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CHAPTER EIGHTY EIGHT - 🍂 what ୧ . . .
she must do & learn ও🦌

TRAVELLING TO HOGWARTS proved to be a surprisingly challenging endeavour. Autumn discovered that while there were alternative options, such as a potential temporary floo network, she felt an inner sense of time constraint, compelling her to pursue a faster route.

Thus, she navigated through various unconventional transports, culminating in her arrival at Hogsmeade, the small village near Hogwarts.

With nightfall upon her arrival, Autumn was grateful for the passageway she knew would lead her directly to Hogwarts. Though she had secured the Headmaster's permission for her visit, the precise extent of who was aware of her presence remained uncertain. Her interaction with Dumbledore had been brief, and she provided scantly any information about her purpose, knowing only that it involved Professor Slughorn.

Moving stealthily through the darkened passage, Autumn made sure her cloak was well-secured. The enshrouding fabric would cloak her as she ventured through the dimly lit corridor, keeping her presence hidden from any eyes that may be lingering in the shadows.

As Autumn silently made her way unnoticed to Professor Slughorn's office, she pondered over the circumstances that led to her successful journey. She couldn't help but wonder if Dumbledore's planning played a role in her stealthy approach, or if it was simply a matter of good fortune that none hindered her path.

The thought of Dumbledore's meticulous planning crossed her mind briefly, yet she couldn't shake off the possibility that luck was on her side. The lack of any obstacles on her path to Professor Slughorn's office seemed too convenient, almost eerie as if the universe was collaborating with her mission, keeping any potential hindrances at bay.

She paused in front of Professor Slughorn's door, quietly opening it and stepping inside. Yet another unanswered question would be if Professor Slughorn had been expecting her, but that was for her to find out.

As Autumn's gaze flicked across the room, it landed on Professor Slughorn at the window. She nervously fidgeted with her hands, preparing to speak, but Slughorn interrupted her before she could utter a word.

"I always thought it was impossible," he stated, his voice laced with a mix of awe and fear. "When he told me about this years ago, I've been counting the days, and indeed it happened."

Slughorn finally faced her, revealing a pained, terrified smile etched on his face.

His words hung in the air, laden with a profound sense of inevitability, as if he had anticipated this moment for ages. The knowledge that someone had predicted Autumn's presence added a layer of mystique to the situation. His expression mirrored a combination of fear, wonder, and resignation as if he was witnessing a preordained, yet dreaded encounter.

Autumn approached Professor Slughorn, her curiosity piqued by his mention of an unknown party that had predicted her visit. But when she asked for clarification, he shook his head, revealing that the answer was something she would need to find out for herself.

With a sense of trepidation, she watched as Slughorn pulled out a book from the bookshelf, but instead of a book, it revealed a hidden compartment. Her intrigue heightened as he retrieved a box from within.

"I've only been instructed to give this to you," Slughorn stated, handing the box to her.

The weight of the box in her hands felt heavy with significance as if the contents within held the answers she sought. The mysterious origins of the predictions about her arrival, and the knowledge that someone or something had set this in motion, hung in the air like a heavy cloud.

Autumn held onto the box, her fingers grasping the edge of the lid, tempted to immediately open it and discover what lay inside.

A gasp escaped Autumn as she opened the box, and her eyes met with sudden brightness. The box glowed from within, engulfing her vision in an intense light that was almost overwhelming. Caught off guard, she fought to maintain her grip on the box, struggling to find her bearings. However, her surroundings started to distort and warp, as if she were being pulled by an unknown force.

The sensation of being transported somewhere engulfed her, the room around her dissolving into a swirl of colours and shapes. It was a foreign feeling, akin to walking through one of her drawings except this time it was against her will. The brightness from the box continued to fill her surroundings, disorienting her further.

As the swirling colours subsided, and her vision cleared, Autumn found herself in a different setting. Instead of Slughorn's office at night, the room was now bathed in the soft, warm light of afternoon, streaming through the window. However, it was the sight of a younger Slughorn in his teaching attire that startled her even more.

Stunned, Autumn quickly turned to him, her voice filled with confusion and disbelief. "Professor?" she questioned, her mind still trying to wrap around what was happening.

Looking down, she felt the material of her own clothes, a familiar comfort that puzzled her even more "What?" she exclaimed, her words barely a whisper as she stared at the unexpected sight of her own clothing. It was a familiar feeling under her fingertips, yet the surroundings told a different story.

