Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the Characters.

JAMES'S P.O.V.

James stepped out of the portal into what was unmistakingly Dumbledore's office, seventeen years earlier. He looked around noticing the table of silver instruments, the sorting hat on the shelf next to Gryffindor's sword, and, of course, Fawkes on his perch.

"Ah, Mr. Weasley," a voice came from behind him and startled him.

He spun around and came face to face with a seventeen year younger, Professor Albus Dumbledore, himself.

"Professor, how do you know who I am?" James asked unable to fathom how the man could possibly know his. After all, they had yet to meet. Or rather Dumbledore hadn't yet met him.

"I know a lot of things Mr. Weasley. I know that I should be calling you Mr. Potter. And if you succeed in doing what you came back to do then that will be the case." Dumbledore answered.

"But..But..." James started. "I'm so confused."

"It doesn't matter. All that matters is I know why you're here and I can help you succeed." Dumbledore responded. "You will, of course, need a cover story. You are James..."

James could tell he was trying to think of a good last name.

"Miller." James stated, using the first one that came to mind.

"Very well, Mr. Miller. You will be starting today as a Gryffindor seventh year under special circumstances. I will leave you to determine what those special circumstances are and who you let in on them."

James simply nodded.

"Since today is Saturday, I will instruct the head girl to give you a tour of the castle and help you catch up a bit. I have also arranged for you to have your own private bedroom and have stocked you up on things that would be used in this time."

"You've already arranged this?" James questioned.

"I've been expecting you." Dumbledore answered cheerfully.

"I have a headache."

He was so confused about everything but knew not to ask too many question. His mother had always taught him that Dumbledore knew things others didn't and if he didn't want you to know how, he would answer you with riddles. There was one question however; that he did need to ask.

"What exactly is the date?"

"May 22, 1998." Dumbledore answered.

Fuck! James screamed in his head. He was a month to late. How could that have happened? The whole plan was screwed now.

"Are you sure?"

"Of course, is that a problem?"

"I'm a month too late. We're screwed. It's gonna happen the same way and I can't change it." James ranted.

"Mr. Miller, calm down. I assure you, you aren't too late. Maybe, you weren't supposed to cahnge what you planned on changing. Maybe, there's something smaller that you over looked." Dumbledore stated calmly.

"I don't understand?" James said, more confused than ever.

"Well, why don't we go to lunch, I'll introduce you to the school and head girl, then you can take things from there. Get to know what's going on and then you'll figure out what you were really supposed to change."

Not feeling like aruguing, James followed Dumbledore out of the office and to the Great Hall. They walked through the hall to the staff table where Dumbledore addressed the students.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I have an announcement." The room become completely quiet. "We have a new student, who will be joining your classes on Monday. He is here under special circumstances and will reveal the circumstances when he feels ready. I'd like to introduce James Miller." There was scattered applause through the hall. "He will be joining Gryffindor house. Which is a plus because I will ask the Head Girl to help him out and make sure he catches up well. Miss Granger, would you please step up here for a moment?"

James watched as a girl with busy brown hair rose from her seat. She looked exactly like the pictures his mother used to show him except her eyes, they were completely dead now. When she reached the head table, Dumbledore spoke again,

"Mr. Miller, this is Hermione Granger, the head girl."

She smiled at him but it didn't quite reach her eyes. Looking at her, in that moment, he only just began to discover how late he really was. Suddenly, some one was nidging him in the back. He turned around to find Dumbledore trying to get him to move.

He then realized, Hermione was heading back to her seat so he followed. When they were both in their places, Hermione looked at him.

"Introductions." she said. "This is the love of my life, Ronald Weasley."

At this she snuggled a little closer to the red head next to her. James noticed even more sadness cloud her beautiful brown eyes.

"Nice to meet you." Ron said holding out his hand.

For the first time in his life, James shook his hand with one of his Uncles and godfather. Or at least that's what his mother said he would've been had things happened differently.

"And that beautiful young lady across from you is Ginny Weasley. My best female friend and Ron's sister." Hermione cut into his thoughts once again.

