Harry Potter and the Past That Never Was

They didn't let Harry have visitors for nearly a week after he woke up. While assuring him he would be fine, Drogdan also stood firm on their decision to limit his contact with other people until they were sure he was strong enough. If this were the Muggle world, Harry would have been in the hospital at least four months; his injuries were that severe.

"Repairing the bones was simple enough," Drogdan told him. "But there were too many broken ones to just send you off on your way. Even with magic, you'll need time to heal properly."

Harry was in a private room, so except for the Healers, Harry saw no one. However, he spent a lot of time talking to Hermione, Draco, and Pandora. He'd talked to Dumbledore once or twice and even Snape, once. Between them, Harry was able to piece together what happened in the aftermath of the Quidditch match.

First, it was revealed it was the Slytherin's idea all along to knock Harry out of competition. They felt he was too good and with him on the Gryffindor side, no other house would stand a chance. That they were not able to do it during the match itself only made the incident actually knocking him out look that much worse.

"It goes beyond that, really," Draco told him. "The older Slytherins know you're one of the people causing all the friendship between houses. Flint never said that was the reason, but I'm sure it was right up there."

"No, " said Harry. " I suppose giving up the old way of doing things is harder for some."

"It didn't work, though," Draco told him. "It's made you more popular with the first year Slytherins than ever."

"It only cost me fourteen broken bones and a punctured lung," Harry thought to Draco. "Small price to pay."

After he hit the ground and was thrashing about screaming, some of the teachers started trotting toward him. When he stopped screaming, they started running, afraid the fall may have killed him. Snape looked down and saw all of the work he and Dumbledore had done preparing, in a broken heap in the middle of the Quidditch pitch. Some of his bones had broken though his skin.

"He looked as pale as a ghost," Hermione told him. "I thought he was going for his wand when he turned toward Montague."

"That wouldn't have been a good idea," Harry thought to her.

"No. He seemed to think better of it, and just carried on screaming at him," Hermione went on. "Telling him there's no place in Hogwarts for someone like him, and he was to get his belongings and leave the castle straight away."

"His parents came to school to protest his expulsion, but Dumbledore was having none of it," Hermione thought. "He told them Professor Snape was head of his house, and was completely justified in expelling a student."

"Did they go talk to Snape?" Harry wanted to know.

"Yes," Hermione thought. "No one knows what he said to them, but they left the school looking angrier than they were when they entered."

"No chance of turning that Death Eater," thought Harry.

"We were never going to be able to turn all of them," Hermione dismissed the thought.

Snape conducted a further investigation and even got Dumbledore's permission to use Veritaserum if needed. It wasn't needed as the plot came out after only a few interviews with some of the players. Montague may have fired the bludger that hit Harry, but the plan was concocted by Flint, the team captain. In the end, Snape disqualified the Slytherin team for the rest of the year, gave the other Beater a lifetime ban, and expelled the captain, Flint.

Dumbledore was getting frequent updates on Harry's condition and was passing them along at meals. At first, the updates were not encouraging. Dumbledore only said his condition was grave and he hoped everyone would keep him in their thoughts and prayers. Little by little, the updates became a little brighter. After four days, his condition was deemed serious, but seemed to be out of danger. He wasn't in a coma, but was being kept under sedation while the bones could heal properly without the chance of Harry jarring them.

"You should have heard the cheering when Dumbledore said you were awake, and now only needed some time to recover," Pandora told him. "Everyone was on their feet."

"I'll be cheering when I can get back on my feet," Harry thought to her.

"I'm glad you thought to contact me the first time you awoke," Pandora thought. "You don't know how that made me feel."

The first couple of times Harry tried to get out bed were not at all pleasant experiences. When his feet touched the floor, bolts of white-hot pain shot through his knees and right up his body. Harry may very well have fallen straight to the floor had there not been a healer on either side of him. They kept hold of each of his arms, forcing him to stay upright.

"Yes," Drogdan said. "It's going to hurt quite a lot at first. But you have to do it, and better to do this earlier than later." Therefore, Harry endured the pain and even managed to take a few steps before being led back to bed. Drogdan then gave him a definite answer of when he could return to Hogwarts.

"When you can walk all the way to the entrance and back without help, you can return to school," he told him. "For that to happen, you're going to need to get out of bed as much as you can."

