Poor Decisions

Chapter Six: Confession for the Soul

Harry stood before the stone gargoyle that hid the spiraling staircase which led to the Headmaster's office. He poised himself for his first big test, mentally checking his Occlumency shields and focusing on the Dursleys. Should his shields fail, he would force the memories of the pain suffered at the hands of the Dursleys to the forefront.

Harry unrolled the parchment and stared at the password, 'Butterscotch'. The Headmaster's obsession with Muggle sweets hasn't changed.

"Butterscotch."

The gargoyle leaped to one side, revealing the spiral staircase. Harry stepped forward onto the first step and immediately the staircase began to move, lifting him towards the office above. When he reached the stoop, he straightened his robes and knocked once upon the door.

"Enter," the Headmaster called out.

Harry entered the Headmaster's office, allowing himself to openly marvel at the sight that met his eyes. There seemed to be even more mysterious glittering creations lining the office than the first time he visited the office while attending Hogwarts.

"Come on in, Harry, and have a seat," Dumbledore greeted, smiling appreciatively at Harry's reaction.

"You wished to see me, Headmaster?"

"That I did, Harry. Might I tempt you with a butterscotch?" The Headmaster waved his hand towards a bowl full of sweets.

"No thank you, sir. I just finished lunch and I had a bit too much to eat."

Dumbledore chuckled. "There's nothing wrong with that, Harry. I admit that my eyes are often bigger than my stomach. Therefore, we shall blame it on the scrumptious Hogwarts food."

Harry smiled, but didn't say a word.

"No need to be nervous. I haven't called you to my office for something that you've done. On the contrary, I've called you here to discuss some things that you've had to burden."

"Burden, sir?"

"Yes, Harry. I speak of your aunt and uncle. The Dursleys. They have been, we'll say, less than courteous to you."

Harry raised his eyebrows in mild shock.

"Do you agree that they have yet to treat you as family?"

"There have been moments," Harry responded truthfully, "but for the most part, I've been treated less than human. They told me for nearly all my life that my parents were drunks and were killed in a car crash."

"Harry, I have no words that can make up for what you have suffered." Dumbledore removed his half-moon spectacles and wiped away a tear. "It is my fault that you have suffered. I placed you with the Dursleys in hopes that they would accept you as family and raise you as their second son. The special magic that would be allotted to you for your protection by being with your aunt was all that I focused upon."

"Sir, you placed me with the Dursleys?"

Dumbledore sighed. "Yes, Harry. I'm the one that placed you in that horrible environment. Do you forgive me?"

"Uh, yeah … I forgive you. You couldn't have known they'd be like that."

"But I could have, Harry. I could have. I should have spoken with them, rather than leaving a note with you on their doorstep. I should have known that she resented you when she tried to be rid of you."

"Be rid of me, sir?" Harry felt a twinge in his stomach.

Dumbledore sighed again. "Your aunt attempted to place you in a Muggle orphanage. Naturally, the moment I heard I intervened. I explained to her that you were in her custody for the safety of her family as well. I told her that the people that served the one that murdered your parents would one day come for her and her family. I explained that your presence protected them. I hoped … that one day she would come to love you as well. Alas … that day never came."

Harry hated himself as he wiped tears from his eyes. Deep down he had always wished that they would love him.

"Well … those days are behind both of us."

Harry frowned. "What do you mean?"

"From here on, you shall no longer call the Dursleys your home. We have removed you from that environment once and for all. They have been informed that you shall not be returning."

"Where will I go, sir?"

"A new home has been found for you. They're a wizarding family and were close friends to your parents."

Harry absentmindedly moved closer to the edge of his seat. He half expected Dumbledore to proclaim the Weasleys as his new family.

"Their names are Ted and Andromeda Tonks. They have a teenage daughter, Nymphadora. She's just graduated from Hogwarts and is pursuing a career in the Ministry. Andromeda is anxious to meet you and wishes to come visit you at Hogwarts next weekend. Would you be okay with that?"

