Nic was sipping on a cup of tea in McGonagall's office when Harry burst in and began talking about a dream he had. "And we don't know where in the Forbidden Forest?" Professor McGonagall asked.
"I haven't had a dream like it for years. But Albus was there. I know he was," Harry insisted.
"We need to get searching as quickly as possible," Ginny said anxiously.
"I can give you Professor Longbottom - his knowledge of plants might be useful - and perhaps both of the Professor Potters."
Hermione appeared in the chimney, crying, "Is it true? Can I help?"
"Minister, this is quite unexpected," McGonagall said.
"That may be my fault," Ginny admitted, "I persuaded them to put out an emergency edition of the Daily Prophet. Asking for volunteers."
"Right, very sensible, I expect," McGonagall said. "I suppose there will be quite a few." Next moment, Ron appeared rambling about something or another. Soon after him, Draco appeared in the fireplace.
"Sorry about your floor, Minerva," Draco apologized.
"I dare say it's my fault for owning a chimney," McGonagall replied tartly. "Waiting for one more, I suppose." Soon the office door opened and Tyriq appeared.
"I got your message," he said, rushing over to them. "What happened?" He noticed that Nic was sitting in one of the chairs as if frozen and looking very pale.
"I'm surprised to see you, Draco," Harry remarked. "I thought you don't believe in my dreams."
"I don't," he retorted. "But I do trust your luck. Harry Potter is always where the action is at. And I need my son back with me and safe."
"Then let's get to the Forbidden Forest and find them both," Nic said hoarsely, standing. Looking to Tyriq, she nodded and both instantly transformed into their bird forms. McGonagall opened the window and the two soared out. It felt like old times again with the two swooping through the forest, only this time they needed to find their son. Nic was flying along the edge when she suddenly saw a flash of black, white, and dark dark brown hair. Landing, she changed back, shouting, "ZEPH!" He turned, spotted his mother, and instantly began to run to her.
Tyriq instantly embraced him before he suddenly collapsed. "Is he alright?!" Nic yelled, running towards them. Tyriq pulled away, looking him over. He seemed all right.
"Don't cause problems like that," Nic chastised irritably. "I know the Gryffindor in you is acting up, but-"
"Gryffindor?" Zeph retorted, looking at her strangely. "I'm in Slytherin...I always have been."
"Did you hit your head?" Tyriq asked, concerned. "You're in Gryffindor."
"No I'm not," Zeph retorted, looking back to Scorpius in confusion. He merely shrugs, but looks rather pale.
"Let's get you to Madam Pomfrey," Nic suggested. As they were walking up, Nic grumbled, "Now that we've got you back, I need to head to work."
"Really, now?" Tyriq retorted.
"But...you work here," Zeph countered, confused. "Both of you."
"He must have been hit harder than I thought," Nic said firmly, beginning to examine his head. "Zeph, you know I'm the head of the auror office."
"What?" Zeph replied, brows furrowed. "No, you gave up being an auror when you had me and Hadassah."
"Who's Hadassah?" Nic retorted, looking at him strangely.
"My twin," Zeph retorted, beginning to be angry. "What are you talking about? This is all wrong, you're wrong!" Nic sighed, looking at Tyriq with slight irritation.
"Can you handle this? I have thirteen cases on my desk that I need to get back to," Nic said.
"Yeah, fine," Tyriq replied bitterly. "Course, just go. Clearly work is more important than our kid."
"I can't with you right now," Nic scoffed before leaving them be.
"What was that?" Zeph retorted. "You and Mum never fight. I've seen you raise your voices at each other a few times but you always just breathe for a minute and then talk it out." Noticing Tyriq's hand, Zeph cried, "And where's your ring?"
"Zeph, your mum and I divorced two years ago," Tyriq replied as if he was stating the obvious.
"What?" Zeph breathed, stopping in his tracks. "Wha- no. You wouldn't. You love mum, more than anything."
"Do I?" Tyriq snapped, turning to face him. "What is going on with you?"
