Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. Sure wish I did though.
Chapter 4
Harry was completely taken aback. "You remember? Remember what?" he croaked. Hermione locked eyes with Harry and whispered, "Everything."
Harry sat down in the comfy chair opposite of Hermione. Not quite sure what to believe Harry looked Hermione straight in the eye and said point blank, "Prove it."
Hermione's eyes narrowed in indignation. 'He doesn't believe me?'
"Fine!" Hermione snapped.
"For our 7th year we didn't go back to Hogwarts. We've been on the Horcrux hunt. As you know, I modified my parents' memories so the Death Eaters can't find them. The Horcruxes consist of the diary, the ring, locket, the cup, the diadem, Naginni and we didn't discover the last one. You and Dumbledore respectively destroyed the diary and the ring.
The locket you brought back was a fake. Ron ended up stabbing the locket, I destroyed the cup in the chamber of secrets with Ron and the diadem burned up in the room of requirement when Crabbe used Fiendfyre and killing himself in the process."
When Hermione finished her speech Harry looked up speechless. Harry took a few deep breaths then looked at Hermione and declared, "Ok, I guess you are telling the truth."
Hermione leapt to her feet, her eyes were slits with fury. She reached over and started punching every bit of Harry she could reach. "Harry James Potter, how could you have not believed me?" she screeched.
"Ow! Get off Hermione! Look, I'm sorry!" Harry cried.
"Oh, you're sorry? How could you doubt me Harry?" Hermione exclaimed.
She tried to kick him on his shin but missed. Hermione ended up tumbling on Harry's lap. Their faces were inches apart. Their noses almost touched. Both Harry and Hermione flushed scarlet.
"Sorry..."Hermione muttered and reluctantly pulled away.
Hermione sat back across from Harry and looked at him though averting his eyes and preferring to stare at his shoulder still red in the face.
Finally Hermione spoke. "Oh, Harry...how did we end up here? What happened?"
Harry recounted the tale of him going to see Voldemort alone, Voldemort aimed the killing curse and Harry woke up in a bed that was not him. It turned out he had parents and siblings. Hermione reached out and held his hand. Hermione finally spoke, "First of all Harry, I can't believe I can't believe you went to see Voldemort without telling us! Ron and I promised we would stick with you until the very end!"
Harry looked down into the glowing embers of the remaining fire feeling a bit shamed. "Finally Harry..." Harry looked up and saw Hermione's expression soften.
"Waking up with your parents...how was that?" Harry eyes grew slightly shiny as some tears started to form.
"You have no idea how wonderful it was. I had more fun that one morning than I ever have had in my life. I went flying with my dad and sister and mum made breakfast. For once in my life I felt normal. When we reached Hogwarts, nobody stared or whispered at me. I was just a regular student named Harry Potter."
Hermione smiled and her thumb brushed Harry hand slowly. Harry appreciated the gesture. It showed that Hermione really cared. Harry felt bad about doubting her before.
They sat in silence for a few minutes when Harry asked, "How did you manage to unlock your memories?"
Hermione looked a bit guilty, "I looked at your letter from Sirius that was in the file. I tried the "Memor"spell like Sirius recommended. You were right, though you'd never done a memory charm and I did, so it worked. When I was reading that letter I got a memory flash of me obliviating my parents. I just tried the spell and luckily it worked. Everything came flooding back. Then I tried the summoning charm which didn't work on the train. It ended up working. Then I knew these memories weren't dreams."
Harry looked visibly relaxed. For him it was a big weight off his shoulders. Now that Hermione remembered everything, getting the others to remember would be a piece of cake. She would be in charge of getting Ron and Neville to remember.
Harry got up and stretched. "You know Hermione, it's almost midnight, let's continue this discussion in the morning."
Hermione looked like she needed the rest. After all, she's had an extremely knowledgeable day. She needed time to soak it all in. Hermione readily agreed. Harry walked Hermione over to the door that led to the girls dormitories. Harry threw his arms around Hermione and hugged her tightly. "It's good to have you back Hermione." Harry whispered in her ear.
Hermione smiled and touched his cheek with one hand. "Me too Harry, me too."