"Absolutely!" Harry couldn't believe his ears. He longed to see the Tonks family again. Whether he would ever live with them depended upon how successful he was, and how fast.

Dumbledore smiled. "Excellent. I shall make the arrangements. Now, how has your first week at Hogwarts treated you?"

"Do you mean it, sir?" Harry asked, ignoring the Headmaster's question. "I never have to see the Dursleys again?" He had to sell this point.

"Yes, Harry. I dare say that you will never see the Dursleys again." Dumbledore smiled grandfatherly. "Now, about your first week."

"It's been excellent, sir. Better than any dream I've ever had."

"Very good. I want you to feel as though this is your home while you're here."

"Hogwarts feels like home."

"Then off you go. I shall tend to the arrangements with Mr. and Mrs. Tonks. Your belongings at the Dursleys shall be transferred here, then to the Tonks home."

Harry arose excitedly. "Thank you, sir!"

"You're quite welcome. Now, go enjoy the rest of your day."

~~~Poor Decisions~~~

Harry found Hermione in the Library reading. He sat down across from her and braced for the onslaught.

"Harry! How did it go with the Headmaster? What did he want? Did he have something for you?"

"All is well, Hermione. He wanted to talk to me about the Dursleys."

Hermione tilted her head to one side. "What about them?"

"Well, he told me how sorry he was that he ever placed me with them and that I wouldn't have to ever go back there again."

"Harry! That's wonderful!" Hermione beamed at him from across the table. "Did he say why?"

Harry looked about for the librarian, Madam Pence. "Let's take this outdoors before Madam Pence tosses us out."

"Ooh, good thinking."

The two made their way out of the castle and into the open grounds. It was truly beautiful that time of year. Harry guided Hermione down towards the lake and the tree he, Ron and Hermione had always gathered near.

"Oh, this tree," Hermione mused as they reached the lake.

"What about this tree?"

"Nothing, Harry. So … what did the Headmaster say?"

Harry commenced to recanting his meeting with the Headmaster, watching her expressions carefully. Something about her actions were still a bit concerning. She was acting more and more out of character for what he remembered her eleven-year-old self to be like.

"Wow … that's … amazing."

"Aren't you happy, Hermione? Isn't this what we were talking about in the library?"

"Of course, I'm happy for you, Harry. Just … aren't you worried what these Tonks people are like?"

"They can't be worse than the Dursleys and they're a wizarding family. That means they'll never call me a freak. Even if they treat me like a guest in their home, it's better than being treated—"

"I'm sure the Tonks family will treat you … I mean, they're wizards and all. They would never … I mean, they should never treat …" Hermione stumbled over her words.

"You okay, Hermione?"

"Uh, yeah … I, uh, just remembered something I need to get from my dorms."

Without warning, Hermione bolted up the grassy slope, back towards the castle. Harry paused before pursuing her. By the time he caught up, she had already entered the castle. Heading down the corridor just to the left of the grand staircase, he could hear her muttering to herself.

"It's what's best for Harry. It's what's best for Harry. I should be happy. I should be glad."

Where have I heard her muttering like this before?

"Just stick to the plan."

Harry's heart raced. Without warning, he grabbed her by the shoulders and unceremoniously shoved her into the nearest empty classroom, slamming the door behind them. Withdrawing his wand, he cast a non-verbal silencing charm at the door before turning his wand on her.

"What plan?" Harry demanded, preparing to duel. "Who are you?"

"That bloody faun!"

Harry's eyes went wide. "What!"

"Isn't it obvious!" Hermione roared, ignoring his wand and pacing across the floor. "That faun—don't say his name—visited us on the exact same night. He convinced us to travel back in time and change the future. Question is, what period in time did you come back to?"

Harry grabbed his head, massaging his temples. "Wait, wait, wait. Are you saying that you're—"

"I'm from the future, Harry … at least my mind is, and you are too. Don't you dare deny it."

"Not denying anything … just … bloody hell."

Harry dropped to his knees, trying to sort his thoughts. Hermione … his Hermione was with him. He felt her drop to her knees next to him.

