'It's not so bad here' was the thought that rang through Harry's mind as he took in the emptiness around him. This time there was no cursed pocket watch to keep him grounded. It was strange to feel nothing. Harry had gotten used to the constant rush of catastrophe after disaster, that feeling nothing, was relaxing.

He remembered the great hall, the figure rushing towards him. Maybe he was dead, maybe he had failed and the Death Eaters had done Voldemort's job for him? Prophecies aren't set in stone, after all, Harry knew better than most that prophecies were set in glass. He began to think of how different this nothingness felt when compared to the void.

He shouldn't have rushed in like this, ready to take on half the death eaters with the lives of the Hogwarts students at risk. He felt like an idiot for endangering Ron and Hermione. And now he was dead, the Horecruxs remaining intact and an insane Dark Lord would run rampant through the magical world. Great Job Harry.

He couldn't tell which way he was facing at this point in the nothingness. He could be upside down or inside out but all he knew was that the feeling was becoming boring. He tried lifting his arms, or where he thought his arms to be, feeling like bags of sand.

He tried kicking his legs but they refused to listen, cemented against the void. His annoyance slowly grew as he willed himself to try sitting up, or leaning down, his sense of direction was as good as a hippogriff on firewhiskey.

Soon white flashes began to appear, and Harry didn't know if he was relieved or frightened. He couldn't feel his wand anywhere on him but he knew he'd fight tooth and nail at whatever was out there. The flashes were growing and becoming more constant, creeping into the black safe space that Harry had grown accustomed to.

Finally ripping his arms free, he threw it in the direction of green that invaded the stark whiteness. "Oh dear! Madam Anand! This one's awake, I say, he didn't take to the potions at all!" An amused voice called out, "and he packs quiet the wallop too!" the voice laughed.

Harry furrowed his eyebrows as he took in the white ceiling. He could recognize that ceiling anywhere, after spending so much of his youth in the Hospital wing. The question now, was why isn't he dead?

His knuckles ached, his entire arm throbbing with the effort. His arm had fallen limp across his chest after the hit, he couldn't find the strength to lift himself let alone turn his head to the voice. His mouth felt as though it were full of cotton and his mind felt cloudy. He did however wonder where Madam Pomfrey was.

He looked to the ceiling and wondered what Pomfrey would say, maybe something along the lines of "Oh Mr Potter, back again so soon? I should have a private room made up just for you and your antics." her voice chimed, he mentally smiled at the words and tried looking to the beds beside him, wondering how many students were in there because of the unforgiveables.

His mind wandered sluggishly back to Snape. Why hadn't the potions master killed him in the great hall? Had he recklessly walked right into a trap? Was his friends already dead and he was to be tortured? Harry dwelled on these ideas with a murky mind, growing more and more hopeless. However, he paused his thoughts as a voice spoke up.

"Impossible Horus, the other two are still under", said a skeptical light voice as Harry heard footsteps make their way closer. He tensed and tried to find his voice to object to these strangers being near him. The bright light of a wand furthered to blind him as he felt someone prod and poke at his face. "He's awake!" A soft voice gasped as the light retreated.

"That's what I've been going on about Madam!" The jovial voice answered distantly. Harry could make out the clinking of glass just off to his right. "This one's a fighter Madam! Mark my words, to wake up from my 'Draught of the living death', why that's remarkable, wouldn't you agree Madam Anand?"

"That just raises more questions Horus…" The voice trailed off. Harry was slowly growing anxious, wondering how he awakened from the potion. No wonder he was semi-paralyzed in the hospital bed, it was already a feat to be awake. "I can't imagine what the war has done to them, to send them all the way to Hogwarts no less."

Them? Ron? Hermione? Were they okay then? They were under the potion too? Something wasn't right? His mind was still too foggy for his liking.

"Help will always be given at Hogwarts, my good Madam." Harry would've laughed if he didn't feel the weight of 10 cauldrons on his chest. "Tell me, why do you think the war sent them our way?" Harry struggled to place the curious voice, his eyes feeling heavier as the potion tried to claim him again, but he was determined to find out what was going on.

He knew enough of the secret passages to leave Hogwarts with his drugged friends, all he'd have to do was incapacitate two possible Death-Eaters, without his wand and a system half sedated…

Sounds like a normal Sunday if he was being honest, Harry mentally shrugged.

