Harry knew his sudden re-emergence into the past was bound to have an impact, but he was surprised that it was already becoming noticeable to him. While it was difficult to remember the exact details of his third year, he was pretty sure he hadn't cuddled with Hermione after the dementor attack, and he didn't remember his scar bleeding either. Everything he did seemed to make little changes, and he had barely been back for an hour.

With the reality being that he could alter the timeline, Harry couldn't help but feel torn on a number of levels. A part of him wanted to just grab Hermione and leave Britain behind. He had already tried doing the right thing before, and all he got was a damaged reputation and some government sanctioned torture. But the rest of him knew that if he stood aside and did nothing, he could never live with himself. The faces of all those kids that had died resisting had long since been burned into his memory.

Did he have a right to do nothing when so many would suffer? Would his involvement end up putting them in more danger? Hermione's tortured screams in Malfoy Manor were something that would haunt him for the rest of his life. He couldn't handle causing more of his friends to suffer the same fate.

He ground his teeth together. No, if nothing else, he would deal with the Malfoy family. He refused to allow that aspect of history to ever repeat itself.

Something must have shown on his face because he felt Hermione tug on his hair. "What's bothering you Harry?"

It was just the two of them now. Everyone else had left to give them some privacy once it was clear that Harry's head wasn't moving from Hermione's lap. Yet another change from before, even if it was a minor one.

"I'm thinking of all the mistakes that I've made in my life, and all the times that you've wound up hurt because of them. Each year I try so hard to be normal that I forget how dangerous my life really is." He sighed, his short-sightedness in his old life had been not only extremely reckless, but had turned him into a liability during the war. He would never have survived as long as he did if it wasn't for Hermione.

"This year is different. I can't afford to play with our lives like that anymore. I'm dropping Divination and I'm going to start self-studying DADA. I doubt they'd let me hire a private instructor, but I can still learn more then what they cover in the classroom… I should probably join you in Ancient Runes too. I can't really ignore the benefits of learning wards and curse-breaking, and I need a second elective anyway. I know that's a lot more than I'm used to, but if I drop quidditch, I think I can manage it."

"But you love quidditch! I'm glad you want to take your studies more seriously, but I'm concerned it's for the wrong reasons. Harry-"

"No! You almost died last year Hermione! You are my best friend, and I need to keep you safe. Taking my education seriously is the best way for me to do that. Besides, I love flying, not quidditch."

She worried her lip, "Fine, I won't argue with you on this Harry. But I think you should hold off on leaving the team until you've at least given it a chance. Besides, we're doing this together, and I'm perfectly willing to help tutor you. You keep saying that you have to keep me safe, but we keep each other safe, remember? We always have, and that's not about to stop now… And, I thought Ron was your best friend?"

He grunted, more than a little displeased at the thought. He didn't hate Ron, but he stopped trusting him after that mess during the hunt for horcruxes. It made him look at things a lot more critically. How many times has his jealousy and anger got in the way over the years? How many times has he abandoned us? "When I first met Ron, I was so desperate to have a connection with someone that I jumped at the first opportunity. But I don't think he really understands me, and I doubt he ever will. I'm not saying that I'm not his friend, but it just never felt as comfortable as it does with you. Why, do you mind being my best friend?"

She pinched him, "Of course not you cheeky prat. We'll talk to Professor McGonagall tonight, after the feast."

o-O-o

Their encounter with Professor McGonagall came much sooner than they expected. As soon as they got off the train, Hagrid started handing out portkeys that would take the students directly into the castle. Apparently, the risk of dementor exposure was deemed too great after their impromptu boarding of the express earlier.

Harry felt the familiar tug on his navel and quickly bent his knees so he wouldn't fall over when he landed. Unfortunately, he forgot that Hermione hadn't used a portkey before, and she was swaying all over the place. He grabbed her arm before she could tip over and pulled her into his side. "Lean into me. The dizziness should pass soon, but you almost fell over."

"Thanks Harry," she muttered softly, a blush already darkening her cheeks.

"Mr. Potter, Miss Granger, come with me please!" Professor McGonagall said before she started moving down the hall. "There's no need to look so worried, I'm just taking you to the infirmary. Professor Lupin sent an owl ahead to say that you had taken ill on the train, Potter."

