The black slowly turned to grey and then to shades of green and brown contorting into shapes which eventually focused into an image. Harry was on his back looking up at a mouldy beamed roof, lying under a thin ragged blanket. His back felt the cold of a stone floor. The smell was salty and damp.
The sound of thunder made him jump. A storm was raging outside whilst an in even greater storm rumbled beside him in the form of his fat cousin Dudley, who hung off the side of a moth eaten sofa snoring and farting. His Aunt and Uncle must have been in the next room.
This was when he realised, he had returned to shack beside the sea on the day Hagrid had come to give him his Hogwarts letter.
His mind raced but his thoughts were immediately put aside when heard a loud bang at the front door forcing him to sit bolt upright. Within moments, the Dursleys were up and out of bed shouting all sort of profanities as half giant Rubeus Hagrid entered the horrid shack sweeping the door clean off its hinges. Harry blinked, his voice stuck in his throat. Hagrid was one of his dearest friends, a gentle shaggy haired man twice the size of any other wizard. He had died fighting in his name. Harry couldn't believe he was alive. But there he was.
The next several hours appeared to go by in a blur, Harry nodded yes and no to most of the questions asked of him or gave brief answers allowing the Dursleys and Hagrid to argue amongst themselves. Aunt petunia spilled her darkest secrets cursing the sister who dared to be born a witch and give birth to Harry. Hagrid raged at the Dursleys for hiding the truth from Harry whose parents had died bravely fighting the evil wizard Voldemort. And, Uncle Vernon spluttered and yelled about not wanting to pay for Harry to learn magic tricks and threatened to shoot up the place.
Poor Dudley looked frightened. Thankfully he did not end up with a pig's tail like he did the last time round.
Finally, Harry accepted his invitation to Hogwarts school for witchcraft and wizardry and the next morning they were out of the hut and making their way far from Dursley's and towards the wizarding world to shop for his new school things.
Hagrid looked down at Harry as he rowed a little boat back across the sea, "You don' say much do yeh?"
Harry smiled, "It's just a bit of a shock, that's all. Thanks for coming to get me Hagrid."
Hagrid chuckled, "That's no problem at all, no problem at all."
The leaky cauldron was no different to the last time he saw it, an old shabby pub filled with wizards and curious sorts. Just as Harry remembered, the busy lounge completely halted as Hagrid and Harry entered and once again Harry found himself shaking hands with everyone in the pub.
Adult Harry never got used to the fame of being the boy who lived and later the man who conquered but at least as a full grown man who was somewhat intimidating and of decent height he was able to navigate the crowd. With his present miniature stature he felt swamped but Hagrid soon pulled him out into the stone court yard round back.
Harry probably should have asked Hagrid why he was tapping the brick wall with his magical umbrella or perhaps acted surprised when the wall opened up to reveal Diagon Alley, a winding cobblestoned street filled with shops selling magical things but he was preoccupied with another thought.
"Where's professor Quirrell?"
"Professor Quirrell Harry? He was the muggle studies professor at Hogwarts, he died not a few days ago. They think he was experimenting with magic. Bless is poor soul. Where'd you learn about im?"
Harry was stuck. Hagrid was the last person he wanted to tell everything to, "Errrr, someone was talking about him in the pub, I just heard the name, thought he was someone important."
"Aye, he was a decent bloke of sorts." He stroked his shaggy black beard.
Harry's day at Diagon Alley continued mostly as he remembered with one glaring exception. Hagrid did not stop at Gringott's bank to collect the grubby little package from vault 713 which meant that Voldemort was no longer after the philosopher's stone. It was clear Umbridge was by Voldemort side by now and had been the one to dispose of Quirrell. Harry was sure that Umbridge had arrived earlier than him but how much earlier he did not know. He had to act quickly.
Harry stood at the edge of a glittering cauldron shop eating a large chocolate ice cream as he looked up at Hagrid. They were both laden with various, oddly shaped brown paper packages and a cage containing a beautiful snowy white owl. The one benefit of being a child is that you could questions with a sense of naivety.
"Hagrid? What does someone like professor Dumbledore do for his holidays. Do headmasters go on holiday or do they stay at school?"
Hagrid's belly quivered as he laughed, "Dumbledore's a busy man he doesn't take much of a holiday really but I do believe he's resting in his cottage in Godric's Hollow as of now. And well need rest, it is!"
