Chapter 6: Prophecy
Considering he is not stuck at the Dursleys anymore and gets to spend so much time with Sirius, who died far too early in his last life, Harry didn't think his childhood could improve even more. He was wrong about that, for his trips to Hermione always make his day.
It is exciting to teach again, something he always loved doing, and there will never be a better or more zealous student than Hermione. She soaks up what he tells her like a sponge and devours the stacks of books he brings each time.
He dearly wishes that he could have instantly gotten her away from the orphanage, but it is practically impossible for the time being. There's no solid explanation to give either Sirius or Severus about how he met a Muggleborn or why he is so attached to her before 'crossing paths' at Hogwarts. Furthermore, it was an illegal move to breach the Statute of Secrecy by telling her all about magic before she received her Hogwarts letter.
Harry has never been in favour of diligently upholding the law, not when it comes to the Ministry of Magic, where politics are funded by gold and run through corruption. Between legal oppression of creatures and rampant blood prejudice, he doesn't care that he is trampling the law by informing his best friend of the possibilities of her powers.
So, he visits the orphanage every other day to ensure his friend is safe and even one Sunday takes her on a quick trip to Diagon Alley while they are both disguised. Hermione calls it 'the best adventure ever' and Harry is immensely happy about being able to ease the life Hermione has now, growing up without her family. At least the orphanage isn't as bad as Harry first imagined it to be. Underfunded, certainly, but the staff is decent enough and all of Hermione's bruises come from other children who bully her for being a teacher's pet and a loner.
He decides to overlook the few times Hermione subtly hexes some of her bullies with wandless spells Harry taught her. She wouldn't misuse her powers. Not really.
Also, if all goes according to plan and Harry can convince or threaten Voldemort into joining forces, none of these children will live long enough to become an actual problem.
Without a further clue as to the location of the Locket, and no possibility to check Gringotts or find any other hints for the whereabouts up Hufflepuff's Cup, Harry instead focuses on other matters. He teaches Hermione, tries to get used to regular awkward dinners with his godfathers, who start spending more and more time together, and looks into his next goal: sneaking into Dumbledore's office.
With how often Harry is at Hogwarts, it will be much easier to extract the Prophecy from the man's memories than to break into the Department of Mysteries. If he plays his cards right, he might even be able to find out from Severus when the Headmaster is gone. The only remaining hindrances will be the portraits of the previous Headmasters, Fawkes, the many instruments in the office and the Sorting Hat. Harry is rather confident in being able to trick all of them, but still dearly wishes he had his invisibility cloak again.
At the very least, he now has the Marauder's map, which conveniently also keeps track of animals. Half of its usages in his old life had been avoiding Mrs Norris with it, after all. His plan is to check each time Dumbledore isn't there to see if Fawkes is gone too, who is most likely to inform the headmaster quickly with that pesky teleportation ability. Magical instruments can be tricked, portraits frozen and the hat… if it won't be asleep already, Harry can quickly make that happen.
So, it comes to be that Harry sneaks up the stairs to Dumbledore's office one Saturday afternoon in late May 1991 – after guessing different sweets for a while, the gargoyle jumped aside at Pepper Imps - concealed with a disillusionment charm. Technically, he could have waited a few months until starting Hogwarts and having permanent access to the castle, but if Dumbledore finds something amiss, students and staff are more likely culprits than the ten-year-old godson of Severus Snape who occasionally visits the castle and supposedly hasn't learned any magic yet.
The doors open surprisingly easily with a simple alohomora (Harry supposes that in times of emergency, teachers need to gain access quickly even if Dumbledore is out) and freezes the portraits with a single spell before even setting foot in the office. He then directs his attention to the various puffing and whistling instruments and tries to analyse them from where he stands. Freezing them too might be unwise before knowing what they do. Who knows, Dumbledore might be alerted even quicker if a vital instrument suddenly stops doing its job. At least the Sorting Hat seems to be inactive at the moment, slumbering on a high shelf. All the better, from this angle Harry won't be able to fire a straight stunner at it.
It takes about twenty minutes to identify all of the fragile silver devices: some are tied to the wards, others are foe detectors and there is even one that Harry identifies as a Divinipretor: a rare tool that aids the user in interpreting dreams, divinations and omens. Only now does Harry realise that this is what Dumbledore used back in 1995 when trying to interpret Harry's vision of being in Nagini's head. In essence divided, the Headmaster had then concluded from an imagine of a snake being split in two. Had that been Dumbledore's very first clue as to the Horcruxes?
