Harry Potter and the Past That Never Was

As the summer churned toward it's end, Harry settled back at the Burrow and for the first time in, he didn't know how long, enjoyed himself. Harry hadn't had the time to notice it before, but Percy's attitude toward his father was very the same attitude that caused his eventual split with the family in his fifth year. It was nothing particularly overt, just a comment here and there.

Ron on the other hand, WAS very like he remembered from the first year. He was constantly embarrassed at having to wear hand-me-down robes, use second hand books, and even a hand me down wand. Although not being very well off affected the entire family, Ron just seemed to take it all as a personal injury to himself. This, coupled with a comment Percy made concerning Arthur's position at the ministry, gave Harry an idea.

His original plan was to sell the Ravenclaw jewel to Lucius Malfoy, and have that gold put into the Weasley vault at Gringotts. However, he formulated a different plan of what do to with that stone, but it did not involve taking any gold from Malfoy, at least not gold Malfoy himself would give him. He wrote a letter to Lucius asking if would be possible to meet with him before the term started. Lucius responded he would be delighted to meet with him, and they set up a day and time for this meeting.

Harry didn't want anyone at the Burrow to know what he was doing, so the day he selected to meet with Malfoy was the day the Weasleys were in Diagon Alley buying school supplies. Harry was able to beg off from that trip since he already had his supplies. Shortly after he was left alone at the Burrow, Harry went to the fireplace and used the Floo. Instead of Dobby, Kreacher was waiting for him.

"Kreacher will take you to Master Malfoy," the old house-elf said in his creaky voice, as he brushed away the ashes and soot from his clothing. Harry followed the old servant through another endless walk through hallways and rooms, before coming to a large double door. Kreacher knocked on the door loudly.

"What is it?" called out the voice of Lucius Malfoy. Kreacher opened the door and peered inside.

"Master, your guest has arrived," said Kreacher.

"Well, show him in," said Malfoy. Kreacher stepped back and told Harry to go inside. Malfoy was not alone it what looked to be a study of sorts. There was a huge desk around which sat three very comfortable looking chairs. Malfoy was behind his desk, and sitting in two of the chairs were Narcissa Malfoy, and Cornelius Fudge, the Minister of Magic.

"Hello, Mr. Potter," said Lucius, coming out from around his desk, and holding out his hand to shake. "I'd like to introduce you to the Minister of Magic, Cornelius Fudge."

Fudge stood and looked at Harry jovially, extending his hand and shaking vigorously, saying, "I can't tell you how much of a pleasure it is to meet you, Harry."

"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Minister," said Harry.

"And I don't believe you've met my wife," said Lucius.

"Hi, Mrs. Malfoy," Harry said to her, shaking hands again. "It's nice to meet you." Narcissa actually smiled warmly at him, and it made Harry consider what he thought the first time he'd seen her; that she would be pretty if she didn't have the sneer on her face. She certainly looked very nice smiling at him.

"You must be excited to be going to Hogwarts," said Narcissa. "Draco can't wait to get there."

"Yes ma'am," said Harry, smiling at her. "I'm looking forward to it."

"You'll be quite the celebrity you know," said Fudge. "Being the boy who lived and all." Oh, how well did Harry know THAT?

Fudge stayed around for a few minutes before getting up saying he had to be going, "I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to meet you when I learned you would be here today."

The Minister of Magic shook hands all around then departed by disapparating, probably back to the Ministry. Narcissa left the room shortly after, leaving Lucius and Harry in the large room alone. Malfoy went to his chair at his desk and sat, inviting Harry to sit by gesturing to a chair.

"So," said Lucius. "And for what reason did you ask for this meeting?"

"I was reading in Hogwarts, a History about the Founders' jewels, and how you have three of them," said Harry. "Is that true?"

"Yes, I have three of them," said Malfoy, frowning. "The fourth has eluded my grasp, however." Then his face brightened a little. "But surely you didn't come here to talk about this."

"Oh, yes sir," said Harry. "That's exactly why I wanted to meet with you." He took out a small box from his pocket and held it out to Lucius.