"What period in time did you come back to?"

Harry dropped his hands to his side. "He asked me to remember the moment that everything started to go wrong and focus on it."

"When was that?"

"The first time I boarded the Hogwarts Express."

Hermione looked at him, lost for words.

"What period in time did you focus on?"

"Somehow, Harry, we thought of the exact same moment."

They both stared at one another. Harry had no idea how to react. He could barely process that Hermione, his Hermione, was kneeling before him. Not the young naïve nearly twelve-year-old girl from his past, but the veteran warrior, mother and friend.

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why did you do it, Hermione? Why come back?"

Hermione sighed. "I wanted a fresh start. I wanted to change all of our futures for the better." A tear rolled down her cheek. "I wanted my children to have a better future. I wanted you to be happy."

"Why did he send both of us?" The trained Auror was on full alert, working his thoughts again like pieces to a puzzle.

"Hedging his bet, I suppose. Probably expected this exact moment to occur. Now, I guess we need to compare notes."

"We'll compare notes in a minute. First, there's something else we need to do."

Before Hermione could ask what that was, Harry wrapped her in a hug. She barely hesitated before throwing her arms around him and squeezing him tight. When they released, she was sobbing.

"Stupid, I know," she sniffed.

"Not stupid. Refreshing." Harry conjured a handkerchief and handed it to her. They then stood and took a seat at a nearby desk. They sat there for several minutes, neither uttering a word. Allowing their minds to catch-up.

Harry broke the silence first. "Now, when did you become suspicious of me?"

"When we went to Hagrid's hut. The moment you heard that he was supposed to be going into Hogsmeade, you slapped yourself."

"Yeah. Not my brightest moment."

"When did you first suspect me?"

"When Nev asked if he could join us for breakfast. You gave me your classic look of approval. Trouble was, you didn't develop that knowing look until we were much older. This version was still a bit too stuffy."

"Stuffy?" she retorted, slapping him on the shoulder. "Stuffy?"

"Stuffy, anxious and self-conscious, to be exact. What? You're denying it?"

"Well … no … but it's not proper to point out."

He rubbed the bridge of his nose, thinking. Concluding that it would be best to get it out of the way, he decided to ask. "How are you handling being around Ron?"

"It's been easier than I thought it would be … and far better than you, I might add. What's your deal? I've been wondering why you've been so different and how my saying hello on the platform could have changed you that much. You're befriending Draco, which I get, and you're alienating Ron. I know how he treated you, but that was because of Ginny. You can't blame him totally. He was hurting."

His voice became deadpanned. "I agree, but … I can blame him for how he treated you. He abandoned you."

"I divorced and left him, Harry. Not the other way around."

"Yes, but he never came after you. Never attempted to repair his marriage. Instead, he spent his time trying to prove himself to everyone else and blaming me for Ginny!"

Harry stood up and kicked over the desk next to them.

"Harry." He paused at the touch of her hand on his shoulder. "You've got to let it go. If we're successful, that Ron may never exist. You need to remember the Ron that was your best mate. Your brother in everything but blood."

He turned to face her. "I'll try, but right now we need to focus on the successful part and do it quickly." He raised his eyebrows and smirked. "Let me in on your great plan and I'll forget how much you've been playing me."

"We've been playing each other, Harry." She waggled her finger in his face. "And only because we thought we were interacting with our younger selves. Now, what have you done that I'm not aware of?"

"Well, I spoke with the faun. Got caught by Fred and George. Other than that …"

"You got caught by the twins, and what do you mean you spoke to the faun?" Hermione was stamping her foot now, arms folded.

"He told me to search him out."

"He told me to stay as far away from him as possible and to never say his name." She rubbed her chin. "Clever git, indeed. Now, what about the twins?"