"Dad...what if I told you that I lived in a different timeline where you and mum are literally known for being disgustingly cute, I have a twin sister named Hadassah, and I'm in Slytherin."
"I say you really need to go to the hospital wing," he retorted.
"No!" Zeph cried, desperate for his dad to believe him. "Really! You and Mum both teach here. You're the Charms teacher and Mum teaches Defense Against the Dark Arts. Please, Dad, you have to believe me! You really don't remember any of it?"
"What are you talking about?" Tyriq retorted, scratching his arm. Zeph's expression changed to one of complete misunderstanding as he grabbed hold of his father's wrist, turning it to face him.
"Where's your Dark Mark?" Zeph asked.
"You've really lost your mind," Tyriq scoffed, ripping his arm from Zeph and beginning to drag him along to the hospital wing.
Half an hour later, Madam Pomfrey announced, "He's perfectly fine."
"No brain damage?" Tyriq retorted, crossing his arms over his chest.
"None at all," she assured. "Excuse me, Mr. Hufflepuff."
"Hufflepuff?" Zeph said, looking at him in confusion. "Wait...Dad, where are your parents?"
"They were killed during the Triwizard Tournament in a freak accident, you know that," Tyriq replied.
"So you never found out they were Death Eaters," Zeph concluded. "So you never told Dumbledore that they were and you never joined the Order and you never went undercover as a Death Eater."
"What are you on about?" Tyriq snapped, almost angrily, but he was clearly terrified, scared his son was losing it.
"Dad, what happened during the first Triwizard Task?" Zeph demanded.
"Why is that important?" Tyriq retorted.
"Just tell me, Dad!" Zeph shouted.
Tyriq scoffed, retorting, "Cedric lost his wand somehow and got really hurt. Your mother clung to him after that for months."
"Wait, did Cedric die?"
"Of course he's dead," Tyriq retorted. "What are you on about?"
"So if Mum clung to him, it would have been more painful for her when he was gone," Zeph theorized. "You two didn't get together in fifth year because Mum wasn't worried about you being a Death Eater so when she disappeared for a year, it messed up your relationship and maybe she's still..." Zeph broke off, turning back to his dad who looked completely perplexed. "Mum's still in love with Cedric, she never got over it. That's why your marriage fell apart. That's why Mum's so..."
"Cold, distant..." Tyriq filled in, still looking confused. "How do you know so much about this?"
"I told you, I'm not from this timeline," Zeph explained. "Look, where I'm from? You and Mum are happy, so happy. And Mum's an amazing mother. She listens to me when something's going on. Do you not remember those nights we'd all spend together? Me, Hadassah, you, and Mum? We'd watch muggle movies together and Mum would read to us on your bed. Why can't you remember?! Dad, please!"
"Zeph," Tyriq retorted, grabbing his shoulders and trying to calm him down. "I don't remember any of it."
"But you'd used to tell us stories! Stories about how you fell in love and your time at Hogwarts! Dad, please!" Zeph pleaded. "You met on the Hogwarts express! With Tyrone!"
Instantly Tyriq's expression turned pale and he whispered shakily, "How did you know about Tyrone? I never mentioned him to you and I know your Mum didn't either. How did you know!"
"You told me!" Zeph insisted. "Dad, I was sitting at your desk one day when I saw a picture of you and a boy that looked like you. You came in and I asked you about it. You explained about how your brother committed suicide because of your parents."
"I swore to myself I'd never tell you about that," Tyriq said in an almost dangerous voice.
"Why can't you just believe me!" Zeph shouted. "You would've believed me then. I don't even recognize you, now, Dad. Who are you? You-You're not my dad."
"Oh?!" Tyriq retorted with a dangerous yell.
"My dad would never have yelled at me," Zeph retorted. "He would have believed me! Merlin, you are a nightmare without Mum."
"I don't need her!" Tyriq shouted, pointing over Zeph's head towards where Nic had disappeared. Zeph flinched, backing away from him. Seeing this, Tyriq began, "Zeph-" Zephaniah turned and sprinted away towards the castle. "Zeph!"