Scene One: October 28, 1996, Hogsmeade
Minerva McGonagall approached the young boy in the Eton suit, and asked, "Are you John Maxwell."
"Yes, Headmistress," Johnny answered.
Minerva smiled, saying, "I was warned that you had changed the past, but I did not expect to here you say that. I regret to inform you that I am the Assistant Headmistress. Professor Dumbledore is still the headmaster. It is one of the many things he wants to thank you for."
"Should I apologize," Johnny asked, "I didn't mean for you to lose your position."
"Don't apologize," Minerva said, "If I understand correctly, I would have received the position prematurely. I am more than happy to wait for the proper time. Now, let me take care of your luggage."
Professor McGonagall waved her wand, and Johnny's suitcase disappeared. "It will be waiting for you at the school," she told the boy, "I have a coach waiting by the Station. It is only a short walk."
"Thank you," Johnny said, and walked with her.
"You must tell me how you managed such a wonderful tan this late in the year," Minerva said.
"It was an August. I was at the beach," Johnny said.
"AN August? It was not this past August I assume. Is that why you are wearing such old fashioned clothes?"
"Mrs. Figg said this was the latest fashion for boys my age. I was the envy of everyone."
Minerva paused to look at him carefully. "You are a most interesting person, Mister Maxwell. I am very pleased to meet you."
Scene Two: Same Day, Hogwarts
Albus stood up from his desk. "That was a most interesting story, Johnny. I am grateful that you have taken the time to come here. However, it is almost time for supper, and I would ask you to join me in the Great Hall. There are several people I would like to point out to you. And I believe you would not want to leave without meeting Ronald Weasley again, even if he will not know you."
"I forgot," Johnny said, as he stood up, "Colin took a picture of us, before I left." He reached for the envelope in his pocket and handed it to the Headmaster.
Albus took out the picture and stared at it for a while. He returned it to the envelope and passed it back to Johnny. "You will find he has changed greatly from that photograph, and if he knew he would be grateful. You did a wonderful thing," Albus said, grinning suddenly, "even if you did disobey my instructions."
"He was my friend," Johnny said, "I had to help him."
"You did that and more," Albus told him. Then he waved his wand, and a set of black robes appeared. "You may wish to change," he said, "You stand out in those clothes, and I don't think you want people staring at you."
Johnny changed into the robes and followed the Headmaster to the Great Hall. As they approached, students began to walk by them. They stared at Johnny anyway, because he was a stranger, and Johnny felt that he needn't have changed clothes at all.
"This is the Great Hall," Albus said as they walked in.
"I know," Johnny said, reminding him, "that I did spend enough time here to be familiar with the school. The tables were never this crowded, though. Where should I sit?"
"With me," Albus said, and he led the boy to the teachers' table. They sat, and Albus stood up to make a few miscellaneous announcements, making it a point not to mention the boy sitting next to him. This Johnny blushed as the students stared at him even more.
Dinner began, and Albus interrupted Johnny to point out several people to him. "The tall redhead you should remember."
"That's Ron," Johnny said, smiling, "He looks the same. I'm happy about that."
Minerva McGonagall, sitting on his other said, asked Johnny, "how can he look the same?"
"His eyes," Johnny explained, "The Ron I knew, his eyes always shined. He was always in pain, but he . . . I don't know how to describe it."
"He always had a thirst for life," Albus offered, "I could see that in the photograph."
"You must show me that photograph, sometime," Minerva told Johnny.
"Do you see the two students on either side of Ron?" Albus asked, "the girl is his sister, Ginny, and the boy is Harry Potter."
"That's his best friend," Johnny said in surprise.
"Yes, he is. When you gave your warning, we were in time to save all of them," Albus said. "That makes three more reasons why we are glad you are here."
"You did more good than you realized," Minerva added.
"Thank you," Johnny said again, "Thank you for letting me know."
"We're not done yet," Albus said, "Do you see the girl sitting across from Ron?"
"Yes, but I don't recognize her."
"You wouldn't," Albus told him, "and for a very good reason. Her grandmother used to live in Blackbury a long time ago, in a house on Paradise Street."
Dumbledore watched as understanding filled Johnny's face. "She was living there when the bombs fell but, because of you, the warning siren sounded and her family was able to get to safety."
