AN: Sorry about the wait. Life got crazy. I have had several messages about how people want the story to speed up. Time jumps are going to happen, but everything that is happening is important. Again this story is planned to go through at least 6th or 7th year so it will speed up. I am trying to write the story organically and time skips can only happen naturally. Just bear with me here. Again, action will happen when it happens and I promise it will be good.

IMPORTANT: The bold section of text is a direct exert from book 3. I do not own those words, only JK Rowling does.

Chapter 9:

It only took about 45 minutes for the Grangers plus one to reach downtown. They parked just off Abbey Road, about three blocks from the Leaky Cauldron.

A lot of people threw them strange looks walking down the street because both Harry and Hermione were dragging large trunks and Harry was carrying a caged owl. After a few minutes of walking, they arrived at the shabby pub. However, Hermione's parents walked right past the Leaky Cauldron, not even seeming to see it.

Hermione passed her trunk to Harry, grabbed them both by the arm and dragged them towards the door. They tried to shake her off until they were in the door frame when the enchantment seemed to lift.

"Well would you look at that. Didn't even see it." Dan muttered.

"How did you get in last year?" Harry asked Hermione as they entered the pub

"McGonagall connected us to the Floo for the afternoon. She said it was easier than…"

Whatever she was going to say was cut off as a large mass of red hair flew across the pub and plowed into Harry. From the vice like grip around his neck, it could only be one person.

"How are you Mrs. Weasley?" Harry gasped.

She beamed at him. "Harry dear, it's so wonderful to see you! Your looking far too thin though, we will have to feed you up tonight. We heard from Dumbledore about that nasty business with those Muggles that you live with. I wish we could have helped but that was right after we left, so the Burrow was empty."

Ron grinned at him from behind his mother. He seemed to have grow a few inches since Harry had last seen him and his nose was badly sunburned and peeling. "Mate! Thank Merlin you're here, I need someone else to talk to. Fred and George have been driving me mad ever since we came back and Ginny won't shut up about flying carpets."

Harry was confused. "Where were you?"

It was Ron's turn to be confused. "Egypt remember? Dad won the Daily Prophet Grand Prize Galleon Draw? I sent you a letter for your birthday telling you about it?"

Harry did remember Hedwig bringing a letter and package from Ron on his last night at Privet Drive. He hadn't time to read it before Marge came and he made his escape. The Dursley's had probably burnt it in the back garden after he had left.

"Oh yeah, Egypt!" Harry said lamely. "How was it?" Fortunately, Ron didn't even seem to notice his hesitation. Not for the first time, Harry was glad his best friend was not the sharpest knife in the drawer.

As Harry and Ron lugged his trunk up to his room and settled in, Ron regaled him with a tale of all his Egyptian adventures starting from when they left the Burrow.

"…And mum made Fred and George open the door of the tomb. Otherwise Percy would probably still be stuck in there!"

When the boys returned back to the pub, they found that the large group had fragmented. Mr. Weasley had cornered Dan and Emma at a table and was interrogating them about the inner workings of a television. Hermione was attempting to meditate between them and trying not to laugh.

Mrs. Weasley was shouting at Fred and George about something they had done to Percy while Percy himself was sitting some distance away from them. To Harry, it looked as if he was sitting very gingerly on his chair. On his chest glinted a large Headboy badge that was hurling insults at him and producing a thick green goo.

Ginny was sitting quietly by herself, watching the bedlam unfold. When she caught sight of Harry, her entire face became the color of a tomato. She ran over to her mother's side and buried her face in her side.

For a minute Harry and Ron stood unnoticed in the middle of the chaos. He cleared his throat loudly causing every eye in the place to snap to him.

Mrs. Weasley gave the twins one final death glare before stepping towards Harry and Ron.

"All settled in dear? We should get shopping then. It's going to be an absolute mad house today, especially with buying supplies for 7. We will be at it all afternoon. Oh Percy, just leave the badge here and we will fix it later!"

The group allowed Mrs. Weasley to shepherd them into the courtyard behind the pub. Mr. Weasley tapped the appropriate bricks and the archway to Diagon Alley opened.

Harry grimaced. If anything, Mrs. Weasley had undersold how crowded it would be. The narrow alley was packed wall to wall with last minute student shoppers and their parents. It was so crowded that Harry couldn't see the other end of the street, only more people.

Harry looked to Mr. Weasley who shot him a sympathetic glance. "In you go Harry."

With a deep breath, the large group plunged into the crowds.

