Author's Note: Sorry this took so long, and is so much shorter. I had some trouble writing this scene, and Ash was unable to beta it, so I took some extra time making sure I got it as close to exactly right as I think I'm capable of :P The next few chapters will probably be unbeta'd, just to see if I can do it and can stop bothering Ash as much as I do, so if you can spare the extra few minutes to write me a review I would greatly appreciate it :D

Update 10/3/2012: Hello everyone! I'm not dead, and neither is this story :D I wrote Chapter Four-which took awhile, due to some things going on in Real Life-went back to edit it, and realized one of the characters wasn't really in character, so I am not trying to fix it. This could potentially have me re-writing about 2/3 of the story, so it might take awhile. I didn't want to leave you guys hanging indefinitely, with no explanation, so I thought I'd leave this note. I'll do my best to have the next chapter up soon :D

Chapter Three: The TARDIS is Up to Something

The Doctor stared fondly after Harry as he walked through the TARDIS's doors. He hadn't been expecting to meet the young wizard, but he was really glad he had.

After saying goodbye to The Ponds and dropping them off in 21st century London, The Doctor had wandered aimlessly for awhile. He'd visited a few of his favourite places, dropped in on a couple of old friends…but as much fun as travelling throughout time and space always was, it just wasn't the same without someone to talk to, to share it with, to explain things to and watch their eyes light up with joy and wonder…

The idea to try to go to Hogwarts had just sort of popped into his head one day. He'd managed to learn a bit about the Wizarding World during his many trips to Earth, though he'd never had a witch or a wizard as his companion. He'd never had the time to find out more, either, always too busy saving the world, solving mysteries, and running around getting people killed…

The Doctor shook himself from his thoughts and walked back over to the console. Taking out his sonic screwdriver, he half-heartedly waved it around a few times. "Come on, old girl," he muttered, starting the power up sequence again. "Let's get going to where we're supposed to be."

The TARDIS made the happy, electronic sounds it always made right before it took off…except, once again, it didn't actually go anywhere.

"You really don't want me to go anywhere else, do you? But why? What's going on? What's so important about this time and place that means I have to be here?"

The TARDIS replied by opening her doors in a rather pointed manner.

With a sigh, The Doctor took her suggestion and walked back into the clearing. He made sure, as he left, to lock the doors and set the TARDIS into invisibility mode. The last thing he needed was some curious magical being poking their nose where it didn't belong.

Harry was still in the clearing. "That didn't fix it?" he asked, sounding somewhere between amused and worried.

"Nope. Looks like you're stuck with me for awhile longer."