A/N: Hello all! I know it's been forever since I updated this story so I
thought I'd make it up to you by making it super long! It's approximately
20 pages so says my computer.
Gilthas: Go you! So while you stink at soccer, you're still good enough to write a lot.
Me: I resent that! I don't stink at soccer! I just...blew my knee out in the last game.
Gilthas: *solemnly* It's a sign, telling you to write more.
Me: I don't see what you're complaining about! I already finished writing 3003! I just haven't posted it all yet! You should be proud.
Gilthas: I am! I just think your soccer playing is cutting into some serious writing time.
Me: Whatever. Dang knee...
~
Chapter 2: Startling Realizations
Now that I'm down on my knees, begging for a change
Look down at the water,
Before I jump in
To find I was sinking fast, in all that might have been
-The Calling
~
Harry opened his eyes blearily. Distantly the sounds of chirping birds reached his ears. The sight of trees met him and he was awake in an instant, jumping to his feet. He had a spell on the tip of his tongue before he realized what had happened.
He had never slept that soundly in years and the first time it happened he happened to be asleep in a park!
Harry rubbed his neck where he had been sleeping on it at an odd angle. He froze halfway through as the previous night's event came back to him and he got a leaden feeling in his stomach. He ran his fingers through his hair and tried to sort out what to do.
He jammed his hands into his robes pockets and sat down on the bench again. He really didn't want to go back there-not after the mess he'd made last night. He rubbed his eyes wearily, suddenly aware that, in the absence of danger, he wasn't completely awake.
His neck hurt and he was sure he hadn't moved once all night. Vaguely he wondered what time it was. He closed his eyes and attempted to stretch the pain out of his neck. He stopped and looked at the park around him.
He hadn't seen it properly the night before, but he was surprised to see that instead of a bright display of different shades of red, it was a spring time green. A mother and two children walked by. The little girl was running ahead. She smiled and waved at Harry as she raced past. She couldn't have been more than five.
Harry realized belatedly then that he was rather hungry. He ran his fingers through his hair and tried to decide what to do. No, he couldn't go back to Ron's house. He'd made a mess. Ron probably hated him.
He would see if there were any restaurants he could buy something at. Sighing wearily, he stood up again, rather unsteadily. Shaking his head to clear it, Harry started off down the walk in the opposite direction the woman with her children had gone.
He found himself in front of a small McDonalds and, already resigned to eating Muggle food, he walked inside.
He drummed his fingers impatiently on the counter as he waited. It was not that he was feeling particularly impatient, but if he put up an act he would get his food faster.
Quite suddenly he snatched his hand from off the table and jammed it into his robes pocket. That stupid habit! He couldn't seem to get around it! For the last ten years he had sunk deeper and deeper into his emotionless state, trying all the while to forget the past that would never leave him alone. But not five days ago he had come back from a long travel back in time that had shown him exactly what it was he was trying to hide from, what he could no longer set right, and what it was that he could.
He was forced to keep concentration for long periods of time in which he was doing nothing to keep his mind from tuning out and his conscience from collapsing in upon itself.
The woman behind the counter came up to where he was standing and positioned herself before the cash register.
"Sorry about the wait," she said with a fake, plastic smile. "One of the new guys dropped a box of hamburger buns that we needed to clean up." Harry nodded. "Can I help you?"
"Bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit," Harry said. It was one of those rare things that he found he liked that Muggles made especially well. "And a water."
The woman nodded and took a very long time punching in the numbers, her index finger extended and her eyes roving the keyboard in search of the appropriate button. Finally she was done and she asked, with another smile. "Is that all?"
"Yes."
"That will be $2.18, please." Harry dug into his robes pocket and supplied her with three dollars. She took an equally long time in counting out the change.
She placed a tray down, ripped off Harry's receipt and set it on top. Harry moved to the side and waited. The woman's fakely cheerful voice asked the next customer, "May I help you?"
Harry sighed as he waited for his food. If everyone at this place worked as slow as the woman had, he would stand there for years without ever getting his food. Slight exaggeration.
When his food finally came, it was cold. Harry didn't say anything. He would heat it up when no one was looking. They had, however, forgotten his water and he was quite thirsty after all night in that park.
"Excuse me," Harry tried. The woman smiled at him, telling him without words to continue. "I think you forgot my water."
The woman nodded. She reached under the counter and produced a cup. This did not seem to be good enough, however, because she quickly replaced it and felt around for a different one. "I think we're out," she said. "I'll have to check the back room."
"What's wrong with that cup?" Harry asked, feeling rather as though he were talking to a dimwit.
"That's a carbonated beverage cup," she said as though this explained everything.
"What's the difference?"
"It's not a water cup."
"I don't see why it should matter. A cup is a cup. Both hold liquid and that it all I want to use it for."
"I'll see if I can get you a cup from the back room," the woman said, a smile still on her face.
"I can just use that cup," Harry said impatiently.
"That's not a water cup, sir," she said. "I'll only be a minute." She quickly retreated into the back room. The customers still waiting in line sent him some angry glared for making their server go away. Harry ignored them.
The woman appeared quite soon. "I'm afraid we're out," she said, frowning a little to herself. "We're supposed to get a shipment in at noon..."
"I can just use that cup," Harry repeated, annoyed.
The woman hesitated as though giving Harry that cup went against everything she knew and had ever been taught. Finally she sighed resignedly and handed Harry the cup. Harry accepted it without a word of thanks.
All things considered, Harry was in something of a foul moon when he was finally able to eat his food and he didn't even bother heating up his food. It didn't really matter. Besides, he was still trying to get used to everything. It had been only five days in his time that he had finally begun eating real food again. Previously he had simply drank a potion in the morning to keep him awake after generally restless nights and whatever was handy in the afternoon without getting really extracurricular with it.
Harry forced his thoughts back to the present. It was no use dwelling on things. He had enough on his plate to think about without having to rethink everything he'd already done. Like Ron for example.
Harry sighed as his thoughts inevitably turned to his old friend. He was just trying to come up with something to say to him when he heard a voice behind him that struck something of a familiar chord.
Harry froze. Quick as lightning a hood appeared over his head, hiding his face. He may be trying to open up a little more, but he wasn't brave enough to go anywhere without his cloak.
He knew instantly that he wasn't going to be able to stand up and casually leave the building. He was wearing his full length wizards' robes as he had been when he arrived at Ron's house. He had already been receiving some odd looks.
Harry's heart beat faster as his mind wrapped itself around the situation. At times his survival instincts kicked in before his brain did. He was being ridiculous. The person couldn't be here! He was dead!
His curiosity getting the better of him, Harry slowly looked around, trying to look casual.
Instantly he jerked his head back around. So it was him. But that was completely absurd! He was dead.
Still, there was no denying that that man was indeed the werewolf friend that had died ten years ago. Harry almost felt sick. But that would mean things had changed in his time and, for some reason, he was still fighting with Ron and Ginny!
But that couldn't be right, Harry reflected. Ron had said something about Harry being missing for all those years. It was the same Ron and the same time he had left.
Harry wasn't sure if he was relieved or disappointed.
Still, that didn't explain the sudden appearance of a man that Harry knew for a fact was dead.
Harry heard Remus thank the woman for his food and knew that he would have to act soon. He was facing the door and doubtlessly Remus would see him, whether he stayed to eat or he left to go.
Harry needed to get out of there. He considered Apparating, but he couldn't without the Muggles around him noticing and then calling Remus's attention on him. He was stuck.
Remus walked directly by his table with a small bag in his hands that was clearly his McDonald's food. He didn't even glance at Harry. He was frowning slightly and he had the look about him that suggested he wasn't thinking about what he was doing at all.
Harry didn't question his good luck. Remus pushed open the door and left the building. Harry stood up and, forgetting completely about the food he was leaving on the table, followed silently.
Remus walked down the apparently quite familiar streets without really noticing what he was doing, stopping at all the right places as though it was habit and required no conscious thought. He wondered for a moment just how long Remus had been walking that same street without Harry noticing him being alive.
Harry stayed far back from his formerly dead friend and tried to sort everything out without calling attention to himself. Unfortunately, he was getting some looks from the Muggles because of his robes. He found he didn't care.
Remus took a turn and Harry followed silently down the small alley.
He was gone.
Cursing, Harry turned sharply to leave the alley when he heard quick footsteps behind him along with the more familiar beginnings of a spell. Harry dodged to the side and the spell flew harmlessly past. He was on his feet in an instant, he wand out, when his hood slipped from his head and Remus saw who it was.
"Jesus, Harry!" Remus said, stuffing his wand back in his pocket. "I thought you were a Death Eater! You could have said something!"
Harry slowly lowered his wand, watching Remus warily. "Indeed," was all he said.
Remus hurried over to him. "Are you okay? Sirius is going to kill me if he finds out I attacked you in an alley!"
Harry's mind was reeling. "Sirius?" he said, before he thought.
"I was going to meet him," Remus explained. He seemed very put out that he had attacked Harry. Suddenly he paused. "There's something different about you."
"Really?" Harry said sarcastically. "And I suppose I'm the one at fault even though you've been dead for years."
"What are you..." Comprehension dawned on Remus's face. "You're not Harry, are you?"
"What are you on about?" Harry asked, his anger rising. "Who do you think I am, Mary Poppins?"
