Chapter 1: The Master of Death
Harry Potter stood on the top of the tallest tower of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, his emerald-green eyes reflecting the moonlight. He was no longer the naive boy who had stepped into this magical world so many years ago. He was now the Master of Death, having united the Deathly Hallows. But he wasn't here to reminisce.
Harry's heart was heavy, his mind a whirlwind of worry. The non-magical world had grown too powerful, too dangerous. The continued attempts by some to blend the magical and non-magical worlds seemed to pose more of a threat than he could bear. He had seen first-hand the destruction caused by the hands of non-magical folk - wars, violence, the relentless exploitation of the Earth. No, the magical world deserved better.
He sighed, looking down at the shimmering castle that had been his home, his sanctuary. It was at Hogwarts that he'd found a family, friendship, and love. But it was also here that he had encountered deception and manipulation. Albus Dumbledore, the person he had once respected, the man who he had believed in, was at the root of most of it. Dumbledore had kept him in the dark, used him as a pawn in a deadly game, and Harry felt a surge of bitterness at the memory.
The face of Orion Black floated into his mind, the ancestor of his godfather Sirius Black, and he had a sudden thought. Orion was in his fourth year at Hogwarts. If Harry went back to that time, he could do a world of good, protect Orion from the clutches of the Dark Lord, and maybe, just maybe, alter the course of history for the better.
Drawing a deep breath, Harry made his decision. The stone of resurrection hummed in his pocket, the elder wand thrummed in his hand, and the cloak of invisibility shimmered around him. As the Master of Death, he held dominion over time itself, and he intended to use it. His gaze fixed on the star-studded sky, he uttered the ancient incantation he'd found in Hermione's time-turner research.
The world spun around him, a whirl of colours and lights. Time was malleable, stretching and bending under his command. The sensation was akin to the pull of a portkey, except it was not space but time that was changing around him.
He landed heavily on his feet. Looking up, he saw the familiar sight of Hogwarts castle, but subtly different. Students were walking towards it, excited and chattering, wearing robes that were slightly out of fashion compared to what he was used to.
As he walked to the castle, he felt a strange sensation of excitement mixed with a tinge of fear. He was in the past now, ready to make significant changes. But the biggest challenge lay in keeping his identity hidden while doing so. He needed to blend in, and for that, he would have to become someone else.
With a small sigh, he waved his wand over himself, casting a glamour that altered his iconic features just enough to render him unrecognizable. His black hair lightened to a sandy brown, his emerald eyes turned a soft hazel, and his scar, that lightning bolt reminder of a destiny he didn't ask for, disappeared. Thus, Harry Potter became Henry Peverell, a new student joining in the fourth year, the same as Orion Black.
A feeling of nostalgia washed over him as he entered the Great Hall, the enchanted ceiling twinkling with stars. His eyes wandered to the Slytherin table, where he spotted the handsome face of Orion Black. He was deep in conversation with his friends, a carefree smile on his face. His heart twanged at the sight, remembering Sirius's smile, a reflection of the one he saw now.
Harry - or rather, Henry - steeled himself. He was here to make a change, to build a better future for the magical world. He could not afford to let his emotions get the best of him. He strode forward, ready to face whatever this new timeline had in store for him, unaware that his life was about to change in ways he could not even begin to imagine.
His journey had just begun. Little did he know then, that in trying to save the magical world, he might just find a home, a purpose, and perhaps even love.