Chapter 4 Summer's End

Being at Hogwarts with no school in session, was strange to say the least. It was quite lonely, with no other kids in school. 'It's probably going to be really weird, getting to know someone and then finding out they are your friend's parent.' Harry thought idly as he flipped through a book in the library. He kept trying to research time travel, but his mind always seemed to wander. He was in a constant war with himself. Part of him wanted to go back as soon as possible and see Ron, Hermione, Remus, and…Ginny. Ginny was the real driving force that kept him going back to the library even though he was supposed to be on summer break. At the same time he wanted to stay. He wanted to meet his parents. He wanted to see teenage Remus. Most of all, he wanted to see Sirius. He missed him so much and he knew it was his fault that he was gone. Maybe, he could warn them about Wormtail… No! He knew he couldn't give anything away about his identity or the future. Still, it was so tempting.

Although Harry wasn't having any luck in the time-travel department, he had found several other useful things. He had spent a good portion of the last few days working on his battle skills. He had a knack for it, which he figured was necessary if he was expected to kill Voldemort. His reflexes were quite good. Being Dudley's and sometimes Uncle Vernon's punching bag had been good for something. He was also working on silent spells. Not having to say the spells out loud gave him the element of surprise. He was getting better, but it only worked about two-thirds of the time.

Harry also was spending more time exercising. He was in pretty decent shape already. Chores outside at the Dursley's had done him a world of good. He was still rather thin though, from mourning Sirius. Giving up on his research, Harry went outside for a run to clear his mind.

School would be starting in a couple of days. Harry had his supplies and uniforms. He was even starting to grow used to his new appearance and name. Harry sped up as he thought 'I've never been so nervous for school before. I hope my parents like me. I hope I get a chance to really get to know them…'

His thoughts continued on and on about his meeting with the marauders and his mum. He stopped his run and went to shower. He went down to the Great Hall for dinner and sat down alone at the Gryffindor table.

Harry would admit it. Things were just plain awkward at meal times. Here he was, the only student, in a room with only professors. He was amused to find that the teachers did seem to lighten up a bit when they thought he wasn't around. Professor McGonagall had even actually worn her hair down once. Most of the professors were not always at Hogwarts. Instead they went home to their families. Harry had never even thought of his professors being married. He had to suppress a snort at the thought of anyone marrying Snape.

The current potions professor was Professor Slughorn. He seemed nice enough, even though he did have a nasty habit of name-dropping. After thoroughly grilling "Evan" on his relatives and finding him to be absolutely normal, he had left him alone for the most part.

Professor Dumbledore, who had just walked up to him, interrupted Harry's thoughts. "Mr. Jameson, could you please come with me," he said solemnly.

Harry complied and he was led up to Dumbledore's familiar office. "Sir, what did you need to see me about?" he questioned.

Dumbledore stared at him and slowly began to speak. "A small group of people in the Order and I have been researching your trip, as I know you have been. Unfortunately, we have reached a dead end. We are unaware of how to get you home at this point in time. Do you know what spell was about to be cast on you when the death eater was stunned?"

"Well, I assume it was some sort of pain curse. The cruciatous is a favorite of hers," Harry answered.

"Hers? I was not aware of any female death eaters. I thought Tom to be too sexist to employ them to do his work."

"Oh um well," Harry shifted uncomfortably in his seat but figured telling one little identity could not harm the future. "It was Bellatrix Lestrange, sir."

"Ah, I should have guessed. Lestrange you say? I suppose in the future she has married him then. She always was a touch power hungry," Dumbledore paused as he realized he was getting off topic. "Well, thank you for the information, Evan. We will research more into the cruciatous curse. I hope you are prepared for the start of term. You are of course excused from the summer assignments, since I am assuming that you did yours before your trip and I don't see why you should be punished by having to do a whole new set of work in a few days."

"Thank you, Professor," and with that Harry left the office. He wandered back over to Gryffindor tower, pondering the upcoming meeting with his parents.