Interdimensional Tour
Albus Dumbledore, Headmaster, and Harry Potter, Traveler, were seated in the Headmaster's office after the participants of the fiasco earlier had been sent off to bed.
The old man looked at his visitor. "While I would not normally handle things as you did, you did much to prevent things from getting worse. I thank you." The Traveler nodded in acknowledgement. After a pause the Headmaster continued, "What is your story, Harry?"
The Traveler gave the trademark Potter smirk and said, "I knew you'd catch on with the hints. I'm another version of your student. In my world, Tom came back and – although I won and defeated him – the world still went to shit after. The basic reasons behind the Pureblood movement weren't repaired. Naively, I didn't do anything to fix the problems, despite having influence due to my actions, and I suffered the death of every single friend and loved one during the retaliation from the former Death Eaters."
The Traveler sighed. "I though I had found a ritual to return myself to an earlier point in the timeline and so I willingly cast the killing curse on myself as part of the ritual." The Headmaster was shocked at this. "Needless to say – it didn't work. All of a sudden I found myself arriving in other worlds. Each alternate is slightly or greatly different. I take steps where I arrive and once a problem is solved – and I don't really know which problem will cause it – I am moved on to the next world."
Harry grinned in amusement. "At first it was alternates of this world, although some were very different. I had a brother who was falsely labeled the Boy Who Lived, for example, in one world. That's actually not uncommon. My alternate ended in Slytherin due to the bad home life by parents who dismissed Harry as unimportant. The first time I encountered it, I gave him and his friends some advice and support and it was deemed enough to move me on. In other worlds I prevented Tom Riddle from becoming Voldemort. Every world was different. Even rules of magic and laws are different in different worlds. It's always fun to see what the differences are."
The Headmaster was absolutely fascinated by what he was being told. "How does this world compare?"
The Traveler considered that. "Actually, from what I have learned so far this one fell – up to the point of my arrival – into the 'normal Harry Potter experience'." He laughed. "Even my world was actually a bit different before I was moved on. I do find that there are common themes."
He looked at Albus and said, "Want to know the most common theme?"
Looking curious the old man said, "Certainly."
With some amusement Harry replied, "A manipulative, secretive, controlling and conniving Albus Dumbledore."
The man was taken aback. "Is that truly the case?"
Harry sighed, seeing how much this upset the man. "Unfortunately, your alternates, moreso than any other single person, tend to be the most influential in the world of Magic. Even moreseo than my alternates. I tend to have to clean up after the different Dumbledores."
The Traveler saw that Albus was truly upset that this could be the case. And so the Traveler tried to provide some comfort. "Don't be so upset. Every single person has good and bad alternates. I've had to kill versions of myself several times to save a universe. It is never a fun thing." At that Albus seemed interested. "Actually, take comfort in this: The powers that direct me only send me to worlds where an application of free will can make a difference. It is quite interesting that the most common things which can be corrected and overcome are the mistakes made by your alternates. Which means that no matter how bad your alternates arse things up, it almost always can be fixed – given the right impetus."
Albus considered that for a long moment. "I do believe that that is quite refreshing to hear. It would be quite upsetting that the mistakes I could have made commonly became irretrievable." He considered his visitor for a long moment. "Do you know the power that moves you?"
The Traveler considered the old man for a long moment. If he was honest with himself, no matter how evil some Dumbledore could be, his personal experience was that the old man was the closest thing he and his alternates ever got to having a grandfather. And so he quite liked it when he found good versions of the old man.
"Actually, there are two powers: The Gods of Order and Chaos. These were the forced the Creator used to enact creation. Interesting characters."
At this Albus' eyes widened further than Harry had ever seen. "You've met them?"
The Traveler chuckled. "Yes. Actually, usually it's the Boss who talks to me directly."
And at that, Albus Dumbledore fainted.
Harry took a long look at Dumbledore, looked around and saw that many paintings had also fainted, looked at Fawkes – and the two started laughing quite loudly.
After they had gotten that out of their system, Harry casually renervated the old man. Albus put his hand to his head and groaned. He looked at his visitor and asked, "What happened?"
With an innocent look Harry replied, "You fainted."
After a long look at his visitor Albus finally said, "You're amused." Harry nodded, grinning. "And you weren't exaggerating?" Harry shook his head still grinning. "Then I think that I can be excused for my response. It isn't everyday that one finds out that there is an actual Creator and someone has met them and lived to tell the tale."
