There But For The Grace Of God Or Not?

[Albus Percival Dumbledore]

When: September 21st 1976 - Afternoon after classes
Where: Headmaster's Office
Who: Albus Dumbledore, Harry Potter, Open
OOC Note: Trio Era characters only

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Three weeks ago Hogwarts had been flooded with new students and Hogsmeade with new adult residents. Dumbledore was the only one so far, besides themselves, to know of their true origins. He did tell them all and advised them to spread to others they might find in the same situation as theirs to go with the cover story that they were transfers from America if students and further offered all the help he could give them while at student age, including permanent housing at the school for the holidays and even the Summer break next year if they were not back when they belonged already by then.

A few questions had been occupying his elderly mind since the first time travelers appeared. What could possibly have caused an effect this large, which encompassed so many and seemed to have spread through a large area? Yes, he knew that not all those who had come from the future were at Hogwarts when whatever happened to them, happened. He had learned such information from the young metamorphmagus Nymphadora Tonks. No. Mara Tuk. He'd have to be more careful. Not that he worried much about it. Secrecy and lies where two things he was used to since a very young age and that he excelled in, what Albus still didn't know exactly was if he should feel pride over such skills or not.

Time travel. Such a complicated little thing… Capable of creating the most unexpected consequences. Not always better ones unfortunately. There were several possibilities that could have achieved it. A powerful spell of Ancient Magic, which would demand a powerful wizard or witch to cast or several medium level ones in unison. That was perhaps the possibility which could have the worst implications if such person or group of people was on the other side of their struggle, beside Tom Riddle not the Order or it being Voldemort himself who did so. That was one cunning little boy. Dumbledore wouldn't put it past him to come upon dangerous Ancient Magic spells and try to cast them all to his benefit. He had always been like that since boyhood. It could also be a powerful magical object under an Ancient Magic spell, which would be a better option considering everything. If that was the case, they better find such object before Tom and his Death Eaters did, as word of what happened would certainly have reached him by now from his future followers which came back as well.

Sure, his thoughts had been leaning towards Ancient Magic being the catalyst of this event. The spreading of its effects was known to be greater than conventional Modern Magic, though its spells were much trickier to cast, demanding a lot of concentrated will and mental focus. It was hard to truly master Ancient Magic, most used it just out of desperation or out of luck, if they used it at all. That unfortunately included himself to a certain point. The reason being that true knowledge of its ways was lost long ago besides a few broken up texts and the things they could learn about it in Ancient Studies class. Nothing that really worked as advertised by the ancients themselves. Maybe that was the reason why he had been so obsessed with the Deathly Hallows in his youth. He wanted that kind of power for himself. To be honest, he still wanted it. What had changed was the fact that such will was under control now. He knew now that one had what was entitled to him and nothing more should be sought.

Now to know what or whom he and the Order should seek to resolve this matter, Dumbledore first needed to know what to look for and the only ones who could give him the clues he needed to solve this puzzle were the ones that brought it to his knowledge. He called all of the transfers, plus the adults whose presence he was aware of for a reunion at his office this afternoon. He had allowed them time to settle down and get used to their new situation. Now it was time to work it out and find a way for them to return to their own time and what they were sent back for. If the latter was discovered, then everything could be fixed by simple consequence as certain spells had such constraints to them.

Albus Dumbledore, wearing his usual flamboyant robes and hat with colors matching off course, was seated on his chair by his desk waiting for his visitors to start entering his office for their much needed talk. He had arranged by conjuration several chairs on the other side of his desk and separated a few pieces of parchment, ink and a good quill to write down all the information he could get from his guests from the future. A noise by the door took his mind out of its inner thoughts. The first of his invited students or adults had just arrived.

[Harry James Potter]

Harry had been here for almost three whole weeks. He was already ready to go back. It wasn't that he didn't like meeting his parents and those that went to school back in this time, but he didn't like lying about where he was from. And the longer he stayed here, the more he would get attached to people from this time, and when he went back, if he ever went back that is, he would never see them again. Or he might have to explain to those in his time that indeed that was him back then. It was all just so hard to even think about what was going to happen, and how drastically the timeline would change.