He deactivates only the foe-detectors, not wanting to mess with the wards or any of the other instruments that won't register him in the first place. Harry sighs in relief when it goes without a hitch and he confidently walks into the office, overcome by nostalgia. How long ago has it been since he's seen this sight? A quick calculation in his head tells him that it has been about 28 years since that fateful night when Dumbledore died. The office had been renovated quickly after, most of Dumbledore's belongings being removed by Snape that same year still, having been appointed headmaster under Voldemort's rule. How strange to think of that past now…
''Well well, who goes there?'' he hears, and jumps. Harry raises his wand towards the Sorting Hat, whose rim is split open in a grin. ''A student? No… I haven't been put on your head yet.''
''You have been, several times,'' Harry proclaims, thoughts racing. He can't very well try to obliviate an ancient artefact without knowing what consequences that could have. He needs to either try to bluff his way through this, or tell the truth and hope it won't interfere with his plans.
''Several? How curious. And what did I say?''
''That I would have done well in Slytherin, even though you gave me Gryffindor's sword in a time of need.''
A few creases in the old fabric fold into a frown. ''Is that so? How peculiar. There must be some truth to it, my guarding the sword of Gryffindor has been a secret only known to the Headmasters of Hogwarts and the few people I revealed it to… the last one being over a century ago. However, I am afraid that I cannot simply take your word for it and will have to inform Albus unless you show me proof.''
Of course it would come to this…
''How much can you see in my head?''
''Who you were, who you are, who you could be… although especially with the latter I admit the enchantments on me are rather vague. Some students I sorted did not belong there anymore after a few years, I'm sure. Alas, my pleading for resorting students every few years was never accepted by any Headmaster due to complicated logistics and practicality...''
''But you read my character, not my thoughts?'' Harry presses. ''You do not perform Legilimency?''
''No. That goes far beyond what a simple hat like me could do.''
He doesn't buy into the 'simple hat' comment, but it is unlikely that it would outright lie about its abilities. And with September coming up, Harry won't be able to avoid putting the Sorting Hat on for much longer anyways. ''Fine then,'' he thus concedes, levitating the Hat from its spot on the shelf, giving it a critical look once he holds it in his hands. Carefully, it is placed on top of Harry's messy hair.
''Now that is interesting. Very curious. I see what you mean now. Although the me who sorted you was not exactly I, was it? The implications of this… you lived a life in a different world… I will have to put this in one of my songs one day. What a miraculous discovery! Do you wish to know your House now or wait until September comes around?''
Harry grimaces and thinks back: ''You know my choice will not change. I would not feel comfortable anywhere but Gryffindor.''
''Even with your Soul Mark? I have seen into his mind too, you know. If you wish for him to accept you, insisting on your old House will give great difficulties. I also must agree with my other self: Slytherin could make you great. Your cunning rivals your bravery, little lion.''
Harry sighs and plucks the thing from his head. ''I did not change that much. If he does not accept me based on my Hogwarts house, then I'd rather not be accepted at all. I didn't have a soul mate in my last life and don't plan on crawling to him for attention now. How much did you see about my plans?
''Plans? Nothing. I only know about your Mark since soul mates are an intrinsic part of who you can be. Accepting or rejecting such a bond will shape your life. You were not dealt an easy card with your Intended… although with your experiences in life, you might be the only one who could ever suit him. You know who he is, do you not?''
''I killed him, in my last life.''
''You might have to kill him again,'' the Hat speaks neutrally, without judging.
Harry is silent for a moment, pondering about his answer. No matter how horrible Voldemort might be, Harry has to consider the future and ensure the man lives to see their shared vision of a world where mages are free of Muggles comes true, whether he personally thinks the Dark Lord deserves it or not. ''Dumbledore certainly will want me to try again,'' he carefully replies.
''And you?''
Harry smiles wryly. ''I'm not telling you all of my secrets. As far as I know, you are not under any vow of silence.''
''A fair point. Though Albus might be interested to know about the Dark Lord's Intended sneaking around in his office.''
''You have no obligation to do me a favour, but I please ask you to leave him oblivious to my visit,'' Harry requests. ''Much is at stake, and I am no threat to Dumbledore personally. He was my mentor in my previous life and while he made mistakes, I respect him still. I am here for some information that, without knowing details about my life so far, he'll surely want to keep from me for my own protection. I need to know it earlier than he intends for a child, that is all.''
His words float between truth and falsity, Harry admits only to himself. He did respect the Dumbledore he'd known even with all the old man's faults and flaws. With the one from this world, Harry has not been able to form a solid opinion yet, barely seeing Dumbledore since the war ended. He expected the Headmaster to play a larger role in his life while living in the Wizarding world, but it appears that Dumbledore is unconcerned with Harry for now.