Several long and sweaty hours later saw the entire Weasley-Granger-Potter party seated around the largest table that the Leaky Cauldron had to offer. Everyone was exhausted both physically and mentally.

Harry was sitting between Hermione and Ron, attempting to ignore one of their legendary fights. Hermione's new cat Crookshanks, who was sitting in her lap, had jumped on Ron's head in The Magical Menagerie and clawed at his face. Ron swore that the cat was only trying to eat his rat Scabbers. Both sides had sniped at each and now were no longer speaking.

Dinner was delicious but far too short for Harry's liking. All too soon it was time for bed and the Grangers to leave. Harry and Hermione walked her parents to the door. Hermione threw her arms around her parents, promising to write.

Harry was at a loss of what to say. What do you to say to a couple who saved you from literally sleeping on the streets by taking you into their home? Thank you didn't seem sufficient. Emma saved him from this awkwardness by enveloping him in a hug which was soon joined by Dan.

"You're a good young man Harry" she whispered. "Stay safe and we will see you next summer" Dan nodded next to her.

They released him, and with one final wave, they were gone.

Harry had a weird tight feeling in his chest as he walked back to where the Weasleys were standing. Mrs. Weasley had an unreadable expression on her face as she stared at the spot where the Grangers had been.

"Ok you lot, up to bed. The Hogwarts Express leaves early in the morning."

Harry had barely sat down on his bed when Ron burst in and started throwing things around.

"Hey Harry, have you seen Scabber's rat tonic? That clerk said I was supposed to put it on every night before I went to bed and I can't find it."

After looking around for a few minutes, Ron decided to see if he left it in the bar. However, he was stopped in the hall by an irate Percy who demanded he help search their room for his missing badge. Seeing Ron's face go red, Harry volunteered to go down to the bar to look for the tonic in order to avoid an explosion.

He found it sitting underneath the table where they had dinner. He turned to go back upstairs when he heard the low voices of Mr. and Mrs. Weasley from a table in the corner.

"But Harry will be perfectly safe at Hogwarts…"

Hearing his own name, he decided to eavesdrop. He crouched behind a nearby pillar.

He could hear Mr. Weasley speaking in a low but urgent voice

"We thought Azkaban was perfectly safe. If Black can break out of Azkaban, he can break into Hogwarts."

"But no one's really sure that Black's after Harry —"

There was a thud on wood, and Harry was sure Mr. Weasley had banged his fist on the table.

"Molly, how many times do I have to tell you? They didn't report it in the press because Fudge wanted it kept quiet, but Fudge went out to Azkaban the night Black escaped. The guards told Fudge that Blacks been talking in his sleep for a while now. Always the same words: 'He's at Hogwarts… he's at Hogwarts.' Black is deranged, Molly, and he wants Harry dead. If you ask me, he thinks murdering Harry will bring You-Know-Who back to power. Black lost everything the night Harry stopped You-Know-Who, and he's had twelve years alone in Azkaban to brood on that…

A loud crash and shouting from upstairs cut off whatever Mr. Weasley was going to say next. Harry leaned closer and only managed to catch something about Dumbledore and guards. Suddenly the chairs scraped as the Weasley elders got up from the table and went upstairs.

For a long time, Harry crouched behind the pillar in the darkness, his mind whirling. An insane mass murderer had broken out of the most secure wizarding prison in the world with only one goal in mind: kill Harry for destroying his dark master as a baby.

It seemed that the year was already off to an interesting start.

Harry had to suppress a mental groan. It wouldn't be a trip on the Hogwarts Express without a little last-minute panic from the Wealseys.

The clock showed 10:57 as Harry emerged onto Platform 9 ¾. Already doors were swinging shut all along the train and children were leaning out of the windows to wave at their parents.

The twins and Ginny swung open the nearest door and leapt inside. Ron, Harry, Hermione and Percy began throwing luggage off the carts at top speed up to them. Just as Harry threw up the last bag, he felt a hand on his shoulder.

He looked to see Mr. Weasley. "Harry can I have a quick word? It's very important."

Harry was about to respond when the train's piercing whistle rang out. The trains wheels began to move.

He felt a hand grab the back of his shirt and physically pull him onto the train. He looked wildly around to see George smirking at him.

"Cutting it close there Mr. Potter? Can't miss the train two years in a row can we?" he asked in a cheeky voice

Mumbling his thanks, Harry grabbed his trunk from the floor. Fred and George informed them that Lee Jordan had gotten his hands on a Fanged Frisbee that sang show-tunes as it flew, and that they went off to see it for themselves. Ginny followed closely behind them, looking for her dorm mates. Harry, Ron and Hermione went to find a compartment.