"The pale boy with the red hair, he woke up from the 'dreamless sleep' potion, screaming like the dark lord was at his bedside. Hasn't done it again since the Draught, and for that I am thankful Horus."

The face of a young woman with deep brown eyes appeared in Harry's vision. "Come now my dear, it's about time…" She smiled and Harry couldn't help but grow anxious slightly-wait Horus? The name ran through Harry's memories, unable to be placed. "Drink up now, slowly please." She laughed sadly at Harry's widened eyes, wondering if this was the first act of kindness he had received from a stranger, in a very long time.

Little did she know Harry had assumed she was about to poison him.

She gently lifted Harry and tilted his head forward. He had summoned all his willpower to try and twist his head away. Soon he spotted the vial in her hand and doubled his efforts, managing to gain some control and twisted himself from the woman's hold, falling to the bed with a heavy thump. The woman placed a hand on her hip and frowned at Harry as the other voice began to laugh.

"I doubt he needs the potion Wilma!" The laughter continued as Harry wondered how long until his hands would start responding. "He's fighting the rest of the potion on his own, that's extraordinary! Wait till Albus hears about this…" The voice trailed off as Harry's eyes widened.

No, they were mocking him. They had to be, this was a taunt to twist the knife deeper. "I'll be right back my dear, oh I do hope the other two are alright." Harry heard the man's footsteps retreat and felt his odds increase as now he had to defeat one Death-Eater.

The woman walked around his bed and Harry tried to stave off the potion. He did manage to strain away from her as she knelt down to look him in the eye with a sad look. "It's just the anti-paralysis potion. You don't need the Wiggenweld potion, considering you're already awake. Please know, I'm not going to harm you, which would be against my oath as a medi-witch." She explained calmly, Harry's nerves eased slightly. "I'm sorry I didn't ask before, would you be okay with me administering the potion? I am sure however if we wait long enough you'll be up on your own in no time" She smiled, lifting the potion into view hoping to reassure him.

Harry looked to the potion and nodded slightly, at ease with the medi-witch oath. Again she lifted the potion to Harry, tilting his head forward. The potion took away the dry cotton feeling and soon he electricity course through his being as his nerves awakened. He clenched his hand beneath the comforter and pushed himself up to look to the medi-witch.

Harry pressed a hand to his chest as he coughed the dry words out, "Will the other Death-eater kill me, since your oath doesn't let you Madam?" He looked around the wing not noticing the Madam's wide eyes, half ready to spot the hurt bodies of his old schoolmates.

Instead he stared at the blurry empty beds to his right, there was more than usual he noticed with a grimace. To his left, the witch was turned away, pouring something out of view. He noticed more empty beds except to the row across him. Dividers were placed around two beds, blocking them from Harry's sight, as he assumed that's where his friends were sedated.

Below his own bed was a self-inking quill, scribbling away, midair on a long stretch of parchment.

The medi-witch hummed, pulling back Harry's attention. "I'm afraid to upset you my dear, but I don't know any…" She looked up, her head tilting as she played the words in her mind. "…'Death-eaters'? As you called them. And I am sorry to tell you that your life will continue onwards to its natural end."

She turned back with a smile as Harry threw her an odd look, wondering if she was perhaps a forgotten cousin Lestrange. "However, while you are in my care, I assure you, there is no threat to your life." She nodded, holding forth his glasses in one hand and a glass of water in the other.

Harry took back his glasses, immediately looking around for his wand. As he turned back to the witch, he noticed the Holly wand had appeared in her previously empty hand. His hope fell slightly and he figured his face must've reflected this as the witch laughed.

"If you promise to drink the water slowly and remain in bed then I will be more than happy to hand you your wand." She smiled at the boy's scowl and hummed as he nodded, albeit reluctantly. She handed him the water first and Harry fought the urge to chug the entire glass. His chest hurt more then he realized and his throat felt like sandpaper in the desert sun.

"What's it writing?" He asked, sipping his water, he pointed a finger to the quill below his bed, taking a moment to look to the entrance of the room, noting it was open.

"Its detailing your core strength and magic fluctuations. Only reason I'm giving you your wand back is because you're healing well. It also let's me know how you're feeling et cetera."