Harry considered that. "Actually, you might have a point. When the Boss speaks formally, he has to speak through the Metatron, who is a Seraphim angel because the mortal form can't withstand the force of his awesome Voice."
Albus considered that a long moment. "You say when he speaks formally this is the case?"
"Yeah. Actually, I usually meet him when he's taken the form of an everyday man, woman, creature or alien. I've met a Goblin version once or twice, server at a little diner, maintenance man at a church … really all kinds of places."
"He can be a man or woman?" Albus asked.
Harry replied, "Of course. To be perfectly honest, God is so far outside of what we can experience that he has to take a form to relate to his (or her) creations. God can be anywhere. Anything. Anyone. There is nothing that is beyond the reach of God and God's experience. God knows all things. Can be all things. Can do all things." With a gentle smile the Traveler said, "Actually, considering the way that you – the good versions anyway – try to treat anyone or anything that you meet with the same consideration is probably the best overall approach. Consider that God can be anyone or anything and you find that you cannot dismiss even the meanest of creatures as unimportant or beneath concern."
Albus considered that for a long moment and took comfort that this was how he tried to approach any person or magical creature he met. "Why don't we see more of him, if I may be so bold?"
Harry shrugged. "The Boss is a big believer in Free Will. If she or he, however you consider the Creator, did all the work, there would be no purpose to existence. Certainly, God hates seeing his creations suffer, but God did not put us here as toys or playthings. All of us – every one of us – is a part of God in a way. We are how God experiences Creation and all of its permutations."
Albus considered that. He could ask questions for hours, if he was honest with himself, but that was not why his visitor appeared. And so he went to it. "Do you know why you are here?"
Harry shrugged. "To help. Within my abilities – which are considerable. With what I know – which is significant. The crux of any visit is, very often, just a happenstance person that I end up interacting with in the course of my visit. I have wide latitude in what I can do and where I can go. I am only limited as my own Free Will decides. And so I try to help out where I can." He paused and said, "It isn't my job to fix all the problems. You might have noticed that nothing I have done is significantly different than what you could have done if you decided to do it. No Divine force or power was required. Just the will to act."
Albus, somewhat bitterly, replied, "At least you saw that one of my oldest friends was a fraud. I missed even that."
The Traveler shook his head. "I have the benefit of experiencing possible futures. I am certain that the Death Eater ensured he had the proper responses for any interactions with you. I am certain that you have recognition codes that 'Mad Eye' demanded that you use and that they were what you expected."
Albus sighed. "Yes. That is true. In a way, Alastor is too predictable in his responses. If one expects paranoia, and it is provided, you decide that things are as they should be." Albus smiled grimly. "At least Alastor can now make plans to correct for the unexpected."
Harry nodded. "I think the mistake he makes is that he tends to use the same 'recognitions' with the person instead of randomly picking things at the moment he is confronted."
Albus considered that. "I think I will consider our long association and start using random experiences rather than certain set significant ones."
Harry shrugged. "Do as you will." He paused and said, "Want to go get some pie? I know a place." He was amused as he said this.
Albus considered that. "How long will we be? Haven't we agreed to help Amelia in a matter of just six short hours from now to capture and retrieve Peter and Tom? Shouldn't we … I don't know … get some sleep?"
Harry waved his hand dismissively. "Psshaw. The advantage of being an experienced Dimensional Traveler is that I can control when and where I arrive as long as I have a destination in mind."
It could be said that Albus Dumbledore's greatest trait was his insatiable curiosity about, well, everything. He had an almost childlike delight in meeting people, visiting new places, and learning new things. And so he said, "Well, then. Let us away to that flighty temptress: Adventure."
Harry rolled his eyes even as he chuckled. "You are such a child at times, Albus."
As the Headmaster walked around his desk he replied, "I always did like those stories when I was young."
Harry shook his head and grabbed the man's arm. Concentrating, he traveled …
Albus looked up at the building where they had arrived. It looked like a Muggle diner. But the area around it was quite outside his experience. Suddenly, the sign – which continuously changed from one language or script to another – was understandable. And so he read: "Diner at the End of the Universe."
He looked to his companion and asked, "Is that really …."
Harry grinned. "Oh, yes. All things have a beginning and all things end. This particular place is situated so that one can watch the Universe end. After a while, it moves to a new vantage point to watch it end again. It's kind of amusing, actually."
Albus wasn't certain his old heart could take more surprises but he girded himself and followed Harry into the place.