Unfortunately, every single compartment was completely full. All that is except the very last one which only contained a man in a shabby looking robe. He was fast asleep in the corner nearest the window.

Harry was a little surprised. He had never seen an adult on the train besides the witch who manned the food cart. However, seeing no other options, they settled into the compartment.

"I wonder who that is?" Ron whispered as they sat down.

"Professor R.J Lupin." Hermione informed him.

He gave her a blank stare. "Do you know everything? Harry, how does she know everything?"

"It's on his suitcase Ronald. He must be the new Defense teacher." she huffed.

"How do you figure that?"

"Easy. There is only one spot open on the staff and its defense. I really hope he's better than Lockhart, though that won't be hard..."

"Your just upset you don't have anyone to gawk at during class any more."

Harry ignored Hermione's squawk of outrage. There was something… familiar about the man. Something he couldn't put his finger on. Harry was sure he had seen him somewhere before.

Eventually the sleeping man was all but forgotten as the train moved through the English countryside.

Several hours later, after the food witch had come and gone, the trio had settled into a comfortable silence. Harry had just lost a fifth game of chess to Ron and Hermione was reading one of the textbooks for her many new classes. Professor Lupin was still asleep in the corner.

Rain was coming down outside the train windows in great sheets.

Suddenly Hermione jumped as if she had been shocked. "Oh, Harry! I'm so sorry I completely forgot that I figured out your question!" She dove into her bag and extracted one of the many books with great difficulty and handed it to him. "I got this while we were in Diagon Alley yesterday and did a bit of light reading."

He felt his pulse quicken slightly. She had found a book on magical libraries.

Suddenly very interested, he flipped open the book and began to scan the pages. He realized Hermione was still talking.

"Of course, there are a fascinating number of secret libraries that are rumored to exist right here in Britain. Any one of them could be used for our paper. The Norman Collection, The Stone Manuscripts, Dead Man's Grotto, or Slytherin's Archive are just a few of the well-known rumors. Of course, none of them can be proven for sure without finding them but they are fascinating all the same! In fact…"

One of the names caught Harry's attention. "Hold on. Back up a minute. Slytherin's Archive? What's that?"

Ron, who up until this point had been staring with eyes glazed, jumped at the name. "Slytherin? Is another dark chamber fill with foul creatures? We only need one per year."

Hermione glared at him. "No actually Ronald, Slytherin's Archive is actually quite fascinating. It is rumored by some that, in the early days of Hogwarts, Slytherin collected a bunch of dangerous, powerful and rare books and artifacts and hid them somewhere on the grounds so no one could use them. He sealed it and when he left the school he took its location with him. Like a Library of Secrets. Despite centuries of searching, not one person has ever been able to find it. Just imagine all the rare information in such a… a… Harry are you alright?"

Harry froze, not even blinking. It didn't even look like he was breathing.

"You are such an idiot", he mentally berated himself.

All the pieces suddenly clicked into place at once. Why the room had not suffered any damage in so long, the weird feeling he got when he was in there, even the missing time.

It couldn't be, but it all made sense. If all the things Hermione had said were genuine, then it was the only place that made sense.

With a growing sense of triumph, Harry realized he knew where the Time Stone was hidden.

This feeling of triumph lasted only a few seconds before the lights suddenly cut out all along the train.

Panicked screams could be heard echoing from compartments on either side of them.

Slowly, the train drifted to a halt on the tracks. The pouring rain outside meant that visibility in their compartment was reduced to almost 0.

Ron peered out the window. "Why aren't we at the station?"

"We can't be close. We have at least another hour…"

The compartment door opened quickly. In the dark, it was impossible to see who it was. "Who's that?" Harry asked. "Its me" Neville's shaking voice replied. "Can I come in here with you lot? I was going to the bathroom and got locked out of my compartment."

They moved over to attempt to make room. The little group sat in silence for a few minutes before…

"Ow Neville, you stepped on my foot!" Ron hissed

"Sorry I…"

A loud clattering could be heard. "Ron! My books! Harry help me pick up my…"

The compartment door opened again. Ginny's voice now joined the others. "Ron? Harry? Hermione. I'm coming to sit with you lot. The girls in my compartment can't stop screaming and its bloody annoying."

The compartment wasn't designed to hold so many people. "Gin, I don't think we have room… OI Neville get off my foot…"

"Sorry, I'll just…oof" Neville attempt to move away from Ron towards the door was foiled when he tripped on one of Hermione's books and collided headfirst with the window with a loud thud. His flailing legs collided solidly with Ron's nose on the way down.