Harry mutely wondered why he hadn't seen it before. Perhaps he hadn't been 'nearly killed' enough for the quills presence before.

"The headmaster will be here shortly to speak with you." She suddenly stated, handing him his wand, noting the shock on his face. "I promise he isn't a bad man, he won't hurt you" she quickly added, wondering if the poor boy would hex her out of fear. She then registered the shock on the boys face.

"Snape! You think Snape won't harm me?" Harry's voice wheezed as he began pushing the comforter away. "Honestly, if you knew about what amounted to mental abuse through the years-"He paused, stunned as the Madam pulled the wand straight out of his hand. "Hey!-" He stared at the witch, not accustomed to such a simple tactic.

"You're breaking your promise" She tutted, "You said you'd stay in bed." She threw Harry a pointed look, tapping her foot.

"But-"

"Not today my dear, your magical core has been through a slew of assaults, your body is undernourished and I can only imagine your mental health. Now if you please," She gestured back to the bed with a waiting sigh.

"My mental health is just fine mam…" Harry muttered as he pulled back the comforter. Deciding that from now on, he'd have a better hold of his wand.

"The first thing you did when you awoke was question who was to be your executioner" She stated as she handed his wand back. "I swear, whatever is a 'Snape'? Sounds like an exotic bird that hops about on one foot." The witch mused as she brought out her own wand,

"Perhaps I should've been clearer, that was my fault. Headmaster Dippet is on his way, once I clear your diagnostic scan that is."

Harry furrowed his eyebrows, wondering who this strange wizard was and why was he in place rather then Snape. He barely registered the witch perform a series of complicated movements. Soon a grey circle appeared above his head. "What's that?" He asked moving his head to and fro, watching as he caused the halo move about.

"Your diagnoses, my dear. Seems you're healing very well. You and your siblings cores were deeply wounded, a rush of overpowering magic was piggybacking on your very magic. It was by the luck of Merlin you three made it into Hogwarts. Then again, it was entering Hogwarts that sent you three to Morpheus's embrace"

She hummed as she cancelled he spell; the halo dissipating into a bout of sparkles. That always did make the children smile.

"I'm sorry, what?" Harry asked as he wiped the magical sparkles from his hair. He watched as the witch jotted down notes on the potions cart. She spoke over her shoulder.

"Well you see dear, Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry, that's where you currently are," She nodded, her quill never pausing, "is full of magic. Your core was already saturated by an overwhelmingly strong magic, this means as you got closer to Hogwarts and her magic enveloped you, it slowly began suffocating your core. We tried placing the magical origin, fearing the worst you children had been through and couldn't find it. That is why Headmaster Dippet is on his way."

"My…siblings..."Harry mumbled as he looked to their dividers. "Are they alright?" He began wearily, wondering if this was a trap. Surely she would be aware of the trio. She hadn't even glanced at Harry's scar in the entire conversation. Not that Harry was playing the 'Boy-who-lived card, it was just strange to finally meet someone who didn't know him before he knew them.

"Oh those two…"She sighed as she clutched the parchment in her hands, "They will be okay…their cores suffered greatly but they are still fighting. We had to keep you three asleep for your cores to realign on its own. Sometimes magic has to do what it can on its own." She smiled, noting Harry look to the two dividers with concern. She glanced over her shoulder to the doorway.

"It's strangely empty here, I figured a first year would have exploded their cauldron by now" He looked around the wing again, casting a quick detection charm Moody had taught him for any concealments or charms. Harry briefly imagined how proud the man would be, "Constant Vigilance!" his voice rang in Harry's mind.

She turned back to Harry with a smile. "That's because the term has yet to begin. I will admit, I prefer my wing empty. It means children are out there doing what they do best." She looked around the wing with admiration. She made her way to the quill that never stopped writing and read over it.

"You mean getting into trouble so they have to come visit you, all at once?"

She smiled as she moved over to the other side of Harry's bed. "My name is Wilma Anand by the way." She lifted her hand to Harry, "I am the Healer of Hogwarts Quidditch debacles and pranks gone amiss. Seems you already knew that to be frank. And you my dear are…?" She idly wondered if he would lie.

Harry stared at the raised appendage, deciding that the healer had plenty opportunities to kill him and his friends if she wished. "I'm James" Harry decided, "just James" He nodded as he shook her hand, clutching his Holly wand tightly in the other.