Hagrid helped Harry pour his new belongings into a large brown leather trunk and they made their way back onto the tube, the train and then on the bus to 4 privet drive. He stopped Hagrid just before the turning into the street and wrapped his small arms around as much of Hagrid as he possibly could.
"I can take it from Hagrid, I'm not sure the Dursleys want to see you ever again but they have really bad taste, obviously. Thanks for the best day of my life."
Hagrid's beady black eyes teared up and was followed by a very emotional goodbye with short speech about how wonderful Harry's parents were and how Harry was just like them. Harry allowed Hagrid to disappear before his retrieved his wand from his trunk and disapparated with a large crack.
Godric's Hollow was a small sunny west country village filled with charming cottages and wild flowers. It was the original home to both the Potters and the Dumbledore's but of course Harry who had been orphaned had never grown up here. As Harry stood at the edge of Dumbledore's sandy flag-stoned home and the whisperings of sunset starting to set in, he felt a pang of agony. Was it selfish of him to think that Dumbledore could have taken him in instead of the Dursley's? Perhaps his childhood would have been happier near where his Dad had grown up.
Harry didn't have to wait long before Albus Dumbledore answered the door in a red and blue horizontal stripped night dress and floppy wizards hat.
"We need to talk about Voldemort professor." Dumbledore stroked his long white beard and looked at Harry with a bizarre expression on his face. Harry had never seen Dumbledore look shocked before.
"I take that you've just come back from Diagon Alley? And your chaperone is not with you".
"Nope, Hagrid left me at Privet drive and then I apparated here."
"And when did eleven year old Harry Potter learn to apparate exactly?
"In his sixth year at Hogwart's just like everyone else professor. Please let me come in and explain."
Dumbledore did not hesitate. "Of course."
He pointed his wand at his belongings which were presumably banished somewhere safe, he then guided Harry into a what looked like a small study filled with books but when he looked up he noticed the cases extended up and up towards a blue sky. Dumbledore settled behind the desk upon a floral chintz armchair and offered him a similar one opposite.
"Forgive me Harry but how am I to confirm that you are in fact Harry Potter?"
"I'm not really sure you can mimic this scar," Harry pulled the fringe up to reveal his lightning bolt scar, "But there are plenty of other things I could tell you."
"For example."
"Well….I know that professor Quirrell applied for the defence against dark arts job just before he died which makes you suspicious. And I know that it makes you suspicious because that same job became cursed straight after you refused Tom Riddle the position. Tom Riddle being the boy you picked up at Wools orphanage in 1938. The same Tom Riddle who became Lord Voldemort. Who you believe to be immortal and still alive. I think you suspect Horcruxes but you don't have proof. Is that right?"
Dumbledore despite his previous look of shock, in this moment remained expressionless.
"Obviously I realise that this could have come from Voldemort himself but if it helps I'll relinquish my wand to prove it. And, if it's any consolation, I was sorted into Gryffindor not Slytherin which means I can tell you exactly what the common room looks like and I can tell the words that are etched under the window. The one that looks onto the quidditch pitch."
"Oh?"
"Cindy likes big cock and would like to get it on with Justin Reever."
And at that Dumbledore laughed, "I suppose the house elves must have missed that one. I agree your scar would be difficult to replicate but I will have to take your wand for now."
Harry handed it over and he inspected it very closely. Had Olivander sent word that Harry owned Voldemort's brother wand already?
"Do continue, I would like to hear your story from the beginning."
And so he told him everything or at least every important he could remember from the moment he entered Hogwarts to the moment Umbridge had unwittingly taken him back in time.
"I will have to think on this Harry, long and hard. There are many things at stake here. Many things that could go wrong."
"We should probably act soon though. Umbridge will be collecting horcruxes as we speak."
"I understand your anxious and I am too after hearing your story but this needs to be planned carefully."
"Okay, I'll leave it in your hands."
To Harry's frustration, Dumbledore had banished Harry's items to 4 Privet Drive forcing him to return. To further his frustration, he did not return his wand under the guise of wanting to investigate further. To his relief however the Dursley's ignored Harry for the rest of the Summer holiday, something he preferred. And it was a good thing they ignored him as he spent most his time obsessing over the daily prophet and was on the verge of nervous breakdown almost every other hour.
