Thank you for reading this! To those who have enjoyed the story I'm so glad! And to those who were concerned about the material used from the novels, I explained this to someone else, but I will do so again, I felt it was necessary in order to establish the cannon beginning as sort of a setting. I planned out that only the first three chapters would have this and the rest would not, meaning here begins the divergence! It bothered me as well, the first three chapters having much of the same content, but I decided it would be the best way to go about it. The way this story will go is yes, Harry going through the main events of each year, although there will be quite a number of major changes thanks to the treatment of everyone in his second year, and remember he's been conversing with Tom so that will definitely influence many of his decisions. I don't want to give too much away, but the way I've planned this story, it won't be too soon that Harry's Tom comes out of the Diary so yes, they will converse through the diary. I'm sorry if this bores some of you, but that's just the way it's going to be. Thank you for all reviews positive or constructive criticism which I also consider positive! Please always comment questions, concerns, comments in general, it means a lot!


Harry's summer consisted of wandering around Diagon Alley and completing his summer work. Finally, the last day had arrived. Harry was ecstatic to be going back to Hogwarts, despite the upset the treatment he had revived from those he called his friends had caused. He was glad he'd decided to give Hermione another chance, although he wondered what he was going to do to distance himself from Ron. Shaking his head he walked out and wandered around without really noticing where he was going. He entered various shops simply to look around, making sure to stop by Fortescue's Ice cream for one last treat and to thank him for all of his help with his homework. He walked off again enjoying his ice cream when he paused. Looking to the left he noticed where he had stopped and grinned. Without even trying he wound up in front of the window with the beautiful Firebolt on display. He walked up and gazed at it, sighing with longing as he imagined what it would feel like to fly around on that wondrous broom. He fought to tear himself away from the display, his feet feeling heavy as he walked away.

I can't spend that much on a broomstick, even if it is the world's fastest...and would be such an asset to the Gryffindor team, having a seeker with a Firebolt! Maybe I could...No keep walking Harry, you need to get back.

When he arrived back at the Leaky Cauldron he waved to Tom as he walked in.

"Hello Harry," greeted Tom with a smile. "It's that time again isn't it, off to Hogwarts with you. Although I'll admit I'm going to miss having yuo wanderin' about.

Harry laughed. "It's been great staying here Tom, but I'm happy to be going back to Hogwarts. I felt like I was slowly going mad not having much to do!

"Well of with you now lad, make sure you don't leave anythin' behind"

Harry nodded and said his goodbye as he marched himself up the steps to his room for the past few weeks. He opened the door and looked around making sure nothing was left out of his trunk. Satisfied that he had put everything away he decided to sleep early.

He awoke the following morning feeling quite refreshed. He quickly got dressed and head down for his last breakfast. While he was eating Tom approached him and eagerly told him.

"Your car is here Harry."

Harry almost spit out his milk. "My what"?" Tom grinned and replied, "The ministry had sent a car for you to take you down to the station. Now hurry up now, you don't want to miss the train do you?

Harry shot up quickly to bring down all his things, However Tom stopped him, a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Everything is already taken care of, now get on out to the car and take care of yourself alright Harry?"

"I will" Harry promised before running out to the car.

Harry pushed his trolley along as he made his way to platform 9 ¾ laughing to himself as he remembered the angry worker who thought he had been yanking his chain asking for directions. The events of last year could not be forgotten either, crashing into the wall with Ron when Dobby had shut the passage. Thinking about Ron, Harry felt a pang in his chest missing his friend. He scoffed I don't need him, I have Tom..I should tell him about all this, I bet he'd get a kick out of it.

Arriving at the entrance to the Express he quickly ran through and handed over his things saying goodbye to Hedwig. Harry walked through the corridor looking for an empty compartment, avoiding looking at anyone. For all his talk that summer, Harry was still nervous about the reactions of his fellows this year. He stopped in front of the final compartment, noticing it was empty, except for a man slouched against the window his face covered by his somewhat graying brown hair. Harry opened the compartment door and sat down across from the man. He glanced over and noticed the name on the suitcase near him. Professor R.J Lupin... Harry studied the man before him, only able to get a glimpse of his face. He saw what looked like scars and despite seeming not quite old, he was..aged somehow. Before Harry could ponder this further he heard the compartment door slid open. He turned his head quickly and saw Hermione standing before him looking unsure of herself.

She stood before him mouth open a bit as if she wanted to speak but could not get the words out.

Feeling the awkward look and silence was worse than anything she could say Harry asked, "You wanna sit down?" Harry noticed a look of relief wash over her as she nodded and sat next to him.

"Hello Harry, I missed you this summer."

Harry gave her a slight smile and responded, "I missed you too Hermione. How was your summer?" She bit her lip and turned to him.

"It was alright, on the last few days of the holiday, I met up with the Weasleys in Diagon Alley. Everything was fine, except for Ronald."