James was first to reach out his hand this time. His mother hadn't changed at all in seventeen years, except her eyes. They were now full of such life and happiness, James never thought possible. He only saw the sadness of loss when he looked at her, in his time. It was nice to see her happy.

"Finally," Hermione said. "The young man next to her is her boyfriend and my other best friend, Harry Potter."

James looked at the man sitting next to his mother and it to all his self restraint not to embrace him. He had never seen his father in the flesh, only in pictures from his mom's albums. Not wanting to cause suspicions already, he acted just like every other nutter when they met Harry Potter.

"The Harry Potter." he said shaking Harry's hand vigorously. "It's such an honor."

Then sat back down and started eating lunch.

"So I was thinking after lunch, we could tour the school and then get some studying in before dinner." Hermione stated.

"Come on, baby." Ron said. "It's Saturday. Let him have some fun before he has to start classes."

"Yeah, 'Mione." Harry put in. "We could play Quidditch or something."

Suddenly, Hermione went from sounding carefree and slightly business like to panicky and jumpy.

"You know what, you guys go ahead. I want to get a jump on that potions essay, anyway." she said as she rose and darted from the hall.

James swore he saw a tear fall down her face. He had a pretty good idea what had just happened and looking over to see a certain smirking blonde exiting behind her, he knew he was right. The question was what to do. Surely, the other three noticed the odd exit and mood change but they didn't give much of a reaction.

"Does she do that often?" he asked.

"Lately." Ron replied like it was nothing.

"See, James, Hermione has always been weird like that." Ginny explained. "She has to rush off the minute she remembers homework or studying."

"She'll be done in a few hours." Harry inputted. "Hey, do you play quidditch?"

Unable to think of a reason the should go check on her without giving himself away, he nodded.

"Then come one. Let's go." Harry said and the four went up to Gryffindor to collect their brooms.

"What position?" Harry asked as they walked to the pitch.

"Seeker, just like my dad." James answered before he could stop himself.

"Me too." Harry said, obviously oblivious to James's slip up. "Ron's keeper and Ginny's a chaser."

James already knew this, of course, but nodded all the same. His mind was still on Hermione, going through hell, somewhere in the castle. Needless, to say it was probably the worse game of quidditch he had ever played because his thoughts weren't entirely on the game. Who knew what that monster was doing to her.

"Are you sure, you're a quidditch player?" Harry asked when they touched back down after two hours of playing.

"I'm sorry. My mind just isn't with me today." he answered not exactly lying. "Family issues."

"I see." Harry said. "You don't have to say anymore."

"Let's go get cleaned up for dinner." Ginny said over the awkward moment.

"I like that idea. Maybe, Hermione will be done studying." Ron stated.

"What, looking for a quick snog before dinner." Harry teased.

"No." Ron said a little agitated. "But you know if she didn't have someone to remind her to eat, she would study right through her meals."

James watched as the others laughed and then it clicked. They didn't know what was happening to her so they couldn't help her. Maybe, he wasn't supposed to keep it from happening to her but to get her to open up to them. That way they would know what was going on before it was too late. Now all he had to figure out was how to convince her to talk to them without revealing what he knew.

When they made it make to the common room, Hermione was asleep on the couch. James noticed her hair was disheveled and she had a split lip. Obviously, the other noticed too because they went to her side and shook her awake.

" 'Mione, what happened?" Ron asked concern dripping from his voice.

Please tell them? James silently begged.

"Oh, I had to report a couple of Slytherins, the other day." she said. "And they tried to take their revenge today."

"I want names. I'll kill them." Ron said furiously.

"No, Ron!" Hermione said and grabbed his arm to pull him back. "It's alright. Snape came by and took care of it."

James was amazed at how well the lies just kept pouring out of her mouth. I promise you, Hermione. The bastard will pay. He thought as Ron and Hermione had a whispered conversation.

Once they were finished, Hermione rose and the five headed out the potrait hole to dinner.