Chapter 14 of 16
Interpreting the prophecy
All the time-travelers were back at their quarters in the staff wing waiting for Hermione's explanation.
"Here's the spell", she said pointing at a page in the book she was carrying, "This spell is meant to strip, deprive someone of their powers."
"But I am supposed to kill him. One shall kill the other etc…"
"You're supposed to kill the Dark Lord. Voldemort without his powers is just Tom Riddle, not the Dark Lord. You'll have killed the Dark Lord," she pointed out.
"She's right, I don't see the Death Eaters following a squib," Fred said.
"Ok, how does this work? Why hasn't anyone used this before?" Ginny asked.
"Because it's not that simple. This spell requires a noble reason for the strip or the spell will turn on the caster. You can't just strip anyone's power because you want to, you have to be doing it for the sake of others. That's were the love comes in."
"Ok, but still anyone could do that," Sirius said.
"No, the caster has to have a connection with the person their casting the spell on. Usually it has to be a family member," Hermione explained and Harry cried outraged:
"Hey, I am not the heir of Slytherin!"
"I know you're not family members but your magic is connected. I am hoping that will be enough," she said.
"So, theoretically, if this works we should be transported back to our time the second Voldemort loses his powers," Remus pondered.
"That's if Dumbledore had our backs," Tonks pointed out.
"Yes, but what I mean is this means we will have the element of surprise. You'll have a chance at a clear shot the second time. Voldemort won't be expecting us back. What we need is to get Harry and Voldemort face to face here, and guarantee a shot. What we need is a trap. What we need is Dumbledore," Remus said.
Dumbledore heard the explanation given by Hermione and was impressed. To tell the truth he thought Remus or himself would be the ones finding a spell Harry could use. But Remus was right, Harry's best chances were if he could have one clear shot at Voldemort. Harry was in no way prepared to duel Voldemort alone but what he needed was one chance to cast the spell, and Voldemort wouldn't be expecting that spell so he wouldn't know how to repel. According to Hermione, just like the Avada Kedrava this spell had no shield or counter curse, but you needed to hit the mark. And Harry had also the problem of the brother wands. He could not afford for that linking of wands to happen again. But then something stirred on Dumbledore's mind and he asked the girl.
"Ms. Granger does this spell requires a wand or could it be done wandlesly?"
She looked through the book and said, "No, it could be done wandlesly, actually according to the book wandlesly would be even better because the curse could read the casters intentions better without the magic in the wand interfering."
"But I can't do wandless magic," Harry said.
"You know Harry, no wonder Snape thinks you're arrogant, with that ego of yours and mounting self confidence," Ron said smacking Harry's head.
"What was that for?" Harry asked indignantly.
"You did wandless magic when we came here, remember?" Ron continued and turned to Dumbledore, "Maybe he could use the link of the wands as a way to distract Voldemort and then cast the curse with his other hand?"
"That's exactly what I was thinking," Dumbledore said, "but we also need to get Harry to Voldemort, or better, Voldemort to Harry. It's always best to have the home field advantage."
"How would we do that?" George asked.
"Enticing Voldemort's curiosity on Harry," Ron answered.
Dumbledore was again impressed. What a great strategist. He had the same idea Dumbledore himself had been nurturing for a while. "Yes, and for that Mr. Weasley I was planning on using Peter, as a matter of fact I have already aroused his curiosity."
"What?" all of the others asked. Dumbledore turned to Sirius and asked:
"Why do you think I wanted you to apologize to him?"
"You wanted him to recognize me."
"Not recognize, but at least be suspicious. I think the time came for Peter to learn who you are."
The others couldn't believe their ears. What was he playing at?
Peter opened his door and found himself being hugged by his three best friends.
"You're alive" sobbed Remus.
"We won't let anything happen to you" cried Sirius.
"I am so sorry," came James anguished voice.
"Guys. What are you talking about?" Peter asked leading his friend into his flat.
He sat them in the living room couch and sat in the coffee table in front of them.
"It's awful" sobbed James.
