Time Keeps on Slipping - Chapter 22

"Let's talk, now that your head is clear," Luna made sure he was clean before she tucked him back into his pants. "You seem rather distressed."

"Yeah," Harry let out a big breath.

Harry shifted on the couch and adjusted his pants back to the proper position. He didn't know how many people visited this break room. No doubt the entirety of the Department of Mysteries would stroll through the door if he kept his cock out.

He leaned back in the couch, leaning his head back on the cushions. Luna snuggled up against his side. She slipped her hand in his and waited. They sat in silence for a few minutes, just enjoying the company.

"I don't feel like this is real," Harry said finally.

"There is a line of thought that reality is all a simulation," Luna nodded.

"In the Department?" Harry asked.

"The internet," Luna replied.

Harry furrowed his brow. From what he could recall, the internet was a Muggle thing that had to do with computers. His experiences with technology dropped off drastically once he learned of magic. He would need to catch up on yet another new aspect of the future.

"That's not what I mean," Harry said after a moment. "I feel like this is all a dream. That I'll wake up and find myself back in the dorm. Tomorrow, the sun will rise, I'll wake Ron to go down to breakfast. Neville will be late for some reason. Hermione will pester us about our homework, and you would join us for breakfast."

"Do I have pancakes?," Luna asked.

"With extra cream topping," Harry replied.

"This is a good dream," Luna hummed.

"Then I woke up and found myself here," Harry continued. "Nothing makes sense." Pause. "The world moved on and I'm on the outside again. I'm supposed to be friends with the Weasley's, who aren't the ones I know, and go to classes like everything is fine while some of them are taught by my classmates."

"You're lost," Luna began to stroke his chest with her fingertips.

"Yeah," he nodded. "That fits."

"You're here," Luna gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Thanks," Harry smiled at her. "It felt like my entire life was leading up to something. I know it sounds crazy, but I expected to be the one to fight Voldemort at the end of things. It doesn't make sense, why would a kid fight a Dark Lord."

"In the front courtyard at Hogwarts," Luna said in a flat tone. "So many lost in a single day. The body lies limp in large arms. A mother's love once more saves a life."

"Luna?" Harry snapped his gaze to her.

Her eyes glowed a soft gold. A couple of blinks and they returned to normal.

"What was that?" Harry asked.

"Fate likes to gossip," Luna tapped a little rhythm on his chest. "So many untold tales."

Harry let that information sink in. Did that mean he was supposed to die fighting Voldemort? It made sense, his entire life since discovering magic every major event added up to it.

"I think I knew it would end like that," Harry whispered. "I didn't expect to live long enough to finish school. This isn't my world."

"You aren't that Harry," Luna made sure to keep her fingers moving along his chest. "You are you, not him. You won't be you when you think you're him."

"Yeah," Harry said softly.

It wasn't just that the world had changed, it was that he hadn't. Everyone he ever knew had entire lives without him around. He was that fondly remembered childhood friend to them. A memory more than anything. Maybe he needed to do something different. He wasn't sure if his mind could handle continuing on the current path.

"I can't leave Hogwarts," he said. "Not yet at least. I'll finish out the year and then stop. After that, maybe I'll do some traveling."

"That sounds nice," Luna said. "Did that help?"

"Yeah," Harry said letting out a sigh. "I think I'm doing better. I need to stop trying to live that life and start a new one."

"Like a longhorn snorkack after shedding its spring coat," Luna nodded in agreement.

"I thought it was a crumple-horn snorkack," Harry said.

"Crumple-horn snorkacks don't shed," she replied knowingly.

"Fair point," Harry nodded.

"I have a treacle tart in my office," Luna offered.

"In the office that you lost?" Harry asked.

"We can still look," Luna stated.

"Lead the way," Harry kissed her on top of the head.

~

The office, and by extension, the treacle tart, proved to be ever elusive. It wasn't until nearly dinner time when he returned to Hogwarts. Harry stumbled out of the Floo to find Roxie waiting for him. She gave him a soft smile. One he returned, though his had a tired edge to it.

