Harry woke up and saw a blinding light. He just sacrificed himself to Voldemort in hopes the others could win against him. He remembered Hermione's plea to come with him. He hoped she and Ron figured out what they are, even if he thought they fought way too much for it to be normal.
"Why are you back here?" a voice suddenly asked, causing Harry to get up in alarm. Harry saw a woman with dark red hair, way different from the Weasleys, and ocean blue eyes. "I said, why are you back here?" The woman demanded.
"I don't where here is exactly," Harry responded, looking around. "Am I dead?" He asked, hoping to see if his parents are here.
"Well, yes and no," The woman responded, frowning. "Hold my hand real quick."
After staring at her for a moment, Harry held her hand, causing his body to jerk just like a portkey. This time though, he landed on his feet. "Huh," said a surprised Harry. Looking around, he saw he was in an office.
"So, you died, again!" She exclaimed, causing Harry to step back.
"Yeah," Harry responded flatly.
"Do you know how many times this is?!" the redhead asked hypothetically. "No, of course, you don't," she mused.
"I've died before?" Harry asked, mostly to himself.
"Yes! You have! This is the tenth time," She said, causing Harry to widened his eyes with shock. "Let's see here, the first time, wasn't even your fault honestly, who leaves a baby in the middle of fall on a doorstep?"
Harry frowned. "Didn't Dumbledore drop me off at the Dursleys?" He asked her, she nodded.
"What's your name?" Harry asked the woman after a moment, not wanting to think about how Dumbledore killed him, causing her to look up and blink at him.
"You can call me Harmonia, your Grim Reaper," She said, causing Harry's throat to clench. Harmonia saw and frowned, "Are you ok?" questioned Harmonia.
Harry nodded, "I will be, just- your names kinda similar to a friend of mine, and The Grim Reaper stuff is weird," He mostly lied.
Harmonia looked down at her table. "You're not supposed to be here, you know," She said softly.
"What were you thinking sacrificing yourself to that maniac?" She demanded.
"I was the last Horcrux!" Harry said defensively. "And I didn't want anyone else to get hurt!" Harry said, raising his voice slightly. "What is supposed to happen then if I wasn't supposed to die?" Harry asked. That was the wrong thing to ask as he saw anger in Harmonia's eyes.
"What was supposed to happen was you defeating the maniac, ending the war once and for all, but no! All the obstacles and incompetent adults in your life made it way harder than it needed it to be, and one more death means I get fired! " Harmonia said, now pacing back and forth. Harry didn't know Grim Reapers could get fired.
"And you're not in the clear either, mister!" She said, pointing a finger at Harry. "You running off to danger without any plan most of the time is unbelievable," said Harmonia, throwing her hands in the air with exasperation. Harry wondered if this is how Hermione felt during their fifth year. "I thought after what happened to you in the first task during your fourth year, something would have clicked in your mind that you needed to take it more seriously," Harry had the decency to flush at that. "Don't worry, I only saw small glimpses, Mostly when you put yourself in a life-threatening situation, " She grumbled.
"But look, I'm not entirely blaming you, Harry. You were emotionally starved and didn't think you were worth keeping around," She said softly. "Now, you're not entirely dead," she said after silence fell between them. "You're in a state of limbo, between life and death."
"I want to stay here," Harry said, cutting in.
"Not everything's on the table yet," Harmonia said.
"Then lay them on," Harry said, a little impatient.
"I can make you go back in time," Harmonia said bluntly. "And have your memories attached this time."
That stopped Harry, he can save so many lives, but something lingered in his mind. "How far back?" He asked skeptically.
"The furthest I can put you is your fourth year. You'll be fourteen mentally and physically but have your memories of the future, so it doesn't get weird. Kinda," Harmonia said sadly. "I'm sorry."
"Nice, when the whole school hated me for something I didn't want to be in, lovely," Harry said sarcastically. He sighed, "What's the plan?"
