Chapter Two
Seeing him again was like the time span before your death. Images erupted from Harry's mind and he had to keep his face neutral. He would brake down later when he had time; he was used to pushing his emotions aside. There wasn't a lot of time for crying or anything else during the War. After the sorting of first years and usual opening announcements (He remembered Hermione looking at him strangely when he didn't shout for joy at Hargid's job promotion) he was halfway through his meal when he heard a familiar taunt from behind.
"Psst… Potter!"
Harry turned and almost jumped out of his seat. Draco Malfoy with both working grey eyes had a smug look on his face. Harry couldn't help but laugh.
"You actually fainted!" he jeered.
"Yeah I did. So what? I don't sleep with a stuffed teddy bear named Olivia ever night," as the words sprouted from his lips, he mentally kicked himself. This Malfoy hated him. He wasn't the same wise cracking life force who protected him. His stuff bear named Olivia was a present from his mother before she was placed under the Imperius curse by his father.
Ron was laughing at the sight of Draco blushing.
"I'll get you for this," he mumbled and once again Harry chuckled. He was used to Draco taunting him but he had to remind himself that he was in a different time.
He finished his evening meal, ignoring the heated looks of anger from Draco and worried glances from Hermione. She's probably worried about my safety since Sirius Black has escaped. Harry thought. Shaking his head he followed Ron upstairs for much awaited goofing around with his dorm mates, eating candy and playing chess. That night he felt thirteen and it stayed that way long into the night.
_
They were walking back to the Burrow, hand in hand, after feeding Buckbeak when Hermione stopped a few feet from the green hedges that separated Mrs Weasley's garden patio form the neighbouring forests. He turned to her, confused. It was getting late and they had to get ready to leave---they had to find the remaining horcruxs and the sooner they get ready the better.
She hugged again, strange girl, Harry thought but he enjoyed the feelings he had when they were alone.
"Everything's going to change, "she whispered before nuzzling into his chest. His heart pumped faster, fingers clutched at his waist. He sighed. .
"Yes," Harry whispered, his hands wrapped into her hair, gently rubbing her head in a soothing way. "It will be alright," Pulling back, once again he looked down into her cinnamon depths, and his hands now resting on her cheeks he gently kissed her forehead. His mind was asking why but it felt right. A lot of things felt right when Hermione was around.
The Burrow beckoned him and as much as he hated to leave the calmness he often felt with Hermione they had to go back before people began to worry.
Suddenly, Hermione was gone. He looked left and right. Nothing but the serines calmness of the garden greeted him. He looked down at his feet and saw her lifeless broken body on the floor. She was falling….her eyes staring blankly up at him he felt the coldness ebb around him. His mind was screaming
RON
He turned to find Ron cowering in the corner, crying her name over and over. Harry found himself on the battlefield again. The remains of Hogwarts castle surrounded him as explosions echoed; chucking debris in the air, curses flying and people screaming filled his ears.
Draco stood opposite him. His left eyes glaring while his right was covered with a worn back eye patch.
"So you go yourself in a jam." He puffed a loose lock of hair from his face. "So, what? Analyse the flaws and execute the plan,"
He woke up panting, grateful for his drawn curtains, shielding him off from the others he allowed a single tear to fall before lying back against his soft pillows. Her blank face was still there and no matter how many times he tried he couldn't go back to see for fear of seeing her body falling, over and over again.
_ _ _
"Harry!"
His eyes popped open to find his nose hovering above his potion's textbook. He turned to find Hermione, huffing next to him and he noticed for the first time placing her timer turner underneath her robes.
Clever girl, he thought.
Pulling back he stifled a yawn and tried in vain to listen to Professor Snape drone on.
He needed a plan-that was obvious. Last night he managed to dot point he dubbed "Things needed to be done" ….it went like
Destroy horcruxs; problem was he had no idea where they were. Draco had a few guesses but the only way to solve this problem was to seek them out. This meant sneaking out of Hogwarts undetected. He couldn't do it this year with the dementors around and powerless.
