- Rating:
- PG-13
- House:
- Schnoogle
- Ships:
- Other Canon Witch/Harry Potter
- Characters:
- Draco Malfoy Harry Potter Hermione Granger
- Genres:
- Original Characters Alternate Universe
- Era:
- The Harry Potter at Hogwarts Years
- Spoilers:
- Philosopher's Stone Chamber of Secrets Prizoner of Azkaban Goblet of Fire Order of the Phoenix Half-Blood Prince Quidditch Through the Ages Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them J.K. Rowling Interviews or Website
- Stats:
-
Published: 08/24/2006Updated: 11/26/2006Words: 62,834Chapters: 16Hits: 79,413
Harry Potter and the Past That Never Was
RobertStorm
- Story Summary:
- Transported back to just before his eleventh birthday, Harry gets the chance to right the wrongs in his life. But, "knowing then, what you know now," isn't always all it's cracked up to be. Your best friends may not be your friend, your enemies may not be your enemy. Even the greatest enemy may be easily dispatched. But evil will remain as long as there is good. Harry discovers changing the past leaves the door open to a future that may be worse than he can imagine. Will our hero prevail?
Chapter 09 - Make a Wish Harry
- Posted:
- 11/01/2006
- Hits:
- 3,665
Another unusual day that summer happened on Harry's birthday. Arthur shook him awake very early and told him to come downstairs. Arthur was looking about very anxiously as Harry padded down the stairs in his sleepy state. Since it was still dark outside, Harry looked at Mr. Weasley quizzically.
"There's really no time to explain," Arthur said as he flicked his wand in Harry's direction, changing him out of his pajamas and into jeans and sweater. "Dumbledore wants us at Hogwarts as quickly as we can get there." He ushered Harry to the fireplace and held out the pot of Floo powder.
"We're going to Candyland," said Arthur. Harry nodded and got into the fireplace, after following the procedure for transporting via the Floo, he found himself in the Great Hall at Hogwarts. Sirius, Remus, and Moody were already there, chatting when Harry emerged from the huge fireplace.
"Hello Harry," said Sirius. "I'm sorry we've not had to the chance to get together, but I've been rather busy with that blasted house." Arthur appeared in the fireplace just as Harry was about to answer.
"I've been busy as well," said Harry. "I've been here three days a week. I wouldn't mind helping you though."
"I can always use the help," said Sirius, smiling.
"House not going down without a fight is it?" asked Moody.
"It's going better since I got rid of Kreacher," said Sirius.
"What did you do with Kreacher?" asked Harry.
"Sent him off to work for the Malfoys," said Sirius. "Good riddance."
A few moments later, Dumbledore and Snape walked into the Great Hall from the staff entrance.
"Good morning, everyone," Dumbledore said cheerfully.
"So are you going to tell us why we're up and about before the roosters are awake?" Moody growled.
"Why don't we all have a little breakfast and I'll explain," Dumbledore said, gesturing toward the buffet table that was already set up and stocked with breakfast items.
After they had all helped themselves to plates of food, Dumbledore indeed set about explaining why he summoned them this early in the morning.
"We've been monitoring Quirrell's movements for the past couple of weeks. He rarely if at all leaves the Leaky Cauldron, although Hagrid says he's been spotted near the Forbidden Forest once or twice."
"Unicorn blood," Harry said. "Voldemort will be drinking unicorn blood to keep sustained." Remus had a pained expression on his face.
"Unfortunately, that's exactly what he is doing," Dumbledore said. "Hagrid has already found a dead unicorn and the centaur herd has happened upon another."
"Unicorn blood," Arthur shook his head sadly. "There can't be many left are there, Albus?"
"Very few I'm afraid," Dumbledore sad sadly. "But back to the topic at hand, since today is Harry's birthday it will give us all the excuse to be at Diagon Alley to get him his present."
"Happy birthday, Harry," Sirius said.
"Thank you," Harry blushed, with everything that had been happening over the summer he had forgotten all about his birthday.
"Severus has devised a plan to allow you four, and Hagrid who will be joining you later, to position yourself around Quirrell," Dumbledore said. "This will keep him from escaping while Harry, to coin a phrase 'lays hands' upon him."
"Will you be able to do that, Harry?" Arthur wanted to know, he looked concerned.
