Disclaimer I do not own Harry Potter and everything recognisable belongs to J K Rowling.

Hi everyone! I'm back and with a new chapter! A massive thank you to everyone who reviewed and a special thanks to those who sent me PM's. It was great to come back to them.

After the two months break, I hope you all enjoy the next chapter!

Chapter Twelve

AU World

Harry woke up with a start. He sat up in his bed trying not to think about the nightmare he had just had. Since he had come to this new universe, this was the first time he had dreamt about Cedric's death. The recollection of what had happened at the graveyard made Harry break into a sweat. He couldn't get the memory of Cedric's dead body, sprawled on the grass, out of his mind.

Harry quickly got out of his bed and headed to the bathroom. He let the washbasin fill with cold water before plunging his face into it. The cold water felt great on his sweat soaked skin. When he pulled out of the water and stared at his reflection he noticed the angry red scar on his forehead.

Nervously, Harry ran a hand over his hair, pushing it over his scar, attempting to hide the mark that Voldemort had given him. His scar prickled with pain making Harry's heart beat faster. Why was his scar hurting? He was in a different universe than Voldemort. The world he was in didn't have a Voldemort anymore. So why was his scar hurting?

He deduced that the dream must have caused his scar to play up. Remembering how Voldemort had been reborn and the torture he inflicted made his scar throb with pain. Harry thought back to a few nights ago, he had been dreaming, just normal silly dreams, when he suddenly dreamt that he was walking along a darkened long corridor. He felt like he was walking for hours when he at last reached the end and stood before a door. But when he reached for the door he found it locked. Just as he twisted the doorknob and found that it wouldn't budge, he woke up. His scar had prickled uncomfortably then as well, but Harry didn't understand why. He thought that the dream was just his inner feelings about being trapped in another world. He wasn't upset at being effectively trapped in this alternate universe. Truth was he was glad. He wasn't alone in this world. He had a family and a home, a proper home, and no matter how confused he was at times, he found he was comfortable here

Harry pushed himself away from the mirror and headed back to his room. He tried to go back to sleep but he couldn't settle. He soon gave up and got up to sit on the edge of the bed. The memory of Cedric's death was still lurking at the back of his mind, trying to force its way through his consciousness. Harry fought to keep himself from remembering what had happened at the graveyard. Suddenly Harry realised something, he didn't have to fight with himself to stop the memory. He wasn't locked in his room; he wasn't surrounded by people that didn't care about him. He could distract himself by walking outside his room and talking to his parents. He had someone to turn to here.

Feeling like his heart could explode with relief; Harry got up and headed out of his room. It was only when he was standing in front of his dad's door that it occurred to him that it was late in the night and his dad was probably asleep. Just as he turned to go back, he caught the sound of voices coming from the room. His dad was awake and was with company. Harry tentatively knocked on his dad's door.

A moment later the door opened and Harry faced a surprised looking James.

"Harry? What's wrong?" James asked, concern showing in his hazel eyes.

A warm feeling spread down Harry's stomach.

"Nothing. I couldn't sleep. I thought I would see if you were still up." Harry answered.

James moved to let Harry come in. As soon as he stepped inside, he regretted it. Standing beside the large fireplace, dressed in blue robes, stood the Headmaster of the school, Professor Dumbledore. Harry halted in his steps and stared at the wizard. He had very carefully avoided meeting or talking to the Headmaster, up until now.

The white haired wizard inclined his head a fraction and greeted Harry.

"Evening, Harry."

Harry moved towards the sofa, carefully avoiding looking at the wizard.

"Evening" he returned.

Dumbledore turned to speak to James.

"We should continue our discussion some other time. I should take my leave. Good night."

With that the Headmaster was gone, not looking back at anyone. James closed the door and sat down next to Harry, wearily running a hand through his hair. Harry had learnt that his dad only did this when he was anxious or worried.

"Everything okay?" Harry asked concerned.

"Yeah, everything's fine." James said, not at all convincingly. He took off his glasses and pinched the bridge of his nose, as if warding off a headache.

"You don't look like you're okay. Did something happen? Did…did Prof-Dumbledore say something?" Harry caught himself in time before calling Dumbledore, Professor.

James opened his eyes and replaced his glasses.

