"CURSED CHILD" SPOILERS!

Hi everyone!

I get it. You got the notification of this new chapter and either went, "What the hell is this story?" or "OMG she actually updated!" Either way, you then clicked onto here only to see the 'letter of death' rather than a new chapter.

But like, there actually is new content. In a nutshell: due to a lot of reasons, I'm completely rewriting and reworking this story as 'A CURSED CLOCK'. The new story is live on my profile, though this old story will be left up as well. 'Hallowed Time Twists' will no longer have updates.

The lengthier reason for this change? I started writing 'Hallowed Time Twists' in 2011. I had no idea how to write a story back then and wrote myself into a corner. I couldn't even reread some of my chapters out of embarrassment. My sub-plots were pointless, some of my characters were meh, I'd gotten stuck in multiple paradoxes, and the plot itself was utterly ridiculous. Characters traveling back in time and changing the First War? Yo, what was I thinking?

…and then "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" was released in 2016, which used the same ridiculous plot. I admit, I liked the script. I was also extremely lucky and saw the play a few times and fell head over heels with the production. I immediately wanted to write a fanfic about it. Though I remembered, oh right. I already had a time travel fic. That I'd abandoned. Awwwkward.

I started writing this new story anyway and told myself it was just to get writing Scorpius Malfoy out of my system. But then, I liked the new story. Like, really liked it. I realised that I could pretty neatly splotch together the best parts of 'Hallowed Times Twists' and "Cursed Child" while trashing the worst bits (I choose to ignore the character assassinations "CC" did on the Trolley Lady and all of the Weasleys).

So, I started truly working on 'A Cursed Clock'. I dotted the 'i's and crossed the 't's on all the time paradoxes. I made Albus Potter way less annoying than canon. I kept Scorpius Malfoy the same, because he's awesome. I took out everything about Cedric Diggory, because who cares. I actually included the other Potter siblings and didn't screw up Ginny's and Ron's characters, because what the hell was Rowling thinking? I got rid of some of my original subplots, because what the hell was I thinking? I did keep Lily Potter insane, because damn was that fun to write.

I also added in Draco Malfoy, and pleasantly discovered that he and Harry Potter made great drinking partners when all hell breaks loose.

If you enjoyed "Cursed Child", I hope you'll like this! If you hated "Cursed Child", I hope I'll fix it for you. The first few chapters are already up, and as we get going it will more closely resemble 'Hallowed Time Twists'.

My writing is still far from perfect and my updates may still be slow. But I love the plot of this reworked story and I hope it will bring some entertainment to you lovely readers. I cannot say thank you enough to all of you who have read this story through the years, and I know how much it sucks when a fanfic's abandoned. I'm just sorry for how often I do it.

As a thank you and as an apology, here's a sneak-peek of the new story. These scenes take place after the time travellers have crashed into Grimmauld Place in 1995, following James taking and accidentally activating the time-turner. This is also my reinterpretation of one of the most controversial scenes in "Cursed Child", so it's a good barometer on whether or not you'll enjoy the new story.

Cheers,

Audrey (Muffliato)

The door was open but Harry knocked anyway, one hand in his pocket as he leaned in the entrance. "James, a word?"

The three boys' snickering dulled as they spotted Harry. James was slouched over a bed, flicking exploding snap cards at Fred and George. They were tossing chirping pygmy puffs back, so the older man thought it was an even match.

"Oh oh!" Fred turned from the wizard in the doorway to his paling son. A meowing purple puff fell happily to his lap. "That's Harry's 'disappointed dad face', isn't it."

George was outright gawking at Harry. "Good lord, you're about to act all fatherly. This is—"

"Unexpected," Fred chimed in.

"Surreal."

"Bloody well weird!"

"Silence from the peanut gallery," Harry rolled his eyes at the Twins' grins and returned to his son. "We need to talk."

James dropped the cards and slouched out, giving the bird to the teenagers' jeers. The calls were only cut off when Harry shut the bedroom door a touch more forcibly then he needed to. Then he led the way up to the attic, followed by his quietly fidgeting son.