Calm down and explain," Peter said calmly but showing concern on his face. James grinned inwardly. Their plan was working. He rubbed his hands nervously and in a shaky voice answered.
"You know my cousins?" Peter nodded "Well, they are not my cousins."
"What? But you said-"
Remus lifted a hand to stop him and continued for James "We had to protect the timeline. See, they are from the future. They came here by accident. They are actually us from the future. Well me and Sirius and the kids."
"That can't be true. They attacked me."
"They were disoriented and when they saw us they thought someone was impersonating us and got angry," Sirius explained, "One second they were getting the kids ready for school the next they are face to face with us."
"How?" Peter asked confused.
"You know the bushy haired girl?" James asked, Peter nodded "She is something of a brainy student. She takes all the classes, and for that she uses a time turner. But I think it was broken and when she was putting it away something happened and they ended up here."
"Dumbledore is trying to find a way to take them back, and we couldn't tell you anything so that they didn't change the future, but we can't let it happen!" Sirius said agitatedly.
"What happen?" Peter asked visibly nervous.
"The older Sirius couldn't take it anymore and told us," Sirius started "he said, he said, oh it's awful!" sobbed Sirius grabbing Peter on a hug.
"What? It can't be that bad. Does You Know Who win?" he asked patting his friend on the back.
'You wish,' thought James. "No. He's gone. Dead. But at what price?"
"Dead!" Peter exclaimed and James was glad to see fear on his eyes.
"Yes. James, Lily and Harry went into hiding and made you secret keeper" Remus said.
"Oh. What an honor James. I will protect you with my life."
'Yeah, right,' James thought and continued for Remus, "But he must have tortured you because Voldemort," James was satisfied to see Peter flinch, "found us. He knocked me and Lily out and then went to kill Harry. But he couldn't. The killing curse rebounded leaving Harry only with a scar and blowing Voldemort into pieces. Dumbledore made all kinds of test to make sure he was dead."
"Oh. But that's good then. I mean. He's gone right. That's what's we are fighting for," Peter exclaimed.
'Must be thinking he got off' James thought, "Yes. But when backup arrived. They found me, Lily and Harry unconscious but mainly ok. They found you and Voldemort in pieces. He must have taken you with him as a sick pleasure. To make you watch him kill a baby. You must have been right next to him. You died a hero's death!" and he joined Sirius in hugging Peter. Right before joining the hug Remus saw satisfied the look of horror on Peter's face.
Hours later Peter found himself pacing his living room desperately. He couldn't die. No, no, no. That was not how things should go. That's exactly why he joined You Know Who as a spy. Because either way he won. Dumbledore thought he was worthless and would never suspect him. For that reason he was able to take valuable information to You Know Who, and he would be spared. The few Death Eaters that knew that he was a spy were the ones that were going to plead the Imperius curse if caught, and they couldn't tell on him, now could they? No they needed to know what happened. How a baby defeated You Know Who and they needed to know from the source; Teenage Harry. But if as a baby he had destroyed You Know Who now he would be even stronger. Not just any one could try, it had to be someone powerful, it had to be You Know Who. So he dressed in his Death Eater's robe and apparated to a secret location.
"Are you sure of what you are telling me Peter. That cannot be, a baby defeat the great Lord Voldemort?"
"That's what I was told master," Peter said knelling in front of a throne, "the said relatives of James are from the future. I can guarantee you that. I recognized Professor Geller as Sirius, he was familiar and I couldn't place him, but when James told me the story I was sure of his identity."
"I can not let that happen, I need more information. I will have my Death Eaters kidnap the boy to learn exactly what happened."
"Master, with all due respect, I don't think any of us is powerful enough for the job. This boy killed you as a baby, imagine what he can do now?"
Voldemort pondered this in silence for some time, "Unfortunately you are right. This is to big a task to rely on you imbeciles. I'll have to do it myself. Keep an ear open. I need to know when the boy will be next out of the castle and alone. We'll attack him then."
Peter nodded and for good measure Lord Voldemort crucioed him
Harry woke with a start holding his forehead. He put up his Occlumency shield again. Sirius was at his side and with a smile Harry said.
"It worked like a charm."