Deceiving Magic's Child

"Shocking business... by thunder, it was lucky you were there, Snape. . . "

Severus expression was pinched. His older self hadn't exactly done anything. If anything his presence had been a hindrance rather than a help.

"Thank you, Minister. "... First Class, if I can wangle it!"

Severus actually laughed. This was ridiculous. As if Fudge was about to award a known death eater with an Order of Merlin! The idea was laughable.

"Thank you very much... "No!"

Severus rolled his eyes. His older self loved trying to destroy people's opinion of Potter. He hadn't exactly been looking forward to Potter coming to Hogwarts but he'd like to believe he hadn't already decided what the young boy would be like before he even arrived at the school. Had Draco influenced his opinion, told him lies about the incident on the train? That certainly wouldn't have encouraged Severus to think well of Potter. But even then... it had seemed in the first book like Severus had decided his opinion upon his very first glance of the boy. Was it simply because he looked just like his father?

"Black had bewitched them... a possibility he was innocent.

"Liar," Severus muttered under his breath.

They weren't responsible for their actions.

"How magnanimous of you," Sirius teased.

On the other hand... catch Black single-handed.

"I think you actually believed that, Professor," Harry said.

They've got away... amount of license by the headmaster -"

Harry rolled his eyes. "Your older self gave Fudge an arsenal of weapons to use against me."

Severus frowned. He was supposed to protect the boy. Not make his life harder.

"Ah, well, Snape. . .  I try and treat him like any other student.

Minerva tutted. If these books were anything to go by, that was not true.

And any other student would be suspended... consorting with a werewolf and a murderer -

"You make it sound like Harry wanted to..." Fred began agrily.

"Find Black," young George finished. "And if you didn't want him consorting with a werewolf, the school shouldn't have hired one."

- and I have reason to believe ... The boy has undoubtedly been foolish. . . . "

Harry rolled his eyes. He hadn't done anything wrong. Except perhaps attack his teacher.

Harry lay listening with his eyes tight shut... what made them retreat, Snape?"

"Not Snape then," Moody muttered to himself. He wanted to know who cast that patronus.

"No, Minister... bound and gagged Black,

"Kinky," Sirius murmured. "Didn't know you were into that sort of thing, Severus."

It took all of Severus's occlumency skills to stop his face taking on the colour of a tomato. He tried his very best to remain looking indifferent. It was getting harder, the more time he spent with Black.

Harry looked like he might actually vomit, having also heard his godfather.

naturally, conjured stretchers... Ron's red hair was visible beneath Madam Pomfrey's arm.

"I'm considering getting you a sign for that bed, Mr Potter," Madam Pomfrey said chidingly.

Harry moved his head over on the pillow... It looked like a small boulder.

"Chocolate is the best remedy for dementors," Madam Pomfrey said matter-of-factly. "So of course, I had a large supply that year."

"Ah, you're awake!" ... you'll be staying here until I'm satisfied you're -

"You were all very lucky to be alive," Poppy said, shaking her head. She'd always had a soft spot for Harry.

Potter, what do you think you're doing?"... "I need to see the headmaster," he said.

Sirius grimaced. "As much as I appreciate your concern, at least eat the damn chocolate first."

"Potter," ... performing the kiss any moment now -"

Poppy frowned. "I had meant that to be reassuring. It obviously had the opposite effect, given the circumstances."

"WHAT?"... has he had any chocolate?" he asked Madam Pomfrey anxiously.

Poppy glared at the book, wishing that Minister Fudge was in the chamber to hear a piece of her mind.

"Minister, listen!"... You can't let the Dementors do that thing to Sirius, he's -"

"Wait! You told the minister the truth?" Amelia asked hotly.

"Of course, I did," Harry blustered. "Not that he listened."

But Fudge was shaking his head... "YOU'VE GOT THE WRONG MAN!"

Amelia could not believe it. Just how low could this man sink. Not to even listen when someone was trying to... Her thoughts trailed off. That was it. The minister would be out of office within the year of their return or she would... Well, she wasn't sure what she would do but it wouldn't be pretty. Threatening Lord Black with the kiss was tantamount to attempted murder, seeing as how he had been illegally imprisoned in the first place.

