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Altered Destinies by DobbyElfLord
 Books » Harry Potter Rated: T, English, Supernatural & Suspense, Harry P., Tom R. Jr., Words: 289k+, Favs: 8k+, Follows: 3k+, Published: Sep 16, 2006 Updated: Sep 1, 2007 3,864Chapter 5: Quidditch and Happiness
A/N: Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot.
Chapter 5 – Quidditch and Happiness
Happiness, in Harry Potter's experience, never last more then a brief time. This time was usually measured in hours. Growing up with the Dursleys did not lend itself to happiness, or even the expectation that happiness was possible. Arriving at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry did bring Harry happiness, but the pointing, the starring, and Malfoy kept it from lasting long. The efforts of Voldemort, Death Eaters and various Professors to kill, maim or Oblivate him contributed also.
Harry Potter never knew what it was to be "normal". Normality and happiness seemed to be forever out of his reach. It was something other people had, never him. Many times in the Great Hall he would see students enjoying a normal life. No one wanted to kill them. Sure, the Death Eaters may attack, but did not target them personally. Sometimes Harry turned his head from seeing their happiness when he felt a blackness rise up within him.
Few of Harry's classmates saw Harry and not Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who-Lived. Ron (usually), Hermione, Ginny, Luna, Neville, and the Weasley twins made up the whole list. They did know good times. Being in love with Ginny provided Harry a joy he had never known before. Happiness was a fleeting thing grabbed between struggles. It would not last. Why should it? It never had before.
James Evans was happy. A beautiful autumn day dawned on the first day of the Hogwarts Quidditch season of 1935-36. James walked towards the school with his arm around a beautiful blond witch. Running in front of him, a young eight-year-old boy and an eight-month-old puppy played an elaborate game of chase. James glanced at Sarah and shared a smile with her at their antics.
Tommy and Snuffles quickly became inseparable. Awake or asleep, the pair were never more then ten feet apart. The tiny puppy had grown at an almost visible rate. In six months, he grew from a five-pound ball of fur to a thirty-pound imp. Snuffles thought everything in his reach was free game to sniff, chew, or play. When caught, Snuffles displayed a master's ability to look cute and innocent.
Tommy came out of his shell with Snuffles. The small boy smiled constantly while running through Hogsmeade with his canine companion. Tommy still avoided contact with the other children in the village. Instead, the small boy and the gangly puppy spent all of their free time in games only they could understand.
To James's knowledge, none of other children in the village were within two years of Tommy's age. It seemed all of the other children fell into two clumps. One large contingent were ages 4-6. Tommy avoided them as being too little. (James was concerned by the sneers Tommy directed at these younger children.) The other group consisted of 10-11 year olds preparing to start at Hogwarts in the next year or two. Tommy avoided this group. James assumed Tommy's experience with being picked on by the older boys at the orphanage would take time to heal and fade.
For James the last six months equaled all of the happiness he had ever known in his life. When James arrived in this time, he was mentally and emotionally shattered from the outcome of the war. Winning did not compensate for seeing his friends die. The Pyrrhic victory left a very damaged young man. James's year with Tommy went a long way towards healing those wounds. James Evans lived his life and shelved Harry Potter's pain.
Sarah's presence in James's life completed that transformation. They started slowly with dinners at the Three Broomsticks. Sarah never lived with the threat of a Dark Lord. She maintained a child-like innocence and acceptance of the world around her. As a medi-witch, Sarah saw some of the evil people, magical or Muggle, could do to each other, but not as a sustained, organized effort. James enjoyed her open outlook and love of life.
James realized he had received his second greatest wish. He was completely normal. His scare never hurt. (Tommy was happy.) No one knew him as The-Boy-Who-Lived. James could walk down any street as just another wizard. No prophecy, no Chosen One, just life on his own terms. The Phoenix Foundation ran without his day-to-day guidance. As the silent backer, only some in the Ministry and the Foundation itself knew his name. Although the orphanage and its school significantly influenced the lives of some children, the general wizarding world did not notice its existence.
James, Sarah, and Tommy arrived with their canine escort at the Hogwarts Quidditch pitch. The stands were slightly larger then James remembered them from Harry's time. The colorful banners hung from the stands. There was a purely festive feeling to the air.
Sitting on the bench in the visitor's section of the stands, James was impressed with the number of student in the stands. James estimated the current student body of Hogwarts was 20-30 larger then when he attended. Had the wars with the Dark Lords done that much damaged to the Wizarding population?
