A/N: Here's the next chapter, enjoy!

Chapter 3

Harry woke to something he never had much of the first time around; a lot of respect. After seeing what they did to Malfoy and his goons, people cleared a path for the three of them as they walked by and went out of their way to make sure they didn't offend any member of the trio. Even Draco seemed to have gotten the message, at least for the moment. Whenever he saw them he immediately turned around and headed in the opposite direction without saying a word, his goons in tow. Harry figured it would only last until he was in a position where he thought he had the upper hand again but, until then, Harry would enjoy the peace and quiet. He was quite happy to know that he would be left alone unless he chose to talk to someone first. It's how he had always wished he would have been treated the first time around and was happy that this time everyone realized it. Well, almost everyone anyway.

Ron had taken to following in their wake as they moved through the halls and sat near them whenever possible at meals trying to give the appearance that he was the fourth member of their group. The fact that they never acknowledged that he was even there hadn't fazed him in the least. Harry figured he was too dense to realize that, since they talked to everyone at their table during meals and talked to their fellow Gryffindors and even students from other houses during class except for him, no one would ever believe he was a part of their group. Despite the almost overwhelming desire to put him in his place, they decided to ignore him for the moment and concentrate on more important things for the time being.

They decided to take care of the diadem first. It was a little over a week after the incident in the great hall. They spent the evening in the common room studying until people started heading to bed. Harry and Neville bid Hermione goodnight then all three headed up to their dorm rooms and pretended to go to bed. Harry laid in bed with the curtains closed until he heard the unmistakable sound of Ron's snoring. He carefully got up and looked toward Neville's bed to see him emerging at the same time. He tiptoed over to Ron's bed and slowly pulled back the curtain then cast a sleeping charm on the redhead to make sure he stayed asleep. He closed the curtain back up and saw Neville waiting by the door.

They headed downstairs to find the common room empty except for the third member of their trio. Hermione was sitting in a chair near the fireplace and, no surprise to the two boys, was reading a book. She looked up as they entered the room and immediately put the book down and headed their way then the three of them left through the portal. They carefully made their way to the room of requirement having narrowly avoided being caught twice; Once by Filch, once by Peeves. Once they got there, Harry walked back and forth while Neville and Hermione kept watch. As soon as the door appeared, they quickly got inside and closed the door behind them.

They found the room teeming with all manner of things; books, trunks, cauldrons, papers of all sorts and even various pieces of furniture. The room seemed to go on forever with seemingly endless piles of stuff that had been left here throughout the history of the school. They just stood there for a moment. Neville seemed to be taking it all in while Harry concentrated on remembering which direction they needed to go. When he figured it out he turned to see Hermione leaning against the door a distressed look on her face. He smiled at the thought that, even after all they'd gone through; she still had a fear of rule breaking. He reached up and gently caressed her face causing her to meet his eyes.

"It's okay," he told her soothingly. "We made it."

"Barely!" she replied glaring. "I never thought I'd say this, but I'll be happy when we have the cloak and that bloody map back."

"So will I," he said laughing. She gave him a dirty look before her face broke into a smile as well. She playfully swatted his shoulder causing him to laugh harder.

"Stop laughing at me Harry!" she yelled at him while fighting a laugh of her own and failing. "We could've gotten detention or worse expelled!"

He laughed even harder causing her to put her hands on her hips and attempt another glare but she couldn't hold that one either so she settled for sticking her tongue out at him.

"There's no way the old coot would ever let me be expelled," he said once he could talk again. "He wants me right here where he can keep an eye on me and since he wants me to be a good and obedient servant, he wouldn't dare expel you either."

He pulled her into a hug. She resisted for moment then melted into him.

"You know, you're cute when you're worried," he whispered into her ear. "But then again, I think you're cute all the time."

"Prat," she muttered but didn't move from his arms.

He laughed again then gave her another squeeze before pulling back to meet her eyes.

"Shall we get this over with?" he asked her.

She nodded and they separated. Harry then turned to Neville who was still looking at the room.

"Ready Nev?" he asked his friend.

