The next six years passed in a blur, literally. Harry used a Temporal spell to accelerate his perceptions. He could still interact with reality, but when he wasn't doing anything, he didn't notice time passing. He couldn't explain the spell to anyone, because, again, one's mind must work differently in order for Temporal Magic to become possible. However, the spell was functional and it did keep Harry alive for the next few years. He'd set the spell to end on March 1st, giving him six months to get his things in order for Hogwarts. He'd already sent in his confirmation that he would be attending.


It was exactly fifteen weeks, four days, 23 hours, 4 minutes, and 26 seconds since the spell ended. He saw her. She was exiting the gateway, eyes full of wonder. His mind lurched forward and what little remained of his conscious mind actually had to cast a Full-Body-Bind on himself. He remained there until he was able to convince his more sensible half that he wouldn't rush her. (Remember, he's not all there. He gets most of his marbles back after he finally reunites with Hermione. He has two parts of his mind so that he can cast different spells simultaneously. Normally, he has total control, but not right now.)

He exited his flat, taking care not to use his glamour. He didn't really need it anymore. He approached her nonchalantly while she was about to enter Flourish and Blotts.

"Hello there." She said. Oh God, Harry thought. It's really her! "Are you attending Hogwarts as well?" She asked, not really noticing the strange reaction.

"Y-Y-yes." He choked out.

She extended her hand. "I'm Hermione Granger. What's your name?"

He shook her hand, nearly passing out when his glove-covered hands touched her skin. He was very lucky that he had worn them today. "Ha- Harry Potter." He choked out.

"Do you have a cold or something?" She asked, confused.

"No… I'm fine. It's just-" Before he could say anything stupid, Mia flew down and butted him in the head. "OW! Mia?!" Harry barked.

"Oh. My. God." Hermione said in shock. "Is that a Phoenix?!"

"Y-Yes she is." Harry said.

"I've read about them." She said, still in awe. "I can't believe that you have a silver and blue one. Finding one that's only slightly differently colored is incredibly rare! That one must have cost a fortune!" She said enviously.

"Um… She's not a pet. She's my friend." And she's the only thing that kept me sane, until I found you.

"Oh. I read about that too. I just didn't believe it." She said. "I mean, it's just a bird." Mia huffed at that comment and flew away.

"SHE" Harry said. "Is not just a bird." If I were talking to anyone else, I'd just transmute them into something like a rat for Mia to eat and walk away.

"Sorry." She whimpered, cowering.

Then, Harry realized something. He had entered full battle mode. Objects around him were breaking. He was towering, radiating magic. His aura, the powerful energies that his body emanated, had crackled into existence. It was something that only the most powerful wizards were capable of and it enhanced their power manifold. He couldn't believe that he'd just done that to Hermione.

"No. I'm sorry" he said, forcing the energies to back down. "I just… She's my only family." He was suddenly in tears. He couldn't understand what was wrong with him.

Hermione cautiously rose to her feet, moving closer, trying to make sure that he was okay. "What about your parents?"

Harry chuckled bitterly. "I'm the Boy-Who-Lived. I have no parents."

She mouthed the words Boy-Who-Lived. "Oh no."

"It's okay. I've gotten used to it." Not really. I just wouldn't do anything to you.

"I'm so sorry." She whispered as she hugged him.

Suddenly, a surge of rampant power ripped through the world. Harry Potter's eyes glazed over for a moment as his power was released for a split second. The tremor had caused her to push further into him as he crouched over her, like a protective lion. A loose block of wood had fallen and smashed into Harry's back, right where Hermione's head had been.

"Wha- What was that?" She asked.

"I- It- I'm not sure." Harry said, trying to find an answer that wouldn't be a lie. Technically, he wasn't sure of what the block was. The tremor, that had been him.

"Hermione!" A voice shouted.

"Dad! Mom!" Hermione yelled, running to her parents. She paused, then ran back, grabbed Harry's hand and pulled him over. "Come on!"

"I- I don't-" He began. But Hermione wouldn't take no for an answer.

"Who are you?" Her father asked, suspicious.

This was a situation that Harry had dealt with before. He extended a hand. "Harry James Potter." He fought the urge to answer all of the questions the man was about to ask.

"Where are your parents? Why are you here? Are you also going to Hogwarts? What are you doing with my little girl?" He growled. Hermione looked aghast as her father launched a barrage of questions at her new friend.

"In order, dead, school shopping, yes, and I just saved her from a falling block that probably would have killed her." That I accidentally dislodged as a result of my love for her that's been repressed for sixteen years causing my powers to discharge.

The man stopped short. "I'm sorry. I didn-"

"It's not a problem." I've had one hundred and twenty three years to get over it.

"No really. I-"

"I said it's fine." Harry said.

"Well, I really must thank you. At least join us for a meal at the… what was the pub's name?"

"Oh. The Leaky Cauldron."

"Yes, there."

Harry shrugged. "Sure. I don't have any plans." And if I did, I'd drop them in a second!

"Well, I should probably find your guardians…"

"I don't have any." I destroyed them six years ago for torturing me and using me as a slave.

"Oh. So you're…"

"I have a flat over near the entrance." So that I could look for your daughter and the moment she finally arrived.

"I didn't see any flats over there…"

"It's sealed with magic. Unless I tell them the address, it can't be seen."

"That's so cool!" Hermione said.

"Well… please join us for dinner." Mrs. Granger said.

"I'd love to, ma'am." Harry said. And I'd probably butt in even if I wasn't invited.


After dinner, which Harry paid for despite the complaints of the Grangers, he took Hermione to look around the alley while her parents had a private moment. He showed her the locations of all of the shops, bought her school supplies over her arguments, and took her to the ice cream parlor.

"Order anything you'd like." Harry said.

"Really… You don't have to pay for all of this…" Hermione said. She couldn't even remember why she'd agreed to let him.

"I don't care." He said. And I'll just hit you with another Compulsion Charm if you disagree… It's all your money too.

She sighed and ordered. "Thank you so much for everything!" She said.

"It's not a problem." Unfortunately, I have to talk to Mia before I can restore your memories. I'm not a hundred percent sure exactly how to do it. I'll do it on the train.

"How can I repay you?" She pressed.

"Just be my friend. You're the only one I've ever had…" Well, in this world anyway.

Her eyes were wet after that comment. "I'm so sorry."

"It's not your fault. Just come back tomorrow, ok?" If you don't, I'll come find you.

She nodded. "Okay."


Sorry if that got a little confusing. The italics are Harry's inner thoughts. Please Review!