A Thread of Time

Chapter Three

*

Harry did not know what to think as he sullenly made his way to Dippet’s office with Tom marching behind him. What had Riddle expected? Harry could hardly explain to him that he had become the second most powerful wizard in Britain and that his hobbies included hunting down muggle-borns and generally attempting to kill Harry.

And when Tom had gotten bored with questioning Harry and decided to try to Legilimise him, he had found himself stumbling back with the force of Harry’s Occlumency. But that had hardly been Harry’s fault. It was generally acknowledged that prying into someone else’s mind is fairly unacceptable.

Then Tom had narrowed his eyes dangerously and ordered Harry to see Dippet.

By the time they reached the frustrating gargoyle, Harry had a fairly annoying headache. Why was everything so irritating all of a sudden?

Tom gave the password and Harry followed him up the worn spiral staircase. A second later they were admitted into the Headmaster’s office.

“Ah, Tom. It is good to see you. And might I ask who you are?”

Professor Armando Dippet sat behind the same desk that Dumbledore had occupied in Harry’s time. Other than that, the office was different. Instead of pensieves, trinkets and other strange magical objects to litter the shelves, the walls were completely lined with worn-out books.

The Headmaster himself was an ordinary, thin, weary-looking man with a smile that hardly reached his eyes. His brown hair was short and graying and the eyes that flickered to Harry were mildly curious.

“Good evening, Headmaster,” Tom answered smoothly. “This is Harry Potter. I’m sure he will explain to you why he is here.”

Harry frowned at Tom as he moved to stand aside. “What year is it?” he asked suddenly. Why had he not bothered to ask before?

Dippet raised an eyebrow. “I believe it is October 5th, 1944.”

“Oh. Well, in my time, it’s December 20th, 1996.”

“Excuse me?”

“There… must have been an accident. I was… I don’t know what I was doing before, but I woke up in the Astronomy Tower in this time.”

“Are you trying to inform me that you have had a time-travel accident?”

“Well…. I guess so.”

“And how exactly is that possible? I have heard of only one magical object that can transport a wizard through time, and even now it still does not work as expected.”

Harry frowned. “You mean a time-turner?”

“I believe that is what it is called, yes.”

“Oh. Well, I don’t remember using one of those. At least, not in the last couple of years.”

Dippet leaned forward slightly, a frown on his face. “Please elaborate.”

“I used one once to help my Godfather… he was a fugitive and they were about to give him the Dementor’s Kiss. But that’s irrelevant. Look, I don’t know what happened. I can’t remember how I got here, or what I was doing before I got here. I can’t tell you what’s going on, so don’t ask. You could completely mess up the future. And though you may not want to believe me, I can’t leave Hogwarts. I have no idea what life outside is like right now. And this place is all I have left anyway.”

Harry sighed. He was so tired. He sat wearily in one of the chairs.

“Alright… Mr. Potter.”

Harry looked up.

“I would like to let you stay in the castle. However, we have nothing to prove that you are who you say you are, and you must understand that it is dangerous to admit a stranger into the castle without any background information.”

Harry’s shoulders slumped. What was he going to do?

“Headmaster,” Tom spoke up. “Perhaps he could be accepted as a transfer student at Hogwarts until he finds an adequate way to return to his time. It is the story he fed many of the other students, after all. It should be around the school soon.”

The Headmaster nodded slowly. “Yes, that seems to be a good idea. However, I must consult the Deputy Headmaster on this.” He stood and moved around his desk, taking a handful of what looked like floo powder and throwing it into the fire. “Albus Dumbledore.”

Harry felt relief flood him. Dumbledore would know what to do, even if he did not know Harry in this time. Dumbledore was safe. Harry glanced at Tom, to find the other boy watching him with a blank expression. Unnerved by the stare, Harry looked away.

“You called, Armando?” Dumbledore’s face appeared in the fire. Harry noted that the old man looked much younger; certainly less tired. The twinkle in the wizard’s eyes was still there.

“I did. We have a situation.” Professor Dippet gestured towards Harry, who found himself meeting Dumbledore’s gaze. He held his breath, wondering what to expect.

“A new student?” Dumbledore asked.

