A Brand New World

All he saw was blackness. An infinite stretch of black space. Harry couldn't even begin to imagine where he was as he fell further and further into the dark shadows. The last thing he could remember was a duel with Voldemort , and then... falling. He couldn't even remember how long he'd been falling. A few minutes, a few hours, it felt like an eternity.

'Is this another one of Dumbledore's machinations?' Harry thought outloud. It wasn't like anyone could hear him anymore.

'Or am I truly dead and this is my fate? Feels a bit cruel.' Harry pondered.

Just then, a bright flash of light came from below, it raced towards Harry and swallowed him whole.

Harry awoke to find himself in a strange yet vaguely familiar house. The paint had worn off, one of the windows shattered, and there didn't seem to be much in the way of furniture.

'Where the hell am I? A house? Doesn't look like anyone's living here.' A million questions raced through Harry's mind as he looked around the room he had awoken in. Was he sent here? There were never any answers for Harry, just more questions.

Harry got up off the floor, he figured he may as well look around. The room looked almost familiar, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it. As he walked through the hallways he quickly came to the realization that there wasn't a soul to be found.

'Doesn't look like anyone lives here.'

Just in case of trouble Harry reached into his pocket and searched for his wand.

'Ah, good. Still have it'.

Harry pulled out the wand and cast Lumos to brighten up the place.

After a bit of walking Harry eventually reached the front door and walked outside. He checked the mailbox for a clue on where he was.

'Godric's Hollow'

'My parents' home. Or it was. Before...'

Harry went across the street and picked up a newspaper hoping the neighbors wouldn't notice his act of theft.

'Same date... doesn't look like I traveled in time.'

There was only one place Harry could go to find answers. Only one man that might have any idea what was going on. Harry dreaded seeing the old man again knowing how he was used as a tool. But this was more important than personal feelings. He had to get an update on the situation. He needed to know how the others were doing.

Harry went to Diagon Alley to try and find a way to get to Hogwarts. First he went to the bank in order to pull some money out. A bit of pocket change never hurts The goblins at Gringotts always unnerved him though.

Harry approached the teller at the counter: 'Excuse me my name is Harry Potter and I'd like to make a withdrawal.'

The goblin shuffled his brow and looked into his large book. After a few seconds he looked back at Harry and stated in monotone: 'No record for a Harry Potter. Next in line.'

'What? There has to be some sort of mistake. Can you please check again?' Harry asked confused and annoyed.

'No account for Harry Potter. Please move.' The goblin answered, now beginning to sound annoyed himself.

Exiting the line to avoid security Harry's mind once again raced with questions. 'No bank records, does that mean I never existed here?' Harry walked up to a man on the street and asked: 'Excuse me sir but do you know who I am? Here look at the scar on my forehead.' Harry pulled his hair up and showed the man his face.

'Not a clue now piss off.'

Harry walked up to a dozen people and not a single one managed to recognize him.

'Nobody recognizes me. I'm in a completely different world. One where I was never born.'

The realization hit Harry like sack of bricks. He felt like he was about to faint. His only remaining option was to go to Dumbledore and hoped the man would have some idea what was going on.

Harry had arranged a meeting with Dumbledore and acquired transportation to Hogwarts. Some woman he never met escort him through the castle and take him to Dumbledore's castle.

'Everything still looks the same' Harry noted to himself. School hadn't started up yet so none of the students were there. He was hoping to see Ron or Hermione. Though they wouldn't recognize him anyways.

After a long walk Harry and the woman, her name Sierra, arrived at Dumbledore's office. She said a few words and the doors opened. 'Go on in' she stated calmly. Harry thanked her as she walked off. Harry walked into the large beatiful room, he never admired it before quite like this. Maybe the experience of drifting through pure blackness had given him a new perspective.

'Hello sir. Who do I owe the pleasure?' Dumbledore asked with the usual twinkle in his eyes.

'Harry, sir'

'Harry?' Dumbledore implied curiously.

'Just Harry is fine for now.' Harry didn't want to reveal too much and he had already set up his mental defences to avoid getting his mind read.

'Ah alright then, just Harry. Why did you want to see me?' Dumbledore asked without a hint of malice.

Harry took a deep breath and began.

'This is going to sound insane but I assure you every bit of it is the truth. I've even prepared a few vials of my memory in order to show you everything I say is true. Though I'd appreciate if you didn't read my mind. A personal favor if you will.'

Harry continued 'I don't know all the detail but I believe I'm from a different version of your world. I was transported here during a duel with Lord Voldemort. He had ambushed with a pack of death eaters'

Dumbledore's face fell at the sound of his name.

'I take that as proof he exists here too. Anyways, in my world I was a student here about to begin my sixth year before being attacked by Voldemort and other Death Eaters. I thought I was going to die but instead I was brought here for some reason.'

'Was in I in your world Harry?' Dumbledore calmly inquired.

'Yes. You were still headmaster.' Harry answered. 'The only change I've noted so far is that I don't exist here.'

Dumbledore paced back and forth stroking his long beard. After a few minutes he finally asked to see the vials of memory. Harry handed them over. They were very carefully picked to show specific moments of Harry's life. His battle with Quirrel, Ginny controlled by Riddle, warding off the Dementors, and a few conversations with Harry and the headmaster.

