Previously: Upon awakening in the Hospital with no knowledge on how he got there Harry learns of what became of him. Realizing he was in the wizarding world Harry resolves himself to prevent his past from happening in the future. As he does so he journeys to Gringotts and begins to realize that something is amiss.

Relationships update: Harry/Hermione/Ginny (for sure)

Possible Romances:

N. Tonks

Fleur D.

Gabri D.

D. Greengrass

A. Greengrass

Susan Bones

Luna Lovegood (maybe, if I can do it justice)

Katie Bell

Here's the next chapter, it's a bit of filler but it has importance in the fine details. Have fun. Already starting the next Chapter and looking at the latter ones, they're gonna need a lot of rewriting. Not looking forward to that.

xXxXx

Book I :: Chapter 4 :: Encounters and Reunions

Harry walked out of Gringotts in high spirits which was odd considering he walked out of Gringotts Bank. They were famous after all for their spectacular customer service.

Despite this, Harry did come walking out with a bit more of confidence in his step. The first reason as to why was that he had learned a great deal from his parent's will which was now residing inside the left-hand pocket in his over-sized jeans. Sure, it was informative, but it also had sentimental value. It was the first thing he acquired that held a strong connection to his family.

The second was the entertaining show that he got to experience on his way to and from his vault. The sight of Professor Mcgonagall holding on for dear life and letting out an occasional scream during the more robust turns within the goblin's underground mine cart transit system was still leaving stitches in his sides. Harry on the other hand had fun watching her as adrenaline flooded his system with endorphins and took the ride with his hands flailing freely. It was a rush but more than anything it was freeing, invigorating for him.

With gold in hand and Mcgonagall requesting leave to settle down at the Leaky Cauldron, Harry waved her goodbye since he was sure he'd be fine on his own. In her defense he did accidentally speed up the cart by mistake with accidental magic so couldn't fault her for being too motion sick to continue. The Goblins while irritated at his use of magic said nothing about it since it did speed up his business. Time was worth every Galleon after all.

Walking down the alley Harry let the colors and magic filter through him. Everything was new, familiar, and amazing. With every moment something new flashed past him and ignited his imagination as to the potential applications that sight held. Every moment was filled with blistering life and Harry was loving every second of it. Looking down at the list of school requirements Harry quickly went about gathering all the necessities.

Three sets of plain black robes, a pointed hat (also black), protective gloves, and winter coat from Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions. A massive assortment of potion ingredients as well as a few off the shelf unofficial concoctions. He also acquired a potion cauldron, mortar and pestle, a complete potions 32 knife and utensils set from an assortment of stores including Mr Mulpepper's Apothecary. Everything he got was also silver coated to bring about the best out of every potion crafted. Harry even found an expensive maintenance kit which even supplied the means to reply the silver coating should it begin to fade was well as instructional guide to cleaning Master level equipment.

Along the same line of thinking Harry purchased a 77 box-set of silver glass crystal phials a telescope which he would later replace with a more modern day one, and brass scales which also would be replaced once Harry had access to a better measuring tool, along with a fully establish albeit hand me down rune crafting set.

His reasoning for going overboard on the potion supplies was simply logical. Most of his knowledge was combat oriented. Everything he knew strongly was focused and learned via combat. His experience in spell use found in combat, any history he knew was usually to further combat survival and potion making was essential. When on the run and in a world where the local store as across the lake or father, you needed to know how to fend for yourself and that meant you knew potions or died. Runes could be used to prevent harm sure, but potions were essential, and Harry had plenty of practice and practical work in that field. It would also make earning cash easier if he made some of the potions that had yet to be invented.

The most expensive purchase was his trunk. Inspired by his own experience and having the excuse of having seen Newt's Scamanders Trunk, Harry had bought his own expanded trunk. Rare and few in number, the purchase was not small by any means nor easy to weasel out of the shop keeper.

While internally smaller then Newt's own trunk, Harry's was still large enough to be considered a reasonably sized cottage home. It was internally about 750 square feet in size. Nowhere near the scale of his old suitcase but then again, that one hadn't been made yet. Something he'd tackle before his departure for school.

After he had done that Harry went to collect his books and, in the process, bought a few more books then he was required to get. He now had almost every school book given to students up to their fifth year and then some. Harry essentially bought himself a miniature library for his education and it wasn't a purchase he really regretted making even if they turned out to be useless. While not the smartest purchase Harry had a gut feeling it would come in handy to have a private library, lab, and bedroom at Hogwarts. Plus, if the books where hippogriff dung, at least he would not be caught with his pants down ahead of time. Instead of blindly trusting he'd simply make his own corrections from experience and research which was true or not.

Making his way to the end of his list Harry looked for the store that would grant him his second to last item on his list, his wand. Spotting a store that sold them Harry made his way inside.