Harry had been trying to figure out why this time switch had occurred, but he couldn't think of anything. It had to be a strong magic. But Harry doubted that Voldemort would've done it. Why would he bring back the one who had the power to stop him? However, what if Voldemort caused it, and couldn't control those he brought back? It was all so complicated. Harry didn't even know if Voldemort had caused this time switch. It could have been pretty much anyone.

When Harry had received the summons to report to Dumbledore, he tried to be hopeful. He hoped that perhaps Dumbledore knew what was going on, or at least had a hunch. His hunches were correct most of the time. It was like he had a super power of being a good guesser. Or more likely, Dumbledore was going to tell them there was no way to return to their own time as they knew it.

Harry had been meaning to pay a visit to Dumbledore anyways, so when Dumbledore asked him and probably all of the other known time-travelers, Harry had made sure to be early.

Harry hurried through the halls, trying not to be distracted by anyone else in the halls, even if he recognized them. He had met his parents and his godfather in this time already, but he hoped to perhaps even meet Neville's parents or Tonks' and many others he knew were attending Hogwarts at this time. However, this was just hopes, because even if he did, it wasn't going to help him any. It wasn't like he could run up to them and tell them that they were going to be tortured into insanity by Bellatrix Lestrange in the future when their future son was only a year to a year and half old.

"I'm here to see Dumbledore. He requested to see me," Harry said to the gargoyle statue that guarded Dumbledore's office.

"Go on ahead. I was informed there would be many visitors today," the statue respond. Harry smiled, and hurried past the statue the instant it had jumped to the side. Harry slowed down and opened the door to Dumbledore's office. Harry looked inside, spotting Dumbledore.

He looked much like he always did. Harry almost forgot that it wasn't the Dumbledore he knew. He wasn't the Dumbledore who gave him the chance to face Voldemort in his first year, but he was going to be in a decade or so. Harry really hoped that Dumbledore knew what was going on. If Dumbledore had no clue, then what were the chances they would ever get back?

"Good Afternoon, sir," Harry greeted Dumbledore.

[Albus Percival Dumbledore]

Dumbledore's eyes looked up from his desk to see who was the first to arrive. It was exactly the first person to talk to him when everything had started at term's beginning about three weeks ago. His visitor's expression showed a little worry. The much older wizard understood why his younger companion would feel that way. All the transfers were in a very delicate and somewhat difficult situation, but it would be sorted eventually. Albus hoped to give the first solid steps towards such resolution with today's reunion. He saw it as his responsibility to find a way to send these people back to their own time, even though he wasn't responsible for sending them back in time as far as he knew. The consequences of their continued stay could be many and unpredictably dangerous. One is not supposed to know the future in detail. That is why even seers did not see all the details of future events in their visions.

"Good afternoon, Harry! Come in, come in..." Albus said standing up and slowly waving him closer and pointing to the chair right in front of him. Since he had been first, he could pick. "Take a seat..." He said with his slow and caring voice. Dumbledore then took some more time to avaliate Harry's semblance as both of them sat down. "I see something is troubling your young mind...?" He half stated, half asked with a slight raise of his left eyebrow. "Is there something I can do for you, Harry?" He asked. This boy was a Potter, and for what he had told him himself a few weeks ago, the future son of the son of a good and old friend of his, Charlus Potter.

Dumbledore thus cared about Harry by default as much as he did about James due to his old friend. He had promised Charlus to take good care of his son while he was a student at Hogwarts and doing the same for Harry now was like a continuation of that promise. Not a burden at all to Albus. Remembering his words to his friend brought a small smile to his face, the recipient of it being Harry. If he only knew in which kind of circumstances he would be taking in Harry in the future, maybe he would not be smiling now.