"They caught me sneaking with the Marauder's Map. I had disillusioned myself."

"Bloody hell. I completely forgot about that bloody map!"

"Likewise. Not to worry though, I used the veil of the Boy-Who-Lived to mask my coming and goings, telling them that I'm on a mission to prevent the return of Voldemort and to weed out all of his followers."

She returned to her seat, and Harry did as well. "That's actually quite clever."

"It's the truth. Why does my cleverness surprise you so?"

"Oh hush," she snapped playfully. "Now, before too many things change we need to deal with Voldemort. In order to do that we need to dispose of his horcruxes."

Harry paused, then asked, "Have you noticed any other changes, Hermione? Changes that we couldn't have had any hand in?"

Hermione shrugged. "Naturally." When Harry stared blankly at her she huffed, "Oh honestly! This is why I encouraged you and Ron to finish your education! If you had, you would understand what's going on!"

"Doubtful but go on." Harry dodged a harder slap aimed at the back of his head.

"It's called Carpum's law, Harry. Carpum explains that if you travel back in time, even for the slightest of periods, things won't be exactly as you remembered. It's what kept tripping me up in our third year; I just didn't realize it."

"So ... the password to the Gryffindor common room being changed and Dumbledore's office being different. Those are Carpum's law?"

"I believe so." Hermione tilted her head slightly. "What about Dumbledore's office?"

"Well, there was a lot more gadgets and such scattered throughout. Oh, and he offered me a butterscotch instead of a sherbet lemon."

"Minor differences are to be expected." Hermione pushed her hair back over her shoulders. "Now, we need to devise a plan to deal with Voldemort's horcruxes."

"They're on my list. I plan on starting with the diadem."

"Too late," she retorted, reaching inside her satchel and pulling out a burnt looking piece of twisted metal. "I took care of it on night one."

Harry clapped his hands together. "Brilliant! Least we know that its location didn't change. Now, how do we dispose of the others?"

"Haven't worked that out yet, but now that we're together I'm sure we'll come up with something better than the first go around."

"You mean better than riding a dragon out of Gringotts?"

"Harry don't even joke. I had nightmares for years after."

"Sorry!" Harry held his hands up in surrender before scratching his chin in thought, missing having whiskers. "Now, let's see. If nothing's changed, the locket is at Grimmauld Place, the cup is at Gringotts, the ring is at the Gaunt house, the diary is somewhere at Malfoy Manor, the diadem is here and so am I. That leaves Nagini."

Hermione sighed heavily. "Yes, and we have no knowledge where the bloody snake was at this time in history. If we don't destroy all the horcruxes and cure you before Quirrell goes after the Philosopher's stone—"

"He'll survive the attack. Yeah, I know. We need to focus on ending Voldemort this year. Then, we can clear Sirius and begin righting all the other wrongs."

Harry closed his eyes and began rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"I'm glad you're here with me." Hermione reached over and took his hand in hers.

Harry looked up and smiled, "Me too. It was going to be bloody hard and lonely without you to confide in."

"The faun was smarter than I thought."

"His younger self is smart too, but very angry."

Hermione furrowed her brow. "Angry at what?"

"Everything, it seems, and loaded with sarcasm."

The two travelers spent their whole afternoon and evening planning the lengths they would need to go to achieve their goals. Though when they exited the classroom, they were still no closer to solving the riddle of the horcruxes. The following week presented its own array of challenges, including their first flying lesson with Madam Hooch. The big question was how Draco would react and would the Remembrall incident happen as before.

Sure enough, Neville's memorable first lesson began as it had all those years ago. Harry watched as he rose higher and higher into the air, spinning like a top.

"Mr. Longbottom! Come down at once!" Madam Hooch shouted.

"I can't!" Neville retorted, fear filling his voice.

Harry desperately wanted to whip out his wand and save his friend, but he and Hermione had agreed that some things needed to happen. Therefore, he watched in horror as one of the saviors of Hogwarts plummeted to the ground, a nasty crunch accompanying the impact.

