A/N: Sorry that this isn't a new chapter, but it is the first chapter redone in THIRD PERSON! I have been meaning to do this for a while, so its about time I got off my lazy arse and did it. Also, some differences in this chapter, while not huge, better sounding (Or so I think) then the original. Enjoy!
He could still remember, still remember the prophecy. No, not the prophecy that controlled his life, but the second prophecy, the prophecy foretelling the traitor's escape and subsequent return to the Dark Lord, Voldemort. He could still remember its haunting melody, its chilling implications, and its consequences.
Oh, yes. He understood the consequences. He understood that it was due to this prophecy that he didn't have a Godfather. He understood that the prophecy couldn't help but to come true, as it would be hard to find a rat running in the forest. However, understand it as he may, he just couldn't accept it. He couldn't accept that it was real, he just couldn't.
He couldn't accept that his Godfather was dead, due to the prophecy, or could he accept that it was due to his own mistakes as well. It was maddening. Each day, he'd wake up and go about his business in a brisk manner, neither wanting nor allowing human conversation.
It wasn't until the end of term, when Luna had talked to him briefly, that a plan had formed in his mind. He hoped, no longed, for his plan to work. But if it didn't…Well, he didn't really matter to the world.
He boarded the train, his mind still grappling with the ideas he'd put in his head. Ideas that, while only half-formed, would be very important in the near future.
He walked into his usual compartment on the train. With several measured steps and movements he placed his trunk on the rack, he then sat down on the bench, resting his head against the wall of the compartment. He stayed in the same position while the train started moving away from the station. Even when his friends walked in he took no notice of them. Even when they started playing a game of Exploding Snap, he took not notice of them. So lost in his depression, he never noticed when Malfoy and his two goons showed up. In fact, during that time, he fell asleep.
.oOo.
I stand, watching him fall, watching him write with agony as he falls into the veil. Yet, he freezes just at the point where the veil starts to connect with his head. He opens his mouth as if to speak.
FLASH"Where am I?" I ask, suddenly surprised by the change in scenery. Gone is the Death Room in the Department of Mysteries. Gone is the falling Sirius and the veil. Instead there is nothing. Nothing except for the bright white light.
"You are nowhere special." A voice says in reply.
"Who are you?" I ask suddenly fearful.
"I am the one who is here to offer you a choice. A choice that will be hard to resist, but is that all it appears to be?" The voice says, answering my question, and adding a rhetorical question.
Harry! A voice yells from far off…Hermione's voice?
"What is the choice?" I ask bravely.
"I am here to offer you the chance to go into the past. To a time two years ago. You mission would be quite simple: Kill or be killed. Voldemort, that is. He's been needing killing for some time, and you seem to the best suited for the task."
"How do you know about the prophecy?" I ask cautiously, silently hoping that this isn't another Voldemort induced dream.
"I know of it, yes. However, that is not the issue at hand. You are offered a chance to go into the past. Will you take it?" The voice says patiently.
"On the condition that Buckbeak doesn't need to be rescued. Also, I want to be in the Shrieking Shack, when Pettigrew was revealed." I pause. "Is that okay?"
"Is that all?" The voice asks in a bemused tone.
"Yes." I say with finality.
Silence enveloped the area, and time passed.
"Are you there?" I ask.
"My task is done, you will be in the past soon." The voice says after a long while.
HARRY! Oh god Ron, we're losing him! HARRY! Oh, please don't die Harry, please don't die…
And then I know no more.
.oOo.
"I'm sorry Peter, but it is time for you to die." Remus said, leveling his wand at the Traitor's heart. "Ava-"
"No!" Harry shouted, placing himself between the two men. "I don't think my Dad and Mum would want you two to become killers over the piece of filth." He said in response to their inquiring gazes. "Stupefy" He said after looking at the sniveling man with disdain. "Don't even think about it." The black haired youth said, leveling a glare at the two men.
He then walked over to the fallen Potions Master and revived him. "Professor Snape, sir." He said, looking at him. "I think you might want to take Pettigrew to the castle with Sirius."
Professor Snape responded with a stern glare. "And why should I do such a thing Potter?" He practically spat.
"Because sir, it would make sure that the guilty part would be found out, and it might help your standing in both circles you walk in." Harry felt a little guilty for letting the Potions Master tie up Sirius, but necessary evils…
He then walked over to Remus. "Don't use an unforgivable Moony." Harry said in an undertone. Remus smiled with gratitude.
