Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter

The Future Foretold


Extract from Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, by Jk Rowling


The Gryffindor first years followed Percy through the chattering crowds, out of the Great Hall, and up the marble staircase. Harry Potter's legs were like lead again, but only because he was so tired and full of food. He was too sleepy even to be surprised that the people in the portraits along the corridors whispered and pointed as they passed, or that twice Percy led them through doorways hidden behind sliding panels and hanging tapestries. They climbed more staircases, yawning and dragging their feet, and Harry was just wondering how much farther they had to go when they came to a sudden halt. A bundle of walking sticks was floating in midair ahead of them, and as Percy took a step toward them they started throwing themselves at him.

"Peeves," Percy whispered to the first years. "A poltergeist." He raised his voice, "Peeves — show yourself."

A loud, rude sound, like the air being let out of a balloon, answered.

"Do you want me to go to the Bloody Baron?"

There was a pop, and a little man with wicked, dark eyes and a wide mouth appeared, floating cross-legged in the air, clutching the walking sticks.

"Oooooooh!" he said, with an evil cackle. "Ickle Firsties! What fun!"

He swooped suddenly at them. They all ducked.

"Go away, Peeves, or the Baron'll hear about this, I mean it!" barked Percy.

Peeves stuck out his tongue and vanished, dropping the walking sticks on Neville's head. They heard him zooming away, rattling coats of armor as he passed.


Extract from Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone, by Jk Rowling


But they didn't notice a walking stick bounce off Neville and hit Harry, knocking him off balance and into a nearby cupboard, whose doors were open wide. Everyone was too sleepy to notice Harry's absence or that the cupboard closed on its own volition. They went on their way, leaving the small boy locked up in the dark.

And though it was dark and Harry hated the dark, he found the floor and the walls of this cupboard oddly soft and comforting and it felt soothing to the horrible bruises and welts on his back. All his sleepiness vanished, only to be replaced by fear of this unknown world where cupboards could just close on you without anyone being involved.

Harry was forgotten and Harry felt alone. Why should this matter? He had always been alone!

Harry had just begun his life in the Wizarding World. And as he sat in the cupboard wondering whether he should shout or just remain silent and wait to see what happened, he found himself wondering how different his reception was in this world compared to the other one with the Dursleys and Uncle Vernon's belt.

After what seemed like a long time, Harry found himself feeling terrified. What if nobody ever remembered him and he wasn't let out? What if his uncle suddenly decided to make an appearance? What if he would never get to see daylight again? The little boy was on the verge of tears. He didn't know for how long he just sat there, scared stiff, which was usually quite unlike him, when finally, he heard leisure footsteps head towards him and he made a split decision to cry out for help.

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Albus Dumbledore had just dispersed his fellow teachers after the first staff meeting of the year and now he and Severus Snape were simply walking down the corridors in companionable silence... This was their usual routine from the first time Severus attended a Hogwarts staff meeting.

They would sit and even have a late cup of coffee in his or Severus's office talking about nothing in particular before they bade each other good night and headed to their own quarters.

For some reason, Dumbledore found himself being drawn towards the corridor that lead to Griffindor Tower and Dumbledore's keen sense of yearning to learn even at his old age prevented him from resisting the pull.

Severus on the other hand didn't look very happy, nonetheless, he walked alongside his elderly companion.

"Why are we headed this way, Headmaster?" he asked with thinly veiled impatience.

"I do not know, Severus." he replied. "I just find myself being magically drawn to this place."

Dumbledore saw Severus scowl but no more words were spoken. Silently, they moved into the corridor of their destination at around half past nine. And it was as they moved further that they heard a terrified child's voice tinged with hysteria, "L-Let me out! Please! Let me out! I'll d-do anything! Please open this door!"

Both men hurried to the cupboard and without wasting any time, Severus pulled the doors open. Inside, huddled in a corner, his arms wrapped around his knees was a frightened Harry Potter.

Dumbledore saw Severus's expression contorting into a sneer and he hastened to intervene before the child was spooked any further.

"Harry?" he said gently, placing a hand on Severus's arm, a sign that told the younger man to be quiet.

But before, Harry could do so much as turn to look at his saviour, the inner walls of the cupboard turned white and Dumbledore found himself being pulled into the cupboard along with Severus and the cupboard began to expand.

The innermost, broader wall of the cupboard started to get brighter and brighter until it blackened the rest of the cupboard with it's eerie luminescence and Dumbledore found out that performing magic was beyond the bounds of possibility, for the moment he actually thought of using his wand, he found himself held by some invisible force so powerful, he couldn't move let alone speak. He was rooted to his spot and his eyes were fixed on the white screen.

