Scenes From the Veil

NOTE
Just a couple of ideas that I thought were fun to share.

1.

Harry's world slowed as the spell hit Sirius. He watched as his godfather, his chance at a somewhat normal life, and his rescue from the Dursleys stumbled toward that strange archway. Harry had no real clue what the veil was, but it was in the Death Room, so it couldn't be good.

Everyone in the room paused as a hand shot out of the Veil to steady Sirius. The wizard got both feet on the ground as, what could only be described as an older Harry stepped out. He was a few inches taller, broader in the shoulders while retaining a lither build further enhanced by the long black leather coat he wore. Harry instantly recognized the source from his nightmares. Basilisk scales had a slight green shimmer to them.

"You would not believe how long it took me to figure that one out," the older Harry dusted himself off. "I really should have taken Arithmancy." Older Harry scanned the room. "Bellatrix! Always a great test subject."

Older Harry raised a gnarled wand and shot off a spell so fast it was barely visible. Bellatrix was struck in the center of her chest. She looked down when it didn't seem to have any sort of effect on her. The confusion on her face was replaced once more by the crazed murderous visage she usually wore.

"That answers that," Older Harry stated.

Another spell shot out, knocking her off her feet and sending her skidding along the floor. That seemed to kick the action back into action. Older Harry was a humanoid hurricane, the remaining Death Eaters quickly joined Bellatrix unmoving on the floor. No words were spoken the entire time, which made it hard to tell if they were still alive.

"Excuse me for a moment," Older Harry said.

Harry and the others watched as the new arrival strolled out of the room.

"Um," Harry looked around the room. "What just happened?"

"I think…" Sirius answered. "I think you just stepped out of the veil."

"Are they alive?" Harry asked.

Hermione touched the closest Death Eater with the tip of her shoe. She took a step closer for a better look.

"No," she shook her head.

"Are we sure that was me?" Harry asked. "That wasn't my wand."

A scream ripped through the Ministry of Magic. Harry dropped to his knees as a black cloud erupted from the scar on his forehead. Seven streaks of similar thick smoke emerged from the walls, directly into the Veil.

"Harry!" More than one voice yelled.

He felt people around him. The usual tight hug from Hermione, a firm hand on his shoulder from Sirius, and he was pretty sure it was Luna that was making sure his shoes were tied.

"I'm all right," he said as his vision stopped spinning. "I'm all right." He paused. "I feel great."

Harry straightened his posture. He ran a finger along the scar on his forehead. For the first time in his life, it didn't hurt. There was a slight ash-like residue on his finger. No blood.

"That worked better than expected," Older Harry said as he entered the room once more.

Dumbledore walked in a step behind. Harry had never seen the Headmaster look confused; it was almost enough for a few of the group to panic. They watched as the wizard strolled over to the Veil.

"Oh," he paused. "Hermione, look into spell-theory. The Unspeakables will love to have you." He stopped. "Don't marry Ron. I love you both, but you're not good together."

Older Harry waved at the group, then stepped into the Veil.

"Why would I marry Ron?" Hermione whispered.

~

Harry had a smile on his face as he stepped out of the Veil. After years of work and research they had figured out how to aim the Veil to different points in time. He saved Sirius and gave some important advice to Hermione. Now, he just needed to report on the success.

"Are you my dad?" A tiny voice asked.

Harry looked down to see a small boy sitting on the floor in front of him. The boy was obviously him from the first year. He looked over his shoulder to see that it wasn't the Veil that he had stepped through, but the Mirror of Erised.

"Huh," Harry vocalized. "That wasn't part of the plan."

2.

Harry's world slowed as the spell hit Sirius. He watched as his godfather, his chance at a somewhat normal life, and his rescue from the Dursleys stumbled toward that strange archway. Harry had no real clue what the veil was, but it was in the Death Room, so it couldn't be good.

A somewhat familiar form launched out from the Veil, knocking Sirius out of the way, and coming to a stop right in front of Harry. He recognized the second-hand clothes, messy black hair, and the askew glasses.

"Sirius!" The new arrival yelled. Their voice was unmistakably female.

The sudden arrival caused a short pause in the action. It was enough for Bellatrix to flee. Harry shifted his attention from whoever this was back to the fight at hand. His eyes snapped to Hermione mid-duel with a Death Eater. He sent a bludgeoning spell toward the dark wizard. The Death Eater screamed in a mixture of rage and pain as  his femur acquired a new joint.

The scream spurred the rest of the room into motion. Another wand added to the fight turned the fight in their favor. Harry and the witch worked together seamlessly. The duo became a whirlwind in the fight, quickly bringing it to close. The spells used weren't the gentle sort taught in Hogwarts leaving the Death Eaters bound or injured. As usual, the Aurors appeared once the fighting was over.

For the first time in years, Fudge was there as well. It was impossible for the Minister to deny Voldemort was back. The brief moment of skill was shattered when Fudge pivoted his attention to Sirius, demanding the Aurors to arrest him, and trying to blame everything on the fugitive.