"Minister, listen, please," ... Black's done a very good job on them..."

Severus frowned. Had his older self not believed them or was he really so caught up in hating Black that he hadn't even considered the possibility that they might be speaking the truth?

"WE'RE NOT CONFUNDED!" ... "If they'd just listen -"

"No one ever does," Harry said. "I don't make a habit of lying, you know. And yet when I tell people the truth, they never believe me."

Ron and Hermione both nodded before feeling suddenly shamed. They fell into that category too sometimes. They hadn't believed him about Malfoy in sixth year. And Ron hadn't believed him about the tournament in fourth year.

But Madam Pomfrey suddenly... force him back onto the bed.

"I'm sorry, Potter," Pomfrey said. "I should have checked you for spells. I took Severus's word for it." She hadn't even paused to consider that the potions master might not have actually checked them for compulsions.

"Now, please, Minister... Headmaster, I must insist -"

"I swear it's a circus every time Mr Potter spends time in the hospital wing," Poppy muttered.

"I'm sorry, Madam Pomfrey," Harry said softly.

"It's not your fault, dear." Her eyes softened. "It's those pesky adults and they should know better."

"My apologies, Poppy... Pettigrew being alive -"

Every sighed in relief. Dumbledore would save the day. Harry rolled his eyes at just how naive they all were.

"That, indeed... I see any sign of him on the grounds. "

"Like I'd have had a chance, being unconscious," Severus complained.

"That was because you were knocked out... we must make allowances -"

"There were easy enough ways to prove it," Kingsley said.

"We couldn't use veritaserum on children," Amelia sighed, "but we could have questioned Black under the potion. Asked the children for their memories. Ran an actual investigation instead of the minister just deciding to play judge, jury and executioner."

She was really struggling to understand just how much the minister had overstepped his authority. And not just this once either. But the year before too.

"I would like to speak to Harry and Hermione... "I must insist. "

Poppy glared at Albus. She still didn't like how he'd forced her out of her own hospital.

Madam Pomfrey pursed her lips... Dumbledore, I'll see you upstairs."

"So much for not letting Dementors into the school," Charlie muttered.

He crossed to the door... You haven't forgotten that he once tried to kill me?"

"That hardly changes the fact that he's innocent of the crime he was imprisoned for," Severus muttered.

"My memory is as good as it ever was... it wasn't Sirius -"

Everyone waited eagerly to hear if Dumbledore would believe them. He was chief warlock, he could demand a re-trial. The minister wouldn't like it but he'd have to go along with it. At least long enough for the wizagmot to determine if there was in fact grounds for a re-trial. Amelia was thinking rapidly. There would be grounds too, if Black was to be believed and he never actually had a trial in the first place. In fact, they weren't just taking his word for it. His inheritance test had proven he was still eligible for his lordship and as such had never been convicted of any crimes before the wizagmot.

But Dumbledore held up his hand ... proof to support Black's story, except your word -

Amelia gaped at this. There was time to find evidence if he would just call in the DMLE!

and the word of two thirteen-year-old... Sirius had been the Potters' Secret-Keeper."

Everyone was staring at the book in disbelief. Wasn't Dumbledore going to fix this? He had to.

"Professor Lupin can tell you... the fact that he and Sirius are old friends -"

Remus frowned, his stomach churning with self loathing.

"But -"... we have no chance of overturning Sirius's sentence. "

Amelia shook her head. This was wrong. All the adults seemed to be incapable of making logical decisions. What was Dumbledore playing at?

"But you believe us. "... or to overrule the Minister of Magic..."

"You do when he's overstepping his jurisdiction," Moody growled angrily.

"You do when there's a crime being committed," Amelia argued.

Harry stared up into the grave face... "is more time. "

Bill gaped at the book. The headmaster wasn't suggesting what he thought he was suggesting, was he?

"But -" ... You - must - not - be - seen. "

"Stop the book," Minerva said sharply.

Flitwick did as she bid, feeling overwhelmed by shock himself. Even Molly Weasley was sitting in silence as if she couldn't believe her ears. Severus looked on the verge of exploding and Sirius was gaping as he stared at the headmaster.

