Time Changes Everything

A fan fiction by Pottergirl

Everything belongs to J.K.Rowling, and no copyright infringement is intended.

Oh, I am so, so sorry I haven't updated in quite a while! I have been a bit busy with school and everything…but I did check my reviews. "What Is It" was quite a scary one! I was at school with my friend when I checked that and she said, "What IS that?!' Hehe…time to move on…here's the next chapter. I guess it's not *very* bad…and no, this is not the end. I have a long way to go yet. I had to rewrite this chapter several times before I ended on this one. Meanwhile, thankyou for all the reviews!!! I love them and honestly, reviews ARE what make me hurry up and finish a chapter or post it quickly. For those of you are wondering why I a do not post quickly now-a-days, it's the same reason I mentioned at the end of chapter 10. I have run out of my stock of written chapters. I am writing again but don't worry…I worte those chapters too while I was posting so I am writing again.

(I'd like to add here for some stupid reason that I will be having 3 exams in the next few months…my "G.C.E preparatory exams" in April, my School finals in April and the Grand Finale G.C.E. O levels exams in May!!! Oh nooo…I feel better after writing that…believe me!)

On With The Show!!! Er…Story…Er…Chapter…Er…Fic…Whatever!

Chapter 11: A Feeling, A Dream, Realization And Then…

'I – I think I really like your sister.'

Harry met Ron's eyes. Ron was staring at Harry, mouth open in surprise. Harry gulped, waiting for the worst. Ron burst out laughing and flopped down on Harry's bed. Harry blinked and found his voice, staring at Ron.

'I don't see anything funny about this,' he muttered. Ron controlled his fits of laughter and looked at Harry.

'There is. Honestly, Harry…I already knew your answer. You think I'm that dumb?'

Harry did not answer immediately. His head was spinning madly with everything that had happened and he fought to stop his face from reddening.

'But Ron, I really like her!' Harry insisted, as if Ron wasn't taking him seriously. Ron chuckled.

'And that's bad? My sister's nuts over you and you like her back; that's bad?'

Harry looked up immediately.

'But you said she was over me?' Ron shrugged.

'Don't know. Only, I'm glad she's not falling to pieces every time she runs into you. In fact, I've seen you crumble… '

Harry felt himself go red. Ron grinned.

'So, what are you going to do about it?' he asked. Harry shook his head.

'I really don't know. It's a girl thing…I mean, what do I do? I haven't any idea!' Ron chuckled.

'You've become good friends with her…you take her to a Ball…and now you're confused? Honestly, Harry, I'd expect more from the Boy-Who-Lived!'

'I don't how I'll live through this. It's even…more…difficult,' Harry muttered. 'It's mad – trying to ask her to a Ball…then thinking about her all the time when I don't know why…'

Ron grinned.

'Get some sleep, Harry. You've been dancing all evening. Come on,' he said, getting up from Harry's bed. 'I'll help you write a love letter to her in the morning if you want.'

'What?!'

'Joking,' Ron admitted quickly, grinning widely at the predicament of his best friend and getting into bed.

'Harry?' he asked, a little while later.

'Mmm?' Harry replied a little sleepily.

'She didn't kiss you, did she?'

Harry felt his throat go dry and his cheeks turn red. He didn't know from Ron's voice what he'd rather hear. Or if he should answer that question or not. He made up his mind.

'Y – yes, on my cheek. Y – you mind?' Harry blurted out. Harry thought he heard a suppressed chuckle.

'Try to get to that before she does, next time.'

Harry could only stare at the canopy of his bed in shock at what Ron had said.

Most of the school had a lie-in the next day. Harry and Ron awoke around lunchtime and even then, they were the first ones to wake up in their dormitory.

But they hadn't awoken themselves either. Hermione had been their "wake up call" that day. Ron was still rubbing his arm as he dressed. Hermione had used a good Pinching charm from the doorway and it had managed to wake him up, even if he wasn't that pleased about it.

Harry listened to Ron complain to Hermione, who was trying to be quite irritable about the whole pinching affair.