"No, Harry. He didn't say anything. I'm just tired." James said looking Harry in the eye.

"Oh, okay, I'll go then. Let you rest." Harry said at once, getting up to leave. Just because he couldn't sleep didn't mean he had to disrupt others too.

"Sit down, Harry. I want to talk to you about something." James said, sitting upright in his seat.

Harry sat back down, wondering what his dad wanted to talk to him about.

"I've noticed how much time you've been spending with me and your mum." James started. "While I'm glad to have more company with you, I'm a little concerned."

"Concerned?" Harry asked.

"Harry I know why you've been hanging out with us so much." James said, his eyes fixed to Harry.

"You…you do?" Harry asked, praying that his truth hadn't come out.

"You're bored. You don't have anything else to do, so you're spending your time with us." James said.

"Yeah, yeah, that's it, I'm bored." Harry said, quickly agreeing.

"I know that you're still against the idea of the Duelling teaching job, but you can do something else. With your grades, you can pretty much do anything. Have you thought about what you want to do?" James asked.

Harry had only ever thought about one job he would want to do after Hogwarts.

"How about becoming an Auror?" Harry tentatively asked.

James frowned at Harry.

"Very funny, Harry, real mature!" he scolded.

"I'm serious." Harry said, confused as to why his dad thought he was joking.

James got up from his seat and walked over to his desk.

"Fine, if you're not going to be serious about your future then we'll talk about something else." James said as he prepared two cups of tea.

Harry knew not to argue with his dad so he went with the topic change and spent the next hour chatting to James about other things. It was only the sound of a knock on the door that pulled them out of their discussion. James opened the door to see Sirius standing before him.

"You're late." James greeted.

"Sorry, got carried away." He smirked as he came inside.

Sirius flopped down on the sofa chairs. He brushed his dark locks away from his eyes and gave Harry a wide smile.

"Hey, Harry. How are you?" his Godfather asked him.

Harry smiled back.

"Fine, you?" he asked.

"Can't complain." Sirius smiled. "Well, I could but I won't." he added with his usual smirk.

Harry smiled at Sirius' comment. For the next few minutes he watched quietly as his dad and godfather talked among themselves. Watching this world's Sirius talk and joke around with James made him feel sorry for the Sirius he had left back in his own world. He could see how close the two friends were and for the first time he understood the manic gleam in Sirius' eyes when he was attacking Peter in the shrieking shack. Harry now understood the need for revenge Sirius had wasn't just for the twelve years he spent in Azkaban, but for the murder and betrayal of his friend.

"I got something for you." Sirius said, putting down his mug and reaching into his robes pocket. He pulled out a sealed envelope and handed it to James.

Harry watched as James opened the envelope and pulled out an official looking letter. Harry noticed the lines appear on James' forehead as he read through the letter. He was annoyed and it was proved the next moment when he crumpled the letter up in his fist and chucked it into the fire.

"Bad news?" Sirius asked.

James shrugged.

"He wants me to meet him this weekend." He said, taking a long sip from his mug.

"Are you going to go?" Sirius asked. James didn't answer but sat with his mug in hand. Harry was completely lost as to what they were discussing. "I say you should go to meet him. At least hear what he has to say." Sirius said.

"I already know what the Minister has to say." James answered and Harry could hear the deep underlay of anger in his dad's voice.

"Prongs, Minister Diggory isn't like Fudge." Sirius said quietly.

"I know, but I still don't want to see him. I know what he wants and I can't give it to him." James said.

Harry noticed James glance over at him and then quickly look away. Harry was trying to figure out what was going on. His dad was called to meet with the Minister but he was refusing. He didn't want to meet with the Minister because he knew the Minister wanted something from him, something James wasn't willing to give. But what could the Minister want? And could his dad really refuse the Minister for Magic?

"I think you should go to meet the Minister." Harry suddenly said his voice quiet but clear.

Both James and Sirius looked over at him, clearly taken aback.

"What?" James asked.

"If Minister Diggory wants to meet with you then maybe you should meet him." Harry said. He remembered Damien telling him that the previous Minister, Cornelius Fudge had a falling out with James but as far as Harry knew, the current Minister and his dad were on friendly terms.

"You want me to meet with the Minister?" James asked, surprised.

"Just to see what he wants from you." Harry said.