James's attention was drawn to the center stand where the announcer was located.
"Good morning Hogwarts staff, students and visitors! My name is Albert Scundermier and I will be your announcer for today. We have a great match for you today. The traditional start to our season, Gryffindor vs. Slytherin!"
The crowds went crazy yelling their excitement for the start of the match.
"First our illustrious Headmaster would like to have a few words! Professor Dippet"
James's watched as the Headmaster, Armando Dippet stepped to the announcer's position. James recognized the old wizard from the memories that Tom Riddle showed him in the diary.
"Good morning everyone! It is so grand to see our turnout today! It warms my heart to see everyone here in the spirit of friendly competition!"
The headmaster paused to allow the crowd to finish cheering his words.
"After today's match, the Dueling Club will be hosting and performing an exhibition of dueling skills. Some of our older students will be permitted to challenge staff members and some visiting Aurors to friendly duels. Everyone is invited to attend this event! Now, let the games begin!"
The announcer, Albert Scundermier, returned to his position.
"For Gryffindor, we have Greene, Halibutte, McMillian, Smithe-Brown, Longbottom, Weaver and O'Neill!"
The Gryffindor team flew out of their locker rooms to zoom around the pitch in formation. James thought it was a nice effect to see the team fly as a unit. The sound from the stands grew to a roar when the team came out.
"Now the Slytherin team! We have Bulstrode, Malfoy, Wellingoton, Black, Flint, Fulstone, and Gobbson!"
The Slytherin team flew out of their locker room in formation like the Gryffindor team. Their formation was different but the intent was the same.
James was impressed with the response both teams received. The Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs cheered almost as loudly for Slytherin as they had for Gryffindor. Neither of the opposing Houses reacted in a negative fashion except in a few cases that were obviously meant as a joke. None of the animosity that plagued his own playing time surfaced.
Sarah smiled at James. "I wish the 'Puffs were playing. I missed all of our matches last year."
James gave her a lazy smile, "I am sure we can work something out."
"That would break Uncle Jimmy's heart to have to go to more quidditch matches with you, Ms. Underhill!" Tommy added with a cheeky grin.
James felt his face turn red as he turned a mock glare on the boy. The glare never phased the boy. He could see the amusement in his "uncle's" eye. Sarah turned a bit red too and covered her smile with her hand.
The whistle announcing the start of the match distracted them. James watched their tactics and compared them to the style he was accustomed to seeing. The brooms were much slower then any broom Harry ever used in a match. James estimated a top speed of only 80 miles an hour, or less then half the top speed of his Firebolt. The Snitch seemed much slower also.
The slower speeds led to a tighter game with players flying in much closer formations. The game took much more of a planned pattern then seen at Hogwarts in the 1990's. In James's opinion, this did not make the game less interesting or exciting, it just provided a slightly different flavor.
Another item James's noticed was the play seemed too clean to be Gryffindor and Slytherin. It seemed more Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff playing. Slytherin's Black and Malfoy performed the only platent fouls. Overall, James felt it was one of the cleanest matches he ever witnessed. Friendly matches at the Weasleys had more fouls.
The match lasted for about 90 minutes. James spotted the snitch on two occasions hovering over the pitch. Gryffindor was up 150-90, when Gobbson of Slytherin caught the snitch. Although Slytherin won by 90 points, James believed both teams were evenly matched and the victory could have gone either way.
James watched in surprise when both teams grounded and shook hands after the match. When Harry played Madam Hooch sent the two teams in opposite directions to prevent any possibility of fight of some type occurring. The Slytherins looked to be giving the Gryffindors a hard time but in a sense of friendliness.
What caused the souring between the two Houses by the time James Potter arrived at the school? Did Voldemort cause that much damage during the first war?
The crowd started to move out of the stands. Various stands had been set up outside the pitch. A fair type atmosphere existed with food stands mixed with games, a Thestral ride (Hagrid would be thrilled.) and boat rides on the lake.
Sarah wrapped her arms around James's arm as they walked out of the pitch. Tommy held Snuffles leash and walked along James. James looked down at Sarah and smiled.
The afternoon passed in a quiet enjoyment of the mini-fair. Third year students and above had Hogsmeade weekend every weekend except during Quidditch weekend. All of the students, James learned, attended the post-match fair. Students were everywhere in groups, many with mixed Houses.
