Dreams

Chapter 1

"OI! Wake up Harry, you'll be late for charms!" Ron Weasley yelled as he threw his pillow at Harry.

Harry sat up with a start. Looking around totally bewildered. The images of the battle fresh in his mind.

Shaking his head to try and clear the foggy feeling from it, he looked around trying to figure out what was happening. He tried to convince himself that it had all been a dream, a very vivid one, but just a dream.

Then he thought, "If it's just a dream, why does it feel so real. Why do I remember things that I shouldn't be able to?"

Ron was looking at him, giving him a funny look. What struck Harry was how young Ron appeared. If he had to guess he'd say Ron was 11 or 12.

Harry went to sit up and he had to grimace as he felt his ribs twinge. He also noted that his left arm ached terribly. Once again he thought, "If it was just a dream why do I hurt so bad?"

"All right there, Harry?" Ron asked, giving him a concerned look.

"Yeah," Harry managed to reply, his head spinning with all the questions he had.

Harry kept looking around, slightly in a daze. His mind was fighting what he saw before him and he felt quite disoriented. Everything had a surreal quality to it that did nothing to alleviate his feelings of disorientation.

He grimaced as he stood. "You sure you're all right, mate?" Ron asked him.

"Yeah," he replied. "Guess I just slept wrong," he added as he rolled his shoulders trying to ease his aching muscles.

"Meet you in the common room?" Ron asked as he headed for the door.

"Yeah, I'll be down in a few minutes," Harry said as he headed for the loo.

Harry stared into the mirror, trying to come to terms with the young face that stared back at him. He was trying to reconcile the 12 year old face staring back at him with the knowledge that was in his mind.

How did he remember being older, know everything up through sixth year and have knowledge of things that hadn't happened yet.

He splashed some cold water onto his face but it didn't help with the feelings of disorientation that he was experiencing.

With a deep sigh, he went back out to his trunk, threw on his robes, grabbed his books and headed downstairs.

Ron was whispering to Hermione as he came down and they both stopped as he came into view. Giving him concerned looks as he came over to them.

Harry glanced around the common room. Everything still had that surreal feeling and he knew he had a bewildered look upon his face.

Hermione gave him a thin smile. "Okay there, Harry?" she asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he replied irritably.

His reply did nothing to calm his best friends and he saw them glance at one another.

"Come on," he said with a sigh. "Lets go down to breakfast."

The three of them made there way down to the Great Hall and Harry noticed Ron and Hermione continually glancing at him.

He wished he could get away for a while and be by himself to think about things. He hated feeling so disoriented.

They finally made it to the Great Hall and they made their way to their regular seats. It was as he was sitting down that Harry noticed Ginny Weasley sitting a ways down the table.

In an instant the memory of Ginny's first year flashed into his mind. He sat down heavily, the colour draining from his face as he remembered the Chamber of Secrets. Somehow he needed to talk to Ginny and get the Diary away from her. He couldn't in good conscience leave her to experience what she had gone through.

The more he thought about it, the more his head ached. Ginny hadn't experienced anything at this point, well except maybe starting to write to Tom but nothing bad had happened yet and it wouldn't if Harry had anything to say about it.

Harry unconsciously rubbed his forehead trying to ease the pounding he felt.

"Is your scar hurting?" Hermione whispered.

"What? No," Harry said snapping back to reality. "Just have a bit of a headache this morning is all."

Hermione gave him a look that said she didn't believe him while Ron just looked concerned for his best mate.

"Maybe you should go see Madam Pomfrey," Hermione said after a moment of staring at him.

Harry had to school his features so that he didn't smile and give anything away. He'd said he wanted some time alone to think and Hermione had just given him the perfect opportunity to do just that.

"I think I will," he replied, standing.

"Want us to go with you?" Hermione asked, her face mirroring her concern.

With a wave, Harry grabbed his bag and made to leave. "Nah, that's okay. I've been there plenty of times so I know the way by heart. No need for all of us to be late to class."