Neville turn to him and nodded. They headed off in the direction Harry thought was the right one. Either his memory was incorrect or the diadem wasn't in the same place as it had been in their sixth year because they didn't find it right away. It took them close to an hour to find it. He soon realized the difference. The vanishing cabinet wasn't there. He'd been looking for it like a landmark and that made it harder to find what he was looking for. Finally they stood in front of a cupboard that looked like it had been burned with acid. Nearby was the bust of a warlock, a dusty old wig and the diadem. Harry remembered placing it on the warlock as a marker to remember where he'd hidden the potion book so knew it was safe to touch and put it in Hermione' bag. She'd charmed another bag with the same charms as the beaded bag she had used to carry all their stuff during the war.

They headed back to the door. Harry handed the bag to Hermione and exited the room first in case someone was out there. Once he made sure it was clear, he opened the door beckoned them out. He walked back and forth again to change the room to what they needed then they went back inside. This time, the room was empty and the walls looked like they were made of metal. He placed the diadem in the far corner of the room then rejoined his friends by the door. They all three pulled their wands out and got into a ready stance. Harry and Neville moved in front of Hermione then Harry turned to her and nodded his head. She waved her wand and flame shot out of it and flew toward the diadem. Harry and Neville immediately put up shields to protect them from Hermione's fiendfyre.

The flame hit the corner and blew back towards them pounding on the shields. The shields held and soon a scream was heard coming from the corner. They stood there until the flame began to take on the shape of creatures. Harry positioned himself between the fire creatures and Hermione then lowered his shield. The creatures immediately surged toward them. Hermione quickly cast a finite spell while Harry put his shield up again to stop the closest creatures. The creatures through themselves against the shields before dissipating as the finite took effect. They cancelled the shields and went over to the corner. The diadem was still intact so Harry put it back in Hermione's bag for safekeeping and once again left the room first then carefully made their way back to Gryffindor tower and went to bed for real this time. The first item on their list was done.

A few days later, Harry woke up and headed down to the common room with Neville but Hermione was nowhere to be seen. They asked Parvati if she was still in the dorm room but she told them that Hermione had left early. They headed to the library but she wasn't there so they headed down for breakfast hoping to find her waiting for them in the great hall. She wasn't there either and Harry was beginning to worry. He was just about to ask Fred and George to lend him the map so he could search for her when she entered the great hall. He immediately moved toward her and met her halfway to the table concern etched in his face and feeling an almost irresistible urge to take her in his arms. As she got closer, she apparently noticed his concern and gave him a sheepish smile.

"Sorry Harry," she said apologetically. "I thought I'd be back in time to meet you in the common room."

He immediately felt relief knowing nothing had happened to her.

"It's okay," he responded smiling. "Just please don't make a habit of it. I was going crazy with worry."

Together they walked to the table and started eating breakfast. Once they were sitting, he took hold of her hand to make sure she was really there. He knew he was being silly but he needed the reassurance. The old timeline had left him fearful and paranoid about her safety anytime they were apart. They were starting over now and he had to get used to the fact that danger didn't lurk around every corner anymore. He intended to make sure that world never came into existence this time.

"So where were you," he asked her pushing those thoughts out of his mind.

"I was checking on my transfiguration project," she answered between bites. "It's coming along but it's nearly brought me to tears several times."

After nearly saying too much at the welcome feast, they'd decided to speak in code when others were around. He understood what she was saying perfectly.

'I was in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom working on the plan to catch Pettigrew'

"I'm sorry it's been so difficult," he responded. "Hopefully you'll be finished with it soon."

'How soon will it be ready?'

"I wish," she replied. "But it will probably seem like it would be easier to change into another person myself by the time I'm done."

'Not as long as the polyjuice potion but close.'

He knew that meant that they'd be lucky to catch the rat before the holidays. He didn't like it but there was nothing he could do about it. He looked around the table to see if anyone else was paying attention. Seamus and Dean were having an animated discussion comparing quidditch and soccer. Ron was stuffing his face while listening to his dormates and occasionally coming in on Seamus' side (who was defending quidditch). Lavender and Parvati were engrossed in their latest gossip fest while the twins and Lee Jordan were huddled together and whispering quietly no doubt planning their next prank. Neville was eating his breakfast quietly appearing oblivious to everything around him but Harry knew he was following their coded conversation while watching to see if anyone else showed too much interest in it. He coughed signaling Harry that so far no one was obviously listening in but that didn't necessarily guarantee no one was so he decided to continue with the code until they were in private.