"Yes, Mr. Weasley," Harry nodded. "Considering who possesses him, I'll be able to do it."
"This will unfortunately kill Quirrell," Dumbledore said. "But Voldemort will not leave him alive regardless."
No one had anything to say for a few moments, so Snape began to detail his plan.
"You four will go to the Leaky Cauldron first, and be sitting at the table closest to the stairs leading to the rooms," Snape said. "Hagrid will bring Potter there under the pretense of buying him his school supplies. Once spotted, Hagrid will introduce Potter to Quirrell, telling him he's to be his Defense teacher. This is when you move behind him,"
He then turned to Harry. "You will have to be quick. If you can reach his face, that would be most effective, but failing that put your hands on his chest," the Potion's Master told him.
"That sounds easy enough," Harry said. He no longer felt like eating breakfast as he had become quite nervous and excited. He recalled all too vividly how Voldemort tried to possess him when he lost his host. The pain was so bad he blacked out.
"Very good then," Dumbledore said. "Do finish your breakfast and Harry will be along around ten."
After the four Order members left, Harry found himself alone with Dumbledore and Snape.
"Are you sure you're going to be able to do this, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yes, Sir," Harry nodded. "I haven't gotten the chance to tell you, but I had an interesting conversation with Mr. Malfoy when Hermione and I were there."
"Lucius asked me to keep an especially close eye on your progress," Snape said. "It is believed you are someone whom the Death Eaters can rally around."
"Professor," Harry started. "I had the impression he was not at all happy with some of the things Voldemort did."
"What do you mean, Harry?" Dumbledore said, gazing at him intently.
"He seemed," Harry thought for a moment, "disgusted at the idea he would kill me as an infant."
"Perhaps so," Dumbledore said, "but Lucius Malfoy has never given up the old ways of doing things. The way things were when Voldemort was active."
"Professor Snape," Harry said, "you know first hand how he treated his followers. Do you believe most of the Death Eaters would be murderers if Voldemort were not around?"
"That's an interesting question, Potter," Snape said slowly. "I'm not sure I can answer it truthfully. However, there's no evidence to suggest they would not resort to murder even if the Dark Lord had not been there."
"Have there been any murders attributed to the Death Eaters since he's been gone?" Harry wanted to know.
"With the exception of Pettigrew," Snape said, "there have been no murders in which a Death Eater has been suspected."
"What are you trying to say, Harry?" Dumbledore wanted to know.
"I think Mr. Malfoy can be turned," he said.
"What makes you believe this, Harry?" Dumbledore to his credit was giving what Harry has to say full respect. He never dismissed anything Harry had to say out of hand.
"Draco told me when he was recruited before sixth year, Voldemort told him he would do as he was told, or die," Harry said. "You don't tell him no and live to talk about it."
"That's very possible," Snape said. "The Dark Lord does not make idle threats."
"My question is," said Harry, "has he done anything illegal in the past ten years?"
"No," Dumbledore said, "but the Death Eaters are all keeping low profiles."
"How is that possible when he is always at the Ministry?" Harry wanted to know.
"I must admit that's a very good point," Dumbledore nodded. "Do you honestly believe he would give up his views on pureblood superiority?"
"No," Harry said. "And I don't see a problem with purebloods being proud of their heritage. But I don't believe he is an evil man at his core."
"Severus," Dumbledore started, "what is your take on this?"
"I think I agree with Potter insofar as Lucius Malfoy not being evil at his core," Snape said. "But I don't think he would ever join the Order."
"Does one have to join the Order to not be an enemy?" Harry then asked.
"You obviously see something within him, Harry," Dumbledore said. "If you can somehow 'turn him' as you put it, by all means do so. But I must know, other than what you've already said, what gives you the idea it's even possible?"
"Just a feeling I had when talking to him," Harry said. "He definitely does not consider Voldemort a friend."
"Voldemort has no friends, Harry," Dumbledore said.
"Exactly," Harry answered, and smiled.
A couple of hours later Harry found himself standing in Hogsmeade with Hagrid.
"We'll be taking the Knight Bus, Harry," the Gamekeeper told him.
"Okay," Harry said with a bit of trepidation. He was never fond of that mode of transportation.
During the ride, Hagrid seemed to have a great time chatting about nothing in particular.
"So you know what you're going to do then?" he asked.