It was all very important. Unfortunately, Harry was all too busy staring at the witch that stood awkwardly nearby looking right back at him. She was a little taller, which stung a bit, but she stood the same way, had the same hair, and the exact same scar though the skin on her forehead around it was red and inflamed.

"Hi," Harry said after a moment.

"Hi," she said in the same tone.

"I'm Harry," he offered her a forced smile. "Harry Potter."

"Iris," she replied. "Iris Potter."

"Holly and phoenix feather?" Harry held up his wand.

She nodded, "best friends are Hermione and Ron?"

Harry nodded as well, "James and Lily Potter-"

"Died protecting me from Voldemort," she finished.

"And Sirius," Harry motioned to their godfather.

"Framed for murder by Wormtail," Iris sighed.

"This is weird," Harry said. "Even for my life."

"Should I just go back through?" Iris asked.

"I wouldn't suggest that, my dear," Dumbledore interrupted.

Neither had noticed when the Headmaster had joined them.

"If I may?" Dumbledore approached the witch with his wand held at ease for her to see.

"Sure," she rolled her eyes and sighed. "Now you talk to me."

Harry gave a dry chuckle in agreement. Dumbledore waved his wand in front of the witch in a complex series of patterns. Then, he turned to Harry with an unasked question. Harry nodded. The Headmaster repeated the same patterns. A rare frown crossed his face.

"It would be best if we spoke in private," Dumbledore said to the both of them. "Shall we?"

"What about the others?" Harry asked.

"They are being brought to Madam Pomfrey," Dumbledore replied. "Which is exactly where you two will be heading once we are finished speaking in private."

"And Sirius?" Iris asked.

"He is currently being interviewed by Amelia Bones," Dumbledore answered. "Auror Tonks and Shacklebolt have accompanied him for his security. They have the authority to Apparate inside of the Ministry due to their status as Aurors. If needed, they can grab him and side-apparate to safety."

The Headmaster led the two students toward the bank of Floo Fireplaces. Dumbledore opened a connection to his office and waved for them to step through. Iris and Harry went first. Dumbledore followed a moment later.

Iris studied the office with detached curiosity.

"Now," Dumbledore took a seat at his desk. "Tell me about yourself."

Iris went through her life story, which was almost directly the same as his. The Dursleys were horrible, but less physical abuse. Ron was still a Cannons fan and Hermione was scary brilliant.

"Why did you stop me?" Iris asked. "They still need me."

"I'm sorry, my dear," Dumbledore said with a tired, grandfatherly smile. "That isn't possible."

"It wasn't possible for me to go through the first time," Iris countered. "Why not again?"

"Did your Dumbledore explain the meaning of the scar on your forehead?" He asked.

"It was a mark from the Killing Curse," she replied with a shrug.

"True," Dumbledore let out a long sigh. "Harry, Iris, I hoped to save you from this to allow you a childhood."

"A childhood?" The two said in unison.

"A child shouldn't have to fight in this war," Dumbledore answered.

"I've been fighting this war since first year!" Harry yelled.

"Yeah!" Iris chimed in. "I killed Quirrell and saved the stone. That isn't a childhood."

Dumbledore didn't argue. He gave the duo a moment.

"A fact that I am seeing much to late," Dumbledore finally said. "The scars on your forehead are identical. It is a connection between you and Voldemort, as well as the reason I have been avoiding you this year, a shard of his soul sealed away by Lily's sacrifice. I didn't want to risk giving Voldemort a glimpse into our plans. Going through the Veil has severed that connection. I believe that is the only reason you were able to move through it."

"I had a piece of Voldemort in my head?" Iris asked.

"That means…" Harry's hand went to the scar. "How do I get rid of it?"

"The same as Miss Potter," Dumbledore replied. "You must die."

"I'm not dead," Iris snapped.

"You are in your world," Dumbledore explained. "You no longer exist in that world and now that Voldemort is vulnerable. Your sacrifice will save your loved ones."

"I can go through the Veil to let them know you're ok," Harry said without missing a beat.

"You would be trapped there," Iris shook her head. "I can't ask you to do that."

"I'm offering," Harry replied. "I would want someone to tell them I'm still alive." He turned to Dumbledore. "It would get rid of the soul anchor too."

"Harry," Dumbledore said. "I cannot allow you to do this."

"She did it!" Harry pointed to Iris. "She sacrificed everything. She saved Sirius when I couldn't. I owe her this."

"No, you don't," Iris cut in. "I didn't do this on purpose. Sirius was falling toward the Veil then I pushed him out of the way. It wasn't some grand sacrifice. I didn't even know what the thing would do. Hermione said I have-"

"A saving people thing," Harry finished.

"We'll speak on this more in the morning," Dumbledore said. "Visit your friends in the Healing Ward. I'm sure they will have plenty of questions."

The two nodded in the same way and moved to leave the office.

"Miss Potter," Dumbledore said. "I would like to speak with you in more detail once you've had some rest."

Iris nodded.