Remus didn't appear to be listening. He turned away, running his hand through his graying hair, muttering something under his breath. Suddenly he turned back to Harry. "So you've come back to do...what? Is it about the Death Eaters?"
"What Death Eaters?" Harry asked, suddenly on his guard. "There are no real Death Eaters left out of Azkaban."
Remus was studying him hard. "You're Harry, right? The other Harry?"
Harry couldn't, for the life of him, figure out what Remus was talking about. He suddenly popped out of the blue talking as though Voldemort hadn't been gone for 10 years! He...the light clicked on in his head. "The other Harry..." he repeated. "You mean this...what year is this? How long has it been since I defeated Voldemort?"
"Five years," Remus said, nodding at the look on Harry face when he heard the words. "I thought so. So you've come back to help us fight the Death Eaters?"
"I hadn't known that I had come back at all," Harry said coldly. "Apparently now I do this without thinking."
Remus looked at him pensively. "Indeed. So no portal this time?"
Harry shook his head. The last time he had taken his little 'trip', he had been chasing down the Death Eaters who had summoned a portal in order to let them go back in time in order to help Voldemort in his fight and perhaps stop Harry from defeating him completely. Harry had taken care of the Death Eaters easily but when he was forced to turn his undivided attention onto the portal to close it, the leader of the Death Eater gang had hit him in the back with a stunner, sending him through the portal and into the past.
Remus frowned thoughtfully before shaking his head quickly. "I don't have time. You're going to have to lie low at my house until we can get this sorted out. It's only a little ways away. I have to meet Sirius now and I think I should be the one to tell him that you're back."
Harry shrugged unconcernedly.
Remus nodded and motioned for Harry to follow him. Clearly his house was not very far because they had only gone about two blocks when Remus led him up a walk. Remus pulled out a key chain and began trying to find the correct one. Harry couldn't tell how he kept them straight. They all looked the same to him.
Not wanting to wait any longer than he had to, Harry grabbed the doorknob and, with a silent command of the magic, gave it a twist, unlocking it instantly so that anyone looking on would simply think the door had been unlocked in the first place.
The corners of Remus's mouth turned downward somewhat though he said nothing. Harry pushed the door open before him and they both entered.
"I suppose it's useless to tell you that you stand out in your robes on a Muggle street and suggest you change them," Remus said, in something of a professor voice. Harry smirked at him and raised his eyebrows. "I didn't think so," Remus said, shaking his head.
Harry looked around the familiar house. He had been in it only twice before, both under rather unpleasant circumstances. Once he had been deathly ill from a curse Voldemort had placed on him and the second time had been the last time he had ventured back in time to save his younger self from a different disease at the same time that Voldemort had concocted when he saw that Harry had defeated his first one.
All in all he wasn't keen on staying the house with such memories, but he would humor Remus if it would make him go away.
"I have to go to Sirius now," Remus said, checking his watch. "I'll have to Apparate. I don't like to, but he'll think something has happened if I show up late."
"And I suppose I'm nothing," Harry muttered under his breath. Remus's keen hearing picked it up easily. He smiled slightly. "You're something good."
Harry frowned. "What exactly is happening to make such precautions necessary?"
"I'll tell you about it later," Remus said. "I have to leave now. Don't leave, Harry." He looked very seriously at the younger man. "I need to tell you a few things before you go barging out."
Harry nodded.
Satisfied, Remus grabbed his 'To go' McDonalds bag and, grabbing his wand, Apparated.
Harry shook his head when he was gone. He might need a few things explained, but he wasn't a child. He didn't have to wait around for Remus to tell him what he thought ought to be told. He would find it out himself.
He scribbled a hurried note to Remus that he felt explained everything and left, locking the door behind him.
* * *
"Sirius!" Remus said.
Sirius looked up from his food, a grin already spreading its way across his face. It stopped abruptly when he saw the expression on Remus's face.
"What's wrong?"
"This is more serious than we thought," Remus said, seating himself across from his friend. He set a McDonalds bag in front of him but did not open it.
Sirius lowered his voice. "The Death Eaters?"
"What else?" Remus asked, his voice equally quiet. "Another player's come in."
"Lucius," Sirius said. Just saying the name made his stomach plummet. He had been worried this would happen. He paused when he saw Remus shake his head.
"Someone on our side."
"Who?" Sirius asked eagerly. "You've somehow managed to convince Harry?"
"Ironically," Remus said with a thoughtful look on his face. "Yes."
* * *
"Where is he?" Sirius asked. Remus fumbled for his house key in his hast. Impatiently, Sirius pulled out his wand and unlocked it magically muttering, "Never understood why you put up with that Muggle crap."
"Harry?" Remus called loudly. There was no answer. He yelled again to the same effect.
"Remus?" Sirius yelled. He was in the kitchen. Remus hurried in.
"He left a bloody note," Sirius said with a hint of anger in his voice. "Look at this." He thrust the paper at Remus.
Remus read it and instantly realized that this wasn't go to be similar to last time-it would be exactly like last time:
How patient do you think I am?
--Harry
* * *
Harry wasn't one hundred percent sure where to start. When he stepped out Lupin's door, he wasn't even sure whether to turn right or left, but his instinct said 'away from McDonalds' and that's where he went. It was a left, by the way.
Harry frowned as he tried to remember Remus's words. He had said something about Death Eaters. So that's where he should go.
There was only one place to look to find out everything he needed to know about Death Eater action. He waved his hand.
Harry found himself in the Entrance Hall of his old school. As Hermione would no doubt tell you, you could not Apparate or Disapparate on the Hogwarts grounds, but Harry wasn't Disapparating. He had learned a long time ago that being limited to Apparition could quickly get you killed. He had learned a new spell that actually broke down his molecular structure, transported him to his chosen destination, and rearranged the molecules. It was slightly slower than Apparition, but he was able to take others along with him as well.
Fortunately the place was deserted. Harry thought vaguely that he might have checked the date before going straight there to ensure no students would be there. He didn't put a lot of thought into it though. No one was there so it didn't matter.
Deciding he knew exactly who he should go to, he made his way to the Transfiguration corridor. He didn't bother to knock on the door. He pushed it out of the way and found an annoyed McGonagall looking in his direction.
"You might have knocked, Potter," she said.
"Indeed," Harry said. "I need information."
McGonagall's eyes narrowed. "You have decided to help?"
"Let's cut to the chase," Harry said, seating himself casually in front of the woman's desk. "Perhaps we can get over the shock before it gets annoying. Do you remember how...how many was it? Oh yes, five years ago I defeated Voldemort?"
"That's not something one easily forgets," McGonagall said, looking at him suspiciously.
"Remember how myself from the future came in and helped me out so everyone didn't die?"
McGonagall straightened up. "How did you know-"
"Because I'm him and for some unknown reason I'm back to this stupid time all over again and Lupin wouldn't tell me a thing so I decided to work it out for myself."
McGonagall was clearly taken aback. "Welcome back, Mr. Potter-"
Harry waved his hand impatiently. "Doesn't matter. All I need to know is what's going on?"
McGonagall pursed her lips. "It would appear as if five years did your manners little good."
"Try five days," Harry said, wincing when his words didn't come out quite as forcefully as he had intended. "Five days." He sighed. "And I'm already back."
"I thought the last time you came you preferred to go back to your own time as opposed to stay and help."
Harry felt himself growing rather angry. "Who cares? Are you going to tell me what's going on or am I going to be forced to ask the Muggles?"
There was a knock on the door and it was pushed open. A bushy brown head poked in. Hermione Granger's face brightened instantly when it landed on Harry. "Harry! It's great to see you! How have you been?"
Harry found that he could not speak. His throat seemed to have closed in. It was taking all he could to keep his expression steady and he knew that if he said anything, all that would come out was a squeak. Hermione...
"Harry?" Hermione asked, coming completely into the room. "Are you okay?"
Harry was suddenly annoyed at himself for letting himself be distracted by her. "Fine," he said tightly.
Hermione looked rather hurt. "Did I do something?"
Harry shook his head, a little too hastily. McGonagall stood. "Miss Granger, I presume you know Mr. Potter?"
Harry's head snapped over to the older woman but her eyes did not meet his. They were staring hard at Hermione.
Hermione was looking terrible confused. "Of course. I grew up with him."
"Indeed," McGonagall said.
Hermione was looking from McGonagall to Harry. Her eyes narrowed. "I'm not stupid, you know. I know there's something you're not telling me."
"Are we?" Harry said.
Hermione's eyes landed on him and Harry felt himself go stiff. He had only seen her days ago, but it seemed like years. It was years.
"I think perhaps that you already know the secret," McGonagall said. "But I suppose he's never formally introduced himself."
"That's enough!" Harry said angrily. He whirled on McGonagall. "If you're going to tell everyone, then why not just place up a bulletin?"
"Polyjuice?" Hermione guessed.
Harry snorted. "Hardly. I came for answers and it would appear that I'm not going to get any."
"I can help," Hermione offered. "But you're definitely not Harry. Is it a glammer charm?"
"Leave it!" Harry snapped. "I don't have time for this. You!" He turned to McGonagall. "Keep your mouth shut!"
McGonagall's expression did not change though Hermione looked highly affronted. "She already knows," McGonagall said coolly. "And she of all people has a right."