Bode groaned. This was why his department was so particular about the use of timeturners. The risks of such an action were...

"Did he really just tell a couple of thirteen-year-olds to break international law?" Rookwood said, his tone cold.

Bode nodded his head. There were treaties in place concerning the use of turn timers. If this were to get out... There'd be uproar.

No one else was speaking. They were utterly beside themselves. Silenced into a stuper by their shock.

"While I clearly don't want to be kissed," Sirius said, gritting his teeth, "what in the world possessed you Albus to..."

He couldn't finish the sentence. Albus himself was looking scandalised.

"Why the hell didn't you do it yourself?" Minerva demanded angrily, her Scottish brogue even more obvious in her temper.

"Or better yet," Amelia said, "call in the DMLE!"

Everyone was glaring at the headmaster now. And he was blinking rapidly, unable to fathom that he had just encouraged... No. Instructed two third year students to break the law. Not just that but to risk their lives doing so. Had he even considered the potential threat to time itself?

Bode grimaced. "You arrogant fool," he said quietly. "Have you no respect for the magic of time?"

Albus frowned. He had no answer for that. Clearly his future self didn't.

"Perhaps we should continue reading," Harry suggested. "As reasonable as your anger is everyone, this Albus hasn't done it yet."

"But he would!" Remus growled. "And that's bad enough."

Harry sighed. "There are things I've done that I wouldn't want future Harry to take the heat for."

"The difference is you are a child," Severus said almost gently. "The headmaster knowingly endangered your's and Miss Granger's life. Not to mention all the other risks he disregarded by encouraging you to mess with time travel."

"Harry, take the time turner out of it for a moment," Sirius said. "There were dementors, a deatheater and a werewolf on the grounds that night and he was sending you back out there."

"I get why you're angry," Harry said with a grimace. "It makes me angry too. I just don't see the point in blaming this Albus. The point of doing this, isn't so we can just berate each other for things we haven't necessarily done yet. It's so we can learn from them and prevent them in the new timeline."

"Perhaps we could leave the berating until the end of the chapter," Tonks suggested. Everyone glared at her too now. "Personally, I'm all for shouting myself hoarse at the man but we do need to finish the chapter and we should make sure we know the whole story so we know everything we're shouting about."

The other adults in the chamber could see the logic in that and so settled back into their seats but their severe expressions remained. There would be consequences for this.

Harry didn't have a clue... three turns should do it. Good luck. "

Remus and Sirius growled at the headmaster, who was looking decidedly nervous.

"Good luck?" ... very fine gold chain.

"Aren't you even going to answer him?" Mrs Granger grumbled. She wasn't happy. Based on what all the wizards in the chamber were saying her daughter was about to do something highly illegal. She could hardly believe it. "If you expect Mr Potter to break the law with you, you aught to at least make sure he knows what he is doing!"

Hermione frowned. She hadn't even thought about that. Dumbledore had told her what to do and so she'd just done it.

"Harry, come here,"... chain around his neck too.

Sirius glared at the girl. He didn't like this one bit.

"Ready?" she said breathlessly.

"Clearly not," Severus said. "Since he has no idea what you're about to do."

"What are we doing?" ... hourglass over three times.

Mr Granger stared at his daughter in shock. "I believe Hermione that we will be having to revisit our conversation about autonomy and perhaps even the conversation we had about the birds and the bees when you were twelve."

"W-w-what does this have to do with that?" Hermione asked blushing.

"Consent, Hermione!" Mr Granger struggled to control his temper. "It isn't just a word that matters when you're talking about sex."

Mrs Granger reached over and took her husband's hand, gently trying to remind him to keep his temper. He was usually so mild mannered.

Her husband took a breath before continuing, "If your friend does not know what you are doing, they cannot consent to take part in it."

The dark ward dissolved... he tried to yell but couldn't hear his own voice -

"It is quite disconcerting the first few times," Bode said. Time would tell just how bad the consequences would be. There was no point worrying over spilled time sand now.

And then he felt solid ground... "Hermione, what -?"

Hermione's parents continued to glower at her.

"In here!" ... "Three hours back. . . "

"Surely, you'll explain a bit more than that," Mrs Granger huffed.