James and Sirius' expressions relaxed. They shared a quick glance.

"I know what he wants." James said getting up from his seat.

"What?" asked Harry.

"He wants me to take back my resignation and resume the role of an Auror." James said, his back turned so Harry couldn't see his expression.

Harry waited for more but James didn't say anymore.

"You don't want to go back?" Harry asked.

"It's not that," James said turning around. "I loved being an Auror but after what happened…I can't think about returning to the Ministry after the way they acted."

Harry didn't say anything. He didn't know what the Ministry had done to upset his dad but whatever it was, it seemed big.

"Don't think about it too much, Harry, I'm not going back." James said, misunderstanding Harry's silence.

"I was just thinking, if you really loved being an Auror, maybe you should consider the offer to go back to being one." Harry answered honestly.

James stared at Harry as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.

"If I went back to being an Auror, you would be okay with that?" James asked.

"If it makes you happy." Harry answered sincerely.

James sat down, still staring at Harry.

"What's gotten into you?" he asked.

Harry fought down the wave of panic the words brought.

"Nothing, I just want you to be happy." Harry answered sincerely.

James didn't have a response to that.

xxx

"He actually said that?" Lily asked, forgetting the plate of food before her.

James nodded his head. He poked at the sausages with his fork but didn't bother eating them. Everyone else around them in the Great Hall was busy tucking into their breakfast and none were paying attention to Professors Potter.

"I never thought Harry would say that to you." Lily commented, shaking her head. "Are you sure he wasn't being sarcastic?"

James shook his head again.

"No, he was being genuine. He said that I should meet the Minister and go back to being an Auror if that makes me happy." James repeated.

Lily looked away from her husband and stared at her plate, deep in thought.

"Maybe he meant it." she said finally.

"Come off it, Lily! This is Harry we're talking about. He hates the Ministry and its Aurors. He would never tell me to join them again." James hissed at her.

"Then why would he say that to you?" Lily asked, her green eyes fixed to him.

James didn't answer right away. He turned to look at the Gryffindor table were both his sons were sitting, talking quietly amongst themselves. Ginny was sitting next to Damien and was listening intently to the two boys.

"There's something wrong with him." James said finally.

"What do you mean?" Lily asked quickly and somewhat defensively.

"Harry's been acting very strange. Ever since he came to Hogwarts this year, he's not been himself. Sometimes, I get the feeling he's not…I can't explain it. He's just not been his usual self."

Lily knew what James meant. She too had moments were she questioned if the boy before her was even her son at all. He was just so different, subdued, quiet and at times, nervous. Still, she was his mother; she could tell it was her Harry. She could feel it.

"Look, maybe you're reading too much into this. Maybe Harry said that to you because he knows how much you loved being an Auror." Lily offered.

"I don't think so." James said, still keeping his eyes fixed to Harry.

"Look, James. Maybe he's finally opening up to us. He spends a lot more time with us than he used to. He's grown closer to us. He really wants you to be happy. I know for a fact that he felt responsible for your resignation in the first place. Maybe he's just trying to let you know that he won't hold it against you if you take your old job back." Lily explained.

James wanted to believe her, it was a comforting thought. He knew that his wife was content in thinking that Harry had changed for the better, that he had grown closer to them. But Lily didn't know Harry the way James knew him. James had seen first hand the rage and hate Harry had for Aurors, that doesn't change, no matter what.

James turned his gaze to Harry once again. Something was definitely not right. Harry was up to something and James was going to find out what it was, soon.

--

Canon World

The chaos at Platform nine and three quarters was like usual. Harry carried his trunk over, with a protesting Hedwig in her cage, up to the train. Sirius in his animagus form bounced up ahead of him. Mrs Weasley bid her goodbyes while Moody stood with his magical eye spinning in all directions, obviously looking for attackers. Harry kept hearing the name 'Sturgis' being mentioned by Moody and gathered that the Auror was supposed to have accompanied them but was missing. He didn't pay it much attention.

Just before boarding, Sirius leapt up to his hind legs and placed his front paws onto Harry's chest. Mrs Weasley was quick to swat him away.

"Act like a dog!" she hissed at the black bear like dog, while guiding Harry to the train.