"No one has the right!" Harry shouted. He did not know why he was so angry. Maybe because it was because Hermione was just standing there. "You only know by accident! I don't even know why I came!"
Harry turned and made to leave the room, but Hermione, looking rather shocked and angry at Harry's attitude, grabbed his arm.
~Flash~
Harry fell to the ground thoroughly exhausted. He could lie there forever. He didn't want to get up. His muscles ached. Dozens of Cruciatus Curses lost there effect as Harry threatened to loose consciousness.
He struggled to his feet. He couldn't quit now. Too much lay on the line.
Voldemort too looked a mess. He no longer smiled. His red eyes had lost their red glow and seemed now a dim shadow of their old selves. He was bad. Harry was worse.
Voldemort raised his wand again. Harry took a step back. His leg would no longer support his weight. His knees crumpled beneath him. It was all too much...
From a long way off, Harry heard Voldemort shout the words to a spell. Sweet oblivion engulfed him.
The pain vanished. Nothing hurt. The world seemed perfect.
Kill the girl... said a voice in his head.
Harry picked up his wand and prepared to obey.
No! Screamed the voice in his head. Stop! But it sounded weak, too weak to make much of an effort. No...
Harry obediently pointed his wand at the girl.
"No, Harry! I know this isn't you! You have to fight it! No!"
That voice. It sounded strangely familiar. Harry hesitated a second. You know her, the voice said, making a last, valiant effort. You know her! You can't kill her!
Kill the girl...
Harry raised his wand. The voice quieted. Nothing remained. Nothing...
"Avada Kedavra!"
A scream pierced the night.
~Flash~
He was back in McGonagall's room. Hermione had jerked her hand away. Her eyes were wide, staring at him. "It-It's you."
Harry jerked his cloak over his shoulder with a snarl. "Get away from me."
He left the room at a quick walk. Hermione followed him, right at his heals. "You're the person from the field that night! I remember! You told me to stay with Harry and make sure he was okay because you were going to get help! I remember but no one ever explain it to me!"
"Good for them," Harry said. He was walking quickly, trying to loose Hermione behind him, but at the same time not wanting to.
"You're from some alternate time, aren't you?" Hermione guessed.
"Excellent observation, Sherlock," Harry muttered. "Perhaps next time you can explain to me how to use a Muggle telephone."
"Did you grow up with Muggles?" Hermione asked, not catching Harry's sarcasm.
Harry stopped and turned to her, an incredulous expression on his face. "Just how much do you think my dimension differs from your own?"
Hermione shrugged. "Our Harry grew up with Muggles. He went to live with Sirius after that."
"And who," Harry said through gritted teeth. "Do you think brought Sirius back in the first place?"
"That was you!" Hermione said. "Sirius never told anyone, of course, but I figured it out without too much trouble."
"I grew up with Muggles!" Harry snapped. "The only difference between your Harry's battle with Voldemort and my battle with Voldemort is that your Harry had my help in his!"
"That's not true!" Hermione said. "I was there, remember?"
"You were just there both times," Harry said angrily. "Did not the exact thing happen in my version as your version? Who do you think distracted Voldemort long enough for your Harry to fight through the Imperious Curse?"
Harry could practically see the clocks working in Hermione's head.
"Yeah," Harry said. He started walking again. He didn't want Hermione to follow. It was painful just to look at her. Hermione hurried to keep up. Harry felt anger rising in him. What didn't she understand?
"Okay," Hermione said. She seemed to have lost some of her bluster. "You've answered my questions. Now I'll answer yours. What did you want to know?"
Harry stopped again, trying to push past his rising anger, and looked at her. "You'll actually answer them?"
Hermione shrugged. "Can't see the harm."
Harry shook his head. "Never mind. It wouldn't work." He couldn't stay in her presence. It couldn't possibly work. Not in a millioon year. He started walking again.
"Why not?" Hermione persisted.
Harry cracked. He stopped yet again, his expression furious. Hermione back away. "HAVEN'T YOU FIGURED IT OUT YET? YOU SAW EVERYTHING, DIDN'T YOU? YOU'RE DEAD! COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY DEAD! DEAD AS A DOORNAIL! DEAD AS...AS SOME OTHER DEAD THING! YOU THINK I CAN JUST SIT IN THE SAME ROOM AS YOU AFTER I KILLED YOU WITH MY OWN WAND?"
Hermione looked very taken aback. "I-I'm dead?"
Harry threw his hands up in complete annoyance and stalked away. Again, Hermione hurried to keep up. "I-I'm sorry," she stammered. "I guess it didn't register. I didn't know..."
"Well now you do," Harry said through gritted teeth. He looked around at the school. "And what month is it anyway? Aren't kids supposed to come to school?"
"It's summer," Hermione said.
"Whatever," Harry said. He turned sharply. "I hate this place," he muttered.
Hermione frowned. "But everyone likes Hogwarts."
"Not me," Harry said.
"My office is right up here," Hermione said. "I had just made tea when I went to talk to Minerva. Do you want to come in?"
He wanted to say no. He wanted to leave and never come back, never again be forced to see the face of the person he had betrayed, the person he had killed. His mind screamed to run, to tell her no, to yell at her until she went away, anything to stop those memories every time he saw her face...
"Okay," his voice said, working seperately from his mind. He couldn't believe he was doing this. He would crack, make an idiot of himself in front of her and she would never be able to look at him again. He didn't know whether that thought, or the thought of never seeing her again was more painful.
Hermione looked slightly more cheerful that he had accepted as she led him down the next hall and into her office. Harry sat silently, looking around the room as Hermione busied herself pouring tea.
"Milk?" she asked.
"No thanks."
"Sugar?"
"None."
Hermione looked at him quizzically as she placed his cup of pure tea in front of him. He nodded rather stiffly in thanks and took a drink.
Hermione sipped her tea and looked at him. "So ask," she said finally.
"About what?"
"About what you came here to ask."
Harry sighed. "Lupin mentioned something about Death Eaters."
Hermione nodded. "They're up to something. There have been attacks recently on people." Suddenly she shivered. "We have people inside, watching their movements, but still they act randomly. There's probably a lot of thought put into it, but by the time our spies find out about it, it's already been put into motion. I think Malfoy knows we've got spies so he's being particularly sneaky."
Harry nearly chocked on his tea. "Malfoy? I thought I beat him up and stole his memory!"
It was Hermione's turn to be surprised. "That was you? I suppose it must have been. But no, it's Draco, not Lucius we're worried about."
Harry shook his head, unsurprised. "That little rat's the one who sent me back in time in the first place with a spell in the back."
Hermione managed something of a forced smile.
"Wait a minute," Harry said. "Where is my other self in all this?"
The smile was gone in an instant. Hermione looked suddenly sad. "Living with Sirius. You don't get out much. The press would be on you in an instant if you did. Harry has...Harry has lost his will, I think. He wants someone else to worry about the Death Eaters so he can do something else. The problem is, he's the strongest we've got and he's about the only one with a chance to stand up to them."
Harry swore. "That stupid little git," he muttered. "Knew I shouldn't have done anything."
Hermione looked slightly amused. "He's had it hard, you understand."
"No, I don't!" Harry said forcefully. "I had it worse then him! He didn't have it half as tough as I had it!"
Hermione was slightly taken aback by his outburst. "I--I'm not sure what happened in your time."
Harry waved it away. "Not that interesting." He felt a pang, even as he said it, remembering his last encounter with his two remaining friends. "So where's Sirius in all this?"
Hermione shook her head sadly. "Doing the best he can. He's hinted that he wants Harry's help once in a while, but last time Harry blew up in his face when he asked, saying he'd already done his share and that all he wanted was to not worry about Death Eaters." Hermione sighed. "I just don't understand him anymore."
Harry was inwardly fuming though he tried not to show it on his face. What did the little prick think he was doing? He had never let something like this happen! He'd fought Death Eaters for the past ten years and there were so few left that even if the remaining Death Eaters gathered their full strength, the most they would be able to do was pick up trash on the side of the highway.
But could he honestly say that, given the choice, he would choose the life he had now over this one? That was a no-brainer he if he'd ever heard of one.
Harry cast his mind around. "What are the Death Eaters trying to accomplish, exactly?"
Hermione shook her head wearily. "No idea. Causing mayhem I suppose. For some reason, though, they're gathering something of a large force of supporters." She lowered her voice slightly. "Even the goblins are thinking of going over, though that's supposed to be classified."
Harry mind was spinning quickly around the information. The goblins? "Who else do they have?"
"The usual," Hermione said. "Giants, the few remaining dementors, some scared people who reckon they'll rival Voldemort." She gave a laugh but Harry didn't have to listen hard to hear it was forced. "We're just not sure what to do," Hermione admitted. "I mean, last time, we had Dumbledore. After he died, the whole Order would have been sunk in less than a year if Voldemort hadn't been defeated. Everyone's waiting on Harry to do something, but he won't! He's got it in him to be great, as good as Dumbledore if not better. I mean, look at you! No one's told me anything specific, but I've put a couple of things together. Unfortunately, this Harry doesn't seem quite as...dedicated."
Harry nodded, soaking it all in. He finished the last of his tea and absentmindedly swirled the dregs in his cup. Then he placed it upside down on his saucer.