He looked over the motley array in front of him: A Potions master that couldn't forget a vendetta that should've ended ages ago; A werewolf that was the best human being that Harry had ever met; A convicted murderer; An illegal animagus that betrayed his parents; and finally a bushy bookworm that was easily loved.
Wait, easily loved? Where'd that come from? He wondered; he then shoved it to the back of his mind. "Let's go to the castle," he said. "Before dementors show up." He added in an undertone, but still Hermione heard it.
"Right then." Snape still looked a bit peeved at having to tie up both Pettigrew and Sirius, but he did it nonetheless.
At a brisk pace Harry led the group away from the shrieking shack and towards the looming School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. They made it about three fourths of the way before the dementors showed up.
.oOo.
The cold was the first indicator. Second was the withering plant life around them. Finally was the depressing mood that overcame the small group. It wasn't a surprise then when the dementors arrived.
They arrived in droves, like vultures to a freshly dead corpse that had yet to be discovered by land scavengers. They moved in their peculiar manner, floating over the ground, extending their hands just enough to be creepy, but not enough to be frightening.
Snape was the first to crack, he yelled out. "EXPECTO PATRONUM" And a small silver like mist appeared from his wand, but it wasn't enough. Harry was impressed though, he didn't think that the Slytherin teacher would have many happy memories.
Sighing Harry reached into the fold of his robe and produced his wand. He pointed it in the direction of the dementors and concentrated on the Christmas spent at Number Twelve. "Expecto patronum" He said, and his patronus, a stag as always, flew from his wand, though its light was slightly dampened, it was still brilliantly lit. It lowered its horns and charged at the approaching dementors, its intent perfectly clear, even to the untrained eye.
.oOo.
"Harry, it seems that you've developed into a mighty wizard." The Headmaster said. It had been an hour and a half since the battle with the dementors, during that time he'd been barraged with questions, fought off a werewolf- he still raged at himself for forgetting that it was a full moon that night- and forced their small group to march to the castle. "As you've undoubtedly heard, with great power comes great responsibility. It may sound cliched, but it is very true, especially for you."
"Sir." Harry said, still slightly bitter at the man for hiding the prophecy from him, even though this version would know nothing of the deed. "I did only what was necessary. Why does this make it into a huge problem?"
"Because Harry, very few wizards can cast a patronus while under the dementor's effects. Fewer yet can totally destroy seventeen dementors with one patronus. And even fewer can severely injure another eighty or so." He raised a hand in warning. "I say this not to boost your ego, but just keep it in mind that you a very powerful wizard." He turned to an apparently in animate statue next to his desk. "Please show in Miss Granger."
To Harry's surprise the statue gave a small, parade ground worthy, salute, and walked down the steps leading to the Headmasters' office. It returned moments later, dragging a somewhat perplexed Hermione into the office. It saluted Dumbledore once again and returned to its original position.
"Harry and I were just talking about the events of the night, perhaps you'd like to share a little bit about how Peter was found?" The Headmaster said kindly.
"Well…"Hermione said, a little startled to be personally addressed to by the Headmaster of Hogwarts. After overcoming that small roadblock she launched into her tale. She told of how she, and Harry had been visiting Hagrid, to console him over the disappearance of his beloved hippogriff. Then, how they saw a black dog slinking around the Whomping Willow. They watched the dog as it suddenly leapt towards a rat on the ground and carried it into the tree's inner depths. The two descended into the tree, with Crookshanks's help as he touched the knoll that froze the tree. They then went along a path and they ran into Sirius Black glaring at a rat that was locked in a glass jar.
"…And then, Professor Lupin showed up, he and Mister Black talked for a little while, then they decided on a course of action, and blew up the jar, casting another spell on the rat at the same time. Apparently the rat had been Peter Pettigrew, the long dead animagus, though nobody knew it at the time…"
She went one to describe how Snape had shown up and was prepared to cut the dementors out of the job of killing Sirius. And then how she and Harry had disarmed him when he made to attack the two other men without provocation, effectively knocking him out.
"…Then, something in Harry changed and he yelled at Professor Lupin and Mister Black to stop what they were doing, instead he stupefied Pettigrew. He revived Professor Snape and pointed out that both Mister Black and Pettigrew where there, right where he could bring them in and further his reputation.