Ollivanders didn't exactly stand out, but when you could read peoples thoughts in passing without realizing it you tended to pick up few things, such as its reputation and location along with a headache half way there. First chance he got Harry was going to invest in a pallet of Ibuprofen.

One blonde haired girl sounded positively giddy in her thoughts as Harry heard her as she left the store. A sharp contrast when compared to her cold steel blue cold eyes and white ethereal blonde hair. Her feature caught his attention due to the contrast in her thoughts. The girl looked like a porcelain doll, cold, unemotional. Yet the way she walked showed the actions of a shy girl and her thoughts spoke volumes of joy she held inside herself behind her mask of makeup and ball chilling glares.

Stepping aside and as passively as possible Harry avoided contact as he made room for the family of two to pass him. The send of chestnuts and strawberry's assaulted Harry's nostrils as they left. The smell brought to mind a pair he spotted at the ice cream shop further down. He wondered if they were related as he took in the sight of the store brimming with wands.

The store looked slightly musty and had a sign that declared it to be just as old as it looked.

Ollivanders: Makers of Fine Wands since 382 B.C.

Within the widow several wands where on display and one was even poised on a purple pillow for all to see. It seemed like a pointless endeavor poising it like so since the dusty window made the glass slightly hard to see through let alone possible to identify what lay beyond it at a glance.

Even so getting his wand was the most exciting and anticipated part of the trip and no creepy shop was going to hinder Harry's quest. Besides compared to a basilisk this shop, creepy as it was, was tame in comparison. Besides beyond this shop was the last stop he wished to journey to.

After this shop resided the most important partner he couldn't live without. His trusty white owl that meant so much to him. The closest friend that haunted Harry's dreams as he thought of Ginny and Hermione. Hedwig.

She was always there, lingering in the background of his thoughts. His magic sang as it neared her presence and the wash of joy he felt when he first spotted her at a glance screamed to him. But first he needed to gather his wand.

Still even as he had read the minds of those who had already entered the story none of their thoughts could have prepared Harry for what he felt.

The moment he entered the store it felt like every magic in the story. Every enchantment and every wand that filled the shelves seemed to descend in mass to the floor upon him as if bowing to his arrival, pressing in on him. It had been the oddest feeling by far for Harry to date. The sensation was almost teething with each passing second and it was starting to hurt.

With a growl Harry guttered out a single shout. "STOP!" and like that the sensation halted posthaste. Looking up Harry could still feel the magics pulling on him all vying for his attention. Harry could feel how pushy a lot of them where and resolved to avoid those wands as much as possible.

"Good afternoon." a soft voice spoke to him. Harry practically jumped in response and turned to get a look at the new presence. Before Harry spoke the man seemed to gain some form of realization and continued without his acknowledgment. "Ah yes, I've been expecting you, Mr. Potter."

Moving through the store he collect a few boxes from the shelves as he spoke without direction. "You have your mother's eyes. Ah, it feels like it was only yesterday she was buying her own wand. 10 and a 1/4 inches long, swishy, made of willow. Excellent for charms work. Your fathers on the other hand seemed to favor Transfiguration and a was a bit more powerful. Mahogany, eleven inches."

Pulling out a wand he handed it to Harry, "Try this" he encouraged him.

Grasping it Harry felt to eager pull of the wand and immediately put it down. Ollivander looked impressed and puzzled at the same time. Pulling out another wand he handed it to Harry.

The moment Harry grabbed it is vibrated eagerly before submitting itself to Harry's will. This too Harry put down. Ollivander smiled eagerly, his hand half way to ripping the wand from his hands yet too slow to reach it before Harry placed it down. "Most curious."

For what seemed to be an ongoing experiment, wand after wand Harry rejected them as none seemed to match and agree with him. Each wand felt like it either wished to serve him or feast off of him. A few odd ones seemed to even die upon contact with his magic. Ollivander seemed to be having the time of his life were as Harry was becoming bored. While the magic flowing through the wands was responsive, it felt dead and almost sluggish to his touch.

Ollivander continued talking to himself as he informed Harry about the unique properties of wandlore in passing. From how each wood reacted and was important to the wand and its relationship with the wand core. At last Ollivander brought forth a wand that as he described it was as an "unusual combination".

"Holly and phoenix feather, eleven inches, nice and supple."

Grabbing it Harry instantly felt a warm sensation in his arm as an accord was made between the magic in the wand and the magic of his core. Harry all but ignored the shouts of jubilation from Olivander as golden sparks rose out form the wand.

"This one's not right either." Harry said causing Ollivander to turn in confusion. By all rights the wand was the correct type, perfect for the boy to Ollivander's eyes.

