Albus Dumbledore, Lily, James, and Sirius were inside the Black residence at Grimmauld Place. They were all staring at the Hufflepuff Cup on the table, their eyes a little troubled and tinged with fear. Even more so when Harry approached and used Ratatosk to eliminate Voldemort's soul, they took several steps back at the sight of Tom Riddle's divided spirit struggling, screaming, and trying to win a battle he couldn't win.
A few months had passed since Harry arrived in this timeline. The ball had been fairly uneventful after the first task. Fleur had also approached with her family to thank them for saving her life from the dragon and to ask if they needed any help. The second task had been easier in comparison, mainly because Fleur had prepared much more thoroughly; she didn't want to be in the same danger again.
As a result, her sister had been pulled from the lake much more quickly and without too much trouble.
Now, the third task was approaching, and the cup had finally been recovered after so much effort in the negotiations with Gringotts. Finally, only Nagini remained as a Horcrux. Although, Harry could have easily resolved everything with his dagger, Ratatosk. He could have approached Voldemort a few months ago and eliminated him; subsequently, only his Horcruxes would remain. However, he didn't want to do all the work; this wasn't his world. The people of this world had to worry, at least a little, about their own problems.
And it was good that this was actually happening. With Lily and James alive, they were much more active when they learned about Voldemort during their son's first year. Because of this, those close to them worked hand in hand with the Potter family.
And now, with almost everything resolved, Harry couldn't help but think that he should return to his own world. Even if only for a few days to see how everything had gone. But he couldn't, not yet. It was impossible because of the rules imposed by altering time in his world.
"Finally..." Albus sighed, noticing how quiet everything had become after the removal of a part of Lord Voldemort. The headmaster glanced at the other students' expressions, some looking calmer, but Harry's seemed perfectly normal, as if removing a piece of a soul wasn't a big deal. Honestly, Albus Dumbledore had begun to think that this Harry Potter had killed before, and not just Voldemort.
"I have a question, Henry."
"What is it?"
"Have you killed before?" Harry raised an eyebrow at the headmaster's direct question. He could see where that question was coming from. Albus had never condoned killing, but he also understood that sometimes it was the best course of action. Voldemort's case was a prime example.
Lily frowned at the question and looked at the headmaster, as did James and Sirius. The latter wasn't so impressed; of everyone there, except for Harry, he was the one who had the least qualms about killing someone. Damn it, if they hadn't stopped him, he would have torn Peter Pettigrew to pieces years ago!
"I have killed. Several times, in fact," Harry replied and nodded as he put Ratatosk away.
"Why?"
"It was necessary."
"Although the first time was an accident. Actually, it was Quirrell, when the protection my mother left behind kicked in thanks to Voldemort's spirit possessing him. In India, I ended up killing several dark wizards when you asked me to help the Ministry with a dark wizard who was committing murder and cannibalism."
"Oh... and I also fought in a sort of invasion of a friend's city."
"Were you a soldier?" Lily and James asked, raising their eyebrows.
"No. But since I was there, and I didn't want innocent people to get caught up in it and massacred, I fought alongside my now girlfriend."
"Is she strong?" Sirius grinned at the mention of Harry's girlfriend.
"Strong?" Harry looked at him with a smile. "She's more powerful than me. She could wipe out the city of London without a problem."
"Shit!" Sirius exclaimed, receiving a punch from Lily beside him.
" Albus had only furrowed his brows, especially when he heard that he had something to do with Harry killing people. But there wasn't much he could do. He wasn't part of this world; besides, he was an adult with his own opinions and understood the world, perhaps much better than Harry himself. Lily said nothing, but she felt sorry for Harry. His life seemed too hectic and dangerous.
"Changing the subject..." Harry spoke slowly, looking at Albus. "Can I use the Hogwarts library, especially the restricted section?"
"For what?"
Harry raised his hand and tapped his temple twice with his index finger as he spoke: "I've read the entire library of my world. I remember every word. But I might have missed something, and I don't know if there are any books that haven't existed in my timeline, and any information could be useful for what I'm creating."