Harmonia smiled, but it faltered after a second. "The plan is easier said than done, you defeat Voldemort, and get with your soulmate, some Granger girl -"
"Wait, Hermione?" Harry cut in. "My soulmate is Hermione?" Harry asked himself.
"Well, yes," Harmonia said simply.
"I told Ron she was like a sister to me," Harry said, causing Harmonia to raise her eyebrows.
"Are you serious?" She asked. Harry nodded slowly, making Harmiona burst into laughter. "You don't actually believe that, do you?" She asked in amusement. "You never had a sibling. How on Earth can this Hermione be like a sibling?" Harry opened his mouth a few times, but nothing came out. "Yeah, that's what I thought," Harmonia smirked. "I'm not asking you to ask her out straight away. Ease your way in. Let it come naturally."
Harry couldn't believe he didn't see it sooner. Hermione was always there for him. Pushing him to become greater. Her trying to make him talk to her when she knew something was bothering him, but he was always too stubborn to admit that he needed it. He always felt comfortable around her, not to mention her missile hugs. Harry inwardly laughed, considering himself lucky he never fell when she launched herself at him. Hermione wasn't perfect by any means, she could be tactless when she tried to help others, but she still is a good friend to have.
Harmonia saw this all happen and smirked, "Ready to go, lover boy?"
Harry blushed but chose to ignore the teasing. "Yeah, I think so. Would I still have the Horcrux in my head when I go back?" He asked.
"Nope," Harmonia said, popping the 'p.' "You'll be thinking clearly now without that thing inside your head."
Harry sighed in relief. "How far into my fourth year? I really don't want to drop in there, and my name already came out of the cup." Harry thought for a moment, "Does Voldemort have to return? Can't I just destroy his Horcrux's and… you know..." Harry trailed off, making a hand gesture around his throat.
"I can drop you on the train if you want," Harmonia suggested. "As in for our dear friend Voldemort..." She sighed. "He must come back, I know that's something you didn't want to hear, but here we are. He can't fully die with the state he's in," Harmonia said in a sad voice. "At least you know where those things are, right?"
"Yeah, I do," responded Harry. "One's going to be very hard to get, though," mused Harry.
"You'll figure something out. I believe in you," Harmonia said softly. "I'll be checking in every once in a while. To see how everything's going," She said. "And to make sure you aren't going crazy with this whole time travel thing."
"Right," Harry said, taking a deep breath. "So, you're going to put me back on the train to Hogwarts?"
Harmonia nodded. "You ready?" She asked Harry, who nodded and closed his eyes. "3… 2… 1," and Harry felt like he was being squeezed from every possible angle imaginable. The next thing Harry knew, everything went black.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron were sitting in a compartment on the train. Hermione was reading, Ron was eating. Harry, of course, didn't know that as he was asleep in the compartment, in his own world before a shriek cut through, it sounded like the person was in pain, another shriek cut through, and this time Harry knew who it belonged to.
Hermione.
Harry jerked up, panting heavy, looking pale and sweating quite a bit, startling Hermione and Ron.
"Harry?" Hermione asked, startled, worry written all over her face. "Are you alright? Is it your scar?" She asked, rather alarmed as she saw Harry look around with wide eyes.
Harry's eyes landed on Hermione, "Y- yeah, and no. Not my scar," He mumbled, putting his hands on his face, trying to calm down. "Bad dream," a muffled Harry said unhelpfully. "More like a nightmare," He said, glancing out the window and shuddered, trying to forget Hermione's screams at Malfoy manor.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Hermione asked softly.
Harry gave her a small smile and shook his head, "Not right now," Harry felt like an idiot, not seeing the person who was with him until the end of the line. There was that time where he and Hermione danced in the tent, where he felt safe and happy, even if it was for a bit. Harry forgot the song but vowed to himself to find it.
"Harry! Mate!" Ron called out. "Are you sure you're ok? You're spacing out."
"I'm fine," Harry said subconsciously. "Just thinking."