"And what makes you say that?" he asked with an air of curiosity.

Placing it down Harry replied, "It felt more like an agreement to work together rather than feeling like a lifelong partner. Like the wand has a wish to achieve and joined with me as a willing partner till the time comes that its wish is full-filled."

"Curious... most curious. That could explain a great deal." Olivander muttered.

"It does sir?" Harry asked.

"Yes, since it is most curious that the brother of that wand – "he declared as he pointed to Harry's forehead, "– gave you that scar."

Stepping back Harry looked at the wand from a distance. "Sir if possible, I will purchase this wand and come back at a later date."

"Oh, and why is that Mr. Potter." the old man asked inquisitively, positively glowing with excitement.

"When I walked in here, every wand felt like it submitted to me. None felt like... I don't know, a partner. I don't think my wand has been made yet sir. I think."

"Curious," was all Ollivander stated in response. There was an intrigued smile on his face. Rapping the Holly wand in its box and packaging it for Harry he continued to mutter that same word over in over again. Upon handing it to Harry he kept a firm grip on it as he looked into his emerald green eyes.

"I remember every wand I've ever made Mr. Potter. And to this day I have never had a customer leave displeased with their wand. However never have I had a customer who could sense the magics of their wand or others. Return next year and we shall find you your wand Mr. Potter."

Nodding Harry left having not needed to leave a knut behind. The man would accept not pay until his pride was restored and Harry a pleased costumer. As he left Ollivander shouted.

"The wand chooses the wizard Mr. Potter. While that one has chosen you, I look forward to a wand Fate dictates to be yours, an equal."

Harry too tempted to not investigate why he would say that dropped his mental barriers and focused on Ollivander, allowing his thoughts to flood his own.

"The wands submitted to him, hmmm. Harry Potter. To have such a strong connection to magic as that and to feel it. It is very likely... yes. His wand hasn't been made yet, he says. Well then... What will you do now my old friend?"

Harry re-applied his occlumency barriers while rubbing his head. The range of thoughts he was pulling in was too much for Harry even while focusing on one individual. The last thing he needed was a migraine let alone the thoughts of hundreds of witches and wizards in his head.

Leaving the creepy man who Harry was certain could read his mind or something, crossed the street to find his last article. With a smile Harry entered Eeylops Owl Emporium and walked straight up to a beautiful snow-white owl.

"Hey beautiful." Harry said as the owl chirped pleasantly in response. As he stared, he smiled happily. "Welcome back Hedwig." he thought to himself.

The remainder of the month proceeded smoothly all things considered. Mcgonagall had stopped by several times to check up on him while he resided within the Leaky Cauldron, incognito of course. Most of his time was spent refreshing and comparing the magic in his memories to the magic described by his text books. The discrepancies between the two were numerous.

Hell, if Harry didn't know any better, he would have guessed that the wizards themselves where trying to make themselves weaker. Many descriptions in charms made the spells to be simpler than they really were. The result being nothing or simple failure on the casters part.

Transfiguration made no mention of focusing on a solid image beforehand and think through how the transformation should be carried out. This would make transfiguration a much more complicated task then it should have been.

The worst of all was Potions. A great many of the instructions where just plain right false and counterproductive. Harry's experience with making potions in the future demanded they be made quickly and of the highest quality with the lowest of quantity ingredients.

To put it bluntly Harry could make a better potion, with half the ingredients, in half the time, at a quarter the cost using his own knowledge then by following the textbook's methods. This wasn't about his ego, it was simple fact.

This fact was vexing to such a degree that Harry felt compelled to correct and write down everything he knew into his potions book. This habit quickly spilled over into his other subjects. It was while doing this that he started wondering about writing his own book.

Half the time he was reading Harry found it eased his frustrations to work on his expanded trunk. Unfortunately, this meant that Harry did a little too much work on the already magical luggage. The trunk was now practically an Indian Jones approved bomb shelter. Unplotable charmed runic lining, full molecular binding rune array that functioned when closed, a magic recognition enchantment array. The trunk which was expensive when he bought it was now priceless in contrast to anything else. Half way into the month of August Harry had to shelter his trunk away lest his constant need for stress relief turned it into something else.

It was after doing so he redirected his attention towards the mind magics he possessed. Thinking in regards to his vast skill in occlumency and legilimency Harry decided to make his own text regarding the art upon realizing how few comprehensive books there were on the subject. In fact, he could probably do the same for explaining and teaching about parseltongue, the language of snakes, and parselmouth, the skill to speak their language. Being both he could explain a great deal about it as well as the mythos regarding snakes and serpents in general and their true nature.

