Chapter 3
“I’m telling you, ‘Mione, something doesn’t add up. Neither of them actually remembers Sirius inviting Snape to the Shrieking Shack,” Harry said for what felt like the tenth time, his voice tinged with frustration.
“Maybe they both just forgot,” Ron suggested, though his tone lacked conviction.
Harry shook his head. “How do you just ‘forget’ a near-death experience?”
“Trauma?” Ron offered weakly.
Harry mulled it over but quickly dismissed the idea. “Even so, why would Snape kick me out, then?”
“Because you invaded his privacy, Harry!” Hermione snapped, her patience clearly wearing thin. “It’s like if I came to you for help and then read your diary. What you did is worse! And instead of apologizing, you’re still trying to paint him as the villain.”
Harry winced, knowing she had a point. Every time he’d doubted Snape’s loyalty, the man had inadvertently proved himself. Still, something about this particular story didn’t sit right.
“I can’t help it, Hermione. The story still feels... wrong,” Harry said stubbornly.
Ron and Hermione groaned in unison, their exasperation evident. This argument had been looping for over an hour.
“Do you think...” Harry began hesitantly, then stopped, unsure whether to voice the absurd idea forming in his mind.
“What?” Ron prompted, leaning forward.
Harry hesitated, then blurted out, “Do you think there’s something like divination... but for the past? What if we could see what really happened?”
Ron stared at him, eyebrows raised. “You do know divination isn’t just about predicting the future, right? It’s supposed to reveal the unknown—that includes the past,” Hermione interjected, her tone surprisingly calm.
Harry’s eyes widened. “You’re joking.”
“Absolutely not. Though, frankly, I’d sooner trust a fortune cookie than divination,” she added with a slight smirk.
“Let’s try it!” Harry said, the excitement bubbling in his voice.
“We can’t,” Hermione replied, shooting him down. “For the ritual to work, everyone involved has to be present.”
Harry’s enthusiasm deflated. Hermione, noticing his crestfallen look, sighed and added, “But... I guess I can check the textbook again. Maybe I missed something.”
“Thank you, Hermione!” Harry said, a grin spreading across his face. “In the meantime, I’ll talk to Professor Trelawney. She might know something.”
Getting answers turned out to be easier than Harry expected. The following week, he visited Professor Trelawney during her office hours. She greeted him with a dreamy smile, her hands cradling a teacup.
After a few moments of small talk, Harry finally got to the point. “Professor, is it possible to perform the Ritual of Past Mysteries without everyone from the original event being present?”
“Ah, so you wish to unearth the echoes of the past?” Trelawney murmured, her eyes glittering as she leaned forward.
“I just want to know the truth... about something,” Harry said, suddenly unsure of himself.
“The truth is a fickle thing,” she said, her voice taking on a mystical tone. “Most people praise its nobility, yet some will go to great lengths to bury it. That is why revealing the past comes with a cost.”
“So... there is a way to do the spell, then?” Harry asked, trying to focus.
Trelawney nodded slowly. “Just as people carry memories, so do objects. If you cannot gather the people, you must seek out something each person possessed during the event.”
Harry’s mind raced as he processed her words. Before he could thank her, she suddenly exclaimed, “Beware!”
Harry jumped, startled.
“Do not mix the paths. Choose either people or objects. To do otherwise could invite disaster.”
"But- but can the people be present at the ritual?" Harry asked, concerned.
"They may witness the ritual, though only the one performing the ritual shall touch the altar until the ritual has been complete." his professor explained.
“Yes, Professor. Thank you,” Harry said quickly, hastily making his escape. Her piercing gaze lingered uncomfortably in his mind as he left.
“I’ll get something from Padfoot and Moony, but how am I supposed to get anything from Snape and Peter?” Harry asked Ron, pacing the Gryffindor common room.
“Mate... what about your dad?” Ron asked hesitantly.
Harry froze mid-step and then turned toward his friend. “Oh, that’s easy!” he said, his face lighting up. “They had to sneak out of the castle, so they obviously needed the Invisibility Cloak.”
“Brilliant!” Ron exclaimed.
Harry grinned. “I know! But what about the others?”
“Let’s ask Professor Lupin,” Ron suggested. “He might have some ideas.”
“Good plan,” Harry said, his grin widening as he bolted out of the common room, determination fueling his steps.