Chapter 31: Back Into the Unknown.

All he could do was stare, watching as the pendant broke. The thin golden chain of the medallion crumbled into nothing, the hourglass shattering and spilling sand out. He stared at the fragmented thing, as if waiting for it to do something. For it to repair itself. Then Danny became aware he was just staring at nothing, blinking up at his surroundings.

He was still at Amity Park's mall, now pale moonlight spilling from the glass ceiling above instead of the midday sun. Any signs of the damage and their fighting had vanished, the mall void of anyone. There was no ice or cracks in the walls, no rubble or shattered glass littering the floor. As Danny peered around, he spotted with dread that parts of the mall were different. Shops that once were there in his time were missing or changed, the walls were now strangely painted a deep orange and green instead of their pale purple.

There was no doubt about it, he had moved through time. Backwards through time. That concept caused him to freeze, rising panic pumping through his system. Everything that had just happened smashed into him, and Danny understood the absolute awfulness of his situation at once. He was now trapped in the past and had lost his only way back.

Swiftly he pulled himself to his feet, waves of tightness squeezing his stomach as he almost threw up. "Clockwork!" Danny yelled out into the darkness, hoping his words would summon the Time ghost. It would be so simple for Clockwork; he could send him back to his correct time in seconds. Help him fix this issue and restore the timeline to normal. But as the minutes ticked by, he did not come.

Danny swallowed, trying his hardest not to out-right panic. Though from his quickening, shallow breathing he knew he was failing miserably. What could he do!? Did a ghost portal even exist at this time!? If it didn't, then how the hell could he reach Clockwork? As he tried to think of a solution the vision of Dan collapsing in front of him kept flashing in his mind. It was giving Danny his answer, and he was terrified of it.

Suddenly he gasped, mist exploding from his mouth. The sudden, familiar warning made him tense, waiting. With a loud crack, there was a cloud of purple mist, and for a moment his heart soared at the thought of Clockwork. But it sunk when Lucrezia was there instead, twisting soundlessly through the air before him. The moment he saw her, saw her violet gaze find his, a sudden rage consumed him. Transforming once more Danny charged a ray in his hands, firing it towards her.

Strangely she didn't dodge, his powerful emerald blast sending her flying across the mall. He didn't let this chance pass by, quickly dashing over to unleash another attack. This time she did make a shield, blast crashing against it. But Danny didn't let her make another, twisting around her defence and throwing a punch.

To Danny's amazement his fist connected, punch sending her reeling back. He kept up his assault with another hit, grabbing her front to send them both smashing against the wall.

He raised his fist, energy covering it in ectoplasm as he prepared to strike again. But her lack of response made him pause, struggling to control his temper. Lucrezia wasn't fighting back, staring at him with an emotionless expression he couldn't read. Gritting his teeth Danny forced himself to calm down, glaring at her.

"What have you done to the timeline!?"

Under his grip, the ghost sighed. " I warned you Tam would not stop…"

Danny's blast shot off, just missing hitting her head. " If you don't answer my question, I'm seriously debating sending this whole mall crashing down on top of you-"

"-It's a time loop. Tam has created a time loop in the hope he can find a way to win." Her voice was level, softening as a pained frown creased her face. " He knew there was always a chance you would win. Always. Even with Plasmius's corruption of Time, there was the chance of him losing. To succeed, Tam has made sure a loop continues, opening up a path for us to try again, and again. And again. As many times as he wants."

Deep down Danny had already come to that conclusion. Knew the moment his future had looped the Time medallion over his neck that this was happening. Hearing out loud, however, was another thing entirely. His rage faded a little, shoving himself away from her. Searching around the mall Danny tried to find something that would give away how far they'd gone. Even worse if he'd gone further than the first time.

"What year is this?"

Lucrezia pulled herself up but made no move to attack him. "I do not know. I was only able to follow you through time. Time… can leave traces. But when this time is… I cannot see. But... we have moved far backwards."