"Yes," Harry said, "I'm a little nervous, but I'm ready."
"Ah well don't you worry none," Hagrid beamed. "Ain't nothin gonna happen to you long as I'm around."
Harry smiled at him. Some of the most fun he had at Hogwarts involved the lovable half-giant.
"When we get back to Hogwarts, I have something special to show ya," Hagrid said but did not elaborate. Knowing his love for dangerous animals, Harry could not begin to imagine what Hagrid would show him.
It was very much like the first time Harry went into the Leaky Cauldron with Hagrid. As he walked in, he immediately spotted the four order members sitting at the planned table. They seemed to be involved in a conversation and paid Harry and Hagrid no notice when they walked in. Harry tried not to notice Quirrell, or the pain in his scar that told him Voldemort was trying to get into his mind. Reacting quickly, Harry forced false memories of playing Quidditch with the twins and Percy at the Burrow. After a moment or two, the pain went away.
"Hello, Hagrid," Tom the barkeep said, "the usual then?"
"No time, Tom." Hagrid said, "I'm just on my way to get Harry here his school supplies."
The barman glanced at him then did a classic double take.
"Bless my soul," He said, "it's Harry Potter."
"Harry Potter?" someone said, as the inn became abuzz with excitement, just as it happened six years earlier. Several people wanted to introduce themselves to the boy who lived. Hagrid did his part by trying to keep them moving along in the direction of Quirrell.
"Hello, Professor Quirrell," Hagrid beamed as the man possessed by Voldemort looked down at him and smiled. "This is Professor Quirrell, Harry. He'll be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher."
"Oh," Harry said brightly, extending his hand. "It's nice to meet you."
Quirrell seemed to shy away from contact, "Harry... Po...Potter," Quirrell stammered. "Can't t...t-tell you how pleased I am to meet you."
"Defense Against the Dark Arts," Harry said. "Is that all sorts of dueling spells and the like?"
"Well, I better be getting back to work," Harry heard Arthur say as he stood. He tried to ignore them as all four had stood and were milling about just behind Quirrell.
"F-fascinating subject really," Quirrell said. "Not that you... you n-n-need it eh, P-Potter?" Quirrell said, smiling again.
"Well, we best get moving along, lots to do." Hagrid said, moving just to the side of Quirrell as if about to pass by. Harry made to follow but seemed to stumble when Hagrid stopped in his tracks right next to Quirrell. The four order members formed a semicircle around him so that his only means of escape was right past Harry.
Quirrell's head began to pound, as Voldemort suddenly became active. "It's a trap you fool, get us out of here!"
As he stumbled, Harry put his hands in front of him and leaped at Quirrell. Unready for the sudden movement, the possessed man had no chance to stop Harry's hands from making direct contact with his face. As Harry rebounded off him, landing on his backside, he saw Quirrell's skin begin to crust over and break apart, finally turning to dust as his scar seemed to burst apart.
The entire inn would have erupted; except for the fact, every one of them knew what was about to take place. As except for the Barkeep, each of them were in the Order of the Phoenix. They watched in silence as the essence of what was Voldemort swirled and went straight for Harry. He tried to steel himself for what he knew was coming, but apparently being able to use Occlumency prevented Voldemort's attempt to possess him from causing him any discomfort. The spirit passed right through him, gave a screeching sound and disappeared through the wall.
Harry was still sitting on the floor and caught sight of something blue and shiny among the dust that was once Professor Quirrell. He leaned over and picked up a dark blue stone that appeared to be about eight carets in weight. Hagrid was helping him up as the others were talking to him.
"Good job, lad," Moody said, "just as we planned it." They made it a point to get Harry out of there as quickly as possible and get him back to Hogwarts.
Harry was quickly ushered to the fireplace, surrounded by the five of them. He got in and soon found himself in Dumbledore's office.
"Ah, welcome back, Harry," Dumbledore said in his usual jovial manner.
"It's done," Harry said, falling heavily into a chair before letting out a long breath. "I'm glad that's over."
"It's not over yet," Dumbledore reminded him. "We merely thwarted this one attempt."
"Yes, but we already know how he's going to do that," Harry said.
"No, Harry," said Dumbledore. "How could he possibly return the same way when the person from whom he gets the flesh is no longer available to him?"