An announcement called for the start of the Dueling Clubs exhibition. James, Sarah and Tommy stood near the students from the Dueling Club. Many people pressed in around the raised platform to watch the duels.
The duels started with a pair of Fourth year students and then moved up the age and skill levels. James enjoyed the matches friendly atmosphere and the mocking comments many of the competitors threw back and forth at each other.
James was much less impressed with their skill level. Any of the MoM gang as Fifth years would have won any of these matches. Harry trained them for real duels and battles, not friendly competitions or affairs of honor. (James was shocked when he learned many wizards still used challenges to settle arguments.)
"Do you think they are good?" Sarah asked James during a break. Two Seventh years had just finished. A Slytherin James recognized as being the Malfoy from the Quidditch match was the victor.
"They seem like they are having fun."
A man's voice next to James commented, "You don't seem impressed by their skill, Mr. Evans."
James turned to face an older wizard standing next to him. James heart skipped a beat when he recognized him as Thomas Potter. "Good afternoon, Mr. Potter. I believe they are skilled enough. The wizarding community here has enjoyed a long period of peace. Their skills are not needed for survival, merely for sport."
"True," the older wizard commented. "What would you say it there greatest weakness?"
"Instinct. None of these students have faced a real battle where you don't have time to consider your moves. Training takes over. You must have worked out your strategy before battle is joined. 80 of the battle is decided before the first wand is drawn."
Mr. Potter nodded. "Interesting points, Mr. Evans. I never considered that. You should consider the next match. One of the Seventh years will be dueling the Charms professor."
James couldn't help smirking, "Merlin help the student's homework if he wins."
Sarah thumped James's shoulder as Mr. Potter roared with laughter.
"Mr. Potter, my I introduce you to my girlfriend, Sarah Underhill. Sarah, this is Mr. Thomas Potter."
Mr. Potter kissed Sarah's hand, "It is very nice to meet you, Miss Underhill." Looking at James, he said, "Please call me Thomas."
James smiled at his grandfather and replied, "Thank you, please call me James."
Thomas smiled and pointed back to the dueling platform. "Tell me what you think of this duel and how it compares to a real fight."
The Professor MacTavish, the Charms professor, paired off against a Seventh year Ravenclaw. After the judge counted down they started with standard probing spells. They allowed their shields to handle the various hexes and curses. For the most part they exchanged spells on a one-for-one basis.
James commented to Thomas on the opponents lack of movement, formality and lack of imagination. Rather then dodging curses they never used any footwork. They took turns in their spell casting and used the same spells in the standard way.
In his concentration on the match, James failed to pay attention to the rest of the audience standing around him. They had fallen silent listening to the young wizard give an expert commentary on the relative strengths of the two duelers. Rather then sounding like a run of the mill backseat dueler, James used the "professor" voice developed over many sessions with the DA. The quiet, yet authoritative voice drew the surrounding crowd's attention.
Sarah looked at James in mild surprise. James had told her some things about his life prior to arriving in Hogsmeade, but the depth of his knowledge surprised her. After getting to know James for the last six months, Sarah was beginning to learn to read his emotions. She heard pain hidden behind his dry commentary.
Tommy, however, looked around and grinned at the people listening in. Tommy secretly watched his uncle train at night after his bedtime. When training, Uncle James moved in a deadly fashion Tommy found comforting. Tommy knew no one would abuse him while Uncle James was near.
One listener did not appreciate the comments James made.
"Shut you mouth, braggart! Like a mudblood like you would know anything about this!"
James turned to face the speaker. 'I really should not be surprised,' James thought. The speaker was definitely a Malfoy. The platinum blond hair and arrogant sneer was a dead give away. James was unhappy to note the acceptance of the use of the term 'mudblood' by the surrounding crowd, including his grandfather.
James kept his face passive and merely raised an eyebrow. "That would be half-blood."
"Even worse, one of the pure lowered themselves to bed a mudblood. A half-blood abomination"
"Mallica Malfoy." Thomas Potter supplied in a quiet voice. "He is a member of the Wizengamut and the Hogwarts Governors. Thinks we should go back to medieval times with the purebloods being the nobles. I believe the student is his nephew."
James acted as if he did not hear Thomas's comment. A Malfoy causing trouble. Typical. "My comments were meant for Mr. Potter. I answered his question."