Biting his lip, Danny knew he had no access to his portal or Plasmius's. He moved back into his fighter's stance, arms raised. " Then are you planning to beat me up at a time I don't have my allies or gear? Think that I'm just going to roll over and let you destroy all of time again in your twisted time loop! Well- you and Tam must be idiots to think I'm going to-"

"-No, no. You don't understand." She flinched, hand gripping tightly to her head. "I am here alone. By my… own free will. I… have blocked Tam's influence over me. He can't see through me or connect. I cannot do it forever, but I know he is trying to reach me. He is hunting… hunting for us through time. And I don't have much time left until he figures out where we are."

Danny scowled. "So? Why block your partner in crime when it'll benefit you-"

"Because I wish to change this. I too Danny wish for this to end. Ending this loop, forever." A strained expression pulled her, form shuddering from some inner battle. " I am tired, Danny. Tired of this timeless existence. Unable to eternally rest, forever being forced to exist due to Tam's will. Tam only cares for his own selfishness, not caring how many lives he destroys in the process. He is caught in a… madness that I know he will never stop. But I… I know this must end. That is while this time, this loop I broke his control. Followed you alone."

Even if he wanted to believe what she was saying was true, Danny didn't drop his guard. These two had a history of multi-layered tricks. "Why?"

"Because I want you to destroy me."

The attack in his hands faltered, but he recovered quickly. " If you wanted to be destroyed, then you would have let that other me do so."

"Not with Tam present. He would never allow it. And… things are more complicated than you know." Lucrezia drifted slowly forward, placing a hand over where her core would be. " You see… This form is the source of our time powers. He takes my power as his own. Uses it without my say. With me destroyed Tam will not be able to move freely throughout time. He would be stuck. And lose his only goal, his reason to do so. This is why I ask you to destroy this form I take. I beg you to."

Danny knew that was huge information to reveal, information that she was giving him in an attempt to show trust. If he did this, it might fix this issue that he'd fallen into. And yet… " I'm guessing that it isn't as easy as blasting you with all my strength, right?"

"No," Mournfully, she shook her head. " This ghostly form is cursed with dark magic. You could tear me to pieces, burn me, chop off my head, rip my core out from my very chest and crush it, but I would just reform back. I…have tried those methods before. Nothing works. No… but there is one thing that I know might work."

"A ruby-gemmed sword, right?"

"Yes, the sword of Godric Gryffindor. Oh, you didn't know its name?" Seeing his surprise she smiled lightly. " Yes, that sword is special. It possesses the ability to absorb which will make it stronger. And it so happens to have one of the world's deadliest poisons within it. A poison strong enough to destroy even a corrupted soul like mine."

Now he hesitated, that sword flashing in his mind. As useful as the sword would be, he wasn't exactly comfortable with it now. And if he found it, what would stop her from stealing it for her gain? Seeing that he was thinking over what she was saying Lucrezia edged closer.

"Danny; I am one of the only beings who could return you to your time. If you help me, I will take you back before we arrived at Amity Park, breaking the loop and stopping your demise. If we find that sword, after I have returned you to your time, you must destroy me then. This, I do promise. Completely."

He looked at her, conflicted about the offer. There was absolutely no way he could trust her. Even if she was blocking her weird connection with Tam, trusting her was stupid. And yet… Danny knew he didn't have many options. If this was truly happening, he was now trapped in a time loop that was rushing towards his death. Unless Clockwork appeared to stop it, there wasn't anyone else he could see that could help-

-Albus!

Stilling, Danny recalled Dan's request. That he needed to find Albus no matter how foolish it seemed. If anyone in the past could figure out a way to stop a time loop, then that crazy old wizard was his best shot. Slowly he lowered his stance, pretending to ponder her offer. "…Fine. It's not like I have any choice. I'll do it."

Lucrezia relaxed, closing the final space between them. " Then we must be quick. While we still have time. I feel Tam closing in."

" Hmm, if a sword of Gryffindor is going to be anywhere, I bet it will be in Hogwarts. If you teleport me there, I'm sure can find it."

Danny enjoyed that his request made her uncomfortable, remembering all the times she'd been hurt there. Finally, she sighed, holding out her hand. " Very well. I will take you there."

