Chapter 3
Severus exited the floo at Malfoy Manor still out of sorts. The child he had given oath to protect was now alive again. He was unsure whether his oath even still held since there was quite a bit of argument to the idea that this Harry was not the original Harry. Did parallel universes count towards oaths?
The continuous back and forth in his mind was overridden by the knowledge that he had absolutely failed his best, and only real friend in the past. But now he had the ability to do something about it. He quickly found the Dark Lord in a side parlor examining an old scroll. He dropped to a knee and bent his neck.
"Ah Severus. Have you come to bring me news on the old fool's movements?" The Dark Lord rasped softly.
"Yes, my Lord. There is to be a meeting of the Order tonight to discuss something important. I am unsure of what yet, but I will, of course bring the news to you immediately." He responded with his eyes still to the carpet. He knew he had the Dark Lord's trust, but it would not do to raise his head without permission and incur his wrath.
"Perhaps you can give insight to what brought Dumbledore to the Department of Mysteries? One of my spies saw him sweeping through the hallways, and I find myself intrigued as to what could draw him there."
Snape paused for a moment, and considered his options. "My Lord, I believe it was unimportant this time. He has been having difficulty with filling the cursed Defense Against the Dark Arts position this year, and while ex-Auror Moody served him well, his recent sickness has forced him to go back into retirement. Dumbledore was likely attempting to entice an Unspeakable he knows to step out of the office to teach for the upcoming school year."
"It is good to see that my curse still bothers the old man. Does he still distrust you with the Dark Arts enough to keep you from the job? I know that you have prompted him on the position tirelessly."
"Yes my Lord. I will continue as I have, however, so that I can serve you still at the castle," Snape responded quickly. Promptly assuring the Dark Lord of his subservience had always been the correct reply to responses like these. Severus knew to expect an overture of the the Dark Lord's future rewards immediately.
"As my most faithful, Severus, you know that Lord Voldemort provides. Once I have finished with my takeover of the Ministry, and Hogwarts, you can expect whatever position there that you desire. Now return to the school, and bring back word from the meeting when you can."
"Of course my Lord. I will do as you command." Snape rose and swept from the room, ignoring the greetings and nods of the Death Eaters he passed in the halls. He had a letter to write, destroy, and rewrite until he felt he could send it.
====X====
Minerva McGonagall had just come back from tea with Griselda Marchbanks, and setting up a weeks worth of OWLs to occur within a single weekend. Thankfully, her old friend hadn't been too pushy about finding out why and had accepted that an ill child had missed the week due to hospitalization.
Griselda had been more apt to gossiping about the students rather than show much interest in the results from this years tests so far. The usual suspects had taken the few top spots, and she and Filius would be going over their bets later of course, but nothing truly surprising had occurred. Missus Hermione Granger and Padma Patil had done quite well for themselves on the tests, and she was certain that she would triumph with her house beating Ravenclaw for the top spot.
As she added the new name to the sixth year rolls, she finally had to turn over the true problem she was facing in her mind and address it. The son of her favorite student of the past few decades was now not only alive, but finally to be in her care at the school.
She knew she wasn't supposed to have favorites in this way, but James had always held a spot in her heart. His quick interest in transfiguration had been one part of the connection, but it was his jovial attitude towards pranks and fun that had brought the rare smile to her face.
Her husband had been just a flippant and fun loving. Most tragically, he died too suddenly for them to have any children. She supposed James had been an automatic surrogate child in her eyes. She had grieved for a decade when she had heard of James and Harry's death.
Would this child be just like him or just like Lily? She had not been as connected to the witch as Filius and Horace had been, but found herself excited to see just what the lad was like. Maybe he might even have a bit of his father's talent on a broom.
Not much had brought joy to the old witch's heart but she thought she might just smile a good bit more this year.
====X====
Albus Dumbledore strode down Diagon Alley with a shrunken trunk in robe pocket that contained everything he knew a fifth/sixth year would need to be successful, as well a few odds and ends that he hoped would provide a measure of comfort to a displaced youth.
He had, of course added a few useful books and trinkets, but he knew his best addition was a small bag of various sweet treats. Not much could break the grin of his sister when she had a nice chocolate or candy, and the comfort her joy had brought still moved his actions at times.
It had been strange to request the holly wand from Olivander, and though he had had asked no questions, the man seemed to smile. Perhaps it had been a knowing one, or just happiness at finally finding a home for a wand he had kept for longer than normal. He had always been a hard one to read for the old Headmaster, and wandcraft still felt too attached to Divination for comfort.
As he entered the dimly lit Eyelops, he let his eyes adjust to the darkness, and his ears to the soft hooting and rustling of feathers. He had not had the heart to explain to the boy just how unlikely it was that his owl would still be here. Truth be told, a visit took little time, and perhaps he could find another new friend for him.
He explained to the shopkeeper in as simple a way as possible that he was looking for a female snowy owl that had been here quite some time, and was likely to nip at fingers. The man almost rushed to grab an older owl from a back corner.
"Been 'ere a while she has, but I'm glad to be gettin' the old girl a home. Jus' doesn' warm up ta anyone, does she? Smart one though, you'll find."
He was not completely sure that this was the owl in question, but paid for her and her accessories just in case. If she was, then perhaps there was something deeper in the works here. Stranger things had occurred and the magic of pets and familiars had never been studied quite as much as the Headmaster thought it should.
He would need to head back soon to have a difficult conversation, but first he had to go and check on something vitally important.
====X====
Harry sat through several lengthy diagnostic spells, and showed more patience in the Hospital Wing than he thought he had ever shown as he took potions, and allowed more spells to be cast over him. However he was beginning to restless from the silence of the normally bustling part of the castle.
