Disclaimer: HP & Co. belong to JKR. This plot and other characters belong to Dani.

*** This chapter changes points of view from Harry to Hermione A LOT!! Just pay attention. Also, Dani has put a few notes in. I tried to bold them all, but I might not catch some.

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Hermione sat in front of her window, wondering the last day of school, holding something very tightly. It looked like a bracelet. She was looking outside her window, hoping to see something which could tell her if a certain love of hers was really alive.

She had missed him terribly. And the fact the she knew he loved her back was disturbing her deeply. The unfortunate fact was, he didn't know how she felt.

Note: Just so it's clear, Harry IS the hooded stranger. He turned the time turner backwards, 2 months to be exact, and he's been living there ever since then. There were TWO Harry Potters on their field trip, and you'll get it soon enough. By the way, when I talk about Harry, remember, I'm talking about the hooded Harry now. The Harry who went back in time two months ago is just discovering what happening.

Harry practiced day and night. He was becoming extremely frustrated, but his Chinese tutors always told him 'patience is a virtue' and he decided that being frustrated wasn't helping him come close to seeing Hermione and his friends again.

But it hasn't all been miserable. Harry now knew how to focus his mind enough.the problem was, he didn't have enough of it.

He's befriended the dragons, both baby and adult. Sirius was also the supportive one. The Chinese people knew he was innocent. This was where he hid when the dementor's were after them. The Chinese have this sort of power to know whether or not you have a good mind, just like the sorting hat.

It's been about a month already since Harry missed Hermione so much; he went to the Hogwarts Express with some help of the villager people and kissed her. He was quite grateful for them helping out.

In less than a week, he was going to have his 17th birthday.this was his first time.since he's attended Hogwarts, that he didn't look forward to his birthday.

He didn't care much for presents, yea, he did, but he cared more about getting to talk to his friends, even Dobby. He missed Hagrid these days a lot. His first REAL wizard contact and information.and on his 11th birthday as well!

This was a lonely year for him.

Hermione looked at the clock. It said 12:01am.Harry had been 17 for a whole minute. She was thinking about him day and night.

He was dead.or was he? Someone had kissed her on the train, it was unmistakably Harry's kiss, but she saw him get killed! How was that possible?

Hermione's parents were as worried as anyone but they knew how it felt to lose a loved one, even worse, a love.

The only thing, or person at that, who seemed to cheer her up was Miranda, her baby sister.

Hermione smiled as she walked to Miranda's baby bed. She was peacefully asleep.

She should be asleep as well, but knowing Harry's either out there or six feet under, made it impossible to sleep.

She looked out the window again. She's been doing so since she arrived from school, hoping to see a sign that Harry's still alive.

Hermione's location was a secret because Voldemort was after her. As she walked to her own bed, disappointed again, she saw a shadow move. She turned and saw.



Harry!

She jumped back, he still looked like the Harry she knew and loved, only something was different.

'Harry? Is that really you?' she asked, hoping it wasn't just a dream.

He smiled. He went over to her. She threw her arms around him and began to cry. He hugged her ever so tightly. He didn't cry though. He just didn't let go.

'How..what..'she began, unable to finish anything she wanted to ask.

Harry just smiled again. Then he spoke to her.

'I used the time turner Sirius gave me to turn 2 months back. I've been living in the village ever since. Until I followed you out that night and carried you away to make sure that Voldemort didn't do anything to you.' he said, seriously. 'No one knows I'm alive apart from you and Sirius and the villagers.'

Hermione couldn't keep her emotions hidden. She stood up and kissed him passionately. He was only too happy to stop.

'Harry, I have something to confess.' she said, looking down. He nodded and took it as a sign to "go on".

'I never stopped loving you. I didn't mean everything I said. I am so sorry. I had no choice and.'she said, but Harry put his finger on her lips.

'Shhh. I understand. But I'm only here for a few more minutes, my mind hasn't yet gotten used to this. I will transport back.soon.'

The moon shone brightly and made Harry's eyes irresistible. Hermione was about to give him another kiss but he moved away.

'Ha... Harry? I'm sorry. I just.I'm sorry.' she said, hurt.

'Hermione.I do love you but.There's still something I have to do.You can't imagine how much I want to hold you in my arms.But I can't have.you.now..'he said with a very sad and angry face. His anger was concentrated on what he's supposed to do and not be with her.

'I.understand.' she said, close to tears. He saw this and.

Went to her, held her cheek steadily and kissed her, some tears fell from both of them.

When their lips pulled apart, Harry spoke in a bare whisper.

'I will always love you, remember that. Always.'

She looked into her eyes.' I'll be waiting.'

And with that, Harry disappeared.

She looked back at the clock again, 12:55.

'Happy 17th birthday, Harry James Potter.' she said.

Note: Harry did not apparate; he just learned something the Chinese villagers taught him.