Now it was Danny's turn to feel uncomfortable. Would she actually do it? Or was this the greatest trap he was about to stumble into? This was quickly turning into utter madness, accepting the hand of one who had caused him to be in this very spot. Yet carefully he took her hand, waiting for any painful surprises. Nothing happened, Lucrezia only tightened her hold, closing her eyes.

"I am apparating now."

He didn't get time to ask as the world swung violently, his chest crushed in the pressure. He swore there was a faint ticking in his mind, but it was difficult to focus from the jumble of his senses. As soon as it started, they reappeared outside, sinking into deep snow. Feeling nauseous from the violent journey he transformed back to normal, rings snapping shut. At once Danny let go of her hand, and spotted the towering form of Hogwarts looming next to them. The sight of the school immediately made him feel ill. He was back, and far too quickly.

Danny jumped when Lucrezia floated to his side, she appeared twitchy being close to the school. " I will stay within the lake until you have found it. I think… it will be wise if I stay away from the castle. For both of our sakes."

"Sure." He didn't know what else to say. Abruptly he was deeply puzzled by this weird, time-travelling ghost. Her purple gaze peered into his, frowning.

" Tam will learn in a few hours that I brought you here. Yet I know he wouldn't dare come. He… while a wizard he is much weaker than I am, and no match for Albus. Instead, I will stop him from possessing me. That will give you some time. But I will warn you at once if this starts to change."

He merely nodded, still numbly confused about what to make of all this. At his nod she drifted away, sinking into the frozen surface of the Black Lake. A chill of the winter air summoned him back to the situation, and Danny saw that the horizon was tinted pink with the hint of dawn. From that light, the outline of the Forbidden Forest took shape, the round hut puffing out a thin trail of smoke. Danny inhaled deeply, a sudden isolation filling him. That this time, he might be stuck here far longer.

Returning to the castle, he studied the endless windows. Most were lacking light, the school looked exactly like it had a few days ago. From the snow-covered grounds, it must be around the holidays. But as to what year that was he wasn't sure, Hogwarts not revealing when.

With a sigh he turned invisible, finding his way to the front entrance. Passing through the high oak doors he was greeted by a chilly Grand entrance, the huge room void of anyone. Danny paused and spotted the tall decorated pine trees lining the walls, hundreds of silk ribbons of every colour hanging across the high ceiling. So it was around Christmas, which thankfully met less everyone at this time.

Danny was frustrated at how easily he found his way to Albus's office, his memory of the layout resurfacing at once. All too quickly he passed through the statue that guarded the headmaster's door and moved into his office unseen.

He spotted Albus immediately. The wise old wizard was hunched over his desk, dressed in his thick velvet robes laced with stars. He was writing with a tall feather quill, frowning at the paperwork behind his half-moon spectacles. Nothing about him had changed, and neither had his round office. Bookshelves filled with a collection of nicknacks, the oil paints holding sleeping residents within golden frames lining the walls. Danny merely stared at the familiar sight before him, then dropped his invisibility.

Albus jumped at the movement, blinking up from his work dazedly. Spotting Danny he paused, the recognition slowly dawning on his face. Quickly Albus placed his feather quill down, rising from his chair. "Danny! What a pleasant, unforeseen surprise!"

The moment he beamed over to him warmly Danny winced, dropping his gaze to the floor. Everything that had happened over these short few days crashed into him again. The weight, the understanding of the sheer nightmare he was falling into surfaced fully. Seeing the wizard only amplified the finality of it all.

"Danny? What's wrong? Has something happened?"

Swallowing he forced himself to look back at Albus, whose smile had started to slip. " I-I… I need help. I don't… Right now I don't know what to do. I'm… I'm in so much trouble…" Panic washed over him. He was screwed. So utterly screwed!

Albus was at his side in a flurry of his robes, hand gently guiding him away from the door. "Ah… it's bad, isn't it? Come, sit and tell me all about it." Digging out his wand Albus flicked it towards his table, the lounges sliding out to make room for them. The moment he sat down Danny buried his face in his hand, the gravity of it all becoming too much.