"It's a mess up here, so don't touch anything. You never know what might bite. I think your grandmum currently has it quarantined." Harry broke the silence as he ushered them into the cluttered, dusty storage space. "Thanks to that, it's the only space in this house not stuffed with people."

James peered around at the decaying boxes and shadows of mouldy robes, all with multiple layers of spiderwebs over them. Hands were put in pockets as he swung back and forth on his heels. "Huh, creepy. That is one dedicated herd of spiders. Why'd you make this room your office in the future?"

Harry had whisked out his wand and was cleaning off a few boxes. Finishing he gingerly took a seat on one and tucked away his wand, glad that the cardboard didn't give. He then nodded at a dirty window almost hidden behind a broken vanishing cabinet. "That'll be a brilliant view of King's Cross Station once things get cleaned up. Sit. We need to talk."

James sat, legs appearing to be too large. His father wasn't sure if this was due to the small box-turned-seat, or because the fidgety teenager was eager to run from the room.

Harry leaned forward, elbows planted on knees. "Did you take the time-turner?"

"I'm really sorry—"

"Did you take it?" James wouldn't meet his stare. "Why were you in my office?"

"I was trying to find the Invisibility Cloak," was the sullen reply.

"Which you couldn't find, so you decided to steal a dangerous object instead." Harry rubbed his mouth, trying to keep his anger in check. "Of course you did. What was your plan?"

James looked at him properly with a crinkle of confusion. "Huh?"

"Your plan! You wanted to use the time-turner, I'm assuming. What was your plan?"

"I didn't have one."

Harry let out an impatient noise. It was bad enough interrogating criminals, but this was like pulling teeth. "You were pissed at me for not telling you more about my past. Tell me you weren't reckless enough to try going back to change it?"

"No! Dad, I wouldn't have!" James seemed properly startled at the suggestion.

"You wanted to hide then, is that it?" the older wizard said bitterly. "Watch some events before returning home whistling. What did you want to see?"

"I didn't have anything in mind."

"Don't act stupid! What was your plan?"

"…the Hogwarts Battle."

"What?"

"The Final Battle at Hogwarts, happy?" James bit out, fists curling in frustration. "2nd May, 1998."

Harry fell silent for a heartbeat. When he did speak, his voice was quiet and tense. "I should have guessed. What then, you wanted to see me be hit with the killing curse?"

"NO! No, of course not!"

"Or see Teddy's parents be murdered? Your Uncle Fred?"

"You know I didn't."

"How about the Fallen Fifty, James! Did you even think about the Death Eaters and curses flying about? You would have been killed playing tourist!"

"I'd have been careful!" James' voice surged back up, returning his father's glare as they both stood in anger. "So what if I wanted to see you defeat Voldemort? Nothing would have gone wrong."

"We're back in 1995! EVERYTHING WENT WRONG!" Harry barked. Hands flew through his hair, making it stand on end. "I'm not positive I can get us home. I'm even less sure we can keep from radically changing the future. Do you understand how dangerous this is? What the hell were you thinking! Were you thinking?"

"Dad…"

"Do you think this is funny?"

"Of course not."

"Because I honestly think you believe everything is a prank! That you can snap your fingers and it magically works out!"

"I know this is dangerous," the teenager huffed.

"Oh really," sarcasm rolled off Harry's tongue. "Because I thought going back to the Final Battle was a laugh."

"I never said that!" it was James' turn to snap. "I know I messed up and I'm sorry. But if you were more open—"

"Now it's my fault?"

James tossed his hands up. "You're always bloody well perfect! Nothing I can do can match up, Hogwarts has made that clear. So what if I wanted to have an adventure? Prove that, yeah, I'm somebody too."

Harry's expression darkened. "You weren't planning on hiding."

"I don't know what I wanted to do." James gave a peeved scowl. "Change something, do something."