"Somehow, He got him to agree to doing it because we ended up walking to the castle, rather rapidly. We got about three-quarters of the way here when the Dementors showed up. Professor Snape tried casting a patronus, but failed. Then, Harry did the same and produced a stag, which then moved to kill the dementors and injure the rest…" Her voice died out.
"Sir, I was wondering, how many dementors are there?" She asked.
"Miss Granger, it is the best guess of the Ministry that about two hundred of those fell creatures exist, though we can reduce that number by seventeen now." He gave a pointed glance at Harry, as if reprimanding him for the loss of life.
She continued her tale and finished it up right when McGonagall found them right outside the castle.
Dumbledore was very pensive as he took in the information that she just told him. He was silent for some time before he opened his mouth. "The Ministry has decided to clear Sirius for the murder of Peter, however he had to pay a fine of ten thousand galleons for being an illegal animagus. However, he's receiving that much in 'apologizing money' as the Ministry has labeled it, so he's not losing any money." He looked at Harry closely, as if looking for a reaction to his next piece of news. "Peter Pettigrew has been sentenced to the Dementor's Kiss tomorrow evening." He then looked at both of them.
"I bid you goodnight, for 'tis very late." He then looked down at the paperwork on his desk in clear dismissal.
The two teens managed to walk all the way out of the office and were almost to the Gryffindor Common Room before Hermione placed a hand on Harry's shoulder in an effort to stop him. She looked at him with concern before speaking.
"How can you do that?" She asked, her voice close to breaking. "You just killed seventeen beings, and then sentenced another to death." Her voice broke and Harry noticed the raw emotion in her voice. Haltingly he put a hand on her shoulder, to try and calm her down, or, at least, to get her into a less depressed mood. "And, now you're able to help me! What happened to the Harry Potter I knew?" She managed to say. "You've become cold. And, what did the Ministry do to you?" She gave a wan smile. "Oh yes, I saw your face. Every time they came up, you had to keep your face from snarling, or doing something similar. Haven't they been nice these past years?"
Harry, not knowing what to do, hugged her as tightly as friendship allowed. "Hermione." He started. "I am the same Harry Potter you know. The same one that you met in our first year and helped Ron save you from a troll. The same one who sat by you every day in the Hospital Wing in Second Year when you were petrified." He gave a small, rather grim, smile. "I guess, I just wanted my parents avenged. By killing him, or sentencing him to death, I've done a little to help it. Also, dementors are things to be killed for the common good of the world."
They stood like that for a while, then Hermione broke the hug and they walked normally to the Common Room and into their dorms. Where sleep quickly claimed them.
.oOo.
Harry was quietly eating his breakfast, a simple porridge and toast meal, when the owl arrived. It was a very official looking owl that was probably arrogant. After he dropped off the letter he took the bit of Harry's toast that he'd been saving for Hedwig.
Harry quickly unwrapped the letter, revealing a length of stationary from the Ministry of Magic, Department of Magical Law Enforcement. On it was written a hastily scribbled message.
Harry,
By the time this letter reaches you I will have already been cleared of all charges. Seeing as I'm not a convicted murderer, would you like to come live with me?
Sirius
"Hey Harry?" Seamus asked.
"Yes?" Harry responded absently.
"What'd that letter say?"
"Just an offer from an old friend." Harry said, still looking at the letter in shock.
"Must've been a good offer, you look like Christmas 'as come early."
Harry smiled at that. In a sense it had, though not in the way that Seamus had been thinking. He managed to keep his excitement out of his voice as he responded. "Well, it has, in a way."
With a small whoosh, the Ministry Owl disappeared.
Once the Ministry Owl was gone, the horde of owls for the rest of the students descended upon the unsuspecting masses, dropping their letters where they should. The Daily Prophet was a regular projectile, hitting most everybody in the head. Harry's copy however, landed in front on him.
Displayed on the cover was:
Black Declared Innocent Pettigrew Lives (And Escapes)
By: Jane Danielson
In a surprise move the Ministry of Magic brought the previously thought murderer Sirius Orion Black to trial. While on stand he brought forth his evidence. Most of which was based solely on one person: Peter Pettigrew.