"That's too bad," he said giving her hand a squeeze to let her know he understood. "I was hoping you might have time to help me do some soul searching."

She immediately tensed up and he knew she'd understood his message.

'Since we can't go after the rat yet, how about taking care of my scar?'

She'd all but refused to talk about it since that day they'd spent with Luna. He'd tried several times but she just changed the subject. She did the same thing this time as well.

"Oh, I think I've come up with a solution to the Ignotus problem," she said after a few moments and looked at him fearfully.

'I've found a way to be invisible without the cloak'

He was tired of her evasiveness but could see the pain in her eyes and remembered telling her to take all the time she needed so he decided he wouldn't push it just yet. He squeezed her hand again in reassurance and received a grateful smile in response.

"Really," he said putting and excited smile on his face. "What is it?"

There was no code to that one. It was, after all, pretty straight forward while revealing nothing to anyone listening in.

"We take a page from David Copperfield," she replied happy with the change of subject.

David Copperfield was a muggle magician who specialized in making things disappear. From people and animals to jewelry and large objects, he was a master of illusions. There was no real magic to it but he was good at making it look like there was. He'd even managed to make the Statue of Liberty disappear once. When they were in Australia finding her parents, they'd had the opportunity to see him perform live and had enjoyed the show. He knew no one at the table including Neville would catch the reference and was once again amazed at her brilliance. He also knew what she was really referring too; the disillusionment charm.

"I have no doubt it will work for you," he responded. "But I'm not sure Neville and I could do it."

She used the charm to hide their campsite during the horcrux hunt but had never used it on herself. Harry had never used it at all and, as far as he knew, neither had Neville.

"Nonsense," she replied. "It'll just take some practice is all. You'll both pick it up in no time."

A sneeze from Neville caused them both to look up and see that Ron was now staring at them and ignoring the quidditch conversation completely and, even more surprisingly, his still half full plate of food. He immediately looked down at his plate trying to give the appearance that it had been nothing more than a cursory glance but they now knew he'd been listening to their conversation. The only question was whether or not he was listening for himself or to report back to someone else. He figured there was only one person that would want to keep tabs on him and realized that, while their conversation wouldn't mean anything to most people, there was one comment that might raise a flag with the old coot. He could see in Hermione's expression that she'd realized it too.

"If you guys are finished eating we should head to class," she said finally.

"Hermione!" Neville responded exaggerating his disapproval while Harry nodded playing along and appearing to take his side. "We've still got twenty minutes!"

She crossed her arms putting on her best admonishing look.

"Honestly," she said acting frustrated. "It wouldn't hurt you to be early for once and besides you could use the time to review your notes or read ahead."

They both looked aghast at the thought of any extra studying and sat there defiantly as she glared at them before finally appearing to give in. They all got up and left the great hall two of them maintaining the appearance that leaving was the last thing they wanted to do. Once outside of the hall they dropped the pretense.

"I'm sorry Harry," she said regretfully. "I should have been more careful."

"Don't worry about it," he soothed her. "It was still a brilliant clue but unfortunately Dumbledore will pick up on it if Ron tells him."

"So what are we going to do about it?" asked Neville.

"Hope he follows us and then make sure he can't tell the old coot," Harry answered.

They'd slipped into the alcove and were watching the door to the great hall. Sure enough, Ron appeared moments later and headed their way. Harry pulled out his wand as Ron approached. When he reached the alcove Harry quickly cast an obliviate on him. Ron was then standing there staring blankly like he was in a trance. Hermione and Neville watched for anyone coming while Harry replaced the part of their discussion about the cloak with one about the levitation charm that Professor Flitwick had told them to start practicing for a future class. The three then quickly moved around a corner before releasing the spell then headed on to class leaving Ron alone in the hallway.

"By the way Hermione," Neville asked as they walked. "Who's David Copperfield?"

Harry and Hermione laughed then filled him in on their way to class.