"I need to know what you're creating, Henry. I can't give you permission if it's something too dangerous," Albus explained slowly.
Harry simply shrugged.
"As I said before, I'm working on my research into temperature and magic, but the ultimate goal is to achieve absolute zero."
"Can't it be achieved even with magic?" Lily asked in surprise.
"I haven't been able to."
"What is absolute zero?" James asked, confused, wondering if Sirius and Albus's expressions were similar.
"Absolute zero is the lowest possible temperature, theoretically, of course. Scientific experiments have been done on the non-magical side, but it hasn't been achieved."
Harry sighed, somewhat pleased that Lily was keeping an eye on the non-magical developments.
"I've managed to reach temperatures below 1°F, but it never reaches zero. The heat from the outside world always interferes. And there's nothing that can completely insulate against heat without manipulating the main material. At least, I haven't found such a thing."
"Why on earth would you want to achieve such a thing?" Sirius asked, puzzled.
"Because if I can reach absolute zero, I'll be closer to zero-point energy. And if I manage to reach that, I could collect infinite energy. Energy collected from minerals and any clean, renewable energy would no longer be necessary. Of course, there's also the satisfaction of studying these topics and achieving something no one else has done."
"Then you have my permission," Albus nodded, thinking Harry's ideas were astounding. In fact, he was wondering if revealing the wizarding world to the rest of the world would be a good idea. Harry's ideas and magic seemed superior and far more powerful. Of course, these were only Albus's thoughts. He didn't know that the opportunities for Harry to become powerful had come with dangers, thanks to the chat group.
Harry nodded before using Apparition to return to the Hogwarts entrance.
"Anyone want a cheese sandwich?" Sirius asked, earning three strange looks.
"I was just being polite," Sirius shrugged before heading to the kitchen.
.....
"Excuse me, will you be using that book for a while?" Hermione asked carefully to the girl sitting at a table in the library. Harry was beside her, nervously watching what might happen. He was using all his willpower not to bite his fingers when he saw who his friend was talking to.
"Oh... Granger and Potter," the girl sitting across from Hermione looked at them and nodded in greeting.
"Hi, Tracey," Harry greeted, waving a hand and moving to her side. Tracey smiled and tilted her head to the side to whisper.
"Are you scared?"
"Hey... those two are scary when it comes to academics."
"I can hear them, you know?"
"You talk to your rival, Daphne."
"She's not my rival," Daphne narrowed her eyes in annoyance.
"As much as I dislike agreeing with her, she's right. We're not rivals. After all, you can't really call someone a rival if they're always beneath you."
Daphne gritted her teeth and glared at Hermione.
"Granger... watch what you say."
"Oh no... here we go again," Harry sighed, taking a step back.
"I'm just stating a fact that everyone already knows, Greengrass," Hermione raised an eyebrow, looking at her and speaking slowly. Daphne was about to reply, but a light caught everyone's attention before a strange sound echoed from the back of the library.
"What was that?" Harry asked, frowning.
"Your analogue. It seems he got permission to use the restricted area. The librarian can't say much, as the permission came from the headmaster, but it's been going on for a few minutes now."
Harry nodded before walking toward the restricted area.
"Harry! You don't have permission!"
"We're both Harry Potter," Harry grinned mischievously before continuing to walk. "Besides, aren't you curious?"
Hermione shifted uncomfortably, but followed her friend closely.
"Heh... Come on!" Tracey also stood up, seeing an opportunity to enter the restricted area. Daphne frowned and remained alone for a few seconds before she got up and followed them.
When they reached the rope separating the restricted section from the rest, they glanced at each other for a moment before Harry ducked and slid through. The three girls immediately followed him, drawn by the yellow light. When they reached a more open area, they saw Henry (Harry) surrounded by several clones, with yellow light swirling around them like ropes and several magical circles floating around. Books floated everywhere as the clones devoured every bit of information they could find.