Across from him, he heard Albus sit, the faint rattle of porcelain announcing he was summoning things. " I confess, I wondered when we would see you again. You gave up all quite a fright vanishing without a trace! All the ghosts were in a frenzy searching for you. But when even they couldn't find you it caused quite a stir. We feared the worse for a while…" Albus paused, seeing he wasn't responding. " Don't worry Danny, I'm sure they are not angry with you. Likely they will be relieved to hear that you are fine! Now- if this is about Voldemort again; I'll honestly say I'm not surprised at all-"

Danny let his hand drop into his lap, feeling his eyes burn. "I'm from the future, Albus."

The wizard froze as he reached for a cup that had appeared out of nowhere, pale blue gaze locked onto him. At his reaction Danny blurted out more, suddenly wanting him to know everything he'd hidden.

" The truth is that I'm not from this time at all. I come from about twenty years in the future. No- maybe that's not true anymore. I -when we first met here before - when I was here, I time travelled into the past because the timeline was in great danger of collapsing. It had been changed so that Harry died. That's why I was sent here to deal with Voldemort and Harry, and I was also here to stop Tam and Lucrezia, and I-"

"-Danny!" Suddenly Albus held up his palm, jolting Danny to a stop. " Breathe. Be calm."

It was then Danny became aware his chest was tightening, air heavy. He took a moment to regain control. While he calmed down Albus took a deep drink from his cup, sighing as he did so. " I think you need to explain this to me carefully, and in order. Now… slowly; start from the beginning."

Taking his advice Danny inhaled deeply. "Sorry. I just - there's a lot that happened. I… Well, I suppose the beginning is that I know a ghost that has the power to control time. A Time master. Clockwork. He's actually the one that makes those time medallions that you wizards use. Though… he said that they were weaker models compared to his newer stuff…" Seeing that he was going off-topic again he leaned back.

" Clockwork helped me once before when my future was heading into disaster. Not long after he interrupt me in class to tell me that time was heading back into chaos. Something- those other two you met, Tam and Lucrezia, changed the future by helping Voldemort get the stone. Instead of Harry stopping him, he would win. Voldemort would kill Harry and revive himself. That… started a war that would end up killing my parents and making me unborn in the process. So that I- and Phantom, wouldn't exist anymore."

"I see." Albus stroked his beard in thought. " That makes sense considering the Laws of Time. And I suppose this is why you were involved?"

'Yeah. See- Clockwork said that he has rules. He can't meddle with the timeline unless the Observants - Oh, they're like guardians of time too - permit him. Before when my timeline was heading to the destruction of the world they gave Clockwork the okay to kill me. But instead, he helped me fix it myself. I think that made him trust me to help him with this… Though I don't know if that is true anymore…"

Albus hummed, taking another great drink. " Then you arrived from the future - twenty years correct? Into our time. Where you protected the correct event of Harry succeeding- Ah… that explains why you were so determined in protecting Potter, why you then vanished without a trace! How could we ever find you when you were in another time entirely!"

"Right! But… it wasn't- I mean- things haven't exactly gone to plan either…" Wincing he fought down the panic again. " Tam and Lucrezia both possess the power to travel through time too. It made things challenging as they had the advantage of knowing what would happen before I did. They also knew that when it came time, I was unpredictable. A… wild card that might beat them. So they ended up making sure that no matter what happened the timeline would be damaged enough for it to change forever."

He watched Albus smile, a twinkle gleaming under his glasses. " Vlad."

"Yeah…"

" I had my suspicions something wasn't quite right when it came to him."

"W-wait, you did?"

"Of course. Danny; when you described your enemy to me I imagine it was someone much older. Experienced in your powers beyond your knowledge. At least someone that could be your parent's age." Chuckling he leaned forward, clasping his thin hands together. "When I met him I did not expect a young man only a few years older than yourself. Someone who clearly didn't understand anything about ghosts, magic, or combat. It didn't match the version you told me about. However, I didn't think of this; but I knew then there was something strange going on."

