Chapter Text
He's failed, and everyone is dead
Harry Potter failed to protect his team from impending death, and they simply fell into a pitiful trap.
He should have known; he should have known... but he fell like a sacrifice at the slaughter The smell of blood was so thick that it made him nauseous, the bodies of allies mixed with enemies in horrific massacre.
Harry had always been grateful for Hermione’s charm that kept his glasses from slipping, but at this scene, he hated it. Harry tried to brace himself with his right hand to stand, but he fell... he forgot... he forgot for a moment that he had lost it, among other things in the battle.
He was dying slowly, but he wanted to know before he died what had cost him and his friends their lives, what those people were protecting so fiercely... He couldn’t stand, so he crawled towards the end of the cave, pitifully, while listening to the crashing waves against the cave walls.
Harry sank into his thoughts—what would Ginny’s reaction be? She would cry a lot, but she would get through it for the kids, she was strong and would always be, he knew that. Ron and Hermione? They will be stunned —he couldn’t even imagine how they would react. They had been together for forty years, but he would go just like this, without even a goodbye, just like those he had loved...
And there in the circular space of the cave, Harry managed to see something huge covered by a tattered cloth. He wanted to reach out and uncover it, so he crawled and crawled, and finally extended his hand toward it, but a glow of colors around him stopped him.
Harry didn’t know the source of the glow, but he felt his consciousness slipping,and something pulling him into the darkness. Then he could hear people calling his name, but he didn’t recognize them—had his friends come for him? How? They weren’t supposed to know their location... How had they found him?
"...ry... Harry..." He could distinguish Hermione’s voice, but it was softer, more distant than usual. After several seconds, Harry managed to regain his senses and felt the glasses on his nose, but their weight was different. Was it new?
Harry managed to open his eyes with difficulty, and tried to sat up, and someone helped him. What he was met with was a strange scene—Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Luna, and Neville stood before him as he lay in some place, but what startled him was their appearance—they looked smaller as if... younger? The place around him was strangely familiar , and before he could ask anything, a door creaked open, and the faces turned towards it in response—and a familiar face stood there: Remus Lupin, whole and healthy, just like before the war!
Harry couldn’t understand what was happening. If this was the other life, what were his friends doing here? They hadn’t died, had they? No, this definitely wasn’t it. Harry tried to speak, but no sound came out, and the next time he tried, it was a hoarse, weak voice that drew the room’s attention to him, and his friends noticed his desperate attempts to speak—had he lost his voice too?
"Wait, I think I know a spell for this." Harry hesitated at the idea of sitting before someone impersonating Remus Lupin and trying to cast a spell on him, but before he could react, he saw a faint glow from Remus’s wand, and then warmth spread in his throat.
"Where are we?" This was the first thing Harry said, his voice hoarse and strange.
"Thank Merlin, mate, I was starting to think you’d gone mute for a moment. Don’t worry, we’re still in our compartment; you haven’t been out long enough to go anywhere else."
"Ron, I don’t think Harry meant it like that..." Somehow, Hermione always knew what Harry was getting at before he even said it.
"Harry, do you remember what was happening before…? "
Something in Harry made him think she wasn’t referring to the raid, so he looked around and noticed his friends’ worried faces and Remus’s and Hermione’s scrutinizing looks.
"I’m not entirely sure... What happened?"
"There was a Dementor, Harry—it tried... tried to kiss you, but Professor Lupin stopped it before it could."
And suddenly, memories flooded into Harry’s mind—memories from before his third year, mostly blurred and unclear, but he recalled what Hermione had been talking about, how he’d heard his mother’s voice for the first time. Harry had no idea what was happening—he had been on the brink of death, then there had been light and strange words, and the next moment he was here. He couldn’t remember the source of the light or even the words that had seemed like distant mumblings and incomprehensible.
He knew in the magical world that many things could happen, but traveling to the past over thirty, maybe forty years in his younger body wasn’t one of them. He had experience with time travel and knew things didn’t work like this, and also knew that all the time-turners had been destroyed in the Ministry incident in his fifth year.