He leaned back in his chair, thinking. "I suppose it's better," he said at last. "Mind you, I wouldn't have said the same thing last year around this time, but at least he didn't turn out like me."
Hermione seemed rather taken aback that he'd spoke so bluntly. "I don't think you're that bad."
Harry let out a bark of laughter. "I thank you for the compliment, but had you met me the last time I made this little trek, you might have thought rather differently. Still," he paused thoughtfully. "You would think I would do something..."
They were quite for a moment. Finally Hermione stood up and said, "More tea?"
Harry nodded without thinking and picked up his over turned cup. He snorted when he saw the symbol the tea leaves had made, rather close to the rim. It was, undeniably, a mountain. There was a large peak and a small peak and there was even the faintest line between the dregs that could have been the dividing line for snow at the top.
"What is it?" Hermione asked.
"Stupid thing," Harry said, shaking his head, "A mountain. Means a journey's coming."
"Or a hindrance," Hermione said vaguely. Harry looked at her, surprised. She smiled slightly. "Oh, I don't believe a word of it, but after an argument with the Divination professor, I realized that I didn't know enough to properly argue my points and learned a bit more. More than I meant to, actually."
"And what do you teach?" Harry asked, realizing he didn't know. A small smile flashed across Hermione's face. "Potions."
Harry nodded. At the end of his previous visit, Snape had died in the final battle for Hogwarts. "I see McGonagall's back at Transfiguration. Who's Headmaster?"
Hermione shook her head. "Oh, Minerva's Headmistress."
Harry blinked at her, showing a rare display of surprise. "Then why isn't she in the regular Headmaster's office?"
"It's rather odd, actually," Hermione said as she poured more tea into Harry's cup, a perplexed look on her face. "We can't get in there."
"Really?" Harry asked, taken aback.
"No," Hermione set the tea kettle back down. "We've tried everything. Someone took a dictionary down to the gargoyle and read off every word in the English language. Someone even tried Latin! But it's as if there's no password at all. We had someone fly up there on a broom. Couldn't even see through the window--much less get in! So we're stuck. We've no way to get in. We're reluctant to try spells in case we damage something. I mean, what if the gargoyle won't let us in because there's something dangerous up there? But Minerva has tried many different spells and nothing's worked." Hermione sighed deeply. "It's as if we're simply not allowed."
Harry frowned thoughtfully. He glanced at the clock and rose casually to his feet. "I really should be going now. I'll need to investigate the Death Eater activity you talked about. I suppose I don't need to tell you not to say anything about me to anyone. If someone asks, say I Disapparated in a huff."
"You can't Apparate or Disapparate on the Hogwarts grounds."
Harry grinned. "I can."
Hermione looked slightly suspicious before her expression cleared and she nodded. "My lips are sealed."
"Good," Harry said, nodding. "Because if you said anything, I'd have to kill you."
Hermione laughed before realizing that Harry was not laughing as well. "You- You're joking, right?"
Harry's expression did not change. "I'll see you when I see you." He waved his hand nonchalantly and disappeared.
He appeared seconds later in the same park he had appeared. It was as good a place as any to start. He had no where else to go.
"Harry!"
Harry heard the voice and cursed inwardly. Remus Lupin was calling for him. If he hadn't seen him yet...
"There you are!"
Too late.
"Yes, Professor?" Harry asked politely, mimicking his younger self.
Lupin looked at him in surprise for a moment before he seemed to accept that this was indeed not his Harry. "Doubtlessly went to Hogwarts when you left." Harry frowned. He had been far too predictable. "Why did you leave when I expressly told you to stay?"
"Because I'm not one of your students, Lupin," Harry said coldly. "And the sooner you realize that, the easier it's going to be for you."
Lupin frowned but didn't answer. Instead he yelled, "Sirius!"
Harry heard footsteps running and winced when he heard a crash that must have been a stumbled fall. Finally Sirius came limping into the clearing.
"So let me get this straight," Harry said, raising his eyebrows. "You two ran in circles looking for me, when I could have been at any place in the entire world?"
"Not any place," Lupin corrected. "There are not many places you can go in this time. I inferred earlier that you had been in the park by the looks of your robes and because there was one not too far from here. Where else could you go and not risk being seen?"
Harry did not let his annoyance at his own predictability show on his face. "It would appear that you've picked up a few new tricks in the last five years," Harry said, smirking, "Along with a few white hairs."
Sirius frowned. "Nope. Not our Harry."
"Excellent observation, Sherlock," Harry said sarcastically. "Soon you'll start smoking a pipe and watching opera."
Sirius scowled. "This is our great hope?"
"I shouldn't think so," Harry said airily. "Last time I checked, this time had its own Harry. But I suppose he's too stuck in his own world to help out. Typical."
"What does that mean?" Sirius asked in his usual godfather over protectiveness.
"So what," Harry asked suddenly. "Does he just sit and mope around all day? What does one do when one has nothing that needs done?"
"That's enough, Harry," Lupin said.
"Yes, Professor."
Lupin's eyes flashed. "This is no time for your games."
"On the contrary," Harry said, flexing his finger, suddenly the very edge of readiness. "I would say that this is the perfect time for my 'games'." His wand was in his hand. "Who's there?"
The figure made to scramble out of the way. Fallen leaves crunched underfoot as it made a mad dash for safety.
Harry didn't even have to say the name to the spell before his wand was twirled and the person was floating five feet about the ground. They were still trying to run, but their feet didn't go anywhere. A wand whipped into view and the next second, with an instant reaction from Harry, it was lying harmlessly at the figure's feet.
"Now tell me again," Harry said calmly to Sirius and Remus. "What it was you were saying about Death Eaters."
~
A/N: Tadda! Really long, like I said. Everyone rejoice. Are you rejoicing?
Gilthas: Yes.
Me: Good. Okay, responses to reviewers!!!!!!
~
black sheep: Oh well. *shrugs* They did it my way on Star Trek Voyager one time. I'll just copy that since it's too far to start over...
Stephen Li: I hope so too!!!! Glad you liked my other one! Yeah, I was thinking about the Ron and Hermione thing, but I didn't want to change Harry's world. Seemed like a lot of effort. *grins*
eruve tinwen: HAPPY DANCES ROCK! Everyone should do the happy dance. I'm crossing my fingers that I don't screw this one up, but I'm having trouble keeping Harry's personality on track. With all the resent changes in BTBT, I keep wanting to write him up as a stupid softy, but I can't! Oh well, hope this story's doing okay!
sara*magic: Funny you mention that, because, in trying to get Harry's personality spiffy, I made all the guests go home and Harry told them everything that had happened. Then I reread it, decided it was stupid, scraped it, and rewrote it. I'm glad that you think I have his personality decent, anyway. Hope I did the same in this chapter! It's rather hard getting into his head. Before it was, hates the world, cold and unfeeling, gradually discovering his humanity. *Has trouble breathing for a second* You think I could leave Sirius out of this? NO! Never! He's back and his coolness came with him. In all his Siriusy coolness factor. Maximum. Or something. :)
Darkmoon Fleur: Yeah, I've never really liked Ginny, but she's trying to help. She saw that the sympathy way wasn't working and tried a different tactic. But you also have to remember that it's been ten years since it happened and she doesn't know about Harry's most recent adventure. Oh well, she's out of there now so it doesn't matter...
Lil Miss Potter: Yay! You liked BTBT too! Happiness! I'm glad you like my stories. I like to write them though, in all honesty, sometimes I think I need to go back and rewrite them. Oh well. We'll just see what happens...
Rhinemjr: Yeah, Ron and Ginny are cool. Still, Harry's done such a good job of ensuring there was no way evil could get a grip in his dimension that I wasn't sure what kind of story could have been written in it. So I made him go back. Besides...Sirius is in that demension. :)
gaul1: Thanks!
Authoress: 50 reviews sounds great! I can't wait to read them all, though, if it was me, I'd run out of things to say in the third one and the rest would be about how crazy I think Swiss cheese it. I'm glad you liked it. I rewrote it three times so I hope it lives up to expectations!
mashimaromadness: Yeah, Harry's rather dramatic sometimes. Still, he just went back in time and fixed the world in his perfect picture of how it should be, then he left and knew that it didn't matter that he did because he'd never see that dimension again anyway. Now he has!!!
HiddenFlame42: Did you review BTBT? I'm trying to stay true to Harry's personality, so tell me if I screw it up!!!
Liz: TELL me about it. Stupid sequels. Like the Tomb Raider movie. Okay, so I thought the sequel was halfway decent, but it didn't do so well. Oh, and I made sure to ruin the original twice before finally doing it some justice in the third rewrite. Glad you like it! Oh, and 3003's finished. :)
annoying, reppetitive reviewer: Next chapter given. I feared the threat and acted accordingly. :)
Nexus3: Be proud. I was planning to post another chapter of 3003, but then I got your review and thought...well...it has been a while... So I posted this one instead. :)
~
A/N: And that's all. Not bad for only a chapter.
Gilthas: Not bad at all.
Me: Isn't that a quote from 'Independence Day' the movie?
Gilthas: *shifts uncomfortably* You know I don't watch your crazy human technology.
Me: *looks suspicious* Riiigghhttt... Anyway, I'm going to eat my buscuits now because buscuits taste good. Especially the Pillsbury Grands Biscuits because they're so big and yummy.