Signing Danny nodded, he hadn't realised Albus had noticed. But now that he thought about it, Danny saw he was an idiot thinking he wouldn't figure out something was strange. " What I told you was true. In the future, Vlad did become my enemy and tried to get revenge on my dad. In that old time he was trying to get me to join his side and marry Mom. But.. Tam ended up bringing him to Hogwarts and we met way before we should have. And-"

"-And changed the future."

"Yeah."

He fell silent, the worst of his story rushing quicker than he wanted. Yet before he could there was a great call, like a chime that jolted Danny in his chair. Albus smiled and looked over to the open window just as a great crimson bird flew into the office. With one lazy circle, it landed on a stand by his desk, shaking a magnificent plume of ruby and gold feathers. Danny found himself mesmerised by the creature, its jewelled gaze seeming to pierce right through him.

"I forget, you wouldn't have met before! Danny, this is Fawkes- a proud Phoenix if there ever was one. And a dear old friend of mine." He spoke warmly and in response, Fawkes puffed out his feathers affectionately. " He was my eyes and ears outside the castle while you were here. Wonderful at keeping an eye on Harry and reporting to me if there was danger where I could not be."

"...I never spotted him."

"Fawkes is skilled in remaining hidden when he wants to be. But I assure you he was watching you!" Albus beamed at Danny's confusion. The Phoenix settled on his perch, wings tucking tightly to the sides as he closed his eyes to doze.

"Now, where were we? Yes; a timeline changed."

Fidgeting in his chair Danny nodded. "…When Clockwork returned me to the future, I thought things would be different. Better. Like Vlad actually could become my ally instead trying to ruin my life. But it… it's not what happened."

"Fickle thing, time is. We think our actions can change it, only for those very actions to cause what we dread."

"No, that's not it. I met myself. My own future was there in my time too. Another me."

Albus paused, eyes widening. "That's impossible."

"Not… to me it's not. Seems to be a common occurrence, when it comes to me. That wasn't the first time I've met a different me before-"

"-But that's utterly impossible." Danny was stunned when Albus looked flustered, almost anger flickering on his brow. "Those that meddle with time cannot confront themselves! Bad things happen- Horrible things can happen! The best outcome for a wizard is madness. That's if he is lucky. But for most they destroy themselves. Either by accidentally killing their futures or their own future destroying their past self."

"That's…What happened… I think I'm trapped in a time loop." Seeing Albus's shock caused Danny's emotions to flare up again. " That future self, he had a Time medallion with him. He came from this time- I think - with that medallion and moved through to my future. There he ended up fighting Tam and Lucrezia with the sword... of Gryffindor to try and destroy them. But instead, he lost and was poisoned by said sword. Before he… before he died he gave me the Time medallion, telling me to find you and ask for your help. To tell you everything about me. And not… to repeat what he did, I guess?"

Albus frowned and to Danny, it was the most worried he'd ever seen him. " You… there is a lot of information there that doesn't make sense. How is it possible he moved that far through time? A Time Turner can only move back and forward five hours. It couldn't move through that huge amount of space."

"Dan - that guy said it had been strengthened. Maybe by Clockwork or someone else, I'm not sure. He didn't say. It only had two trips in it though. Once I moved to this time… it broke."

"Then… you mention he was wielding Godric's sword? Was it that sword?" To Danny's horror, he pointed to the wall behind him. With dread there it was, mounted between two curious observing paintings. The moment he spotted that ruby blade he freaked out. That was the thing that would end up killing him. The fact it existed at this time meant that it was true. In the future, he would go forward with that thing to somehow destroy Tam and Lucrezia, and if he failed that sword would be the one ending his half-life.

Suddenly Albus was crouched in front of him, hands grasping his shoulders to get his attention. " Danny. Be calm. You are safe in this room. Nothing in here will hurt you while I am here."

Danny realised he was struggling to find air, a squeezing weight crushing his chest. Unconsciously he was flickering in and out of visibility, losing control of his powers at a surge in his core. Then without warning, he snapped "Be calm!? How can I relax when I know that if I fail in the future I'm dead!? That what I just saw was my own demise! A-and what's worse is that it won't even matter if I win or not because if I do then I've still lost anyway! My future, my home, my family… I can't return to it because it won't exist anymore for me! I-I've just lost everything! Everything I've fought so hard to protect! Unless C-Clockwork magically shows up the only time I'm returning to Amity Park is to get myself killed!"