Ron shrugged his shoulders and went back to eating, while Hermione looked suspiciously at Harry. He has no idea if he'd be able to keep the time travel thing a secret from Hermione. Before Hermione could do anything, the compartment door opened with Malfoy and his two goons by the door. Internally, Harry wanted to hex the junior Death Eater to oblivion.
"Look at what we have here," Malfoy said colly. "Piss poor Weasley, the Mudlblood Granger, and Potter."
"What do you want, Malfoy?" Harry asked coldly, hoping Malfoy does something stupid to give Harry a reason to hex him.
Malfoy ignored him and said the same things as last time before turning to Harry. "I suppose you're going to enter, Potter," Malfoy sneered. "Never miss a chance to show off, don't you?"
Harry rolled his eyes, "To whatever you're talking about, no, I'm not going to enter, you daft weirdo." Harry said. "Close the door on your way out," Harry said dismissively.
Malfoy was taken by surprise, but anger quickly took over. "We're not done talking, Potter! Malfoy spat, going to grab Harry's shoulder, but Harry knocked it away then grabbed his wand.
"Stupefy," Harry said, causing Malfoy to fly out of the trio's compartment and hitting a wall, leaving a stunned crowd of Ron, Crabbe, Goyle, and Hermione. Harry raised his eyebrows at Crabbe and Goyle, who looked back at Harry. They made the smart move, for what Harry thought for the first time, and picked up Malfoy to find their own compartment.
Harry got up and closed the door, locking it. Hermione and Ron were still stunned when Harry sat back down. Hermione seemed to break out of it. "What was that?" She hissed.
Harry blinked, "What was what?"
Hermione looked exasperated. "You stunning Malfoy!"
"Oh, c'mon Hermione, Malfoy was asking to get jinxed," Ron said, grinning, "and it's not like Harry wanted to use his wand."
The pair looked over at Harry, who looked sheepish and not meeting Hermione's gaze. "Honestly," Hermione said, throwing her hands up in annoyance.
Harry scratched the back of his head. "I was kinda hoping Malfoy would give me an excuse to jinx him," Harry said. "Sorry, Hermione," Won't be the first time I apologize, Harry vowed to himself. Hermione looked shocked and raised an eyebrow at the apology. Harry forgot Hermione hadn't gotten many apologies from him and Ron, But Hermione looked happy with the apology, "Well, thank you, Harry," she said in a cheerful voice. "Maybe my lectures are paying off," she teased, which Harry really only saw in their sixth year.
Harry's lip twitched upwards, "I wouldn't go that far yet, Hermione," He teased back, trying to hold his laughter. After a moment of silence, both Harry and Hermione burst into laughter.
After a minute, or so the pair calmed down, with Ron looking at the pair as if they have gone crazy. Harry looked across where Hermione was sitting and saw her smile. Once again thinking about how stupid he has been not to notice her. He looked out the window and saw Hogwarts, no buildings destroyed but a Hogwarts standing tall. He smiled. "Never get's old, does it?" Hermione asked, also looking out the window.
"Never," Harry breathed.
As the train stopped, Harry noticed it wasn't raining like last time, but it was chilly as the doors opened. He wondered if his Grim Reaper did something to affect the weather. As the trio got out of the train, Harry saw his half-giant friend. "Hi, Hagrid!" He yelled, waving.
"Ello there, 'Arry!" Hagrid bellowed, waving back. "See yeh at the feast," He said, leaving to gather the first years to the boats. Harry grinned and moved to the carriages. He noticed he could see the Thestrals and suppressed a shudder.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron climbed in the carriages, grateful it was warm.
Harry and Hermione sat across Ron while Harry thought about Ron. He was his first-ever friend, but sometimes Ron was downright cruel. Just last year in this timeline, he and Ron didn't speak to Hermione for months over a stupid broom and a rat. Ron didn't speak to Harry after his name somehow got out of the Goblet of Fire, but in Harry's fifth year, he was a good friend… to Harry, at least. The arguments between Ron and Hermione were downright unbearable sometimes. Harry didn't see where the love was between them was.