When Drogdan finally consented to allow him visitors, Harry was able to get out of bed almost at will, but wasn't able to do a whole lot before he'd have to lie down. The first visitor he had was Professor Dumbledore.

"It's good to see you alive and well," said Dumbledore, finding a chair and sitting next to his bed.

"Thank you, Professor," said Harry. "It still hurts a lot but Healer Drogdan says I'm making good progress."

"A very unfortunate incident," Dumbledore went on. "However, the culprits have been dealt with."

"Yes sir," said Harry. "I've been talking to Hermione and Draco."

"Ah," Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, that is to be expected."

"Even without Voldemort around right now we're still in danger, aren't we?" Harry asked him. Dumbledore was silent several seconds before answering.

"I'm afraid there are always going to be those who do cannot adapt to change," said Dumbledore. "Make no mistake, there have been many changes this year."

"That's what Hermione said," said Harry. "We'll never be able to turn them all."

"Yes, that's so," said Dumbledore, with a slight frown. "But you've done a very good job at bringing about the friendship of all four houses."

"Thank you, Professor," said Harry. "But a lot of the credit has to go to Draco. He's the one having to deal with the Slytherins day after day."

"I meant all three of you," said Dumbledore. "But yes, Draco has done quite well, indeed. But this brings me to rather happy problem I need to discuss with you."

"A happy problem?" asked Harry. "What sort of problem is this?"

"You see," said Dumbledore, smiling, "there has been an insistent request for a common, common room in which students from all houses could enter, and mingle."

"Would this request have come from Hermione, by any chance?" asked Harry, his eyebrows raised.

"Funnily enough, yes it did," said Dumbledore, his eyes twinkling. "I am of the mind to grant this request. But the problem I mentioned, is the name of said room."

"How is that a problem?" asked Harry.

"It's a problem because I have the happy task of informing you your classmates would like you to name this room," smiled Dumbledore. "It's happy because it is not MY problem."

"I'm to name it?" asked Harry. "I don't know. Did you need me to come up with something right away?"

"Oh, no," said Dumbledore. "It can wait until you're safely back at Hogwarts. I only wanted to give you time to think of an appropriate name."

"Professor," said Harry. "Do you think it possible Voldemort could have gotten into my mind while I was out?"

"Why would you ask that, Harry?" Dumbledore wanted to know. There was a look of concern on his face.

"I'm only wondering," said Harry. "I could not have stopped him for that time."

"It's certainly a possibility," said Dumbledore. "I'd like very much to tell you otherwise, but I'm afraid I cannot."

"What could he do if he knew everything?" Harry wanted to know.

"I don't know, Harry," said Dumbledore with a frown. "But it won't do to ever underestimate what Tom is capable of doing."

"That's what worries me," said Harry. "Not knowing is the worst."

Dumbledore looked thoughtful for a moment, stroking his long beard. "I have to be honest with you," he said. "You have in all likelihood already alerted him without knowing."

"How would I have done that?" Harry wanted to know.

"Ask yourself, if you were Voldemort and could not find your mind," said Dumbledore, leaving the rest unsaid.

"You're making it sound as if the advantage we have isn't much at all," observed Harry.

"Oh, we have a distinct advantage," said Dumbledore. "At the very least, we have a six year head start. For the time being, you only have to recover from your injuries." Then he stood, placed his hand on Harry's head, and then turned to leave the room.

After Dumbledore left, Harry tried unsuccessfully to sleep. He was being kept awake by the nagging thought there was something Dumbledore was keeping from him. Not that this was anything new, but Harry couldn't help but feel there was something VERY important being kept from him. He'd long since known he was considered the one who would deliver the Wizarding world from the clutches of Lord Voldemort.

He only then began to wonder just how much of Voldemort's power he'd been given in the attempt to kill him sixteen years before. Harry thought back to his conversation with Snape, and how he said he would not teach Harry anything Dumbledore did not approve. He began to suspect being marked as Voldemort's equal meant in ability. It would certainly make sense seeing how Dumbledore tended to react when the subject was breached. Harry told himself he was going to find out exactly how much of Voldemort's power he really held.

Later that afternoon, Drogdan informed him he would be receiving his visitors one house at a time. "There were too many students wanting to visit you," he explained. "It was the only way we could accommodate all of them."

"How many are there?" Harry wanted to know.

"Too many," said Drogdan, with an amused laugh.