Even as he broke down and as his ghost powers fluctuated Albus didn't move away, holding tightly as if he excepted Danny to slip from his fingers. Albus let him fight with his explosion of emotions, gaze softening in understanding behind his glasses. Just as the wizard was about to speak his office door opened, causing them both to whip around. From the opened frame the tall form of Severus stalked into the space, sighing as he shut the door behind him.

"Apologies. I was caught up with some troublesome-" The second he spotted Danny he froze, recalling him at once. Danny himself stilled, immediately aware of his vulnerable state. Turning his wet face away he completely disappeared, Albus's hands now weirdly hoving on nothing.

Swiftly Albus left him to move over to the teacher, voice low and stern. " I'm afraid that our meeting must be moved. This isn't the right time now, Severus."

"Of course, Headmaster… I will inform the others that you are busy with other matters today."

Danny cringed when he heard the rustling of his robes, the door clicking shut as he left. Great, now he was going to rub that into his face at how pathetic he was. Severus was the type that would hold that advantage for a later, useful time. And he now felt terrible, hollow with the reality of his life.

Albus returned to where the lounges sat, peering about. "Please don't sneak away from me Danny. I wish to help you. And I will."

Moving to the far corner of the seat Danny sniffed loudly, causing the wizard to thinly smile as he watched the cushions sag. " Sorry… I'm pathetic, aren't I?"

"Absolutely not! It is not a weakness to show your true emotions. Especially since you are dealing with something that even grown adults couldn't dream to handle. In fact… you are taking this matter of a time loop impressively well, in my opinion." He rejoined him on the opposite chair, watching as Danny reappeared slowly. " I know… this is likely something you do not want to hear. But right now you have an amazing advantage over your situation that will help you."

"Advantage!?"

"Yes. Something Fortunetellers and Seers would kill for. You know your future completely and have experienced your fate firsthand. Far clearer than any prophecy could give you. Knowing your future so clearly means that you might have the ability to change it, and reshape it. The fact you did what I thought was impossible and changed your destiny proves that you can. And that is an advantage you must use."

" Still doesn't ignore the fact I've lost my real future."

"I cannot help you with that… it is something we must deal with later. Something… that will take time to grieve over. But for now Danny, I think it is wise to take a break. Forget this terrible future for now and recover from the damage you've taken. In the meantime, I will think of a plan to solve this. But I will… ironically need some time."

Danny sighed tiredly. "Lucrezia is in the Black Lake, by the way. I used her to get to Hogwarts, but she's hovering around with the promise of sending me back if I get the sword. As tempting as the offer is... that's totally a trap."

"No doubt. I advise you to not give her the weapon you claim will destroy her. But… having her close by is actually a good thing. Better knowing where your enemy is than not. But I wouldn't trust her unless her true intentions are clear. In the meantime… I think I will move the sword and place a few protective runes around it. Protect it from going missing. I promise you Danny, I will keep it safe."

"Honesty Albus, all I want to do with it is destroy it."

"As simple as that would be, it will be impossible. Goblin steel is incredibly strong, and that sword in particular is a legend in itself. Besides, you might need it to also save your future. Best we hang onto it for now."

Nodding Danny slumped against the pillow drained and so exhausted that he wondered whether he could be bothered leaving the couch. Then another thought came to him. " How long have I been gone?"

"It has been over a year since the stone."

"And Vlad?"

"I'm not sure where he is now. Once you went missing, we all searched the castle for a few days. Even the Headless Hunt joined in - though I think they treated it more as a social event. Last I heard of him was from Sir Nicholas informing me he had left. He didn't tell me where he was going."

The news both worried and irked him. No doubt he had returned to start turning evil, building his plots to get revenge on his father. But the more he thought about it, the more Danny wondered if that was true. There were still so many things he didn't know, but he wondered whether he dared learn about them right now.

" Is there anything else important to tell me? I believe I understand the basics, but I sense there is much more you need to tell me."