The sneer grew larger. "Like an abomination like you would know anything about it!"
James sighed internally. Was there something about him that caused the Malfoy family to ignite? James realized that a fight was coming if he wanted it or not. Getting into it with a Malfoy, while emotionally satisfying, would not help anything
Not wanting to be drawn into a public confrontation, James turned to Sarah, "Lets go, dear."
James started to lead Sarah and a wide-eyed Tommy out of the area, when a new voice called out to James, "I challenge you, sir. I call you a coward and a bragarrt!"
James stopped and sighed. Why did they always try to push it? No wonder Draco was such an idiot. He had generation of bad genetics to overcome.
Sarah placed her hand on James's wrist. "You don't have to do this."
James nodded, "Yes, I do. If you don't stand up to bullies, they keep coming after you."
James turned and looked at his challenger. It was the younger Malfoy. In a lazy voice James asked, "And you would be?"
"Abraxus Malfoy Do you accept my challenge?" the arrogant pureblood asked in a condescending tone.
James could not keep a very large grin from appearing on his face. James remembered Draco trying to mention his grandfather, Abraxus to Professor Slughorn. Slughorn put him off, mentioning he was surprised to hear the older Malfoy died of Dragon Pox. "Very well. If you insist."
The next fifteen minutes passes in a whirlwind. The Malfoys quickly badgered the headmaster into allowing the duel to occur using the Dueling Club's platform. They convinced him it was a friendly match, nothing serious.
James kissed Sarah, winked at Tommy and stepped confidently onto the platform. The younger Malfoy made an arrogant tactical mistake in challenging James and forcing the duel to occur immediately. Abraxus Malfoy played a Quidditch match as a Beater and already fought one duel. Also, James watched his previous match and had some ideas about the boy's skill. Malfoy fought a completely unknown opponent.
James decided to finish the fight quickly enough to show Malfoy was hopelessly outclassed, but without showing too much of his true power.
Malfoy stepped to his position as James assumed his. The Seventh year looked enough like his grandson to cause James a sense of déjà vu.
The judge introduced herself at Professor Galeta Merrythought. James remembered her name as the last DADA professor to hold the post for more then one year. She held it for thirty years already if James remembered right.
"This is a friendly exhibition match. Nothing that causes permanent harm or Dark Magic. Agreed?" After James and Abraxus nodded, she counted, "Then on three. One… Two… Thee… Fight!"
James waited as Malfoy fired a Reducto curse at him. James simply stepped aside, allowing it to pass. Malfoy immediately cast a standard defensive shield. Then he waited for James counter. Then he waited some more.
James grinned at him and gave motioned with his free hand. 'Come on' it said.
Malfoy's face grew red as the mockery. He dropped the shield and yelled, "Stupify!"
James dropped, allowing the spell to pass harmlessly past him again. In his professor voice, James started to address the crowd.
"Observe Mr. Malfoys' casting stance. Not one muscle is out of place. He is holding himself perfectly at the prescribed angle. His knees are slightly bent to absorb impacts on his shield."
James again stepped aside as two more spells passed harmlessly by. "Mr. Malfoy also maintains a nice amount of power in each of his spells. His wand movements are crisp and precise, allowing the maximum transference on magical energy via the wand. This allows more power in the spell and prevents the waste of his magical energy."
From the look on Malfoy's face, he was getting frustrated. James had yet to cast a single spell and never took a single hit from Malfoy. The crowd sensed the mismatch but enjoyed the scene presented. James sounded like a teacher giving a class demonstration rather then the participant in a challenge duel.
"Using one's imagination in a duel is just as important. For example…" Malfoy cast another Stunner. James cast his first spell of the duel. A simple rock appeared in from of the spell, absorbing its energy.
James continued, "Using Transfiguration to create objects to block spells can be very effective. They can also be used like this…" James cast another spell. Malfoy quickly cast a shield but the blue ball of light stuck just in front to the shield, hitting the platform. The platform iced over under Malfoy's feet. He slipped and ended up on the ground laying on his back.
The crowd laughed as James grinned, "I used to use that spell for creating ice slides in the summer into a pond." James cast another charm instantly turning the ice into steam leaving the platform dry.