Hermione frowned at him while Ron just nodded his head as he shovelled some more eggs into his mouth. "Ne gaa latr" he said, pieces for food dribbling out of his mouth.

"Ron! That's disgusting!" Hermione said with disdain, shaking her head and rolling her eyes.

Harry paid them no mind as he left. His eyes scanning the table once more for Ginny. Unfortunately she had already left, though he did catch a glimpse of her in the entrance hall. She was with several of her year-mates so Harry left her go. Promising himself to talk to her as soon as possible.

He gave a quick glance down the corridor to the Hospital Wing as he passed it by. He was headed for some place he knew he really didn't learn about till his fifth year.

Taking care so he wouldn't be noticed, he made his way up to the seventh floor corridor and he walked past the wall opposite the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy three times. He gave a smile as a door appeared and he made his way inside.

The room looked very similar to the Gryffindor common room, though on a much smaller scale. The massive fireplace was there but the only other things in the room were a couple of chairs and one couch.

Harry made his way over and plopped down onto the couch, laying out so he could relax and think.

Within moments he gave a groan, to much information bombarded him. Sirius was still in Azkaban, Ginny had the Diary, the Tri-Wizard Tournament with the death of Cedric. Sirius and Dumbledore dying. On and on it went until it overwhelmed him.

He stood abruptly, shaking his head to fight off all that he knew was to happen. His head had hurt before, now it was a blinding pain that threatened to paralyse him.

Harry fell to his knees, grabbing his head in an effort to stifle the pain. "Dobby," he thought. "No wait. Dobby hasn't been freed yet and Kreacher is still at Grimmauld Place."

He thought desperately. He knew he knew several other house elves names, all he had to do was come up with one.

"Trixie!" he called out.

With a pop, a small elf appeared before him. "How may I's serve master?" the elf asked.

"Could you please get me a Headache Potion and something to drink?" he asked.

"Right away, master," Trixie replied before she disappeared with another pop.

It was only a few moments later when the elf returned with a tray bearing a flagon of pumpkin juice and a vial of potion.

"Will master be needing anything else?" she asked.

"No, this is wonderful," Harry replied, grabbing the vial of potion. He uncorked it and downed it in one big gulp, grimacing at its bitter taste.

With his eyes closed, he gave a sigh in relief, not even noticing the elf disappear. He stumbled his way back to the couch and collapsed down onto it.

"Is this some bizarre dream I'm caught in?" he asked himself. "I remember fighting Voldemort and seeing him get blasted as I stepped in front of the hex aimed at Ginny."

The feeling of being overwhelmed over took him again. "What the hell is going on?" he asked out loud.

Receiving no answer, he let his fatigue overcome him and he succumbed to the tiredness, falling asleep in a matter of moments.

XX HP + GW XX

Ron was frantic and Hermione was irritated. Harry hadn't shown up for classes that morning.

At first they had been concerned that maybe something was wrong besides him having the headache, so on their way to lunch they had stopped by the Hospital Wing.

Madam Pomfrey had eyed them with a frown, stating that Harry had not made an appearance since his return that year and under her breath had added that she hoped he'd not spend nearly as much time there as he had the previous one.

The two of them made their way to the Great Hall hoping that they'd find Harry there for lunch.

They scanned the Gryffindor table as they entered but Harry wasn't to be found. As they made there way to where they normally sat, they passed by Ginny.

"Hey Ginny," Ron said. "Have you seen Harry?"

Ginny blushed deeply, staring down at her plate. "N-no, n-not since breakfast," she stammered.

Ron just frowned while Hermione gave Ginny a sympathetic look. It was well known that Ron had let just about everyone know about Ginny's crush on the Boy-Who-Lived.

Ginny shot an appreciative smile back at Hermione as she turned her attention back to her lunch.

"Where can he be?" Ron asked as he sat down and began filling his plate.