"Quiet" a new voice hissed, instantly silencing the noise. A wand lit up to reveal the face of professor Lupin, now fully awake.

His wand light illuminated a scene of utter chaos. A groaning and bruised Neville was laying almost on top of Hermione, who had been on the floor attempting to collect her books. Ron was jammed into the corner by the door with his knees drawn to his chest, missing one shoe and holding a bloody nose. Ginny appeared to have climbed into the luggage rack, her tiny frame easily fitting into an empty space. She was watching them with amusement.

"Why are you even doing up there?" Harry asked. "There was no more room on the floor." Ginny replied sharply.

Professor Lupin took a moment to compose himself. " Now then I…" Whatever he was going to say was cut off as a wave of icy cold rolled down the corridor.

Harry felt as if he had plunged into a tub of icy water. The chill wormed its way down to his bones and beyond. His breath plumed in front of him in a great cloud. A thin sheet of ice formed on the glass of the doorway.

The door to the corridor slowly rolled open with a click.

In the doorway was a thing of out a person's worst nightmares.

It was a tall figure hovering silently in the door frame. It was humanoid but its proportions were too long as if a person had been stretched out. Its long and scabbed hands the only thing visible underneath from its loose black robe. Harry couldn't see that it had any eyes, but he had a gut instinct that it was looking right at him. Its head swept back and forth as if it were looking for something.

Or someone.

The thing drew a long rattling breath that seemed to shake the windows. Harry felt as if all the air had been stolen from the room and driven right of his chest. No matter how much he tried, his lungs refused to work properly. Dimly he felt his knees give way. A older woman's voice began to scream right next to his ear as his vision began to dim. He could actually feel his eyes start to roll back up into his skull.

The last thing Harry remembered was a high, cruel laugh echoing around him as the creature slowly advanced towards him.

Harry once again woke to the feeling of scratchy sheets and the smell of antiseptic. He let out a groan. "What happened?"

Alerted by the noise, Madam Pomphrey bustled over. She forced two potions down his throat and was reaching for a third before she said anything "Glad to see you awake Mr. Potter so soon Mr. Potter. How do you think I feel? The school year hasn't even officially started yet and you have already paid me a visit. With a Dementor attack of all things! Mr. Weasley and Professor Lupin had to carry you up here."

"What's a Dementor?" She merely gave a huff and stalked away muttering to herself about irresponsible minsters and professors.

"A Dementor is one of the guards of Azkaban. It was on the train looking for Sirius Black." a quiet voice responded. Professor Lupin has slipped inside the wing while Harry had been distracted by Madam Pomphrey's fussing. "A Dementor is one of the foulest creatures known to wizarding kind. They feed on happy emotions and memories, leaving nothing but misery and madness behind. Sometimes, when a person is unprepared, the shock of being in one's presence can cause a person to faint. Even adult wizards can be caught unaware."

Madam Pomfrey was back "The good news is that you didn't suffer any ill effects from that Dementor. However, I could keep you overnight just to be 100% sure. You would be released in time for classes tomorrow, if that's what you want."

Harry shook his head wildly. He didn't even want to think of what Malfoy would say if he had to spend the entire first night of term in the hospital wing.

She sighed. "Very well. I'll have you do one thing before you leave though." Harry found himself being handed the largest slab of chocolate he had ever seen, more of a small boulder really. He was told to eat the entire thing before he could even think about moving.

"At least you weren't out for very long this time. If you hurry, Mr. Potter, you may even make the feast tonight."

Later that night, Harry was lying in his four-poster bed thinking about what had happened today. Not about the Dementor, or his fainting act that Malfoy had mimed all throughout dinner, or even the adult Grangers whom he missed terribly.

He was thinking about the Time Stone. He couldn't believe he had been so stupid. Hermione had given him the answer even though it should have been obvious.

Slytherin's Archive, where he had found the journal, was underneath the forest yet high above the Chamber of Secrets. In that room, behind Slytherin's desk was a small glass cabinet. He had overlooked it at the time because of the journal and his exhaustion but he could see it clearly in his mind's eye now: The cabinet had a variety of objects in it including a skull and a dagger that had a green stone embedded in the hilt.

A brightly glowing green stone.

The Time Stone was sitting underneath the Forbidden Forest, and had probably been there for almost 1,000 years.

Now he just had to make a plan to go get it.

AN: See if anyone can catch the quote from a famous Youtube group in this chapter. Please leave a review if you liked it.