"Yes, but we know Lucius Malfoy smuggles the diary in next year and he regains his body in fourth year," Harry said. "Surely those events would be easy to prevent."
"But you only thwarted Voldemort's return at the end of the school year," Dumbledore said.
"Yes, Sir," Harry said.
"Your past has already been changed to the point where the events you remember will not happen as they did for you," Dumbledore answered.
"So there's really no telling what he might try." Harry frowned, as Dumbledore shook his head.
"What is that you are holding, Harry?" the Headmaster asked. He had almost forgotten about the stone he picked up.
"Oh," Harry said opening his hand, "Quirrell must have had this. It was in all the dust."
Dumbledore looked at the stone in silence for a moment or two then said, "May I see that, Harry?"
"Sure," Harry held it out to him.
Dumbledore examined the stone and said, "Interesting."
Then he took out his wand, caused it to illuminate and held it behind the stone.
"Ah very interesting," Dumbledore said, handing both his wand and the stone back to Harry. "If you hold the wand as I just did, you will see the symbol of Rowena Ravenclaw inside. Harry did so and saw the symbol.
"What is this?" Harry asked as Dumbledore took his wand back.
"The founders of Hogwarts as you know each have their own symbol. Gryffindor a lion, Hufflepuff a badger, Slytherin a snake, and Ravenclaw, a raven," he said gesturing to the stone Harry was holding.
"Along with other possessions, each founder imbued a jewel with their own symbol. A red ruby for Gryffindor, a yellow topaz for Hufflepuff, a green emerald for Slytherin, and a dark blue opal for Ravenclaw," Dumbledore explained. "Of course had you bothered to read the book Hogwarts, a History you'd already know the story behind the Founders Jewels," He looked over his glasses at Harry with an amused look.
"They must be worth a lot then," Harry said, looking at the opal again.
"Alone, you might fetch a few galleons for one," Dumbledore said. "The four together on the other hand are extremely valueable. I couldn't begin to guess what the set would be worth in monetary terms."
"I wonder if Voldemort was going to make a Horcrux out of this," Harry mused.
"Possibly so," Dumbledore agreed.
"So where are the other three gems?" Harry asked.
"Ah," Dumbledore said, his eyes twinkling, "the other three are in the possession of one person, Lucius Malfoy. He's been trying for years to locate that stone in your hand."
"Oh?" Harry said, looking at the stone again. "Now that's interesting, and it gives me an idea."
"And what idea does that give you?" Dumbledore asked.
"A way to do something for my best friend," Harry smiled, putting the stone in his pocket.
Not too long after, Hagrid knocked on the door of Dumbledore's office. He came in holding a cage with a snowy owl inside.
"Happy Birthday, Harry." he said brightly
"It's Hedwig!" Harry said, jumping up. "Thanks, Hagrid." he wrapped his arms around him as far as they could go.
"It's not every day your young man turns eleven now is it?" Hagrid said while patting his back lightly.
"I'm seventeen though," Harry laughed, as the owl regarded him with interest.
"Er," Hagrid stammered, "it's not everyday he turns seventeen either."
"And for my present," said Dumbledore. "You have the rest of the summer off. Unless something important arises, you are not expected back here until the start of fall term."
"They've asked several times why I have to be here all the time," said Harry. "I'm not sure how much longer I can keep from letting something slip."
"Fred and George, already have more of an accurate idea than you may be aware," said the headmaster. He was looking at Harry in a thoughtful manner. "They overheard a conversation you had with Molly shortly after you arrived."
"I didn't know," said Harry. "They haven't said anything." However, if Harry had been more alert, he would have noticed the twins were dropping some subtle, as well as not very subtle hints.
"I've been told they are concocting some plans of a very amusing nature," said Dumbledore over his glasses. "Seeing as one of the things they overheard involved their future joke shop."
"What should I do?" Harry wanted to know.
"I think it may be a good idea to not allow the twins to work out too much on their own," said Dumbledore. "And before the fall term, you should inform the other three of certain things."
"You're saying I should tell them everything then?" asked Harry.
"No, not everything," said Dumbledore. "Tell them the basics. But we shouldn't like to have them knowing too much."
When Dumbledore sent Harry back to the Burrow, he was trying to figure out how to get the twins alone to have a little chat with them. There was never a lot of room for privacy at the Burrow so it was going to be difficult. The other three he figured to tell together, with the help of Arthur and Molly, perhaps at dinner one evening.