He could feel both Severus and Harry struggling in vain on his either side, but they were stuck as tightly as a small prey in the web of an Acramantula.

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Harry had been too surprised and a little frightened to find himself face to face with Albus Dumbledore and the very sour Professor Snape.

But he had no time to ponder over for he felt something grabbing his arms and turning him around to face the inside of the cupboard. Harry shut his eyes with fear. He hated it when he was touched and he hated it further when his movements were restricted like that and no amount of pulling seemed to help.

When he opened his eyes, however, he saw a burst of green light, the same green light he sometimes dreamt about... But now this light wasn't a dream, it seemed real and what ensued would probably be the worst nightmare Harry would ever experience for the rest of his life.

He silently kept fighting, but there was nothing to it. They were facing a large screen at the very back of the cupboard and as though he was watching a movie, Harry saw a baby riding in the arms of Hagrid on a flying bike, and then being left at the Dursleys and being embarrassed to the core at Privet Drive. Every one of his sufferings at the hands of his relatives could be seen and Harry began to feel terribly humiliated for Dumbledore and Snape were both forced to watch the same.

They witnessed the motion picture Harry receiving his letter and his adventure in the rundown hut on the rock in the middle of the sea, his shopping trip with Hagrid in Diagon Alley and his journey on the Hogwarts Express.

This living nightmare moved on to show them so many things, so many adventures, in such a sequential manner, Harry had no idea what was happening. He was horrified when he saw himself looking at the face sticking out of the back of Professor Quirrel's head. After another series of adventures and horrible truths, he found himself killing a large snake that he, through the same horrible vision, learnt was called a Basilisk. After some more horrifying truths he found himself casting a Patronus Charm, that took the form of a stag, to save his innocent godfather's soul.

The screen ploughed on to reveal Harry in something called a Triwizard Tournament and after three terrible challenges, he found himself tied to the grave of Tom Riddle Senior. Many bone chilling scenes involving a dementor attack, a dark house, an unnerving trial, a toad-like woman with a quill that drew blood from the writer's hand, appalling visions and his godfather's death later, Harry heard of the Prophecy that caused him to lose his parents.

Harry was beginning to feel sick, he felt tears running down his cheeks and if he wasn't held so firmly, he would have been crying like a baby, probably for the first time in his life... But it didn't end there.

The screen went on to admit more truths... terrible scenes unfolded such as him casting the Sectumsempra spell mentioned on the Half-blood Prince's potion book, the death of Albus Dumbledore himself, followed by a series of terrible risks, decisions, visions, dangerous adventures, a battle, a dead Fred Weasley, Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks, the Potion Master's memories, Harry's sacrifice to save so many others and finally, Harry stood victorious, over Voldemort's body, with two wands in his hand surrounded on all sides by hundreds of spectators...

It was only then that Harry found the screen blackening out but still enlarged and the force that clamped him to the spot was gone. Harry took in a shuddering breath and let out a terrible scream and he fell to the floor and retched out whatever he'd eaten.

And hand rested on his shoulder and it remained there until Harry straightened up. An incantation later, Harry saw his sick vanishing.

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Severus Snape had never been more flabbergasted in his life and he had seen just enough already to make any other man wish they were never born. Now, Severus for some reason had just been shown a glimpse into the future (if it was the future and not a simple horror movie) and what he saw was more astounding than ever.

But Severus had no time to ponder over it for Potter, the future bane of his existence let out a terrified, bloodcurdling scream and bent over to puke out his first good meal.

Severus began to feel uneasy. His assumptions of Potter's life were just falling to pieces and burning to ashes and now there was nothing he could do to build them up again. He lit his wand and without thinking put his hand on Potter's shoulder, minding the welts just below and he kept his hand there till Potter straightened up and then Severus vanished the contents from the floor.

A quick look at Dumbledore and Severus knew the old man wasn't in a position to do anything at the moment and it was only thanks to Severus's skill at clearing his mind that made him the calmest member of their little gathering. A quick glance at his watch showed him that time had frozen whilst they were watching that vision.

Potter, like Dumbledore was crying, tears just rolling down his face and Severus was forced to turn his head in disgust. He took out the only vial of calming draught from his pocket and before he decided whether to use it on Potter or Dumbledore, his aged mentor said, "Give it to him, Severus. He needs it."