Harry walked ahead, Ron and Hermione on either side. He noted a few students stare at him with confusion. He ignored them. He was going to get a lot of stares. He walked along the platform and onto the train with his usual grace, attracting even more attention.

As soon as they were inside the train, Ron and Hermione took their leave, explaining that they had to go to the Prefects compartment. Harry was left with Ginny.

"Come on." She said, walking down the corridor.

They looked through the glass panels of most of the compartments to see them full.

"Everywhere is full!" Ginny complained, pulling her trunk along with difficulty.

"Here" Harry said, taking the trunk's weight from her.

Ginny looked at Harry with surprise. She was about to protest but Harry motioned to her to keep walking. She turned and carried on walking along the corridor, shooting Harry questioning looks.

Just as they entered the last carriage, they ran into someone. Harry froze in his steps as the round faced, out of breath, boy faced him.

"Hi Ginny! Everywhere is full…! I can't find anywhere to sit!"

"What are you talking about Neville? This one is free, there's only Loony Lovegood in here." Ginny said, pointing to the compartment behind the boy.

Neville struggled with the toad in his hand as it was trying desperately to get free.

"I…I didn't want…disturb…I didn't…"

"Oh, don't be silly!" Ginny said, opening the door and walking inside the compartment.

Neville's large brown eyes met Harry's and he looked at him with a nervous glance. It was clear to see that he hadn't recognised him.

"You can sit with us, if…if you want to." He mumbled.

Harry had to fight the urge to laugh out loud. It was too much to take. To see the boy who, in his world, was trained to defeat Voldemort, in this pathetic state. His chubby face was gleaming with sweat, from dragging his trunk. His eyes hardly stayed on Harry's face; he was too timid to even look Harry in the eye.

"Neville, its Harry, stop fretting." Ginny called from the compartment.

Neville's mouth dropped open. He snapped his head up to look at Harry. Disbelief laced every inch of his face but when the boy looked into Harry's eyes, he let out a small 'oh!'

Soundless words left him making it look like he was fish out of water. Harry let out a chuckle at the sight.

"Done?" Harry asked after Neville gave up trying to question his friend's different appearance.

Neville nodded his head, eyes still wide and fixed unwaveringly on Harry.

"Then let's go." Harry walked past Neville and didn't look back to see if the other boy was following him.

Harry walked in to find the compartment only had two girls sitting in it. One was Ginny and the other was a girl Harry had never seen. She struck him at once as someone he didn't want to speak to.

She was sitting next to the window, reading a magazine which was held upside down. That was the first and only sign Harry needed to ignore the strange girl. The girl looked up at Harry as he sat across from her. She had long, straggly, dirty blond hair, very pale eyebrows above wide protuberant eyes. She had a necklace made out of butterbeer corks which made a noise every time she shifted in her seat. Harry glanced at her as she was staring at him. He noted the wand stuck behind her ear and had to suppress the urge to slap her for it.

"Had a good summer, Luna?" Ginny asked, making polite conversation.

"Yes," said Luna in a dreamy way. Her eyes were still fixed on Harry, even though she was speaking to Ginny. "It was quite enjoyable, you're Harry Potter." She suddenly added.

"You don't say." Harry idly answered.

"But you don't look like you usually do." Luna said, seeming as if she hadn't heard his answer.

Neville looked at Harry as well, waiting for an explanation. But Harry didn't offer any. Ginny quickly mentioned the potion accident and that it was responsible for Harry's altered appearance.

"You tried making a potion at home?" Neville asked in amazement.

Harry ignored him.

Luna went back to her magazine, whose title Harry read was, The Quibbler. Neville tried talking to Harry but Harry ignored him. He didn't have the patience to deal with Neville, he knew it was wrong but his dislike for the Neville in his world was stopping him from tolerating this Neville.

Neville shared a questioning look with Ginny but the red haired girl shook her head at him, signalling that she didn't know why Harry was in a mood.

In an effort to get Harry to talk to him, Neville showed him his birthday present.

"Look what I got, Harry." he said as he fished inside his schoolbag. He pulled out a small plant that resembled a cactus, only it was grey and had boils instead of spines.

"Hmm, a Mimbulus mimbletonia, nice." Harry commented, hardly looking at the plant.

