WAR CAUSES DESPERATION

[30 minutes later]

A young man with auburn hair and blue eyes entered Ryan's room. He was wearing a grey suit over white clothing and carried a long brown coat.

"Aargh!" Ryan let out a grunt, feeling slight discomfort in his neck.

"Been sleeping, have you? Guess, it is an effective cure for sore muscles," He said and took the empty chair, facing Ryan.

'Who's this guy?' Ryan frowned upon looking at the professor. 'Dumbledore?!'

The professor flashed his charming smile and started, "I'm Albus Dumbledore, the one in charge of Hogwarts at the moment. Sorry that we met under such unpleasant circumstances. The other members of the faculty sent you their regards."

"Guess, you didn't just come here for introduction, right? So, ask away," Ryan opened his mouth and quickly got to the point.

"Indeed. What you did, risking your life for everyone... It was very courageous and valiant. That said, the circumstances were grave. With many dead, wounded, and such..." Dumbledore started asking, staring at Ryan's eyes and trying to judge him.

"Cut the crap! You didn't come to me just because you thought of me as a hero, now did you? You are here to question and investigate, right?" Ryan snorted, cutting him off.

"True, but nonetheless, I thought we could help each other out," Dumbledore let out a hearty chuckle.

"Help each other out? I doubt you have anything I want. But, our goal aligns, well, to a certain point that is..." His eyes went toward the door, "How about you raise a barrier so that our conversation is secure? I don't want any more unnecessary distractions."

Dumbledore muttered while closing his eyes and using the spell 'Muffliato' to soundproof the room and prevent any unwanted eavesdropping.

"Now, if you want to win this war and avoid unnecessary sacrifices, you will do what I say. Yeah, you must be thinking 'Why should I do it?' or 'I barely know you. You could be a spy sent to gain trust'. But I'm pretty sure you will change your mind," Ryan took a sip of water from the glass bottle placed beside the bed and cleared his throat, "Let's start with the traitor hiding in your Order of Phoenix, Peter Pettigrew."

"..." Dumbledore widened his eyes and his expression became sharp as a knife.

"Ah! That classic look! Pettigrew's been working with Voldemort. That bastard has been leaking information to him. Care to guess his stupid reason?" Ryan leaned against the pillow on the bed frame while telling his findings.

"How did you know this, Ryan...?" Dumbledore leaned forward as a sharp look flashed in his eyes.

"Does it even matter? All your plans... Voldemort knows. Now, I know, I ain't got anything to prove myself other than my words, so, feel free to do what you like," Ryan looked at the ceiling of the room.

"What's his reason for betrayal?" He asked, this time a little more solemnly and sternly.

"Jealousy and fear for his own life," Ryan scoffed. "If he lives, then James and Lily will die. They will pin it on Sirius and he will be sent to Azkaban. Haaa... Just because of one fucker, things will get messed up. That's all I can share with you. Rest is up to you. Do you believe me? Don't give an answer, you will know when it's time. I've said too much already."

"Time travel? Seer magic? Clairvoyance?" Dumbledore inquired him upon hearing his explanation and letting his imagination run wild. "Or a premonition of the future?"

"Who knows," Ryan closed his eyes as the pain in the neck increased. "Anyway, you do you and I'll rest here for a few days if you don't mind. Oh, and do inform Madam Puddifoot that I'm doing alright. She must be very worried."

Dumbledore stood up. "I'll surely inform her. If there's anything else you want..."

"Yes. I'll disappear in a few days since I've interfered enough. If I do anymore, then the future will change for better or for worse. So, I'll leave all the hard work to you. Don't lose," Ryan yawned as he started stretching his sore arms and legs.

Dumbledore left the room after a simple nod.

--

Later that day, Ryan decided to explore Hogwarts and meet Madam Puddifoot. While walking inside the school grounds, he noticed that everything was covered in scorch marks, and several burnt-down parts of the walls and school grounds were blocked. Some corridors were completely out of commission because they were caved in.

'So, I was right. They attacked the school from inside. No wonder, no one arrived back then,' He thought.

The snowfall of that day made the ground white, so, the scorched areas, snow-covered grounds, and the destroyed corridors made an unpleasant sight to look at, along with an eeriness to the environment. He walked through the deserted school grounds checking out the classrooms. The curfew was in effect until the complete eradication of the Dark magic cast on the grounds.

A few prefects and teachers were patrolling around, eyeing and tracking Ryan with curiosity. He reached near a large fountain after wandering around for a few hours and decided to sit near it. He looked up in the sky. The dark mark was no more visible and the sun was shining brightly once again.

"Taking a stroll?" Lily's voice sounded from behind the fountain.

"Are you perhaps stalking me?" Ryan looked over his shoulder as a smug smirk formed on his lips. "Seriously, Miss. Evans... Even while out walking, all I can notice is you..."

"Stop being delusional. I was just patrolling the grounds, checking for traps," She said as she walked over to him. "How are you feeling?"

"Good as new," He tried to keep the conversation within limits in order to keep her away.

He could have erased her memories and replaced them with a new one, but for some reason, he didn't do it. Maybe deep down, he wanted to see how the story would flow if he were the protagonist instead of Harry Potter. Even though his future self wants him to get Harry's body, his present self has no reason to follow the words of his future self. Instead of that, he could simply carve his own path and make it to the top of the Wizarding World. But before that, he'll destroy the Malfoys for all the torment they caused him.

"Wanna join me? I'll show you around," Lily asked and gave out her hand.

'Is she doing this on purpose or just acting innocent? Considering her behavior, she looks kinda ok with this harem thing. Well, fuck it. Let's roll with the flow,' He took her hand and they started walking.

They roamed Hogwarts and walked toward the empty courtyard in silence, talking occasionally. Then, Lily took him to the sports room to take the brooms and take a flight around the school. Well, at least that was her plan until Ryan opened his mouth.

"Uumm... I never knew you were so bold," Ryan said with a smirk as he leaned onto the wall.

"What are you talking about?" Lily glanced at him.

"I mean, empty room. No one outside. Perfect place to seduce a man."

Lily narrowed her eyes.

Ryan closed the distance, making sure that their bodies weren't touching and their faces weren't as far as he spoke.

"Miss. Lily Evans, are you perhaps carrying some kind of love potion in your pocket?" He said, emphasizing each word.

Lily, on the other hand, blushed as her heart skipped a beat. Ryan was able to hear her heart racing along with the fluctuation in her voice.

"No, I don't know what you are talking about. This is not what you think it is...," Lily stuttered as her heart and mind started to race. 'He is so close. This is going too fast. What should I do? We just met two days ago and we don't know anything about each other, yet, I somehow like him. Maybe I'm crazy, falling for this fast-talker, but I don't care. I'm gonna go after what I want this time and seize my own happiness. With the war going on, I don't know when it might be too late.'

Ryan couldn't help himself but let a chuckle.

"Then, you wouldn't mind, if I check your pockets?" Ryan leaned in and whispered in her ears, "Or your body. For all I know, you could be hiding it anywhere..."

While talking, he let his hot breaths touch her neck, taking note of her goosebumps appearing as a shiver passed her spine. She trembled upon his touch.

****

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Next, Ch: 19: Pervy Lily

Ch: 20: Lily's first time

Ch: 21: Ministry under attack

Ch: 22: Suicide mission

Ch: 23: Bellatrix meets Ryan