Our Past, Your Future

Dumbledore watched the boys with an intense curiosity. They talked and joked like any youngster, commenting on "that young Dursley who had been sorted into Gryffindor." One of the boys made a low whistle when it was mentioned that Dudley Dursley was Harry's cousin, and father of the boy who had been sorted into "their house." Without any of them noticing, a young girl of about four had wandered into the room in her night dress looking scared but sleepy. She padded softly towards the chattering boys. When she was noticed, one of the boys got up and took her into his arms with a smile and a cheery "What's wrong Molly? Do you want me to tell a story to you?"

He then sat down, and began to recite a story about how Aunty Hermione once used a confounding spell on a boy so Uncle Ron could get his old place as the Gryffindor Quidditch team keeper, and how Uncle Ron never found out until after they were married.

Dumbledore had no idea that while he was watching this happy scene, with all its laughter, that events in the time line he was after leaving were about to turn so dark and troubled.

***

In his mind's eye, Draco was smiling to himself. Luna had fallen for his plan, just as he knew she would. She wasn't much of a Ravenclaw after all-- she was far too eager to believe that he, Draco Malfoy, was essentially good and that the piece of parchment he had shown her told the truth. Maybe he was essentially good, but an oath made to the Dark Lord was one to keep- the repercussions for disobeying him were far too great even to be considered. If he could have shuddered at the thought of what might happen he would- and they would be considering the minor repercussions.

Luna was in such a rush to get to a teacher she had failed to notice several Death Eaters hiding from view at the other end of the room, ready to fulfil the Dark Lord's bidding. As one of the waiting Death Eaters released Draco from Luna's spell, the mental smile he was experiencing spread to his face- the first genuine smile anyone had seen on Draco Malfoy's face for years. He was about to carry out his first mission for the Dark Lord. It was a day to be happy.

However, when he opened the door to the Room of Requirement, it finally hit him that maybe Luna was quicker on her feet than he realised, for staring back at him were Professors Black, Flitwick and Hagrid. Behind him, someone let out a snarl of fury and then a stunning spell soared over his shoulder, hitting Hagrid square in the chest. Behind him another Death Eater shrieked, "It won't work, he is a half giant freak. Get the other two." His plan in tatters, Draco ducked as a flurry of spells flew from both sides, and Hagrid engaged a Death Eater in a fist fight.

***

Long before Madam Pince arrived back with McGonagall, the group of students she was planning to complain about had left the library and had made their way down to the kitchens, as it appeared that Ron's stomach would not hold out until dinner. Harry carefully removed the Marauder's Map and checked it. Madam Pince and Mr. Filch were making their way towards McGonagall's office, closely followed by Mrs. Norris. Peeves was still happily bobbing over them, making rude noises whenever he wasn't engaged in his crude singing. While the others debated whether or not Filich and Pinch were having a 'relationship', Harry was drawn to several names congregated on the seventh floor. They included Hagrid, Flitwick, Olivia Black and Draco Malfoy. To Harry's shock, he also read the names Narcissa Malfoy, Gerard Goyle, Henry Crabbe, Gordon Burke and Jean Blackthorn. What the hell was going on? What were Death Eaters doing in the school? Dramatically, Harry veered off course and hurried off to the seventh floor. Noticing the concerned look on his face, none off his companions dared question him, but followed in a hurry. When at last they reached the trouble, it was to a scene of absolute pandemonium. Professor Flitwick was lying stunned and bleeding against a wall. Hagrid was boxed into a corner by three wizards, while Olivia Black was fighting another Death Eater. One very large Death Eater lay unconscious. Immediately, without uttering a word except spells, the newly arrived group lay into the attackers. Within moments all but one of the Death Eaters lay stunned.

The remaining Death Eater, a werewolf, was not going down without a fight. He assessed his situation. Yes, the little red head.

"Well, little girly, what are you going to do? What can a little pregnant girl do to me?" he asked, sniffing the air.