''Very well. I will keep your secret,'' it agrees after some silent contemplation. ''We will speak again soon.''
Relieved, Harry levitates it back onto the shelf and approaches the glass cabinet with Pensieve memories, peering at the labels. One thing he appreciates about the Headmaster is the man's eye for tidiness: it is easy to find something specific when the memories are ordered by date and subject. It doesn't take long until he spots the one with:
01.03.1980, AD&ST
TR, HP, NL?
scribbled onto the label in Dumbledore's fine slant, the 'NL' having a short red line drawn across. He opens the cabinet which he knows to hold the Pensieve and, without hesitation, drops the memory in. Not wanting to be sucked into it personally, Harry simply whirls his wand around in the substance, by now having learned exactly how to properly operate a Pensieve. From the silver liquid rises the figure of Sybill Trelawney, with glassy eyes and a mouth that hangs open slightly as she rasps:
''The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies... and they will bear the marks of equals, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hand of the other yet neither can die while the other survives... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies...''
Harry waves the image away, feeling more tired all of a sudden after having heard this Prophecy. It is not too different from the first one. Their marks of equals refer to the soul bond instead of only Harry's scar, but it still does hint at the Horcrux living inside of him. With this wording, however, Dumbledore is less likely to draw that conclusion quickly, as the Headmaster's first thoughts would have probably jumped to the marks, perhaps thinking – probably correctly for now - Voldemort to be unaware of who his Intended is.
The rest of the Prophecy is more problematic, even if it comes down to the same thing as in Harry's first life: for Voldemort to die, almost the same thing will have to happen as in the Battle of Hogwarts, only now for different reasons.
Either must die at the hand of the other yet neither can die while the other survives… A complex paradox, harder to solve without holding all of the facts than the first Prophecy had been. Neither of them would normally be able to kill the other due to the soul marks, and they can't die while the other survives because of the Horcrux in Harry's head. With that combination, they are virtually indestructible… unless all of Voldemort's other Horcruxes are gone and they off each other at the exact same moment, killing the piece of soul that resides within the scar while both dying for turning their wand on their Intended.
But what is truer now than it has ever been, is the implication behind the paradox. Yes, he is the only one with the power to kill Voldemort… so only he can kill Voldemort. That also implies that as long as he won't actively try, the Dark Lord's survival is practically guaranteed. Instead of ignoring the prophecy, which might lead to it not being valid at all, Harry will fully exploit the thing by interpreting it like that. That is even better than he hoped for.
However, this also makes him wonder about Dumbledore's current intentions. Without the soul bond, the Headmaster at one point figured out that even Harry sacrificing himself would not necessarily mean death. In this case, it seems unavoidable that either both of them live or both of them die. Will martyrdom still be the expected end-goal, knowing that? If so, what does that say about Dumbledore? How would that fit in with the Headmaster having helped Lily and James go into hiding? So many questions…
Maybe Harry will never even get the chance to find out if he makes a deal with Voldemort before that. He plans on speaking to the Dark Lord as soon as possible, within he first weeks of the upcoming school year…
Still pondering on all that, he unfreezes the instruments and portraits, then casts an obliviate on the gargoyle downstairs.
Only a few more months before he'll officially move to Hogwarts. Although it does stir an old excitement, it at the same time means being forced to give up the freedom of being traceless outside of the castle. He uses the remaining time to find and meticulously clean up any left tracks he oversaw in the previous years. Although not having found any of the remaining Horcruxes as hoped, he does have three now stowed away in his room under protective spells, plus knows the Prophecy and can possibly use the soul mark as additional blackmail. It will have to be enough. He is as prepared as can be to face his Intended.
On the evening of Hermione's birthday, he visits the orphanage again, where she elaborates on the visit she received from Professor McGonagall, swearing up and down to have acted sufficiently surprised. This Hermione is good at acting, having learned very well by now to deceive adults when it suits her. To Harry, it comes in handy as he hasn't needed to wipe anyone's minds or otherwise enchant the staff during all of those months he's come here after his initial visit. He is certain that her abilities will be useful in the future too, once he's made a decision on what to do about Voldemort and will undoubtedly inform his best friend about it.
It's a shame that it's much too suspicious for Harry to tag along when McGonagall helps Hermione pick out school supplies, but they do return to Diagon a few days after, where they buy several additional books that he figures may be useful. In a fit of nostalgia, he gives her a belated birthday gift: Hogwarts, a History.