"Well, it's broken," Madam Hooch sighed, examining Neville's wrist. "I must escort Mr. Longbottom to the hospital wing. Brooms on the ground! First one to kick off will be out of Hogwarts faster than he or she can say Quidditch!"

Madam Hooch marched a pain-filled Neville up towards the castle.

"Did you see the look on the great oaf's face?" Malfoy drawled.

Harry met his gaze with one of disapproval.

"Come now, Harry. You must admit that Longbottom has all the properties of a squib!"

"I try not to judge people too quickly, Malfoy. I've found that given a chance, people can surprise you."

"No surprise here," Malfoy sighed, leaning over and scooping up Neville's Remembrall from the grass. "It looks as though Longbottom has lost this."

Draco tossed the Remembrall to Harry, but Zabini reached out and snatched it from the air.

"Give it back, Zabini," Harry breathed.

"Why should I? Because the famous Harry Potter wishes me to?" Zabini tossed the glass ball into the air before catching it with his other hand. "Tell you what, Potter, I'll make you a wager. Tag me on my broom and I'll give you Boringbottom's ball back."

Before Harry could reply, Zabini mounted his broom and kicked off. Harry glanced at Hermione, who wore a dark frown. This bold behavior contrasted greatly to the Zabini he remembered. Carpum's bloody law.

"Come on, Potter. What's the matter? Famous Boy-Who-Lived scared of a broom?"

Harry bit his lip as he mounted his broom, kicking off hard. The rush of excitement overwhelmed him, and he smiled in spite of himself. Need to hold back. Don't make it look too easy. The other Gryffindors cheered while Hermione protested convincingly.

"Come on then, Potter. Catch me if you can!"

Zabini streaked off as fast as the training broom would go around the tops of the trees. Harry leaned forward and shot off after him. He remembered how good of a flyer Zabini had been, and he wasn't going to chase a Chaser.

Soon, they were out of view of the watching students below. Harry waited until Zabini lost sight of him then dived just below the tops, weaving in and out of branches. He looked up to see Zabini just above him. They would crest the clearing at any moment. He pulled his broom straight up, bursting through the canopy and nearly scaring Zabini off his broom. They raced back towards the clearing, and Harry reached out a hand. He could almost touch Zabini's robes. Wait till we reach the clearing.

"Hey, Potter!" Zabini shouted nervously as they cleared the trees. "Catch!"

Zabini tossed the Remembrall over his shoulder, Harry just missing it with his outstretched hand. He watched as it spiraled towards the ground. Déjà vu in full effect, he angled his broom and pelted after the tiny ball. The wind buzzed in his ears as he pushed the broom as fast as it would go.

Stretching out across his broom, he reached out and snatched the orb from the air. Gasps and screams filled his ears as he toppled hard onto the ground, the broom doing an odd sort of end-over-end spin as it passed by his head and landing in the grass. The Gryffindors gathered around him, Dean patting him on the back as Seamus helped him to his feet. Hermione looked a mixture of pleased and put out.

"Harry Potter!"

Harry groaned, turning to face the approaching Professor McGonagall.

"Professor, it was—"

"Thank you, Mr. Finnigan," Professor McGonagall snapped, ripping the Remembrall from Harry's hand. "Mr. Potter, come with me immediately. The rest of you—brooms on the ground lest you wish to board the Hogwarts Express."

Harry looked down and swallowed nervously. He dared a glance at Hermione, who wore the look of mild concern. She thinks I'm acting! Well, I would be if it wasn't for bloody Carpum.

Harry followed Professor McGonagall in silence as they entered the castle. His tension began to ease as she led him down a familiar corridor, before stopping outside a classroom and poking her head inside.

"Excuse me, Professor Flitwick. Might I borrow Wood for a moment?"

A few seconds later, Oliver Wood appeared in the doorway.

"You two; follow me," Professor McGonagall commanded, marching up the corridor and stopping in front of an empty classroom. "In here."