As she stated his name a dark look crossed her face. Harry looked at her in confusion, as the last time he had seen them, they had been quite united. "What did he do?"

"Well, we went to the Magical Menagerie where I found Crookshanks, the most wonderful cat! It's in his nature! He chased Scabbars around but didn't hurt him! And Ron blew up at me over it, when he should be keeping a closer eye on his stupid rat! Anyway, he's completely overreacting and blowing this out of proportion-"

She stopped mid rant and turned to harry and began to ramble,

"Harry I know I apologized in my letter, but I need to again in person, I'm so sorry for last year! Even if I didn't attack you directly, I didn't help you or stand by you and I'm so ashamed and sorry for what I did! You're one of my best friends and I don't know what I'd do without you Harry and-"

Harry cut her off placing his hand over her mouth, "It's alright Hermione, really I forgive you and I still want to be friends."

Hermione's eyes filled with tears as she threw her arms around him. "Thankyou Harry, I promise to always stand by you from now on," she whispered fiercely. Harry patted her back awkwardly and decided to change the subject,

" Have you heard about Sirius Black?"

"Yes, on the muggle news and the prophet! Harry, he's extremely dangerous and worse he's on the loose!" She gasped "I almost forgot, when I was staying at the Leaky Cauldron I heard Mr. and Mrs. Weasley arguing. I couldn't really hear them that well, but they were talking about Black and you. I think Mr. Weasley wanted to tell you something but Mrs. Weasley said she didn't want you to worry.

Harry frowned as he thought about this new information.

"Well.." He started, "He is a supporter of Voldemort, and Mr. Weasley works for the ministry, he might know something about what Black is after." Hermione looked at him with concern, "He wants to kill you doesn't he? I mean I know you're the Boy-Who-Lived and killed his Lord, but there has to be something more to this!"

Harry nodded, "Yeah, there has to be more." Hermione looked at him with determination,

"We'll figure it out together Harry."

Harry smiled and nodded, I need to tell Tom about this..should I tell Hermione about Tom..I mean maybe I can tell her about him without telling her who he is..or who he was..or going to be.. ugh! who he isn't! Not here though I'll tell her sometime when we're back at Hogwar-

His musings were cut short as the train jolted to a stop, the lights flickering than going out.

Harry and Hermione shot out of their seats and slid the door open poking there heads out to see if there could determine what was occurring. Harry heard the mutterings and exclamations of the students

"We can't be there"

"What's going on?"

"Did we break down?"

"How long are we going to be here?"

"I don't like the dark!"

"Why is it so cold all of a sudden?"

Harry shivered as he too felt the temperature drop. He and Hermione sat back down.

"What do you think is going on Hermione?"

"...I don't know Harry but something isn't right."

Harry felt everything get colder as he saw something move outside the compartment door. The figure opened the door slowly. Harry felt everything stop, as he looked at the creature before him in fear. He barely registered, Hermione clutching at his hand shaking with fear as well. The figure began to lean in and Harry began to feel dizzy and everything began to go dark, he briefly saw the man who had been asleep, jump up, but he abruptly felt everything slip away as he heard distantly heard the screams of a woman echoing.

The world slowly came back into focus as Harry felt hands gently help him up. As his vision returned he saw Hermione and the man looking at him, one simply worried the other with a very grim look on his face. Hermione sighed with relief when she noticed he had come to and exclaimed, "Harry thank goodness you're alright!"

Harry looked around slowly, "..What was that." The man finally spoke, his voice soft and calm, with a slight edge to it. "That was a Dementor, a creature who guards the prisoners of Azkaban." As he explained he placed a small piece of chocolate in his hand.

"You need to eat this Harry, you'll feel better."

Harry slowly lifted the treat and nibbled reluctantly, having no appetite whatsoever. Satisfied that Harry was eating the chocolate, the man excused himself and walked out. They sat there in silence until Hermione spoke, "He's probably the replacement for the Defense Against the Dark Arts Post. It looks like he actually knows the material, I mean when the Dementor came in and bent over you, he woke up and pulled out his wand telling the Dementor that Sirius Black wasn't here. Then he used some spell that made the Dementor get off you and leave.." The conversation died down as Harry didn't really feel like talking after what had happened. He nibbled on his chocolate until they finally arrived at Hogwarts. As Harry and Hermione slowly made their way off the train he heard someone shout his name. "Oi Potter! I heard you fainted Potter!" recognizing the voice Harry slowly turned around to face Ron. Harry felt upset as he realized Ron was going to continue where he left off last year. Feeling the need to defend himself he was about to shout a retort when he felt Hermione tug on his arm.

"Don't Harry, it isn't worth it. Just ignore him." As they were herded into the school their Head of House walked up and pulled them Aside. "I heard what happened Mr. Potter, and I insist you go see Madam Pomfrey."