'Well, you do know it's almost lunchtime, don't you? What would I say to McGonagall when she asked me why none of the fifth year boys were awake?' Hermione argued. Ron shook his head though smiling slightly. Harry smiled weakly. He had been having a strange feeling since he had awoken…he couldn't put his finger at it but he felt he had had a dream. About what though, he didn't know.

The Commonroom was fairly empty when Harry, Ron and Hermione stepped off the stairs.

'See!' Ron exclaimed. 'We're still one of the first ones up!' Hermione shook her head and glared at Ron. Ron looked at her with slightly narrowed eyes, rubbing his arm thoughtfully. Harry suppressed a yawn and wondered where Ginny was and if Hermione had woken her up. Ron's eyes went wide suddenly. He grabbed Hermione's arm and stepped closer.

'You didn't use a pinching arm on all the other boys, did you?' he demanded in a low voice. Harry grinned, forgetting his "funny feeling" for the moment. Hermione giggled.

'Ron!' she said, rolling her eyes, losing her glare and irritability at his behavior. 'No, I didn't.'

Ron grinned at Hermione.

'Go for a walk?' he asked out of the blue. Hermione nodded happily.

'Harry, we'll be back soon…we're going for a walk,' said Ron slowly to Harry. Hermione, being the girl had already sensed Harry would start feeling left out and had told Ron about that.

Harry nodded quickly not wanting to interrupt the reconciliation between Ron and Hermione.

Ron and Hermione walked out of the portrait hole and Harry smiled slightly. Every time Ron and Hermione shared a special smile, a moment or went for a walk together, he felt a strange pang inside himself. As if…something was…missing. Something was incomplete and now that his best friends were "together", he felt quite left out. He knew they definitely didn't do it on purpose but it was just something that could not be helped.

Harry's thoughts strayed towards Ginny…how, he did not know. It had been wonderful the previous night…when they had danced to the music. He still couldn't believe how he'd summoned enough courage to ask her to Celestina Warbeck's romantic songs…it had felt…right and exactly what he had been wishing for to happen. Harry smiled, thinking of how Ron had accepted his feelings for her sister without any…trouble. He had almost expected Ron to say something like 'What?! My sister? Harry, are you nuts? You didn't take that crush thing seriously, did you? And… if you two do get together and…You-Know-Who…'

Harry gulped as he realized something. It was true…where was this heading? And then, what could that lead to? He liked Ginny…and he was seeking for something more than just being friends with her but what would happen then? His mother and father had already died at the hands of Voldemort. Sirius was still on the run…and Harry's dream of his own, real family, away from the Dursley's did not seem to be fulfilled in the near future…if fulfilled at all. Ron and Hermione, his best friends and companions were in constant danger too. And then…Ginny…she had already suffered once…touching the very limit between life and death.

Harry shuddered suddenly and rubbed his scar thoughtfully, staring into the flames dancing in the fireplace. He'd only be putting another life in danger by seeking…by seeking for something more with her…but couldn't he do something of his choice for once in his life? Why did Voldemort overshadow his every thought, his every decision? Would he ever be able to live a normal life…?

Harry shook his head slightly, trying to block away all such thoughts. He was still confused, being pulled in two opposite directions. One led to Ginny…the other, away from her.

Harry looked up, searching for a distraction as he usually did when he was haunted by such thoughts. A pile of his books sat on the mantelpiece with Ron's where they had been hastily put away after the last school day and forgotten since. Harry reached forward and took the one on the top. Unfogging the Future, Grade five. Harry opened the book despite his extreme dislike for it. He flipped through the pages, recognizing some chapters he had done. His eyes came to rest, suddenly on the title of a chapter they had not covered yet. It was not the content but the chapter title that suddenly caught his eyes.

"A Seer: When You Realize You Are One".

Realize…Realize…Rea…Realization…

Harry closed his eyes. Realization. The word "Realize" in the chapter title had brought it back to him. The funny feeling he had been having since he had awoken…he remembered it all now…he had a dream the previous night.

Harry tried to remember the exact details…everything he had seen. It hadn't been a nightmare…no, definitely not. It had been quite different…it had been dark. He stood there in the middle of…nothing…surrounded by never-ending blackness. And that raspy voice…It had been an unrecognizable voice but it had been there, and the words it had spoken now came back so clearly to Harry – as if he was hearing them all over again.

