Harry, Ron, and Hermione left Dumbledore's office confused, anxious, and exhausted. The windows were pitch black, so candles littered the walls, some hovering on their own, some chasing others. Their shadows danced in the low lighting, making Harry shiver as he thought of ghosts. Not the regular Hogwarts ghosts that roamed the hallways time to time, but the idea everyone in this time was a ghost from the past. Students here will die in the upcoming war, and they themselves are oblivious to that fact. It bothered Harry because he couldn't do a thing about it. Hermione's words echoed in his mind. Terrible things happen to wizards who meddle with time.
They entered the Hospital Wing to find Madame Pomfrey listening to a bright patronus, Harry thought it looked a lot like a phoenix. When it disappeared, she turned to face them. Unlike Dumbledore and Filch, Harry could see a considerable age difference between this time's Madame Pomfrey and his time's. There were no lines under her tired eyes and she held herself more upright, as if old age had yet to claim her.
She strolled over to them, worry present on her face. "The Headmaster has informed me of your arrival and situation. I suggest a quick diagnostic charm and then bed."
She had them all sit on adjacent beds (with trunks just as Dumbledore said) as she waved her wand up and down each of them. Hermione was first. Harry couldn't see any changes to Hermione's figure, but he could hear Madame Pomfrey muttering under her breath.
"Good grief child, remainders of some sort of paralyzation and failed transformation? What on earth were you doing?"
Hermione squeaked, "Second year."
Madame Pomfrey sighed. "Well, other than that, I see nothing wrong with you."
Ron was next, having a less drastic scolding by Madame Pomfrey for his broken leg in third year and self inflicted magic. Harry remembered the slugs meant for Malfoy and knew Ron was traumatized by the experience.
Finally it was Harry's turn. When Madame Pomfrey came to him, she said, "You look a lot like a student here. Seventh year, I think. God, has it been that long. Anyway, sit still." She waved her wand up and down Harry's body while Harry thought about her words. What would he tell people when they say he looks like James? In his own time, it had been a cursed blessing. He wanted to have some connection with his dead parents, but at the same time, he wanted to be his own person, not some mirror of someone who'd died.
Madame Pomfrey let out a loud gasp as she finished the spell. "What is it?" he asked, a little worried of what she might say.
She shook her head. "Never in all my life have I seen someone who was harmed by dark magic. Basilisk bite, Dementors, ritualistic cuts, the presence of another's mind, and more. You've had many injuries, including all the bones in your arm growing back, I don't even want to know. And you've been hit with every Unforgivable curse there is. How did you manage surviving the killing curse?"
Harry was at a lost for words. Telling her might give away their identities and he wasn't ready to have to explain his whole childhood to people who'd live through it in a few years. He was saved by Hermione, who had leapt off her bed and stood next to Harry, as if shielding him like Lily had done years ago.
"I'm not sure if we should tell you. Spoilers is the only thing I can think of that answers the question," Hermione snapped.
Harry was surprised at the ferociousness of Hermione's words. He'd never hear her use that tone with any adult figures. She had always been the one to tell Harry to be kind to people or not to judge them. He guessed Hermione thought Madame Pomfrey's nosying was threatening Harry in some way. Harry didn't mind because he knew he could always trust Hermione and her judgment.
Madame Pomfrey scowled at Hermione, but didn't push any further on the subject. "Well," she said exasperated, "you all seem to be in perfect health for the time being. I suggest a good night's sleep will do you some good." She turned and headed for her office on the other side of the vast room. Harry could hear her muttering something about ungrateful kids.
Harry sighed. "That could have gone better," he said.
Ron came and sat next to him on the bed. "Twenty years difference and you would've thought she'd be used to kids. Still as grouchy as ever. Wonder how she relieves her anger. Can't imagine writing in a diary helps."
Hermione rolled her eyes, a habit Harry noticed she did often. "Honestly Ron, that's the only thing you can say?"
"What do you expect me to say. It's been a long day for everyone," he paused and chuckled.
Hermione frowned. "What's so funny?"
"Just this morning, Kreacher was serving us onion soup and now we're twenty years into the past. It doesn't really reassure you knowing Kreacher is the only one to notice we've gone missing. Wonder what he's doing now- in our time that is…"
Harry thought of Kreacher, happy and actually humming as he cleaned up around the flatt. Hermione had brought Yaxley to Grimmauld Place. Kreacher had been expecting them, but what would he do if confronted by Yaxley. Sirius had been worried that, if sacked, Kreacher would return to the death eaters and spill any secret the Order still had. Was that still true now? Or had Kreacher come to their side and accept Harry as his true master? Like Ron said, he didn't like leaving everything in Kreacher's hands.
"I hope we can trust him," Harry said.