Malfoy climbed to his feet in a fury. He quickly cast several curses and hexes at James. James ducked and dodged them. Each dodge brought him closer to his opponent. Reaching striking range, James ducked a last curse, spinning his body and kicking out with his legs. When his legs were swept out from underneath, Malfoy flipped onto his back. James's follow-up kick to the chest was redundant as Malfoy was already unconscious from the fall.
James stood and addressed the crowd. "Finally, never discount the possibility for a Muggle-style attack. Muggles fight well. They make up for their lack of magic with other gifts. They have lessons to teach us if we are willing to learn."
James could tell this ending made the crowd uneasy. Seeing a wizard knocked out by a Muggle-style attack bothered most of the observers on a deep emotional level. James mentally shook his head and then bowed to his opponent and then the crowd. As he stepped off the platform, the elder Malfoy and a mediwitch moved to assist the unconscious boy.
Tommy bounced on his feet with a grin as James approached him. James grinned back and winked at his ward. James glanced at Sarah and saw shock and disbelief on her face.
Something must have shown on James's face because she instantly wrapped him in a hug. She whispered into his ear, "You were incredible. Relax, everything is fine." Then she kissed him lightly on the mouth.
When James and Sarah separated, James noticed Thomas Potter, Professor Merrythought and Professor Dumbledore standing nearby. He also noticed a young Auror standing nearby he recognized.
"Good afternoon, Auror Moody. Did you enjoy the show?"
Moody nodded in an enthusiastic, puppy dog way. "Yes, sir. It was nice to see your work again." James simply laughed.
Professor Merrythought spoke next, "Mr. Evans, that was one of the most interesting duels I have observed in all my years of teaching. You defeated my best student dueler with two spells, one a Fifth year transfiguration and the other a First year charm. Simply incredible!"
Professor Dumbledore agreed, "I most interesting use of Transfiguration in a duel. I have rarely seen that tactic. Where did you learn it?"
James had to suppress his response hard. 'I learned it from watching you, professor,' is what he wanted to say. Instead, he said, "I witnessed a wizard block a Killing Curse with a chunk of summoned marble. A conjured rock will do just as well for lesser curses."
The two professors appeared excited by this answer. They glanced at each other with curious expressions on their faces.
Thomas Potter grimaced. "You made an enemy for life with the Malfoy family. They will never let this go."
James shrugged, "I don't see I had much choice, Thomas. I tried to walk away. If I did not beat him now convincingly, he would have challenged again. He will challenge again, but it will take much longer to occur now."
"But he has your measure now," Thomas commented.
"Does he?" James asked with a slight grin. "All he really knows is I am hard to hit and can create ice and rocks. Oh, and kick like a mule."
"You showed him you are a master of this arena," Professor Merrythought commented. "He may choose to attack in a different arena."
"Probably," James agreed, "but not in this one. I came to England for peace and quiet, not dueling a young idiot who thinks I insulted his family honor by honestly critiquing his cousin's duel."
Thomas grinned. "I like that. James, would you be available for dinner some night? I would love to have you at Potter Manor. Your ward and lovely lady friend would be welcome to join us and my wife."
James glanced at Sarah and nodded, "We would be happy to accept. Sarah is a student Healer so we may not always be available."
Thomas waved that away. "I will send you a couple of dates by owl post. You can select the one most convenient for you."
James thanked Thomas for his invitation and said his goodbyes to the professors. James decided it would be a good time to leave before anything else happened. Calling Tommy and Snuffles over, James and Sarah turned for Hogsmeade.
As they started to walk away, James heard Professor Merrythought saying to Dumbledore, "He may be exactly what we need, Albus."
James cringed internally. 'Why does this always happen to me?"
James tossed a handful of Floo powder into the fire and called out, "Potter Manor!" and stepped into the fire.
James landed in a heap on the floor of Potter Manor. Tommy and Sarah stood laughing with their hosts Thomas and Elizabeth Potter. James looked up at them with a grimace and said, "I hate using the Floo."
James stood out and shook Thomas Potter's hand. Then James turned to the witch standing next to him. "It is nice to meet you Mrs. Potter. I am James Evans."
"It is nice to meet you James. Please call me Elizabeth."
James studied the couple in front of him briefly. These were his grandparents. As little as he ever knew about his parents, almost nothing but their names came down to him about his grandparents. Now he was standing in Potter Manor with them!
James glanced around and said, "You have a beautiful home. Has it been in your family a long time?"
Elizabeth smiled proudly, "It has been in Thomas's family since the 10th century. It was rebuilt in 1750 and upgraded in 1905."