This particular meltdown triggered by the news that Gringott's had reported a break in. This only meant one thing, Umbridge aided by Voldemort had gone to retrieve Hufflepuff's cup from the Lestrange vault, very quickly unravelling the knots of Harry's hard work. The cup was one of five existing horcruxes that encapsulated pieces Voldemort's soul allowing him to remain anchored to the living world. Without them he could not die.
Dumbledore would know after everything he told him. Surely he was doing something about it, right?
Just then, Hedwig the snowy white owl he'd been gifted by Hagrid glided through the open window and dropped a letter on his head. The loopy ink that crossed the parchment was definitely his.
Dear Harry,
Please meet me in my office tomorrow morning, I presume you know where that is. The password is fizzing wizzbee
AB
Harry enjoyed his stroll along the pathway that lead from Hogsmeade to Hogwart's castle which stood proud amongst the Scottish Mountains, its may turrets and towers stretching out towards the blue sky.
The castle walls were warm and familiar holding memories both happy and deeply painful for Harry. Would he return here and revisit his childhood? Both Hermione and Ron were alive, happy and free of torture right now. Their lives were better off without him. Or would they work out some way to send him back eventually.
He passed the gargoyle that protected Dumbledore's office revealing the large circular room filled with booked and curiosities.
"No Fawkes?" Asked Harry looking at the empty perch were Dumbledore's companion phoenix usually sat.
"I believe he's exploring the countryside, it is a rather lovely day."
Dumbledore was smiling as Harry sat opposite him at the large gleaming mahogany desk. He opened the draw on the left side of his desk and retrieved Harry's wand.
"I am sorry to have taken it. You of course have my trust and I'm sure you have your questions about what I have found" Harry sighed in relief.
"So, Gringott's was broken into, do we know which vault?"
"The Lestrange vault as I am sure you've guessed. A golden goblin made cup was stolen"
"Great. And the rest? Did you get time to investigate?"
Dumbledore pulled open the drawer on the right side and placed the diadem of Ravenclaw and locket of Slytherin on his desk.
"I did visit Little Hangleton and the cave you mentioned. Both fit your description. I was not able to retrieve Voldemort's ring however it is still there and I am yet to make a visit to Lucius Malfoy."
"Have you caught sight of him yet?"
"Not yet, no but I will keep looking."
Harry took the use of word I as a slight. Did he not intend to involve Harry?
"Does anyone else know?"
"Knowledge of the future is incredibly dangerous Harry. There are many I would normally trust but not in this situation. The temptation is too great."
Harry was beginning to feel thirsty, he cleared his throat, "Could I have glass of water?"
Dumbledore nodded and glided towards a mahogany cabinet, his magnificent white beard swinging behind him, "A glass of African dandelion juice perhaps? I bought it back with me from Egypt, it's quite delicious."
Harry's mouth was starting to feel like sandpaper, "Sure, sounds nice."
He picked a rather tall glass, taller than the others in the cabinet and filled it to the top. Harry was tempted to drink it immediately but something did not feel quite right. He has drunk African dandelion juice, one of the many gifts that were sent to him after Voldemort was defeated, it smelt different.
Harry picked up the glass and let it slip from his fingers and onto the table spilling it contents.
"Sorry, clumsy me. You can just give me glass of water, I'm sure you want to save the rest for a special occasion."
"No, no, it's no bother, I insist. I'll never drink it all on my own."
Retinentia was an extremely potent murky green brew similar in appearance to dandelion juice which could wipe the drinkers memory depending on how much you gave them. A few drops meant a few days but a whole glass, several years. Did Dumbledore mean to make Harry forget the last eight years?
Dumbledore faced away from Harry as he topped up his glass, the spilled drink remaining on the table. This gave Harry time to transfer a few drops into Dumbledore's own goblet. Alcohol would increase its potency so he made sure to only add a small amount. If he was right, Dumbledore would forget the last few weeks and if he wrong well nothing would happen at all.
"Ah you're clearing up the table. Thank you. Drink away."
"Oh is that Fawkes?" Harry pointed at the window.
Dumbledore looked away immediately. Harry vanished his glass and replaced with an identical one containing coloured water.
He drank and so did Dumbledore.