It was then that Harry realized that aside from basic skills and spells he carried a vast knowledge that was either ignored, unknown, or was vastly misunderstood within him. Deciding to write about all that he knew would be too time consuming, so he voted to writing one book at a time, at least for now. At least until he felt like writing more. The first he decided to write was about parseltongue and parselmouth's. Making use of several sheets of parchment Harry spent most of his days writing out a manuscript for his work. The task quickly became his go to form of stress relief.

When he wasn't writing he was mostly reading and practicing potions since he couldn't cast magic Properly. Strangely enough his magic was acted strangely the first time he tried casting a simply spell.

Subconsciously Harry realized that his magic was highly volatile and disturbed. So instead of practicing there, Harry decided to figure out why once his magic was acting unruly after he reached the safety of Hogwarts.

Merlin, he wanted to go already and yet the days never seemed to past fast enough. But now, at the end of the month, the day had arrived. Harry sat at his desk writing, his trunk packed, and all was ready for him to leave. The only problem being he had to wait for the scheduled time.

Landing on his shoulder Hedwig nipped at his ear in greeting drawing his attention back to reality and away from his writing.

"Heya girl." Harry said greeted her, brushing her feathers affectionately. "Tell me, should I sent you ahead of me to Hogwarts and bring your cage or do you want to come with me on the train?"

Harry understood Hedwig was a loyal and free spirit. She didn't like being stuck in a cage all the time and so he left her free whenever he could. The result ended up with him leaving it up to her to decide how she spent her time. Swooping over to the cage Hedwig landed inside and hooted excitedly. Smiling Harry closed her cage and thanked her. Having a friend with you when traveling was always better than going alone.

He knew she was joining him because he would feel lonely without her, a fact he appreciated greatly. In the month that passed she had become his closest companion and most helpful assistant. Even catching all the rats that scurried around the Cauldron.

Looking at the time Harry nodded. He couldn't wait any longer. If he had to wait, he'd wait at Kings Cross if not on the Express itself. Looking down at his ticket for the thousandth time Harry read it eagerly.

Platform 9¾, Kings Cross Station.

Made as much sense as anything really. Grabbing his things, he contemplated how he was going to find it but stopped pondering when the answer appeared to be waiting for him.

"Professor Mcgonagall, I wasn't expecting to see you until later today." Harry said.

The Professor was wearing her official garment that she wore as a Professor. A greeenish black silk Robe and wizarding pointy tip hat which she wore slightly to one side. Smiling at Harry she gestured for him to join her.

"Good morning Mr. Potter, I was expecting you a little bit later, but I expected this. Your mother was equally eager on her first day as well."

"You brought my mother to Hogwarts?" Harry asked, accepting a glass of water that was placed in front of him by Tom the barkeep.

"No, not exactly." Mcgonagall answered sipping her coffee. "Like I am going to do with you I guided her towards the Hogwarts express. Normally I don't do this but every so often we have a late coming who barely makes the deadline and isn't told how to find the platform. I am assuming you haven't been told how to find the station, correct."

Harry nodded. "Then if you would allow it, I shall guide you towards the platform so you may begin your learning experience." Mcgonagall preened. Harry smiled grew as he nodded is response.

Mimicking her as she stood up Harry followed suite. As eager as he was to go the feeling of dread upon seeing the Knight Bus as it popped into existence in front of them quickly turned his feelings inside out. Needing the distraction and feeling almost compelled to ask Harry let loose the question that had been on his mind.

"You don't do this normally do you professor? Taking students to the platform."

Mcgonagall paused for a moment before she answered. "Think of it as trying to make amends for leaving you with those monsters for all those years ago. If not that then think of it as an old lady trying to prevent the offspring of Hogwarts most notorious prankster from making her life any more hectic by earning his favor."

Grinning back Harry retorted, "You're not that old, Lady Mcgonagall."

Smiling at him she nodded once. "Thank you for that notion, Mr. Potter."

Stepping on the bus Harry asked one more question. "Professor, you're the head of Gryffindor house. Does that mean if I'm sorted into another house, we won't be able to talk like this?"

Mcgonagall looked at the boy carefully before she replied. A look of compounding emotions fluttered behind her eyes and within her thoughts. "I think should you keep up with your classes we can arrange something. While it would be a shame for my house to lose you Harry, I believe you would be a boon wherever you find yourself. Certainly, there shouldn't be any reason to prevent such private confidence to be sure."

Harry nodded but couldn't help but grin like a mad man. Despite her outwardly appearance, Mcgonagall felt just like a stern and likable grandmother to him. Coming off as a strict woman but privately was like a loving doting parent who enjoyed watching her children grow and develop. The role of teacher was perfect for her in that regard. Although the fact she liked certain students more than others did show she possessed a sprinkle of favoritism.