Autumn's mind was a whirlwind of confusion and bafflement. She looked around again, trying to take in the shift in environment and the presence of a younger Professor Slughorn.

Autumn's eyes widened as she took in the sight of her familiar Ravenclaw tie and the length of her hair. In a hushed tone, she mused aloud, "Am I in the past?"

Slughorn gazed at her contemplatively and confirmed her suspicion. "Yes, but your mind... You're from the future," he explained. "But remember, you must not reveal anything about the future, understood? For now, you must seek out Mr. Winters."

Autumn's thoughts immediately went to Elliot, and her eyes widened further upon hearing his name.

Her mind wrestled with a multitude of questions, but she quickly realized that Slughorn was likely not the best source of answers. The urgency in his words to seek out Elliot, however, became the focus of her attention.

Silently, Slughorn reached for the box in Autumn's hands. A mixture of disbelief and resignation painted his face, the situation clearly beyond his understanding.

"I will see you once you have accomplished what you have to do," he said, his voice quivering slightly. Even he, as his past self, was struggling to process the unfolding events. However, over time, he had come to accept the enigmatic nature of these scenarios, knowing it was best not to question them.

Autumn stepped out of Slughorn's office, her mind still reeling from the shocking revelation. Yet, despite the surreal circumstances, a strange sense of inevitability clung to the situation. The task ahead of her was clear—to find Elliot.

But the question loomed: Just how far back had she travelled? Was it before or after he left their friend group? Finding him in the past could prove more daunting than she anticipated.

Autumn took a moment to catch her breath outside the office, trying to steady her thoughts. The weight of the past and the uncertainty of the future bore down on her. Where to even begin with finding Elliot in this time period, especially when she wasn't even sure what year it was?

She found herself wrestling with a burning question, the words lodged in her throat every time she tried to ask. There was a strange, inexplicable restriction on her ability to inquire about the year. It was as if some invisible force was preventing her from obtaining that information.

Autumn aimlessly wandered through the halls, her gaze sweeping over faces in search of Elliot. But despite her efforts, her search felt fruitless. It seemed like she was at once everywhere and nowhere, making progress seem elusive.

Desperately trying to calm her racing heart, she pondered what would happen if she encountered any of her friends from the past. How on earth was she going to act?

Amid her search, a sudden and inexplicable change began to take place.

Her vision seemed to lower, and with each step, she felt a sense of gradual shrinkage. Shock dawned on her face as she looked at her hands, noticing that they had grown smaller.

"What...?" Autumn muttered in disbelief, her voice laced with confusion. She was somehow growing younger.

Autumn's breath hitched as her eyes scanned her surroundings, noticing the change in the students around her. A mix of both familiar and unfamiliar faces stared back at her, all younger than what she remembered.

With a mix of disbelief and fascination, her gaze fell on a group of fifth-years walking past, all of them looking as if they were barely twelve or thirteen. Autumn's heart raced as she realized how far back in time she must have travelled.

Autumn's heart skipped a beat when she felt a firm grip on her arm. Turning around, she found herself face to face with Elliot, but a younger, more youthful version of the friend she knew.

"Eli?" she whispered, her voice barely audible. Before she could say anything else, Elliot tugged on her arm urgently, his words demanding her haste.

"Come on, follow me! We have to do it before the time changes again!"

Unable to muster a word, Autumn allowed herself to be led by Elliot, her mind swirling with unanswered questions.

Elliot pulled her towards a secluded corner of the hallway, leading her towards an outdoor space that was part of the Care of Magical Creatures classes. Autumn stumbled alongside him, baffled by the sudden change in location.

As they stopped in a quiet spot, Elliot suddenly spoke up, making a cryptic remark. "I heard that Hippogriff's like it when you show you are brave."

Autumn raised an eyebrow in confusion, wondering what on earth Elliot was talking about.

Autumn felt her lips move as if they had a mind of their own, uttering words that seemed strange to her. "Yeah, they'll bow to you when you show your bravery."

As the words left her mouth, her eyes widened in realization. She saw James just a short distance away, overhearing their conversation.

Before she could fully process the situation, her vision warped and suddenly the hallway disappeared, replaced by the night sky.

Her head spun as she turned to see an even younger version of Elliot. Her height seemed to have reduced even further, making her almost identical in stature to him. Now she was even further back in time, and everything was even more dizzying. Her mind was in a state of confusion and disbelief. What was happening? How far back had she been sent now?