James looked around with unfeigned interest. Potter Manor burnt to the ground three months before his birth. It was the third and final time his parents defied Voldemort. By that time, his grandparents had already dies of old age.
James already knew Thomas Potter attended Hogwarts with Albus Dumbledore. This made him about 90. Elizabeth seemed only slightly older looking then Professor McGonagall, so he placed her age at 80. For magical people this was late middle age. Since James Potter would not be born until 1960, it explained why they died before Harry James Potter was born.
The older couple led James, Sarah and Tommy on a tour of the house. It was an incredible house. James thought about how different his life would have been growing up here with his parents. James started to feel his grip on his emotions slip until he started using his Occlumency exercises.
Thomas turned to his wife and said, "Why don't you take Sarah and Tommy down to the Sitting Room? I would like to show James my office and library."
Five minutes later, James was sitting in a comfortable chair with a glass of very old Scotch in a large spacious office lined with a variety of different book titles. Above the desk sat an unmoving painting of Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin. Thomas smiled as he notice James studying the painting.
"They say the painting used to move and talk to you like a normal painting. My great-uncle Michael told me it moved when he was a little boy."
James said, "I have never seen a painting of the Hogwarts Founders together."
Thomas agreed, "To the best of my knowledge, this is the only one."
"I am surprised that Hogwarts has not asked for it to be moved to the school."
Thomas grinned, "They have. Just about every time Albus sees it he mentions it should be hanging in the Great Hall at Hogwarts." Thomas paused and then asked, "May I ask you a personal question?"
James smiled slightly, "You can ask. I may not answer."
"Why did you react so strongly to Malfoy's use of the term "mudblood"?
James grimaced. "My mother was a Muggle-born witch. In school she was known as the most gifted Charms student in many years. One of my best friends in school was also a Muggle-born witch. Even her detractors admitted she was the cleverest witch of our generation. The Muggle-born can be just as powerful magically as the oldest pureblood family. They simply don't know the ins and outs of wizarding culture."
"Do you know Muggle technology and science, Thomas?"
Thomas indicated he did not.
"When you were a child, Muggles used horses and sailing ships for their transport. Candles were used for lighting. Their weapons improved to rifles, but they were relatively slow to fire. Today, they have aircraft flying the Atlantic, electricity has led to the light bulb, telephones, and recording devices. Muggles have told stories for centuries about magic. They are using their science to make the same effect our magic gives us. They are going to pass us. I will bet you they will place a man on the moon within 40 years."
Thomas had a look of someone in deep thought. His face seemed conflicted as he considered the arguments that conflicted with several long held beliefs.
After a couple minutes of a comfortable silence, Thomas placed his glass on the antique table next to him. "James, I am going to be honest with you. You have interested several different parties within the magical community since your appearance in Hogsmeade."
James nodded unsurprised. "I have had several indications, especially since my stupid duel at Hogwarts. A couple has been the Malfoys looking for a weakness. Also the Ministry and a few I am sure were yourself and probably Professor Dumbledore."
Albus walked into the room with Fawkes on his shoulder. He looked at James with interest. "Does that bother you?"
"Frankly, it annoys the bloody hell out of me. I came here for privacy and peace. Not to get involved in political maneuverings," James answered looking at his old Headmaster.
"I wish this was simply the normal political issues. You were raised in the Muggle world. Do you still follow events there?"
James nodded and took another sip of his Scotch.
Thomas explained, "In Germany, the Nazi party has gained power. The Muggles thought the Great War would end all wars in Europe, but this one seems to be developing into a dozzy."
James knew where he was going but he had to play this out. "Why would the wizarding world care about a Muggle war?"
Thomas said, "I almost think that is a rhetorical question. Have you heard the rumors of a Dark Lord named Grindewald?"
"A few."
"Albert Exechial Grindelwald attended Hogwarts with Albus and myself. Albert, Albus and I were the leaders of the school our last two years. I was the Gyffindor Quidditch captain, prank master and social director. Albert ran Ravenclaw. If you needed something researched, Albert was your man. Albus, of course, ran Slytherin. For magical power and planning, Albus was king."
James chocked on his Scotch. "You were in Slytherin?"
"Didn't you know?" Albus asked.
"No, I didn't," James replied. Then under his breath, James said, "Boy, does that ever explain a bunch!"