"Hey, Josie," Harry said as he sat down. "Give me a Mocherto Cream pie and a Tart Lemon for my friend." He watched as Albus dazedly sat down while looking at the various beings that were present. "Give me a Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster and … Albus?"
The Headmaster looked at his companion.
"What do you want to drink?"
The Headmaster was taken aback. "I could really use some of Madam Rosemerta's Mead right about now. Or Firewhisky."
Harry was amused. "Actually, give him a Romulan ale." Harry was amused. If Albus thought Firewhisky was strong, he would be shocked at the kick that Romulan ale gave.
And so Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore sat within the Diner at the End of the Universe and ate pie and drank, sometimes watching the spectacle of the Universe ending, sometimes watching other patrons, and sometimes talking about things small and vast.
After a while, Harry saw Albus flagging. He was an old man after all. Harry grinned. "You have two choices. I take you back almost exactly when we left or I take you somewhere to sleep, we visit new places for a few hours, and then I return you. And before you answer, consider this: It's either about a day or so away from your home dimension or not because I wouldn't want to completely destroy your natural rhythms."
Albus weighed the decision in his head. In the end, he was a bit too excited to just go home. "I am, as the young say, up for adventure."
Harry considered where to go. Suddenly, he grinned as he had an idea. "I know just the place."
And so Harry once more grabbed Albus and traveled …
Albus looked to where they had arrived. It was a peaceful looking cottage in a wide area of grasslands, or so it appeared. There were fields tilled nearby as though this was a farm. No other buildings were in sight.
Very soon, a solid, sensible-looking man appeared out of the door. The two waited for him. Albus could see the light of recognition in the man's face. "Harry! This is a surprise."
Harry smiled at the man. "Hello, Durnik. We need a place to have a few hours sleep. Do you mind if we use your sleeping porch?"
Durnik smiled. "Seeing that you helped build it all those years ago, I think we can let you use it for a night." He looked at the man with Harry and said, "Hello. I am Goodman Durnik of Sendaria. Welcome to the Vale of Aldur."
Albus nodded pleasantly and said, "My thanks for your welcome. I am Albus Dumbledore of Great Britain."
Durnik nodded and said, "Why don't you two come inside. Pol has some tea steeping." He paused. "You know, we do have a guest room as well. You don't have to sleep outside."
Harry grinned. "Are you kidding? Do you know how rare it is to have a place where you can sleep out of doors in comfort and peace? Your patio is one of the most restful places in all the worlds."
Durnik grinned. "True. Let me tell Pol and then come on in."
And so Albus and Harry guested for the night at Polgara's cottage in the Vale of Aldur.
Albus had been quite astonished at the beauty and calm serenity of the lady of the house. He was also humbled by the obvious love the two shared as they interacted with each other.
The two magic users from another world slept on the patio under the stars.
Albus had quite enjoyed his night and, as reported, sleeping under the stars in this place had been quite restful. His waking, however, brought a shock.
Albus had been dreaming a pleasant dream when suddenly, within his dream, he was laying down and a cat had suddenly jumped upon his chest. Such an incongruity was this that his sleep was interrupted and he opened his eyes to find that, in fact, an animal had placed himself on his chest.
But it was no cat.
He looked at astonishment at the creature. "Hello. Who are you?"
The creature just looked at him and then nuzzled him once more.
He heard a laugh and looked over to see the Harry who had brought him here watching in amusement. "Albus, meet the familiar of on of Polgara's twins. His name is Fleamont. He is a Crumple-Horned Snorcack."
Albus looked at the creature in astonishment and, carefully moving to support it, he sat up. The creature seemed to enjoy the caresses from the old man.
"Truly? I thought these creatures to be flights of fancy from the Lovegoods. The Quibbler reports often on the searches for them."
Harry chuckled. "They do exist in some worlds. These were gifts from when they were small babies that I brought from a world where they actually exist. Due to the bond they have with the twins, these are actually over a hundred years old. Normally, they live a much shorter lifespan."
After caressing the creature he finally put it down. "I noticed the name."
Harry nodded. "The two Snorcacks were from the same herd, actually from the same mother. They are both male. They were named after the most common grandparents of the various alternate versions of myself: Charlus and Fleamont. It was an acknowledgement of sorts for where they came from. Fleamont is the more adventurous of the two. Charlus tends to be more sedentary. The two must have arrived while we were sleeping."
