Author's Note:
Yay, finally finished it. While you, my dear readers, were impatient for Harry to go back in time... well I, as the author, was impatient as well!!! Of course, I needed to get through this "crud" before I can send poor Harry off. Yes, poor Harry, he'll suffer much in the next chapter... -grin semi-madly-.
Hope you like this chapter as well! I'm thinking I should slow down with my writing a bit, after all, I've got lots of homework and final exams are in 3 weeks' time. Hmm...
Well, enjoy!
Oh yeah, I wasn't sure exactly where Harry's scar was located, so I made it the right side of his forehead. Well, it'll become relevent later, if you can't guess after this chapter. I also took liberty in some other aspects of Hogwarts and people that weren't described in the books.

NOW EDITED!

Disclaimer:
As usual, the plot bunny is mine... (he's grey, in case you were wondering). And... I suppose the person at the end is "sort of" mine.

Hallowe'en

"News travelled fast in Hogwarts" did not even come close to describing it. Before class had even formally ended, the entire school knew that Malfoy had been suspended from Potions for a month and that Harry had gained 150 points in one sitting - both actions done by Snape himself. However, most did not know of the events leading up to these unbelieveable outcomes, but most didn't care. After all, they were too busy saying to each other, 'Snape?! Never!'

Less than 24 hours had passed since the big "Quidditch argument" in the Gryffindor Common Room and already, they were well on their way to replacing their lost points. Harry found himself forgiven for being the cause of the whole argument - for which he was thankful - but not for quitting Quidditch. He was relieved of the guilt that had been plaguing him since breakfast that morning. Ron found himself pounding Harry on the back for getting Malfoy suspended - although really, it was Zabini's doing - before remembering 10 minutes later that he was supposed to be mad at Harry for dropping out of the team. By then, it was too late, he was too delighted at Malfoy's downfall to dig up his previous anger.

As for Snape? For his part in the whole fiasco, he had to endure all the staff's teasing for the rest of the day and even for weeks afterwards. He had no wish to reaccount the events and suffered in silence over his once-in-a-lifetime fair deed. On the other hand, he retaliated by deducting points from the other 3 houses even more, so much so that Harry stopped his extra studies during Potions class and listened, for fear of finding Snape in a bad mood and thus, allowing him to take back the points he had given.

Unfortunately, for both Harry and Snape, Dumbledore ordered that Occlumency lessons resume. The Headmaster purposefully misinterpreted Snape's award of points to Harry as a change of heart and cheerfully asked - demanded, really - that Snape continue with the lessons. Neither were happy with the arrangement, but both tolerated it. In fact, Snape was amazed - mind you, he'd poison himself before admitting this - at Harry's improvement in Occlumency. As people say, fear is the best motivation, and what Harry feared most was that Snape would learn about the prophecy and put a stop to the whole thing. Every time a memory of Firenze came up, Harry would successfully push Snape out of his mind, and before neither knew it, Harry had completely mastered Occlumency. Of course, Snape had noticed the frequent occurance of the "Firenze memory" and tried, in many ways, to force it out of Harry, but to no avail.

Weeks went by, and while the excitement over the "Potions incident" had died down, it was still a big story being told over and over again. Malfoy was finally allowed back in Potions class, much subdued. No one had been able to find out what sort of detentions he served for Snape, but everyone knew that he had been stuck washing trophies, floors, and even washrooms for his detention with Filch. Even worse, he had not been able to track down Harry to seek revenge, and Harry wisely chose to carry around his Invisibility Cloak and Marauder's Map, using the latter to avoid Malfoy as much as possible and the former when that plan failed. Despite all this, Malfoy didn't dare to try anything else in Potions class, and unfortunately for him, that was the only class they shared.

Before anyone knew it, it was soon Hallowe'en. In order to keep a happy atmosphere in the school, Dumbledore decided to hold a Hallowe'en Ball instead of a feast, the first in Hogwarts' history. Everyone was excited over the ball, as they, including the teachers, to Snape's chagrin, were all required to adopt the Muggle tradition of dressing up as something or someone. Everyone was happily trading ideas or guarding their own jealously and making guesses as to who or what their best friends are dressing up as.

The whole school, with the exception of Filch, was in high anticipation for the ball. They were allowed to use magic to transfigure or conjure the necessary items for their costume. The younger students had a choice of asking the teachers or the upper years for help in making their costumes, but some decided to do it Muggle-style, to make it by hand. Orders for cloths, sewing supplies, jewelry, and whatnot cluttered up the Owl Post to the school, and got so bad that Professor McGonagall took it into her own hands and started a temporary "costume store", selling transfigured or conjured items, with all proceeds going to St. Mungo's.