"After leaving school, Albert took a position researching ancient scrolls. He started learning some ancient magics. A review board in the Department of Mysteries determined the magic was too easily turned to Dark uses. They insisted the research stop immediately.
Albert refused and fled the country with some of his research. He became obsessed with pursuing his studies with no hindrance from 'small minded worms'."
"What does this have to do with Hitler and the Nazis?"
Thomas answered, "Everything, I am afraid. Grindelwald approached Hitler and fed his ambitions. Grindelwald knows he cannot penetrate the Department of Mystery's security on his own. He plans to use a Nazi invasion of Britain to move us out of the way."
James looked up at the painting and asked his host, "What do you need me for?"
"You are the closest thing to a war wizard we have found. Britain has not seen a Dark Lord since Tybolt was slain in 1789. The old training remains only in books. No one with real experience remains. We know the story you have told of your past. We found no records anywhere of a recent wizard war. However, you have extremely strong mental shields and obviously a great deal of magical combat training."
"So, you need a trainer?"
"Yes," answered Dumbledore.
"Now that is ironic," James said before taking a much larger sip. Albus and Thomas exchanged glance over this cryptic comment but James did not provide them with any more information.
"How do you know you can trust me?"
Fawkes let out a trill of Phoenix song. He flew off of Albus's shoulder and circled the room, still singing. He landed on James's shoulder.
Albus and Thomas looked shocked. Albus said, "This is my friend Fawkes. He is a Phoenix. If you had been Dark you would have reacted with something other then the smile you now wear."
James smiled at the phoenix. Quietly, James murmured "Hello Fawkes. Keeping Albus out of trouble still? Burn any good books lately?"
Fawkes let out a little trill that sounded remarkably like a chuckle and pecked James lightly on the ear.
James looked back at the two older wizards. "Let me see what you have on Grindelwald. I will talk to Sarah and Tommy in vague terms. Then I will give you my decision."
Thomas rose and said, "If you would excuse us, I would like to talk to my colleague." At James's agreeing nod, they left the room.
"You play a dangerous game, young one."
James looked up at the comment and into the eyes of Godric Gryffindor. Salazar Slytherin stood next to him watching James also.
"Who are you? This is not your time," Salazar hissed.
"James Evans."
Godric frowned, "Who are you really?"
"I was born Harry James Potter on 31 July 1980."
Salazar nodded at Godric. Godric looked at James/Harry. "You were foretold in prophecy."
"Another bloody prophecy?" James groaned.
One born of the House of the Lion,
Gifted as Heir of the Snake,
The last chance to redeem the Snake,
And Heal the rift to save all,
Born of the sign of Taranis,
He shall suffer and loose all
While winning
Then gamble all to win all,
If the task fails, Darkness will
Prevail forever.
James felt like pounding his head on the wall. All he wanted was to be normal. Was that too much to ask?
The door opened and Thomas and Albus stepped in. Thomas said simply, "We agree."
James nodded, "I will give you an answer within three days. May I come tomorrow to look over your materials?"
Thomas agreed that was acceptable. "I suggest we rejoin the ladies and your ward for supper."
James enjoyed the dinner with his grandparents. Asking a couple of questions about the house and its history unlocked a number of stories from Potter Family history he never heard before. James particularly enjoyed spending time with Elizabeth Potter. The witch had a clever wit and a mischievous glint in her eye. James could see where James Potter received his Marauder genes.
With Tommy yawning, James and Sarah said their thanks to their hosts and Floo'd back to Hogsmeade. In short order Tommy asleep in bed curled up with Snuffles..
James spent the next two days visiting Potter Manor. He reviewed a great deal of information about Grindelwald. Professor Binn's History of Magic class skimmed the details of the fight with the Dark LordGrindelwald.
As James had learned the previous night, Grindelwald was a Ravenclaw. His NEWT scores slightly surpassed Hermione's scores. Although a pureblood, Grindelwald did not have any particular issues with Muggles. Rather he did not consider them at all. A Muggle life was worth less then a House-Elf in his opinion.
His family was not dedicated to either the Light or the Dark. Not a particularly large family, they tended to be either researchers or magical artisans. They apparently had an Unplottable estate in the Jersey Islands. Some of the family also lived on the Normandy coast of France.
Grindelwald's power level did not compare favorably to Voldemort. Voldemort used various rituals and potions along with the Horcruxes to increase his power and decrease his vulnerability. Grindelwald however, may be even more dangerous to wizarding society.