Harry's Sixth year was such a shit show; Harry hopes he doesn't have to repeat it. The Horcrux hunt even worse as Ron left him and Hermione to fend off to themselves in a war. Something definitely broke in trusting Ron, and while Harry knew this Ron hadn't done those things yet. He couldn't stop feeling for the need to distance himself from him. So naturally, he talked to Hermione more and only gave a fake smile or a short answer to Ron. There are only so such positives Ron can do before the negatives take over. He felt bad, but he couldn't stop.
Hermione looked a little suspicious but didn't verbalize anything. Harry wondered how long he could keep this secret, Hermione was brilliant, and not many things got past her.
Soon enough, the trio walked into Hogwarts with Harry trying his hardest to forget the battle, the damage, and the bodies that filled these hallowed walls. His face must've shown something because he heard Hermione calling to him. "Harry?" She said, stopping in front of him, waving her hand in front of his face. Harry gently pushed it away and looked at her.
"Huh?" He said. "Yes?"
"Are you sure you're alright?" She frowned, putting her other hand on his forehead as if seeing if he was sick, "You've been…" Hermione trailed off as her eyes went wide.
"What?" Harry asked in alarm, looking around. "What's wrong?"
"Your scar," Hermione whispered. "It looks lighter than normal," She said, shocked, tracing Harry's fading scar. Harry wanted to lean to her soft touch but couldn't, as anyone could see them.
"Are you guys alright?" Ron asked, looking back to the pair.
Harry pushed Hermione's hand down gently, "Yeah, we're fine, Ron." Harry answered, forgetting he's still holding her wrist. Ron looked at them weirdly before turning back. Harry turned to Hermione but saw her cheeks were pink and staring down. Following her gaze, he saw he was still holding on to her. "Sorry," Harry mumbled, "We'll talk about the scar thing later, yeah?" He asked. Hermione nodded. "C'mon, let's go," He said, leading the way for the Great Hall.
Harry remembered he talked to Colin last time around. In fact, he remembered a lot of things that hadn't happened in this timeline and wondered if his Grim Reaper was behind all this, trying to get Harry settled in with the whole time travel business.
Sitting next to Hermione, missing her slightly shocked face, he saw the first years strolling through, obviously scared. Harry saw one student looking particularly wet. It was Colin Creevy's brother, Dennis. Harry had to hide a snicker as he remembered their enthusiasm towards him.
Dennis was once again sorted into Gryffindor and joined his brother. "Dennis! Dennis! See that boy down there? The one with the black hair and glasses? See him? Know who he is, Dennis?" Colin asked hurriedly. "That's Harry Potter!" The last time around, Harry ignored him, but Colin stayed during the battle and died, so Harry looked over and offered a small smile and a wave, making the two boys even more excited.
Breathing out a laugh, Harry turned back to the sorting. "That was sweet," a voice suddenly said, making Harry jump a little. He looked over his left shoulder and saw Hermione, looking amused.
"Blimey, Hermione. You almost gave me a heart attack," Harry grumbled good-naturally, earning an elbow.
"Quiet, you," She said, looking happy in a way Harry hasn't seen. "It was nice of you to welcome him," Hermione said. "Even if they can get on your nerves sometimes."
Harry shrugged. "I can be nice sometimes, you know," Harry teased, wincing as he remembered what happened in third- last year. He wants to apologize right now, but he needs to wait.
The sorting finally finished, and the food appeared. "Finally," Ron grumbled. "I can eat a hippogriff."
Hermione wrinkled her nose but ignored the comment.
Nearly Headless flew on by, and Harry remembered what happens next.
"Oh c'mon, 'Er-my-knee," said Ron, accidentally spraying Harry with bits of Yorkshire pudding. "Oops - sorry, 'Arry -" Harry forgot this part, though, wiping his face with a handkerchief in disgust. Ron swallowed. "You won't get them sick leave by starving yourself!"
"Slave labor," said Hermione, breathing hard through her nose. "That's what made this dinner. Slave labor."
She didn't want to take another bite.