She laughed lightly, "'Just James' I like that, sounds simple enough." She grinned as he offered her a tiny smile back. Standing straight she gestured behind her, "Well then, just James, this is Headmaster Dippet."

His eyes widened as he realized she had been distracting him this entire time. She probably alerted him wandlessly. He glared at her, causing her to laugh into her hand. He heard footsteps approaching and Harry sat up straighter, 'Expelliarmus' ready to be thrown.

A man walked into view, a slew of curly white hair fell to his shoulders. His black eyes widened as he looked to Harry, a small smile on his face. He had a short beard, compared to most old wizards Harry had seen. He reminded him of Dumbledore, as odd as it sounded, especially when he said, "Harry, my boy!"

The man smiled as he made his way to Anand, taking a file from her hand, "It is by the hand of lady luck herself that you are alright." Harry began wondering if he was being played a fool, wondering if Voldemort would jump out from a divider with a surprise 'Avada Kedevra'.

"Have we met?" He asked, moving to throw the comforter off, planning how he would escape Hogwarts with his friends intact. One look from Madam Anand had him gripping his wand tighter and abandon that line of thought.

The headmaster hummed, looking over the notes in the file, "No, I'm afraid I haven't had that pleasure."

"Then how do you know my name?" Harry narrowed his eyes at the old wizard who was nodding his head along the words he read.

"You see, your sister there, she had woken up a few days ago, demanding the whereabouts of one 'Ron' and 'Harry'. She refused to take the Draught until she saw you two were safe. I actually chanced whether you were Ron or Harry, but I knew we'd get there eventually." He nodded to Madam Anand, "Thank you Madam, I will take it from here."

"I wasn't lying by the way," Harry mumbled looking to Anand.

She simply nodded to the headmaster and turned to Harry, "I know," She smiled, " and I was not lying either, I am keeping my promise, so long as you're here…" She touched her nose with a wink and walked off. Harry vaguely wondered if she had a cold and forgot what she was going to say.

He watched as she pushed a divider and spotted a flash of red hair, but the divider closed before Harry could check on Ron.

"She spoke with you already?" Harry mumbled, suddenly feeling intimidated by the headmaster, he suddenly remembered to ask, "Where is Snape? why haven't you killed us? Is the war over? Have we lost?!" He spoke in one breath as the Headmaster stood contemplating. Harry had his wand tucked under the cover, ready for the faintest threat.

"I am afraid I know limited knowledge to your questions in various different orders." He wandlessly and wordlessly conjured a brown leather chair. Harry would admit he was impressed, at least now he had a better gage of his opponents strengths.

Taking a seat, Dippet began, "In this school, we aren't in the practice of murdering any of our students." He stated grimly. "The war isn't over, muggle nor magical, I'm afraid, but I can confirm the good sides have not lost either. As for a 'Snape'…what is that? It sounds like a parasite you'd find in the jungles of Peru."

Harry had to hide his snicker behind his free hand. "And my sister, sir?"

The headmaster crossed his legs as he looked to the ceiling in thought, "We never did get her name, however we did get a fantastic tale of heroism, impossible magics and house-elves. She was extremely passionate about the house-elves." Dippet hummed as he stroked his beard, "Strangest tale I had ever heard…" He trailed off, waiting for Harry to confirm or deny the child's words.

"Well sir, it would very much depend on how much of our lives she explained." Harry trusted Hermione, if she told this stranger of their goals, then she had good reason. If she told this stranger they were circus performers who could juggle armadillos, then she probably had good reason for that too. Harry was trying to figure out just which tale she spun.

"I do say, I never thought I'd hear the day when Cornelius Fudge would become Minister for magic." A gentle voice sounded off behind one of the dividers. "I now know I'll never hear the end of it." Harry raised his wand to the divider, now officially losing what little trust he had for Hogwarts. The figure pushed open the divider and walked out with an apologetic smile. He made his way to the scribing quill and read over the notes.

"I am sorry for the deception, but I felt it was necessary." The man nodded as he made his way to Dippet's chair.