But he also knew there was no time-turner capable of doing this to him. Were these memories being played by his mind before he died, or was this some magical coma of some kind? Everything felt so real, as if he were truly here—this idea sent a chill down Harry’s spine, and he tried to push the thought out of his head. Traveling to the past and changing something wasn’t something he should think about, and instead, he tried to focus on what was happening around him. But Harry seemed to have sunk into his memories longer than he should have because his friends’ looks became even more anxious. Harry tried to keep the situation in check so he didn’t disrupt the course of things—just in case.
"I’m fine. The Dementor just triggered some memories—don’t worry." Despite Harry’s attempt, his friends’ expressions remained the same, so Harry tried something else—he didn’t want this to mess up something because he told them something in different time.
"I heard my mother’s voice calling my name before she was killed by Voldemort." Hermione and Ginny gasped, and there was a look of sadness on everyone’s faces. Ron and Hermione took their places next to him; they were the only ones who knew he remembered some things from that night—Voldemort’s laugh and the green light. Before anyone could say anything else, a loud sigh came from the compartment door.
"you heard Lily’s voice..." The sound of sadness and sorrow was unnecessary for Harry’s friends, who didn’t yet know about their connection—before Harry could control his tongue, the words slipped out. "My uncle Moony and my mom were schoolmates." All eyes turned to Harry in surprise.
"Uncle Moony...I mean Professor Lupin, sorry... Professor?"
"How do you know that title?"
"I don’t know—it just came out, like I knew it all along."
No need to give away too much to someone impersonating Remus. Harry spent the rest of the time trying to remember everything that had happened before he got here, all the possibilities, but all the explanations led, in one way or another, to travel through the spacetime only. even this had no explanation...
Harry’s best bet was to go along with the current situation and not do anything out of the ordinary—just in case. But Harry’s hope that this was a trap began to fade the moment he saw the smiling twins step off the train and help new students . No one could be cruel enough to stage such a beautiful scene.
The castle seemed safe and solid, far removed from the war when Harry saw it. He tried to stop himself from turning towards every corner where someone had died, checking for any roses left by their loved ones.
Even seeing Dumbledore and Snape alive and well caused a twinge of pain in Harry—it was difficult to stay focused. To distract himself from the thought, Harry tried to talk casually with Ron and Hermione under suspicious glances from both of them.
After the sorting ended, which Harry avoided hardly predicting each of their futures, with the exception of two members of his future team who had been killed in the trap. Instead of seeing their innocent, happy faces, Harry could only see empty eyes and faces filled with blood.
Finally, Dumbledore stood to give his annual speech, interrupting Harry’s dark thoughts. "Welcome to Hogwarts, and now, let me welcome two new teachers joining us this year: Rubeus Hagrid, who has agreed to take on the Care of Magical Creatureter, its previous professor retired to care for his remaining members..."
Harry could hear the applause, and he forced himself to clap too..for Hagrid .
"And Professor Remus Lupin, who has agreed to take on the Defense Against the Dark Arts position." The applause was just as loud as for Hagrid.
"Now..." Before Dumbledore could continue, there was a loud screech of a chair, and everyone turned their eyes to Sybill Trelawney, who ignored everyone and walked firmly beside Dumbledore, then raised her hands towards Harry. It was clear to some of the students.
"Dear Trelawney..." But Dumbledore was interrupted a second time by a loud gasp from the professor, who backed away, her eyes completely white. About half of the people in the room knew what was happening now—she was going to make a prophecy. Despite Harry’s anxiety and the rapid beating of his heart, he managed to see Snape’s pale face more than usual and rush towards Dumbledore.
"Everyone, to your houses—now!" Despite the confusion, everyone tried to follow the Headmaster’s sharp command. But the first person to reach the door couldn’t open it. Tension grew in the hall, and no one, despite their efforts with spells, could force it open.
Before anyone could say anything, everyone was stunned by the sight Professor McGonagall tried to touch Trelawney and guide her out, but something like a strong electric shock repelled her with such force. Thanks to Dumbledore’s quick reaction, the poor professor was spared from crashing into the wall, and she quickly returned to her previous spot, ignoring the gasps of students and colleagues.
