Reflection: Chapter 2
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(tries to get the duct tape off her mirror)

Future – 1995

"… it happened during Potions." Harry licked over his lips as he tried to remember. "I saw this… burst of green-blue light." He motioned with his hands to underline his story and James watched him in amusement; Lily tends to do that too when talking too animatedly about things. It was heartwarming to see his little Harry do the same, though little-the boy wasn't little anymore.

"Then... these distorted images. It was like… like looking at reflections through a smashed mirror!"

James chuckled softly because of the boy's use of words.

"And then, the images appeared as… disjointed fragments of new memories! Of a past that didn't exist before! A past where YOU didn't die on that Halloween!" Harry explained to his father, racking a hand through his hair. "So now I have a memory of growing up with the Dursley's, but also one of Peter! It's quite confusing, cause I can't keep them apart and then I find myself talking about something that I thought had happened, but what my friends say didn't."

Harry stopped his frantically talking and pacing up and down, to plop down in front of the mirror. He gave his father a lop-sided smile, which was immediately returned.

"So," James said, trying to get it right. "I might not be as bright as my wife…"

A smile from Harry.

"… but because I made Peter talk with Dumbledore; the future has changed?"

"Yes!"

"And Peter is you guardian, because Lily and I are still…" he trailed off as he saw Harry nod, and frowned thoughtfully. "But Sirius is your godfather. Where is he?"

Harry searched around his new memories.

"He is dead," he finally said with a dejected sigh. "And so is Remus."

James cursed softly under his breath. "How?"

"I think that he in prison... no wait! That was the other… eh…" Harry scrunched up his nose as he tried to think clearly. "Sirius died together with you when you tried to save Lily… she had been taken by Voldemort and you tried to save her… but it was a trap! And you were killed. And Remus…" Harry had a hard time trying to find out the difference between what memories were new and old. "There's a new law: werewolves are liquidated. It's because they are so called 'dark creatures' and the ministry is afraid they might join Voldemort."

James was silent for a moment but then asks what has been on his heart. "Is the future changed for the better?"

Harry shook his head then shrugged. "I dunno, I don't even know if it's right that we changed it…"

Past 1980

James slid with a hand through his hair and then resolutely stood up. "I have to tell Dumbledore."

"Tell him what? About the mirror or that we changed the future?"

"Both."

"But… won't we change even more by doing that?" was Harry's logical question.

"Probably, but we NEED to tell him."

"… I guess you are right."

"You don't sound very sure."

"It's just... if we change a little bit more then maybe-"

James stared frowning down at him. "-then maybe we kill even more people."

Harry looked shocked up. "That wasn't what I meant!"

"I know, but that is what can happen. I need to tell him and after that; we'll see what we can do."

"But what if I'm not here then?"

Both looked immediately at their watches. "It is now 4 here."

"10 here," Harry replied.

"Our time goes by the same I'll say… we'll meet again in exactly 2 hours that will give me enough time to talk with Dumbledore"

"Okay," Harry agreed and stood up. "I… if something happens…" He bit his lip. "I love you dad."

"Love you too… son."

James left the room and closed the door.

Future – 1995

Harry had a bad feeling about all this and watched with trepidation the back of his father, as the man walked away from him. It was as if the man was walking away from him after a final goodbye; a preposterous thought of course! They had the mirror; so would be able to see each other… and if they changed a bit more… then maybe, he didn't 'need' the mirror just to see his dad anymore.

He absentmindedly wondered if he should use some duct tape to cover the mirror in, in case some bastard (like Malfoy, for an instant) found the mirror and smashed it to pieces. Such a thing would really be something the blonde prat would immensely enjoy to do, if only to hurt Harry.

He shook his head to clear his idiotic thoughts and left the room with one last longing glance at the mirror.

If only he could see his mum too…

Past 1980

James was on his way to Dumbledore's office. He hadn't really showed it to Harry, but what the boy had told, really shocked him. How could the boy cope with all that? Living with Lily's sister? No offence, but that girl was a real bitch towards, well; to everyone. Not to mention all the things he went through at Hogwarts…. TWICE! Yes, he must not forget that the boy now had two memories… again he wondered how Harry could cope with it.

Must have Lily's strong mind.

He neared the corner that led to Dumbledore's office and stopped startled as he saw Snape pacing in front of the Gargoyle.

"What are you doing here?" James asked with great dislike in his voice. Really, what is the greasy slimeball doing here?

Snape looked shocked up, but then glared darkly. "None of your business, Potter!" he spat and stalked towards the Gargoyle.

James caught up with him and quickly stood in his way. "I have an appointment with Dumbledore; Slytherin's not allowed." White lie.

Snape scowled at him and glanced shortly at the gargoyle and back at the smirking James Potter.

"Fine!" he spat and whirled around to stalk away.