It suddenly clicked of who Horus was and how he tried to trick Harry. The cunning Slytherin…

His hair was auburn, slightly ginger as Harry looked closer. His beard wasn't nearly as long as Harry remembered, and his eyes were brighter then He had ever seen them. He watched them twinkle with mirth. Harry dropped his wand as he looked to eccentric yellow robe with a sad smile.

"Professor…I am dead aren't I?" He rubbed his watery eyes as he looked to Albus Dumbledore standing before him unwrapping a lemon drop with a confused grin.

"My dear, I think you may have what the muggles call, Cotards's syndrome." Madam Anand exited the other divider, closing it behind her, "I can recommend a good necromancer to ease your troubles"

It was when the two headmasters coughed to hide their laughter that Harry realized she was joking.

"I don't believe it, how did you get a hair of Dumbledore for the potion?" Harry asked, pointing a wand at the pseudo Dumbledore who was mid-chew of a lemon drop.

"You think I ingested Polyjuice to trick you?" Dumbledore muttered to himself as he pushed back his Auburn hair. "That would be very smart actually," The man hummed.

"Prove it then," said Harry as he subconsciously moved further from the wizards. "What scar does Dumbledore have and where is it?" He recalled the odd conversation topic from his first year.

"Oh it's the most peculiar thing, on my left knee, I have a scar that is the perfect rendition of London's underground system. I see you have some of your own." Dumbledore commented serenely as Harry dropped his wand.

"It's impossible that you're here professor unless I am dead because-" Harry paused as a green butterfly fluttered down and landed in Dippet's beard.

"Well then, that confirms one theory." Anand commented as Dippet smiled, placing a hand to the tiny insect, admiring its wings as it climbed to his hand.

"When Miss Granger told us your tale, whenever she veered close to our personal futures however, a butterfly seemed to find it's way into the room. Sadly time magic isn't well studied so we had no way confirming if it was a pretty coincidence." Dumbledore nodded as he sat at the foot of Harry's bed, Harry who hadn't stopped staring.

"We should take it with a grain of salt." Anand began, "Whether Albus dies tomorrow, next year or slips on a discarded wrapper. Everyone has to die eventually."

"Boobleducks." The professor stated simply as he turned to Harry, "You, my dear boy, are as much alive as I am."

Harry's mind raced to process the situation, "Wait, time magic?" Harry's mind put two and two together, then four and four before looking to Dumbledore and realized, "We were thrown back in time!?"

"To 1945 to be precise. I say you're taking this rather well." Dippet praised as Harry looked ready to bolt out the door. Madam Anand being the only reason he stayed put but they didn't need to know that.

That and his dead grandfather figure standing alive before him, eating lemon drops but also very much Madam Anand.

"Where's Hermione?" He asked, eyes finally leaving Dumbledore as he looked over his comforter.

"In the library," Dumbledore supplied as Harry shook his head amused." Miss Granger seemed determined there was a recorded instance of this situation, hidden in the spines of those old books. I applaud her efforts as I too shall find myself searching for an answer."

Harry looked blankly to Dumbledore who only said, "Of course I will help, your home is in the future, not here. It would also seem you've traded one dark lord for another."

"Grindlewald…"Harry grimaced as he realized their fate. "So that means you haven't-" The butterfly fluttered about, grabbing Harry's attention. If Harry told Dumbledore about his duel with Grindlewald before it would happen, does that mean the war would be over sooner? Or would Dumbledore outright refuse such knowledge, considering his past with the wizard.

"You know when I find myself musing the many questions of the world, I like to imagine a unicorn answering me" Albus nodded wisely to the silent Harry, "I find the most unconventional revelations come from the most unconventional places."

Dumbledore offered a lemon drop to Dippet who accepted with an, "oh lovely!"

"Miss Granger has informed us of what she could, so for now I ask that you rest, Mr Potter." The old headmaster patted Harry's blanket as he stood before he gasped. "oh I almost forgot about that." He nodded towards Harry's face.

"If anything strange starts appearing or you begin to see things that are not really there, then we will have to investigate the magic within your eye further." Dippet explained as though he were teaching a first years charm class. "But freight not!" He quickly added as Harry's eyes widened.

"It is dormant for now, we cannot tell whether it is light or dark magic. But please do keep us informed if you begin seeing spirits" Dippet smiled as he began to move off.