Since the next day was Saturday, Harry decided to sleep in. Harry was safely in dreamland when somebody ripped the covers off his body. Harry's eyes flinched open and he instantly curled up into a ball as he felt a cold draft. The person also opened up his curtains and the sunlight streamed in making him squint. As Harry's eyes focused he saw Hermione.
"You can't come in here! This is the boys' dormitory!" Harry exclaimed.
Hermione sat at the foot of his bed smiling. "I've been in here plenty of times before in the past Harry! We need to continue last night's discussion. Hurry up and get dressed! I already told Neville and Ron that you have something important to tell them. They're waiting near the lake."
"So how will this work Hermione?" Harry asked.
"Don't worry! All you do is tell them that you need to show them something, I'll take care of the spell work." Harry hadn't even discussed this with Hermione. She was always one step ahead of him as usual. It's like she lived in his head! But Harry trusted Hermione so it was alright.
"Meet you near the lake in 15 minutes." Hermione added sternly as she quickly departed from the boy's dormitories.
Harry quickly got dressed and walked out the front door of the castle. As he got closer to the lake he caught sight of Ron's vivid red hair. Quickening his pace he reached there within a matter of minutes. When he reached the observed that Neville and Ron looked pretty confused.
Ron spoke first, "Ok, mate what's all this about? Hermione here dragged Neville and me from the breakfast table. She said you have to tell us something. What is it?"
Neville spoke this time. "Is it something bad Harry? Is something wrong?"
Harry took a deep breath and said, "It depends on how you look at it Neville. Some can say it's bad, but it's your opinion. Hermione would you do the honours?"
Ron and Neville looked at each other completely puzzled. Hermione stepped forward her wand raised. Neville and Ron backed up.
"Hermione are you going to jinx us? What did we do to you?" Neville squeaked. Before Ron or Neville could run or yell Hermione cried, "Memor!" Both boys were hit with the blinding white light. Ron sank to his knees on the grass clutching his head. Neville yelled as the bright light hit him.
The light slowly faded. Neville and Ron's racing pulses calmed down. They looked around and realization hit them like a tonne of bricks.
"Harry, Hermione! What's going on?" Harry looked at them sat down on the grass. "You better all sit down. It's a long story." When they did as he asked them Harry launched into his tale.
"So let me get this straight, you went to battle You-know-who and somehow reset time?" Ron exclaimed. Harry nodded. Ron ran his fingers through his hair.
"Blimey Harry...I don't know what to say..."
"Welcome to the club Ron." Harry rolled his eyes. Neville was the quietest out of all of them. "So Harry, what are we going to do now?" Harry shrugged his shoulders.
He hadn't thought that far ahead. "All I know is that Voldemort is still at large somewhere. He wouldn't just give up like that." Harry sighed. Ron and Neville flinched at sound of the name.
Ron looked slightly alarmed. "But, Harry, you're not connected to You-know-who now...how do you know?"
Harry looked straight at Ron and said, "I just know...since when is life ever been easy for me?" They were all quiet for awhile.
Suddenly Hermione's eyes lit up. She clapped her hands once and stood up. "That's it Harry! We should go to Dumbledore and ask him what to do!"
Ron gave Hermione an "Are you crazy look". "What if Dumbledore doesn't believe us? You're going to whip out your wand reverse the memory charm on him too?" Ron demanded.
Hermione smiled. "Don't worry. I'm sure he'll believe us."
The four of them walked back towards the castle chatting casually. They climbed the floors towards the direction of Dumbledore's office. Harry was in the lead since the other three had never been to Dumbledore's office. When they stopped near the Gargoyle, Harry had no idea what the password was.
Harry stepped forward and tentatively asked the Gargoyle,"Uhh...excuse me, but is it possible that we can speak to Professor Dumbledore? It's really urgent."
The Gargoyle looked down at them and smirked. In a wheezy voice it enquired, "Urgent you say? My, my...what a pity...if only you had the password."
Harry scowled. "Come on! Let us in!" "No can do sonny boy!" The Gargoyle replied in a sing-song voice clearly enjoying itself.