What the hell was up his ass? And what could he possibly want from Dumbledore? Oh well, gotta tell about the mirror… what Snape had to say was probably not important anyway…

Future – 1995

It happened again; time stuttered and repeated, as if the sprockets of a Muggle film were caught in the projector, and Harry crumbled down in the middle of the hallway.

This time it's swirling blue and purple flashes that greet Harry in the darkness of his mind. The images that follow are so shortly in front of his mind's eye, that he still can't follow what has been going on after receiving his new memory.

He painfully pushes himself up from the cold stone floor and stands shakily up. Oh Merlin, did we change something again? What can it be?
Soft footsteps came from behind him and Harry was about to turn around as a voice harshly spoke to him: "Potter? What are you doing in this hallway? 30 points from Slytherin!"

Oh great… Snape is-wait a sec? Slytherin?

He spun around to face the Potions Master and got another shock. The man wasn't there! Harry was staring at thin air!

-wait! Is that the tip of a hat?

His gaze went downwards and his mouth fell wide open in surprise.

"Flitwick?" he squeaked in surprise. The small wizard only stared distastefully up at him. "10 more points for disregarding my proper title." The little professor hissed venomously. "Now you'd better go back to your dorms before I take off more points!"

Harry stared open mouthed down and blinked sheepishly, but made himself scarce when he saw Flitwick opening his mouth again, probably to take more points. He mindlessly walked back to the Gryffindor dorms, trying to sort through the new memories.

Something with Sirius came into his mind… and was that the statue of liberty?

Oh yeah: he and Sirius went to America on his 9th B-Day. Oh yeah, that had been a great month!

Month?

"What are YOU doing here?" a high pitched voice asked accusingly. He gave the painting an odd glance. "What do you think I am doing here, you stupid painting?" he heard himself say, to his big surprise.

The Fat Lady stared shocked at him. "Go away! Before I call for a professor!" she screeched.

Harry scowled at her. Why am I acting like this? … well, she has it coming, but I shouldn't be so mean, on the other hand: she isn't that polite at the moment either, is she?

"You won't, or do you want me to repeat my trick with paint remover."

Heh heh that was a good time… Huh? Oh Merlin, did I really do that? That is horrib-well, somewhat amusing…

He turned his back to the horrified painting and headed straight for the Dungeons, finally remembering that he, as a Slytherin, should go to the Slytherin dormitories.

Past 1980

Dumbledore stared for a long while at James solemn face. "It is good you've come to me, James," the elderly man said soothingly. James nodded shortly, his thoughts being more on his son from the future then on the man before him.

"The only question I have left is; what mirror is it? The Mirror of Erised?"

James shook vaguely his head. "No, the other one."

"The Mirror of Paradox?"

James finally blinked out of his thoughts. "No, not that one!" he answered with a slight frown.

"The Mirror of Maybe?

"Dammit! How many mirrors are here anyway! It's the one with the funny runes along the edge!"

"Oh, that one…"

"YEAH THAT ONE!"

Dumbledore stroke over his long beard as he pondered for a moment and James finally couldn't take it no more. "Well?" he asked a bit peeved.

Dumbledore blinked owlishly at him. "Well what?"

"THE MIRROR!" hissed James snippy and rubbed his arching brow. A firm headache was already coming up… why did Dumbledore DO this to him?

"Oh yes, the mirror. This mirror is an odd case indeed. You see…"

"… yes?"

"There is very little known about it."

"WHAT?"

"Please James, refrain yourself from talking so loudly. I might not be as young as I used to be but I'm still far from being deaf, you know."

James damned the annoying twinkle in the man's eye and sat back in his chair, trying to 'count to ten' as his wife so soften advised him.

… 9, 10.

"What do," James coughed to hide the sharp tinge in his voice. "What is known about it?" he finally asked as politely as he could under the circumstances.

"Only that it is always in that room."

"… that isn't much." Dark glare.

"Yes well, considering that this particular room is only reported to be seen some centuries ago." Beaming smile.

"And what exactly was reported about the room?" Eye twitch.

"Only the fact that there was mirror in it with a black surface." Another radiant smile.

"That isn't much." Scowl.

"Indeed." Friendly gaze.

"And do you have a suggestion about our situation?"

"Of course," the old man said brilliantly. "I propose we both go to that mirror so you can say goodbye to your son and I can render it useless. You must understand that such an object capable of changing the future is highly dangerous."

"But-" James started to protest, not willing to give up more time to speak with his son.

"Understand that if Voldemort got his hands on it… the results would be disastrous."

James could see the point in that, but that didn't mean his heart could. "What about the changes? We must try to-"

"-change more? Where will you end, James?" the elderly man put a hand on his shoulder, making him look up. For once the sparkle in Dumbledore's' eyes had retired. "Where will you stop? Believe me; if I don't stop you now... you will go on, and on, trying to build the perfect future not thinking of the bad points your changes might bring."