This had the desired effect. Everyone was momentarily stunned, and it was then that the Death Eater sprang at Ginny. Suddenly, as if out of nowhere, a fist shot out, meeting the side of the assailants head with a sickening crack, knocking him flat. Everyone stared at the new arrival. Neville stood over the fallen Death Eater with a look of upmost determination on his face. He quickely explained how he had meet Luna down the corridor. She had told him about what had happened with Draco. He also said that Colin Creevey had asked him if he had seen Ginny anywhere- that he was meant to meet her. It appeared that Ginny must be with Harry, because Nearly Headless Nick had seen them heading this way. It hadn't taken him long to figure things out. Neville then apologised that he had no one with him, but he thought he hadn't time to fetch anyone.

Wearily they brought the captured Death Eaters to the hospital wing. Ron was busy looking at Ginny all the way. When they reached the hospital wing, he brought her over to a corner. After a while he approached Harry and said in a tight voice: "I'm happy it was you mate," before walking over to Hermione, apparently to confirm what the Death Eater had said.

An age seemed to pass before McGonagall made her entrance followed by Pince and Filch (Mrs. Norris having been ejected by the matron without so much as a single word uttered). Surveying the scene before her, McGonagall was momentarily stunned. Where to start? Quickly composing herself, barely recovered from the shock she received the night before, and with the mysterious absence of Professor Dumbledore, McGonagall demanded an explanation.

***

News of the Death Eater attack and the fight which followed spread exceptionally fast, even by Hogwarts standards- reaching Gryffindor tower within the hour, and the other houses by eleven o'clock. Plus, everyone seemed to know that Harry's father and two of his friends had used some type of spell to travel into the future. The scene that greeted Harry and the rest when they returned to Gryffindor tower was every bit as pandemic as the fight they just had. Questions rained down upon them like rain drops, and for nearly three quarters of an hour, the questions were patiently answered. Afterwards, James Potter, Sirius, and Remus found themselves the centre of attention, and they loved it. Everyone wanted to know how they had accomplished their time travelling feat, but they remained tight lipped on that matter.

The atmosphere changed quite gradually from one of shock, to a relaxed one, and then to a party atmosphere. Bottles of Firewhiskey, Elf wine and Nettle Wine appeared out of nowhere. Seamus produced two bottles of Irish whiskey and several shot glasses, while Dean brought out, strangely, a bottle of brandy and two bottles of vodka. After a short while (aided by some drink), people began bragging, telling boastful stories of their success with girls or boys, stories of great Quidditch matches, and rumours about Harry, which he put right very quickly. Everyone listened to Harry as he recounted his stories. They gasped in awe as he told of his encounters with Lord Voldemort. With every few sentences, Seamus refilled his glass with whiskey (now that Harry thought about it, there seemed to be no shortage of drink, and everyone, excluding Ginny, for obvious reasons, was getting very tipsy). All in all it looked like it was going to be a very good night.

***

As the party wore on snugly in the castle, Dementors were gathering outside the castle walls. The defences put up by Dumbledore would soon fall; there were Death Eaters inside the castle to bring down the defences in due course- and they were sure to succeed. Until then, Hogsmeade would provide food. As the night wore on, they grew restless, but there was nothing they could do.

***

There was a warm body pressing against him. That was the first thing Harry realised when he woke up. The second thing that Harry realised was that he had an enormous headache. Hangover, a little voice inside his head said. Slowly Harry opened his eyes and put on his glasses. Ginny was curled up beside him a small smile on her face, and one arm draped over him. Harry smiled. His smiled broadened when he looked around the room. James Black was sleeping up against the door- fully clothed and drooling slightly. Dean Thomas seemed to have stripped down to his boxers before deciding that the floor was a much more comfortable place to sleep on compared to his bed. Ron seemed to have more success. He had managed to pull on his pyjama bottoms- but forgotten his top, but had found a substitute in Hermione. Well, at least he had found his way into bed. Seamus was asleep on top of his trunk. Remus had somehow fond his way into Sirius's bed, and now lay draped over Sirius, who was snoring loudly. Neville and his James Potter were no where to be seen, until Harry entered the bathroom. James Potter lay asleep in the bath, while Neville lay near the toilet mumbling to himself. What the hell happened last night? On second though, Harry decided he didn't want to know.