Malfoy took the box after giving Harry a bemused look. He opened the box and his eyes got suddenly wide when she saw the blue stone inside.

"It can't be!" he said, astonished. He did the same with his wand as did Dumbledore when he looked at the stone. "By Jove, it's real! The Ravenclaw opal. How did you get this?"

"Gringotts sent me an inventory of my vault, and it listed a blue stone," said Harry, lying. "I'd been reading about them so I was curious."

"Well now I know why I've not been able to find it," said Malfoy, looking at the stone longingly as he put it back in the box and handed it back to Harry. Harry left it on the desk. "Then may I assume the purpose of this visit is to discuss a business matter?"

"In a sense, yes sir," said Harry. "I know by itself, this opal isn't worth a whole lot."

"No," said Lucius. "And you seem intelligent enough to know it's worth a great deal to me. Very well, name your price."

"I don't want gold," said Harry. "My parents left me quite a lot, actually."

"So I'm told," said Malfoy. "What is it you DO want?"

"I want to use your influence with the Minister to get something done," said Harry.

"Forgive me," said Malfoy. "What makes you think I have any influence with the Minister?"

"Meeting him in your home is kind of a clue," said Harry, laughing. "Unless he makes a lot of house calls."

"Touché," said Malfoy, chuckling. "Yes, I do have his ear so to speak. So tell me what is it you would like done?" Harry took a deep breath and told Lucius what he wanted.

"I would like Arthur Weasley to get a promotion, to a head of department," said Harry.

"Why would you want that?" asked Malfoy, looking at him as if he were mad. Harry had no reason to not tell him truth.

"I've offered them gold for allowing me to live with them," said Harry. "And they are too proud to accept it even though they only just make do. He would not refuse a promotion, however."

"Weasley," said Malfoy. "I won't lie, doing this would be an easy matter."

"Yes sir," said Harry. "I know you and he aren't friendly, though."

"No, that isn't my concern," said Malfoy. "In the spirit of negotiation, you seem to be asking for too little."

"No sir," said Harry. "I'm asking you for something that means a great deal to me. Seeing the Weasleys living a lot more comfortably is something I'd greatly like to see. From my point of view, I'd be getting the better end of the bargain."

"Such is the way of negotiating," said Malfoy, smiling. "Each feeling they are getting the best of the bargain. Suppose I agree to this, how do I know you'll not ask for more such favors?"

"Sorry," said Harry. "I wouldn't exactly call this a favor. All I can do is give you my word."

"Your word," said Malfoy.

"Hold on," said Harry. "I'm perfectly willing to accept your word and leave this with you, today." Harry picked up the box and held it out to him.

Malfoy seemed ready to shake his head in the negative, but after a moment, his hand reached out to take the box from Harry.

"Weasley will have his promotion in short order, you have my word." He then held out his hand to shake, sealing the bargain. "Thank you very much, Harry."

"Thank you as well, Mr. Malfoy," said Harry, smiling.

"I must say, you must know I'd have been willing to pay quite a lot in gold," said Malfoy. "There's a lot to be said for helping a friend get a leg up."

"That was my feeling," said Harry. "They're good people." Lucius didn't offer an opinion on this; he was gazing inside the box at the fourth stone.

"Would you like to see the other three?" he asked Harry.

"Yes I would," said Harry. "Thank you." Lucius picked up wand and pointed it at a painting on the wall; he flicked it and the painting swing aside, revealing an opening in the wall. He went to the opening and extracted a larger box that was ornately decorated with the symbols of each of the founders. Lucius put the box on his desk and opened it. Inside, the other three stones lay, in little compartments inside the velvet-lined box; Harry saw all the stones were in different shapes.

Malfoy took out each in turn, letting Harry see the symbol inside the stone. "These are beautiful," said Harry.

"Indeed they are," agreed Malfoy as he gently put his new acquisition in its intended place inside the box. When the box was closed, Harry noticed the box looked quite a lot different than it had a few moments before.