“In a way. There seems to have been an accident. Mr. Potter here claims to be from the year 1996. How, or why he arrived in our time, he does not know.”

Harry stifled a yawn. He was going to have to sleep soon, or he might end up slumped on the floor of the Headmaster’s office.

“Hold on, Armando. I will come through.” Dumbledore’s head vanished and a second later, the wizard stepped carefully into the room. He turned to Harry. “May I give you a spell check?”

Harry raised an eyebrow but nodded. He felt a tingling sensation as Dumbledore flicked his wand.

“Nothing,” the old man said finally. Harry scowled and shoved his hands in his pockets. This was getting tiring.

“Well, Albus, what do you think? Shall we accept Mr. Potter as a transfer student or send him on his way?”

Dumbledore gave a small smile. “I think we can see he is no harm. But,” he turned to Harry. “If you would answer a few questions to reassure us that you are not a danger to the school, that would be helpful.”

“Go ahead. But if it interferes too much with the future, then I’m not answering.”

Dumbledore nodded in understanding. “What is your full name?”

“Harry James Potter.”

“When were you born?”

“The 31st July, 1980. I’m sixteen.”

“Would you mind explaining the curse-scar?”

Harry frowned. Nothing that would interfere with the future… “Yes.”

“Hmm. What is your connection with the Potters?”

“I’m… not sure. James Potter is the name of my father, but he died when I was young. I don’t know about his family history. I don’t know who Charlus Potter is.” He shot Tom a sly look.

“And your mother?”

“Lily Evans. A muggle-born.”

Dumbledore did not do so much as blink at that. “I am sure blood does not need to come into this,” he said. “Is your mother alive in your time?”

“No, she also died when I was young.” Harry purposely avoided looking at Tom.

“How did they die?”

Harry looked away.

“Do you have any other living relatives in your time?”

“Only my… muggle family. I hate them. Oh, and I had my godfather. But he died last year. In my time, I mean.”
Harry sighed, feeling tired. Did they have to ask this?

“Where are you currently living, in your time?”

Harry scowled. “Hogwarts, mostly.”

“And during the summer?”

“The Durs- Oh. My Godfather left me a house.”

“What were you going to say?”

“The Durselys. They’re my muggle family. I moved out when I turned of age.”

“What is your Godfather’s name?”

Harry wondered if he should be telling them this. “Sirius Black.”

Dippet interrupted. “No offence meant, but a Black would not leave his property to a half-blood.”

Harry’s eyes narrowed. “I assure you, Sirius Black didn’t care about ridiculous blood lines. Family is family. I think that’s enough. I’ve told you far too much.”

Dumbledore nodded slowly, before conjuring the Sorting Hat. He handed it to Harry. “I assume you know what to do?”

Harry rolled his eyes. “It’s hardly advanced transfiguration.” He put the Hat on his head for the third time.
Ooo, an interesting one. I can see we have met before, though at a very different time. And a Potter. Very interesting.

Just get on with it, Harry thought.

Impatient, I see. And you have quite a temper on you. But there is also bravery there. And cunning! Lots of cunning… but where to put you?

Harry’s patience was beginning to wear thin. He just wanted to Sleep, damnit. The nightmares had been coming back lately, worse than ever. And Dreamless Sleep no longer worked…

Well, well. You certainly have the potential to be great. And nightmares, you say? Very unpleasant.

Harry mentally snorted. What would a hat know of nightmares?

Ah, you underestimate me. Now, where was I..? Oh, yes. Greatness is definitely in store for you, my dear lad.

But Harry did not want greatness. Harry just wanted to be normal.

Yes, I can see that. However, I believe you will find that your potential will get in the way. I can see why I once put you in Gryffindor, but that will not do this time.

“SLYTHERIN!”

“Stupid Hat,” Harry muttered as he removed the thing from his head. Dumbledore chuckled.

Oh, crap, Harry thought. I’ve just been Sorted into Slytherin! What the Hell!

“It’s settled then,” Dippet said, looking slightly pleased. Harry realized then that Dippet had been a Slytherin. Bugger, he thought.

“Although,” the man continued. “I have never seen someone wear the Hat for quite that long. Just what were you discussing?”

“Nightmares, greatness, potential and other crap.” Harry yawned, ignoring how rude he was being. It was their own fault for taking so long.