"My uncle Algie got it for me. It's really something, it has this amazing defensive mechanism, here I'll show you." Neville made to hand Harry the plant but Harry didn't take it from him.

"I have no desire to be covered in stinking goo, thanks Longbottom." Harry said.

Neville didn't say anything but sunk back in his seat, staring at the stunted plant, not looking up at anyone. Ginny moved across to sit next to Harry and whispered to him,

"Since when is he Longbottom to you?" she asked a hard note in her voice.

Before Harry could answer her, the door slid open and a dark haired, pretty girl appeared in their compartment. He looked around the room before stopping on Harry. At first there was no recognition, then suddenly she let out a small 'oh' and her mouth dropped open.

"Harry? Is that you?" she asked.

Harry had no idea who the girl.

"Hi Cho" Ginny greeted her, giving Harry her name. "How are you?"

"I…okay, I guess." She trailed off, a look of unease washed over her. "Well, I just thought I would say hello. Um, bye then."

With that the door slid closed and the girl was away. Shortly after Ron and Hermione appeared. Harry half listened to them rant on about the prefect duties they had and who the other house prefects were.

"Guess who the Slytherin prefect is." Ron asked Harry.

Harry shrugged, "no idea." He replied.

"Malfoy, who else!" Ron spat bitterly.

Harry didn't comment. He knew he was going to meet the counterpart of his best friend soon. The last time he had seen Draco, he had been in hospital. He was out of the coma but was still recovering. Harry had figured out from the way Ron and Hermione spoke about him, that Draco and Harry of this universe were not friends. Harry wondered how the Draco Malfoy of this world was going to react to him.

He found out all too soon.

The door to the compartment slid open and three Slytherins stood in the doorway. Harry looked up to see a fifteen year old Draco Malfoy standing with his usual cronies, Crabbe and Goyle. Draco's sleek blond hair was arranged in place, his sneer fixed in place, a smirk playing on his lips. His grey eyes scanned the room and landed on Harry. Malfoy's pale pointed face lost its sneer and for a moment he just stared at Harry. He quickly regained his composure and scoffed at Harry.

"Playing dress up, Potter?" Draco asked. "You can do as many glamour spells as you like, but you'll still always be a loser!"

"Shut up, Malfoy!" Hermione jumped to Harry's defence.

Malfoy shot her a malicious look but otherwise ignored her.

"You better behave yourself this year, Potter." Malfoy jabbed at the Prefect badge pinned to his Slytherin robes. "Or I'll be handing you out punishments."

Harry couldn't help it. The sight if Draco Malfoy, showing off his Prefect badge and threatening him with punishments was just too funny. He started laughing. The smirk fell from Malfoy's face and he glared at Harry.

"What's so funny?!" he spat at him.

"You, threatening me and, well, that's about it." Harry said with amusement.

Malfoy's lip curled and he shot a hateful look at Harry.

"If I were you I would watch myself. You won't be laughing for long." Malfoy threatened.

"Get out, Malfoy!" Ron yelled.

Malfoy and his two goons turned to leave. Harry's finger twitched and the door slid closed, just before the three Slytherins were about to leave. All three smashed rather painfully face first into the door.

Malfoy turned to Crabbe and slapped him against the head.

"You were supposed to open the door!" he yelled at him.

Crabbe looked stupidly at Malfoy, holding his nose. Malfoy turned back to glare at Harry, who in turn was still smiling at him, clear mirth in his eyes. The rest were chuckling quietly and making no effort to hide their amusement. Only Luna seemed to be unaware of the Slytherins' presence. Malfoy smashed open the door and stormed out, his two cronies following him.

"Oh, that was great! Good work with the non verbal spell, Hermione." Ron said, patting her on the shoulder.

"I never did that!" Hermione objected.

Ron looked around the room before looking at her.

"Then who did?" he asked. "Other than you, Hermione, no one else in this room can cast such a complicated spell." He said, intending to compliment her.

Hermione's eyes flickered to Harry. She hadn't seen him do anything but the way he had looked at Malfoy, the way he had dealt with him; it was very different to the way he usually fought with Malfoy.

She looked away from Harry and stared out of the window. She thought about how much her friend had changed, and it wasn't his physical appearance. His personality had completely changed. She warily wondered what other changes a 'botched up' potion could cause.

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