Harry knew where she was coming from, even from the other timeline. He knew what she was trying to accomplish, but he wasn't going to let her not eat. "Oh, c'mon, Hermione. Don't be like that." Harry said, grabbing a sandwich and putting it on her plate. "Eat."
"No," Hermione said stubbornly. "I'm not attributing to Slave labor," She said, glaring at Harry.
Harry sighed. "We can talk to the House-elves about…. What they do," Harry offered and watched Hermione's eyes light up.
"Yes! We can talk to them about their slavery! You're brilliant, Harry!" Hermione said, beaming at Harry.
"Only if you eat," Harry said calmly, ignoring how warm he felt. Hermione glowered. "Cmon, Hermione, don't starve yourself."
It didn't take long for Hermione to cave in and eat the sandwich on her plate. "Better?" Harry asked. Hermione rolled her eyes but slightly nodded. Ron looked at Harry weirdly, which Harry ignored. Ron started up a conversation with Harry about the Quidditch World Cup, causing Hermione to roll her eyes again, mumbling something about boys being boys.
"What'd you reckon Malfoy was talking about on the train?" Harry asked, looking at Hermione, cutting in through Ron's rant about Victor Krum.
Hermione frowned, "I don't know. He said something about joining something, though."
"I reckon my mum knows. Remember how weird she was?" Ron said, eating a chicken leg.
"Yeah," mused Harry. "She was acting a bit weird," he said noncommittally.
"We'll find out soon, I think," Hermione said, looking at Harry as if she was trying to figure something out. "Dress robes were on our letters, though. Maybe it has something to do with that."
Harry internally smirked. She had no idea.
Soon enough, the feast ended, and Dumbeldore got up to make his announcements. Harry zoned out until he mentioned the canceling of Quidditch. It was silent for a moment before everyone exploded in disagreement, with the Weasly twins being the loudest. "That's rubbish!" Harry heard them say, making him laugh outright. Hermione looked at him weirdly. That's been going on a lot, Harry noticed.
She opened her mouth to say something, but a firecracker cut through the crowd, making Harry jump and instinctively put an arm around Hermione, shielding her. The Great Hall went silent, and Harry saw he wasn't the only one shielding someone. Across the Great Hall, someone had an arm around their friends, siblings, or the people they were dating. Some of the upper years had their wands out.
"My Apologies," Dumbledore said calmly, also looking at the Great Hall. "It seems the Quidditch World Cup attack is still fresh in our minds," He said, making Harry clench his jaw. "There will be no Inter-House Quidditch Cup because we are hosting something that will start in October. My sincere apologies for startling everyone with the firecracker," He said softly and sat back down.
It was deathly quiet in the Great Hall, reminding Harry when Voldemort stopped the Hogwarts attack and called Harry out. "You can stop holding on to me, Harry," Hermione whispered, her face pink.
"Huh?" Harry said, looking at her, and sure enough, he was still holding on to her protectively. "Oh, sorry, didn't realize," Harry mumbled, letting her go while blushing. He saw some girls either glaring at Hermione, looking jealous, or sighing dreamily. Harry shook his head. He'd never understand girls.
The heads of houses got up and chaperoned the kids to their respective common rooms. The trio sat around for a while, watching the common room wither out. Hermione was quieter than normal, but Harry didn't say anything. Ron got up and stretched. "Well, I'm off," He said, walking to the boy's dormitories.
As soon as Harry saw the door close, he looked at Hermione. "I'm sorry," Harry blurted out.
Hermione looked confused. "Whatever for?"
"For last year! For not talking to you for months over a stupid broom and a rat," said Harry in a raised voice. He was glad no one was in the common room. "I'm sorry I didn't do anything to make you feel better when you were taking all those classes. I'm sorry for not sticking up for you. I'm sorry for -" Harry was cut off by one of Hermione's signature hugs. Harry was shocked for a moment before he hugged her back, not as tightly as Hermione, though. After a minute, though it felt like seconds for Harry, she pulled away with tears in her eyes, much to Harry's alarm.
"Happy tears," Hermione said, seeing Harry's face. "These are happy tears."