Harry found his own leg... yes, I think it's us going down to Hagrid's!"

The younger kids eyed the book eagerly. This was so cool.

"Are you telling me," ... Harry wanted a few questions answered.

"Perfectly understandable," Sirius said, folding his arms.

"Where did you get ... I've been doing several lessons at once, see?

Everyone gaped at her. Bode in particular wasn't looking impressed. "The rules, Miss Granger. At least make sure he knows the rules."

He couldn't help but think it might be time to rethink the policy that allowed underage wix to use timeturners for their education.

But... How's that going to help Sirius?"

"That's Dumbledore for you," Severus grumbled. "Never one to share information."

Harry stared at her shadowy face... "We just heard ourselves leaving. . . . "

Bode sighed. That was an unnecessary distinction. And now wasn't the time to argue about tenses. What mattered was that she'd forced the boy to participate in time travel without even a by your leave or an induction into the very strict rules in place.

Harry frowned; ... "Hermione, we're going to save Buckbeak!"

Moody smirked. The boy was quick. He might not agree with Albus's actions but he could certainly appreciate how Potter's brain worked.

"But - how will that help Sirius?"...  they can escape together!"

Tonks groaned. "This is so illegal," she murmured, her head in her hands. She couldn't even imagine how much trouble they'd be in if they got caught.

From what Harry could see ... it'll be a miracle!"

Bode definitely agreed with the girl. This plan was far too reckless. And guaranteed to fail.

"Well, we've got to try... We must be nearly at Hagrid's by now!"

Sirius groaned. He might have to find someway to track Harry's every move while he's at Hogwarts. Otherwise he might actually have a heart attack. That's if he even ended up going to Hogwarts. Sirius was honestly thinking his young charge might be better home schooled. Of course, he'd have to discuss it with Harry first. He wouldn't make Molly Weasley's mistake and treat him like a child. He'd already proven in these books just what he was capable of.

Still working out what she meant... And Harry heard his own voice.

"Weirdest thing ever," Harry said.

"It's us... "We need to get nearer to Buckbeak!"

Everyone was sitting forward, anticipating what would happen next. They couldn't believe that this would actually work. Bode was struggling to control his panic, tapping his foot almost manically on the chamber's floor.

They crept through the trees ... We've got to wait until they've seen he's tied outside!"

"Good plan," Moody said gruffly.

"Won't give them much time though," Tonks replied.

"That's going to give us about sixty seconds,"... "I'm going to find Scabbers in a moment -"

"Can't you just run in there and grab Scabbers?" young Ron asked.

Bode groaned. "That would be a terrible idea. They would be seen and most likely cause a time paradox. That's if they lived."

Sure enough, a few minutes later... we just run in there and grab Pettigrew -"

Bode sighed. This was why you couldn't use time magic without a proper induction. The boy's lack of knowledge about time magic and it's rules was going to be a liability.

"No!" ... Nobody's supposed to change time, nobody!

"Well, at least you know it," Bode said. He couldn't understand what had possessed her to obey her headmaster when he told her to break international time law.

You heard Dumbledore... some Dark Magic going on -"

"Two perfectly reasonable explanations," Rookwood said.

"Exactly! ... killing their past or future selves by mistake!"

Mr and Mrs Granger both paled. "Why were we not asked to give consent for her using this timeturner?" Mr Granger asked. "Surely, if it is so dangerous, as her parents, we had the right to know."

The teachers all frowned, glaring at Minerva. "Technically as Miss Granger is a muggleborn..."

"We might be muggles, but we're still her parents!" Mr Granger said tersely.

Madam Bones was nodding in agreement. Technically, Minerva was correct. As Miss Grangers parents were muggles, her magical guardian - presumably her head of house - had the power to make that decision for her, but they should have at least been consulted on the matter. Even if it was only a courtesy.

"Okay!" ... "We're about to come out!" Hermione breathed.

The adults were all holding their breath. The younger children however were eagerly lapping up the story, completely forgetting that this was real life, even if it hadn't happened yet and also completely unappreciative of the very real danger involved. Andromeda noticed this and realised that they would now need to have a lecture on time magic. Perhaps Bode would be willing to do the honours. Time magic did seem to be his area of expertise.