The next morning, Harry only just had time for breakfast before Professor McGonagall walked into his room.

"Alright, Potter," she said, trying unsuccessfully to look and sound severe. "We'll have no more of this lollygagging about from you. We have a Quidditch Cup to win."

"That's what I keep trying to tell the healers," said Harry. "But they insist upon a fortnight of lollygag."

"You just get well," the Transfiguration teacher said kindly. "We're all looking forward to seeing you back at school."

"I'll do my best, Professor," said Harry. McGonagall laid a hand on his arm and smiled at him.

"They're only going to allow six to see you at once," said McGonagall. "So I'll step out and begin letting them in."

She left the room, and soon the rest of the Quidditch team was gathered around his bed. They mostly wanted to talk about the match.

"Ravenclaw beat Hufflepuff," said Wood. "Not a terribly interesting match. Hufflepuff were the better side but Ravenclaw's new Seeker caught the Snitch from right under Diggory's nose."

"Who's their Seeker?" Harry asked.

"A second year, Cho Chang," answered Angelina. "She's not bad, nothing on you, though."

"Listen," said Harry. "Healer Drogdan doesn't think I'm going to be fit to play any more this year."

"No chance at all?" asked George.

"He didn't say NO chance," said Harry. "But you should probably bring in a new Seeker."

"Even if we do, the spot is yours if you get fit," said Wood.

"Thanks," said Harry, smiling at them all.

He saw Ron, Neville, Dean, Seamus, Pansy, and Percy in the next batch. Apparently they wanted to limit the parade of visitors to one day as each group were only allowed a few minutes with him before they were whisked out. After all the of Gryffindors visited him, Harry was visited by Snape.

"It was two bad apples who did this to you," said Snape. "And I'm sure you've already been informed of the action that was taken."

"Yes, sir," said Harry. "But why did you ban the whole team?"

"Two reasons," said Snape. "First, to serve as an example for anyone considering another such stunt. In addition, Mr. Flint poisoned the entire team. They can reform next year."

"Professor," said Harry. "How much of You-Know-Who's power do I have?"

"Why would you ask this, Potter?" asked Snape, his face unreadable.

"I'm only wondering if being marked as his equal meant all of his power," said Harry. "I can't think of anything else it could mean."

"I can't give you an answer," said Snape, holding up his hand as Harry opened his mouth to protest. "Because I honestly don't know how much of his power you possess."

"Do you have any idea at all?" asked Harry.

"Between you and I," started Snape, "I will say you have abilities far more advanced than the average seventeen year old wizard. As to the scope of these abilities, only time will tell."

"And the only way you're going to teach me these things is if Professor Dumbledore allows it," said Harry.

"While we may not always see eye to eye," said Snape, "I see no reason not to trust the judgement of the Headmaster."

"If it were up to you?" asked Harry.

"Left up to me," answered Snape, getting up as if ready to leave the room, "I would in all likelihood take the same road." He then left before Harry could ask any more such questions. The remaining members of the Slytherin Quidditch team, along with Draco, and Goyle visited him next.

"We just want you to know," said the Keeper, "We couldn't stop Flint from planning this with the Beaters."

"I know," said Harry. "I don't blame the whole team. I think banning the whole side was a bit harsh."

"What can you do when Dumbledore backed Snape's decision?" asked Draco.

"Snape believes the whole team is poisoned," said Harry. "Maybe someone could convince him otherwise."

"I doubt that," said the Keeper.

"Anyway, that was an interesting strategy," said Harry. "Harassing the Seeker like that. It would probably work if you could keep the score close."

"I don't think it is," said the Keeper. "You can't really keep the score close when their Chasers are unopposed."

During the afternoon, Professor Sprout brought the Hufflepuffs, and Flitwick brought the Ravenclaws to visit him. Hermione, and Pandora came in with a group that included Cho Chang.

"Dumbledore told me your idea," said Harry. "He said we was probably going to allow it."

"Did he really?" asked Hermione. "That's excellent news." She smiled as Harry looked at Cho.

"I heard about your match with Hufflepuff," said Harry. "I'm told you're a very good Seeker."

"I think I was lucky," said Cho. "I'm looking forward to flying against you, though."

"I don't think it will be this year," said Harry. "Drogdan doesn't think I should play any more this season."

"And he's quite right," chimed in Pandora. "Magic or not, you need a lot of time to rehabilitate all of those injuries."

