Harry Potter and the Unwanted Second Chance
Disclaimer : I own nothing but the plot.
Chapter 2: As It Seems
ooooo
Draco was sure that they had been standing there for ages but the paper is ripped out of his hands and the wizard shuffles away muttering curses under his breath. He doesn't fault the man, Draco's mood now just as sour.
Potter curses as well from beside him.
"Well shit."
Draco glances over and Potter is shaking. Is he crying? It seem so unlike him to cry over something like this but then again Draco isn't far off.
The idea is squandered as soon as he thinks it though because Potter starts laughing. Potter is almost hysterical as he bends over trying to breathe through the laughter.
Potter doesn't compose himself for many minutes and the whole time Draco feels the eyes of the patrons on them.
Finally Potter gives Draco his attention.
"We are so fucked, so royally screwed"
Draco is stunned for a moment, Potter had never addressed him in such a manner. But then again they had never been in such a unusual and potentially dire situation.
Draco almost laughs as well. Here he is with Harry bloody Potter 24 years in the past and all the other man can do is laugh. What a situation they've found themselves in. An unbelievable situation he feels that can only get worse from here on out.
ooooo
Harry doesn't know if fate just hates him or that he just has really, really bad luck. It's probably both he thinks to himself, his mood souring even more. As if that was possible.
Harry honestly doesn't know what to do and the pounding in his head and the burning in his scar have him wanting curl away from the world. It seems so impossible to be so far back in time yet all of his surroundings are screaming at him that it is the truth. The familiar surroundings of the Three Broomstick seem too foreign to him, as Harry takes in the tavern more thoroughly.
At this moment he wishes he hadn't followed Draco out of this tavern. Well, the tavern 24 years from now.
But nothing can ever be easy for Harry.
Harry's head gives a painful throb and he debates with himself whether to get another firewhiskey. This situation feels like it could use a drink. Or many.
Both Harry and Draco are cut of from their earth shattering musings by screaming.
They look at each other a moment and run outside. Buildings are on fire and there are frantic wizards and witches. The scene hits them hard and they stand frozen in the midst of the chaos.
Draco pushes Harry sideways, both narrowly missing a stinging hex. Potter already has his wand out pointing it in the direction of the assailant. Draco's attention shifts sideways eyeing their opponent and is in shock to find it being a Death Eater.
Whomever it is eyes them, as if measuring them up. The Death Eaters attention lingers on Draco longer than necessary making him uneasy. He wonders whether or not if it is someone he knows in the future?
Potter sends an expelliarmus which the other blocks with ease. Draco rolls his eyes. If their current predicament wasn't so dire, he'd most likely call Potter out on his use of spells. Though he doesn't even get the chance, as Potter sends a Diffindo towards the masked Wizard.
Better, Draco muses. But...
Gryffindors are so impatient.
ooooo
As if their situation could get any worse he and Malfoy are now faced with a Death Eater. Harry wonders a moment why Malfoy isn't attacking the Death Eater as well. It makes him nervous, almost on edge, to the point he finds himself sneaking glance toward Malfoy. He doesn't know what Malfoy is thinking and he doesn't want to be caught off guard.
Mad-Eye's favorite saying echos in Harry's head like a mantra soothing his nerves.
Constant Vigilance.
It's not something that comes naturally to him but in the months leading to the final battle, Harry's' found that it comes easier than before. Harry's had plenty of practice being on the run while searching for the Horcrux's.
A pang of guilt makes his chest tight thinking of the night Mad-Eye died. For him. He hadn't really liked the man but Harry respected the man.
That's how it's always gone though, people either die for him or around him.
Harry takes one last glance towards Malfoy as he readies himself for a duel with this unknown Death Eater.
As if reading his thoughts, Malfoy sends a Bombarda at the Death Eater who narrowly escapes but Harry recovers from his musings enough to send a well aimed Expelliarmus. The Death Eater is successfully disarmed, stepping back as if cowering. Both he and Malfoy move in, Malfoy being closer picks up the wizard's wand.
"Who are you" Harry asks his voice coming out more strained than he realized it had been.
The Death Eater seems to take him in and scoffs. This angers Harry and he throws a Stunner near the wizards head. This causes the Death Eater to flinch sideways.
"I wouldn't count this as a victory, child" a voice that Harry's heard before but cannot identify spits out of the Death Eater.
Harry doesn't have time to think on it as he's hit with a Diffindo from behind. Malfoy instantly puts up a Protego, giving the Death Eater a chance to snatch his wand from Malfoy's lax grasp.
Harry clutches his left arm, blood running down to his finger tips. He and Malfoy are now surrounded by three Death Eaters and now Harry thinks, odds are against them.
He doesn't think that he'd be able to cast a spell fast enough before one or both of them were killed.
Things were going so well, then again constant vigilance was not his strong suit. What a situation their in now. Harry's not afraid to die but he's pretty sure that Malfoy doesn't share his sentiment.
A bright light surrounds them and a silvery Phoenix circles are them.
The Death Eater scatter, disapparating as if death were on their tails.
Dumbledore, Harry muses. He watches in awe as the patronus flickers out. As soon as the old Headmaster's name goes through his mind he finds himself surrounded once again. This time by members of the Order of the Phoenix, at least that is who Harry believes them to be.
Dumbledore makes his way towards Harry and Malfoy, the twinkle in his eye still very prominent. Order members start putting out the fires and speaking with residents.
Harry notices that Malfoy keeps shifting. He also is feeling anxious, Dumbledore's gaze has always been one of great power. Almost as if it could see into your soul.
With that thought, Harry finds himself also shifting. He doesn't like the scrutiny that he and Malfoy are no doubt under.
Dumbledore's voice breaks through the tension filled air.