"Well, you deserve to be happy," Harry said automatically.
Hermione flashed a beaming smile at Harry before wiping her tears. "What's going on with your scar?" She asked seriously, bringing it back to the reason why they're talking alone in the common room in the first place.
Harry shrugged. "Dunno."
"You don't know?" Hermione asked incredulity. Harry shook his head.
"Nothing," He said, "Maybe it's acting like a normal scar and fading."
"Maybe," mused Hermione. "Maybe in the library there's something. I mean, your scar looking lighter out of nowhere is weird."
"Maybe it's been fading, but we didn't see it until it looked noticeably lighter? Harry suggested, trying to throw Hermione off the trail.
Hermione looked in deep thought. "Maybe…" She said, trailing off. "I'll like to go to the library, though."
"Fair enough," Harry shrugged. "We should go to bed." He said. As the two walked off, Harry turned back. "Don't forget about the House-elves thing." Hermione turned back and rolled her eyes but shot Harry a smile.
As Harry was getting ready to sleep, a voice cut through. "What was with you today?"
Harry once again jumped. He saw Ron sitting on his bed. "What'd you mean?" Harry asked in confusion. Although, Harry had an idea.
"You and Hermione," Ron whispered sternly.
"She's also my best friend, you know," said Harry matter-of-factly.
"You practically ignored me, mate," Ron said. Harry felt a pang of guiltiness course through him. A silence fell between the two before Ron spoke. "Was it when you woke up? Oh, I bet it was. Did something happen to Hermione in your dream?" Ron asked.
"No," Lied Harry, "Goodnight Ron," He said, not giving Ron the time to reply. Harry didn't want to think about his nightmare. He wanted to put it in a lockbox and dump it in the bottom of the Black Lake.
As soon as Harry entered the dream world, he heard a familiar voice. "Congratulations," Harry turned around and saw her.
"Harmonia?" Harry asked.
"That's me," She smirked.
"Congratulations on what?" Harry asked.
"On not screwing it up, of course!" Harmonia exclaimed. "Sorry for giving you that nightmare on the train, though."
"That was you?" Harry asked, annoyed. "Of course it was," He mumbled. "I take it it was also you with the weather and me not talking to Colin?"
"Yup, wanted to ease you back into it," Harmonia said.
"Makes sense," said Harry. "Can't believe it's real, though. I can save a lot of people."
Harmonia smiled. "Yes, you can."
A thought suddenly hit Harry. "Do I still speak parseltongue?"
Harmonia shrugged. "Thought it was harmless, so yes, you do."
Harry didn't think it was harmless, but what did he know.
"If there's nothing else, I must go," Harmonia said.
"Actually, if Hermione's my soulmate, why didn't I ever, you know, fancy her before?" Harry asked. "I didn't get love potioned, did I?"
"No!" Harmonia exclaimed. "No! If that happened, I would have done something to counteract that. We Grim Reapers usually don't interfere, but you're a different case." She said. "And to answer your question, it was because of the Horcrux inside your head. You can feel every other feeling except love. If you dated before I removed that thing, it was probably teenage hormones and lust, not love. While you probably cared about this Hermione, you didn't know what to do because, well, you know," She said. Harry understood what she meant. "Do you feel like you're thinking clearly now?" Harmonia asked. Harry nodded. "Good. That blasted Horcrux did a number on you, Harry Potter."
Harry sighed with relief on not getting potioned. He might've hexed someone to oblivion. "Thanks," He said. "You can go now."
Harmonia smiled and waved. "See you later, lover boy," She said, making Harry groan before hitting actual sleep.
Harry Potter never noticed he hadn't thought about Ginny the whole day.
Right so…. I know I said that I hoped I didn't start another fic while writing my main on buuuuut don't blame me. Blame my muse. Time travel fics have been an interesting place for me and my muse really really wanted me to write one, so here I am! Let's see how well I balance with writing two fics at once.
I do not own Harry Potter, but Harmony would have been endgame if I did. Fight me