"That's what he said," said Harry. "There's not much choice but to listen to him, is there?"

Later that evening, Harry became restless and decided to get out of bed to see how far he could walk on his own. He walked down the hall, and then realized he was on the fourth floor. He realized this, because he recognized Neville's Grandmother in conversation with a healer. As he got closer, their conversation stopped as the two women saw Harry.

"What are you doing out of bed?" asked the healer.

"I'm only doing what Healer Drogdan said," said Harry, "getting up to walk as much as I can."

"Ah yes, it's a pleasure to meet you," said Mrs. Longbottom, extending her hand to Harry. "Neville speaks very highly of you, Mr. Potter."

"How are Mr. and Mrs. Longbottom doing?" asked Harry, taking her hand.

"As well as can be expected," Augusta Longbottom answered, frowning. Harry suddenly got a very strange feeling inside of his head, he stepped back as if he'd run into a solid wall, and nearly stumbled and fell. It wasn't pain he was feeling, it was more like an overwhelming weight.

"Are you alright?" the healer asked, stepping toward him.

"I... I think so," said Harry, as the feeling seemed to pass. "I was wondering... could I possibly see them for a moment?"

"I suppose so," said Mrs. Longbottom, a strange expression on her face. "But they're both asleep."

"I don't think they are," said Harry, again getting the strange feeling in his head. "Mr. Longbottom, is that you?" he thought.

"Who are you?" asked the voice in his head.

"I'm Harry Potter," thought Harry. "Are you Frank Longbottom?"

"Yes, yes I am. You're Lily and James Potter's son?" asked Frank.

"Yes, sir," thought Harry. "How did you know I could communicate this way?"

"Why are you asking me that?" asked Frank. "You contacted me."

Instead of arguing, Harry looked at Mrs. Longbottom and said, "I seem to be able to communicate with Mr. Longbottom."

"If this is your idea of a joke," said the healer, as Mrs. Longbottom looked at him, stunned, "it's not very funny at all."

"I'm NOT joking," said Harry. "Mr. Longbottom, could you possibly come out here to the hall?"

"I think I can," said Frank.

"I've asked him to come out here," said Harry. Before the healer could tell him the doors were locked from the outside, they all looked up at the sound coming from the door, as someone was trying to open it from the inside. Mrs. Longbottom went to the door and opened it to reveal Frank Longbottom standing there in a dressing gown.

"Oh dear," said the healer. Frank looked straight at Harry, and nodded his head.

"You can really communicate with him?" asked Mrs. Longbottom, a shocked but hopeful look on her face.

"Yes, ma'am," said Harry. "I don't know how, but yes."

"I have to call the administrator," said the healer. "This is astounding."

Frank continued to look at Harry as the healer dashed off, leaving the three of them alone.

"What did he say?" asked Mrs. Longbottom.

"Nothing, really," said Harry. "I just asked him to come to the waiting room."

"Is he able to communicate in a lucid manner?" she asked him.

"Mr. Longbottom, can you tell me what is happening with you?" asked Harry.

"I appear to be trapped inside of here," said Frank. "Why do you ask?"

"Do you know where you are?" asked Harry. "I mean in the physical world."

Frank looked around him for a moment; he shuffled to a plaque on the wall and looked at it, before turning back to Harry.

"I think I'm in St. Mungo's," answered Frank.

"What's going on?" asked Mrs. Longbottom.

"I asked him if he knew where we was," said Harry. "He told me he appears to be trapped inside of there. I assume he means his mind, but he just told me he thinks he's in St. Mungo's"

The old woman found a chair and lowered herself heavily into it.

"Trapped in his mind, you say?" asked Augusta. Several people were hurrying in their direction, led by the healer who'd been there a few moments before.

"What is going on here?" asked a man who appeared to be the one in charge. "I'm told you are able to communicate with Frank Longbottom."

"Yes, sir," said Harry, telling him how he had a strange feeling in his mind, then the conversation he had.

"You're the Potter boy," the man said, almost accusingly. "Well, leave us to sort this out, off to bed with you, then."

"But..." Harry started, but was not able to finish as he was suddenly taken forcefully by the arm and brought back to his own room. Once he was deposited inside, Harry heard the door being locked from the outside.

Harry stared at the door for a minute or two, and then went to his bed. He then did the only thing he could think of doing at that moment.