He needed to change to fit in with his new world. There were quite a lot of things that he hadn't experienced or had the chance. Why not start with romance? Roxie was great, but he didn't think she, or any of the Weasley's were in the right mind for it.

Well, the population of Hogwarts had increased. That left him plenty of options. He walked beside Roxie as they headed down to the Great Hall.

"Feeling any better?" She asked.

"Yeah," he nodded. "I needed to talk to Luna."

"She's the best," Roxie beamed.

Harry smiled in reply. Yes, yes she was.

"How are you holding up?" Harry asked.

"I'm…" She shrugged. "Uncle Bill was never around. He'd send Christmas and Birthday gifts, but he always missed them. Uncle Ron," she paused. "Sorry, you don't want to hear this."

"I asked," Harry prompted.

"I don't want to speak ill of the dead," Roxie cast a hurried look around them.

Harry stopped, drew his wand, and cast a few privacy spells.

"No one can hear us," Harry assured her.

"He was a jerk," Roxie said in one big rush. "He was always… prickly. Hugo was the apple of Uncle Ron's eye until he was sorted into Slytherin. Then, he just tossed Hugo to the side."

"What about Rose?" He asked.

"I don't know," she shrugged. "I was too little to notice anything."

Harry sighed. He had seen the dismissal when they had dinner together. Ron hadn't acknowledged Rose or Hugo until Harry brought them into the conversation.

"Do you want to go flying?" Roxie asked. "I could use some time in the air."

"Sounds great," Harry nodded. "I'll follow you."

"We could get a pick-up game of Quidditch going in no time," Roxie offered.

Flying was a great way to clear his mind. Right now, he did not want to be alone with his thoughts.

"As long as I can play a Chaser," Harry replied.

"I thought you were a Seeker," Roxie countered.

"Seeker always looked like fun," Harry said. "What do you say?"

"I'll get the word out," Roxie gave him a relieved smile.

She needed this just as much as he did. He did realize one problem. No broom.

"How are the school brooms these days?" Harry asked.

"Not going to happen," Roxie laughed. "I've got a Comet X you can use."

"Comet X?" Harry raised his eyebrows in question.

"Not as good as a Firebolt, but minor league teams swear by it," she clarified.

"Thanks," Harry replied.

"That's what friends are for," Roxie bumped his shoulder with her own.

~

Being a Chaser was much more intensive than playing a Seeker. Sharp eyes and quick reflexes kept him from being a hinderance to the team. He would have been embarrassed to be on the field if this were tryouts for a house team. He missed passes, got whacked a couple of times with a Bludger, and only scored one goal. All-in-all, he had a blast.

No wonder Katie, Angelina, and Alicia were always sore. It felt like every muscle from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet was aching. He wasn't going to be making the team anytime soon, that was for certain. It was enough of a change for the game to feel fresh again. He hadn't realized how lonely being a Seeker had been. Everyone else had been playing a team sport while he was glorified audience participation.

"Not bad, Newt," one of the other players yelled. "Not good, but not bad."

Harry laughed and rolled his eyes. He didn't recognize them, but they knew he was Newt. It was infinitely better than The Boy Who Lived. This was a chance at a better life. So far, the Ministry was competent, the Hogwarts staff did their jobs, and house rivalry didn't result in fights in the hallways. He had always wanted to be just another student, just another person. It was a second chance that he shouldn't waste.

The Boy Who Lived was a memory. It was time for him to be Harry Potter.

~

The headlines for the next week were all about Neferteri, real name Leanne Laughland, and her past. He was shocked to see that Rita Skeeter had become a good reporter. Harry would never tell anyone, but he had a bit of a hate-crush on the woman. Before being tossed into the future, that is. Even with the slower aging of Magical folk she was too old for him. It was an odd mental disconnect to think Headmistress McGonagall looked years younger than the reporter.

That was the last peaceful week he had. The front page of the Daily Prophet had a picture of him coming out of Gringotts with the headline:

·         The Boy Who Lives Returns

"Fuck," Harry muttered.

He felt the familiar weight of the entire student body staring at him. His plans to leave Hogwarts sounded much better now.