Chapter 04

The Whirlwind of Time

12th January 1976

"Did you see the news Lily, Dumbledore is Supreme Mugwump now"

"...Huh?"

Lily looked at Elena dumbfounded. After all five years was very short period to know all about wizarding world.

"Supreme Mugwump, as in all powerful wizard who has awesome rights and powers, who can do magic at home and not be scolded or have ministry to come and detain him..."

Apparently living in magical world was also not enough to get used to barmy political terms.

Before Elena could confuse Lily and Mary even more Alice took pity and explained,

"Supreme Mugwump is head of International Confederation of Wizards. He is like president of the body, like in your muggle world you have NuNo or something"

"Do you mean U.N.O.?"

"Yep that's it" replied Alice.

"Hey isn't that Snape" Elena tried to distract others before they could get to more academically boring subjects.

"Hey Sev!" Apparently the distraction had worked.

Severus turned around but Lily faltered seeing who else was with him.

"Look it's the mudblood calling to dear Severus" Malfoy sneered.

Lily half expecting Severus to defend her looked at him hopefully, but seeing his helpless eyes she just turned back into cabin, to sulk rest of the journey, not knowing just outside Severus was leg locked with a shiner and Malfoy's pants were down to his knees and robes over his eyes and he was being mauled by two teenagers while other two were cautiously watching from side, one helplessly another with glee.

12th January 1976

"Oi James can't you even find a compartment for us to sit with your celebrity status?"

"Haha very funny Sirius.."

Potters had somehow made in time at the station. And then a young girl about seven years of age had come to seek James' autograph. She had heard from her brother, former captain and beater, whose place Sirius filled in this year, all about James Potter how good he was on broom how he did the Pickpro manoeuvre and had won them the cup last year. She was so impressed she had made her momma come to station to seek his autograph. Worst of all, Mrs. Potter impressed with her Son's fame had gone all out on him and started telling Lisa stories from when James was her age, how he used to come to her crying every time Charles scolded him, how he wet his bed and then snuggle in with his mommy. James was about to flee and go lie down on the track hoping train would go over him but he was blocked by his father and Sirius had his arm interlocked as both of them were barely suppressing their laughs. And through all this little Lisa was staring at James with googly eyes and listening to every word James' mother said with rapt attention.

No wonder James Potter was grumbling all the way in and with Sirius by his side, he wondered if there will be auction of James Potter's wet mat by the end of this week.

Finally they had found a compartment Remus and Peter were saving for them. And it just happened to be besides the compartment Lily was sitting in. All through the journey James was contemplating whether to go and say hi or not, while Sirius was retelling the encounter with certain 'James Potter Fan' to Remus and Peter.

Just when James had decided and opened the compartment door to go, he had heard Malfoy say Mudblood. That was all James needed; his wand was out as soon as Lily turned and Malfoy's pant was down the moment compartment door banged shut. Severus noticing Malfoy's wand drawing had already tried to hit James with his own curse but was beaten by Sirius who had leg-locked him. James, caught up with Severus and Sirius interaction, was caught unawares as Malfoys Curse hit his wand hand making him drop it. James scream provided Snape with long enough distraction to disarm Sirius who in retaliation had taken to fists and snatched Severus wand away. James too followed Sirius' example and went melee on Malfoy whose wand was useless at such close range. All his frustration from morning was raining blows on Malfoy. Remus was trying his best to suppress his urge to join in all the while wearing mask of disappointment. Peter was being really good spectator who cheered and jeered at all the right places.

"You four, straight way to your head of houses as soon as we reach Hogwarts. Lupin you to my office. We need to discuss your prefect duties."

Arthur came and broke the fight much to others chagrins.

"You have no right to tell us what to do Weasley"

Malfoy said while zipping his pants.

"Yes I do actually" Arthur sneered pointing to his head boy badge.

"And you all back to your compartments, the show is over."

12th January 1976

Narcissa was pissed. She really owed Sirius Black a real tight slap and probably a nice good blood curdling hex. Tales of Ball had spread fast and a bunch of hufflepuffs had already started an imitation parade of Narcissa's scream at ball. When put on receiving end of Narcissa's wand they quickly blurted out that the imitation was courtesy of Sirius Black. And then there was commotion at slytherin table. Snape was sporting a shiner and recently received detention from Slughorn. Malfoy was hissing angrily about Black and Potter while icing his face. Then suddenly random slytherins started hissing, literally hissing. And then Hufflepuffs started making beaver like sounds, Ravenclaws croaked and cawed. And suddenly few gryffindors who were laughing, suddenly roared. Narcissa already knowing who the culprits were had started searching the hall for the 'Dog' and his good for nothing friends, but apparently she was not the only one who was looking for them; there were two others, one from teacher's table and another from gryffindor itself. And yet they were nowhere to be seen. And soon the hall was chaos!

12th January 1976

Population of wizarding world was swaying and polarizing. The skirmish near Westminster's St James Park was enough to convince people to choose their priorities. There had been no casualties, yet. Yes 'yet' was the keyword. Few laughs from innocence of boys were all he could expect to lessen his worry. The light twinkle in his blue eyes that had not died even while dealing with infuriating Pure-blood extremists was starting to flicker now. This Voldemort who he was he had to know. But first he had to prepare his friends and allies to rally against this unknown calamity about to befall on wizarding world.