Over the next two weeks, they practiced the disillusionment charm. Hermione, as expected, got it right away but it was a week before Harry was able to do it and Neville had barely been able to do it after two weeks. They knew it wasn't his ability that had held him back; it was his wand. He was back to using his father's wand instead of his own. The wand just didn't want to work for him. Harry suggested staging an accident to break the wand so his grandmother would get him his wand sooner but Neville was reluctant. It was the only thing of his dad's that he had and he didn't want to lose it. Hermione suggested transfiguring something to look like the wand but he didn't want to have to lie to her either. He thanked them for the help but said he could make do for the time being.

Harry had tried to talk to Hermione about his scar several more times only to have her continue to avoid the topic at all costs. He finally decided he couldn't wait any longer and told Neville to go on ahead one night after practicing. They'd been using the room of requirement and had transformed it into a room with space to practice spells as well as a sitting area with some shelves filled with books. There was even a bed in one corner to rest or recover from the effects of any spells they might use. He could see Hermione tense up as she realized why he wanted to talk to her. She quickly gathered up her things and headed for the door.

"Harry I'm really tired," she said hastily. "If you don't mind, I think I'll just head back as well and go to bed."

Harry was faster and got between her and the door.

"Hermione I've been patient," he said as he gently grasped her shoulders to stop her. "But it's time to talk about my scar. I need this done and since we're unable to go after the rat right now, this is a perfect time to do it."

She pulled away from him as tears filled her eyes and turned around her arms going around her body like she was trying to hug herself.

"I can't do it Harry," she said after a few moments. "I know I said I would but I can't. I keep having nightmares about it. In every one of them you don't come back."

She was crying as she spoke and he cautiously approached her and again grasped her shoulders but this time it was to offer comfort. She responded by turning around and flinging herself into his arms as she began to sob openly. He closed his arms around her and just held her as she continued.

"I can't lose you Harry! I know that's selfish but I'm tired of putting everyone else first. We did that and look where it got us? I don't care if Voldemort destroys the wizarding world! We both know now that it wasn't really worth saving anyway so why bother? I say we get everyone we care about and move en masse to Australia or America and let the ingrates deal with him themselves!"

"I wish it were that simple love," he responded once she'd calmed down. "But we both know it isn't. They're not all ingrates just the ones in power and those with the loudest voices. Most of the wizarding world was grateful and many stood up and fought in the final battle but unfortunately they're also sheep that are easily led. If we leave it to the ingrates as you call them. They'll abandon them to Voldemort and save their own arses. That doesn't count the muggles and muggleborns that were victimized before and would be again along with many others if we don't stop him. If we don't take care of this, in a few years he'll gain access to my mind and learn about the future and move any horcruxes we haven't gotten to yet. I don't know about you, but I have no desire to live in a tent while hiding from deatheaters and searching for the new hiding places again."

He knew she couldn't argue against his logic but also knew his words did nothing to alleviate her fear.

"Hermione Granger," he continued while holding her a little tighter. "You are the love of my life and I have no intention, in this life or the next, of being anywhere other than by your side. I know I have no concrete evidence but I truly believe this will work and I'll be fine. I promise to do everything I can to come back to you but, given the alternative, it's a risk I have to take."

She glanced up and momentarily looked like she was going to argue. He gently caressed her face as he met her gaze trying to put all the love he felt for her in his expression. Whatever she was going to say died on her lips and she just nodded her head then buried her face in his chest again. He knew she wasn't happy about it but she trusted him. The old world had all but destroyed her ability to trust anyone or anything but her faith in him had never wavered. She would put her faith in him this time as well but, if he didn't come back to her, he was sure she would never believe in anything ever again.

A few days later they were in the room of requirement again. Harry positioned himself on the bed. He knew he would end up on his back any way and figured he might as well lie down to start with and avoid the fall. He looked at his friends. Neville stood next to Hermione to offer support and so she wouldn't be alone if the worst happened. Hermione was shaking with tears in her eyes as she pulled out her wand and pointed it at him.

"It's okay love," he assured her. "Just concentrate on your hatred for Voldemort instead of your love for me and point your wand at my scar if that helps. I'll be fine, you'll see."

He smiled at her and she smiled back but it didn't quite reach her eyes. She leaned in and gave him a kiss before reluctantly standing back up. She began to concentrate and suddenly she became angry.

"Avada Kedavra!" she yelled as green light flew from her wand. It hit him in the head and he knew no more.

A/N: Thanks for reading.