"I don't know," Hermione replied with a huff. "He's going to be in so much trouble and besides that he missed some very important information in class this morning. I don't know how he'll be able to catch up."

"He'll have you to help him," Ron said with a smirk.

Hermione glared at him. "I don't think so," she said harshly. "I mean it's one thing to help someone who is having trouble or missed class because they were ill, but it's something totally different when they've skived off class."

"You don't think something could have happened to him, do you? Ron asked between bites.

"It's only the second day of classes but this is Harry we're talking about," Hermione replied thoughtfully. "I just hope he shows up for Transfiguration or Professor McGonagall is going to have a fit."

Ron gave a shudder as he contemplated what their stern Head of House would do if Harry missed her class.

XX HP + GW XX

Harry slowly blinked his eyes, coming aware of where he was. He looked at his watch and noted the time. He'd have to hurry if he didn't want to be late for Transfiguration.

His heart gave a tug and his chest felt like a Hippogriff was sitting on it as he stared at the watch. Ginny had given it to for his birthday right before he had to leave to go hunt the horcruxes. He turned it to read the engraving on the back. Forever yours, Love Ginny.

Harry fought the tears that threatened to fall and with a deep sigh, he stood up. He left the room quickly. He had just enough time to get back to Gryffindor Tower to get his books for the afternoon and make it to class.

The bell signalling the start of class was just ringing when Harry hurried into the room. He hurried over to sit down, getting a glare from Hermione as he did so.

"Where have you been?" she hissed at him.

Before he could answer, Professor McGonagall stood up in front of her desk. Her stern gaze swept the classroom. "I hope you all read the first two chapters like you were supposed to." she stated.

"Today we're going to start on animal transfiguration." With a wave of her wand a small number of beetles appeared before each student. "You are to attempt to change your beetles into buttons."

Instantly the required information was foremost in his mind, along with the memory of Hermione being the only one who had managed to accomplish it the first time.

Harry had to shake his head, still being unable to reconcile his memories with what he was living.

Not thinking about the consequences, he glance at Hermione and with a smug grin, Harry waved his wand and muttered the incantation. Not being satisfied with plain ordinary buttons, he made a variety of different colours and materials.

As he looked at the assemblage of buttons on his desk, he became aware of someone standing over him.

"Well, what do we have here," Professor McGonagall said.

Harry heard Hermione's gasp and he realized he probably shouldn't have done what he did.

With a grimace, he looked up into McGonagall's eyes. "Buttons," he said softly.

McGonagall's eyes bore into him. "I can see that, Mr. Potter." Her eyes then darted around his desk, taking in each and every button. "Can you explain how you managed this so easily?" she asked, her eyes returning to his.

Harry thought quickly. There was no way he should have been able to accomplish the transfiguration so quickly and well.

"Ummm, just lucky?" he managed to squeak out.

Harry watched as one of her eyebrows rose into her hairline. Her look spoke of her incredulousness. "See me after class, Mr. Potter," she said firmly.

Her gaze then swept the classroom again. "Why are you all not working?" she asked, her annoyance evident.

There was a sudden flurry of activity as everyone turned back to their own beetles.

Hermione gave him one last look of annoyance before she turned her attention back to her own desk.

With a sigh, Harry looked back at his buttons and since the Kneazle was out of the bag so to speak, he spent the remainder of class changing his buttons back to beetles before making them buttons once again. Each time adding further embellishments to the finished product.

Finally the class came to an end. Hermione was the only other person to change her beetles into buttons, though hers were all the same, plain black ones.

Harry gave her a weak smile as she gathered her things up and headed for their next class. Though not till after she had given him a frown, showing her displeasure at having been beaten in class. He could see she wanted to question him about his performance.

Harry had just given her a wan smile, nodding his head in McGonagall's direction.

Her eyes darted to McGonagall before returning to him. Harry could tell that things weren't settled by a long shot.

He watched as she spun around, lifted her chin and marched out of the room. Unfortunately he didn't have time to ponder her actions as McGonagall called his name.

