All the Time in the World

Chapter Nine

The three of them discussed what they had learned from Snape, but still could not see what they should do.

"I mean," said Ron, "if the spell prevents you from feeling love, then how can it be broken by feeling love? That doesn't make any sense."

"And even if it were possible somehow," said Hermione, "how can someone going back to the past change anything? Unless they can do something to stop Merope from casting that spell in the first place?"

"Maybe that's what she wants," said Harry doubtfully, "but she sounded as if she wanted Dumbledore to break the curse on her son."

"Even she can't be that optimistic," muttered Hermione. "How does she expect Dumbledore to do it?"

"Well, if anyone can pull it off, Dumbledore can," said Ron. "Though how is still a moot point."

"Dumbledore did know him from when he was eleven," said Hermione reasonably. "So maybe Merope thought that Dumbledore could change him."

"From what I saw of him in that memory," said Harry. "There was no way that Dumbledore could have done anything. I mean, Riddle even refused to let him accompany him to Diagon Alley."

"So, he was self sufficient. But perhaps if someone really tried to get through to him..." Hermione might have tried to sound optimistic, but she sounded doubtful.

"Oh come on!" Scoffed Ron. "This is You-know-who we are talking about! Even if you discount the dark spell his mother put on him, he can't have been all sweetness and light! His pure-blood craze did not come from any spell, did it?"

"He was in Slytherin, Ron," said Hermione. "How could he have been anything else? That whole house is full of pure-blood crazy students!"

"Stop, please," said Harry, rubbing his face. "You will end up making me feel sorry for Voldemort, Hermione."

"Well, if you look at it objectively," Hermione started when Ron interrupted.

"Leave it, Hermione. And whatever happened, it is not as if we can do anything. Let Dumbledore decide what to do."

"I think he has already decided," said Harry. "But I would like to talk to Merope again tonight. I just want to ask her what it is she wants. I mean, why she wishes for Dumbledore to try and break the spell. Why can't he go and prevent Merope from casting that spell? If he must go back, that is."

"But what difference does it make?" Ask Hermione. "If Dumbledore has decided not to meddle with time, then why give Merope a reason to persist?"

"I know what Dumbledore said," Harry spoke slowly. "But... If...if there's any chance that Tom Riddle can be changed, shouldn't that chance be taken? I mean, isn't that worth taking a risk for?"

"Good luck convincing Dumbledore of that," said Ron.

"I've got to try," muttered Harry. And perhaps, thought he, if Tom Riddle was reclaimed, his parents might still be alive. Harry might never even have to meet the Dursleys, let alone live with them.