Autumn tried to speak, to ask Elliot what was going on, but her words seemed to stick in her throat. The situation was becoming more and more surreal.

Elliot moved quickly, pulling Autumn behind a curtain that concealed them from view. But as she looked around, Autumn's confusion gave way to a sense of familiarity. The situation was reminiscent of something she experienced in the future when she was taking care of Aspen.

Autumn's heart thumped in her chest as they waited behind the curtain, her mind struggling to make sense of the unfolding events.

As the scene played out beneath the curtain, they saw a younger Remus Lupin being led by Madam Pomfrey towards the Shrieking Shack. Elliot then whispered to Autumn, "You need to break the charm."

Complying, Autumn quickly brandished her wand. "Finite Incantatem," she hissed, aiming it discreetly at the invisible charm.

The charm around them began to dissipate, revealing the true scene happening in front of them. Remus and Madam Pomfrey were now visible.

Autumn's heart raced as she realized they had just broken the concealment charm that allowed Her, Raven and Elliot to follow them and learn about Remus' secret.

Elliot then led Autumn towards the familiar hallway, which she could anticipate. He looked up to the ceiling and without further notice, Autumn commenced a spell to enchant the hallway. This spell would answer questions in the future, despite being cast in the past.

The enchantment played a crucial role in the events that unfolded later, specifically the dungbomb prank, which occurred years afterwards.

Almost in a flash, Autumn's vision changed again, and she now found herself older. Elliot appeared a little older as well, and she realized how much time seemed to be passing in these strange jumps.

Elliot's voice broke through her confusion. "We have more time now, no need to rush," he said with a sigh.

Autumn asked, "So...what now?"

Elliot turned to her, a smile on his face, "It's safe to ask. I'm also from the future."

Autumn's eyes widened as the revelation dawned on her. "It was us," she murmured in disbelief. "We led to those events happening."

"Yes," Elliot confirmed with a nod, his words simple but significant.

Autumn's heart sank as the realization set in. "We...we could have really hurt James," she whispered, the weight of their actions settling heavily on her shoulders.

Elliot's words pierced through her thoughts, explaining, "That event helped James and you."

"What do you mean... helped us?" she asked, confusion and remorse painted across her face.

Autumn's eyebrows furrowed as Elliot spoke, confusion and disagreement colouring her expressions. "James and I already knew each other," she replied, shaking her head. "We met on the train."

Elliot nodded, "I know that wasn't enough. We needed triggers to make things continue."

"There had to have been other ways," Autumn protested, her face twisting in a frown.

"This was the only one that worked," Elliot affirmed, his tone leaving no room for discussion.

Elliot's voice was a mix of resignation and patience as he started walking, Autumn following closely. "It's far more complicated than you think," he explained. "If we never discovered Remus' secret... Sirius' prank would've strained their friendship. Our presence strengthened Remus, and gave him the courage to forgive Sirius."

"What do you mean...?" Autumn asked, her voice strained with concern.

Elliot's gaze seemed to grow more heavy with melancholy as he continued, "If we hadn't discovered Remus' secret, the future... it went dark. Trust was shattered, and there were betrayals."

Elliot led Autumn behind a pillar, where they spotted Sirius flirting with other students. "Nosey people need a lesson," Elliot began.

Autumn found herself replying without control over her mouth, "Yeah, otherwise, they'll never stop sticking their nose where it doesn't belong."

As if on cue, Sirius's attention perked up, and as he turned around, Autumn and Elliot were already gone, seemingly whisked away into another time before he could even see them.

Autumn sighed as their surroundings stabilized after the latest time jump.

Picking up their conversation, she enquired, "What did Sirius take away from this event, then?"

Elliot looked at her, his expression contemplative as he explained, "It was you and Raven who refused to forgive him. It opened his eyes to the error of his ways. Without that, he would've persisted in tormenting Snape."

Looking thoughtful, Autumn continued, "Okay, I can understand that one...but tell me how James' near-mauling by a Hippogriff changed things for the better?"

Elliot nodded, a knowing look on his face as he spoke. "You," he stated. "The incident was meant for you, not James. If that had never happened, you wouldn't have grown as close to him. That event triggered your drawing sense."

A soft gasp escaped Autumn's lips as the realization dawned on her. She looked into Elliot's eyes, the weight of the revelation sinking in.