Pettigrew, thought to be dead until recently, was an Order of Merlin, 2nd Class receiver. There is now thought of removing the award from his mother. Furthermore, it was discovered while bringing the man to testify that Pettigrew bore the Dark Mark of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named. As bearing the Dark Mark is capital offence, top Aurors from the DMLE held him under guard.
Black was found innocent, and in order to express the apologies that the Ministry felt towards Black the Department of Treasury authorized a 10,000G deposit into his account. However, Black had to pay that in illegal animagus fines when it was found out that he was an illegal animagus. He is currently being added to the list of animagi of the 20th century (Common Era)
To temper the good with the bad, Pettigrew escaped. The Ministry is bringing together the largest manhunt in the past 50 years. In order to track down this wayward Death Eater. More in tonight's issue.
Harry smiled when he read the paper. He was so happy that nothing could ruin his current mood. When he spotted the familiar snowy white owl among the masses he beckoned her down and scribbled a quick acceptance letter off to Sirius.
"Take care girl." He whispered to her as she took of. She gave a reassuring hoot as she flew away from the table.
He watched the owl he'd had for five years fly away with a small smile on his face, he was going to live with Sirius! For real this time! He could feel most of his depression from the death of his godfather start to slip away.
"Harry." Dumbledore said from behind Harry's shoulder. "I'd like to talk to you in my office now."
Harry obligingly got up and followed the old man away from the table. Out of the corner of his eye he saw some of the people at the table he'd just recently occupied start whispering amongst themselves. He followed Dumbledore until they arrived at his office and then, giving the password, Dumbledore and Harry ascended the stairs.
Once they were inside the confines of Dumbledore's office, Dumbledore sat down at his desk and motioned to Harry to sit in a chair. Which he did.
"Yes sir?" Harry said after a moment of silence in which Dumbledore did nothing.
"Harry, I cannot impress upon you the importance of going to your relatives house. It is your home Harry." Dumbledore said in his best grandfatherly voice.
"Sir, quite frankly it is not your job to decide what goes on during the summer. It is not up to you where I go, you have no say in it. After all, you are nothing but a headmaster of a school. Not my guardian." Harry stated firmly.
"Harry." Dumbledore started. "It is for your own good. There are blood protection wards around Privet Drive. Wards that protect the place that is home to you. For that reason they are immobile. I do have the authority as the Headmaster of the school to detain you, pending results for your finals. If only to make sure that you can study for them to take them again."
Harry stared at Dumbledore in horror. Surely he wouldn't mess with a student's test scores in order for him to stay at the Dursley's! It was unthinkable; the Greatest Wizard of the Century was a pure man, a man who desired naught but to teach children. Right?
"Sir." Harry said. "I really don't think that this is the best way to be handling matters." He took a breath. "I know that in my parents' will that Sirius was named as my guardian. And, Sirius hadn't been incarcerated by then, so he hasn't given up any legal right to me now. I can and will plead a case in front of the entire Wizengamot on my custody. Don't make me."
Dumbledore stared at Harry uncomprehendingly then he looked at him with eyes full of terror. "Get out of him Tom!" He yelled at Harry. "Is it not enough that you haven't died a natural death? Must you come back and haunt us here?" He pointed his wand at Harry's forehead. "This won't help you a bit Harry, if there's enough of you left in there to comprehend what I'm saying."
Harry looked at Dumbledore, eyes full of confusion until it clicked. "Sir! I'm not being possessed or what ever you want call it. I am Harry James Potter!" He had to move quickly to dodge the stunner that was flung his way by the Headmaster.
'Just when I thought I could trust him.' Harry thought bitterly. He was forced to move when another stunner was fired his way.
"Tom! I'll force you out of the boy!" Albus cried, lost in what could be best described as delirium.
.oOo.
After escaping from the Headmaster's office Harry made his way to the Gryffindor Common Room. He dutifully gave the password to the Fat Lady and walked tiredly into the room, throwing himself onto the couch. He saw several First Years look at him nervously. Their minds wondering if the Boy-Who-Lived had had a very bad day, and if he would take it out on them.
He quickly forced himself to relax on the couch and he gradually saw blackness invade his vision, until he fell asleep.
.oOo.
"Think we should wake him?" A male voice asked.
"Yes, Ron!" A female voice answered, exasperated. "We are leaving in less then fifty minutes, do you think he'd appreciate it if we let him sleep until the train left?"