“It’s a great prophecy”
Harry managed to distinguish Seamus’s loud voice and the students’ questions, those who didn’t know about the great prophecy. Harry was among them, so he listened carefully.
“There are very few mentioned of this kind of prophecy, one of which is mentioned in Hogwarts: A History. This kind of prophecy is very rare, it is known that something bad, very bad, is about to happen, enough to destroy the world is about to happen what causes this prophecy to come out. This prophecy might involve a way to end this danger, or perhaps just forewarn of it and await it without a means of escape.”
The information Seamus shared was shocking to everyone.
“What do we do?” A Hufflepuff student from their year blurted out.
“Sit and listen,” Sprout responded as calmly and tensely as she could at the same time.
“This kind of prophecy does not occur at random times or places. It targets specific people and specific times. The prophecy won’t be made until all the parties are gathered.”
In the relative calm and tension, the students listened to Professor Sprout’s words and sat back down in their seats. The older students made sure the first-years sat in groups with older students around them for support. Harry noticed with a distracted mind that anyone with a family member present made sure to sit next to them—like the Creevey brothers, who hugged each other silently, or Percy, who joined his siblings, forming a group with Harry and Hermione.
The teachers sat with the students, except for Dumbledore, Snape, McGonagall, and Remus, who stood quietly next to the Seer, and Hagrid, who remained seated where there was no other chair can handle his wight .
As everyone settled into their seats, a bright light surrounded the Seer, and a sharp hiss was heard. In the next moment, a voice that no one in the hall would ever forget echoed out:
When the lines cross and the doors open
Wheret he ancient souls are brought back from the weave of shadows
And the Guardians of the prophecy awaken in the forgotten corners of the world
And on the night of the bloody moon
With the aid of his loyal servan
and blood that taken by force
The Dark Lord will rise again
To Turn the light to darkness
And he will possess a weapon he never had before
Everyone in the hall was sweating, afraid, but no one could open their mouths. Fear filled them, with hopes that this was just a nightmare comforting them. No one dared to look to the right or left, fearing their hopes would vanish at the sight of the fear around them, making it certain that what they had just heard was real and inevitable.
But in the deepest darkness of time
With secrets etched in the depths of the prophecy
The boy who lived crossed the river
Carrying secrets of the past and future
And holds the threads of fate in his hands
Will rewrite the future
Where choices reshape destiny
A friend will become an enemy
And an enemy will become an ally
The Guardians will gather before the appointed time
With the help of the boy who possesses t he knowledge
The black will unite with fire
In the place where everything began and ended
The Dark Lord and the boy will duel
One must die at the hands of the other
For neither can live while the other survives
But the child possesses a power no one else does
A power beyond the bounds of death
Protect the boy
For his choices will write the end
Either light to restore hope to the world
Or shadows to swallow everyone
The silence was deafening until the prophecy was concluded with a loud pop and a yawn from the Seer. “Oh, sorry, I must have dozed off there,” she apologized, rubbing her eyes. “I must go to the Astronomy Tower now; Mercury is in a favorable position today.”
Without another word and oblivious to the bombshell she had just dropped on the magical world, the Seer left through the teacher’s door.
The hall remained silent, no one wanting to talk, not wanting to admit that what had just happened was real. Most of the eyes turned to Harry, who sat frozen in place, his eyes fixed on the plate of fried potatoes that appeared as soon as the prophecy ended. He ignored even his friends’ stares. And Dumbledore’s empty words and reassurances that nothing should be said outside the castle . He wasn’t the only one who was unconcerned—everyone else was too. Slowly, tears trickled from the eyes of the younger students, turning their best day ever into a nightmare.
A scream from the Huffelpuff table pierced the silence , and it seemed like the scream shattered their quiet bubble—screams erupted from the girls, and the hall was filled with words of disbelief at what they had just heard. This couldn’t be real, could it?
“Quiet!” Dumbledore shouted, casting a silencing charm on the hall.