"It's… it doesn't matter right now, I guess. It's no problem telling you later as obviously I have time now. I… I'm thankful that you want to help me Albus, but right now… I think I just want to be alone."

The look on Albus's face told him he thought that wasn't the best idea at all. But if he wanted to object he held his tongue. Instead, the wizard nodded, rising to his feet. "I will join you back to the room. Thankfully you arrived only two days from Christmas, so I imagine our remaining students would be snoozing away still."

Taking all his effort Danny followed him out of the office, walking down the empty, smoke-scented hallways. Other than the festive decorations, Hogwarts hadn't changed at all. Though Danny was only partly paying attention, too lost in his troubles.

"Danny," As they made it to the seventh floor Albus paused, drawing his focus back to the present. " I forgot to mention that you have arrived at Hogwarts at a strange time. You are more than welcome to stay here as long as you like. But I know exploring the school is tempting, especially due to your powers. I strongly advise not heading out into the Forbidden Forest while you are here."

"Why?"

"There are Dementors on guard around the outskirts of Hogwarts. Not by my choice, of course. While I'm confident that won't pose any threat to you, it would be best to stay away from them with… all that is going on with yourself."

Danny frowned. " Don't tell me Harry's in danger again?"

Albus burst out into laughter. " Hopefully not! No… it's at the request of the Ministry. A… prisoner has escaped Azkaban -Ah, that is our wizarding jail, Danny. It is a precaution for the safety of all our students. The last thing I need is for you to get hurt by them, or… what will likely happen is you beating them up and they complain to Cornelius… I don't think even I could weasel myself out of that!"

"Oh…" Danny had a faint memory of hearing about those creatures before. But clearly, it wasn't a Voldemort issue.

" Not to worry! I have our fugitive situation under control. Thankfully I don't need your help with the issue. Instead, focus on your enemies for now."

All too soon there were in front of the wall that hid the magic room, Albus placing a hand on his shoulder. " Danny; everything will be alright. By the sounds of it, you have plenty of time until that event happens. And… if you were able to do the impossible and change your fate once before, you can do it again. And you know that I will not allow Harry to die on my watch!" He waited for Danny to nod before continuing. "If there is anything you wish to discuss or help that you need, let me know. My office door is always open to you."

Nodding again the wizard gave his shoulder a comforting squeeze, before leaving him alone in the hallway. Danny watched him go, then stared at the blank wall. It was insane to him that he had been here only a few days ago.

"You knew this would happen, didn't you Clockwork? That's why you warned me not to repeat the future?" He spoke out at the empty hall, but no Time ghost appeared. It seemed like a nail in the coffin of his predicament, confirming he was on his own. But this time it wasn't just Harry, but himself that he had to save.

Sighing he paced three times passed the wall, the old habit of summoning the magical room returning immediately. The oak iron-rung door craved itself into the stone, and Danny slipped inside quickly. He was greeted to the same room he'd spent all his time at Hogwarts, not a detail different. As the door closed the fireplace roared into life, revealing the cozy room in its amber glow.

"Hey, Room… I guess to you it's been a while, huh?" As he spoke there was a soft thud by his feet. There a small wooden box of tissue had materialised out of nowhere. Despite himself, Danny couldn't stop a smile, taking one as he blow his nose. "Thanks…"

Moving deeper into the room, it suddenly dawned on him that Vlad's side had also appeared. It was strange, Danny thought it would have summoned just like his first time. But he supposed he had reimagined it how he'd last seen it. Investigating his side Danny was shocked to find that the ghostly books were still there, neatly piled at the end of his bed. It was amazing that Vlad hadn't stolen them.

A further search revealed there was nothing else, no note or clue as to where he had run off to next. It made Danny wonder what had happened after he'd left, other than the fact he was probably enraged he'd abandoned him. But he pushed those thoughts away when a wave of exhaustion hit him again, and Danny retreated over to his own bed. Kicking off his shoes he fell onto the pillowy surface, trying to stop the horrible despair that now he was trapped in the past. That he might never get his old life back.

AN: Sorry, this update was a little late due to life getting in the way, but here it is. We're finally back!