Disclaimer: If only they were mine. *author sighs dramatically* And yes, I got the idea of a spell anchor from the Young Wizards series by Diane Duane.

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The next morning found Harry and Dumbledore in the dungeons again, attempting to read the spellbook by the lights of their wands. What they were doing was not meant to be known to all of Hogwarts, so they didn't light the candles.

"Now, Harry," Dumbledore said as he opened the book. "This is old magic-we can't use a simple spell."

"What do I do?"

"The spell needs a safety circle, to make sure that you stay anchored to this timeline. It can be as large as you want, as long as you are sure to use a Shield Charm to anchor it. "

"What do I draw it with?"

"Powdered dragon heart."

"Anything else?"

"Blood."

"What?!"

"It…binds the spell to you; ties it to make sure you arrive when and where you wish to go. And…you cannot use your wand. It can remain with you, but this is a wandless spell." Harry nodded, and silently pricked his finger, to add the blood.

When the circle was complete, Harry set the spellbook on the stand. He'd done a protection circle around it, just in case.

"Now, Harry," Dumbledore cautioned. "Before you begin, I must remind you that you will only remain in the past for twelve hours before you are pulled back. You must be sure of what you're doing."

"I understand." Harry took a deep breath. "Paseo Reuno a mey jhuno," he recited, with difficulty. The words felt odd, and he wasn't used to reciting longer spells. " Reuno du 1986, Actim." He concentrated hard on his destination, and vanished.

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June 14, 1986

Harry arrived at the Burrow almost immediately after leaving Hogwarts. The sight of the home made him smile. His mood lifted considerably as he saw Mrs. Weasley, obviously pregnant, come out the door to feed the chickens. He ducked out of sight.

He was in the right year then. Fred and George had said everyone but they and their dad had been murdered when Ron was born, so Mrs. Weasley couldn't possibly be pregnant with Ginny. Now all he had to do was figure out what day it was, so he'd know how longer he had. He headed toward the village.

Ottery St. Catchpole wasn't very large, and Harry received several stares as he headed for the local news office. He double-checked his wardrobe – yes, he was in Muggle clothes. The town must not receive many visitors. Harry was used to stares, so it didn't bother him too much.

He bought a copy of the local paper and glanced at it. June 14. Good. He was on the right day. But why had the Weasley's still been home? Shouldn't they have been at the hospital? He ran back to the Burrow, in time to hear frantic yelling. Moving closer, he glanced in the window. Apparently, it was time to go, and they were hunting for the Floo powder. Harry wasn't sure it was the wisest way to travel, especially for a woman obviously beginning labor, but it was the Weasley's decision.

He knew where they were going. Ron had told him before that he was born at Mundago's Wizarding Hospital. But how would he get there? He didn't have Floo Powder, and he didn't know how to Apparate. A broomstick wouldn't be good to use either.

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Three hours later, Harry wearily climbed out of the Knight Bus. He'd thought of it as a last resort, unsure that it would be running during the day. But it had been.

"Ministry of Magic or Mundago's Hospital?" the driver has asked.

"Er…" was all Harry could say.

"What, no one was attacked? Isn't that why you called for the Knight Bus in daytime?"

"My friend…" Harry said slowly. The driver nodded sympathetically.

"Shock, I understand. But I can't help until I know where you want to go. Mundago's or Ministry?"

"Mundago's."

"Right, then. We'll be there in about three hours." Now Harry was standing in front of one the largest wizarding hospitals of the world. He only hoped he was on time.

One look at the grim faces of the mediwizards proved him wrong. Everyone was running around frantically, and several people from the Ministry were bustling around.

"Wish old Moody were here-"

"Have you spoken to the remaining family?"

"Poor Arthur…"

Harry sat down weakly. He was too late. And he couldn't visit this time again; Dumbledore had strongly cautioned against it.

"Nadix," he whispered. That simple word would abort his trip and send him back to his own timeline.

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"Harry?" the boy didn't answer, and Dumbledore knew that he had failed. He laid a hand on the boy's shoulder reassuringly. "There'll be another chance, Harry."

"I know. Hermione's birthday."

"Perhaps."

"What do you mean, perhaps? I couldn't stop Ron's death, but maybe I can stop Voldemort from changing her."

"Harry, I understand. However, there are two more important days."

"What are they?"

"Halloween…and this past summer; I'm not sure what day."

"Why?"

"Voldemort is sure to have merged with his younger self, thereby making himself stronger. He hopes that he will then be able to kill you when he murders your parents. And he altered the Time-Turner this past summer."

Harry nodded. Dumbledore was right. But he didn't like the thought of Hermione living with Voldemort for a year.

"She'll be fine, Harry. As long as we succeed, none of this will happen."

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October 31, 1987

Voldemort smiled to himself. He was stronger tonight than he had been the first time. He had blended with his past self shortly after murdering the Weasleys. Common sense dictated it, before something happened. Now he was twice as powerful, and prepared to succeed. The Potters would die tonight. All of them.