Harry was caught in a dilemma - he did not know if he would be here for the ball. Ever since the "Potions incident", a feeling of dread had been building inside, increasing day by day. Finally, he decided that he would only spend time designing his costume - he chose to be a Muggle monster from some movie he had watched in primary school - and tranfigure it from an old sock or other just before the ball. After all, he had learned enough about Tranfigurations that he was sure he could pull off easily.

Perhaps it was that feeling of dread, or perhaps the reality - even though it still seemed very surreal to Harry - had finally kicked in, Harry was starting to panic. While it was very self-satisfying to be studying and working on his own, he really did missed Ron and Hermione's company, and the rest of the Gryffindor gang, of course. He also realized, after receiving a new "testers required" package, that he wouldn't have any more joke shop products from Fred and George. He decided to slow down his studies just to spend time with them, and even made an appearance during a Quidditch practice, to the enjoyment of the whole team. (Ginny had been made Seeker again.) Most were glad to have the old Harry back again, even if he was still too Ravenclaw-ish for their liking!

Hallowe'en dawned bright and clear, as Harry woke up with the sun in his eyes. The night before, he had been sitting with Ron and Hermione in the Common Room until late in the night, simply chatting and doing a bit of homework. His dreadful feeling had gotten even worse, prohibiting him from concentrating on any useful activities, until he finally gave up and joined Ron in a game of Wizard's Chess. When they finally headed off to bed, Harry had spent some time simply sitting on his bed, appreciating the clear, starry night. He fell asleep without closing the curtain, and now, at 5:30 in the morning - Harry had glanced at his watch and moaned - he was blasted wide awake by the dawning sun. Sighing, he got up, wanting to spend some time with Hedwig in the Owlery before going down for a very early breakfast.

He took his time in the shower and getting changed, loving the privacy he had without having a roommate. It was 6:30 by the time he left Gryffindor tower and headed towards the Owlery. On the way there, he met no one, not even any ghosts nor Peeves nor Mrs. Norris. It was until he walkd through the Owlery door did he realize something different - his feeling of dread was gone, replaced by a strange tingling in his stomach. Harry was so shocked that he just stood there in front of the door for a full 10 or so minutes before Hedwig became unpatient and flew down to his shoulder. He smile and scratched her on her back while she nibbled on his ear, looking for owl treats.

Strolling over to the window, he pulled himself up on to the ledge and sat there, simply appreciating the beautiful day. It wouldn't last long, winter was on its way, occasionally coming out and nipping everyone with its cold breath. He lost track of time sitting there, enjoying a rare moment of contentment with life and the world; during that time, nothing apart from the rising sun, the soft hooting of the owls and the beautiful weather outside mattered.

Harry broke out of his reverie, said goodbye to Hedwig and all the owls inside, before going down to the Great Hall. He sat down in his seat, so early that there were only a handful of people inside, and proceeded to eating, slowly enjoying every bite of his meal. The contentment from the Owlery earlier had not faded, and he still felt at peace with the whole world. It was a while before Ron and Hermione joined him, both of whom were startled to find that he was already there. Breakfast eaten, last minute gossip and guesses on everyone's Hallowe'en costumes said, it was time for class. Unbeknownst to everyone in the school, something that would send the whole school into hysterics.

It was about 10 minutes before lunch when Hagrid dismissed his Care of Magical Creatures class a little early to give them extra time to get back into the castle to clean up after a particularly messy lesson. There was a tiny sizzling sound followed shortly by an explosion out in the middle of the grounds, scaring the fourth year Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors on their way back to the castle. They turned towards the source of the noise and received a great shock. In a spot that was empty just mere seconds ago stood a man surrounded by faint traces of smoke. It was fairly common knowledge that Apparation was impossible on Hogwarts grounds due to the wards, yet there was no other way to explain how this man came to be here. Even so, Apparation only made a loud crack, not sizzling and explosions, so how did this person get here when Hogwarts is one of the safest places in the world?

"Yeh there," Hagrid bellowed, "jus' who do yeh think yeh 'ah?"

