Title: Retrograde

Author: Knife Hand

Feedback: Constructive feedback appreciated, flames unappreciated

Spoilers: Nothing Specific, general for first few books.

Rating: M

Disclaimer: I do not own Hermione, or Luna, or Ginny, or Cho, or... I would buy them all but I am broke.

Summary: Harry's trial before fifth year goes differently because someone knows more than they should about Harry. Time Travel Fic.

A/N: Just some clarification on the Timeline of this fic, because a lot of people seem to be unable to do maths and think Harry is in the same year as his Parents. Harry Potter, as William Tenor, is attending his fifth year in 1965/1966. James and Lily begin their First Year in September 1971. Even if Harry finished up to Seventh Year in the past, he still finishes in the 1997/1968 Year, a full 3 years before James and Lily start as First Years.

A/N2: There have been some comments about Amelia being 'Out of Character' in the last chapter (and not Hufflepuff) as she was angry at Harry being around when they were 'firm friends' after the train. Firstly, there is a big difference between being friends after a few hours and choosing to live together. Secondly, Amelia was not a Solo because there were odd numbers in Hufflepuff, she was a Solo because she chose to be (a valid choice in Hufflepuff). Finally, Amelia is not really angry at Harry, she is angry because she was no consulted about Harry being in her apartment and was not consulted about being paired with Harry in Runes. Amelia likes being in control of her life and she feels that since Harry showed up she was losing that control, until she started teaching him. Also, Hufflepuffs can be petty and irrational, just look at Harry's Second Year with the Chamber incident.

Amelia and Harry were sitting across from each other on the two single lounge seats reading. October was coming to an end and Harry had never been doing better in his classes, partly due to him deciding not to join the Quidditch Team and partly as he did not have Ron to distract him but mostly because he had Amelia to push him in his studying, the way Hermione had tried but failed to do as he had never let her.

Over the two months Harry and Amelia had become more comfortable with each other, and while there were still long stretches of silence in the apartment it had gone from being a chilly silence to a more comfortable silence. Harry had discovered that while Amelia had a volatile temper, quick to flair and quick to subside, she also had a wicked, if subtle, sense of humour. They also shared a distinct dislike of watching Quidditch. Oh Harry still loved to play, though he had forgone that this year in order to study, he had never enjoyed watching the game. Ok, he had enjoyed the Quidditch World Cup he had gone to with Hermione and the Weasleys, but that had been for the hype and spectacle, much like how many people who don't like sports watch the Olympics or Rugby Union World Cup as they only happen every four years.

Harry was even catching up quite well on the Ancient Runes curriculum thanks to Amelia's tuition, and the fact that nothing distracting and life threatening had come up. According to Professor Pentergast, Harry would be taking the test that was given in the end of Third Year in the next week or so. And he was currently ranking fifth in his other classes overall, and second in Defence. Amelia was fourth overall and top of the year at Runes.

It was a Saturday evening, and the day before Halloween, and they had finished their four hour Runes tutoring session, so they were reading some of Harry's novels he had bought in one of his forays into Muggle London. It seemed Amelia had developed quite a healthy interest in Science Fiction Novels. Harry was reading 'Starship Troopers' by Robert A. Heinlein, which at this point had been published six years before in 1959; while Amelia was reading 'A Princess of Mars', the first book in the 'John Carter of Mars' series, by Edgar Rice Burrows, a classic even in 1965, having been published in 1912.

Amelia reached the end of a chapter and placed a bookmark in the book before closing it and looking up at Harry. He noticed and finished the paragraph he was reading before closing the book, marking his place with a finger.

"You got any plans for tomorrow?" Amelia asked. "I heard the staff are putting on some interesting activities throughout the day."

"I don't much like Halloween, Lia." Harry replied a bit hesitantly, still used to everyone being familiar with the story. "My parents died on Halloween."

"Oh Harry, I'm so sorry." Amelia said in shock.

"It's fine. I'm just going to stay in." Harry replied.

"I could stay with you?" Amelia offered.

"No." Harry replied. "I think I would prefer to be alone."

It would be kind of awkward if she did stay, hell he was confused himself as he was mourning the death of his parents who were not only alive at this time, but were five years old and had never met each other. Amelia watched him for a moment before nodding slightly. As Harry re-opened his book, Amelia stood and stretched before heading for the bathroom at the rear of the apartment.

Harry jumped out of bed as excited as any other child on Christmas morning (or the relevant religious holiday for non-Christians), but it was not Christmas morning. Christmas had passed, almost unremarked even by Harry's usual conservative standards. Before he would get some chocolate from Ron; a book or a practical present from Hermione and a knitted sweater from Mrs Weasley, with perhaps one or two other small presents from either Neville or his Quidditch team mates.

This year, given the circumstances, he had not expected any presents at all, but he had received one. Naturally it was from Amelia, being the only person who knew more than his face in passing or as a random student in a class, but the surprise was the present itself, though on second thought it should not have been a surprise. The present was a Science Fiction book that had only been released a few months earlier, the surprise was Amelia Bones going into Muggle London to purchase it. The book was called 'Dune' by Frank Herbert.

The reason Harry was so excited was today was the day the Hogwarts Express returned the students who had left for Christmas Break to the school, or more importantly returned Amelia Bones to the school. Harry had been surprised at how much he had missed Amelia over the break. He was used to spending Christmas break alone at Hogwarts, except for his First Year when Ron had stayed with him and Fourth Year where almost everyone had stayed for the Tournament's Yule Ball, but this year was different. There had been something missing and he had not recognised it until he had seen Amelia's name on the Christmas present. He missed her, in a way that he had never missed Ron or Hermione.

Harry restlessly paced around the apartment until the time the train was due back and then made his way down to the entrance hall, where he again began to pace. The four other students who had stayed had also come down to greet their returning friends. Harry saw a slightly annoyed Amelia approaching with her elder brother next to her, so he decided to mess with her.

"Lia!" Harry called out in childlike delight and moved in for a hug.

Harry actually managed to surprise Amelia and sweep her into the hug. Lifting her off her feet he did a single twirl with her and set her back down before giving her a peck on the cheek before disengaging. Disengaging in the military sense, because as soon as he was out of her grasp range he turned and took off like a jackrabbit. Amelia stood shocked for a second, her hand drifting by itself to her cheek, before her face turned red and her expression angry.

"HARRY!" she screamed and took off after him.

Edgar Bones simply shook his head as his sister and her friend ran through the school.

"That boy is either in love or has a death wish." Edgar mused before moving into the Great Hall to get something to eat.

TBC…

A/N: Yes, I am a big Science Fiction nut and have red all three of the indicated books (which did come out in the indicated years).