Wood looked strangely from Harry to the Professor but didn't utter a word. Just as Harry remembered, Peeves the Poltergeist hovered in the classroom, writing vulgar words on the blackboard.

"Peeves! Out!"

Peeves tossed the chalk across the room before swooping out, cursing as he went. Professor McGonagall slammed the door behind him, breathing deeply to regain her composure.

"Potter, this is Oliver Wood. Wood, I believe that I have found you a Seeker."

Wood frowned at Harry, then smiled. "Are you serious, Professor?"

"Absolutely. The boy's a natural. I've never seen anyone fly like that before. Was that your first time on a broomstick, Potter?" Harry nodded, biting the inside of his lip. "He caught this after a fifty-foot dive." Professor McGonagall held up the Remembrall for Wood to see. "Didn't even scratch himself. I'd bet Charlie Weasley couldn't have done it."

"Blimey," Wood breathed. "You ever seen a game of Quidditch, Potter?"

Harry lied and shook his head.

"Wood's the captain of the Gryffindor Quidditch team," Professor McGonagall explained.

"He'll need a good broom, Professor. A Cleansweep Seven or Nimbus Two Thousand."

"I shall go and speak to the Headmaster. He will need to bend the first-year rules. Heaven knows, we need a better team than last year. Slytherin flattened us in the last match. I couldn't stomach to look Professor Snape in the face for weeks …" Professor McGonagall stared sternly at Harry. "Train hard, Potter, or I may change my mind about punishing you."

"Yes, Professor."

Professor McGonagall smiled, handing him the Remembrall. "Your father would have been proud. He was an excellent Quidditch player. I'm excusing you two from classes for the rest of the day, so that Wood might bring you up to speed on the game of Quidditch. Please return to the common room until dinner. It would not be wise to be seen roaming the corridors or the grounds."

Harry breathed calming breaths as he exited the classroom with Wood. Not exactly as he remembered but the results were the same. Wood was talking his ear off about Quidditch as they headed for the Gryffindor common room when Filch turned the corner, blocking their path.

"Got you this time!" Filch looked as though he might dance. "No Professor Snape to save you this time!"

"Filch!" Harry and Wood turned to see Professor McGonagall marching up behind them. "I have just sent these two to their common room. You will kindly step aside and allow them to pass."

"Professor McGonagall," Filch groaned. "I thought that they—"

"Yes, well you thought wrong. Now, let them pass." Professor McGonagall sounded far too angry, considering the situation.

Filch backed against the wall, allowing them to pass. Harry could feel his heart racing. Something is bloody wrong. Professor McGonagall followed, and he clearly heard her mutter, "Squib."

"What …" Harry mumbled, turning to look at the Professor.

Professor McGonagall smiled, but offered no explanation before turning and heading off for the Headmaster's office. When he and Wood reached the common room, Wood placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You weren't raised by a Wizarding family, Potter?"

"No. Why?" Harry squinted up at Wood.

Wood sighed. "I didn't think so. Well, one thing you need to understand is that when a person is born to a Wizarding family, but possesses no magical abilities, they're considered a squib."

Harry knew this, but in all his years he had never heard Professor McGonagall utter that word. Thinking back to how terrified Filch looked at Snape, his heart fell into his stomach.

"But isn't calling someone a squib demeaning?" Harry asked as naïvely as possible, wanting desperately to shout.

"It's accepted … but yes, it's demeaning." Wood smiled. "Maybe our generations can change that."

At that moment, Harry would have given anything to get to Hermione. Carpum's law! Bloody hell! What have we done!

A/N: Greetings! Hope you enjoyed the chapter! I tip my hat to my son, JB. A lot of the more intriguing twists are coming from him. He has quite the imagination! Together, we're keeping it plausible. New challenges for our hero but new allies as well. Special thanks to Critters At Play for being beta. Please Review. New chapter will be up soon.

JB is helping me get caught up on the other K+ through T rated stories. I'm letting him assist me with some of An Ace in the Hole and The Falling, excluding the Mature parts (adding them later).

Anyways, hope you enjoyed. New updates coming!