Albus nodded. He then stopped. "How old are the twins?"
"I believe they are, at this time, a bit over a hundred years old."
"How old is Polgara?" Albus asked in astonishment.
"Albus! You know it's not polite to ask a ladies age!" Harry was grinning even as he said this." Harry looked around. Durnik could be seen off doing morning chores in the early morning. Two figures were working with him. Harry said quietly, "She's a bit over 3100 years old I believe. Her father is about 7200 or so."
Albus just looked at Harry in shock.
"I'm going to help Durnik and the twins with the morning chores. Outhouse and bathing facilities are over there. Polgara will probably have breakfast ready in about an hour – she tends to sleep longer than Durnik or the twins – but only because Durnik is not the type who can laze about if there is work to be done."
And so, in the dim morning light, Albus availed himself of the facilities and refreshed himself while Harry helped Durnik and the twins do the morning chores. The entire group ate breakfast together.
"Well, Polgara. Albus here is the foremost expert in magic from the world he comes from. In payment for your hospitality, I am certain that he would be perfectly willing to answer any questions you might have about our kind of magic. I know that you, even all this time later, are still researching and writing magical texts for the magic school that your family started."
Polgara looked over and saw that Albus actually seemed quite interested and so Albus spent a bit of time with Polgara and the twins talking about magical theory. Dumbledore had been surprised when an hour into the talks, two wolves had loped in from further in the vale and turned into an old man and a beautiful woman. Polgara had mentally called in her father and mother so that Belgarath could be involved. He was, after all, a scholar at heart as well.
Albus thoroughly enjoyed the time spent both explaining and getting explanations. He learned of the basic differences between the magic of this world and the magic he wielded. He actually learned a bit about wandless magic during the talks.
In the end, the two visitors had one more night of sleep and they prepared to travel back to Albus' home universe. There were, after all, two criminals to capture.
After saying their farewells, Harry prepared to move Albus and himself when the Headmaster interrupted him. "Do we have time for one more visit?"
Harry, curious, replied, "We can do it. Where do you want to go?"
Albus had a small smile as he replied, "Would it create very many problems if we retrieved another snorcack? I have a wonderful young girl as a student who, I believe, would quite enjoy having one as a friend."
Harry grinned at the Headmaster. "You're just an old softy!" He paused. "Do we do it quick or do it right?"
Albus was curious as he asked, "What do you mean?"
"We can retrieve one or we can retrieve enough to 'repopulate' the species. If you are willing to possible need a pepper up before the end of the day we return, we can go to a world where they are being sold now – I helped set it up – and we can get enough pairs to breed them. We could get them from the best Snorcack farm in the worlds."
Albus grinned. "Let us away to that …"
Harry rolled his eyes and joined him, "… flighty temptress: Adventure."
Shaking his head, he grabbed Albus' arm and they traveled …
Albus accepted a glamour because Harry didn't want the locals to confuse this Dumbledore with the other.
The Burrow was a thriving concern. Harry was almost blasé when Xeno Lovegood presented him, shortly after their arrival, with a crate of Snorcacks, a packet of paperwork to file, and a detailed plan on how to turn the snorcack farming business profitable.
It was as if the man had been preparing for the visit. Harry considered that, knowing Xeno, he might have been.
Albus was mightily impressed with how well the Weasleys and Lovegoods worked together. The Traveler avoided letting Albus have too much information – this was a far different timeline.
Xeno accepted the draft on his interdimensional account – Xeno was fully aware that the local Gringotts could retrieve the needed funds from the account.
Albus was almost un-astonished when they reappeared exactly when his tour conductor said they would. It was still several hours before Amelia's assault on Pettigrew and Riddle.
As a licensed unspeakable, Harry had been authorized to cast the imperius curse on Crouch Junior to ensure that the message was sent that plans were proceeding as expected.
Wormtail and Voldemort would have no warning before the assault that it was taking place. It was scheduled to be before dawn as this was a time that the two were likely to be asleep, as was the snake. The first clue would be if either sensed the anti-Portkey and Anti-Apparition charms being placed – no one wanted the two criminals to get away.
Sunrise would occur at 6:53 AM – the DMLE had access to the Muggle services which calculated such things. And so the assault began an hour earlier as this was before the sky would become bright enough to wake the inhabitants of the old, run-down Riddle Manor.
And so, though few knew it, Magical Britain awoke on Sunday, 1 November, 1994, to a different future than had been true just one day earlier.