"Those are... illusion clones?"
"I don't think so..." Hermione said, staring in amazement. "Those clones look like they're reading."
"I don't think you're allowed to be here, kids," Henry (Harry) said, looking at them. He was sitting in a chair with one leg crossed over the other. A book was in his hands, but his eyes were fixed on the group.
"Although I am a little impressed. Two Gryffindors and two Slytherins, together."
"We heard the noise..." Harry said, moving a little closer and looking curiously at the lights.
"Oh... Sorry about that."
"What kind of magic is that light?" Hermione asked, looking at Henry (Harry).
"Memory-Make. It's magic linked to my memories. Every magic I can see, I remember. Likewise, I can remember everything I can read or see. Of course, I can also erase anything I want. And since the clones have the ability to give me information when they dissipate, I use them for research."
"Incredible..."
Henry (Harry) smiled and glanced at Daphne, who had been watching him, but looked away when their eyes met.
"Do you have a question, Miss Greengrass? You seem curious about what you see."
Daphne frowned and scolded herself for being caught, but put on a cool face and nodded.
"Where did you learn that kind of magic? There are no records indicating that such magic ever existed. In fact, I think it's impossible, especially since magic was even less widespread back then."
"Is it magic from another world?" Hermione asked excitedly as she walked forward, closer to Henry (Harry). Everyone looked at him now, interested in Hermione's question.
"What makes you think that?"
"You come from a different timeline. That could mean that something as unimaginable as the multiverse actually exists."
Henry (Harry) actually smiled broadly as he looked at Hermione.
"You were always clever," he said wistfully as he closed the book he was holding. "Yes. It's magic from another world."
"Do you know how many worlds are out there? Have you visited other universes? What kind of magic have you discovered?" Hermione asked, her eyes wide; eyes that the whole small group shared upon hearing Henry (Harry)'s answer.
"In response to your questions: There should be infinite parallel worlds, since they are created and destroyed every moment. Yes, I have visited other universes. Interesting magic; from magic that can accomplish simple things, to teleportation and magic that manipulates time and space."
"Wasn't Apparition teleportation?" Tracey asked, confused.
"No. Apparition is magic that moves you at great speeds from point A to point B. Teleportation is instantaneous movement from point A to point B," Henry (Harry) replied patiently.
"And what does space and time magic do?" Harry asked.
Henry raised his hand and created a magic circle and looked at him: "You can put your hand in, nothing bad will happen to you. If you touch something, you can grab it."
Harry looked at Hermione and the two Slytherin girls before approaching and slowly putting his hand in. Under the astonished eyes of the young students, Harry's hand passed through the magic circle, but it didn't go through to the other side. Instead, it seemed to vanish, and just as it appeared to touch something small, he gripped it tightly before withdrawing his hand and looking at what he had pulled out. It was a small, beautiful emerald.
"That's an application of space-time magic: a storage pocket where things inside will be in a kind of time stasis. Food won't spoil, and if you put something hot in it, it will stay hot."
"Can you cure curses?" Daphne stepped forward decisively and asked seriously.
"Daphne?" Tracey asked in surprise. She knew about the curse on Astoria, Daphne's sister. But she was surprised that she chose to ask about this. Henry (Harry) looked at her for a long moment before sighing. She was too similar to his Daphne. She could seem cold and even ruthless at times, but when it came to her family or close friends, she could drop all pretense to help.
Henry (Harry) took out a small bottle of elixir and handed it to her. Daphne looked at the small bottle containing a dark purple liquid before looking at Henry.
"That will completely heal your sister. By the way, it tastes like grapes, so it's not bitter."
Tracey's eyes widened at the sight of the solution to a blood curse appearing so easily. Daphne wasn't much different; her body had frozen for a few moments before she looked at Henry (Harry) with gratitude.
"Thank you..."