Autumn's eyes widened further as she now understood the significance of the incident. It wasn't just a random occurrence; it was the catalyst for her deep connection with drawing.

"Anytime I recalled that incident, I drew," Autumn whispered, her voice tinged with revelation. "It was my way of distracting myself, keeping the nightmares at bay."

She looked at Elliot, her eyes narrowing in question, "But why did I stop drawing? Was there a reason?"

He nodded, a solemn understanding in his gaze, "You were so young then. Your powers were stable, so there was no need to draw. Your foresight stayed dormant, locked away. It only awakened again when you started drawing as you grew older, slowly unlocking your abilities."

"What if we change something here that affects the future?" Autumn inquired, her voice quiet and cautious.

Elliot chuckled, a knowing expression on his face, "It doesn't work like that. Everything we're doing here is what ensures the future stays intact. As long as no one from the past finds out about the future, it's all good."

Curious, Autumn continued, "So...what about Professor Slughorn? Me being from the future, doesn't that change anything?"

Elliot reassured her, "It's fine as long as you didn't tell him anything you shouldn't have.

"And besides, he touched the box I gave him before. Even if you were to say something, it would only be gibberish to him. Our mission is concealed" Elliot concluded.

Understanding washed over Autumn as Elliot explained their situation. The secret of their future was still safe, and they could take action to help shape the present without fear of unravelling their carefully planned timeline. A sense of reassurance settled over her, and she looked back at Elliot.

"Okay," she murmured, her voice steady. "Then, what's the next thing we have to do?"

"You're done. The rest is up to me," Elliot informed her, his voice calm and confident. "You've got to head back to Slughorn, open the box, and then jump back to the present."

Autumn's eyes widened slightly at the mention of returning to Slughorn, her curiosity piqued. "Just that? But what about... the diadem?"

She looked at Elliot, hope evident in her gaze. He smiled in response, his expression reassuring, "Slughorn will explain everything once you return to the present."

Autumn's shoulders slumped slightly, a mixture of relief and disappointment, "Oh...okay then."

She took a moment to gather her thoughts and then looked at Elliot, a determined look in her eyes. "Then I guess it's time for me to go back to Slughorn."

Autumn didn't hesitate for a second. Before she turned to leave, she suddenly pulled Elliot into a tight embrace. Her arms wrapped around him, holding him firmly as if she didn't want to let go.

The suddenness of her action caught both of them off guard, but Elliot quickly responded, returning the hug with equal intensity. His arms encircled her, drawing her a little closer as they stood there in a moment of quiet affection.

Autumn buried her face into his shoulder, her voice a soft whisper, "Thank you, Elliot. For everything."

She held onto him a few moments longer, taking in the warmth of the embrace before reluctantly pulling away.

As she pulled back from the embrace, a pang of sadness tugged at her heart. Despite knowing that Elliot was fine in the future, Autumn couldn't suppress the feeling that this might be goodbye.

She looked into his eyes, a mixture of emotions coursing through her. The weight of the unknown loomed over her, making the moment feel even more profound.

For a moment, Autumn wanted to say something, but the words stuck in her throat. Instead, she swallowed the lump in her throat and settled for a quiet, "Be safe, Elliot."

The words seemed to carry more than their surface meaning, a plea and a silent vow to be careful in the coming times. Their eyes held each other for a moment longer, and then reluctantly, Autumn took a step back.

"I'll see you...when I get back," she mumbled, her voice barely above a whisper.

With one last, lingering look, she turned and walked away, leaving Elliot standing alone.

...

The air felt different as Autumn returned to the present. Her hair was shorter, her clothing back to its normal form, and the weight of her attire lifted off her shoulders. The night sky was visible through the windows of Professor Slughorn's office, signalling the change in time.

Autumn took a moment to catch her breath, her mind still adjusting to the sudden shift in surroundings.

Her eyes roamed over the familiar office, taking in the details of her current time. There was a sense of nostalgia for being back here again, but also a strange detachment from the past events she had just experienced.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone clearing their throat. She looked up to find Professor Slughorn sitting behind his desk, looking at her with a mix of concern and curiosity.

"Professor, you have something crucial to tell me," She began, bringing the box to a nearby table before moving closer to Professor Slughorn.

His face was solemn as if he dreaded speaking of what he was about to say. Yet, he took a deep breath and started, "Ms. Rivers, have you ever heard of a Horcrux?"