As he emerged in the Weasleys' fireplace, Molly came out of the kitchen to see how it was.
"Oh, hello Harry dear," said Molly, producing a little brush to remove the ashes from Harry's clothing. "Have you eaten lunch yet?"
"Yes, Mrs. Weasley," lied Harry. He then told what Dumbledore informed him about the twins.
"Oh dear," she said, looking concerned. "I have to say they are about the last two I would want knowing my secrets."
"I have to keep them from working too much out on their own," said Harry. "But I need to find some way to get them alone."
"I have an idea," said Molly after a moment. "Why don't you wait in their room for a bit? I'll send them there. The others will think nothing of Fred and George being grounded." Harry had to laugh at that as he nodded and made his way to their room.
Bearing in mind this was a full five years before their shop came to fruition, Harry could already see the beginnings of some of the items they would eventually begin to sell. There were scorch marks all over their walls and ceilings, obviously caused by all the explosions coming from this room. Soon, Harry heard Molly screaming at them.
"Both of you to your room, now!" screamed Molly. "And just wait until your father gets home."
A minute later, Harry heard the twins muttering to each other as they walked into their bedroom.
"I'd like to at least know what we did this time," said Fred as they opened the door, saw Harry and froze.
"You heard something you weren't supposed to hear," said Harry, motioning them to come in.
"We got grounded for THAT?" asked George.
"We should pull a prank just for spite," added Fred.
"No, no you're not grounded," said Harry. "I needed to get you alone so we could talk. Close the door."
Fred closed the door, then both moved closer to Harry, both sitting down on the same bed.
"It's true then?" asked Fred. "You're from the future?" Both of them looked excited.
"It's true," said Harry, nodding. "Six years to be exact."
"Wicked," said George. "We've tried to let on we knew something was going on."
"Yes, kept trying to drop hints and all," agreed Fred.
"I probably should have noticed, but I've been a bit busy," said Harry.
The twins didn't care to hear anything about what was going to happen to this one or that one, they were interested in only one thing, the joke shop they heard Harry mention to their mother. Harry told them what he knew, when he mentioned the name 'Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes' the twins shot each other surprised looks.
"We've already thought of that name," said Fred, pointing to his head.
"Blimey, Harry," said George. "Do you have any idea what we can accomplish with your knowledge?"
"I don't know anything about your products," said Harry. "You never let anyone in on what you were doing in here." He gestured to all of the burn marks.
"No, that we can do on our own," said Fred.
"What we need is operating capital," added George.
Harry gave them the winnings from the Tri-Wizard tournament, and he absolutely was not going to enter it again.
"You want me to loan you some gold?" asked Harry.
"No, mate, nothing like that at all," said Fred.
"What we want is information," said George
"Such as who will win the World Cup," said Fred.
"The World Cup isn't for three years," said Harry.
"Never too early to get a wager or two down," said Fred. "We can get good odds this early on to pick the wining side."
"Or maybe the next Muggle FA Cup?" suggested George. "We have contacts with a few Muggle bookmakers."
"Okay," said Harry. He didn't intend to give them the information free, however. "I'm going to want something in return."
"We'll be happy to make you an equal partner," said Fred.
"No problem at all," agreed George.
"No, that's not what I want," said Harry, waving that off. "I'm going to be gathering a bit of an army when we get to Hogwarts. If you two, and some of your friends, will come along, I'll give you that information."
"Is that all?" asked Fred.
"You got it, mate," said George.
"All right then," said Harry. "The Muggle FA Cup final will be between Liverpool and Sunderland. Liverpool will win 2-0. The goal scorers are Thomas, and Rush."
"Cheers, Harry!" said George, as Fred had a piece of parchment out, and was writing this down.
"I don't suppose you could give us something more immediate," asked Fred.
"When we get to school," said Harry, getting up from where he was sitting and walking to their door. "Bring five in your year to my group and I'll give you something else."
"Oi Harry," called Fred before he left. "What sort of army is this going to be?"
"Oh," said Harry. "It's going to be an army to fight Voldemort." He smiled to himself as he saw the stunned look on the twins' faces as he closed their door behind him.
Actual result of the FA Cup final, played May, 1992. Big thanks to Jaybird for beta reading my chapters.