Disclaimer: I still own nothing. Furthermore, I can say with all certainty that I shall never own Harry Potter. 'tis a sad, but undeniable truth. ;)
Well, he never did get that treacle tart. Considering McGonagall kept fainting and having to be ennervated once it became quite clear the Harry was telling the truth (Harry reckoned that his untimely visit had nearly the same effect on her as the multiple stunner attack at the end of the Umbitch's reign), somehow none of the professors considered his need for treacle tart to be an especially valid one. Harry was actually rather glad they had used veritaserum on him, because he had been much blunter under the influence of the potion than he'd been before. Hence the fainting. And the crying. That part was far less amusing.
Now, they were all seated in a semi-circle, staring at him. Which was irritating. So he stared back. Then, very deliberately, he wiggled his ears. And then his nose, followed by crossing his eyes. He slumped dejectedly in his seat when this did not seem to faze them in the least.
"Look," he said, his voice startling after the silence. "I realize that this is hardly something you're used to dealing with, but, you have to understand. I. Don't. Want. To. Be. Here. Either." He spoke slowly, enunciating each word carefully.
It seemed to finally startle them into action, and they were suddenly discussing what ought best be done with him. Which would have been fine, really, he did understand what a strange situation this was, but they were speaking of it without any input from him. Not cool.
"Hey," he said loudly, "I've got an idea." Their attention turned to him although he noticed that they seemed surprised that he would interrupt them. He continued, "Let's not do any of those things, and I can just, you know, go to classes like normal." He carelessly waved off their protests. "After all, it's not like there was an actual reason behind my sudden- er, shift in time, but who's to say that the shift back won't happen just as suddenly?" He looked at them.
"But what of the possibility of paradox, young man?" Professor McGonagall regarded him as sternly as she ever had in the future. "This is the fate of millions you so cavalierly dismiss."
"Professor," said Harry, raising one hand dramatically to his heart. "You wound me." He looked at her earnestly. "If a paradox were going to occur, wouldn't it have already occurred in the future? And I'm here, in person even, to tell you that the future is alright, so is this not something of a moot point?"
Harry wasn't actually sure if this made any sense, but all he really wanted (besides his treacle tart) was a fairly peaceful year, which to him did not regard having cover stories and glamours. He could just see himself hexing everything that moved if he had to go around watching his tongue and avoiding everyone he had ever wanted to meet. Besides, who could say what would happen if he tried to change things?
McGonagall stared at him. Again, he stared back. Finally, she raised a brow and said, "That's the oddest reasoning I've ever heard for disregarding the rules of time-travel, but, then again, you're probably the only time-traveler of this extent that I've ever met."
"To be altogether fair," Harry interrupted, "the rules state that it would be best for a time-traveler to avoid him or herself." Harry pointed at the calendar on the wall. "I wasn't even born in 1978. So, I need hardly be on the lookout for myself."
Her eyes narrowed and she turned to Dumbledore. "Albus, what do you think?"
Professor Dumbledore stroked his beard with one hand as he considered Harry thoughtfully.
"He raises an interesting point." Dumbledore said slowly. "In fact, the more I think about it, the more I believe he may well be right." McGonagall gasped and Flitwick squeaked in excited dismay. "I think we should allow him to be himself." Dumbledore looked at Harry. "I must ask that you be discreet in most things, at least in regards to the majority of people you meet. But we will sort you in front of the school, give your name and allow that to be the end of it." His eyes twinkled. "Should you meet anyone you think should know the complete truth, I ask that you send them to me and I shall ensure their secrecy." He smiled sadly. "After all, some of the truths you hold are much better kept than told."
In a rush, it came to Harry that he could meet his parents and see Sirius and Remus again, and, for the first time since his untimely departure from 1998, Harry forgot his desire for treacle tart as it was replaced with a desire stronger and far more deeply ingrained within him. This desire was for a reason far sweeter than treacle tart could ever be.