Voldemort wanted to control magical society as a dictator. His pureblood supporters would have been his upper class. Grindelwald sought to destroy the entire society so he could continue with his research into the Darkest Arts. James learned that the scrolls Grindelwald sought dealt with the ancient art of summoning and controlling demons. If the demon broke free of its bonds, it would be free to destroy everything in its path. Grindelwald literally sought to create Hell on Earth.
James needed to talk with Sarah. Getting involved in this would drastically change his plans for spending the next 8-10 years in this time.
James sat down on the couch next to Sarah. He took her hand and said, "Sarah, we need to have a serious talk."
Concern came to her face, "What is wrong, James? You have been very distracted."
James looked into her beautiful blue eyes, and then he looked down. "I need to tell you the whole truth about where I came from and why I am here."
"You haven't told me the truth so far?"
"I haven't really lied, just left out major portions of the story. Just let me tell you and then you can ask your questions.
There was a Dark Lord named Lord Voldemort. He led a his followers of purebloods to attempt to seize power. A prophecy stated that a recently born child would have the power to destroy him. Voldemort attacked and killed his parents. Then he cast the Killing Curse at the infant. Because of ancient blood magic used by the mother, the curse reflected on the wizard, destroying his body.
The boy grew up in a Muggle household, never knowing about magic until he received a letter from his school. They called him the Boy-Who-Lived. He was a poster boy for their society. Eventually the dark wizard returned in a new body and the war started again. The boy eventually defeated Voldemort but lost everyone he ever cared about.
A wizard came up with a plan. It was a last chance effort to change history and save thousands of lives. The young wizard would travel back in time and killed the Dark Lord as an infant, preventing the war from ever occurring."
"James, you are scaring me. What are you trying to tell me?" Sarah looked very pale.
"I lost my teachers, my friends, my love. I had nothing left to live for. So I came here, even if it left me no time to go back to. I had to take the chance to save them."
Sarah inhaled sharply with tears forming in her eyes. "What do you mean?"
"The magic will summon me back 10-12 years after I arrived here. I don't know what will happen then. I will accept whatever happens if it saves everyone else."
Sarah squeezed James's hand, "Who are you really?"
James smiled slightly, "I have been happier as James Evan then I ever was before. I was born in 1980 as Harry James Potter. The Potters are my grandparents, although I never met them before."
"Oh, James. I don't know what to think of this. Did you kill the Dark Lord?"
"Um, kind of. I hope I killed the Dark Lord but saved the child. He is asleep in his bed right now."
Sarah sat back in shock, her face pale and her hands drawn up to her mouth. "Tommy? He couldn't be like that! He is too good!"
"You saw him after the orphanage. That would have continued until he was seventeen. Anyone could turn Dark in that situation."
"You adopted the man who murdered your parents and friends?"
James shook his head, "No, I adopted Tommy. Tommy will grow into a powerful wizard. I just want to give him a chance to turn his talents to good."
Sarah sat quietly for several minutes. James wished he could tell what she was thinking. Instead, he just waited for her to talk.
"I don't know what to think about this. Why are you telling me now?
"Thomas and Albus have asked me to help them fighting the Dark Lord Grindelwald. I have a lot of experience from my fight with Voldemort. I also know roughly how things turned out thelast time Grindelwald was fought. My friend Hermione once told me I have a 'saving people thing'. I feel I have to get involved.
I love you, Sarah. I could not get involved without talking to you. I couldn't do that without explaining why I am getting involved."
Softly, Sarah asked, "You love me?"
James nodded, "I did not plan it. I only have a limited time before the magic pulls me away. It is not fair to you."
"James Evans! Or Harry Potter! Whatever your name is, I love you too." Sarah wrapped her arms around James in a hug reminiscent of a Mrs. Weasley hug. "You are not getting rid of me so easily. I need to work through this and understand it, but I know you. Just give me time."
James smiled, "A true 'Puff."
Then they kissed. Neither heard a small boy and his furry companion making their way back to bed.
A/N: Thank you to all of the reviewers. I have been stunned by the level of positive response this story has received. A number of reviewers commented that James quickly achieved his goal with reforming Tommy. When has anything ever gone to plan in a Harry Potter story? ;-) Hopefully this chapter foreshadowed some of the issues to face James and Tommy in the chapters to come.
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