Harry waited as Dumbledore looked through each memory, then proceeded to turn his attention back to Harry.

'I can safely say that this is the strangest thing to ever happen to me.'

'Imagine how I feel.' Harry joked. 'I came to you because I didn't know where else to go. I need a bit of guidance here sir.'

'I want to believe you Harry, but how am I to know this isn't some elaborate ruse for the Dark Lord to infiltrate Hogwarts? Memories can be changed. And you won't let me read your mind or even give me your last name.'

Harry sighed.

'My intentions are pure. If it calms your mind then let me be examined by the sorting hat. If he approves of me then will you be satisfied?' He asked.

After a long pause Dumbledore finally gave in: 'Alright I'll bring out the Sorting Hat!' He smiled as went off to go get the hat.

When Dumbledore returned with the hat, he instructed Harry to sit down in a chair in the middle of his office. Harry did so as Dumbledore placed the Sorting Hat on his head.

'Hmmm interesting very interesting. I feel as if I've sorted you before.'

'You have, in my Hogwarts!' Harry replied.

'Yes yes you are very familiar. Hmm I believe you were placed in... Gryffindor!'

'Yes exactly!' Harry exclaimed.

'You will be an interesting one to watch. Don't disappoint young man.' And with those parting words the Sorting Hat went to sleep.

Dumbledore removed it and placed it back on the shelf, once again turning his attention to the boy who lived.

'Satisfied?' Harry asked with a bit of confidence in his voice.

'For now yes. Though I hope you won't hold it against me if I have some reserves. I haven't gotten to where I am today without a bit of caution.'

'It's fine, I'm on your side here. I fought against Voldemort in my world and I can do it here as well. If you don't trust then I want a chance to earn your trust. Let me enroll in Hogwarts. I still have a lot to learn if I'm going to be ready.'

'But why are you so eager to fight Lord Voldemort? Most frighten at the mere mention of his name.'

'In my world, he killed my parents. Call it revenge, call it justice, I don't care. But I will bring him down.'

After another long pause, he likes to do that a lot. Dumbledore finally answered. 'Very well I will allow you to enroll in Hogwarts for the year. You can tell the students that you're a transfer student from Durmstrang. I will explain the situation to the other teachers. We'll talk again later. For now, I'll be keeping my eye on you.'

A week had passed and students were beginning to arrive by way of train. Harry had been living in the Gryffindor dormitory. Dumbledore provided the supplies Harry would need for the year. Although he didn't have much in the way of spending money. It was disappointing as he had gotten used to buying things whenever he wanted. He could finally see life from Ron's point of view.

'Ron'.

The very thought of seeing his best friends again filled him with dread. It's not like this Ron had ever met him. For that matter neither had Hermione, Luna, Ginny, Neville, Harry would have to meet them all over again. He was just a stranger to them now. Nobody in the entire world knew who he was. Might actually be nice to not be a celebrity. Now he wouldn't be hunted by Voldemort at the very least. The thought of having a normal life began to excite him. Of course he wasn't going to just forget about Voldemort. He had to fight him. The prophecy was gone but it was still his duty. Somebody had to bring him down.

'About time for the great feast to begin.' Harry made his way down to the great hall which was already packed with students. He saw Luna sitting at the Ravenclaw table, he glanced over at Slytherin and saw Malfoy and his usual gang, but his eyes were set on the Gryffindor students. Two very specific students. Finally he saw them sitting at the middle of the table, Ron and Hermione across from each other. He wondered if they had still become friends without Harry there, but given they were sitting together it seems like it. He very slowly walked over to an empty seat near them.

'Hi', Harry said nervously.

'Oh hello, I haven't seen you around before. Are you new?', Hermione wondered, her usual inquisitive self.

'Yeah I'm a transfer student. From Durmstrang. Name's Harry' He answered.

Hermione's eyes lit up at the mention of Durmstrang. Harry knew exactly why. Hermione raced through a series of questions while trying and failing not to sound excited. 'Did you know Viktor Krum? Was he a friend of yours? Did he ever mention me?' 'Where-

'Sorry, we weren't very close.' Harry interrupted to a disappointed Hermione. 'Alright then', she answered while putting her nose back into a book.

Harry glanced over at Ron who had his face buried in food. He didn't think Ron had even noticed him.

Ron finally looked up to catch an embarassed Harry staring right at him. 'Why you 'ookin at me?' Harry could barely make out what he was saying.

'Ron gross! You're getting food everywhere! At least finish chewing first.' Hermione glared as she cleaned up Ron's mess.

'But who is this guy?' Ron now sounding annoyed himself.

'This is Harry. He's a transfer student. Probably not getting a very high opinion of the school thanks to you.'

Harry couldn't help but start laughing. 'You guys are great. You should go out.'

'WHAT?' They both shouted in unison. Horrified at the mere suggestion.

As Ron drove daggers into Harry with his eyes, he noticed another student coming. She looked like a red head. Probably Ginny. Ron's sister has always had a crush on Harry, though he never reciprocated the feelings. The red head sat down in the empty seat next to Harry.

She wasn't Ginny.