At that moment Dumbledore came round the corner. When he saw them he smiled. "How can help you four?" "
Professor Dumbledore, we were wondering if we could have a few moments of your time?" Harry asked. "Certainly Mr. Potter."
Dumbledore turned towards the Gargoyle and said "Pepper Imps!" The Gargoyle got the last word before it slide to the side. "Remember that next time you want to visit!" The five of them entered the swirly golden staircase.
Dumbledore pushed opened his office door and invited them all inside. The four of them took seats right in front of his desk. Dumbledore stroked Fawkes his phoenix's head once before he took a seat opposite of them. Hermione, Ron and Neville examined the office with interest. Hermione was dying to read some of Dumbledore's books.
When she saw the amount he had Hermione had to try hard not to squeal with joy. Ron was looking at Dumbledore's strange instruments. Neville observed the portraits of the past Headmasters/Headmistress. Dumbledore's eyes twinkled in that familiar fashion."So how may I help you?"
Harry told Dumbledore everything. When he was done Dumbledore's face relax and he smiled. "I was wondering when you were going to come visit me Harry." The three of the four members had completely shocked looks on their faces. Harry never thought Dumbledore would believe him. Hermione looked satisfyingly smug.
"You believe me?" Harry asked disbelievingly. "Certainly Harry. I'm supposed to be dead! Imagine my surprise finding myself back in my office seven years in the past." Dumbledore smiled.
Neville spoke up, "How is this possible sir? As Hermione mentioned before the only way to travel back in time is via a Time Turner and in our 5th year we smashed them all."
Dumbledore got up from his seat and walked towards the window. He didn't say anything for a several minutes. The four friends exchanged puzzled expressions. Finally Dumbledore turned around, his face was serious.
"I suspect this result is of Harry failing to defend himself during the final battle. Harry went into the Dark Lord's lair willingly. Nobody coerced him. Harry sacrificed himself for lives of the rest of the people who were fighting in his name. In other words, almost like a sacrificial lamb. Harry you do know that you and Voldemort are connected by that scar correct?" Harry nodded. "That spell ended up killing the part of Voldemort that resides in you."
Hermione piped up, "But that still doesn't explain how time was reset."
Dumbledore's eyes twinkled at Hermione. "Quite right Miss Granger. I suspect when the spell hit Harry, Harry showed a fear of dying. His innermost thoughts were wishing you didn't have to die. Am I correct Harry?" Harry looked at the floor. He felt ashamed. Dumbledore had been trying to portray him as a hero now that Dumbledore revealed his inner fears Harry felt that he was not hero. He was a coward.
Hermione grabbed Harry's hand and point-blankly said, "You have nothing to be ashamed of Harry. Anything you felt was only natural. Everybody has a fear of dying. You are not a coward. You may be a little bit brash and have a serious martyr complex problem but cowardice is something you'll never be!" Harry looked at Hermione's fierce expression.
Ron clapped Harry on the back. "What she said mate." Neville nodded in agreement.
Dumbledore continued, "So, I think that's what happened when Harry unwillingly cast a spell that cause all this to happen. There are times when wizards are in dire situations they manage to produce surprising amounts of magic. Usually this is found in young untrained wizards, these random bursts of magic. So Harry willed himself for this to be all over. Maybe even wished that he wasn't the chosen one."
Harry racked his brains. He didn't remember doing any of that. I guess it was subconscious. But how many times had he wished he had his family. All this madness, Voldemort, being the chosen one...that could all be a dream. Had his wish finally come true? But Dumbledore was implying that although, this reality was all very real, it was right. Harry was always destined to be the chosen one. It would be him, Harry Potter who could finish Lord Voldemort.
Harry caught Dumbledore's eye and Dumbledore gave Harry a small wink. "Sir, now that we've established how we ended up here, how do we get back?" Harry asked with renewed determination.
Dumbledore looked slightly surprised. "You've already decided to go back Harry?" Harry took a deep breath and said, "Voldemort isn't gone for good. You didn't kill him either."