Gilthas:...You do that...
Gilthas: Go you! So while you stink at soccer, you're still good enough to write a lot.
Me: I resent that! I don't stink at soccer! I just...blew my knee out in the last game.
Gilthas: *solemnly* It's a sign, telling you to write more.
Me: I don't see what you're complaining about! I already finished writing 3003! I just haven't posted it all yet! You should be proud.
Gilthas: I am! I just think your soccer playing is cutting into some serious writing time.
Me: Whatever. Dang knee...
~
Chapter 2: Startling Realizations
Now that I'm down on my knees, begging for a change
Look down at the water,
Before I jump in
To find I was sinking fast, in all that might have been
-The Calling
~
Harry opened his eyes blearily. Distantly the sounds of chirping birds reached his ears. The sight of trees met him and he was awake in an instant, jumping to his feet. He had a spell on the tip of his tongue before he realized what had happened.
He had never slept that soundly in years and the first time it happened he happened to be asleep in a park!
Harry rubbed his neck where he had been sleeping on it at an odd angle. He froze halfway through as the previous night's event came back to him and he got a leaden feeling in his stomach. He ran his fingers through his hair and tried to sort out what to do.
He jammed his hands into his robes pockets and sat down on the bench again. He really didn't want to go back there-not after the mess he'd made last night. He rubbed his eyes wearily, suddenly aware that, in the absence of danger, he wasn't completely awake.
His neck hurt and he was sure he hadn't moved once all night. Vaguely he wondered what time it was. He closed his eyes and attempted to stretch the pain out of his neck. He stopped and looked at the park around him.
He hadn't seen it properly the night before, but he was surprised to see that instead of a bright display of different shades of red, it was a spring time green. A mother and two children walked by. The little girl was running ahead. She smiled and waved at Harry as she raced past. She couldn't have been more than five.
Harry realized belatedly then that he was rather hungry. He ran his fingers through his hair and tried to decide what to do. No, he couldn't go back to Ron's house. He'd made a mess. Ron probably hated him.
He would see if there were any restaurants he could buy something at. Sighing wearily, he stood up again, rather unsteadily. Shaking his head to clear it, Harry started off down the walk in the opposite direction the woman with her children had gone.
He found himself in front of a small McDonalds and, already resigned to eating Muggle food, he walked inside.
He drummed his fingers impatiently on the counter as he waited. It was not that he was feeling particularly impatient, but if he put up an act he would get his food faster.
Quite suddenly he snatched his hand from off the table and jammed it into his robes pocket. That stupid habit! He couldn't seem to get around it! For the last ten years he had sunk deeper and deeper into his emotionless state, trying all the while to forget the past that would never leave him alone. But not five days ago he had come back from a long travel back in time that had shown him exactly what it was he was trying to hide from, what he could no longer set right, and what it was that he could.
He was forced to keep concentration for long periods of time in which he was doing nothing to keep his mind from tuning out and his conscience from collapsing in upon itself.
The woman behind the counter came up to where he was standing and positioned herself before the cash register.
"Sorry about the wait," she said with a fake, plastic smile. "One of the new guys dropped a box of hamburger buns that we needed to clean up." Harry nodded. "Can I help you?"
"Bacon, egg, and cheese biscuit," Harry said. It was one of those rare things that he found he liked that Muggles made especially well. "And a water."
The woman nodded and took a very long time punching in the numbers, her index finger extended and her eyes roving the keyboard in search of the appropriate button. Finally she was done and she asked, with another smile. "Is that all?"
"Yes."
"That will be $2.18, please." Harry dug into his robes pocket and supplied her with three dollars. She took an equally long time in counting out the change.
She placed a tray down, ripped off Harry's receipt and set it on top. Harry moved to the side and waited. The woman's fakely cheerful voice asked the next customer, "May I help you?"
Harry sighed as he waited for his food. If everyone at this place worked as slow as the woman had, he would stand there for years without ever getting his food. Slight exaggeration.
When his food finally came, it was cold. Harry didn't say anything. He would heat it up when no one was looking. They had, however, forgotten his water and he was quite thirsty after all night in that park.
"Excuse me," Harry tried. The woman smiled at him, telling him without words to continue. "I think you forgot my water."
The woman nodded. She reached under the counter and produced a cup. This did not seem to be good enough, however, because she quickly replaced it and felt around for a different one. "I think we're out," she said. "I'll have to check the back room."
"What's wrong with that cup?" Harry asked, feeling rather as though he were talking to a dimwit.
"That's a carbonated beverage cup," she said as though this explained everything.
"What's the difference?"
"It's not a water cup."
"I don't see why it should matter. A cup is a cup. Both hold liquid and that it all I want to use it for."
"I'll see if I can get you a cup from the back room," the woman said, a smile still on her face.
"I can just use that cup," Harry said impatiently.
"That's not a water cup, sir," she said. "I'll only be a minute." She quickly retreated into the back room. The customers still waiting in line sent him some angry glared for making their server go away. Harry ignored them.
The woman appeared quite soon. "I'm afraid we're out," she said, frowning a little to herself. "We're supposed to get a shipment in at noon..."
"I can just use that cup," Harry repeated, annoyed.
The woman hesitated as though giving Harry that cup went against everything she knew and had ever been taught. Finally she sighed resignedly and handed Harry the cup. Harry accepted it without a word of thanks.
All things considered, Harry was in something of a foul moon when he was finally able to eat his food and he didn't even bother heating up his food. It didn't really matter. Besides, he was still trying to get used to everything. It had been only five days in his time that he had finally begun eating real food again. Previously he had simply drank a potion in the morning to keep him awake after generally restless nights and whatever was handy in the afternoon without getting really extracurricular with it.
Harry forced his thoughts back to the present. It was no use dwelling on things. He had enough on his plate to think about without having to rethink everything he'd already done. Like Ron for example.
Harry sighed as his thoughts inevitably turned to his old friend. He was just trying to come up with something to say to him when he heard a voice behind him that struck something of a familiar chord.
Harry froze. Quick as lightning a hood appeared over his head, hiding his face. He may be trying to open up a little more, but he wasn't brave enough to go anywhere without his cloak.
He knew instantly that he wasn't going to be able to stand up and casually leave the building. He was wearing his full length wizards' robes as he had been when he arrived at Ron's house. He had already been receiving some odd looks.
Harry's heart beat faster as his mind wrapped itself around the situation. At times his survival instincts kicked in before his brain did. He was being ridiculous. The person couldn't be here! He was dead!
His curiosity getting the better of him, Harry slowly looked around, trying to look casual.
Instantly he jerked his head back around. So it was him. But that was completely absurd! He was dead.
Still, there was no denying that that man was indeed the werewolf friend that had died ten years ago. Harry almost felt sick. But that would mean things had changed in his time and, for some reason, he was still fighting with Ron and Ginny!
But that couldn't be right, Harry reflected. Ron had said something about Harry being missing for all those years. It was the same Ron and the same time he had left.
Harry wasn't sure if he was relieved or disappointed.
Still, that didn't explain the sudden appearance of a man that Harry knew for a fact was dead.
Harry heard Remus thank the woman for his food and knew that he would have to act soon. He was facing the door and doubtlessly Remus would see him, whether he stayed to eat or he left to go.
Harry needed to get out of there. He considered Apparating, but he couldn't without the Muggles around him noticing and then calling Remus's attention on him. He was stuck.
Remus walked directly by his table with a small bag in his hands that was clearly his McDonald's food. He didn't even glance at Harry. He was frowning slightly and he had the look about him that suggested he wasn't thinking about what he was doing at all.
Harry didn't question his good luck. Remus pushed open the door and left the building. Harry stood up and, forgetting completely about the food he was leaving on the table, followed silently.
Remus walked down the apparently quite familiar streets without really noticing what he was doing, stopping at all the right places as though it was habit and required no conscious thought. He wondered for a moment just how long Remus had been walking that same street without Harry noticing him being alive.
Harry stayed far back from his formerly dead friend and tried to sort everything out without calling attention to himself. Unfortunately, he was getting some looks from the Muggles because of his robes. He found he didn't care.
Remus took a turn and Harry followed silently down the small alley.
He was gone.
Cursing, Harry turned sharply to leave the alley when he heard quick footsteps behind him along with the more familiar beginnings of a spell. Harry dodged to the side and the spell flew harmlessly past. He was on his feet in an instant, he wand out, when his hood slipped from his head and Remus saw who it was.
"Jesus, Harry!" Remus said, stuffing his wand back in his pocket. "I thought you were a Death Eater! You could have said something!"
Harry slowly lowered his wand, watching Remus warily. "Indeed," was all he said.
Remus hurried over to him. "Are you okay? Sirius is going to kill me if he finds out I attacked you in an alley!"
Harry's mind was reeling. "Sirius?" he said, before he thought.
"I was going to meet him," Remus explained. He seemed very put out that he had attacked Harry. Suddenly he paused. "There's something different about you."
"Really?" Harry said sarcastically. "And I suppose I'm the one at fault even though you've been dead for years."
"What are you..." Comprehension dawned on Remus's face. "You're not Harry, are you?"
"What are you on about?" Harry asked, his anger rising. "Who do you think I am, Mary Poppins?"
