welcome at Hermione's home whenever they wished to come and Tonks took her up on the offer. They needed a place where Harry could recover without interference.
***
While Harry was saving Hermione, Albus Dumbledore was raiding the potions supplies of Hogwarts' worst professor. He cleared almost the whole potions cabinet, knowing that their disappearance would be contributed to Igor Karkaroff, who ran away as soon as he felt the Dark Mark on his hand burning. Snape was livid for a month that someone had the gall to steal from him and Albus simply didn't care when he heard about it. After all, he had greater problems at the time. Now, he thought about the irony of that statement. He had prepared everything for their journey, of course, but the rare ingredients that the Hogwarts potion cabinet contained would prove invaluable if they ever ran out of potions.
After he finished the tedious task of stealing from himself, Albus made his way to his office in the Headmaster's tower. He quickly checked through a few papers and took two books from the shelf, using his considerable power to copy them in a minute. Satisfied with his work, he turned to Fawkes' perch and took several discarded feathers and some ash. He tapped his wand against several devices on the office. Finished with his tasks he looked through the window and saw he had forty minutes left before he needed to return to the Shrieking Shack. He quickly decide to see for himself what happened at that Graveyard.
He tapped his wand to a discarded letter and used it as a portkey to the village of Little Hangleton. He was dropped off at the shack of the Gaunt family. Surprisingly, Dumbledore felt a strong black magic all around him. He remembered the feeling; the horcrux he destroyed hours ago gave the same feeling. He put a few monitoring charms all around the area, just in case someone decided to drop by. He would return later, for now he had to attend to a more pressing business.
Albus disillusioned himself and made his way to the house at the hill in front of him. He couldn't interrupt the events taking place but maybe he could do something later. After all, even a few lowly Death Eaters would be a good catch.
He found a position from which he could see the events happening in the graveyard. He took precautions, preparing himself to act if necessary, only a short apparation jump away from the events. He saw Tom as he taunted Harry, standing in front of him, obviously waiting for something. Sure enough, in a few moments, more than two dozen figures apparated to the side and quickly took their place in the circle around Voldemort. Dumbledore was shocked with the fluidity and familiarity that the Death Eaters took their places, as if they did this every night.
Dumbledore watched the events, admiring Harry's courage to stand against the evil. Admittedly, Albus recognised how utterly mismatched the two duellists were. Voldemort played for a few moments with Harry before their wands locked, a golden beam of magical energy connecting them. Dumbledore was fascinated with the effect that the two brother wands produced. On the same day Harry bought his wand, Dumbledore had a long conversation with Olivander. The old wand-crafter explained at best as he could what would happen if the two wands were forced to battle each other. In this struggle, magical power wasn't the main variable in a fight, nor it was skill or experience. Between willpower, magical power and knowledge, in this kind of fight, willpower had the biggest influence in the outcome. This added with Harry's considerable passion and his emotional balance ensured that the boy managed to stalemate Voldemort.
Dumbledore was extremely relieved with Harry's magical growth. Every year Harry managed to overcome any challenge thrown in front of him. The tenacious boy defeated Quirrell, Basilisk, Dementors and now Tom himself, every one of his enemies. Albus was pleased by the boy's progress, one day he would be a good successor to his title of the Leader of the Light.
After the fight was over and Harry managed to escape, Dumbledore watched as Tom punished his followers. It seemed that the Dark Lord had a lot of anger to go through as several Death Eaters were on the ground, suffering through the effects of the Cruciatus curse. Dumbledore found it fitting that one of the most feared spells was so effective against Death Eaters. After a good ten minutes of rage, Tom looked like he managed to come to his senses and quickly began ordering his followers about. Obviously, the evil man knew that Harry would tell Dumbledore about the Graveyard and that Dumbledore would soon be there.
After the evidence of the dark deeds done that night was destroyed, Tom released his Death Eaters and went with Lucius Malfoy. Dumbledore suspected that Malfoy's ancestral home was the place that Tom choose to be his headquarters. The huge manor had many hidden secrets and almost impenetrable wards. In addition, the luxury in the manor wouldn't be a detriment to Tom.
Dumbledore returned to the village below the house silently thinking the whole time. As he prepared to apparate to the Shrieking Shack, he remembered the shack of the Gaunts. He sent a quick message to Tonks that he wouldn't meet with them at the scheduled time. After all, Tonks could deal with everything on her own and probably nothing would go wrong.
Five minutes later, Dumbledore stood at the edge of the wards around the small shack. He watched the shack for a few moments before gently flicking his wand two times at it. Nothing happened. Dumbledore frowned slightly before starting to wave his wand in circular motion. After a few moments, air around him crackled with magical energy and Dumbledore proceeded forward. He opened the front door of the house, lighting the candles on the nearest wall. He made a step inside before stopping. Looking around he didn't find anything of notice so he used his magical senses to pinpoint the location of the source of the dark magic.
Albus frowned as he felt a different kind of magic intermingling with Tom's darkness. An ancient, powerful magic, similar to his wand's signature. Dumbledore felt terrified and excited about the discovery. Was it possible that he found the third Hallow, he asked himself. He remembered the ring of the Gaunt family from one of the memories he acquired while hunting Tom all these years. Peverell's coat of arms on the stone, the family of the three brothers. Yes, the ring was the Hallow, its stone the one Albus was searching for all these years. He, the master of the Elder wand would soon have the second Hallow. Albus was excited, so excited he forgot the reason he was there in the first place.