The stranger turned, revealing a scar down the right side of his face - from his hairline through his eye down to his jaw line. His eyes - a bright green - sparkled mischievously because he knew the exact reason for everyone's surprise. His hair was raven black, but directly above his scar was a streak of white. Not very tall, coming ony to about 5'9", he carried himself lithely and possessed an aura of great physical strength, despite his seemingly thin body covered by a dark green travelling cloak. This was someone that nobody had heard or seen pictures of, and without a doubt, rumors and speculations would be all over the school, especially since lunch in the Great Hall was only some minutes away.

Hagrid, who had been strolling towards the stranger, abruptly stopped and dropped his jaw in surprise when the stranger turned. The two stood there, staring at each other - the stranger in amusement, Hagrid in shock - while the students darted their eyes between the two adults and whispered to each other. For a long minute, neither moved, yet in no time at all, Hagrid took a wobbly step forwards and held out a shaky hand.

"Darron?" Hagrid's shaky whispered carried over to everyone by the wind.

"Hiya, Hagrid!" The stranger, Darron, grinned, his voice a soft baritone that sounded very familiar.

"Darron!" Hagrid bellowed again, this time in joy as he rushed forwards to embrace Darron in a giant hug.

"Hagrid, down!" Darron joked laughingly, "I didn't come back for you to kill me!"

The two friends laughed heartily as they swept towards the castle, leaving the fourth years behind, frozen in shock and mouths agaping. It wasn't until the unlikely pair reached the doors to the castle did they begin to run at full speed, wishing to be the first to supply any information and rumors as to who the stranger was. By the time they all staggered through the front doors, the two were already halfway down the Entrance Hall, the only people talking as the rest of the school coming down for lunch fell in silence at the sight. Just who was this handsome, yet scary looking man? It seemed that the rest of the student body knew no more than what the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors had witnessed outside. Was he a graduate of Hogwarts? It was likely, since both he and Hagrid seemed to be on very good terms.

"What brings yeh 'ere, Darron?" the two had reached the top of the stairs leading to the doors to the Great Hall and had paused.

"Well," Darron ran a hand through his hair, which hung just slightly past his shoulders in a messy, yet elegant way, "I've actually came to find someone."

"Who?"

Everyone was hanging on to every single word in the conversation. It was the first time the whole Entrance Hall had been this quiet with the amount of people in it.

"Harry Potter," Darron stated, immediately followed by a collective gasp from everyone. He looked around, amused, eyes still sparkling, this time with suppressed laughter.

Hagrid appeared to notice the students just now. Placing a gentle hand on Darron's shoulder - but still made him stumble forward - he guided Darron towards the door ahead, with a quiet comment that everyone would be in the Great Hall for lunch and thus, would enable him to find Harry with little trouble. As soon as they disappeared through the doors, a stampede started as all tried to rush in at once to catch more interaction between the two. However, they were only standing a little ways in, Darron staring at the enchanged ceiling with a touch of melancholy on his face, and the students were forced to take their seats at the tables. They didn't have to wait long, because Dumbledore soon came into the room and his face lighted up in recognition and joy at seeing Darron.

"Darron!"

Dumbledore swept down the Hall, arms open in anticipation to embrace the visitor, but before Dumbledore reached him, Darron turned to the Gryffindor table and placed a calloused hand on Harry's shoulder.

"Harry Potter!" The name rolled off his tongue, laced with heavy wistfulness, "just the one I'm looking for!"

Harry simply looked up, bewildered. The sandwich in his hand forgotten and fell into his lap with a plop.

"Come, stand, there's something I must give you!" Darron patted his shoulder in reassurance.

"Who - what -" Harry stammered as he stood up.

Darron draped a silver chain with a sundial attached over Harry's head. He then held out a pearly while marble-like object and dropped it to Harry's palm. Harry accepted it without a word, completely nonplussed.

"That," Darron said, pointing at the marble, "is a recorded message which will be activated as soon as you activate that." This time, he pointed at the sundial necklace around Harry's neck.

"How do you activate this, then?" Harry lifted up the sundial with his other hand, frowning in puzzlement.

An amused grin appeared on Darron's face. "Like this," he said, pulling out his wand. Placing his hand under Harry's and lifting the pendent even higher, he tapped the sundial once with his wand and whispered, "tempus!" A sucking noise, like water running down a drain, sounded and Harry disappeared. Darron's grin grew even bigger as the Hall erupted into screams.

"What did you do?" Dumbledore stared, horrified.

Chuckling at the rarely seen emotion on Dumbledore's face, Darron stated quietly, "I have completed the prophecy."

Review please! Comments, constructive criticism, and suggestions wanted!