"Mr. Potter, I am somewhat concerned about your performance during today's class," she stated. "You have never shown such aptitude before."

She lowered her gaze and stared him in the eye. "I want you to assure me that you accomplished the work on your own."

"I assure Professor, no one helped me in any way," he replied sheepishly.

"Then can you please explain how you were able to accomplish this transformation with such apparent ease?"

Harry sighed, his mind in turmoil. "I'm sorry Professor, I must respectfully decline at this time."

The Professor stared at him for several moments. "Very well, Mr Potter, but rest assured I'll be keeping a close eye on you."

"Yes Professor," he replied a bit sadly.

"I also want you to know that now that I know you can perform at this level, I expect you to continue to work at this level."

Harry looked at her in shock. His mind quickly assessing what that would mean, especially concerning Hermione. Gulping he said, "Yes Professor."

"Very well. You'd best be off to you next class," she said in dismissal.

As Harry grabbed his book bag and headed for the door.

"Oh, by the way," the Professor added with a smile, "5 points to Gryffindor."

Harry hesitated in the doorway, glancing back at McGonagall. He gave her a smile and departed.

He practically ran to his next class so he wouldn't be late. Once again reaching the door as the bell rang. As Harry entered he suddenly came to a stop, his eyes widening.

"Bugger," he said to himself. "I forgot about him."

"Harry, Harry, Harry," the teacher said with a blinding smile. "So nice of you to join us."

"I'm sorry, Professor," Harry said. "Professor McGonagall wanted a word after class."

The man came over and draped his arm around Harry's shoulders. "Did she ask for an autograph?" he asked teasingly. "Well no matter, take your seat and we'll get started."

"How could I forget Lockhart?" Harry asked himself, as he took the empty seat next to Ron.

Harry had a hard time fighting back his anger. Before they had just speculated on whether or not he was a fraud, but Harry knew now with certainty. After almost getting Obliviated and dying because of him, Harry had a hard time controlling his temper.

As soon as class ended, Harry bolted for the door, totally ignoring Lockhart as he tried to get his attention.

It wasn't until he was fairly far down the corridor that he slowed, figuring he was safe from being followed by the git.

It was then that Hermione and Ron were able to catch up with him. Hermione still had a simpering, sappy smile on her face.

Ron ignored her at first, looking instead at Harry questioningly. "You okay, mate?" he asked.

"Yeah, just peachy," Harry replied, irritably.

"What's wrong with you?" Hermione asked with a frown.

"Nothing," Harry snapped.

Ron and Hermione exchanged worried looks.

Hermione opened her mouth to speak, but Ron cut her off. "Just leave it for now," he said, pleading with his eyes for her to understand.

Hermione glared at him but gave a curt nod, but Harry could see that she wouldn't be put off forever.

He just turned and continued back toward the common room. He had no idea what to tell his two friends as he had no idea what was going on himself.

He couldn't help but think once again that he was in a bizarre nightmare as he lay in the Hospital Wing after taking on Voldemort.

XX HP + GW XX

The rest of the first week of classes went along in the same vein. Harry knew much more than he should and for some reason he couldn't seem to make himself stop from performing the material he knew.

Of course this did nothing to alleviate the problems he was having with his two best friends. Ron just kept giving him strange looks but didn't say anything about it directly to him. Though he was sure that it was a major topic of discussion between him and Hermione.

Hermione had been something else entirely, though it had him completely baffled. She had made a few comments the first day or so but hadn't confronted him directly.

Harry wondered if Ron had anything to do with that and if so, he was grateful because he still didn't have any idea how to explain what was happening.

The other thing bothering him was he hadn't been able to get Ginny alone to talk to. For one thing, Ron and Hermione seemed to stick to him like they had a Sticking Charm on them and if he did manage to get a few moments free of them, Ginny seemed to disappear. She usually saw him coming where she would blush deeply and hurry up to her dorm room.

All in all it had been an extremely frustrating week.