Realization and so will it begin!

There's no way out once in

And it won't work any other way

Seize the day, seize the day…

You feel well But do let me tell Who's here today May not stay

Harry clenched his fists as he remembered every word.

The time shall come soon…

In just a few moon…

Against this force that rises like a black tower

You have only one power…

The power grows which slowly within

It's innocent…knows no sin

You will have only one chance so use it well

What happens though, only time can tell

Time changes everything, time changes everything…

That had been it. Suddenly, everything started making sense to Harry. His eyes flew open ran and he ran his fingers through his hair. It was like a prediction – a forewarning. And…it sounded very much like Professor Trelawney's prediction at the end of his third year…

This prediction talked about the "rising force" and hadn't Trelawney also predicted once about Voldemort's rebirth? Harry knew for one that his scar had been hurting quite often those days. The dark forces were rising…and the time would come soon.

The later verses confused him. What power did he have? And what "chance"? Which power grew "within"?

Harry wondered if he could find answers to most of those questions with Dumbledore. Harry got up from his armchair and stared into the fire. He had only one thought. He knew he had to face Voldemort one day…and by the sound of his latest dream, that time could come soon. But was all this true?

Harry let out a small, frustrated sigh. His thoughts were getting him nowhere. It sounded true, yet he did not want to believe it. He couldn't deny he had seen some things in dreams that he had been able to relate to incidents that took place much later…like nightmares of Voldemort instructing or talking to Wormtail.

Harry closed his eyes and bent his head. His scar throbbed for a moment and it startled him. Now what was happening? He rubbed his twinging scar and got up from his armchair suddenly.

He walked to a large window of the Commonroom from where the whole of the Great Lake was visible. Its grayish-blue waters against the white snow had a saddening but slightly calming effect.

Suddenly, great pain shot through Harry's scar and he could barely contain his gasp of surprise. His hand flew to his scar, pressing it – trying to lessen the searing pain shooting through it. What was Voldemort doing? His scar hadn't heard like this…since…since the night of the Third Task.

The pain was not lessening and Harry laid his forehead on the cold metal grill of the window. It seemed to soothe him but only slightly. The pain increased slowly and Harry's heartbeat began quickening. He only hoped the pain would stop…whatever Voldemort was doing, whoever he was torturing…or killing…everything would just stop.

And the pain stopped…as abruptly as it had begun. It was gone, without a sign…without another twinge. Harry raised his head from the grill of the large window wondering if his second day of Christmas holidays could get any worse.

Harry looked out of the window. Two tiny figures clad in black cloaks were slowly making their way across the grounds, very close to each other. Harry could not miss the bright red hair of one of them.

He closed his eyes and looked away. Not that he disliked his friends…he just couldn't bear everything that was falling upon him that day. He just didn't know what was happening. Everything had been fine the previous night…the Ball…every moment…and Ginny. Where was she?

Harry let out a frustrated sigh and turned away from the window. Crossing the Commonroom, he ascended the stairs to the dormitories hurriedly.

In the Fifth Year boys' dormitory, he delved into his trunk, looking for the thing he had so strangely forgotten for the past few days. He emerged successful after he looked around the second time. It had been in the folds of his Invisibility cloak – where he had last put it.

Harry gripped it tightly, feeling the cold metal beneath his fingers. The cold feeling ebbed away slowly and warmth… calming, peaceful warmth spread through him…better than Butterbeer. Harry took a deep breath and sat down on his bed.

He hadn't taken his Charmzirius out of his trunk recently though he quite revered it. It was very calming and of late, it reminded him of Ginny…her warm, radiant face and vibrant, red hair… Harry smiled. He just couldn't get her out of his mind…and last night…

Last night had been wonderful…Harry couldn't believe Ginny had kissed him. It had been a quick kiss on his cheek but it had been wonderful…so full of power. He knew it must have taken her quite a lot of courage to do that…Ginny, who at one time, blushed if he even looked at her. Yes, that Ginny, now a fourteen year old, had plucked up enough courage to kiss Harry.