'Albus these boys are reigning havoc. How long are we going to let them off hook? Even today you should've stepped in and stopped those boys from charming and...'

'Calm down Minerva, I am not punishing them for what they did; you must admit that was quite amusing and simple yet complex charming they did tonight. Don't tell me you don't appreciate their efforts Minerva, I saw your lips twitching when Mr. Malfoy suddenly began hissing'

Flushed, Minerva grew quiet.

'So what report do you have Minerva, I heard you were at Longbottoms when the fight broke out?'

'They are getting ruthless Albus, I saw them using unforgivables. They would not hesitate to kill. I saw them using Cruciatus on that poor girl. I felt really bad to obliviate the couple. They are growing and getting bolder. We need to stop them before it is too late Albus'

'Gather all of our trusted Allies Minerva; ask them to assemble behind Fortesque's Ice cream parlour. Ollivander won't mind us using his empty good storage space. And please send our defence teacher in; I believe we have gone without a talk for a bit too long.'

As the room's door closed, the reigned in thoughts were let into open again. Exactly 20 years ago, a boy much like marauders had graduated from Hogwarts. Prof. Dippet was still Headmaster then. That boy had asked for position of DADA teacher. Albus himself had strongly voted against his appointment giving excuses of inexperience and too young to have patience. Albus was insecure, biased, prejudiced about this boy. He didn't see the healthy glow of innocence in pranks he pulled, but plain maliciousness; purple fire of revenge, green shade of venom could be seen in his eyes. But only Albus saw it. And today he thought, he could feel the maliciousness in actions of this particular group who had attacked at St James Park. But He was not sure.

I really hope we are not too late Minerva whatever the events may point to, I really hope against it.

13th January 1976

'Even though your OWL's are approaching fast I have not seen more lack of enthusiasm from class. You are receiving no more than 'A's with the pace you are going. You should be studying harder if you want respectable OWL's...'

'And you should be teaching and not wasting 50 minutes of period on lecturing us on how we are going to fail...' Sirius muttered.

'Why did we even take Arithmancy' he asked to no one in particular but was shushed by Remus and James didn't even look at him. He was paying rapt attention to not Prof. Springul but red-head directly in front of her. Peter just beside him was drooling over Prof. Springul's figure which was quite something for a mid-forties lady. Sirius exasperated just banged his head on his thick Arithmancy book and groaned.

'Is there a problem Mr. Black?'

'Nothing academic Ma'am; Just was wondering when the actual lecture starts...'

'10 points from Gryffindor Mr. Black and the lecture started 35 minutes ago and yes it was actually academic'

'I guess I should better rephrase it Ma'am; what I meant was when does actually 'useful' lecture starts...'

'Mr. Black 30 points from gryffindor and detention on Saturday morning. Today we will start with Runic variables and their interactions with numerical transactions...'

Severus smirked, but he couldn't believe he had actually agreed with Black on usefulness of lecture.

11th January 1976

'Fools, all of you I ask you to recruit and you go on and get ministry involved. I asked you to make a place for us to meet and you again alert ministry and this time Dumbledore too. The last person we want in our way of growth is Dumbledore and you have already gone ahead and alerted him. I won't tolerate such insolence. I have worked in shadows for 20 years. I have made myself invincible; someone who will be never claimed by death. Just when it is time to finally come out in open...'

Voldemort was restraining from using cruciatus on each one. He was fearful of them abandoning his cause, He needed an army. Their parents, they had been the ones who had helped him strengthen himself losing their lives in process. Dumbledore always suspicious had not been able to connect random deaths that occurred. Voldemort was very glad for that but now, now he needed power; behind the scenes role was tiring him. He knew he had power to take down Dumbledore but he didn't want to risk it with inexperience. No he had to remain behind curtains for time being.

Harry didn't know whether to be pleased or pissed. He was after all banned from Quidditch but now he could give more time to his secret studies. Hermione had already started pestering him as to what he was doing and he was somewhat successful in getting himself off the hook. But still he could not bear to keep receiving suspicious stares from Hermione too, with all the Boy-Who-Lied rumours flaring up. And yet he could not divulge his secret to her yet. Not when he himself was in dark about all this sudden urges to study time and time-travelling mechanisms. And then suddenly he felt presence, not quite familiar, in his mind. It was just curious. It felt like it was cyclonic, trying to break free, yet restrained by the same urge. And his mind; it was the eye of cyclone. And then suddenly everything faded and he blacked out. Last thing he thought of was 'Good thing I am in Bed'.

All the while someone was clutching his head stretching his limits trying not to scream, not to puke but he was smiling, for he had distracted him successfully.

A/N: Next 2 Chapters will be possibly last chapters of build-up phase and then the real plot will be revealed. Guys, I really beg you to PM me if you think you have identity of Fire-whiskey guy nailed.

*Still looking for Cameo role characters. Any suggestions, PM me.