"I can't be just lettin' yeh in, but I can check wi' Professor Dumbledore if e'll see yeh" Hagrid decided.
"Ok" Harry answered nervously.
"Yeh stay 'ere Dozer an' keep the lad company" Hagrid instructed the dog, who immediately bounded forward to once again get a fuss from Harry. "I figure yeh a good lad, 'e don' like many" Hagrid mused aloud before he turned away and headed towards the castle.
Harry waited nervously and stroked the dog absentmindedly until Hagrid returned around fifteen minutes later and begun to unlock the gates.
"Sorry 'bout tha' but can't be too careful these days" he explained. "Professor Dumbledore says e'll meet yeh, jus' keep yeh wand away" he advised.
"I understand" Harry returned. "It would be foolish for anyone to try and attack Dumbledore though, I don't have a death wish" Harry chuckled knowing that a bit of flattery towards the headmaster would go along way with the half giant.
Hagrid led Harry across the grounds and through the familiar corridors of the school to the stone gargoyle that immediately hopped aside as they approached.
Harry paused and took a deep breath, bracing himself for what he was about to do.
"Yeh alrigh' there lad?" Hagrid asked worriedly.
I'm fine, just a little nervous" Harry responded genuinely.
Hagrid chuckled.
"No need ta be, Professor Dumbledore is a good man, e'll see yeh right" he assured him, clapping him on the back and almost sending him sprawling to the ground. "I bes' be off, a lot ta do before term starts, 'opefully I'll be seeing yeh, my name's Hagrid, by tha way" he introduced himself offering the teen a massive hand.
"Harry" the boy replied, happily shaking the man's hand. "Yeh'll be fine 'arry" Hagrid promised before turning and leaving the teen in front of the spiral staircase.
Harry took a deep breath and ascended the stairs, knocking gently on the door when he reached the top.
"Enter" the muffled voice of the headmaster called after a moment.
Harry hesitantly opened the door and stepped into the office to see that it looked as it always had though the man sat behind the desk looked a little younger than Harry remembered.
"What can I do for y…".
The man paused and his eyebrows rose significantly as he caught sight of Harry.
"My, you look very much like a student here" Dumbledore observed with a calculative stare. "The resemblance is almost uncanny" he added in awe. Harry swallowed deeply before speaking.
"That's kind of why I'm here sir" he replied, not knowing how to begin.
Dumbledore noticed that the teen was clearly apprehensive and offered him a warm smile.
"Then why don't you take a seat and explain why you are here in your own time", he offered, gesturing to the chair opposite him.
Harry nodded and took the offered seat, grateful to be off his feet as his legs had begun to tremble slightly.
"Hello Fawkes" Harry greeted the phoenix, who trilled in reply before leaving his perch and climbing onto the boy's shoulder.
"I see you are familiar with my friend here" Dumbledore cut in. "Though I am sure we have never met" he added confusedly, trying to ascertain if he had ever come across the teen before. Harry dragged his hand through his hair, lost for what he should say.
"Why don't you just let what you need to say come out, I find that if we choose our words to carefully it can be rather unsuccessful" Dumbledore advised, leaning slightly forward.
Harry nodded and braced himself once more before speaking.
"What are your thoughts on time travel sir?" he asked quietly.
Dumbledore leaned back in his seat, clearly thinking about what had been asked of him.
"Magic is a very wondrous thing and I fear that we have barely scratched the surface of what it is capable of" he mused aloud. "I have been lucky to witness some magnificent things that most deemed impossible, yet I have seen for myself that they are not" he continued with a shake of his head. "Time travel is something rather unimpressive in comparison to some things, though it is well known to have its limitations", he frowned. "Are you telling me that you have taken a significant journey through time?" he questioned skeptically.
Harry nodded again.
"20 years" he answered hoarsely.
"Is that so?" Dumbledore asked amusedly. "That is quite a feat" he surmised. "And what would your name be young man?" he finished, glancing at Harry over the top of his half-moon spectacles.
Harry sighed and swallowed deeply before answering.
"Harry James Potter, sir" he answered.
Dumbledore looked at him speculatively and nodded.
"You reminded me of young James when you came in, though your eyes are those of another student here" Dumbledore replied quietly. "Lily Potter… Evans" Harry clarified.
"Indeed" Dumbledore agreed. "So Mr. Potter will be successful in his pursuit" he added thoughtfully stroking his beard.
Harry remained silent and waited for the old man to speak.
"Now Harry, I do not doubt you are who you say you are, but one can never be too careful in times like these" Dumbledore began again after a moment. "I will need to verify who you are in some way" he stated seriously.
"I'll do whatever you need sir" Harry responded truthfully.
"Very well" Dumbledore returned with a warm smile. "I can perform a blood verification charm or question you under veritaserum, it is your choice" he finished. "Could I take the potion?" Harry asked, not at all keen on giving the man any of his blood, not being entirely sure what would be done with it.
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