Dumbledore smiled softly as he saw the resignation in the unruly haired young man's eyes.

"This will be for the best."

Future - 1995

"I can't believe this…" Harry Potter muttered on a soft tone to himself. The boy finally started to remember his 'new' life (it seemed to take more time to adjust with every change) and he wasn't happy with what he found out.

First of all: his parents were STILL dead! Was there some higher deity that didn't want him to grow up with them?

Harry cursed colorfully when he remembered, using words that certainly had never been in his vocabulary before, and making a portrait on the wall mumble 'Typical' at him. Harry flipped it off, again surprising himself with this action.

Apparently Voldemort had post-phoned his attack on the Potter's till Harry was 4 years old. Young little Harry was at Sirius house when it happened, while his parents and his younger brother were still at home.

Oh wow, I have a brother…

They were killed; his little brother survived, though with heavy burns and scars all over his body from the house crashing down on him, and Harry had been save and sound at Sirius place.

It was a bit odd to find out that his scar was gone and he couldn't stop himself from reaching up to touch his forehead every once in a while.

His brother, Devon, was raised by Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew; both were killed when the boy was 8 and Devon lived in Hogwarts ever since; something that Harry was very disgruntled with. Dumbledore had sent him to live with the Dursleys when it had happened to him in his first memory, and his brother not? But at least he had the chance to grow up with Sirius this time.

Snape wasn't a spy.

Voldemort had much more power then he had in any other of Harry's memories.

Oh… and apparently Harry was being hated because supposedly he is the 'evil' Potter boy and Devon the 'good' one, compliments to Harry being a Slytherin and Devon a Gryffindor. Not to mention the fact that Harry's parseltongue ability marked him dark in the public eye.

The fact that he had befriended Draco Malfoy, whose family had had a feud with his family, was not good for his reputation either. His musing came to an abrupt halt by a voice.

"Potter, where the Hell have you been?" was the 'kind' welcome he got when he got near the Slytherin entrance. He raised a brow at the blonde that was scowling at him, arms crossed over the other's chest. The fact that his last name was used hinted that he was really mad at him.

"I was out," he answered shortly, wondering why the blonde was acting like a mother hen.

"I noticed that."

Harry shrugged not really replying and just waited for the reaction he knew he would get now. He didn't have to wait long.

"So where were you?" the blonde asked annoyed.

"What is it to you?"

"Fuck you, Potter! I've been worried sick! You know that all the other houses have it out for you, I'm sure some of the teachers too after the stunt you pulled yesterday!" the blonde appeared to be a furious and was by now walking back and forth in front of him. Harry thought it to be curious, they were friends: yeah, but why was Draco Malfoy making such a fuss about it. "For all I know you could have died in one of the dead end hallways, your rotting corpse decaying till there's nothing but bone and robes, waiting to be found by some poor first year that gets lost!"

Harry raised a brow. "As you can see nothing happened to me." He answered to Draco's preach and left the other boy to walk after him to the Slytherin dormitories.

"Where's Snape?" Harry asked suddenly, as the information about this particular person was a bit vague.

Draco frowned slightly at him. "Who's Snape?" he asked curiously.

"You don't know? Severus Snape? It doesn't ring a bell?"

"Why would I hear a bell ring? And no, I never head of him. Is he famous or something?"

"Um, no…"

"You know what," Draco suddenly said after giving his friend an odd look.

"What?"

"Something is really wrong with you."

Ain't THAT the truth! By Merlin, I wonder how dad is fairing…

Past 1980

James had to change his step again as he noticed he was walking a bit in front of the elderly Headmaster again. Taking slower steps, he glanced at his long time teacher and wondered if the man had personal experience with the mirror.

Oh wait, the last time the room was seen was centuries ago.

He scrutinized the headmaster again.

How old could he possibly be?

"I'm not that old, James," the Headmaster said with a small smile.

How does he DO that!

"Magic, James. It's magic."

"Yes, well, it's mighty annoying."

James hoped for the sanity of his son that Dumbledore of the future wouldn't be as irritating as his, though if you took in credit that with the years one could perfect a talent… the poor boy.

"James!" a happy voice yelled out at him.

He turned around to see his wife running at him with a broad smile on her face. "James! He said it!"

James caught his wife in his arms.

"He said 'doggie'! Harry said doggie!" the red head told him excitedly. James hadn't seen his wife this excited since when Harry had said his first word; 'mama' when he was five months old… 'dada' came only a few days later.

"That's great!"

"Not only that! He was looking at Sirius! He knows that Sirius is a dog, well at least his animagus is! Aren't you happy! This shows that he's intelligent enough to get the connection between the two of them!" she blabbered happily.

"I'm very glad to hear that," Dumbledore told the pair.