With a quick nod, Severus placed the vial to Potter's lips and slowly, tilting the boys head, he poured the draught into the struggling boy's mouth forcing him to swallow. Then Potter seemed to stop struggling. He looked up at Snape, tears still falling from those familiar green eyes and then he looked at Dumbledore.

Dumbledore brought himself together with what looked like a monumental task, looked at the two of them and said in a trembling voice very uncharacteristic of him, "We shall discuss this tomorrow when we've had enough of time to pull ourselves together. Harry, I want you to go to the hospital wing and-"

"No!" Potter screamed trying to back away from them, but Severus tightened his grip on the terrified boy's shoulder.

"Please, Harry." Dumbledore said. "I'm sorry for what happened. Please forgive me. Please don't let this old man wallow in his guilt... Harry, I beg you. Just go to Madam Pomfrey."

Without waiting for more protests from Potter who seemed to be furiously thinking of an excuse, Severus said, "I shall take him there, Headmaster. And he will spend the night there and so will I, if you don't mind."

Dumbledore nodded his assent and Severus was relieved. To be honest with himself, he didn't really know what he would do with himself when he was alone. He killed Dumbledore! He would have to go back to the Dark Lord in just four years... And he would be killed by a damned snake of all things, not a kind of death he had ever envisioned.

Severus decided that for now he would hand the boy over to Madam Pomfrey and then douse himself with a dreamless sleep potion with instructions to the nurse to do the same with Harry when she was done with him. He really didn't think he would make it through the night after witnessing what his future would be like, if what he witnessed really was his future. He was going to have to test it out early next morning.

So he would have to limit his intake of that potion...Wait a minute. Did he just refer to Potter as Harry?

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Albus Dumbledore staggered to his office, collapsed into his chair and wept. He wept for that young boy. He wept for Severus. He wept for Sirius and Remus and he wept for baby Teddy. He had a good long cry.

Then a funny thought struck him... Why was he even crying? It hadn't yet happened now had it? All of that could be prevented, couldn't it? Provided he didn't blunder.

Dumbledore collected himself. He took out a long parchment from his desk and after casting a non-ripping charm and another powerful charm that allowed only himself, Severus and Harry to see the contents, he began to write down some important things that needed to be carefully changed.

An hour and a half later, he conjured a cupboard and put the now rolled parchment and his memories of their nightly vision in it and warded it heavily from everyone except himself.

He didn't waste his time sleeping that night. He visited the empty library and did a whole new research on the wards of Azkaban, on the dementors and on Animagi. Once he finished, he decided to search for books on clairvoyant cupboards, but could find none. That wasn't unsurprising.

He went back to his office, took out the parchment and began writing down some more plans and decisions. At six in the morning, Dumbledore was interrupted from his work by Severus Snape who showed no signs of apprehension whatsoever, but his "Good morning, Headmaster." was rather awkward.

"Good morning, Severus." he said taking off his glasses and rubbing his face tiredly.

"I see you haven't slept." Severus commented.

"I see you have." Dumbledore replied drily.

"What is the plan, now?" Severus said, never being one to beat around the bush.

Dumbledore sighed and said, "I was thinking of having a meeting with you and Harry after class. The poor child should have never seen that. Doubtless, he will need a lot of assurances. If you can, Severus please tell him to act as though this hadn't happened at all, though I don't think he will be able to do a good job."

"I did that before I got here, Dumbledore. I hope you're planning on changing certain things such as, oh, I don't know, your murder and mine..."

Dumbledore saw Severus's face exhibit pain for just a second.

"Of course, Severus... And we need to turn Draco Malfoy to the light while he's still young...But we need proof that this indeed is the future that we witnessed and not a very ugly prank"

Severus sneered and said, "What about Pettigrew and Weasley's rat? Is that not proof enough? I checked on him earlier today and I found him to be an animagus."

Dumbledore's eyes widened.

"What else did you do, Severus?"

"I went to the square outside Grimmauld Place and summoned a particularly interesting locket. I replaced it with an exact copy that would refuse to open and would continue to beat until I decided to end the spell."

Severus put his hand into his pocket and pulled out the locket of Slytherin held gingerly between his thumb and forefinger. His face was that of revulsion as he placed it on Dumbledore's parchment.

"And, Severus?" Dumbledore whispered.

Severus cocked his head and looked at him and he put his hand into his pocket and pulled out the Ravenclaw Diadem.

"Anything else?" Dumbledore said amazed at how much lighter he felt, knowing that Severus was by his side.

Severus silently shook his head. "What about Pettigrew?"