Dumbledore's mind left its memory recesses again as he looked at Harry with greater attention. The resemblance he showed to his future father was truly uncanny. He could also see some similarities, especially on his facial structure and height, to the young Charlus Potter who had been his student when he was the Transfiguration professor about six decades ago. The black hair though had come from Dorea. A mark of the Black family. "Are you in some sort of trouble, Harry? Besides the obvious, sure..." Albus asked, his semblance still calm and caring.

Albus had noticed that Harry seemed to be much less of a troublemaker than James was during those three weeks he had been there. At least he didn't seem to go out of his way to make trouble find him like James usually did. Dumbledore could see in their eyes though that both boys were pure souls. Brave and true. People who could be trusted to do what is right when things get difficult and they might be called upon by himself for the Order soon after their graduation. Harry just for as long as he stays in this time frame anyway.

[Harry James Potter]

Harry felt much more comfortable here than in the common room at least. In fact, here he felt much more relaxed than anyone. It probably had to do with the fact that there wasn't anyone here he didn't feel uncomfortable around because he felt that he didn't have to lie to Dumbledore. Sure, Dumbledore didn't know the full story of the future, but Harry felt really good being around someone he didn't just have to lie to his face about where he was from. Certain events, sure he had to lie, but at least he didn't have to lie about everything.

"Er... yeah," Harry said clearing his voice slightly, taking the seat the Dumbledore had offered him. He had to keep it straight in his mind that this wasn't the exact same Dumbledore that he knew, and that this Dumbledore didn't know everything that his Dumbledore knew. It was really hard to keep it all straight, especially since Dumbledore looked much like himself from the future. "It's really a couple of things really..."

Harry sighed slightly before he looked into the blue eyes that always seemed to pierce right into his soul. It was just as effective back in this time, as it was 20 years later. It was a a weird part of Dumbledore that obviously never changed. "Before I, er, arrived here," Harry explained, "You from where I am from was about to give me private lessons... I think it was supposed to be how to defeat Voldemort. I, er, want to know if you knew anything about how to, you know, defeat Voldemort now... so when I meet yourself later, I could not waste all of this time now." Harry was ready for Dumbledore to tell him that he didn't know anything about how to defeat Voldemort. He wasn't sure what he was going to teach him, whether it was advanced magic or what.

Harry looked up at him, wincing slightly, expecting the worst from him. Harry really didn't want to waste his time by not learning whatever Dumbledore wanted him to learn. He wanted to get ahead right now, so when or if he went back, he wanted to be prepared for what was to come.

"And, sir," Harry continued before looking down at the floor, "It's probably just some stupid kid thing, but, sir, I don't like keeping all of where I am from away from my parents and family. It is really hard, sir. At first I thought that it would be great meeting my family in this time, but I can't tell them that I'm their son and that their important to me. I have to act like I don't know them." As he expressed this feeling of not wanting to lie to his parents, Sirius, Remus, and everyone else that he knew that were in school in this time, he felt childish.

Harry had the feeling that something bad was going to happen, and then he'd be stuck in this time, never telling those he loved the most why he loved them so dearly. Harry wished that he would either go back to his time, or reveal this secret of where he was from to at least those who it really involved. He really needed to stop thinking so negatively about what was going to happen.

[Albus Percival Dumbledore]

Dumbledore's perceptive blue eyes continued to gauge Harry as he took the offered seat. He had to confess that he was curious about something. Harry seemed more at ease in his presence than any other student he had met before since becoming headmaster, the other 'transfers' included. Sure, the answer was on something about the future he knew he wasn't supposed to know yet or ask. Albus couldn't help himself from wondering what it could be though.

"No problem, Harry. But remember, first things first." Albus said in his typically serene tone of voice. "What troubles you the most?" He asked and then rested his back against his chair to listen to the answer with attention… So the boy was worried about learning on how to defeat Voldemort. That was not as easy an answer as it probably seemed. Sure, he was the leader of the opposition to the Dark Lord, but that didn't mean that he knew how things were meant to unfold.