"But I al-"

"No excuses Mr. Potter, now come along."

Left with no choice Harry and Hermione followed Professor McGonagall to the infirmary where the explained to the Mediwitch what had occurred.

"Mr. Lupin already gave me chocolate Ma'am."

She looked surprised then nodded in satisfaction. "Finally, someone who knows the basic healing that goes along with defense." Being dismissed they were escorted back to the feast, where they sat down near the edge of the table. Ron and a few of their fellow Gryffindors glared at them, although Harry noticed there were a few rather friendly faces. Ginny looked quite worried, as did Neville. Others like Dean simply looked uncomfortable over the entire matter which was just as nice in Harry's eyes.

Being dismissed they were escorted back to the feast, where they sat down near the edge of the table. Ron and a few of their fellow Gryffindors glared at them, although Harry noticed there were a few rather friendly faces. Ginny looked quite worried, as did Neville. Others like Dean simply looked uncomfortable over the entire matter which was just as nice in Harry's eyes.

"Now, I have the pleasure of introducing your new teacher for Defense Against the Dark Arts, Professor Lupin!"

The man from their compartment stood up and gave a short bow smiling in Harry and Hermione's direction before sitting down. Dumbledore waited for the polite applause to die down before continuing to announce that Hagrid was going to be their Professor for Care of Magical Creatures. Harry and Hermione shared a look as they were both thinking the same thing. Of course, Hagrid had assigned those Monstrous Books. He had a habit of finding dangerous things to be charming or amusing. As they followed the prefects back to their dorm Harry sighed, not excited to tell Tom all that had occurred.

He's going to go mental over this. I can see it now "You are such a magnet for Danger Harry! I told you to be careful!"

Harry sighed as he said goodnight to Hermione and walked up to his dorm. He walked in and stealthily grabbed the diary. He pulled the curtains shut around him as he opened it.

Hi Tom!

Hello Harry, How are you? Are you back at Hogwarts?

Yeah, I am. So I'm friends with Hermionie still and she told me about a conversation she was kind of able to hear about Black. From what she could hear it seems like he's after me for some reason. She figures it's gotta be something other than the fact he's a supporter of Voldemort's and that I'm the BWL. I agree with her, there has to be something else. I mean they wouldn't make a big deal about that or try to keep it secret right?

Indeed, It is rather suspicious. I'm glad you have another ally Harry, I hope you find more people who will help where I am unable. My words can after all only offer a small comfort.

Harry looked at Tom's response in disbelief and quickly wrote back

It's not small! You where there when nobody else was! Tom you're words mean so much to me! Really yeah it'd be great if more people started being nice to me again like Hermionie, but I need you Tom.

Harry...Thank you.

So did anything else happen?

Harry gulped. Here It was. Time to face the music.

Well...one of the Dementors showed up on the train looking for Black, but I'm okay honest! The new professor got rid of it and helped me! Nothing really bad happened I'm totally fine!

A WHAT ATTACKED YOU! HARRY JAMES POTTER WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT TROUBLE!...No, this isn't your fault, you just attract danger. I'm glad the professor helped you, although I assume that there will be more of those creatures wandering about until Black is apprehended...You need to learn the charm to repel them. It's called the Patronus. Ask that Professor if he can teach you.

It's not like I try Tom! Yeah, Dumbledore said the ministry has them around, so to be really careful. Okay, I'll do that tomorrow. Anyway it's late so good night Tom.

Good Night Harry, Sweet Dreams..

Harry closed the diary, slipping it under his pillow. He stopped his Lumos and after taking his glasses of fell asleep.

The next morning Harry woke up to find the dorm empty. He got ready quickly and went down to find Hermione waiting for him in the common room.

"Morning Harry!" She greeted him cheerfully, "Ready to head down for breakfast?"

"Morning Hermione," He replied with a grin. They walked off towards the Great Hall wondering about their classes. As they sat down, they found their timetables. Harry looked his over seeing he had Divination first. He glanced over to Hermione's and was shocked to see all the classes.

"Hermione, how are you taking all of those classes!" She jumped a bit in shock then bit her lip as she glanced around before leaning in and whispering. "You can't tell anyone okay?"

"I promise, who am I going to tell Hermione?" She grimaced noticing the lack of tact in her question. Looking around quickly once again she leaned in again and whispered, "The way I'm taking these classes is thanks to something called a time turner. Thanks to McGonagall I can take all these classes by going back in time a bit to make it to all these classes."

Harry looked at her shocked. "You're actually going to be able to time travel! Wow Hermione!"

She smiled at him before tucking her time table away. "She had to get special permission from the ministry for me to be able to use it. I'm so excited about all I'm going to be able to learn!"

She continued to talk about all the classes, listing which she was more excited to learn about and what she had read about during the summer as they finished their meal. They stood up and began to make their way to Divination.