"Ah yes, we will need to see to him too... And poor Sirius."

Severus snorted but said nothing but Dumbledore noticed him watching as he gingerly place the artifacts in his secret cupboard. Then he sat in contemplative silence watching Dumbledore taking down notes for half-an-hour before he got up and left the office.

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The day proceeded nicely for Severus and he took great pleasure in scaring away the young students as he passed them in the corridors. He came across Harry a couple of times that day and as expected, the boy looked afraid of his own shadow, though not as terrified as he was the previous day. And to Severus's surprise, it was Neville Longbottom and Ronald Weasley who were helping him around.

Dumbledore appeared at mealtimes to keep away any suspicions and then he disappeared into his office for the rest of the day.

At five thirty, Severus went up to the office and greeted the man for the second time that day, but he couldn't go any further, because Minerva McGonagall decided just then to make an appearance.

"Come in!" Dumbledore called and she obeyed, her face wore an expression of worry and confusion.

"Good evening, Minerva. What brings you here?"

"Harry Potter."

"What about him?" Dumbledore said, making a show of silencing Severus with his hand.

"He's a mystery... Too terrified of moving from one room to the next, but he transfigured his matchstick into a needle on the very first try! There's something haunting him and I don't know what... I told him that he was welcome to speak to me if he wished and he politely thanked me, but it was clear that he wasn't going to. With this behaviour, he is going to have a very tough time finishing this year, let alone seven. What do I do?"

"Please bring him here, Minerva." Dumbledore said after a minute of silence. "I wish to speak to him."

To Severus's surprise, Minerva didn't fight, she just turned around and exited the office.

"I believe you better make yourself invisible, before she returns with Harry." Dumbledore said to him. "Or we're going to be in for a long argument."

Severus scowled, but did as he was told.

Minerva arrived in half-an-hour and without a word dropped a petrified Potter at the door of the office and left. Severus had a vague suspicion that Dumbledore had used magic on her.

"Come, Harry, please be seated."

Potter didn't come foward, but moved closer to the now shut door, his breathing rate visibly quickening.

Severus made himself visible again and said, "Potter, take a seat."

Potter's eyes widened, but he obeyed Severus and Severus sat on the chair by his side.

Dumbledore sighed and said, "Do not be afraid, Harry. I'm terribly sorry you had to see all that and while we're at it, refrain from looking at Quirrel in the eye or showing him any sign of fear at all.

"I will assure you, Harry that I will not - to use the Muggle phrase - throw you to the wolves as I did in that vision. You will not be alone. I beg you to trust me on this, Harry. I am going to find a way to make it easier. Alas, I must say that this vision did indeed show us the future."

Dumbledore waved his wand and Potter jerked a little, but his eyes widened when he saw the locket and the diadem that were proudly dispayed on the headmaster's desk. And Severus's eyes widened when he saw the diary of Tom Riddle.

"Severus and I have kept ourselves rather busy today... and tomorrow, my schedule will be a bit hectic, but I want you to rest assured that you are safe. You have two powerful wizards, both of whom are in this very room, who will protect you with everything they've got and Harry, you must believe us when we say that you will not be harmed."

Potter nodded, but it was more out of fright than anything else.

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Harry knew that Dumbledore knew Harry didn't believe him, but Harry couldn't bring himself to do so. He was already on the verge of tears and he didn't want to humiliate himself in front of them again.

Snape huffed in annoyance and Harry wished the floor would swallow him whole. Harry didn't like grownups. He didn't trust them and he didn't like this world. No matter how fascinating he found it, the beauty of the Wizarding world shattered on his very first night in it and the worst part was that two grownups, two grownup wizards knew about it... They knew his weaknesses and they knew his fears!

What was even worse was that they were both accomplished Occlumens and Harry did not like this at all. He felt completely unprotected and he closed his eyes as a desperate, yet undeniably futile attempt to ground himself...just hoping that when he opened his eyes he would be back in the confines of his cupboard at Number four Privet Drive. His cupboard was a cruel place to be in, but at the moment, Harry craved it.

His wish, however wasn't granted and to his utmost embarrassment, Harry felt hot tears leaking from his tightly shut eyes. He refused to open them, not wanting to see their faces... He wanted to climb into a hole and pull the hole in after him... Harry wanted to run away, he didn't want this... It was too much!

A sob escaped his's lips and a hand grasped his shoulder, the shoulder towards Snape. Oh, why was he being so nice, why wasn't he being mean? Harry couldn't understand it and then like last night, cool crystal was placed to his lips and a liquid was forced down his throat. Then all of a sudden, Harry felt like all was well.