Lily only seemed to realize he was here at that moment. "Oh, I'm sorry Albus," she gave him a beaming smile. "And thanks, that sounds much better than what Snape told me when I bumped into him just now."

"Ah yes, well you know how our Potions Apprentice gets sometimes." The elderly man said apologizing. "Lily, James and I have something to take care of. Where is the boy now?"

"He's with Sirius, but what-"

"I suggest you go to them and James and I will join you soon after." Dumbledore told, no: ordered her and then turned around to walk away with James, who shot an apathic look at her over his shoulder.

Lily stared hot tempered, and a bit deflated, after them. They were keeping something from her, just like that Snape. He had been acting quite odd when they bumped into each other; he had been clutching his arm. Perhaps he had been hurt and was acting so nasty because of that? But no, he was always like that to James and her. Oh well, it was probably nothing to worry about.

Future - 1995

The two hours had gone by very quickly and Harry had been taking fully advantage of it; with the compliments to his ingrained Slytherin personality that thought lazing around wasn't going to help him get anywhere. Thus he had interrogated his fellow Slytherins thoroughly and come up with some very interesting facts.

Currently he was stalking to the room, checking over his shoulder a couple times if a certain Slytherin wasn't following him, and then sneakily went in. Just to be on the save side he put a strong locking charm on the door, plus an alert; both handy little spells that he previously had had not heard of. Hmn, being a Slytherin seems to have its perks. I didn't know they were as studious as Ravenclaws, though I kind of can understand that. Having a bad reputation makes one ambitious to be knowledgeable. After all, everyone wears a mask, it's just that the one Slytherin's wear is trust upon them and not made by them.

"Harry, are you there?"

His attention was immediately drawn towards the mirror and he quickly approached it to see his father.

"Hi dad!" he said, looking James over as if he hadn't seen him two hours ago.

"It's good to see you again," James said with a happy look on his face, but sadness in his eyes.

"Yes, it is… are you alright?" Harry noticed small details quicker too. Perhaps I shouldn't have told the hat to put me in Gryffindor the first time…

"Yes, I'm okay. I just talked with Albus," James answered and before Harry had the chance to inquire what Albus had said, he continued talking. "Did anything-why are you wearing a Slytherin tie, Harry?"

Harry blinked and then laughed slightly. "I was thinking the same thing when I walked by a mirror. Apparently there was a change again."

"What changed?" James asked worried.

"Well, for one thing: I'm a Slytherin, while I used to be a Gryffindor as I had told you. And to top it off, I befriended Draco Malfoy, who seems to have been my friend ever since I met him in a shop in Diagon Alley... yet, I can also remember him being my rival. Oh, and you're still dead…."

"I'm sorry."

"You can't help it," Harry sighed and ruffled with a hand through his hair. "I… my personality seems changed too."

"Changed?"

"I'm sneakier. I know more spells. I'm more suspicious of things! Oh yeah, I almost forgot; Snape isn't a spy nor a Professor anymore. I think he's either still a Deatheater or dead."

"Snape is a Deatheater?" James asked flabbergasted.

"Well, I don't know of this time, but he used to be a spy in all of my other memories. Something must have changed his mind in the past and he didn't tell Dumbledore."

"Oh shit…" James muttered softly.

"I will have to talk with him then." Another voice told them.

James turned half around and Harry took startled a step back. "Who the hell are you?"

Albus Dumbledore went to stand next to James and Harry narrowed his eyes at him.

"I'm not happy about these changes, James… Harry." The man said.

"What change?" spat Harry. "Snape not being a spy or me being Slytherin?"

Past 1980

Both men could hear the sharp tinge in the young man's voice and the blatant dislike was etched all over his face. But why would Harry feel this way towards the Headmaster?

"Harry Potter, did I wrong you in the future?"

"Did you wrong me?" Harry repeated a bit incredulous. "I am nothing but a pawn to you! I-forget it!" he cut off the long rant he had wanted to start and turned towards his father. "Dad, don't let Dumbledore use you for whatever ploy he's got! He already has done it too many times to me. And you have to-"

Without a warning, the mirror became pitch black again and Harry's sentence was cut short. James immediately ran towards it and touched the surface despairingly. "Harry! Harry!" he screamed, only to stop when he felt Dumbledore's hand on his shoulder. "I don't know what happened, James. But there might have been another change."

He stepped away from the young man that fell to his knees. "I will have to talk to Severus Snape at least to undo that."

The headmaster walked to the door and went through it, looking over his shoulder to see James Potter on his knees, staring distraught at the unreflecting mirror in front of him.

Future - 1995

Albus Dumbledore hadn't been too far off.

Harry didn't even had the chance to see the mirror going black as he saw new memories crashing through his system again, imprinting a significant one on his retina.

… him at the graveyard. A green flash hurling at great speed at him…

Then Harry was gone.

To Be Continued