"Cor," Johnny said, as he stared at the girl. It was Harry who noticed him and told the girl, who turned around. She caught his eye and smiled. Johnny blushed and the girl laughed.
"Her name is Hermione Granger," Albus said, "she is one of the top students in the school."
Johnny saw that Hermione was still watching him, and he smiled and waved to her. Surprised, she waved back, as her friends laughed.
"They look comfortable together," Johnny said.
"They are all very close friends," Albus assured him.
"And they are all willing to get into trouble at the drop of a hat," Minerva added.
"Every thing we do," Albus said, "affects everyone around us, like ripples in a pond. You made a very big splash, Mr. Maxwell. You should be proud of yourself."
"No, Sir," Johnny said, "I didn't do anything to be proud of. I didn't try to say anyone. I only wanted to help a friend. I could have caused a lot more damage. I can't be proud because I was lucky."
"Then, be thankful," Minerva said, and kissed him on the top of his head.
They ate the rest of the meal in silence, as Johnny pondered everything he had been told. As the food disappeared to be replaced with desserts, Johnny asked his question. "Could you ask Colin Creevey to take a picture?"
"A memento?" Albus said, smiling. "Would you like anyone else in the picture with you?"
"Well, um," Johnny said, glancing at the Gryffindor table.
"I'll take care of this," Professor McGonagall said, "I'll tell them that you want a souvenir of your visit. Mister Potter is a celebrity of sorts, and an obvious choice. We can include his friends to fill out the picture. They'll hate it, but I'll order them to be happy."
Johnny laughed as he tried to thank her.
As she walked over to the Gryffindors, Albus leaned over to ask one more question. "It is getting late, Johnny. When we are done, I'll have your escort take you home. Your mother will be expecting you to return soon, anyway."
"My mother knows I'm here?"
"In a manner of speaking. She was told that you had been offered a place, and that you were invited to see the school yourself. Mrs. Figg handled the arrangements."
"Thank you, Sir. You seem to have thought of everything."
"I have tried," Albus said, "although I should warn you, if you have never used a portkey before, you will find the trip home short but interesting."
Scene Three: May 21, 1941, Paradise Street
"This way, Ethel," the Sargent said, helping the young girl through the rubble. When they were clear of the debris, he ushered her off to the church with her parents, and brother. She had tea, and a couple of biscuits, and a story she would tell her grandchildren.
Scene Four: October 28, 1996, Hogwarts' Halls
"Did you remember everything?" Arthur Weasley asked as they walked down the hall.
"Um, yes, sir," Johnny said, patting the pocket that now held two envelopes. "Thank you for escorting me home."
"I asked for the privilege," Arthur said, smiling at the boy, "but it seems you don't remember me."
"Should I?" Johnny asked.
"It was May of '93," Arthur said, "You were very pale then, but other than that you appear the same."
"Are you the wizard I talked to?"
Arthur smiled, "I took your wand from you and yelled at you for being stupid. Then you told me that my two youngest children were in danger."
"I didn't know," Johnny said, "I . . . "
"Please don't apologize," Arthur said, "you did nothing wrong, at far as I'm concerned. I only wanted to thank you. And I wanted to return this to you."
Johnny looked at the wand that Arthur placed in his hand, and said, "Thank you, but I don't think I'll need it."
"Keep it," Arthur said, "there may come a time, past or future, when it will come in handy."
Johnny put the wand in his pocket with the photographs, and said, "I should thank you for the clothes. Mine were a bit outdated."
"I was told they were the height of style," Arthur said with a laugh, "But that was WHEN you bought them."
Johnny laughed at the reference, as they turned the corner. A mousy haired boy was standing there blocking his path.
"Who are you?" the boy demanded of Johnny, "I've been watching you, and I know how to watch people. You knew who Ron Weasley was but you didn't know Harry Potter. I mean, he's HARRY POTTER. Then I saw you look at Colin, but you didn't know me. I want to . . . "
"That is enough, Mr. Creevey" Arthur said softly, but sternly, and the boy lapsed into silence.
"You're DENNIS Creevey," Johnny said suddenly, "And you going to Hogwarts now? That's wonderful. Um, I mean, Um."
Dennis stared at him, then at Arthur Weasley, then back at Johnny. "He said he met you three years ago, and you looked the same," Dennis said as he began to puzzle it out. "You traveled in time," Dennis said in surprise, as his mind made the proper connections. "You changed things. You changed the past. You're not allowed to do that."