It was not even an hour later that Harry and Mcgonagall found themselves at King's Cross Station. So early in the morning it was that the sun barely had risen to greet them over the horizon. Yet even so in that early morning period the station was in full swing, bustling with muggles rushing towards their destinations and careers. Following Mcgonagall, not missing a beat, Harry allowed her to guide him silently to the platform. With a subtle twitch of her hand Harry felt a rush of magic bush past him.

"Mr. Potter, it is here that we part ways." Mcgonagall explained to him. Pointing towards the support column between platforms 9 and 10 she continued, "To get onto the platform you simply run through that column. I will be standing here so as to make sure you have no problems." She paused for a moment as she picked out her next words carefully. "Take care Harry."

Harry bowed slightly and nodded. "Thank you, Minnie." Harry said drawing a blush from the Professor. Laughing he rushed through the barrier. "See you at school Professor!" He called out as he passed through without trouble leaving behind a slightly disheveled witch.

"That boy is just like his Father." she muttered in exasperation. No one had called her Minnie like that since James and Lily's death and the joking tone warmed her heart. Picturing in her mind all the trouble such a boy that could make her blush would cause during his tenure at Hogwarts she let her features relax. It was like she would be teaching both James and Lily together. Yes, she would do her part and make them proud, just as she knew he would make them proud.

Smiling proudly, she walked away feeling as if she had just watched her own child rush off excitedly to their first day of school. When none where looking she vanished with a slight pop and only a rush of air left behind to signal her departure.

Harry passed through the barrier and upon nearly falling over on the other side was greeted by a large coal driven locomotive. Brilliantly red and vibrant the whole area seemed to shine with a soft golden hue. With the sun's rays creeping through the treated glass ceiling that made up the platform the whole scene was warm, inviting. It also made it seem later then it actually was. Outside the sun was just barely over the sea yet here it might as well have been eleven in the morning. Harry would even call it heavenly but that was probably due to where he had come from.

Gathering his courage Harry swallowed as it hit him. He was free.

"One small step for man." Harry muttered dragging his trunk with him and climbing aboard the nearly uninhabitable train. The train was empty with the exception of the ground crew and a few early riser students such as himself. Those students however didn't stay on the train long as they dropped their possessions and returned to stay with their families for a bit longer on the station.

Harry felt his stomach lurch as he watched as a girl about his age with bushy brown hair hugged her mother and father goodbye. Tearing his eyes away he opened his trunk and pulled out his wand and the Standard Book of Spells. Ignoring the tightness in his chest as the scene played over and over in his mind with one minor male difference, he flipped to chapter six and proceeded to practice.

"Alohomora" Harry declared confidently. The latch on Hedwig's cage unlatched itself and her door flew open. Taking flight, she landed next to his, pruning and stretching her winds. Letting the sight of her free flying spirit warm his heartstrings, Harry carried on to practice some of the other spells in the books he didn't have problems with.

Pulling the shades down to block off light that might attract attention of others Harry moved onto the next spell.

"Lumos."

A small blip shone at the tip of his wand before vanishing. Harry frowned at this.

"Lumos."

Again, a small blip of light glowed momentarily. Harry brushed over the book to review its contents. Everything was there. When he practiced earlier – only to be lectured by Professor Mcgonagall for not knowing the rules regarding underage magic – he had no problems learning the earlier spells within the book. The Softening, Severing, Fire-Making, and Unlocking charms all came naturally. Best of all, they were new to him. Basic they might have been, in the world of ash and war they had been forgotten and lost to time.

The magic just seemed to flow naturally. Well actually that wasn't true. Harry noticed on several occasions that his magic would sporadically stop working but he figured that was due to his body's inexperience.

He knew however that he was casting the Wand-Lighting Charm properly. It was a default illumination spell and was the foundation for six others. He had used it many times upon learning it. His body and magic felt the familiarity of the spell, but for some reason a successful and consistent cast eluded him as he sat on the train.

"Lumos!" Harry shouted his frustration getting the better of him.

Harry cried out as a beaming supernova shone out the tip of his wand. Flinching backwards away from the light he banged his head against the wall skewing his glasses slightly as he fell to the floor.

His wand all but forgotten, Harry rolled around clutching his eyes. Hedwig perching up atop the rack screeching in annoyance at his mistake.

"Merlin's beard that bloody hurt." Harry griped, readjusting his glasses. Picking up his wand he braced himself this time and casted the spell once more.

"Lumos." He stated firmly.

A perfect lumos formed in front of him. Bright, illuminating and in no way blinding.

That was strange.

Letting the magic fade from the spell Harry was left to ponder why. Deciding against casting lumos again, lest he blind himself permanently. Harry went on to practice circulating his magical core a task that was much safer, and he possessed nearly ten youthful years of practice in. It was the only form of magic Harry could get away with around muggles after all since it didn't actively use magic. It was more of a magical exercise then a spell and was easily confused with mediation or even breathing exercises.