He had to remind himself several times that there would be no visits from his friends or well wishers. No students attempting to sneak in to find out the truth behind the rumors of his latest misguided exploit. No prank from the twins to brighten his mood. No basket of candy to draw his attention from whatever injuries he had incurred. Most upsetting though; no Ron asking him about his thoughts on the Cannons chances and no Hermione silently reading next to him with her quiet but warm presence.
Each reminder was a nail on a chalkboard for his mood. While he was happy that no one here was put in danger for his foolish mistake, he wondered how his friends had fared in his world. Why hadn't Sirius come through like he had? The Headmaster and the teachers had been helpful so far and Madam Pomphrey had been particularly hovering, but none of these adults were his adults.
None of his friends would be his friends. The bonds he had forged with them over the years didn't exist. As his mind kept bringing up this fact, his heart would begin to race, and he could feel his breathing pick up. He would have to push the thoughts back down in order to calm himself, and he would be right back where he was in another twenty minutes.
It would take an hour after consuming a Dreamless Sleep potion for Harry to finally drift off.
====X====
Dumbledore felt real hope for the first time in over a decade as he moved from his office down to the Hospital Wing to speak with young Harry, a snowy owl perched on his shoulder. He had just gotten back from the Department of Mysteries again. This time, he had disillusioned himself for the majority of it.
He had given Saul an update in his office, and answered the man's many questions as to the validity of parallel worlds. The "how" was still quite unanswered between them, but the "what", and "why" had at least. With a promise to return once he knew more, he had hidden himself again, and disappeared to another room to discover the answer to his last question.
He could hardly keep his emotions in check at the vision of the glowing prophecy in the Hall of Prophecies. It seemed that the prophecy for the other world was now out of play, but his world's was now active. He had not seen that orb shine since Halloween of 1981 when it had gone dark with the death of it's intended.
As he entered, Poppy approached him to give him a status update. "I've finished his treatments for now Albus, but you need to be cautious with the boy. My spells showed him constantly ramping up to the verge of a panic attack. I'm not sure how he's holding it together, but he's putting on a brave and awfully charming face for it all. Of course those would be the traits he inherited from his father. Bravery and charm, as if I needed that in here again. Once he's healthy, keep him that way please, Albus."
"Of course Poppy. I need to speak with him. How long has he rested?"
"He's gotten a few hours, so you should be able to get him up for a conversation. After that he should rest again before you cart him off to wherever you are going." Poppy said with a tone the brooked no argument. She walked away to give them some time to themselves.
The Headmaster cast a light awakening charm to bring the boy back to consciousness, and waited for it to take full effect. As the bright green eyes slowly began blinking open, he spoke. "I'm glad to see you have gotten some rest my boy. I may have a friend here for you."
With that Harry sat up, and the first real smile crossed his face since he had come across the archway. "Hedwig!" He shouted, and reached out for his feathery companion who, to Dumbledore's surprise, flitted over to the boy and nipped affectionately at his ear.
"It would seem that even more research into familiar bonds needs to be done. It is a wonder, the things that I discover that only deepen the mysteries that magic holds for us."
"I know the feeling Headmaster. I sometimes have to stop and tell myself how much I love magic and what it can do."
At this he had to smile. It was a good sign that the magical world had not stripped young Harry of its' wonder yet.
"Harry, I need to ask you some questions, and perhaps this will help me give you a few answers in turn. This may be a disturbing process for you in the coming days, but it is necessary to discover how you got here and what we can do to help you."
"Yes, Headmaster I'll answer what I can," Harry said with a sigh.
"I find it is best to begin with the beginning. First, please tell me what occurred in your world on Halloween of 1981."
"I don't know much sir. I was told my family was hiding under the Fidelius Charm with Peter Pettigrew as secret keeper. He sold us out and Voldemort came after us that night. My father died to slow him down while my mother took me to my crib. When he got there, she begged for him to spare me, but Voldemort refused and killed her. When he turned his wand on me, his spell backfired and killed him instead, giving me this scar." At this Harry lifted the fringe of his hair and felt for the lightning bolt that had always been there and felt nothing beyond alight line in the skin. "...It's gone. It's been there for my whole life and just like that it's gone. You, the other you that is, told me it was from the dark magic of the killing curse. It used to hurt anytime that Voldemort was nearby or when I had visions of what he was doing."
"That connection may be gone now that you are in this world. That Voldemort, after all, is not this world's Voldemort. Did the Dumbledore of your world ever tell you what exactly saved you that night?"
"He said my mother's love and willingness to sacrifice herself saved me. That it was a magic that Voldemort could not comprehend or deal with. That my victory in that fight was why I had insight into his actions and the reason I was a parselmouth," Harry said with an edge of disgust.
"Hmm that is something we can test for ourselves. Serpensortia." He cast at the floor near the bed.
Harry looked at the small green snake on the ground, frowned, and said, "Turn around." When Dumbledore looked at him and shook his head, Harry looked back and said more clearly and with a squinting look, "Turn around."
Dumbledore vanished the snake and spoke, "Clearly what gave you the ability is no longer there. Perhaps the Veil stripped the dark magic from the scar. In fact...that may be the only reason you survived the Veil in the first place..."
At this Dumbledore quieted and became lost in his own thoughts. He had long suspected the process that Voldemort had survived; the process that had possessed young Ginny Weasley years earlier.
Harry broke the silence a moment later, "Headmaster, if I died in this world, how did you stop Voldemort the first time? Why didn't my mother's death save me here?"
"I'm afraid after your death I had to defeat him myself, though it was only temporary until he could return to a body. This may shock you my boy, but in this world Voldemort did not kill your mother but stunned her instead. Since she did not die for our Harry, he did not have your protection."
"My...my mother is alive?" Harry asked with a bitter hope in his voice and eyes.