"I would've hoped a lovely night like this not be spoiled by such events. But alas one can only be thankful for the two of you and your acts of bravery." The Headmaster eyes them, a small smile donning his face.
Harry doesn't reply and it seems like Malfoy isn't going to give into the Headmaster either.
"I am the Headmaster of Hogwarts, Albu-"
Harry cuts the older wizard off.
"Dumbledore."
The Headmaster seems unperturbed by Harry's interruption and continues on.
"Ah! I see you know of me, Mr…?
"Black, Daniel Black. And I'm Dorian." Malfoy replies. Harry's face goes lax and he gives Malfoy a look.
"Oh, a Black? I have never heard of either of you." Dumbledore's question now directs towards Malfoy, for which Harry is thankful for.
But what is he thinking! Dumbledore must know he's lying. Harry's anxiety shoots through the roof and he is sure that this is the point where they should come clean.
"We are not part of the Pureblood Black family you are thinking of. We are half brothers from different mother's."
Harry gives Malfoy another incredulous look. Nope! They are so screwed. This cleverly crafted backstory (not that Harry would ever tell Malfoy that) would never hold. They look nothing alike.
If anything the twinkle in Dumbledore's eyes brighten causing Harry to internally groan. At least he hopes it was internally.
There are only three Order members with now, excluding Dumbledore. A younger, yet still very gruff looking Mad-Eye and two red haired men whom Harry's believes to be brothers. The two of them awfully familiar looking.
"How wonderful! What brings you young men to Hogsmeade?"
"Traveling." Harry replies, finally finding his voice. His eyes never leaving Dumbledore.
"I see. If you don't mind me saying, but this is a strange place to find two young wizards visiting"
"Not all places one visits are incredibly interesting."
This time it is Malfoy who answers first and Harry isn't sure if that's for the best. Harry chimes in though, to try to placate the suspicious Headmaster.
"We've come to see the Shrieking Shack. We've heard it's haunted and wanted to check it out. We were about to enjoy some butterbeer at the local tavern but were interrupted by the Death Eater attack."
Harry feels proud. The explanation sounded pretty solid. He glances at Malfoy and finds him giving him an odd look, or at least one that he can't quite figure out.
"I see. How interesting. I am sorry that your night was ruined. We thank you for stepping in. The two of you held your own quite well. Have you dueled often?"
"No." Malfoy supplies. "Daniel and I are going to go now."
Malfoy grabs Harry's left arm, pulling him backwards. This causes Harry to hiss in pain.
Dumbledore motions towards the red heads and one of them step forward.
"This won't heal it completely but it will close it enough." The red head explains, pointing his wand at Harry's wound.
The ginger wizard hesitates peering down at Harry's wrist. The moment is gone as soon as Harry becomes aware of it.
The Order member does a Tergeo spell, cleaning the cut. An Episkey quickly follows and Harry's wound heals to the point of just looking like a angry scratch.
Harry gives a quiet thank you and the ginger wizard smiles back. The man returns to his spot next to his brother, the other starting a conversation.
He and Malfoy share a look before giving their attention back to Dumbledore.
"Do you boys have accommodations for the night? We can set you up in one the rooms at the Three Broomsticks if you have not." Dumbledore asks.
"That would be great!"
"No, thank you."
Harry and Malfoy reply at the same time, contradicting one another.
Harry doesn't understand why Malfoy would give up a free room. He doesn't know about Malfoy but Harry does not have enough galleons to pay for a Inn room.
Harry gives Malfoy his best 'go with it' look. Malfoy's face screws up and shakes his head in defeat.
"We appreciate it, Headmaster." Malfoy says.
To Harry it sounds very strained but he doesn't blame Malfoy. He is positive that neither of them are happy with the situation.
"Of course, of course. Fabian here will set you two up at the Inn. How about you two join me for tea tomorrow afternoon and tell me of your travels?"
Malfoy looks like he wants to object but Harry agrees to meet the Headmaster for three o'clock tea. The group separates, he and Malfoy follow Fabian.
Harry now knows why the two brothers seemed so familiar. They are Gideon and Fabian Prewett, Mrs. Weasley's twin brothers. All Harry knew of them were that they had been Order members during the first war and had died before he was even born.
At this moment he is wearing Fabian's watch that Mrs. Weasley had given for his 17th birthday. It's most likely the reason Fabian had hesitated in healing his arm. Seeing an identical watch which the wizard himself was currently wearing would give shock. At least it would've caused Harry to pause as well.
Feeling self-conscious, Harry pulls his sleeve over the watch. This irritates the wound on his arm.
They follow Fabian back into the Three Broomsticks and Harry tunes out everything while Fabian speaks with a Innkeeper.
If Harry hadn't believed that their situation wasn't real before the events that just happened have completely solidified the time travel theory.
He and Malfoy were no doubt 24 years in the past. The fact makes Harry feel sick and he tries to breath through his nose in an effort to settle his stomach.
"Daniel!"
Harry almost flinches at the forced name directed at him. He gives Malfoy his attention and realizes that Fabian had already paid for tonight's stay. Malfoy is at the foot of the stairs looking expectantly at him.
Malfoy makes his way up as Harry wishes Fabian a goodnight. The red headed twin disappears from his sight and he to starts up the stairs.
Harry hadn't noticed how exhausted he was for each step felt heavier than the former.
He goes through the door and Malfoy is already sitting on the only bed in the room. Harry wants the bed but doesn't have it in him to argue with the Slytherin.
He sinks into the worn sofa and closes his eyes.
'Hopefully Malfoy doesn't kill him in his sleep' is the only coherent thought Harry has before drifting off into a fitful sleep.
AN: There you go! The second chapter! I've been a little busy lately running a fansuite for a local convention but the third chapter should be up soon. I don't have anyone editing this so if there are any errors just let me know.