Harry's own birthday arrives rather suddenly too. Not that it truly catches him by surprise, with Sirius reminding him and Severus each day with a countdown starting from the first of July, but it does feel as if time flew by nonetheless.
Choosing what he wanted to do for his birthday was anything but easy this year. Before, Sirius and Severus alternated in organising something, Sirius throwing kids parties or taking Harry to a Quidditch match, while Severus rather took Harry to magical places abroad or even to Muggle museums. This year, with them both having grown closer and more comfortable showing it, marks the first time they organise it together… which turns out to be incredibly difficult as both men have polar views of what it should look like. Sirius wants a massive cake, Severus merely a toast. Sirius picks some music that he's borrowed from Arthur Weasley of all people, and which turns out to be a mixtape of Muggle music from every genre possible, while Severus insists on something classy instead.
Had he been a real child, Harry might have complained about how it is his birthday and he should be the one to enjoy it. As it stands, he is plenty entertained by seeing his godfathers break down into childish arguments over birthday decorations. As expected, a few days before his birthday, Severus finally deeply sighs during dinner and asks directly what he'd most enjoy. Sirius instantly has an extremely guilty look on his face, at least until Harry decides that he wishes to spend it with both of his godfathers instead of other children and see a last national Quidditch match as soon, he'll have to make do with only the school teams for most of the year.
''Also,'' Harry announces, ''I'm excited about finally getting all of my supplies and my wand. So if possible, I'd like to do my school shopping on my birthday.''
While he really is looking forward to finally using his trusty holly wand again instead of Voldemort's, there is another reason for wanting to instantly go shopping:
In his original timeline, Voldemort tried to steal the Philosopher's stone from Gringotts that day.
''It's here, it's here!'' an excited Sirius exclaims, causing Harry to look up and stare with a beaming smile at the letter in his godfather's hand. For all of his talk about Harry 'basically being a student already', the man sure is hyper. A warm fuzzy feeling fills his chest as he takes the envelope, recalling the very first time he'd opened this letter, barely able to believe a word it said. Although he already knows what it says this time, his eyes soak up the contents of the invitation. He's really going back to Hogwarts once more, relive the best years of his previous life. He'd never have thought to look forward to going to school again of all things. Well, it is probably made a lot easier by that he won't actually need to study as much. He has all the practical spells down already. Only the repetition of theory is going to be bothersome, as he forgot quite a bit of knowledge that he didn't need to apply after leaving, especially about History of Magic and Astronomy.
Depending on how long he manages to keep this cover, he can actually use it to learn more, Harry muses. There are some useful electives that he hasn't taken yet, and self-study is quite difficult without at least a foundation. He always had to rely on Bills' knowledge of Arithmancy and Hermione's superb understanding of Ancient Runes to protect their group of misfits.
After the letter, he quickly throws a look at the supply list to see if anything changed. His stomach drops as if he's suddenly swallowed a whole bag of rocks.
''Wandering with Werewolves? A Year with the Yeti?'' he croaks, eyes widening in horror. No… no no no, this can't be. Why are Lockhart's books on the list of his first year?
Severus sneers. ''I tried to tell the headmaster to put a limit on the books each teacher can use, but the new Defence teacher insisted you'd need them all. Harrison, if you have any problems with Defence this year, do come to me instead. I have the feeling that Dumbledore once more hired a fool for the position.''
Harry isn't listening to his godfather however, still trying to figure out what all of this means. If Lockhart is here, this surely means that Quirrell is out of the equation. But Voldemort is still alive, somewhere. What is the Dark Lord doing if not going after the philosopher's stone? Or is that not being safeguarded in Hogwarts this year either? Does the Stone even exist in this timeline? Why has he not checked on something so vital?
''Harry? You alright kiddo?'' Sirius asks, grounding him again in the here and now.
''Yeah, yeah just… a little overwhelmed all of a sudden. Must be the nerves of leaving home,'' he reassures, taking a deep breath to calm down. Panicking won't help, he just needs to adapt as usual.
Just how disappointed he is comes as an additional, unwelcome surprise. Last time he saw Voldemort, the man tried to kill him. It's quite odd that in a way, Harry has been looking forward to meeting the Dark Lord again…
Perhaps it is the sense of urgency that he's been starting to feel in these past few years. They entered the last decade of peace before being discovered by Muggles… If he can't prevent it by convincing Voldemort to go to war early, then in less than nine years from now, their world will slowly slide into the same horrors as before. He needs Voldemort. They all do. No-one else has the sheer power and mind that can guarantee their survival. Even without the Dark Lord, Harry will of course try, but he can foresee already that the chances of victory will be slim.