Harry grinned and looked at the Charmzirius in his hands. Ginny's charm was holding good on it. Harry lay down on his bed, Charmzirius still in his hand. His scar was twinging only slightly now but he didn't notice that much. He had awoken only some time earlier but tired from the incidents that had already taken place…recalling his dream…his scar hurting…perhaps even the "feeling" about Ron and Hermione…Before he knew it, he had drifted off to sleep.

'Harry! Wake up.'

Harry opened an eye sleepily, the person above him slightly coming into focus slowly. Red hair…

'Ginny?' Harry said automatically. He heard a chuckle and everything came into proper focus.

The dormitory was bright and afternoon sunlight flooded it. An anxious but rather bewildered Ron looked down upon him.

'Whazzamatter?' Harry asked groggily, recognizing the owner of the "red hair".

Ron seemed to understand his friend was generally OK. He grinned.

'I'm not Ginny, it's lunch time, everyone's awake, the dormitory's empty and…' Ron looked at Harry's hand. 'You're holding onto that Charmzirius pretty tight.'

Harry sat up quickly, putting the Charmzirius into his pocket. Ron looked at him, slightly worried again.

'You okay?' he asked quickly. Harry nodded and got up.

'I'm fine…just fell asleep again,' he said as he tried to flatten his hair. Ron wasn't convinced.

'What happened Harry?' he insisted. Harry turned to Ron reluctantly. He didn't want Ron to worry about his dream…it was probably a fake.

'You can tell me.' Ron and Harry both knew they had had a talk like this once before. Ron had tried to convince Harry that now, with Voldemort back to power, he – Harry, should confide in his best friends more than ever – at the slightest nightmare or pain in his scar. Harry had tried to argue he didn't want to worry anyone but Ron had said if it would only help him.

Harry tried to act casual. 'It's nothing Ron…'

He looked at Ron to find him giving Harry a look that didn't say he was believing anything Harry had been saying up till now.

'Ok…' said Harry, sitting down. Ron sat down beside him.

'Is it to do with You Kno – Voldemort?' he asked slowly. Ron had been trying to master saying Voldemort instead of "You-Know-Who" and his family had been quite surprised – and proud – of that.

Harry looked up and smiled weakly at his friend's valiant attempt.

'I don't know…it was just a dream…' he said slowly.

'What was it about?' Ron prompted.

Harry recounted his dream…the voice he had heard. Ron's eyes were quite wide by the time Harry finished but he tried to hide his worry.

'It's about someone – going away…' he said slowly. Harry nodded.

'But I don't know if it's real…I mean…it's not necessary…' Harry said, trying to convince himself and Ron that the dream had been a part of his imagination…fake, like dreams people usually have.

'Did anything else happen?' Ron tried.

'My scar hurt…' Harry said. He didn't want to tell Ron how badly it had hurt. He knew Ron would become very worried. He looked up. Ron's eyes were quite wide.

'Did – ' he began but there was a sound of hurried footsteps and Hermione appeared at the door of their dormitory.

Her face was panic-stricken, her eyes wide and her hairs were flying around her face.

'Hermione, what?' asked Ron quickly as Hermione paused to take a hurried breath.

'Ron! Harry!' she panted. 'Come quickly! Ginny's in the hospital wing! She won't wake up!'

Soooo…

If you liked it, please review… And YES, chapter 12 will be up on the weekend…I will be up all night on either Friday or Saturday and I'll write another chapter. Just hope I don't feel *too* sleep! : ) Meanwhile, NO hints…

Okay, time to go. See you next time and please review in the meantime…oh and leave your email addresses if you want. I try to reply to some of the reviewers' questions or comments by mail! Tood-loo!

-Pottergirl

ameerak86@hotmail.com , ameerakiran@yahoo.com

I'm at Gryffindortower.net!

http://www.gryffindortower.net/Library/Pottergirl/pottergirl.htm - some stories I already have here at ff.net…and maybe new ones later.

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http://www.gryffindortower.net/Gallery/pottergirl.htm - this is the portrait gallery where I've drawn a picture for Imogen's story "Alpha and Omega". *spoiler*.

Ps:- Janine, ur "Tomorrow Is Another Day" will be beta-ed shortly and sent to you! ^_^ Sorry for the delay though…sigh I'm always apologizing to you for delays…same reason. S-C-H-O-O-L.