Disappointment rose up in Harry's chest, curling around fear and anger. "That isn't heroism, it's selfishness. Your mother and I didn't raise you like that."

"Well maybe you screwed up!" the teenager shouted.

"Sure, of course I made mistakes. Top of that list was giving you and your siblings so much leniency!"

"Are you mad? You breathe down our necks."

Harry gave a harsh laugh. "The hinkypuffs that 'followed you home' would argue otherwise. Did I ground you for that? No! We kept them as pets."

"You're always so serious about everything," James ground out. "Tension follows you around. What I wouldn't do to have a normal dad. One without a stupid 'dark and tragic' past! Who could maybe sleep without waking up the whole house!"

James paused after the last, guilt or shame crossing his features. Harry stilled, anger bubbling up his throat. "You wish I wasn't your dad?"

The teenager returned to scowling. "Sometimes, sure."

"Well, sometimes I wish you weren't my son!" Harry exclaimed before catching himself, seeing James' eyes widen. "I mean—I didn't mean that. You could just do to take things more seriously."

"Wait, what did you say?"

"I didn't mean it like that." Harry backtracked, cursing his temper. "You jump into things recklessly, that's it. Maybe you're too much like me."

"You just said I…"

"I phrased it poorly, I'm sorry. I—James! JAMES! DON'T LEAVE—"

James had hurried off, arms crossed and expression hard. Harry sighed as the anger left him. Regret took its place as he worried he'd been too harsh. He knew he shouldn't have let his temper get the best of him, but his son had been so incredibly out of line. It was like James was trying to infuriate him! Breaking in, stealing the time-turner, and sending them back to the war—!

Though he shouldn't have said exactly that.

Harry rubbed his forehead, heading out of the attic as well. He cast a single look back at the window, but it was too obscured by night and dust to see a glimmer of the distant train station.

"Damn it," he muttered, walking down the steps and hallway without a clear destination in mind. He had to check on all the kids, transfigure more beds, and figure out what to do with James. Or apologise to James, he wasn't sure at the moment. He was also surely going to be pulled into a meeting or three—whether it would be with Dumbledore, Sirius, Remus, or the older Weasleys was anyone's guess. He also gave a small thought to his younger self, who was ignorant of all of this and was currently asleep at #4 Privet Drive.

He tried not to think about his wife. Tried not to worry about how the hell they were going to get home.

There were many other things on his mind as well, but he pushed those aside and (for the moment) pretended the harsher worries concerning time and his family didn't exist. The thoughts of what didn't have to be were likewise kicked and prodded to the back of his mind (of Sirius, chained muggleborns, explosions in the Tube…). Harry was so lost in his thoughts that he nearly ran into Arthur Weasley exiting a hallway.

"Umph. Harry!" the man exclaimed, catching his balance from the collide as the other wizard did the same. "Hello, what timing. I was just looking for you."

'Meeting with the Weasleys, then.' Was Harry's mental note as he put on a forced smile (so that maybe he'd stop thinking about Death Eater spies, buying tech stocks, and a soon-to-be erupting Middle East). "Lo, Arthur."

"Molly's upstairs getting the boys settled with beds," Arthur said cheerfully, looking at him with something indefinable in his expression. "I was going to do the same with Lily, but found you'd beat me to it! So I believe that just leaves you. All the rooms are occupied, but there's more than enough space for another bed in Sirius' room."

Hell no. "That sounds great," Harry's voice was strained, "but I don't want to be a bother. I can kip in—" the attic? No, there were too many things to clear up. They had a tent, but he was never sleeping in that godawful thing again, "on a couch, maybe. In the living room."

Arthur stopped, surprised but not shocked. "It wouldn't be any trouble. I've already talked to Sirius, he—"

"The couch's fine. It's temporary, anyway." Hopefully. If that didn't work out, he could get a hotel room. Or take the kids and flee Europe. Australia was sounding nicer with every minute that passed.

"I see." The Weasley sent him an odd look. "I won't be able to talk you out of this, will I."

"I doubt it. Sorry."