Dumbledore nodded. "Very astute Harry. From what I saw that night Voldemort knew his time was up. He fled into the sewers. Voldemort knew that duelling me would be fruitless. The thing is Harry; I'm not sure how much you know regarding this situation." Dumbledore's eyes rested upon Neville momentarily.
Harry noticed this and said, "You can say it in front of Neville Sir. He knows enough. I mentioned it to him in case something happened Ron, Hermione or I that he should finish the snake." Neville's eyes widened remembering Harry desperately pleading with him to kill the snake.
Dumbledore looked pleased. "Very smart Harry. You covered all the bases. Very well, I shall tell you everything."
Dumbledore returned back to his desk and took his seat. Fawkes took flight from his perch flew around the room several times and finally came to rest on Dumbledore's right forearm.
"Everything in this timeline is essentially the same except you aren't the chosen one." Dumbledore looked at Neville and Harry. "The prophecy that you all saw in your 5th year was labelled for Harry but Neville, it could have been you."
Neville looked dumbfounded. "Me?" he squeaked. Dumbledore nodded and continued. "You never got a chance to hear it did you?" Neville nodded.
Dumbledore pulled out his pensive and drew out his wand. He put his wand at his temple and pulled. The familiar silvery stand came apart. Dumbledore deposited the memory into the bowl and swirled it around. Professor Trelawney emerged and repeated the prophecy that Harry had memorized several times by now. Ron and Hermione though had heard it from Harry were now hearing it firsthand. When Trelawney sank back into the depths of the bowl there was silence in the room except for Fawkes cooing softly.
Neville looked visibly distraught. "So it could have been me..."
Dumbledore nodded sadly. Neville took a few deep breaths and tears sprang up into his eyes. Dumbledore conjured a handkerchief and handed it to Neville. Neville composed himself and urged Dumbledore to continue.
"So as I was saying, the prophecy still comes into play. Both the Potters and Longbottoms defied Voldemort three times. However, I volunteered to be the secret keepers for both parties. Unlike in the original timeline the Longbottom weren't under the Fidelius Charm and the Potters chose someone else rather than myself. In the Potter's case that ended up leading them to their deaths.
In this timeline Voldemort had plans to kill both families. I think he thought he would be thorough in case he killed the wrong one. I came to both parties and persuaded them to let me be the secret keepers and they readily agreed. Voldemort confronted me that night demanding I give up the whereabouts of the Longbottoms and Potters.
I refused and Voldemort challenged me to a duel. I was gaining the upper hand when Voldemort chose to depart from the scene. I am absolutely certain that one of my spell hit him. After waiting several weeks and Voldemort still hadn't surfaced I reversed the Fidelius Charm."
'So that's what happened.' Harry though.
But then he looked at Neville who kept looking at his knees. "What happened to Neville's parents Sir?" This time Neville spoke up.
"Months after You-know-who disappeared, some Death Eater showed up at our house. They thought my parents had some information on Voldemort. You know both mum and dad were aurors. They tortured them to get information out of them. But they didn't know anything..." Tears were now falling rapidly from Neville's eyes. Hermione gave Neville a hug.
"I was out with Gran that day. That's what she told me."
Harry faced Dumbledore, "Sir, this is very real isn't it? It's not a hallucination?" Dumbledore nodded. "Quite right Harry." Harry suddenly recalled what the Sorting hat told him.
"Professor, the Sorting hat remembered me. How is that possible?" Dumbledore replied, "Because you knew your surroundings. You had your past memories intact." Harry slowly said,
"The hat told me something...It told me that where I am now is not my destiny."
Dumbledore didn't look surprised. "Remember Harry, only you can be the one to defeat Lord Voldemort." Harry looked subdued. "Don't worry Harry, I myself will do some research in order to aid you. When I have an answer I will summon all four of you. All you have do now is enjoy your lessons and all the time you can have with your parents."
Dumbledore looked at Harry and Hermione and added, "And maybe make some other important choices." Harry and Hermione looked at each other bewildered.
Dumbledore stood up and they followed suit. Harry remembered something else. "Professor, the hat also said that time is running out."
Dumbledore smiled. "I guess that means I need to hurry up!"