"Don't worry. In my world, your sister had the same problem. Ha! Your father had to swallow his pride when he came to me for help!" Henry (Harry) still remembered that moment. A pure-blood wizard had asked a half-blood for help. It was one of the best moments of his life! Especially since he gained the Greengrass family's support with it.
"And I remember that annoyed little face of yours when I spoke to your father, not caring about his political standing."
Daphne frowned, moving her lips.
"What did he give you in return?"
" "The full support of your family."
Tracey, Daphne, and Harry choked up a little. Even Harry, with his parents' guidance, knew the importance of a decision like that. The Potters weren't as influential as they once were, but they were still an old and respected family.
"Is that a bad thing?" Hermione asked, seeing everyone's reactions.
Harry answered, "Hermione, that is important. While the Wizengamot isn't what it used to be in terms of decision-making and the importance of laws, it's still an important and highly reputable House of Lords in Great Britain. Many heads of important families hold a seat. And Henry has the full support of one of those people and their entire family. If he causes trouble, the Greengrass family can appeal on his behalf. If a decision is made or a law is supported, then the Greengrass family would also have to support it."
"You know quite a lot," Henry said, looking at his counterpart with a flash of surprise on his face.
"Hermione knows a lot." "Mom and Dad teach me these things. They say it's important to know."
"Of course it's important," Daphne snorted.
"Hey, isn't that dangerous? I mean, pure-blood families would have decisions about important things. Wouldn't half-bloods and Muggle-borns be at a disadvantage?"
"Not really," Tracey replied as Daphne nodded.
"I don't really know." "As you probably know, families are divided into certain factions: the white faction, which is more democratic than the rest; the gray faction, which is generally neutral and is where the Greengrass family belongs; and finally, the pure faction, which includes the most extreme pure-blood families."
Daphne continued: "As you can imagine, the white and pure factions are usually at each other's throats. The neutrals stay out of many political fights, but when something important happens, they end up choosing to protect their families and interests, and that's where they almost always end up supporting the white faction."
"After all, several families have businesses on the non-magical side, mostly in the food and grocery sectors."
"In the end, the pure-blood faction can't be too obvious about their dislikes either. If they were, they'd lose face with other lords and families. Why do you think so many hid behind cloaks and masks in the last war?"
"If it were so easy to expel Muggle-borns and half-bloods, then the last war wouldn't have happened."
Henry was listening to the conversation with a smile. In fact, he had slowly moved the three of them to sit at the table where he was. His hand rested on his cheek, his elbow on the table. It was interesting to see this small group talking as if they were already fully grown adults. In fact, they were good; they had the potential to be good allies and try incredible things, but he wouldn't say such things aloud.
Daphne looked at the chair she had been seated in before sighing softly.
"I have a question..."
"Go ahead."
"I heard that in your timeline, the magical world was exposed. How was that resolved?"
"Hmm... where did you hear that?"
" "It could have been McGonagall or Potter's mother, I can't remember."
"Clever... But I like it."
"As for the solution. It was the university I'd been slowly building since I graduated. I'd already met with the Queen and even the Pope to try and get support for the university. And through the method I devised, I was able to give magic to Muggles and Squibs. Then, when everything came to a head, I explained in more detail how magic worked and invited everyone interested to my university."
"There were several pure-bloods and Muggles who weren't happy, but nothing that couldn't be sorted out with a little time, conversation, and... certain demonstrations."
"In a period of three years where science and magic were beginning to converge, a lot of new spells were created, some similar to existing ones but more refined, others completely new and interesting."
"That's a lot of information in a nutshell, but it can still give you a headache," Harry muttered, clutching his head. Hermione let out a sigh of relief, as if she were satisfied with something. Daphne simply nodded, and Tracey acted similarly to Harry.
"Don't take it too seriously; I don't think such things happen in this timeline," Henry said, waving his hand.
"And now, you should leave. Albus noticed you entered the restricted section, didn't he?"
"You're right," the headmaster's voice sounded behind the group, and they all swallowed hard.
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