As he pinpointed the source of the ancient magic, Dumbledore forgot about the Dark magic all around him. Carelessly, he made his way towards the small cupboard on the far wall. With a flick of his wand, the cupboard opened and Dumbledore saw a small casket. The casket was protected by numerous wards and spells that Dumbledore couldn't ignore so he spent the next hour removing them. When he was sure that nothing prevented him from opening the thing, Albus took the casket from the cupboard and made his way out of the house. Once outside, he didn't waste a second and opened the thing without a second thought. And there it was, the second Deathly Hallow, the Resurrection Stone.
He reached towards the stone but in the last second, he remembered that the ring was Tom's horcrux. Cursing himself because of his stupidity, Albus apparated directly to the Forbidden Forest on the outskirts of the Hogwarts' wards. He briskly made his way into the castle and towards the seventh floor, knowing that there was a room that would have everything he needed.
***
As Harry lay in a room in a private clinic on the outskirts of London, Hermione and Tonks were standing guard. Tonks worry grew with each passing hour. Dumbledore hadn't returned and she didn't know if he even tried to contact them. It didn't matter for the moment, but the usually reliable wizard was acting unusual.
Hermione didn't wish to leave Harry alone and settled to wait for him to wake up. Tonks had already prepared several potions that would speed up his recovery but they couldn't give them to him while he was still under the effects of the muggle drugs and anaesthesia. Therefore, for the moment the bushy haired girl settled onto the couch in the waiting room and decided to take this time to think things through. She was having some difficulties coming to grips with the fact that she almost died. She was bewildered with the whole situation. Few hours earlier, she followed Professor Moody and Harry into Hogwarts, suspecting that something was wrong. Before she could reach the Professor's office, Harry stunned her. Then she woke up in the Shrieking Shack, had a short but exhausting duel with a girl she didn't knew and apparently helped Harry find some medical help. This whole day was a mess, from the glowering looks that Mrs. Weasley sent her way, the exams she had and Harry's participation in the Third task, concluding with Harry returning from the future to save her life.
This was the second time he saved her life, Hermione observed. The poor boy made his life's goal to save damsels in distress. First the Troll, then the Basilisk and Ginny, Sirius, who wasn't a damsel but was saved by Harry, and now her life again. She made a promise to herself when he saved her from the Troll to always help him and support him. Apparently, Harry also made a promise to save her life, again.
Now, Harry's companion, Tonks, was a mystery to Hermione, one she wanted to crack as soon as possible. She obviously cared for the boy and Hermione saw that she was upset by Harry's current condition. Hermione postponed her opinion for later, after she talked with Harry, the fact that the girl soundly beat her in a duel left an impression and as they say the first impression is everything.
Hermione grimaced as she remembered the duel, she was outmatched in every way and she blindly rushed in. Tonks even cast silently, something that Hermione knew was extremely hard and required deep concentration to do right. At least she held her own for a few minutes but Hermione knew she had to be better.
***
As Tonks and Hermione spent the night waiting for Harry to wake up, Dumbledore was trying to destroy another one of Tom's horcruxes. He infiltrated Hogwarts without a problem. He knew many ways how to enter the castle without being noticed but he used the simplest one, he made himself invisible. He made his way to the seventh floor of the castle and entered a very special room. Every Headmaster knew of it, as the room was made by the Founders to help them in their projects. Everything that was currently in the castle could somehow appear in the room ready to be used by those who requested. The house elves used this room as a storage room for broken and damaged things and furniture that they couldn't repair.
Albus requested a very special room, barren of all things. In the middle of the room was only small stone pedestal with a large sword. Dumbledore smirked as he saw the sword that usually resided in his office. Another powerful wizard now took the sword in his hand at the same time putting the ring on the pedestal. Albus felt the Stone's power calling from the Ring. He felt strangely invigorated as the feel of Tom's magic suddenly augmented the seductive call of power. The small ring called Albus, using Tom's voice, it promised the return of Albus' family. Ring promised him everything he wanted. And Albus slowly felt its call.
Dumbledore always wanted power; even as a young boy when he had just entered Hogwarts, he wanted it. He was an intelligent and powerful wizard and thus managed to grasp the power that was offered to him. But the one thing Albus hated always came with it, responsibility. The worst moment of his life was when his mother died and he had to take the responsibility for his younger brother and sister. He always had to care about their needs and wants, never fulfilling his own desires. Several months later, he met Gellert Grindelwald and Albus forgot all about his responsibility to his family. He was seduced by the young man's power and joined his forces with him in a few short months. They searched for the ultimate power, the Deathly Hallows. But it ended, his sister died and Albus left his home, sad and guilty but also relieved, relieved that he didn't have to be in charge.
Times changed and so did he. After long time, Albus returned to Hogwarts as a Professor. Gellert started his rise to power and Albus refused to confront him, only doing so when he had no other choice. Again, the responsibility was forced upon him along with the power. He hated that, and that hatred was one of the reasons he allowed many things that happened at Hogwarts. Now, at his peak, Albus finally found the second Hallow, the most elusive one, and the power without responsibility was close, almost within his grasp.
Albus laughed as he listened to the voice of Tom's horcrux, it offered him power to rule the world. Albus wanted power that the Stone offered, but to rule the world he did not. With a sneer, he thrust the sword at the Ring shattering the golden band and releasing Tom's soul from its containment. The dark spirit shrieked and dissolved to the ether.
Dumbledore eyes sparkled, his wishes coming true, finally. Several moments he watched the Stone, his heart beating fast. After almost an entirety, Albus grasped the Hallow and used its power.
***