Thankfully it was now Saturday and for once Harry was enjoying some time alone. He had gotten up extra early and headed down by himself to have breakfast.

He was just leaving the Great Hall when he spotted Hermione coming down the stairs. Luckily for him, he noticed soon enough so that he was able to duck to the side, avoiding her gaze.

Harry had to laugh because he noticed that she was carrying her book bag and he knew that meant she was heading to the library after she ate.

He was doubly pleased to see Ginny and two of her dorm-mates following close behind. With a smile to himself, he thought that things were playing out just like he had hoped.

He settled down in the chair closest to the stairs to the girls dorms, waiting to spring his trap on Ginny.

He hadn't been seated there very long when a dishevelled and slightly disgruntled Ron came down.

"Why didn't you wake me?" he asked Harry irritably.

"What am I, you mother?" Harry shot back.

Ron jerked back and frowned at Harry. "You coming to breakfast?" he asked.

"I already ate," Harry replied evenly. He could tell Ron was confused and a bit more than a little unhappy.

"Will you be here when I get back?" Ron asked, glaring slightly.

Harry just gave him a non-committal shrug, secretly hoping that he wouldn't be.

Ron huffed and stalked away leaving Harry alone once again.

Luck seemed to be with Harry as it was only a short time later when Ginny and her one room-mate returned from breakfast. Her room-mate headed for one of the work tables while Ginny headed for the girls dorms.

Just as she was about to pass, Harry stood and blocked her way. If the situation hadn't been so serious, Harry would have laughed.

Ginny looked shocked and her face reddened considerably.

"Hey Ginny," Harry said trying to put her at ease.

"H-H-Harry," Ginny stammered.

Harry knew he needed to somehow get her to realize he wasn't anyone special and without really thinking about it he drew his wand.

Ginny's eyes widened slightly, tracking his wand as he brought it to his left hand. He murmured a mild cutting hex and sliced his palm.

Ginny's eyes widened in shock as she watched the blood pool a little before several drops fell to the floor.

Harry the muttered a healing spell that no second year should know, healing his hand in an instant.

"Ginny," he said softly. "I'm just a regular bloke. When I'm cut I bleed. I'm not some super hero. I'm just Harry. Can't you see me like that?"

Ginny's eyes travelled from his hand to his face and they locked gazes. Though she blushed slightly, it wasn't near to what it had been before.

"I'll try," she said, not stuttering or stammering for the first time while speaking to him.

"Good," Harry said with a smile.

Ginny smiled back, though he could see it was a little tentative. He also saw her relax a little, which he took as a good sign.

"I need to talk to you," he said.

Ginny's eyes darted to the couch in front of the fireplace.

"Somewhere private," he added quietly.

He watched as she blushed again and looked very nervous.

"Please," he said softly.

Ginny could see the slight pleading look on his face and she nodded to him. She was afraid if she spoke it would come out as a squeak.

Taking a deep calming breath, she asked "Where?"

Harry gave her a reassuring smile. "I know just the place."

"Okay, Harry," she said more calmly than she felt. "Lead the way."

Harry swallowed and steeled himself. "You need to bring the Diary."

Ginny's eyes widened in shock and Harry thought she was going to bolt for the dorms.

"Please, Ginny. It's important."

Ginny stood still for several moments and Harry could she her thinking hard. Finally she said, "I have it with me."

Harry just nodded and gestured towards the portrait hole. Ginny set off and he fell in step with her. Once they were out in the corridor Harry glanced at her.

She was glancing back at him, looking quite nervous.

"So how was your first week?" he asked with a small smile, trying to set her at ease.

"O-okay," she replied a little unsurely.

"Which Professor do you like the most?

Ginny smiled in spite of herself. "Flitwick," she replied. "He's so much fun. Though, I like McGonagall's class too. She's more strict but you can tell she cares about what she teaches a lot."

""Yeah, I know what you mean," replied Harry, liking the way Ginny was acting now that she was just talking normally. "So who was the first to get Wingardium Leviosa?"