Save Sirius. Although he never intended to come back to 3rd year he now had the chance to save his godfather and capture Peter Pettigrew. This one was easy, all he had to do was capture the rat and hide it for a while. He would capture the rat while the others attend their first Hogsmeade visit…which from memory was a few weeks away.
That was as far as he got before dawn arrived and now he could barely keep his eyes open.
Just a few more minutes, he told himself.
He saw Hermione outstretch her hand, her long flowing deep rose dress swished around her.
"No," he mouthed but he was already getting up, grinning. Hermione lead him onto the dance floor.
"Did I ever tell you that I have two left feet?" he said as he placed his hands on her shoulders.
Hermione blushed, took his left hand and placed it on her waist. "So do I but that's not the point," She blushed before adding "Everyone dances at Weddings,"
Harry smiled and began to sway…left or right -he didn't know-he allowed Hermione to lead them in a lazy circle around the dance floor.
She smelled of flowers, parchment and ink. He didn't care. This was Hermione and he didn't except any less.
Her face mirrored his and he found him moving closer to see the golden flecks in her eyes. How come I didn't see this before? He saw her breath sharply and then…
"Harry!" Mrs Weasley, wearing a warm purple blouse and flowing black skirt stood with her arms on her hips. "Please, I need your help in the kitchen….could you bring out some champagne along with Ron."
He felt Hermione's hands slide out from his. Her face seemed to change, she seemed lost.
What was going on?
"Potter!" a snide voice interrupted his thoughts, he shook his head and mumbled. "Humph,"
"I'm glad you find my lecture so interesting," Professor glared, his greasy hair slicked behind his ears. "Detention!"
Harry scoffed, rubbing his eyes. He should've slept last night.
_ _ _
"Death omens." Hermione barked as she hobbled down the steep hill. Harry was close behind, shaking his head in dismay. After potions they had divination, ironic considering he already knew the possible outcome of their fates. Still, it was better than dodging curses and running for your life. The crispy chill lingered in the air as dew still soaked the high moss grass. They were heading off to Hagrid's first lesson in which, Harry knew, would be the first meeting of Buckbeak---only to have Draco---Malfoy, Harry corrected himself---- screw things up.
Maybe not this time, He thought, an idea forming in his mind he drew back his conversation to Hermione's colourful rant. Her bushy hair swept behind her heavy robes, cinnamon eyes blazing in anger. She was an enigma.
"Honestly. If you ask me, Divination's a very woolly discipline. Now Ancient Runes. That's a fascinating subject."
"Ancient Runes?" Ron stopped walking, and turned to look up at Hermione as she hobbled down, struggling with her school bag loaded with books inside. Eyeing her bag, Ron asked, "Exactly how many classes are you taking this term?"
Twelve, Harry thought. Was it twelve? He couldn't remember but he knew that Hermione was exhausted.
"A fair few." was Hermione's reply, walking alongside Ron.
"Hang on." Ron stopped, thinking this through, "Ancient Runes is the same time as Divination. You'd have to be in two classes at once?"
"Don't be silly. How could anyone be in two classes at once?" Hermione chuckled
If you had a time turner, Harry thought.
"Broaden your minds…" Hermione joked, running ahead of Ron and Harry and caught up with the rest of the class, leaving Ron flabbergasted in mid-step. .turning to Harry he said.
"I don't know about you but I swear she gets even more mental each year,"
Harry smiled, True, Hermione can be a bit bossy, controlling and her thirst for knowledge can scare a fair few but he wouldn't have it any other way.
__
They were lead into a small paddock, near the forbidden forest. Harry recognised this place immediately for several reasons. One---this is where he and Hermione hid (the pumpkin patch was just behind a crop of bushes left of the small stone hedge where the class stood around in clusters) secondly, this is where he first meet Buckbeak. It was also one of Hermione's favourite places to hang out----before the dark times.