Dumbledore had been made aware by Harry of the fact that current time's Order of The Phoenix was only able to defeat Voldemort for a decade or so before his return. He did not know the exact circumstances of such defeat nor such return, but that information wasn't needed for him to guess what possibly happened. Dumbledore had a good hunch, at least, on what made such return possible. All those facts were already old history even for the current him. Memory is such a fallible thing though, especially with the arriving of old age. Maybe it was time to pass those on to someone else.

The Albus Dumbledore currently in front of Harry didn't know about the prophecy or his future destiny. He didn't need to know these facts in order to trust Harry with that knowledge he seemed to want so much. He knew from where he was coming and learning how to make good choices most times comes from example at home. Maybe that was why he himself had taken some time to learn such skill and wavered a bit before finding his true path. All he had learnt at his home was how to keep appearances and lie. Life and many mistakes made had allowed him to learn that special skill: the most important and determining for one's character of all. That was the reason why Albus believed wholeheartedly in Harry's ability to do what he seemed so fiercely determined to do: defeat Voldemort for good.

Albus hummed for a few seconds as he searched his old mind for the official school schedules: his and Harry's. After a few seconds, he smiled at his companion. "I believe we can begin at this time next week. We both seem to be available then, if I'm not mistaken…" He said to confirm if his memory had not failed him, his tone of voice still serene. "I will teach you about Voldemort." He explained in general terms what their lessons would be about and then tilted his head to the right to let Harry know that he was listening and he could share his other concern.

Dumbledore understood where Harry was coming from. Lying openly wasn't easy for someone not used to resort to such skill and lying to those you care for was worse still, but in this case also necessary. "It's not a stupid thing. No. Not everyone is comfortable to lie and no one should lie to their loved ones, Harry, but there was a reason why I've counseled you and the others not to say the truth in this case… Some might accept such truth better than others. The untoward reactions are those to be avoided." Albus said to reassure Harry that what he felt was normal in his circumstances.

Albus looked up for a second as if trying to recall his exact words during his first conversation with Harry weeks ago. "Though I also did not say you could never tell anyone else from my time the truth. It's just that now might not be the right time to begin sharing it yet." He said and then smiled to confirm that there was hope for his case. "Once comes the time in which the words will only confirm what they already know in their hearts, that will be the moment in which it will be safe for you to tell each of them the truth about your origin without detrimental consequences to your very existence." He once more counseled Harry.

[Harry James Potter]

There always had been something about Dumbledore's blue eyes that seemed to stare right into his soul. Dumbledore's eyes were the same now as they would be in the future. Despite the fact that Dumbledore didn't know the prophecy, as it hadn't been said yet, nor very much about the future, Dumbledore seemed to know Harry as if this Dumbledore was his Dumbledore from the future.

Harry listened extremely intently when Dumbledore said that he was going to teach him about Voldemort. For a split second he thought that Dumbledore was wrong about what he was going to teach him, before Harry remembered that the past is very important, and that if he were to understand Voldemort's mindset, he might be able to use that to help him survive. Harry wanted to defeat Voldemort, and hopefully before he lost those he loved. If he did, he might grow up with parents, and surrounded by people who loved him. That was something he had wished for even before he found out he was a wizard. And then when he had people who loved him, and a man who he viewed like a father, he lost a part of his family again. It was then that Harry had a renewed determination in defeating Voldemort. He hoped to prevent any child from having to be raised like him, with those who didn't show him love, living, wondering how much life would be different if his parents were dead, because of the mass murderer on the loose named Voldemort. If he wasn't defeated, there would be many more because of that man.

Harry smiled slightly at Dumbledore's willingness. He really did not change that much. "That sounds good," Harry stated, "But, sir, if you don't mind me asking, will it really help me survive against him?" Harry wanted to survive. He had his friends to get back to, and if he died, then who would have the power to defeat the Dark Lord, like the prophecy said? Harry knew that it had to be him, but at the same time had also pondered who to tell if he knew the end was soon. Right now, Harry wasn't sure who he'd have to pass the responsibility of all of this to, because Ron and Hermione were already on his side, and he did not want to place all the burden on them if he were to die. Maybe, Luna or Neville? Or in this time, he could tell Sirius, Remus, or even his parents.