“Oh?” Dippet looked interested.

“What are we to do with the matter of school books and robes?” Dumbledore interrupted smoothly. “Were you in Slytherin in your time?” he added, addressing Harry.

“Nope, Gryffindor.”

Dippet looked flabbergasted. “What! How is that possible? You can’t have the traits of both Slytherin and Gryffindor.”

Harry shrugged. Dumbledore’s eyes gleamed. Tom didn’t make a sound.

“Back to the books-” Dumbledore said eventually.

“Yes, yes, I will have them ordered.” Dippet went to sit at his desk. “I think it best if you have a copy of
Tom’s timetable. That way I will be kept informed, and Tom will be able to help if there is any trouble.”

Harry sighed. “What about school robes? And other clothes?”

Dippet scratched his chin, looking thoughtful. “Perhaps you will have to take a trip into Diagon Alley.”

“Headmaster, is that wise?” Dumbledore interrupted. “If what Mr. Potter says is true, then it will be very easy for something misfortunate to occur.”

Dippet waved it away with a hand gesture. “No, no, I think it will be fine. He can go with Tom and… Professor
Priggs. Yes, it will be fine. In fact, you can go this weekend. That way you can get your books aswell, rather than having to order them.”

“Alright,” Harry slowly agreed. He would have to be careful, though. “What day is it?”

“Thursday. Have tomorrow off. It looks like you need a lie-in.”

Harry scowled.

“Perhaps we should let Mr. Potter sleep. I am sure Tom will escort you to your dorm,” Dumbledore said.

“Of course, Professor,” Tom said. Harry followed him to the door.

“One more thing, Mr. Potter,” Professor Dippet said.

Harry turned to look at him.

“You must keep in mind that there will be many things that have not yet been discovered. Things that will
interfere with your lessons.”

Harry nodded slowly. “I understand.”

Finally, they left.


*


“Hell,” Harry murmured as he wandered through the corridors with Tom at his side.

The other boy soon stopped. Harry slowed and turned to look at him. Tom’s expression was closed as he looked searchingly at Harry. Harry had no idea what the other boy was thinking.

“What?” he asked carefully.

Tom took a step forward. Then another.

“Um…” Harry managed as the boy ended up extraordinarily close. Fingers closed around his chin and pulled his head up so that he was forced to stare into Tom’s eyes. Harry didn’t object, though. He could stare into those eyes all day…

And then Tom pressed his lips to Harry’s. Harry went stock still. What…? What on earth? He made to pull away when the taller boy’s free arm wrapped around his waist, pulling them against each other. And then deepened the kiss by slipping his tongue into Harry’s mouth.

Harry decided that that was enough. He pulled away. “Stop. What are you doing?”

Tom quirked an eyebrow at him, a suddenly amused smirk pulling at his lips. His arm was still around Harry’s waist. “I should think that would be obvious.”

It was not that Harry had a problem with kissing a guy. Hell, he had realized he preferred guys to girls soon after the Cho Incident. No, it was the fact that this was Tom Riddle, who had killed his parents and repeatedly tried to kill Harry. This whole thing was completely wrong. He pulled Tom’s arm from his waist and took a step back.

“No,” he said finally.

Tom leant his shoulder against the wall with an amused look. “Why ever not? Is it because I killed your parents?”
Harry opened his mouth and closed it again. Yes, that was the reason. But it was not as if he was going to admit it.

“Harry, people can be forgiven, you know.” Tom moved towards him again. “Besides, I am not the person who murdered them.”

Harry frowned. Yes, you are, he thought.

Tom shook his head, seeing what Harry was thinking. “No. The person I am now and the person I become are different.”

“Well you’ve already killed your family,” Harry bit out, then gasped as a hand grabbed and tightened around his throat. Tom’s face appeared inches away, his eyes narrowed.

“How do you know that?” He snapped angrily, eyes narrowed almost to slits.

“I… told you… I’m from… the future,” Harry gasped out, struggling to breath. “Only… Dumbledore… and I… know.”

Tom’s hand tightened, and Harry’s eyes widened. “I’m sorry,” he gasped out. “I don’t…. blame you… though.”