Remus didn't appear to be listening. He turned away, running his hand through his graying hair, muttering something under his breath. Suddenly he turned back to Harry. "So you've come back to do...what? Is it about the Death Eaters?"
"What Death Eaters?" Harry asked, suddenly on his guard. "There are no real Death Eaters left out of Azkaban."
Remus was studying him hard. "You're Harry, right? The other Harry?"
Harry couldn't, for the life of him, figure out what Remus was talking about. He suddenly popped out of the blue talking as though Voldemort hadn't been gone for 10 years! He...the light clicked on in his head. "The other Harry..." he repeated. "You mean this...what year is this? How long has it been since I defeated Voldemort?"
"Five years," Remus said, nodding at the look on Harry face when he heard the words. "I thought so. So you've come back to help us fight the Death Eaters?"
"I hadn't known that I had come back at all," Harry said coldly. "Apparently now I do this without thinking."
Remus looked at him pensively. "Indeed. So no portal this time?"
Harry shook his head. The last time he had taken his little 'trip', he had been chasing down the Death Eaters who had summoned a portal in order to let them go back in time in order to help Voldemort in his fight and perhaps stop Harry from defeating him completely. Harry had taken care of the Death Eaters easily but when he was forced to turn his undivided attention onto the portal to close it, the leader of the Death Eater gang had hit him in the back with a stunner, sending him through the portal and into the past.
Remus frowned thoughtfully before shaking his head quickly. "I don't have time. You're going to have to lie low at my house until we can get this sorted out. It's only a little ways away. I have to meet Sirius now and I think I should be the one to tell him that you're back."
Harry shrugged unconcernedly.
Remus nodded and motioned for Harry to follow him. Clearly his house was not very far because they had only gone about two blocks when Remus led him up a walk. Remus pulled out a key chain and began trying to find the correct one. Harry couldn't tell how he kept them straight. They all looked the same to him.
Not wanting to wait any longer than he had to, Harry grabbed the doorknob and, with a silent command of the magic, gave it a twist, unlocking it instantly so that anyone looking on would simply think the door had been unlocked in the first place.
The corners of Remus's mouth turned downward somewhat though he said nothing. Harry pushed the door open before him and they both entered.
"I suppose it's useless to tell you that you stand out in your robes on a Muggle street and suggest you change them," Remus said, in something of a professor voice. Harry smirked at him and raised his eyebrows. "I didn't think so," Remus said, shaking his head.
Harry looked around the familiar house. He had been in it only twice before, both under rather unpleasant circumstances. Once he had been deathly ill from a curse Voldemort had placed on him and the second time had been the last time he had ventured back in time to save his younger self from a different disease at the same time that Voldemort had concocted when he saw that Harry had defeated his first one.
All in all he wasn't keen on staying the house with such memories, but he would humor Remus if it would make him go away.
"I have to go to Sirius now," Remus said, checking his watch. "I'll have to Apparate. I don't like to, but he'll think something has happened if I show up late."
"And I suppose I'm nothing," Harry muttered under his breath. Remus's keen hearing picked it up easily. He smiled slightly. "You're something good."
Harry frowned. "What exactly is happening to make such precautions necessary?"
"I'll tell you about it later," Remus said. "I have to leave now. Don't leave, Harry." He looked very seriously at the younger man. "I need to tell you a few things before you go barging out."
Harry nodded.
Satisfied, Remus grabbed his 'To go' McDonalds bag and, grabbing his wand, Apparated.
Harry shook his head when he was gone. He might need a few things explained, but he wasn't a child. He didn't have to wait around for Remus to tell him what he thought ought to be told. He would find it out himself.
He scribbled a hurried note to Remus that he felt explained everything and left, locking the door behind him.
* * *
"Sirius!" Remus said.
Sirius looked up from his food, a grin already spreading its way across his face. It stopped abruptly when he saw the expression on Remus's face.
"What's wrong?"
"This is more serious than we thought," Remus said, seating himself across from his friend. He set a McDonalds bag in front of him but did not open it.
Sirius lowered his voice. "The Death Eaters?"
"What else?" Remus asked, his voice equally quiet. "Another player's come in."
"Lucius," Sirius said. Just saying the name made his stomach plummet. He had been worried this would happen. He paused when he saw Remus shake his head.
"Someone on our side."
"Who?" Sirius asked eagerly. "You've somehow managed to convince Harry?"
"Ironically," Remus said with a thoughtful look on his face. "Yes."
* * *
"Where is he?" Sirius asked. Remus fumbled for his house key in his hast. Impatiently, Sirius pulled out his wand and unlocked it magically muttering, "Never understood why you put up with that Muggle crap."
"Harry?" Remus called loudly. There was no answer. He yelled again to the same effect.
"Remus?" Sirius yelled. He was in the kitchen. Remus hurried in.
"He left a bloody note," Sirius said with a hint of anger in his voice. "Look at this." He thrust the paper at Remus.
Remus read it and instantly realized that this wasn't go to be similar to last time-it would be exactly like last time:
How patient do you think I am?
--Harry
* * *
Harry wasn't one hundred percent sure where to start. When he stepped out Lupin's door, he wasn't even sure whether to turn right or left, but his instinct said 'away from McDonalds' and that's where he went. It was a left, by the way.
Harry frowned as he tried to remember Remus's words. He had said something about Death Eaters. So that's where he should go.
There was only one place to look to find out everything he needed to know about Death Eater action. He waved his hand.
Harry found himself in the Entrance Hall of his old school. As Hermione would no doubt tell you, you could not Apparate or Disapparate on the Hogwarts grounds, but Harry wasn't Disapparating. He had learned a long time ago that being limited to Apparition could quickly get you killed. He had learned a new spell that actually broke down his molecular structure, transported him to his chosen destination, and rearranged the molecules. It was slightly slower than Apparition, but he was able to take others along with him as well.
Fortunately the place was deserted. Harry thought vaguely that he might have checked the date before going straight there to ensure no students would be there. He didn't put a lot of thought into it though. No one was there so it didn't matter.
Deciding he knew exactly who he should go to, he made his way to the Transfiguration corridor. He didn't bother to knock on the door. He pushed it out of the way and found an annoyed McGonagall looking in his direction.
"You might have knocked, Potter," she said.
"Indeed," Harry said. "I need information."
McGonagall's eyes narrowed. "You have decided to help?"
"Let's cut to the chase," Harry said, seating himself casually in front of the woman's desk. "Perhaps we can get over the shock before it gets annoying. Do you remember how...how many was it? Oh yes, five years ago I defeated Voldemort?"
"That's not something one easily forgets," McGonagall said, looking at him suspiciously.
"Remember how myself from the future came in and helped me out so everyone didn't die?"
McGonagall straightened up. "How did you know-"
"Because I'm him and for some unknown reason I'm back to this stupid time all over again and Lupin wouldn't tell me a thing so I decided to work it out for myself."
McGonagall was clearly taken aback. "Welcome back, Mr. Potter-"
Harry waved his hand impatiently. "Doesn't matter. All I need to know is what's going on?"
McGonagall pursed her lips. "It would appear as if five years did your manners little good."
"Try five days," Harry said, wincing when his words didn't come out quite as forcefully as he had intended. "Five days." He sighed. "And I'm already back."
"I thought the last time you came you preferred to go back to your own time as opposed to stay and help."
Harry felt himself growing rather angry. "Who cares? Are you going to tell me what's going on or am I going to be forced to ask the Muggles?"
There was a knock on the door and it was pushed open. A bushy brown head poked in. Hermione Granger's face brightened instantly when it landed on Harry. "Harry! It's great to see you! How have you been?"
Harry found that he could not speak. His throat seemed to have closed in. It was taking all he could to keep his expression steady and he knew that if he said anything, all that would come out was a squeak. Hermione...
"Harry?" Hermione asked, coming completely into the room. "Are you okay?"
Harry was suddenly annoyed at himself for letting himself be distracted by her. "Fine," he said tightly.
Hermione looked rather hurt. "Did I do something?"
Harry shook his head, a little too hastily. McGonagall stood. "Miss Granger, I presume you know Mr. Potter?"
Harry's head snapped over to the older woman but her eyes did not meet his. They were staring hard at Hermione.
Hermione was looking terrible confused. "Of course. I grew up with him."
"Indeed," McGonagall said.
Hermione was looking from McGonagall to Harry. Her eyes narrowed. "I'm not stupid, you know. I know there's something you're not telling me."
"Are we?" Harry said.
Hermione's eyes landed on him and Harry felt himself go stiff. He had only seen her days ago, but it seemed like years. It was years.
"I think perhaps that you already know the secret," McGonagall said. "But I suppose he's never formally introduced himself."
"That's enough!" Harry said angrily. He whirled on McGonagall. "If you're going to tell everyone, then why not just place up a bulletin?"
"Polyjuice?" Hermione guessed.
Harry snorted. "Hardly. I came for answers and it would appear that I'm not going to get any."
"I can help," Hermione offered. "But you're definitely not Harry. Is it a glammer charm?"
"Leave it!" Harry snapped. "I don't have time for this. You!" He turned to McGonagall. "Keep your mouth shut!"
McGonagall's expression did not change though Hermione looked highly affronted. "She already knows," McGonagall said coolly. "And she of all people has a right."