"Mr. Malfoy," said Harry, looking at the box. "Am I mad or does that box look somehow, happier?" It was true, the symbols on the box looked quite a lot more cheerful. Malfoy inclined his head, opened the box, took out a stone and closed it again. The box reverted to how it seemed before.

"Yes," said Malfoy. "That's a very curious effect." He replaced the stone and the box looked cheerful again. Harry reached out to touch the box, to run his fingers over the carved out symbols, but found he was not able to touch it. There was some sort of force preventing it from happening.

"I can't touch it," said Harry. "That's weird." Malfoy looked confused as he laid his hand on the box.

"It could be a protection against its theft," said Malfoy. "It's not in your history book, but this is the original box in which the stones were stored." Harry tried to touch the box again and this time his hand was thrown back forcefully, causing some pain in his shoulder.

"I must say, that's a very interesting feature of this box," said Malfoy. "It seems only the owner is permitted to handle it."

"I wonder how the stones became separated in that case," mused Harry, rubbing his shoulder.

"That's a very good question," said Lucius. "I would guess one of the founders removed them. It would stand to reason if they were only ones who could touch this box. I won't ask you to try to touch it again, but I'm very curious to know if the protection intensifies."

"I'd be afraid to," said Harry. "That actually hurt." Malfoy's solution to his curiosity was to satisfy it by summoning Kreacher.

"Put that box back in my safe," Malfoy told him. Kreacher tried, and of course could not touch the box. He tried a second time and Harry saw his arm knocked back the say way his own was. Harry was afraid of what would happen to the old house-elf next. When Kreacher tried a third time, he was flung bodily against the wall. Malfoy smiled and told Kreacher it was all right, he'd do it himself.

"Kreacher could not do it, Master," the house-elf said, glaring at the box.

"That will be all," said Lucius. "That answers my question."

"I was afraid you'd let him carry on," said Harry, glad that he didn't.

"Oh no," said Malfoy. "I wouldn't want to kill him. But I think I can feel safe not keeping them locked in a safe." He smiled and opened the box, causing the stones to be displayed.

"I'm curious to know if the protection is only in place if all the stones are inside," said Harry.

"That's a very interesting question," said Malfoy taking out one of the stones. He was about to call Kreacher again.

"I'll do it," said Harry. "If you can put some padding on the wall." Malfoy laughed and did that. Harry reached out slowly and found he was right; his hand came into full contact with the box.

"Very interesting," said Lucius putting the missing stone back inside. Harry wondered if the box would remember. He tried to touch it again and soon was picking himself up from the floor, having been slammed into the padding.

"And why exactly did you do that?" Malfoy looked as if he were about to laugh.

"I uh, wanted to see if the box would remember," said Harry sheepishly. "I think it did."

"Are you hurt at all?" asked Lucius.

"I'm fine," said Harry. "The padding kept me from being hurt."

"I wouldn't be at all surprised to discover other magical qualities," said Malfoy. He vanished the padding as he came out from behind his desk. "Can I offer you refreshment?"

"Thank you,' said Harry. " But I should get back before they return and discover me missing."

"Ah indeed," As he's done the previous time Harry was at the mansion, Lucius escorted him to the room with the fireplace. "If there's anything at all I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask." Lucius shook hands with Harry again, as he got back into the fireplace, using the Floo to go back to the Burrow.

Harry knew he'd taken a huge gamble. Malfoy had the stone in his possession and there was really nothing at all Harry could have done should Lucius decide not to honor the deal they made. However to Harry's delight, Arthur came home from work a few days before school and called the whole family together, for some exciting news he had for them.

"Everyone in here please," Arthur called out. In short order, the entire family was in the living room. "I have some news for you."

"What is it, Arthur?" Molly asked, Harry could tell from the look on Arthur's face what the news was going to be.

"The Minister has decided to create a new department within the ministry. It's going to be called the Muggle Liaison Office," said Arthur. "It's going to have a total of twenty four employees."

"Why would we need to treat with Muggles?" Percy wanted to know. "That infers there are Muggles who know about us."

"Apparently several hundred just in this country know," said Arthur. "Most who know a wizard or witch of course want magical solutions to their problems."