"Of course we can trust him!" Hermione snapped. "You saw how happy that locket made him. I wouldn't be surprised if he started calling Harry his master now. I just worry the death eaters will torture him for information on us." Tears filled Hermione's eyes and Ron leapt to his feet and had one arm around Hermione as a comforting gesture.
Harry had no idea what was with Ron and Hermione. One second, they are bickering like there's no tomorrow, then Hermione gets emotional and Ron suddenly is the comforter. They really needed to sort out their priorities.
Hermione had stopped crying and was on her bed next to Harry's. She still clutched her beaded bag in hand and was currently rummaging through it. Once she seemed to have found whatever it was she was searching for, she held her hand out to Harry. She had the Marauder's map and Harry's invisibility cloak. He took them and held the fabric between his fingers. This was something familiar to him, something from his own time. Harry then thought of his father. The cloak was also in his possession as well. Better not get the two mixed up if they ever ran into him.
"Just so things are a little familiar," Hermione said. "Harry, I know you probably already know this, but Ron and I are here for you. Meeting your parents tomorrow won't be an easy thing, so just know we've got your back."
Harry did already know this, but it felt just as good to know Hermione understood him. "Thanks Hermione. You have no idea how much it helps to hear that."
Ron whistled. "Tomorrow will be interesting, won't it. Seeing Sirius and Lupin as students… not to mention Harry's parents."
Harry nodded. "I think I'm ready. To meet them, I mean. At first, I was a little unsure about it, but I keep thinking, they aren't your parents yet. They're just James Potter and Lily Evans."
"That's good Harry. We can talk to them, befriend them, but we can't tell them anything at all, not even the teachers-"
"Snape!" Ron roared.
"What does Snape-" Hermione started, but was cut off by Harry, realization dawning on him.
"He's a student here," Harry breathed. "We could stop him killing Dumbledore, we can stop everything."
"Harry!" Hermione said. "I thought you said you could handle not changing anything. I thought you were ready. I've already told you, we can't change anything. It creates a paradox. Think about it, if we save your parents and Dumbledore, why would he have us go hunting horcruxes? Why would we be in the Ministry of Magic looking for that cursed locket Umbridge stole from Mundungus? How and why would Yaxley put the time turner around Harry, sending us back in time in the first place. Anything could happen when a wizard creates a paradox."
Harry had heard everything Hermione said, but he still wanted to save them. "I know Hermione, we can't do it. But Dumbledore would live to tell us about the other horcruxes. Sirius never would have gone to Azkaban. Hermione, I could get my childhood back."
"Harry, this isn't you thinking. You, you, know we can't and I'm sorry, but that's that."
They sat in silence for a while, until Harry heard a familiar crack! and three house elves materialized in front of Harry, each dressed in a dirty sack or sweater and each holding trays of food."
"Professor Dumbledore told us to bring food to new students," one squeaked. Harry took a tray from one elf and stared at the chicken and vegetables that littered the plate. His stomach growled and he smiled. Some things will never change.
"Thank you," Hermione said, beaming. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a galleon. She held it out to the house elves.
They shrieked with right and disappeared in the same manner they had appeared. Ron laughed. "When will you ever listen to me? They don't want money because they like working and serving wizards. It's in their nature." He said no more because he'd already started stuffing his face.
Hermione made a face at him. "I will never listen to you, Ron. It's in my nature."
Harry laughed, thankful the tension in the room dropped. They started in on their food in silence, none of them noticing how hungry they actually were until then. Ron, like it had been for the past six years, ate with both hands, each stuffing food into his mouth when he took a break to breathe. Harry had gotten used to his eating habits, but Hermione still frowned upon his missing manners, but learned not to say anything unless she wanted a faceful of chewed food.
Once their plates were cleared and each person was full, they stood in front of their assigned bed and opened the trunks. They found fresh robes, spare muggle clothing, potion ingredients, a cauldron, new books, parchment, ink, quills, brass scales, and a collapsible telescope. Harry had been expecting these, since they've been stuck in his trunk for six years. The were basic materials to get around Hogwarts, but he missed the stack of sweets he still had from his birthday gifts, the sack of Weasley's Wizard Wheezes merchandise from Fred and George, his broken sneakoscope, and owl treats for Hedwig.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione changed into the pajamas given to them and settled down for bed. Hermione had said, before turning her back to Harry, that they would talk more about the horcrux in their possession in the morning before the students start arriving. She had then tucked it into her beaded bag for safe keeping. Soon, Hermione's even breathing and Ron's snores filled the Hospital Wing. Harry, on the other hand, couldn't sleep. His thoughts lingered on his parents. He wondered what they were like, if he had James's laugh or Lily's smile. He knew his thoughts kept returning to them, but he couldn't help it. He was in the unique position of talking to people he knew as dead in his time. He would make sure he wouldn't waste the opportunity. He turned on his side and closed his eyes, thankful that the Voldemort of his time wasn't there to intrude on his dreams.