As for the spell casting Harry for now chalked it up to him simply being rusty. If had been years since he practiced properly after all. Sitting comfortably in the cabin Harry drew himself into his inner mind. He drew a circle around himself. Thin and light blue within his mind. In front of himself Harry collected all his internal magic and focused it into a ball and placed it on the ring.

Maintaining that image within his mind, Harry focused on the image of the ball rolling clockwise along the ring. A simple task. Raising the difficulty Harry caused it to corkscrew along the ring, rotating it around and around its orbit. Finally, seeing no difficulties yet, Harry merged the sphere with the ring and allowed the ring to vanish.

As if hoola-hooping without moving his hips Harry mentally controlled the image and let the magic inside him move in sync with the image. Harry basked in the tingling sensation of his magic flowing endlessly through his body.

It was a simple task but would develop amazing results. The exercise was a simple yet effective means of exercising once magic. Like any muscle, when used repeatedly it would grow stronger. Magic was no different and unknowingly Harry had been doing that ever before he had acquired is past memories. The results had already spoken for themselves. Between his practice and whatever the ritual had done, Harry's magic was already a league in and of itself. Not really a good thing all considered.

Picking up what he considered to be the best part of this training method, Harry began to read one of his potion's books, reviewing his notes within it. Harry internally grinned as he read. The best part of this mental exercise was once it started going you could leave it be so long as you didn't perform other magic or perform something that required intense concentration. Doing so strengthened one's connection to magic as well as the magic itself. Since nothing felt out of place Harry just read assuming he needed his body to get use to casting magic with a wand. Perhaps there was some kind of method the professors taught that would aid him.

As Harry read up on his potions, he noticed that a lot of people where gathering outside, and the train's halls were becoming noisy. Re-opening the blinds and cleaning up his stuff Harry readied himself. After years alone, Harry was both looking forward and hesitant to engage with others of his own age group. There was a bit of risk considering how much he knew in comparison to them plus he wasn't really sure if he could mingle with his own peers. As he moved about cleaning up, he bumped one of his books off the train seat. Spotting it out of the corner of his eye with a blur of motion Harry shot his arm out like lightning catching it in a squatting position his hand stead as a rock. Letting out a sigh Harry relaxed his tense body and stood up putting the caught that was about to fall back on his seat.

In his absentmindness Harry was unaware of the foreign presence in his cabin until after he tried to place down his book. A large toad was sitting on his chair and was croaking passively even as the book in question sat heavily on its head.

Harry's wand was already in hand and aimed at the sudden appearance of the amphibian. Taking note he shot a sticking charm to the toad as it made to jump away. Harry wasn't unobservant, he should have spotted the thing long before it even got close to him, yet there it was sitting there unnoticed until he placed his book on it.

"How did I miss that?" Harry wondered as he recast the sticking charm on the amphibian leaving it to sing away on the bench by the window. "Must be someone's pet. Maybe someone put magic on it so it would be noticed?" Harry wondered.

Peering outside the window Harry noticed that most of the students had arrived and were already on the train.

"Excuse me?" a bossy-like voice called to him.

Turning to great the voice Harry was greeted with the bushy haired girl he had seen hugging her parents earlier.

"Do you mind if I sit in here or is this cabin full?" she asked.

"Not at all." Harry informed absentmindedly. He hadn't yet taken note of who he was talking to yet. She was ten years younger than the women from his memories after all, but it was starting to click.

Smiling confidently, she practically bounced into the cabin and sat herself down onto the bench. Noticing his Trunk with him on the train Harry watched as she couldn't help herself.

"Why did you bring your trunk onto the train. You are supposed to put it in the back where everyone else are. It's the rules." she stated.

"Actually, it's not. It's an option most take and the reason why I didn't is so I can practice and read up on our texts." Harry explained. The girl seemed rather bossy to him. No, if anything she seemed like a stickler for rules, he corrected himself. She seemed pleasant enough though, and most importantly seemed like a nice girl. She also looked familiar to him and that familiarity was eating at him.

Seeing she was about to retort against his comment Harry continued, interrupting her verbal advance. "So, what's your name again? I'm Harry."

She was caught off guard by this but quickly recovered, "Oh-right, I'm Hermione, Hermione Granger."

Harry's eye's shot open in realization. This was why she felt familiar. Harry felt like he was on cloud nine. He had found her, the person he had fallen in love with. One of them anyway. To his surprise she had found him on the train. To the world it was mere chance, but for Harry he knew better. There was no such thing as chance in the world, only necessity. All things happened for a reason even in the world of magic, no, especially so with magic.