"Be that as it may, Molly would have my head if I left you on a couch." Arthur's cheeriness returned as he headed towards the living room, gesturing for an uncertain Harry to follow. He strolled through the doorway. "She's been racing about, most excited I've seen her in a long while. This has been a wonderful break from the dreariness." As he drew his wand to point at the couch he sent Harry an apologetic look. "Not that this is 'wonderful', not in the least. We all feel awful about your predicament. But having new kids in the house is a far cry from hearing about You Know Who."

"Don't worry, I understand." He drew his wand as well as Arthur transfigured the furniture into a makeshift bed frame. "What can I, ah…"

"Not a thing!" Arthur began transfiguring the cushions into a fluffy mattress. "You must be dead on your feet. I'm shocked Molly didn't slip a sleeping draught into the drinks."

Harry stifled a laugh at the image, transfiguring spare ornaments into quilts. "I really am sorry we landed on you like this."

"Don't be silly, you're more than welcome. Like I said, Molly is thrilled. As am I." Arthur sent Harry another look. "With that being said, at the moment she's so overwhelmed that she's missed something rather obvious."

Harry stopped as well, getting a bad feeling about this.

"It's one thing for her to be happy to see you grown up and to have more kids underfoot." Arthur smiled. "It's quite another for her to realise her future son-in-law and grandchildren have popped in for a visit…that is, I do hope it's 'son-in-law'? You did mention a wife, I believe."

Harry's throat was suddenly scratchy. He remembered tinkering with clocks out in Arthur's shed, stumbling over himself as he told the man he planned on proposing. "I'm happily married. I, I suppose Lily's appearance gave it away?"

Arthur chuckled, patting his shoulder. "It was all of your kids. Weasleys if I've ever seen them." He gave him a conspiratorial wink. "It was also a large hint when Albus coughed to cover calling me 'grandpa'."

"Right. Yes." Harry coughed himself, trying to think of what to say. "I—oof!"

"Albeit belated or early: welcome to the family." Arthur pulled away from the hug, beaming. "Not how you thought I'd react, eh?"

"Not really, no."

He turned back to conjuring pillows, arranging them on the now marshmallow-fluffy bed. "I've always been a firm believer that you can tell all about parents from their children, exceptions aside. Coincidentally, it's why I haven't said a word about the Malfoys; Scorpius seems like a remarkably nice, bubbly boy. As for yours, they have confidence and talent in mounds! I'm sure you're very proud."

"I am." Harry scrubbed the back of his neck, still off-balance. "Though I could do with less mischievousness."

"They're like the twins?" Arthur said knowingly. "I can't say I'm shocked. Ginny's always been one to poke her nose into trouble."

"To be fair, she has nothing on me."

"Which I didn't say." Arthur turned around with a more serious expression, bed finished. "My daughter's happy?"

"Yes sir."

"You as well?"

Harry smiled sadly. "Up until today? Very much so."

"Yes, well, Dumbledore will sort this out." Arthur firmly patted his shoulder. "As will we. Until then, it will be wonderful to have you around! Even if we have to forget it afterwards."

Obliviation had never been explicitly mentioned. But Arthur wasn't a stupid man and Harry found he could do nothing but shrug.

"The working plan is to, eventually, steal the time-turner from Lucius Malfoy?" Arthur looked on while the other wizard nodded. "I can't say it'd happen to a more deserving fellow. But—well—"

'It won't work,' were the unspoken words. Harry had already changed the past and to wait longer would change it even more. On top of that, if they took the only time-turner that would be creating a paradox he didn't even want to think about. "It's a working plan," he said at last.

"Yes. Yes, I see." He did, and his tone had never been more serious. "Know that Molly and I will do whatever we can to help."

"Thank you." Harry gave him a weak grin, gesturing at the bed. "And thanks for that. I hope we'll be out of your hair soon."

Arthur returned the smile, walking to the door. "Get some sleep, Harry. Things always look brighter in the morning. Good night."

"Night."