“I know that what just happened is beyond our understanding,” he said, his voice calm but firm, “but unfortunately, this is a reality we must accept. As students, there is nothing you can do. Classes will continue as normal until further notice. I repeat, do not talk about what was said—”
“Not talk about it?” a Ravenclaw student interrupted Dumbledore, breaking the silence spell. “ a bombshell dropped over our heads, and now you’re saying everything will continue as normal and we’re not allowed to tell anyone?” the student protested. “Mr. Smith, forgive me if that sounds insensitive, but unfortunately, this is beyond my control,” Dumbledore said, trying to maintain calm. “As you see, this kind of prophecy is unusual. It protects itself with charms, and it is kept from being circulated outside the circle it was spoken to.”
Parvati confirmed Dumbledore’s words “That’s right, I read about this in the Book of Prophecies.”
There were murmurs of agreement after a student’s confirmation.
“I’m glad someone knows about this,” said Dumbledore, a twinkle in his eyes.
“Although I thought this book was in the restricted section and not allowed for students to read.” Parvati’s face turned red, indicating she had used some trick to read the book.
“I appreciate your desire to learn, Miss Patil, but this book is in the restricted section for a reason. Now, all the students go to their rooms. Goodnight”D umbledore wished, though it seemed almost pointless.
The path to the houses was filled with heavy whispers. Some students were crying on each other’s shoulders. Harry, even though he knew he would have to explain things to his friends, couldn’t say a word beyond ‘tomorrow’ to his friends before going to his bed.
But he didn’t close his eyes all night, and as dawn approached, he was still lost in thought, trying to analyze everything that had happened to him. But he couldn’t make sense of what was happening. The cave was real to the point where he felt a void in his right arm as if it had truly been cut off. He felt a deep sense of sadness when he saw Fred.And he was certain of one thing—he possessed knowledge as the prophecy hinted. Harry held knowledge that could turn everything, depending on how he used it.
Harry stood up from his bed and decided to go down to the common room. But first, he thought one spell wouldn’t hurt, right? Just to make sure he wasn’t being deceived. He quietly approached Ron’s bed, opened the curtains, and aimed his wand. If it was someone else, his face would be revealed immediately. If it was Ron… well, he’d only feel a small sting. A deep breath in, a deep breath out.
“Reveal.” A small red light shot from Harry’s wand as he stood ready. Ron mumbled something incomprehensible and swiped his right hand over his cheek, rubbing it. A sting. He wasn't fooled ; it was his friend Ron.
Harry felt a surge of energy and hurried downstairs. He felt a sense of nostalgia for the place as if he had truly left it for several years . Lost in his thoughts, he didn’t notice Ginny until she cleared her throat.
"Ahem." Harry jumped at the sound of the voice. "Hello, Ginny." Ginny was sitting by the window, seemingly lost in thought, staring outside. "Couldn't sleep?" Harry asked. "Could you?" Ginny replied, with a wry smile.
"Who could, after all that happened?"
They both spoke at the same time
“Ron?”
“Except for Ron, maybe.”
They shared a knowing smile, and Harry sat down in the chair by the fireplace. Harry wasn’t used to doing anything without Ron and Hermione at his side. Living this experience without telling them anything felt strange to him, but why shouldn’t he? Would they believe him? Ron would be skeptical, but with some proof, he’d believe it. Hermione… maybe it would take more than that, some convincing that he hadn’t knocked his head somewhere along the way, but in the end, he’d have his friends beside him again. He just had to think of a way to do it.
Harry was lost in his thoughts again and didn’t notice when Ginny greeted him and suggested they head up before the students started to gather.
"Harry? Harryyy?"
Harry was pulled out of his whirlwind of thoughts by Percy’s voice.
And he had dark circles under his eyes, a clear sign he hadn’t slept all night.
"You’d better change your clothes if you don’t want to be late for your first day." Harry looked around and saw that the sun had already risen.
"Yeah, thanks."
Percy nodded, simply watching Harry’s back as he quickly hurried up the stairs.