"Can you stop that, it's not that unusual of a name and it's not that uncommon of a name." Hermione spat out, clearly irritated at his reaction to her name.

Gathering himself Harry bowed and apologized, "Sorry, I didn't mean to be shocked like that. Your name just reminded me of someone." Lifting his head, he tried to recover the conversation as best he could. "Your name, it wouldn't be in reference to Shakespeare would it?"

"It is," She replied happily. "My dad is an avid fan of Shakespeare's works. Mum too for that matter."

"The lovely wife of King Leontes and the doting mother unfairly accused of cheating from The Winter's Tale. Is it wrong of me to think that you don't seem like the type to cheat at anything?" Harry chuckled out joyfully.

He watched as she smirked slightly at this, "No, it's not. Cheating is wrong after all. If you need to cheat, then that means you lack the knowledge to succeed. I've never cheated in my life and I never plan too."

The last comment was spoken with a bit too much bite in Harry's mind but filed it away as he smirked, "Someone's not modest at all. I'm assuming that's your subtle way of telling me your really smart."

Her response wasn't what he expected. Instead of responding confidently she flinched, visibly. Her response was also hesitant, cautious even. "I wouldn't say that. I have practiced a little magic and I haven't had any trouble casting a spell yet..." She said each word slow and glazed over thick with caution.

"Really? That's amazing." Harry replied, trying to pull her out of her worries. He remembered her constant fear of failing but this seemed different. Pulling out his wand Harry pointed it at Hedwig's cage.

"Colloportus!"

Instantly the cage door swung close and the latch turned and locked itself.

Hermione back at him in surprise, "You've read you text books already."

"Only up to chapter seven. Lumos has been giving me a bit of trouble." Harry replied. "Is it that surprising I've read ahead?" he asked.

Shaking her head, she replied, "No. It's just I never met someone else who did that. Normally people just look at me oddly because I read ahead. Call me stuff like bookworm, and know-it-all."

"I wish I knew it all" Harry joked eliciting a laugh from the girl. "Come on Hermione – "he said gesturing to the locked cage "– you won't receive any such ignorant retorts from me for showing off. I'm assuming you've read ahead too, right?"

Smiling she pulled out her wand and pointed it at the cage. "Alohomora"

The cage instantly opened up once more, the locking charm countered. Smiling at her Harry winked at her and in a teasing nature critiqued her. "Nicely done Ms. Granger. However, your hand was too steady, your voice too confident, and you couldn't help but do it perfectly could you."

As he mimicked a deep comedic tone, Hermione laughed vibrantly and without worry. Smiling Harry joined her laughter in response to his own joke and the two laughed together. Hermione was the first to catch her breath. Spotting his glasses, she gave him a focused glance.

Harry noticing this stiffened at her drawn wand. He was struggling to resist his combat instincts from snatching her wand and snapping it. After years of fighting his instincts seemed to also have been carried over along with his magic which would not help him if he attacked his peers as a result. His focus on her wand and himself was so intense that he failed to see her calm expression nor hear the spell she declared.

"Oculus Reparo."

Harry snapped out of it in time to witness his glasses mend themselves. Pulling them off his nose Harry analyzed the repairs. In hindsight there was no need. It was Hermione's spell work. Flawless, perfect, and as good as new if not better.

"Standard Book of spells Chapter 8, the Mending Charm" Hermione informed confidently.

"Brilliant," Harry whispered as he stared at his glasses. He pulled away is gaze from his inspections to stare directly into her amber brown eyes. His gaze was intense and passionate. Hermione shifted nervously under his stare. "Is everything you put your mind too come out perfect or is that just when you want to impress?"

Hermione blushed at his words shaking her head slightly. "I'm not perfect. I just try my best and love learning new things." Her words came out as an almost silent mumble. Harry just shook his head.

"Well you have a perfect wand for that."

"What do you mean?" Hermione asked.

Pointing at her wand he listed off its features. "Wandlore. Looks to be just short of 11 inches, most like 10¾ inches, Vine Wood and if I had to guess, dragon heartstrings core – "

Hermione jaw practically made a dent in the floor as she gazed gob smacked at Harry's near perfect assessment of her wand. His grin grew almost cheekily as he continued.

"– and judging from your reaction I guessed the core currently. You can learn a lot about a wizard or witch by simply looking and knowing what wand they use." Leaning back harry relaxed into his seat as he focused on recalling everything, he remembered about making wands from Wands and Lore, a Fashioners Fancy, one of the books he got from Diagon Alley.

"According to wandlore, Vine wood wands are amongst the less common types. They attract themselves to witches and wizards who possess deep or hidden personalities. Dragon heartstrings produce powerful wands which can perform even the most flamboyant spells. These cores tend to lean towards witches and wizards who learn more easily. And your wand is a slighter under the average of wand lengths."