Tom released him and Harry staggered back, massaging his sore neck. He really ought to learn how to take control of absurd situations.

Tom seemed to be breathing hard, his eyes still narrowed. “You will not speak a word of this to anyone.”

Harry frowned at him. “Of course I won’t, it will interfere with the future. And there are a hell of a lot of other sickening things that I could tell everyone about you, but I won’t do that either. It’s not just your life I’m saving, here.”

Tom nodded slowly. “Although, I could just obliviate you…”

Harry shook his head. “Those don’t work on me. Nor does the imperius curse, before you try. And I can throw off cruciatus aswell, so don’t even bother.”

Tom frowned. “How are you so powerful?”

Harry stifled another yawn. “Can’t tell you. Look, I’m sorry, alright? I didn’t mean to bring that up. And I won’t be saying anything else about you. Now can we just go? I need to sleep at some point.”

Tom nodded slowly and Harry followed him down to the dungeons, muttering, “And the Hat said I have a bad temper.”

Tom gave him a sly smile. “I only lose my temper when others pry into my life, dear Harry.”

“Really? I’ll keep that in mind.”

They approached a stone wall, which Harry stared at blankly. “Fascinating. At least for Gryffindor they have a portrait.”

“Oh?” Tom said, giving him an amused look. “And where might this portrait be?”

Harry snorted. “Never you mind. What’s the password?”

“We don’t use a password here. But thank you for that extra piece of information.”

Harry rolled his eyes. “What do I do, then?”

“This is a secret entrance into the Slytherin Common Room. I’m sure you can figure out how to enter.”

Harry stared at him. What was he on about? He then looked at the stone wall. Oh, right. There was a small symbol of a snake carved into it. It would be impossible to find if one didn’t know where to look. Figures.

“Open,” he hissed. The door obeyed, and Harry followed Tom down a dark corridor and through another similar wall.

“Here we are,” Tom said as they entered a room very similar to the Gryffindor Common. It looked very much the same as it did when Harry had visited it during his second year under the guise of polyjuice potion. Very green.

It was also colder here, and darker. Candles hung everywhere on the walls and the fireplace was huge. Other than that…

“The Gryffindor Common Room is bigger,” Harry mused quietly.

“That’s to be expected. They are a wild group of loud, squabbling idiots as far as I can tell. They need more space.”

Harry rolled his eyes. “What dorm am I staying in?”

“Dorian’s, I assume. His dormitory has a spare four-poster since one of the students left a couple of years ago.”

“They left?” Harry asked as they moved towards the empty chairs by the fire.

“I believe they were transferred to Durmstrang. The parents disliked the way Hogwarts is run.”

“Right,” Harry said, as a wave of exhaustion hit him. He stopped and swayed slightly. Tom turned.

“You need to sleep. I’ll take you to your dorm.”

Harry nodded absently. He followed Tom down through a door that opened to a tunnel lit by candles, which went
even deeper underground.

“Tom,” he said hesitantly, when they stopped. The boy turned to him.

“Yes?”

“Is it safe to ask something… personal here? You said you don’t like people prying in your life, but I’d like to know.”

“Yes, it is safe here. What is it?”

Harry narrowed his eyes slightly. “Don’t strangle me this time, please.”

Tom gave him a sly smile, but did not answer.

Harry took a breath. “Alright, have you opened the chamber of secrets yet?”
Tom’s eyes widened before narrowing venomously and his fists clenched. Harry took a step back. The taller boy looked absolutely terrifying. He then seemed to calm down.

“Yes, I have. A muggle-born girl died, and that fool Hagrid was expelled. Are you satisfied?”

Harry folded his arms, frowning. “What’s happening with the basilisk?”

“How do you know so much?” Tom demanded.

Harry shrugged, deciding to dismiss it. “Thanks for not trying to choke me to death, anyway.” He glanced behind Tom to see three doors. “Which one?”

“The one on the right,” Tom answered without turning. He took hold of Harry’s chin again, making the other boy meet his burning gaze. “Be careful, Harry. Only snakes live down here.”

Harry blinked, and forced himself to focus as lips met his once again in a brief kiss. Tom leant back with a small smirk, releasing him. “Goodnight, Harry.”

A second later, he turned and went through the middle door without a backward glance.