He didn't know how he was going to prevent Draco---Malfoy, Harry scolded himself, from making a fool of himself. One idea was to have Malfoy be the one to ride Buckbeak---not him…and yet his hands could already feel the coarse feathers and the heat of the hippogriffs and the smell of its fur filled his nostrils---it was peach and he knew that the smell wasn't a hippogriff but Hermione's. He found himself edging closer to the back of her busy curls, leaning over casually, as if to ask a question, just so he could smell that wonderful scent she always gave off.
"Righ' then." Hagrid's voice interrupted his revive and Harry pulled himself back from Hermione. She turned and raised an eyebrow in question but he quickly shook his head. He couldn't believe what he just did; he leant in to smell her hair! For goodness sake! Keep yourself together!
" So... so... yeh've got yer books, an' now yeh need the Magical Creatures. Right. So... I'll... I'll go an' get 'em. Hagrid turns, disappears into the trees. Draco shakes his head, and then chose this moment to speak loudly to his dim-witted friends, Crabbe and Goyle.
"God, this place is going to the dogs. Wait until my father hears Dumbledore's got this oaf teaching classes." Arms crossed, he sneered and cursed underneath his breath. Anger rose in Harry, sure this was his best friend but then again….he was in a different time and he couldn't help himself turn around and face Malfoy, staring right through him in fact.
"Listen----"Harry had no idea what to say. This was Draco Malfoy---memories flashed before him. No, he said to himself. He is not your friend….he may be in the future but not right now. He could feel Hermione's shoulder nudge his…..
Malfoy steps back, points, his eyes widening in fear.
"Potter, there's a Dementor behind you!"
Ha Ha, Harry grinned. Not going to fall for that one. Harry would know if there were dementors behind him. There would be a chill in the air and the life inside him would shrivel up….
A strange beast emerges from the forest with a torso, hind legs, and tail of a horse and front legs, wings and head of a giant eagle. Its grey feathers shimmering in the sunlight Buckbeat walked (if you'd call it walking) towards the group. Hagrid held a bundle of dead ferrets in the air, baiting for the creature to move closer to the class.
The students stepped back in fear, except Harry. Seeing buckbeak brought back a lot of memories---too many sad ones… He never thought that he would see him again.
Hagrid was gushing openly, like an excited child during Christmas time about Buckbeak---he was too in tune with himself that he didn't see Harry move closer to Buckbeak.
Moving closer towards Buckbeak, Harry bowed only to have Buckbeak bow back. It was as if he knew who Harry was or could sense that Harry knew him. He couldn't describe it but Harry wanted to rifle his hands through its feathers----Hermione always did this when she was stressed---especially after Dumbledore's death---it was ever since then he often associated patting Buckbeak with Hermione-----being with buckbeak after Hermione died made it feel like she was still alive…
But she is, Harry said to himself. She is alive……he couldn't describe the feeling he felt right then and there….he busied himself scratching Buckbeak's chin….
Harry turned to look over to the class, only to see Malfoy walk over to him, a look of smug determination on his face. Hagrid didn't notice this.
Oh no you don't, Harry thought, standing in front of Buckbeak….you're not going to….
"You're not dangerous at all, are you, you great ugly brute -"
Harry swept in front of Malfoy just as he heard Buckbeak raise his sharp eagle talons in the air. A gush of wind swept passed his ear as Buckbeack's talons slashed a wound down Harry's back. He winced and found himself slammed to the ground, covering Malfoy's body as Buckbeak screeched. Head swarming Harry tried to keep his eyes open but found them heavy and soon it was hard to keep them open and the rough rustle of leave scratched his face as he fell unconscious.
_
Hermione stopped breathing moments ago. Even though her lungs burned when she forgot to breathe her head swarmed when she gulped in a big breath. Watching Harry being carried to the Hospital wing caused her heart to thump erratically with worry.
It pained her that she couldn't see if he was alright. Duty called.
As the class dissembled and Ron (after much convincing from Hermione) went off with Hagrid to take Harry to the hospital wing she pulled out the long golden chain and tweaked the small hourglass three times.