Staring deeply into her eyes, granting her all his attention and focus Harry watch her shuffle uncomfortably under his investigative and piercing gaze. "If I am to go by your wand, You Hermione are a deep and complex woman, with a great character and desires to learn and succeed. Capable at achieving anything you set your mind too you tend to be ridged once you have made up your mind. Your wands shorter length leads me to believe you have doubts within yourself. Fears deep inside you don't admit too. And despite those worries and fears you will achieve success because just like your core and wood type, you Hermione are a powerful witch who – like your wood type indicates – are a rare and special individual who will go farther than any of your peers."

Hermione felt tears threaten to vacate her tear ducts. She had never had anyone tell her so passionately that she mattered or was worth so much. Nor had anyone touch upon her own doubts so accurately and not be mocked for them. What she though was just a continuation of showing off their knowledge turned into the happiest moment of her life.

Harry's cocky smile relaxed into one a bit softer and more caring. It warmed him inside to see the joy welling up being her amber eyes. Sure he was pulling wand crafting figures he had learned just a few days ago out of his arse, but even so it seemed to help were it was needed. Now he had to actually learn it if not only to back up his speech just then. Still he felt it would be worth it if she smiled like this more often.

"It's only a guess really. But I'm sure you'll do great."

"But what if I mess up. What if I fail?" Hermione uttered in self-doubt. Her fear of failure appearing for the first time.

"Then you get back up a try again. In the ever so unlikely case that you fail which I think is highly unlikely." Harry reassured her.

At that moment a stout portly boy with a great amount of baby fat on him. Completely winded he and in a weak voice interrupted their moment. "E-excuse me. Have either of you seen a toad?"

Hermione trying to hide the tears she nearly shed at Harry's words as she shook her head, her mouth clamped shut. Her bushy brown hair hiding her softened eyes. Harry on the other hand nearly lost one of his eyebrows to his hair with how quickly it rose out of sight.

Pointing at the toad he had spelled to the bench he asked, "This toad?"

Hermione nearly shrieked in surprise. How had she not noticed the croaking frog up until just then.

"Trevor!" The round-faced boy shouted before tripping over his shoes face-first into the cabin. "I'm okay."

Harry had to hold back a chuckle. The trip and subsequent fall were performed flawless to the point he could have aired it on comedy central. However, he swallowed his humor and observation as it would have been very rude to the poor lad to laugh at him.

Handing over the toad, Harry waved goodbye to the boy and watched Hermione. The girl was in deep thought and nibbling on her lower lip. There was something attractive about it but Harry for the life of him didn't know what or why he considered it so. Reading her thoughts, he took pity on her.

"Hermione don't think too much about it. I'm guessing someone put a spell that prevented detection on the toad which only broke if you looked directly at it. I only spotted it early on when I put down one of my books by accident earlier."

Understanding washed over her but she then started to bite her lip again. Harry wondered why his future self – younger self he corrected – was so attracted to that habit. Better question why did he find it so attractive.

Instead of bothering her from pondering the implications of why such a spell was placed on the toad, Harry opened up his Potions text and contained to add corrections to the text as well as notes. Grinning over the book at Hermione Harry smiled. Even though this was his first time meeting her, it felt to him like she had always been across from him like this.

But it did leave him wondering. Was this really a first meeting or was it a reunion. This left another question in Harry's mind. What exactly did the ritual achieve? Was this his second life or was it a continuation of his first. And maybe more importantly, did he actually survive the ritual or not? If he did that meant he was young again. If he didn't then did he die and get sent back?

Exactly which Harry Potter was he?

xXxXx

And with Harry questioning which Potter he is, I go to re-write anew.

Hope this chapter was to your enjoyment, give me a shout if you liked it. Careful with your dislikes though, you never know were a snowflake might be. =P

Oh, and before anyone starts asking how Harry remembers Hedwig, hold your comments. There's a reason not spoken yet that Harry hasn't realized yet. It's also the reason why he hasn't noticed too. But yeah, hold the comments there is a reason. Let's just call it a bleeding effect for now and see if anyone calls it. Till next time. Next stop the Sorting Hat.

P.S. The next chapter will have your name listed in the credits if you successfully call which house Harry's gets sorted in before posting. Just put the house name in a review with you user name or alias and tadaaa. Good luck. Also, those without names, just put something in the comment that I can use. Special thanks to Guest doesn't quite roll of the tongue.

P.S.S had a bit of trouble with the formatting again, that damn code issue popped up again and I caught it this time. Not sure if everything is spaced out like its suppose to be so if you catch something I didn't please tell me so I can fix it. Also did a quick glance over the next chapter and boy is it a doozy to re-write, there's a lot there I need to alter so wish me luck.