***

Half an hour later, Harry and Ginny sat at breakfast. On their way down they had passed several unfortunate first years passed out in the Common room amid empty bottles. Then they had meet Luna who had told them that Hogsmeade had been attacked by Dementors- everyone in the town had the Dementors kiss administered- men, women and children. That totalled three hundred people. Three hundred souls lost in one night, and on Voldemorts command. The war had well and truly begun. It was in the Daily Prophet that the new Minister for Magic would be informing the Muggle Prime Minister straight away. Things were getting out of hand. The Aurours were beginning to loose a battle that had barely begun. If an entire magical town could be wiped out so quickly, what chance did the muggles have? The magical community was shaken to the core. Scanning the top table, Harry couldn't see Dumbledore. Where was he at a time like this? He should have been here, even if it was to provide reassurance to the students.

***

As Harry's inauguration as Minister for Magic ended, Dumbledore turned to his companion who said, "I think it was time we were heading back! You are urgently needed back at Hogwarts."

***

Rumours! That's all that floated around Hogwarts all that day. They are closing the school. They are recruiting Aurors from abroad. They are recruiting the muggle military. They, they, they. Faceless. Yet, it meant the Ministry of Magic. Fear of Voldemort had reached new heights, and justifiably so. Hogwarts could be next. Fears were allayed somewhat by the dramatic return of Dumbledore who was accompanied by a young man who was wearing Gryffindor robes. The young man looked familiar and yet no one could place him. Dumbledore disappeared straight away, moving swiftly to his office.

***

The Prime Minister paced around his office. He had received an urgent message from that Minister about half eight that morning saying he would be around within the hour. It was now nearly mid-day. It was worrying him. He had met this new minister several times. He was always punctual. It worried him, yes, but it allowed him to finish some last minute work. His niece was getting married, and he was giving her away. He checked the name of the Church again. St. Charles Church, Dufftown. Apparently, it was an hour's walk away from a ruined castle and town, which was rumoured to be haunted. Hikers said strange noises, like a large crowd of kids cheering, a dog barking or a man shouting, could be heard echoing from the castle grounds. One man swore he saw three kids materialise out of nowhere. A tall, lanky redhead, a shorter boy with messy black hair, and a girl with brown hair. Dame her! His niece knew him too well. She knew old architecture was one of his great hobbies, and this castle, she had said, contained marvellous architecture, from the boars mounted either side of the rusty gates, to the huge tower overlooking the forest. Suddenly, there was a flash of emerald green flames in the fireplace. A man steeped out of them and dusted himself down. It was impossible to tell his age. He had a long mane of tawny coloured hair, and a slight limp. A much more impressive sight than the last minister. The Prime Minister knew he was once head of a special Wizarding force, comparable to a SWAT team. When he sat down, the Prime Minister knew that this meeting was urgent. He hadn't dispensed with the usual formality. He could see it in his face, it was strained and tired. There were more grey hairs than the last time he had seen him. Slowly the Prime Minister sat down.

***

Dumbledore sat in shock.

"I thought you said that Luna would keep Draco from fulfilling his plan."

"She did. The Dementor's didn't get inside the castle did they? She succeeded didn't she? Draco's plan was to let the Dementors into the castle. In a way, he is an innocent. Voldemort threatened to kill his parents, and then kill him by torturing him to death. If I were you, I would pity the boy."

***

Far away, in what was once the Riddle house, Voldemort let out a howl of rage. Malfoy had failed him. He had been captured. Foolish boy. If he didn't need Snape to fulfil another role, he would have gotten him to do it. He was more capable, but Malfoy was eager to prove himself. The boy would learn the price of failing the Dark Lord.

(To be continued.)