Harry wondered if he should mention to the man, the many Hogwarts Ghosts that were wondering about…actually maybe this time around Harry wouldn't have to worry about running into the bloody baton near the Slytherin…wait

"Professor!" Harry shouted as he felt like an idiot for not realizing it sooner. The green butterfly fluttered around Harry's head. " What about Riddle? Tom Riddle? He's supposed to be here this year isn't he?" Harry dreaded the answer.

Maybe it was an alternate timeline. Maybe someone had decided to strangle baby Riddle and they wouldn't have to worry about dealing with him. But as Harry knew well by now, he was Fates personal kickball.

Armando Dippet preened as he praised, "Oh Mr. Riddle! Yes his final year it is! I must say I was quiet surprised to find he had not become the minister. However if you know him in your time, then he must have done something great." Dippet didn't catch Harry's grimace. "Such a charming young man, wouldn't you agree professor?" He turned to Dumbledore.

"Yes…" Dumbledore nodded, his eye losing its sparkle as he looked over Harry's expression. "Extraordinary student." Was all that he had to say on the matter. He saw the fear that had nestled in Harry's eyes.

Legilimency was considered as Dumbledore thought it over, however he wondered about the consequences of mind-reading a time traveler. That and he didn't want to hurt whatever trust Harry had in him.

The look on the boys face when he appeared was heartbreaking to say the least. He imagined he would wear the same look if he saw Ariana again. He had saw on the quill's notes, how his heart sped up the moment he appeared. His own heart began to ache, so he opened up another lemon drop.

"Worry not , Mr. Potter", Albus smiled as he popped the sweet into his mouth, "I'm sure we'll have this problem fixed before the term starts. That way you wouldn't have to worry about any wars or dark lords that wage them." He nodded to Dippet, who gave Harry a slight bow and left the room.

"Time will fly by before you know it." He spoke airily as he nodded to Harry, "if Madam Anand ever tires of you, please do not hesitate to find me. I would appreciate the company." He too gave a slight bow as he flourished his yellow robed dramatically before leaving the wing. "Snickerpicker, Mr Potter!"

Harry vaguely wondered if it was a dream. The three of them, safe? At Hogwarts? In a time where Dumbledore was alive and well? Sure Grindlewald was running around, but that wasn't his problem this time. He wouldn't even have to deal with Riddle if they found a way back. He began to wonder where his broken pocket watch was.

He threw off the comforter and planted his feet on the icy floor, not surprised when a second later, Madam Anand appeared with another glass of water.

He silently hopped back into the bed with a frown. She couldn't really do anything to him. He wasn't a student here and he was forty percent sure he could make it to the library without collapsing.

Her smug smile made him consider testing his theory.

"Before you know it, you'll be considering your mortality back in your own time." She hummed as she cast a warming charm over the bed.

"Whoopi" Harry drawled as he sipped the water. "I don't think I'll be able to fall asleep any time soon."

"Oh is it too cold in here? Are you hungry? Do you think you'd be able to eat?" She immediately moved to bring another blanket from an empty bed.

"It isn't that really, you see. It's more of the dead Headmaster eating sweets in front me." Harry smiled at her unamused face. Point to Harry. "It does work up an appetite, I wouldn't mind treacle tart after surviving in a forest." Yes he played the sympathy card, but honestly he missed Hogwarts cooking.

"Hmm" she made her way to the medical quill's notes and began reading. "That was a very good attempt. I will admit it's wonderful to see you have calmed slightly. I think warm toast and a cup of tea would do well." She smiled to Harry's disappointment. "I'll let the house-elves know." She made her way to a room, sectioned off from the wing. Harry assumed she wanted to make sure the elves didn't go overboard.

He looked to the windows across from him, the one next to Ron's divider and noticed for the first time that it was raining. Harry decided to take a moment.

If this was all a trap. The least he could do for himself was listen to the rain fall against the roof.

And so Harry sat in the hospital wing, listening to water droplets fall. A green butterfly nestled in his hair as he sighed. A sudden and loud snore from Ron had Harry laughing, smothering his mirth with his hand. Again he sighed, listening to the rain, waiting for this dream to end.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N

Hi this is my first published fanfic so I'm a bit nervous about this tbh

but I do hope you enjoyed this story, feel free to let me know your thoughts OO

thank you for reading.