"Dennis Creevey, you don't know what you're talking about," Arthur said angrily, "Drop all of this nonsense and go back to your house, or I will have Albus Dumbledore explain matters to you so that you will never misunderstand things again."
"I promise I won't tell anybody," Dennis said in a small voice, "I only want to know. I heard you talking."
"You listened in," Arthur said, fuming
"Yes."
"Please," Johnny said suddenly, "He promised not to tell. I didn't know about him, until now."
"We'll talk to Dumbledore," Arthur said, "If nothing else, he needs to know that I was indiscreet." He then added, in a half smile, "I should know enough not to trust the students at Hogwarts."
Dennis blushed, but cheerfully followed as they walked to the Headmaster's office. He even offered to carry Johnny's suitcase.
Scene Five: Same Day, Dumbledore's Office
"That is interesting," Albus said as Johnny finished his latest tale. "Mr. Creevey ended up at Wetton's School because you came here. I am sure Wetton's would be saddened if they knew of their loss."
"Colin said he made top of his class, there," Johnny said.
"My neighbor's cat could have made top of the class, there," Dennis added, then asked, "Johnny, if you don't go to school here, which school do you go to?"
"He goes to a muggle school," Dumbledore said.
"Why a muggle school?" Dennis said, "After all, he is a wizard, he even has a wand."
"Johnny doesn't want to be a wizard," Albus explained, "that is what all of this is about. He is only here to verify that things turned out for the best."
"Would you let him stay," Dennis asked, "I mean if he wanted to?"
Albus smiled and said, "Of course we would, but he doesn't want to, and we will not force him to come here." He then added with a smirk, "Beside, there is no room in the dorms for him, we would have to make someone leave."
"We could put in bunkbeds," Dennis said quickly, then turned to Johnny, "I get the top bunk."
Johnny laughed at the remark, and answered, "what if I want the top bunk?" before he started laughing again.
"Okay," Dennis said, suddenly serious, "Since you are going to stay."
"I'm not staying," Johnny said.
"Please," Dennis said, "I don't want to make a friend then lose him so quickly. You don't know what it's like, learning magic. You can always say no later on, but you can't say yes. If you don't stay, you'll never know what it's like. Maybe when you die and Angel will come . . . "
". . .and ask me," Johnny continued, in the same tone, "Do you want to know what would have happened." He looked up at the Headmaster and said, "I think I would like to give it a try, Sir. If I can?"
"If I may," Albus corrected, "and yes, you may. I should warn you, though, you may not end up in Gryffindor."
"He will, Sir," Dennis said, "even if I have to threaten the Sorting Hat."
"Then it is settled," Albus said with a bit of surprise in his voice. "Well, Arthur. I suppose you should take Mr. Maxwell home now."
"But I thought he was staying," Dennis said urgently.
"I have to go home," Johnny said, smiling at Dumbledore, "I have to say goodbye to everyone."
"Don't worry, Dennis," Albus said with amusement, "We'll have him back on Monday. We can't have him miss the Hallowe'en feast."
Scene Six: October 31, 1996, Dumbledore's Office
Albus tidied up his desk as he prepared to head to the Great Hall for the Hallowe'en feast. He was curious about how Johnny Maxwell would fit in at Hogwarts. He was not worried, because the boy had a kindred spirit in Dennis Creevey. The two would be fast friends, if they were not already.
Albus smiled as he put out the lights, and headed down the stairs. The room went dark except for the moonlight which shown through the window. It faintly lit the bookcase, which contained many wise tomes on magic, and other reference books as well. In the top corner, was a small book, a work by a mildly popular writer of his time, one Theodore Dresser. The name of the book was "And The Ocean Stood Before Us." It was a quaint book about the author's childhood. There was a bookmark which marked the page, which began:
"Always it was the four of us. Arthur, who was never Arty or Art because they sounded like names for children. Then there was Johnny, who was never John, because it made him sound too much like an adult. Dennis came next, or Denny, depending on his mood, or if the tide was in or out. And I was Ned, only because my real name was too long to say.
We owned that beach every August, Johnny and Arthur and Dennis and Ned, always together. We were the bad boys in the town. Walking barefoot into the stores. Horrid, the Victorians called us. And when we swam, we took off our tops. We were a scandal. But those days were short, and we treasured every minute."