Moving back in time was hard to describe but it was like time stopped and everything around her swirled like the wind, heavy wind that caused her mind to swarm roughly. Wincing she watched as the blurred image of Harry protecting Malfoy from being hit swirl past ----
Wait----she thought. Too late as she felt herself being carried back to earlier that day. The sun was high in sky----wind howling and the grass wet with dew she watched from behind the trees as another version of herself hobbled down, arguing with Ron and Harry as they headed off to Care of Magical creatures.
The blurred image of Harry, messy black hair swept back and blazing emerald eyes standing in front of Draco Malfoy entered her mind. He was definitely protecting him---why?
The questioned bugged her but she knew (as she placed the time turner in her pocket) that she would have to worry about it later. She had "the art of healing" the skill for any witch or wizard to head to and she had to do this without being seen.
The class was genuinely interesting but still her thoughts dwelled on Harry. He seemed different this year and it had nothing to his sudden growth spurt or being a teenager. He seemed….it was hard to describe but unfazed about everything…..it was as if he had lived or knew what was about to happen and that was propitious….no one had the ability to see into the future ( despite what others may say) it wasn't logical and many professors in the Hogwarts: a History agreed with her. Still----something about him made Hermione uneasy---like a transfiguration equation that she couldn't figure out. Harry puzzled her and she wanted to know why.
Glancing at her watch, she gathered her things as the lesson ended and headed outside. She had less than five minutes to run down the steep hill to be back at the paddocks….or else…well there was no "or else " in this matter. Sighing she began running down the hill, hurling her backpack closer to her body. She would worry about Harry later---she had lessons to attend to.
__
Wanting to catch some air, Harry excused himself from speaking to some of Ron's relatives and headed outside to the garden---it was alit with tiny sparking lights that blinked every few seconds---- on and off the light flashed onto his bottle green robes. He took a moment to gaze at the lights before looking up into the dimly lit meadows to find Hermione hiding in the shadows, arms crossed and head bowed. Quickly he edged closer, enveloping her in a bone-crushing hug she sobbed. He would never understand women but when he saw Hermione upset…well he didn't know what to do but he knew that hugging helped.
Drawing back he looked into the familiar cinnamon depths, whispering to her. He had no idea what he was saying but it calmed her a bit.
"Harry…"she whispered, tears falling down her cheeks…she edged closer to his face...
"Harry,"
Harry groaned, waking up to pain was normal but his back felt like it was on fire. He winced as he tried moving.
Opening his eyes he found Professor Dumbledore, Hagrid and Madam Pomfrey cowering over him.
"I'm so sorry-"Hagrid began…
"It's not your fault…I was stupid….I wasn't listening…" Harry mumbled…he tried to move himself but couldn't.
"I'm afraid you'll have to stay her for the rest of the evening," Professor Dumbledore. "The gash on your back is a deep cut Harry---"his blue eyes didn't twinkle, which meant, the either, he was relieved that Harry wasn't injured or very cross.
"I should be getting detention or something…..it wasn't Buckbeak's fault…"
"How'd yer know Buckbeak's name? I never even mentin' it" Hagrid inquired.
Before Harry could conjure up an excuse Madam Pomfrey crossed her arms, huffing as she summed up his injuries. "Kids today….never listen to their teachers….this will teach you!" she turned and headed over to her metal cart, filled with potions and remedies-she began rifling through. The room was silent except for gall vials clinking as they were moved.
Dumbledore sighed, his half moon glasses slid down his nose. Gazing at Harry once more he said, "Be careful in the future and suffice to say you'll be serving detention this Saturday with Hagrid…."
Harry sighed, wouldn't be too bad. Give me time to think on how to keep my bloody mouth shut.
Madame Pomfrey turned and faced Harry, a sleeping drought in hand, and handed it to him.
The small glass filled with murky liquid made him feel uneasy. He didn't feel like sleeping but since he had nothing else to do but recover he would corporate. He would do anything to not attract any more attention than he has already, like knowing Buckbeak's name for example. The potion tasted awful, like chilled bean-curd tea but it made his body feel soft and the covers warm. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
__
It was after ten pm and Hermione was running late. Hugging her treasured Hogwarts a history text closer to her body she dragged her feet across the carpet floors.