Ginny blushed prettily, though she smiled widely. "I did," she said demurely.

"Good for you," Harry said sincerely. "You must be the Hermione of your year," he added with a chuckle.

Ginny rolled her eyes at him. "Oh please," she replied, shaking her head. "Fred and George would disown me."

Harry chuckled. "I only meant class-wise. I know how much of a prankster you really are."

Ginny's eyes widened in surprise. "H-how do you know that?"

Harry realized that he shouldn't know that at this stage, but he didn't care. He was enjoying getting to know this younger Ginny and it made all his feeling for her grow all that stronger.

"I know more about you than you know," he chided playfully.

They arrived at the seventh floor corridor and Harry looked at Ginny with a grin. "I'd like if you keep this a secret," he said, coming to a halt.

Ginny looked at him questioningly. Before she could say a word, Harry held up a finger. He then walked back and forth three times, watching Ginny's eyes widen in surprise as the door appeared.

With a short bow he held the door open. "Milady," he said with a flourish.

Ginny's lips curled up at the edges as she rolled her eyes at him. With a giggle she preceded him into the room, swatting him on the arm as she passed. "Prat," she said lowly.

Ginny halted inside the doorway, eyes wide in wonder. "Where are we?" she whispered.

Harry came up beside her. "Welcome to the Room of Requirement, also known as the Come and Go Room," he said, gently guiding her to the couch in front of the fireplace.

Ginny watched as Harry sat beside her on the couch. A million thoughts racing through her brain. She couldn't believe she was here, alone with Harry Potter. She had almost fainted when he had approached her in the common room.

Then he had cut himself in front of her, shocking her to her core. She still had a hard time grasping that and what he had said. Then he had invited her to come with him and talk.

It was during their walk while they were having their conversation about normal things that she did come to accept that Harry was just a normal person. "Well, almost normal," she chided herself.

She still had some of her crush on The-Boy-Who-Lived, but it was now tempered with the growing warm feelings she was developing for Harry. He was nothing like she expected and she couldn't help but wonder about him.

She had been so embarrassed by her behaviour when he had come to the Burrow that summer. She had run away that first morning after discovering him there in their kitchen.

She had let that incident affect her the remainder of the summer, becoming more embarrassed every time she was near him.

Now she had to smile. He had confronted her and in his own way set her at ease. Though she wasn't 100% comfortable, she was nearly so. Now it was just a trace of nervousness that made her heart beat a bit faster and made her slightly short of breath.

The walk here to this hidden room had done a lot to calm her down in his presence. The way they had talked about such normal things as schoolwork and he hadn't teased her at all about the way she had acted at the Burrow.

She realized that he was someone she could become friends with and she liked that idea very much.

Ginny became aware that Harry was looking at her, his expression unreadable. She tried to fight the growing warmth she felt in her cheeks though she was only partially successful.

Her eyes locked on his and she felt herself falling into them. Her awareness collapsed down until all she was aware of was Harry and the way he was looking at her.

Harry watched Ginny closely, taking in the emotions he saw forming on her face. It made him happy in some ways, reminding him of what they had shared until he had left to find the horcruxes. It also saddened him because of what had happened after he had come back.

Thoughts of what they had shared, the time alone, the quiet talks, the cuddling, the snogging!

He tried to push those thoughts from his mind as all it did was give him a headache and made his chest hurt.

He still hadn't come to terms with what was happening. That, he decided was something for another time. Right now he had Ginny and the Diary to deal with.

He saw Ginny look at him expectantly and he knew the time had come.

"Ginny," he said gravely. "We need to talk about the Diary."

XX HP + GW XX

A/N: Well it seems the consensus is that you all want me to continue this, so here is the next instalment.

I'm curious as to what you think is happening to Harry. Is it time travel? All in his mind? An alternate reality? I'm not sure I've decided myself yet. Bhwaaa Haaaaa haaaaaa!

As always, Please review.