Harry made no move to follow and gently pulled Hermione back when she tried go. "Hold on Professor, Hermione hasn't used a portkey before. She needs a moment to steady herself or she'll fall right over. And what do you mean about taking ill? I wasn't puking up liquorice wands, I was attacked by dementors! Where are the aurors? I would have expected law enforcement to get involved as soon as we arrived. Have they even been contacted yet?"

"That is quite enough Mr. Potter! I know that this is a serious matter, I was merely trying to be delicate. A report will be filed with the DMLE as soon as Madam Pomfrey checks you over, and I will forward complaint along as well. I didn't think we needed aurors here if I was already sending the relevant paperwork. As horrid as it sounds, the dementors are here on behalf of the ministry, their presence was expected. Now, are you satisfied young man?"

"No, not at all! A complaint? I was almost murdered tonight; I believe that is serious enough to warrant an interview with the DMLE. If it wasn't for Professor Lupin, I would be dead right now. At the very least, this is still a matter that needs to be investigated. The dementors should not have been able to board the express without a direct order from the ministry, and I doubt they would have done that without an auror presence. As soon as you realized they were gone you should have contacted the DMLE to contain the situation." He knew that he was overreacting, he could have easily just sent an owl to the ministry and been done with it. But all he could think about was how this went nowhere in his old life. It was never mentioned in the papers, the aurors never spoke with him, and the dementors were never dealt with. He whipped out his wand and silently summoned a patronus. "Tonks, it's Harry. I need you to grab your boss and come over to Hogwarts, quickly. Dementors boarded the express and there were some students that got attacked. Madam Pomfrey is still checking over everyone, but I think the whole train got at least some minor exposure."

Prongs sped off through a wall and he looked back over at Hermione. It was only then that he realized he may have messed up. Hermione's mouth was hanging open and she was staring at him wide-eyed. Professor McGonagall looked frozen stiff. Hermione was the first to break out of it, furrowing her brows and her mouth slipping into an annoyed pout. "That was silent casting Harry, and you never thought that was worth mentioning to me? Not once during the entire train ride? What happened to us being a team? And what kind of magic did you cast anyway, that looked like you were sending some kind of message, but I've never heard of a communication spell before… And just who the bloody hell is Tonks?!"

He felt his cheeks go scarlet, "I can explain-"

"Mr. Potter! I have tolerated your backtalk because you are injured and stressed, but I have reached my limit! I am merely trying to ensure that you receive medical attention, the investigations could have been handled after you were seen to. Another outburst like that, and you'll be in detention for a week! That being said, I must admit that you accomplished some impressive spellwork there. Silent casting for a NEWT level charm, that's unheard of at your age. You can take 10 points for your skill, and I expect to see you bring that level of polish to your schoolwork from now on."

Hermione let out a squeak, "NEWT-Level?!" She eyed him for a moment before her face brightened and she broke into a grin. "It's seems we'll have a lot to talk about during that discussion you promised me. Oh, and I fully expect you to teach me that charm!" With a light pinch she added, "Now, you are seeing Madam Pomfrey whether you like it or not. You collapsed; I don't think you can solve that with a bit of chocolate. I agree that the aurors should be contacted, but my biggest concern right now is your health… And don't think I forgot about this mysterious Tonks."

McGonagall let out a sigh, "Come now children, we best get back to the Great Hall. I'll have madam Pomfrey meet us there instead. I have a feeling that Mr. Potter's message will have every auror on duty rushing to get to the school. While this wasn't my preferred method, maybe this incident will get them to pull those wretched creatures from the school."

i {o,o}
i /) ')
i -"-"-

AN: So, I'd like to point out the McG used that exact line about "taking ill" in the books, I just tried to give Harry a bit more heavy of a response then the original "I'm fine." I mean, if Lupin hadn't shown up there would be seven legally dead vegetables. Also, they never portkeyed into the castle during POA, but I thought it made more sense based on the level of danger. Same with having McG writing a complaint to the aurors, it wasn't mentioned but I took a leap that it would have happened.