"No one has the right!" Harry shouted. He did not know why he was so angry. Maybe because it was because Hermione was just standing there. "You only know by accident! I don't even know why I came!"
Harry turned and made to leave the room, but Hermione, looking rather shocked and angry at Harry's attitude, grabbed his arm.
~Flash~
Harry fell to the ground thoroughly exhausted. He could lie there forever. He didn't want to get up. His muscles ached. Dozens of Cruciatus Curses lost there effect as Harry threatened to loose consciousness.
He struggled to his feet. He couldn't quit now. Too much lay on the line.
Voldemort too looked a mess. He no longer smiled. His red eyes had lost their red glow and seemed now a dim shadow of their old selves. He was bad. Harry was worse.
Voldemort raised his wand again. Harry took a step back. His leg would no longer support his weight. His knees crumpled beneath him. It was all too much...
From a long way off, Harry heard Voldemort shout the words to a spell. Sweet oblivion engulfed him.
The pain vanished. Nothing hurt. The world seemed perfect.
Kill the girl... said a voice in his head.
Harry picked up his wand and prepared to obey.
No! Screamed the voice in his head. Stop! But it sounded weak, too weak to make much of an effort. No...
Harry obediently pointed his wand at the girl.
"No, Harry! I know this isn't you! You have to fight it! No!"
That voice. It sounded strangely familiar. Harry hesitated a second. You know her, the voice said, making a last, valiant effort. You know her! You can't kill her!
Kill the girl...
Harry raised his wand. The voice quieted. Nothing remained. Nothing...
"Avada Kedavra!"
A scream pierced the night.
~Flash~
He was back in McGonagall's room. Hermione had jerked her hand away. Her eyes were wide, staring at him. "It-It's you."
Harry jerked his cloak over his shoulder with a snarl. "Get away from me."
He left the room at a quick walk. Hermione followed him, right at his heals. "You're the person from the field that night! I remember! You told me to stay with Harry and make sure he was okay because you were going to get help! I remember but no one ever explain it to me!"
"Good for them," Harry said. He was walking quickly, trying to loose Hermione behind him, but at the same time not wanting to.
"You're from some alternate time, aren't you?" Hermione guessed.
"Excellent observation, Sherlock," Harry muttered. "Perhaps next time you can explain to me how to use a Muggle telephone."
"Did you grow up with Muggles?" Hermione asked, not catching Harry's sarcasm.
Harry stopped and turned to her, an incredulous expression on his face. "Just how much do you think my dimension differs from your own?"
Hermione shrugged. "Our Harry grew up with Muggles. He went to live with Sirius after that."
"And who," Harry said through gritted teeth. "Do you think brought Sirius back in the first place?"
"That was you!" Hermione said. "Sirius never told anyone, of course, but I figured it out without too much trouble."
"I grew up with Muggles!" Harry snapped. "The only difference between your Harry's battle with Voldemort and my battle with Voldemort is that your Harry had my help in his!"
"That's not true!" Hermione said. "I was there, remember?"
"You were just there both times," Harry said angrily. "Did not the exact thing happen in my version as your version? Who do you think distracted Voldemort long enough for your Harry to fight through the Imperious Curse?"
Harry could practically see the clocks working in Hermione's head.
"Yeah," Harry said. He started walking again. He didn't want Hermione to follow. It was painful just to look at her. Hermione hurried to keep up. Harry felt anger rising in him. What didn't she understand?
"Okay," Hermione said. She seemed to have lost some of her bluster. "You've answered my questions. Now I'll answer yours. What did you want to know?"
Harry stopped again, trying to push past his rising anger, and looked at her. "You'll actually answer them?"
Hermione shrugged. "Can't see the harm."
Harry shook his head. "Never mind. It wouldn't work." He couldn't stay in her presence. It couldn't possibly work. Not in a millioon year. He started walking again.
"Why not?" Hermione persisted.
Harry cracked. He stopped yet again, his expression furious. Hermione back away. "HAVEN'T YOU FIGURED IT OUT YET? YOU SAW EVERYTHING, DIDN'T YOU? YOU'RE DEAD! COMPLETELY AND TOTALLY DEAD! DEAD AS A DOORNAIL! DEAD AS...AS SOME OTHER DEAD THING! YOU THINK I CAN JUST SIT IN THE SAME ROOM AS YOU AFTER I KILLED YOU WITH MY OWN WAND?"
Hermione looked very taken aback. "I-I'm dead?"
Harry threw his hands up in complete annoyance and stalked away. Again, Hermione hurried to keep up. "I-I'm sorry," she stammered. "I guess it didn't register. I didn't know..."
"Well now you do," Harry said through gritted teeth. He looked around at the school. "And what month is it anyway? Aren't kids supposed to come to school?"
"It's summer," Hermione said.
"Whatever," Harry said. He turned sharply. "I hate this place," he muttered.
Hermione frowned. "But everyone likes Hogwarts."
"Not me," Harry said.
"My office is right up here," Hermione said. "I had just made tea when I went to talk to Minerva. Do you want to come in?"
He wanted to say no. He wanted to leave and never come back, never again be forced to see the face of the person he had betrayed, the person he had killed. His mind screamed to run, to tell her no, to yell at her until she went away, anything to stop those memories every time he saw her face...
"Okay," his voice said, working seperately from his mind. He couldn't believe he was doing this. He would crack, make an idiot of himself in front of her and she would never be able to look at him again. He didn't know whether that thought, or the thought of never seeing her again was more painful.
Hermione looked slightly more cheerful that he had accepted as she led him down the next hall and into her office. Harry sat silently, looking around the room as Hermione busied herself pouring tea.
"Milk?" she asked.
"No thanks."
"Sugar?"
"None."
Hermione looked at him quizzically as she placed his cup of pure tea in front of him. He nodded rather stiffly in thanks and took a drink.
Hermione sipped her tea and looked at him. "So ask," she said finally.
"About what?"
"About what you came here to ask."
Harry sighed. "Lupin mentioned something about Death Eaters."
Hermione nodded. "They're up to something. There have been attacks recently on people." Suddenly she shivered. "We have people inside, watching their movements, but still they act randomly. There's probably a lot of thought put into it, but by the time our spies find out about it, it's already been put into motion. I think Malfoy knows we've got spies so he's being particularly sneaky."
Harry nearly chocked on his tea. "Malfoy? I thought I beat him up and stole his memory!"
It was Hermione's turn to be surprised. "That was you? I suppose it must have been. But no, it's Draco, not Lucius we're worried about."
Harry shook his head, unsurprised. "That little rat's the one who sent me back in time in the first place with a spell in the back."
Hermione managed something of a forced smile.
"Wait a minute," Harry said. "Where is my other self in all this?"
The smile was gone in an instant. Hermione looked suddenly sad. "Living with Sirius. You don't get out much. The press would be on you in an instant if you did. Harry has...Harry has lost his will, I think. He wants someone else to worry about the Death Eaters so he can do something else. The problem is, he's the strongest we've got and he's about the only one with a chance to stand up to them."
Harry swore. "That stupid little git," he muttered. "Knew I shouldn't have done anything."
Hermione looked slightly amused. "He's had it hard, you understand."
"No, I don't!" Harry said forcefully. "I had it worse then him! He didn't have it half as tough as I had it!"
Hermione was slightly taken aback by his outburst. "I--I'm not sure what happened in your time."
Harry waved it away. "Not that interesting." He felt a pang, even as he said it, remembering his last encounter with his two remaining friends. "So where's Sirius in all this?"
Hermione shook her head sadly. "Doing the best he can. He's hinted that he wants Harry's help once in a while, but last time Harry blew up in his face when he asked, saying he'd already done his share and that all he wanted was to not worry about Death Eaters." Hermione sighed. "I just don't understand him anymore."
Harry was inwardly fuming though he tried not to show it on his face. What did the little prick think he was doing? He had never let something like this happen! He'd fought Death Eaters for the past ten years and there were so few left that even if the remaining Death Eaters gathered their full strength, the most they would be able to do was pick up trash on the side of the highway.
But could he honestly say that, given the choice, he would choose the life he had now over this one? That was a no-brainer he if he'd ever heard of one.
Harry cast his mind around. "What are the Death Eaters trying to accomplish, exactly?"
Hermione shook her head wearily. "No idea. Causing mayhem I suppose. For some reason, though, they're gathering something of a large force of supporters." She lowered her voice slightly. "Even the goblins are thinking of going over, though that's supposed to be classified."
Harry mind was spinning quickly around the information. The goblins? "Who else do they have?"
"The usual," Hermione said. "Giants, the few remaining dementors, some scared people who reckon they'll rival Voldemort." She gave a laugh but Harry didn't have to listen hard to hear it was forced. "We're just not sure what to do," Hermione admitted. "I mean, last time, we had Dumbledore. After he died, the whole Order would have been sunk in less than a year if Voldemort hadn't been defeated. Everyone's waiting on Harry to do something, but he won't! He's got it in him to be great, as good as Dumbledore if not better. I mean, look at you! No one's told me anything specific, but I've put a couple of things together. Unfortunately, this Harry doesn't seem quite as...dedicated."
Harry nodded, soaking it all in. He finished the last of his tea and absentmindedly swirled the dregs in his cup. Then he placed it upside down on his saucer.
