Author's note: I do not own Harry Potter, the things from the books or anything of that sort. That is all J.K. Rowling's stuff.. I just enjoy playing in her brilliant world.

The Change

Courtney sat down under her favorite tree near the lake. She was uneasy with the thought of her friend, Harry, and the rise of Voldemort. It had been over two months since the Tri Wizard Tournament but he still kept fighting all the criticism. School would be starting soon and she had a feeling the Slytherins were not going to ease up either. He had lost so much and still had a long way to go. She wished that she could somehow help him out.

The summer break was almost over but she was still bored. She was stuck at Hogwarts until her godfather, Severus Snape, was done with his little missions for Dumbledore. She turned her head at the sound of approaching footsteps, it was Dumbledore. "Hello Courtney, how is your day going?" He greeted her. She smiled at him, "It's great, thanks." She was pretty good at lying, except to her godfather and Dumbledore.

"Now Courtney you can't expect me to believe that. You have been walking around this place like you have just lost your best friend." She smirked, well it was worth the try. "Yeah, I know. It's just.. I'm worried about Harry. He has gone through so much and he still isn't halfway through it yet." Dumbledore nodded, "It is true that Harry has still a long road ahead of him, but you must remember that he is strong. Also with caring friends like yourself, you can help him through it." She nodded and looked at the lake. "Just wish I could help him more."

Dumbledore had a certain twinkle in his eye that told her he was up to something. "I know you want to help. If you were given the chance to go back and change things for the better would you?" She smiled at the old man, "In a heartbeat." Dumbledore eyed her, "Even if it meant you would have to give up something valuable?" He was surprised when she didn't even have to think about the answer, "If it would make it better, yes."

He nodded, "Well Courtney, you must do what you can with the time your given here on earth. Only those who live life to the fullest truly appreciate friends like you do." The smile on her face faded somewhat, "When you've lived like I have, you learn that good friends don't come around that often." Dumbledore put a hand on her head and muttered something she couldn't make out. "I didn't catch that professor, what did you say?" He just looked at her with a smile, "I was just talking to myself, dear. Good day to you, and good luck."

She watched the old man walk away. What do I need luck for? Maybe it's his way of saying have a nice day type of thing. Oh well.

She stood up and walked to the edge of the forest, she had promised her godfather that she would gather some potion ingredients while he was gone. She pulled out a small piece of parchment and looked at the things that he needed. Is this all really necessary? Gawd, I will be out here all day. Which she didn't mind, she loved the forest. She came out here a lot, especially after she had an encounter with a centaur.

She was pretty deep in the woods looking for a certain type of purple flower when she heard something. She spun around, nothing. There was a distinct sound of a twig snapping only a few feet behind her. She spun around again and stepped backwards. She lost her footing and hit the ground hard.

Her head ached from the fall and she heard some voices nearby. She refused to open her eyes because the pain was too great. She concentrated hard on the voices and tried to make out what they said, but they were slightly muffled.

"Moony what is it?!" Shouted someone.

"It's a girl, she's unconscious though." Came a man's voice very close by. She felt cold and for some reason, and soaking wet. She felt someone's arms wrap around her and pull her up. There was a great rushing sound and she could hear the voices better. "Where did she come from?" came another voice, not heard before. She was laid down somewhere, she felt a hand touch her throat. "She's breathing." She heard footsteps by her head, "She isn't bad looking, and she's unconscious. I think it's a sign."

There was a snicker from someone and a, "Shut up, Padfoot" from the person by her side. She felt a hand being placed on her forehead, "She's bleeding a little. What should we do?" Padfoot, as he was called, said, "I'll tell you what I think we should do." There was a burst of laughter from the snickering person from earlier. She heard a soft smirk from the person by her side. The hand on her forehead traveled to the bottom of her head and found the soft spot, that she had hit on something hard.

She snapped her eyes open and sat up quickly. This startled the men and they backed away. Courtney almost fainted when she registered what she saw. There was a young Remus Lupin by her side. A young Sirius Black close behind her, a Harry-look-a-like sitting on a big rock and a small, cowering Peter Pettigrew. She looked at them with disbelief as they looked at her in shock.

She finally broke the silence, "What? Where did you guys come from?" Remus glanced at his friends and shared a look of confusion. "Actually we were wondering what you were doing out in the middle of the pond, drowning yourself." She looked at them as if they were all naked. "I wasn't trying to kill myself if that's what your thinking." There was a smirk, "Then what were you doing out there?" She looked at Sirius, "Me? What are you guys doing here?"

They all looked at each other, Remus looked at her with concern. "We always come here. Are you feeling ok? I think we should take you to Madam Pomfrey." She shook her head, "No, no....no..not her. I'm fine, it's just.. Why am I even talking to you? I don't even know you." She had to play along until she found out what was going on. James stood up, "Well I'm James, this is Pad- Sirius. Over there is Peter and he is Remus. Now that you know our names, what's yours?" She felt the soft spot on her head and winced with pain, "The names Courtney, nice to meet ya."

Remus helped her stand up, "Well I've never seen you before, you new?" She nodded, "Fifth year exchange student." What have I gotten myself into? Why are they all... young and still with that traitor?! She looked around, "Well, gentlemen, I bid you adieu." They watched as she started to walk out into the forest, then come back. "Alright, I know what your thinking 'she's gone completely off her rocker'. But where in the bloody hell am I!"

Sirius and James said something and laughed at her, She snorted. "If you don't tell me I will curse you!" They turned serious and pulled out their wands, she felt around for her own. "Where the bloody hell is it!" They looked at each other before busting with laughter. She heard Remus clear his throat, he was holding out her wand. "You dropped it." She looked at him and then James and Sirius, "Drop it." Remus looked confused, "What?" She pointed to the ground, "Drop it." He did so and watched as she walked over and picked it up herself.

"Thank you, but I have to save whatever dignity I have." She turned to the two laughing men, "So are you going to help me or not?" Sirius rolled his eyes, "Yeah we will, put that away before you hurt yourself. See how well trained she.." There was a flash of light and Sirius was pinned against the large rock, wand on the forest floor. "I am pretty well trained, so don't push my buttons." She waved her wand and Sirius plopped onto the ground, "Now will you gentlemen be so kind and take me to the school." Remus and James were laughing at a cursing Sirius.