Harry was very interested in what he had said next. If that was true, then he wouldn't have to lie for too much longer, hopefully. Harry was afraid of what his loved ones would say if he just came out and told him who he really was. Needless to say, almost every time he thought about it, the outcome was not a good one, especially since he didn't know them well, or really, they didn't know him well yet. If they could remember just who he was really, it would be a lot easier for Harry right now, but since they didn't have those memories yet, and wouldn't for awhile, he had to just deal with it. He really did not want to wait around and do nothing.

"Er, so I won't have to lie forever? What will happen if they... if I accidentally mess things up with my parents?" Harry wondered. It was probably the thing he feared the most. By being in the past, he was worried that either he or someone else was going to mess his parents' relationship up and they wouldn't get married and have him, which in turn would make Voldemort not disappear for the decade or so Voldemort had been gone.

[Albus Percival Dumbledore]

Albus Dumbledore learned with age to understand the core of another human being just by observing them and knowing where they came from. It was a skill he not always possessed. As a young man, many promises and wrong friends had taken him to tortuous paths and the price for those mistakes was paid. His sister Ariana was dead and his relationship with his brother Aberforth was forever broken after that. He had changed and tried to mend the rift, but he didn't yet know if he had been fully forgiven or not. It was weird really. The man who had learnt to read everyone was unable to see within his own brother, blood of his blood. Life could be ironic sometimes, especially when it was teaching us how to humble down.

Dumbledore perceived when Harry entered a thought loop after his answer and decided not to disturb him. The past held the keys to understanding Tom Riddle's actions, past and future. Why he became who he is and what he possibly had already done or is about to do to himself to desperately try to avoid the thing he fears the most: death. To know how someone makes his choices, Dumbledore had learnt throughout his long life, is the key to predicting them. Predicting ones actions was the key to stoping his successes. Though sometimes certain details just escaped prediction or notice. Perception, just like memory, was naturally flawed after all.

"Then it is scheduled." Albus said and wrote it in a piece of paper to help his memory. "The ancients used to say, Harry, that there is no better weapon in a fight than knowledge of your enemy and they were right. Knowing your opponent allows you to predict some of his actions and such predictions allow you to stop certain events from happening and if not possible to stop them completely, halt most, if not all, of their untoward consequences. Sure some things escape all perception and some others are just meant to happen and thus cannot be prevented in any way, but those that can will be most times identified by understanding your enemy's mindset. So… nothing else I could teach you would actually help you more, Harry." He added in order to explain to Harry a bit of his intentions with the teachings he was about to impart.

Dumbledore again smiled at Harry. His worries weren't unjustified, but also his perception was already telling him that they were exaggerated. Lily and James had a tortuous relationship at the moment, true, anyone knew that, but the old headmaster could already see that which underlined it. To begin and then succeed, any relationship depended in the similarities between the parties and how well they could bridge their differences. In other words, it was a question of maturity for Harry's parents since similar points of view they already shared on many important subjects.

"I don't believe so, Harry." Albus said with his soothing and reassuring tone of voice. "I believe you'd have time to fix that if it happened, wouldn't you?" He asked raising an eyebrow. He was, at that moment, with that gesture, offering himself to help if it was needed. People willing to fight against Voldemort weren't exactly easy to find and he was a personal friend of the Potter family. He cared about Harry by default, reason why his older self would get conflicted over what was needed to be done to finish the war for good in the future.

"If you want an advice… I do believe that, at this moment, James would take the news better than Lily… If you are to choose one of your parents to tell the truth soon, choose James. I'm sure he'll try his best to support you as he is currently able." Dumbledore offered the advice based in his experience with both of them. Lily would take the news about a future son well, but who the father of her child would be not so well at this point. James would be OK with both scenarios, so, all in all, he was a better choice if Harry felt he couldn't wait a little bit longer for both of them to reach the same step when it came to accepting the idea of having a child together someday.