He opened his eyes and saw both Snape and Dumbledore looking down at him in concern.

Then Dumbledore cleared his throat and said, "Harry I am very sorry for what the Dursleys have done to you. But I assure you that they will not harm you ever again. I will see to that. Most unfortunately, however, you must return there for at least two weeks. I am terribly sorry, Harry, but you know the reason."

Harry, who wasn't going to make a fool of himself again, nodded his understanding.

"I know you are afraid, Harry. I also know you are brave. That vision showed me the making of a strong young man... Although, Harry I am extremely sorry, I would never want such a terrible truth to befall you at this age. But as I said before, either Professor Snape or I will be with you at every moment. We will deal with this together."

Harry nodded again.

"And Harry, I would also like you to begin Occlumency lessons with Professor Snape. This will prevent Voldemort from entering your mind. Should we start now, you will be an accomplished Occlumens by the time you finish your fourth year... Will you accept?"

Harry nodded after a bit of hesitation. It really was needed, and Harry was going to take full advantage of it and use it to his best ability. It was probably due to to his hatred for Professor Snape that he hadn't learnt it in that vision. At the moment, Harry didn't really like the Professor, but he would try to not hate him, should the occasion arrive. Harry had a temper too and so he couldn't put the blame of their enmity entirely on the professor.

"Come now, Severus." Dumbledore said with a small frown and Harry came back to reality and turned to see Snape scowling. "I don't believe there's anything that any of us have left to hide from each other."

After a moment longer of scowling, Snape gave a resigned sigh and nodded.

"And since that's settled..." Dumbledore said and he waved his wand and a large plate filled with sandwiches appeared on the table along with three cups of steaming hot coffee.

Harry who hadn't eaten anything that day picked a sandwich and ate it with gusto. And when they ate their fill, Dumbledore said, "I was also thinking of putting forth a schoolwide hourly activity, perhaps every day, wherein selected pairs of students will work together on assigned projects. I want to pair you amongst your own classmates belonging to a different houses. We could pair up the children who don't get along...I believe it will be a good promoter for house unity."

Harry nodded, having nothing to say.

"And, Harry, what do you feel about having Draco Malfoy as a partner for the rest of the year?"

Harry sighed, but nodded.

"Excellent!... And you won't have anything to worry about. The teachers and ghosts will be keeping a close eye on everyone."

Snape huffed but otherwise remained silent.

Then the headmaster opened a drawer of his desk and took out from it a large box of Mars Bars and said, "This is for you, Harry. A small token that's hardly enough to tell you how sorry I am for the suffering my actions have caused you."

Harry smiled tentatively and accepted the box of his favourite Muggle chocolates.

Then Dumbledore cleared his throat.

"Now, we must decide our actions for the next week, you both know that we cannot be seen meeting together by either the staff or students so very often. Hence, our plans must be confirmed by the week, or if possible, by the month.

"Severus, I think the attitude you hold with your staff and students should continue...this will most certainly keep everyone away from suspicion and it will keep you from uncomfortable situations."

Professor Snape nodded at once.

"Harry, until Halloween, you and Ronald Weasley will be friends."

"I-I'm...N-Neville's with us too, Sir."

Dumbledore smiled, "Oh yes, my apologies, Harry. Neville too. The three of you continue your daily routine as though nothing has happened and do not mention anything about this to them. We shall meet a week before Halloween so as to decide what moves to make then.

"The moment we were shown the future, we were placed in an extremely delicate situation, for now, every move of ours, every step we take, every word we speak needs to be well thought out.

"On your first day of class, I propose that Severus asks Harry the same questions that were asked in that vision. Harry you must reply with the words of the vision, cheek and all...Severus, instead of taking away a point for his cheek, I ask you to set up a detention every Sunday after dinner, where the two of you can begin your occlumency lessons.

"Every month, we could come up with a new excuse as to why you are still in detention. It will come naturally, for now, we will move one step at a time."

They talked for another half hour (and Harry actually found himself warming up to both the professors) before they called it a night.

As they moved down the spiral stairs together, Professor Snape said to Harry, "Do you want a Dreamless Sleep potion tonight, Potter?"

Harry looked up at him with an uncertain smile and said, "No thank you, Sir. But when there're no staff and students around, could you please call me, Harry?"

The Professor stared at Harry for a few seconds and then said moodily, "Well, since we happen to be stuck in this situation together, I suppose I could... Harry."

THE END