"Well…" The male voice, Ron, responded.
"Guys, it's too late for that, I'm awake." Harry yawned, his body just starting to wake up. He cracked open his eyes slowly, barely able to see Ron and Hermione standing next to the couch, and, by proxy, him.
"See Ron, I told you to wake him." Hermione said before turning to Harry. "Ron helped me put away your stuff." She said, smiling a little.
"Thanks." He responded. He then turned to Ron and giving him a small nod of the head.
"We'd better get down to the feast." Ron said, his stomach giving a small rumble of agreement.
Harry and Hermione laughed and the three walked through the Fat Lady's portrait hole and down to the Great Hall.
.oOo.
"I am glad that this year made it through with nothing greater then a broken leg." Dumbledore said to the residents of the Great Hall. "It definatly was better than past years." He looked pointedly at the trio sitting at the Gryffindor table, his eyes lingering on Harry for a little longer then anybody else. Harry could read the victory in his eyes.
"On a sadder note, on of the students has failed the third year." Dumbledore said, a note of victory seeping into his eyes. "I have been told by Professor Severus Snape that he has had a dismal record in Potions and thus it was to be expected that he would fail this year. The student in question will be required to stay at the castle to retest in all subjects. And,-"
A flash of flame on the far side of the room drew Dumbledore's attention along with the rest of the Great Hall's occupants'. A bird flew out of the flame, holding a red letter in its talons, once it was over the staff table it let go of the letter.
By magic or sheer luck the letter landed in front of an unconcerned Albus Dumbledore. He reached out and grabbed the letter with his left hand. Harry noticed that the hand was trembling, albeit rather unnoticeably.
He calmly opened the letter, but it burst into flame and exploded. "ALBUS DUMBLEDORE!" A voice yelled. "I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT YOU FALISFIED HARRY POTTER'S TEST SCORES! GIVING HIM A FAILING GRADE IN EVERY CLASS! I SHOULD REMOVE HIM FROM HOGWARTS!" The voice stopped and the howler promptly disintegrated.
Harry looked around the staff table and stopped when he saw Professor Lupin, who was almost choking on his drink. 'Good 'ol Moony.' Harry thought before he saw Professor McGonagal slap Dumbledore on the wrist. Harry winced, but then thought better of it and whistled loudly, causing McGonagal to smile a little.
McGonagal handled the rest of the meal as Dumbledore excused himself to go to his room after he was slapped.
After they were shoed out of the Great Hall the Trio grabbed their belongings and walked to the carriages outside, where they got in one and rode all the way down to Hogsmeade station.
Once there they boarded the Hogwarts express and waited for the train to leave the station. While they were waiting they struck up a conversation and somehow got on the subject of Quidditich.
"I tell you guys." Ron was saying. "The Chudley Cannons are the best Quidditich team out there! They will go to the World Cup next time, I know it." He looked around, as if trying to remember something. "I've been instructed to invite you to the Quidditich World Cup, it's this summer." He looked at both. "I would like it if both of you came, we got Top Box seats." He looked at both rather anxiously.
"Sure Ron." Hermione said, looking at Harry quickly. "We'll both go." Harry noticed that she said we, but let it slide, after all he was going to accept.
"Great!" Ron said, evidently not noticing the We. "And you, Harry?"
"Ron, didn't you here what Hermione said? She said that we'll go." Harry said.
"Oh." He paused. "Congratulations then, you know, I thought you two were good for each other."
Hermione and Harry looked at each other in complete astonishment, they weren't together!
"Ron." Hermione started. "We're"
"Not seeing each other." Harry finished, without thinking about it.
Ron snorted. "Sure."
"Really!" They both protested at the same time. "We're not going out."
"Really? Then, what was that on the way to the Common Room last night? You sure you weren't hugging her?" Ron said with a large grin.
"How'd you see that?" Harry said sharply.
"Colin told Dennis told Lavender told Ginny told me." He said, and started laughing.
Hermione then moved and sat down next to Harry. Which took Harry by surprise, but it wasn't totally unwanted.
"Well…I guess that was unexpected." She said to Harry.
"No kidding." Harry said.
-End Chapter One-
A/N: Yep, kinda different. I hope that you all who are reading this enjoyed it. Sorry about the false chapter, it was the only way I could think of warning any readers of the story that there was a newly done first chapter.
Eldar