Not bothering to see where she was going she didn't see the aloof Divination teacher walk past.
Bump!
Books slammed into her black shoes, wincing Hermione ducked and began picking up her textbooks. Looking up she saw two bug-like eyes, an oversized brown shawl and awful incense smelling robes.
"Pro-professor," despite the fact Hermione didn't like Professor Trelawney she will still a teacher and the fact that Hermione was out after curfew filtered through her thoughts…last thing she needed was detention.
Trelawney breathed out a loud wheezing heave; her eyes huge and bug-like were staring straight at her.
"He has come to change things…the boy-who-lived is no more….he has followed Monsieur Chirac De Noir!"
Has this woman gone complete mental? Hermione rolled her eyes. First she claims Neville's grandmother was unwell and then told Harry that he was in trouble. That was just rich…
After Trelawney finished wheezing her breathing hitched and she coughed. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"Hem hem..." Professor Trelawney breathed, her hand fanning her curious-cat expression from view. "Ah….my dear Miss Granger…clinging onto the fading pages of history…oh my dear…you shall carry more burdens than you realise..." stopping her sentence mid-way through her eyes rolled to the left and began walking away absently looking at the moving portraits before turning right and out of sight leaving Hermione bewildered for the rest of the evening.
_ _ _
In the early hours of a frosty Tuesday morning Hermione was the first one up. She had an hour of peace before going to classes. She had so many that her mind blanked. She didn't want to think about today for she was still pre-occupied with what happened last night.
What did Professor Trelawney mean- Harry was no more? Harry was just Harry? (Still cooped up in infirmary because of what happened yesterday)
Hermione scoffed, finding solace in one of her favourite study areas: the library.
I can't believe I'm letting that fake get to me, sighing she opened up her Hogwarts: a history and began reading the same passage she read last night, allowing the words to consume her---calm her.
Until that is, a name caught her eye.
The tragedy of Monsieur Chirac De Noir
The tragedy of Monsieur Chirac De Noir is as a warning to all who choose to meddle with time.
Hermione's eyes widened. Her hands gripped the sides of her book and continued to read.
Louis Chirac de Noir, a well-known potions master in his home town was a sad and tortured man, after losing his childhood sweetheart at age 17 he spent his time locked in his room; driven by past demons he spent the next eight years finding a way to prevent her death. In 1876 he created a potion called Le voyage de temps (see heading: top ten dangerous potions ever created and reasons why they are banned on pg 103) that had the ability to send one's soul back in his/her younger self.
Hermione's breathing hitched. But that's impossible….
He succeed in saving his childhood sweetheart, Mercedes from her impending death only to have her leave for another man; Monsieur's Chirac's best friend, Frederick. .
Tortured with the knowledge of knowing a future without his sweetheart and the one he was currently in he drove himself to madness, his love for her turned to bitter hatred and killed her five years later, carrying his friend's unborn child and himself.
Although the potion is highly revered in its time, Monsieur's Chirac's loyal friend, Jose Prince burned Chirac's notes on how to create the potion to prevent it from being used ever again.
Although the reasons for its ban are somewhat unfazed it is the opinion of the WAOAH ( Wizard Association of Ancient History) that the tale of Chirac's unrequited love turned hatred should be served as a reminder that under no circumstances should the potion be used to change time. The knowledge of what had transpired before time was changed is far too dangerous to carry on one's on.
The passage went on to describe the power behind love and hate but Hermione wasn't reading. The story of Chirac's was in her mind, along with Professor's Trelawney's words.
Harry has followed Monsieur Chirac de noir. It suddenly clicked on why Harry saved Malfoy, and his usual behaviour. He used a time potion.
Hands trembling she picked up her book, shoving it into her dilapidated bag and hurried over to the infirmary. She needed answers. She was probably just overreacting….Harry is just Harry …he doesn't even know how to brew a simple healing potion! It's probably some joke…some stupid joke…
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