"Are you being moved to this new department, dear?" Molly asked someone absentmindedly, as she was in the middle of cooking dinner.

"Well in a sense," said Arthur, with a wide grin. "I'm to be the department head."

"ARTHUR! That's fantastic!" exclaimed Molly. "Did you hear that, kids? Your father's been promoted! Oh Arthur!"

"That's great father," said Percy, smiling. Ron looked awestruck while the twins beamed.

"Will we get a rise in spending money then?" asked Fred.

"I don't know," said Arthur. "Do you suppose at 850 galleons a month we can afford a rise in spending money?"

"Whoa!" said Ron. "We're going to be rich!"

"We'll certainly be a lot more well off," said Arthur, still beaming.

"How did you get this promotion?" asked Molly. "Not that you don't deserve it of course."

"Funnily enough, I was recommended by Lucius Malfoy," said Arthur. "He told the minister I would be the perfect man for the job."

"Malfoy?" asked Molly. "He doesn't exactly like us. Why would he do this?"

Harry smiled at Arthur, and was delighted to see the family looking so happy. "Congratulations, Mr. Weasley," said Harry. "That's great."

"Thank you, Harry," said Arthur, smiling back at him.

During dinner, Arthur was at somewhat of a loss as to exactly what his job was going to be. "I don't know, really," he said. "But I expect I'll find out tomorrow."

Harry and Ron were in their room playing chess when Molly opened the door and looked in. "Harry dear," said Molly. "Professor Dumbledore wants to speak with you."

"Okay Mrs. Weasley," said Harry as he got up from the chessboard, and followed Molly downstairs. Dumbledore was chatting with Arthur and Percy when he spotted Harry.

"Ah, Harry," said Dumbledore. "Let's have a little stroll." Harry went outside with Dumbledore and strolled around the garden.

"It's certainly fortunate for your new family Arthur has gotten this promotion," said Dumbledore after a moment or two.

"Yes sir," said Harry. "He'll be making a good amount of gold."

"Indeed," said Dumbledore. "My sources tell me a certain opal has been reunited with its three brothers. My keen ability to put two and two together tells me the two events are somehow related." He peered over his spectacles at Harry, his eyes smiling at him.

"Guilty as charged," said Harry. "That was my price, a promotion for Mr. Weasley."

"That was very noble of you," said Dumbledore. "Lucius would have paid a small fortune for that stone."

"He said the same thing," said Harry. "But I wanted him to see the sort of thing friends are willing to do for each other."

"I see," said Dumbledore. "You do realize it's very possible what you've done will make no difference at all in Lucius Malfoy's thinking?"

"I know," said Harry. "But even if it doesn't, the Weasleys are going to be a lot better off."

"This much is true," said Dumbledore. "You've done a very good thing. However, that isn't why I've come to talk to you. The term is starting next week, and there's something I want you to know before this."

"Yes, Professor?" asked Harry.

"The return of the three of you back in time was done purposely," said Dumbledore. "I'm telling you this now, to aid you in the task on which you are about to embark."

"What task is that?" asked Harry.

"To bring about the eventual joining of all four houses," said Dumbledore. "The three of you are the ones best suited for this task."

"Yes sir," said Harry, not being able to keep himself from smiling. "Hermione has already figured that out, Professor. And we have a plan."

"Indeed, Harry?" asked Dumbledore. "Miss Granger already knows this was no accident, you say."

"Yes, sir," said Harry. "You just confirmed it, as well."

"Yes, yes I did," said Dumbledore.

"She also doesn't believe the sorting hat makes up its own songs," said Harry. "She believes you make them up."

"Does she?" Dumbledore looked quite surprised to hear this. "Why would she believe this?"

"I'm not sure, Professor," said Harry. "But I don't see any reason to doubt anything she says."

"Well then," said Dumbledore. "One final thing before I leave you to the rest of your summer. You should tell Percy, Ronald, and Ginny the basics of your secret. Reveal nothing of the future, as it is no longer a certainty."

"I can tell them now?" asked Harry.

"You can tell them now," said Dumbledore, nodding. "But only the basics."