He leaned back in his chair, thinking. "I suppose it's better," he said at last. "Mind you, I wouldn't have said the same thing last year around this time, but at least he didn't turn out like me."
Hermione seemed rather taken aback that he'd spoke so bluntly. "I don't think you're that bad."
Harry let out a bark of laughter. "I thank you for the compliment, but had you met me the last time I made this little trek, you might have thought rather differently. Still," he paused thoughtfully. "You would think I would do something..."
They were quite for a moment. Finally Hermione stood up and said, "More tea?"
Harry nodded without thinking and picked up his over turned cup. He snorted when he saw the symbol the tea leaves had made, rather close to the rim. It was, undeniably, a mountain. There was a large peak and a small peak and there was even the faintest line between the dregs that could have been the dividing line for snow at the top.
"What is it?" Hermione asked.
"Stupid thing," Harry said, shaking his head, "A mountain. Means a journey's coming."
"Or a hindrance," Hermione said vaguely. Harry looked at her, surprised. She smiled slightly. "Oh, I don't believe a word of it, but after an argument with the Divination professor, I realized that I didn't know enough to properly argue my points and learned a bit more. More than I meant to, actually."
"And what do you teach?" Harry asked, realizing he didn't know. A small smile flashed across Hermione's face. "Potions."
Harry nodded. At the end of his previous visit, Snape had died in the final battle for Hogwarts. "I see McGonagall's back at Transfiguration. Who's Headmaster?"
Hermione shook her head. "Oh, Minerva's Headmistress."
Harry blinked at her, showing a rare display of surprise. "Then why isn't she in the regular Headmaster's office?"
"It's rather odd, actually," Hermione said as she poured more tea into Harry's cup, a perplexed look on her face. "We can't get in there."
"Really?" Harry asked, taken aback.
"No," Hermione set the tea kettle back down. "We've tried everything. Someone took a dictionary down to the gargoyle and read off every word in the English language. Someone even tried Latin! But it's as if there's no password at all. We had someone fly up there on a broom. Couldn't even see through the window--much less get in! So we're stuck. We've no way to get in. We're reluctant to try spells in case we damage something. I mean, what if the gargoyle won't let us in because there's something dangerous up there? But Minerva has tried many different spells and nothing's worked." Hermione sighed deeply. "It's as if we're simply not allowed."
Harry frowned thoughtfully. He glanced at the clock and rose casually to his feet. "I really should be going now. I'll need to investigate the Death Eater activity you talked about. I suppose I don't need to tell you not to say anything about me to anyone. If someone asks, say I Disapparated in a huff."
"You can't Apparate or Disapparate on the Hogwarts grounds."
Harry grinned. "I can."
Hermione looked slightly suspicious before her expression cleared and she nodded. "My lips are sealed."
"Good," Harry said, nodding. "Because if you said anything, I'd have to kill you."
Hermione laughed before realizing that Harry was not laughing as well. "You- You're joking, right?"
Harry's expression did not change. "I'll see you when I see you." He waved his hand nonchalantly and disappeared.
He appeared seconds later in the same park he had appeared. It was as good a place as any to start. He had no where else to go.
"Harry!"
Harry heard the voice and cursed inwardly. Remus Lupin was calling for him. If he hadn't seen him yet...
"There you are!"
Too late.
"Yes, Professor?" Harry asked politely, mimicking his younger self.
Lupin looked at him in surprise for a moment before he seemed to accept that this was indeed not his Harry. "Doubtlessly went to Hogwarts when you left." Harry frowned. He had been far too predictable. "Why did you leave when I expressly told you to stay?"
"Because I'm not one of your students, Lupin," Harry said coldly. "And the sooner you realize that, the easier it's going to be for you."
Lupin frowned but didn't answer. Instead he yelled, "Sirius!"
Harry heard footsteps running and winced when he heard a crash that must have been a stumbled fall. Finally Sirius came limping into the clearing.
"So let me get this straight," Harry said, raising his eyebrows. "You two ran in circles looking for me, when I could have been at any place in the entire world?"
"Not any place," Lupin corrected. "There are not many places you can go in this time. I inferred earlier that you had been in the park by the looks of your robes and because there was one not too far from here. Where else could you go and not risk being seen?"
Harry did not let his annoyance at his own predictability show on his face. "It would appear that you've picked up a few new tricks in the last five years," Harry said, smirking, "Along with a few white hairs."
Sirius frowned. "Nope. Not our Harry."
"Excellent observation, Sherlock," Harry said sarcastically. "Soon you'll start smoking a pipe and watching opera."
Sirius scowled. "This is our great hope?"
"I shouldn't think so," Harry said airily. "Last time I checked, this time had its own Harry. But I suppose he's too stuck in his own world to help out. Typical."
"What does that mean?" Sirius asked in his usual godfather over protectiveness.
"So what," Harry asked suddenly. "Does he just sit and mope around all day? What does one do when one has nothing that needs done?"
"That's enough, Harry," Lupin said.
"Yes, Professor."
Lupin's eyes flashed. "This is no time for your games."
"On the contrary," Harry said, flexing his finger, suddenly the very edge of readiness. "I would say that this is the perfect time for my 'games'." His wand was in his hand. "Who's there?"
The figure made to scramble out of the way. Fallen leaves crunched underfoot as it made a mad dash for safety.
Harry didn't even have to say the name to the spell before his wand was twirled and the person was floating five feet about the ground. They were still trying to run, but their feet didn't go anywhere. A wand whipped into view and the next second, with an instant reaction from Harry, it was lying harmlessly at the figure's feet.
"Now tell me again," Harry said calmly to Sirius and Remus. "What it was you were saying about Death Eaters."
~
A/N: Tadda! Really long, like I said. Everyone rejoice. Are you rejoicing?
Gilthas: Yes.
Me: Good. Okay, responses to reviewers!!!!!!
~
black sheep: Oh well. *shrugs* They did it my way on Star Trek Voyager one time. I'll just copy that since it's too far to start over...
Stephen Li: I hope so too!!!! Glad you liked my other one! Yeah, I was thinking about the Ron and Hermione thing, but I didn't want to change Harry's world. Seemed like a lot of effort. *grins*
eruve tinwen: HAPPY DANCES ROCK! Everyone should do the happy dance. I'm crossing my fingers that I don't screw this one up, but I'm having trouble keeping Harry's personality on track. With all the resent changes in BTBT, I keep wanting to write him up as a stupid softy, but I can't! Oh well, hope this story's doing okay!
sara*magic: Funny you mention that, because, in trying to get Harry's personality spiffy, I made all the guests go home and Harry told them everything that had happened. Then I reread it, decided it was stupid, scraped it, and rewrote it. I'm glad that you think I have his personality decent, anyway. Hope I did the same in this chapter! It's rather hard getting into his head. Before it was, hates the world, cold and unfeeling, gradually discovering his humanity. *Has trouble breathing for a second* You think I could leave Sirius out of this? NO! Never! He's back and his coolness came with him. In all his Siriusy coolness factor. Maximum. Or something. :)
Darkmoon Fleur: Yeah, I've never really liked Ginny, but she's trying to help. She saw that the sympathy way wasn't working and tried a different tactic. But you also have to remember that it's been ten years since it happened and she doesn't know about Harry's most recent adventure. Oh well, she's out of there now so it doesn't matter...
Lil Miss Potter: Yay! You liked BTBT too! Happiness! I'm glad you like my stories. I like to write them though, in all honesty, sometimes I think I need to go back and rewrite them. Oh well. We'll just see what happens...
Rhinemjr: Yeah, Ron and Ginny are cool. Still, Harry's done such a good job of ensuring there was no way evil could get a grip in his dimension that I wasn't sure what kind of story could have been written in it. So I made him go back. Besides...Sirius is in that demension. :)
gaul1: Thanks!
Authoress: 50 reviews sounds great! I can't wait to read them all, though, if it was me, I'd run out of things to say in the third one and the rest would be about how crazy I think Swiss cheese it. I'm glad you liked it. I rewrote it three times so I hope it lives up to expectations!
mashimaromadness: Yeah, Harry's rather dramatic sometimes. Still, he just went back in time and fixed the world in his perfect picture of how it should be, then he left and knew that it didn't matter that he did because he'd never see that dimension again anyway. Now he has!!!
HiddenFlame42: Did you review BTBT? I'm trying to stay true to Harry's personality, so tell me if I screw it up!!!
Liz: TELL me about it. Stupid sequels. Like the Tomb Raider movie. Okay, so I thought the sequel was halfway decent, but it didn't do so well. Oh, and I made sure to ruin the original twice before finally doing it some justice in the third rewrite. Glad you like it! Oh, and 3003's finished. :)
annoying, reppetitive reviewer: Next chapter given. I feared the threat and acted accordingly. :)
Nexus3: Be proud. I was planning to post another chapter of 3003, but then I got your review and thought...well...it has been a while... So I posted this one instead. :)
~
A/N: And that's all. Not bad for only a chapter.
Gilthas: Not bad at all.
Me: Isn't that a quote from 'Independence Day' the movie?
Gilthas: *shifts uncomfortably* You know I don't watch your crazy human technology.
Me: *looks suspicious* Riiigghhttt... Anyway, I'm going to eat my buscuits now because buscuits taste good. Especially the Pillsbury Grands Biscuits because they're so big and yummy.
Gilthas:...You do that...