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Complete summary: When Harry is sucked into the Pensieve, he finds himself in a new world with a chance at a new life… but is does this new world truly bring everything he hoped for? Harry struggles with true love, courage, sacrifice, and above all, finding himself. HP/GW, some RW/HG, and NL/LL
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A/N: Italics usually indicate Harry's thoughts, or if indicated, a flashback.
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Chapter 1: Prologue
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter. I am merely using JK Rowling's creations in my story.
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Harry Potter looked up as Professor McGonagall said his name. His scar was still throbbing painfully and his eyes were beginning to water from the constant pain.
"Mr. Potter? Should I fetch Madame Pomfrey?"
"No, Professor. I'll be all right," Harry managed to say, gritting his teeth. The pain was beginning to subside slightly. "I – I had a dream."
Headmistress McGonagall and Ron both knew by now that this was no normal dream. After all, this was Harry Potter they were both looking at.
"Yes?" the woman prompted a little sharply.
Ron looked at Harry encouragingly, who took a deep breath and began to speak.
--- Flashback---
Harry lay in bed and shut his eyes; trying to get some sleep, which was becoming increasingly difficult for him. For almost a month, there had been no word… no slight whispering of Voldemort. This made Harry very tense, because he knew that the Dark Lord was planning something big, but at the moment, he had no idea what to expect.
The Daily Prophet had run out of things to write about and had contented itself with writing a bunch of crap about Harry and his friends. Oh well, he was used to it. The only good rumor that had come out of this was that Harry's girlfriend was some pretty-faced 6th-year Hufflepuff. At least that took the attention off of Ginny. Not like she had really spoken to him anyway. They had been avoiding each other consistently.
Harry sighed and forced Ginny out of his mind. He lost his train of thought…
Harry was worried…
"Master?" Peter Pettigrew said to him.
"Yes Wormtail?" he hissed.
"With Dumbledore gone, out work on the wards has progressed, Master."
"How so, Wormtail? Have they broken down yet?"
Peter managed to grin slightly. "Master, we are getting close. The wards should be completely broken in two weeks."
He raised an eyebrow. "The last day of school before Christmas vacation is in one and a half weeks, Wormtail. I will be most disappointed if you do not accomplish your task by then."
"No, Master, I will not disappoint you," Wormtail said hastily.
"Good. We will attack Hogwarts on the last day before break, during their silly little Christmas feast. What a lovely Christmas present it will be for Potter and his friends."
"Indeed, Master."
"We will surround them. Half of the Death Eaters will apparate near the main gates, and the other half will apparate at the opposite end of the school. Do you understand me?"
"Yes, Master. Of course, Master…"
"Enough. I'll send Lucius to take care of our dear Headmistress first, while Severus sends up the Dark Mark. Do I make myself clear, Wormtail?"
"Perfectly, Master."
"Good. One and a half weeks."
--- End Flashback ---
Harry finished depicting the Dark Lord's plans, staring at the floor. Finally, the Headmistress spoke.
"Potter, you are… positive… this was not a dream?" she said carefully.
"Professor, I am absolutely positive! We need to prepare for this!" Harry exclaimed with an edge to his voice.
"Harry, remember when Voldemort set you up though? When… er – in 5th year?" Ron said just as carefully.
"Oh yeah? Why don't you just say it, Ron! When I killed Sirius! There, I said what you meant. Happy now?" he practically yelled.
"No, mate, that's not what I meant…"
"That's enough, you two. Mr. Weasley, I must ask you to go back to bed. Mr. Potter, please wait here while I fetch some of the Professors."
Harry nodded, still irritated. He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned around to see Ron looking at him apologetically.
"Harry, I'm sorry…" he began.
Harry sighed, his temper deflating slightly. "Don't worry about it, I'll be fine. I shouldn't have blown up at you like that."
"Mr. Weasley?" Professor McGonagall called.
"Coming, Professor," Ron said hastily. He gave Harry one last glance before leaving.
"I'll be back, Potter," McGonagall said. "Have a seat."
Harry sighed heavily and sank into a chair. His head gave a painful throb with the impact. He massaged his forehead in frustration. He was sick of being "the boy who lived"… he never asked for the silly title.
Harry felt his temper rising again. He realized no that there was no one else in the room and let his feelings out. "Why me, huh? Thanks a lot, Voldemort, I really appreciate you picking me as your equal! I feel sofreaking honored. Oh, and you know what else? You made me famous! Yeah that's right! Your little stunt made your worst enemy a hero. Well I guess you must be satisfied now, huh? Hell, you're probably sitting there right now, laughing your ass off at me. I WANT OUT! Everyone close to me ends up dead or hurt! I just can't take this anymore! WHY ME? WHY COULDN'T SOMEONE ELSE BE THEDAMN BOY WHO LIVED? I DIDN'T ASK FOR THIS! AND I SURE AS HELL DIDN'T…"
"Harry?"
Harry stopped in his tracks. He knew that voice… but it couldn't be…
"Harry?" the voice repeated.
Harry slowly turned around to see Dumbledore looking at him through tired eyes. From his portrait, of course.
Harry stared at him in shock. "P-Professor, I thought… they said that… you were… er-"
Dumbledore smiled. "Ah… it seems as if I have taken a rather long nap, Harry. I do apologize."
Harry's anger deflated instantly into embarrassment. "Er… sorry about the yelling," he muttered before quickly changing the subject. "Professor McGonagall said that you would appear to be asleep in the portrait for at least a year before you could wake up."
"Indeed. Well, it seems I have finally been able to rouse myself for the time being. I knew I could find a way around this silly one year rule," Dumbledore winked at him.
Harry managed a slight chuckle.
"Harry, I did happen to hear your rather, er, loud discussion earlier." Harry looked away, obviously embarrassed. "Don't worry, everyone has their moments. Even me."
Harry looked up, bewildered. "Even you?" he asked in disbelief. "I honestly can't picture you screaming at anyone, Professor."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled. "Ah, yes. Well, let's not get into that… it's been a long time. I have something that I would like for you to see. Harry, I don't have time for explanations, but I ask you, do you see my Pensieve over there?"
"Professor, I-"
"Harry, do not worry. You'll find that we can talk later. As of now, this is most important for you to see."
"But, Professor McGonagall-" Harry began again.
"Shh, Harry. It would benefit you to enter the Pensieve once again. Use your left hand, and stir it twice to the left, or counterclockwise, whichever you prefer."
Harry sighed. He did, however, have an immense amount of respect for the man and trusted his every word, so he did as he was told. Harry slowly walked over to the Pensieve. He considered the mysterious substance for a moment, and then stuck his left hand into the mixture. Harry gasped. It was strangely gooey and rather cold to the touch. He braced himself for a sudden fall and quickly made two complete, counterclockwise circles. Nothing happened.
"Professor…" Harry began, but he was cut off. Suddenly, he felt himself being sucked into the Pensieve… he was spinning rapidly…
spinning…
falling…
spinning…
falling…
Then, he found himself sitting at a table in the Hogwarts library. He looked up and saw a boy with a lightning bolt scar sitting across from him. The boy looked at Harry with concern.
"Harry, are you alright? You look a bit peaky," said the boy.
Harry's gaze travelled down from the lightning bolt scar to the boy's face, to see none other than Neville Longbottom.
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Uh oh, kind of a cliffie! Please review… I'll update faster if I get more reviews. You don't have to write much… any suggestions would be nice. You could even guess where the story is heading if you want ;)
REVIEW!
Oh and the chapters do get longer…
kelsey