With a sense of dread that he didn't expect today of all days, he floos to the Leaky Cauldron to - in Sirius' words - 'catch some great atmosphere'. As soon as they arrive, Harry's eyes fall on someone whom he is very relieved to see here on this particular day. ''Hagrid!'' he calls out, running up to the Half-Giant for a crushing hug.
''Harry, long time no see! Today's the day eh? All grown up and ready fer Hogwarts?''
''Need my wand first,'' Harry beams, trying to ignore all the stares and whispers from other pub guests. At least this hasn't been the very first time he is out in public, so he isn't getting overwhelmed by handshakes and declarations of gratitude. The few people who do try to shuffle closer are instantly pinned down by a cold look from Severus.
''Good, good. Wand's important. But a pet even more so, I say! Are you allowed ter get one?'' Hagrid enthusiastically asks, his whole beard moving as he grins.
''I'd like to have an owl, to send letters with,'' he answers, having discussed it before with his guardians. Harry considered briefly to get a cat instead, after bonding so much with his parent's orange tabby Griffin, which had never been found again after that fateful day. However, he dearly misses Hedwig and hopes with all of his might that she will be waiting at the pet shop today. This universe will look mighty bleak without being able to retrieve his trusty snowy owl. It is also the reason why he hasn't pressed about getting a pet before. Neither of his godfathers are a big fan of owls, but cannot deny their usefulness.
''Then good luck! I'm here on business meself, fer Dumbledore,'' he winks, speaking in a conspiring whisper. ''Important stuff fer Hogwarts.''
''Good luck,'' Harry wishes. Hagrid rises up to full height and claps him on the back. Unfortunately, the Ground Keeper is a bit overenthusiastic, and Harry stumbles forwards, accidentally knocking a glass from the table as he catches himself. Even with his old Seeker reflexes, he can't grab the glass at the same time. Just before it can splinter into a dozen pieces, the glass freezes in mid-air, then is levitated back onto the table.
''C—Careful Mr P-P-Potter,'' he hears, and all breath leaves his lungs for the second time today. He turns around carefully, seeing the one man that he currently did not expect to be here at all. Quirrell.
Why is Quirrell here when Lockhart teaches Defence?
''Oh, Perfesser, t'was all my fault,'' Hagrid takes the blame in slight distress. ''Harry, have you met Perfesser Quirrell yet? No, right?''
''Erhm, no,'' Harry stutters, still staring, eyes flicking to the turban. Although he's been at Hogwarts in Severus' quarters before, he didn't meet many of the other teachers. Harry also didn't see a point in trying to chat with the normally reclusive Muggle Studies Professor before the man would come into contact with Voldemort. A few years ago, Harry briefly entertained the idea of trying to befriend Quirrell to make it easier, but then decided that it would be strange for Harry to insist on getting to know some of the other teachers while Severus and Sirius tried their best to fulfil the promise to Dumbledore about keeping him out of the public eye as much as possible.
The whole situation right now catches him completely off guard though. Is Voldemort currently in the room with them? Considering that Quirrell is putting up his 'frail and nervous wreck' act, it must be so.
''N-Not a Professor anymore I-I'm af-f-fraid,'' Quirrell speaks, ending with a nervous giggle as he wrings his hands. ''I was a bit too l-late for that. But you will s-see me at H-Hogwarts Mr Potter. Do swing by the li-library.''
''It is good to see you again, Quirinus,'' Severus suddenly interrupts, striding up to them and giving Quirrell a critical, yet not hostile look. ''I was under the impression that after your travels, you'd be returning to teach Defence against the Dark Arts.''
''S-Something came in b-between,'' the other muttered. ''I t-took too l-long to return. The p-p-position had been filled then.''
The potion master gives him a thin smile. It is clear to Harry that Severus doesn't think much of his old colleague. ''True, and during your year off, Muggle studies has also already been covered by a competent teacher. So, a librarian, yes?''
''I hope to use th-the time to write a b-b-book about my travels.''
Severus hums, clearly getting disinterested. ''We'll leave you to it then. Harrison, come, we have much to do still today.''
Still slightly in shock over this unexpected encounter, Harry follows his godfathers, only throwing one look over his shoulder. Quirrell isn't hunched over anymore, a calculating gaze following them out.
A few unexpected suprises in store for Harry. Let's see how he deals with both Quirrell AND Lockhart at school ;)
This may be my excuse to mash elements of several canon plotlines from Philosopher Stone and Chamber of Secrets together.
Next chapter: Harry's first weeks at school and at last, a face-to-face conversation..