Harry Potter and the Time of Change

By: Bethy Ann

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter unfortunately.

Summary: Harry discovers that he must train in order to kill Voldemort. During the summer set after the 5th book. New people, new discoveries, and love is shared all around. Ginny/Harry, Hermione/Ron, and a little bit of Remus/Tonks.

AN: It's been way too long. I am so sorry. I started my second semester at college last week and have been so wrapped up in my courses that I totally forgot about this story! So here it is!

Chapter 5: Some Things Never Change

Recap: Charlie turned around and said, "I thought they were kidding about you looking different. Man don't you look good. Who's the girl?"

Ron turned red from embarrassment and said, "Girl? There's no girl."

Charlie gave him a look that said, 'we'll talk later'. Ron gave Charlie a hug and sat down.

"Ron get down here! Harry will be here any minute!" yelled Mrs. Weasley.

Ron rolled his eyes at how crazy Mum was acting about Harry coming. Even the things she does when Harry could care less if the house was clean or not.

"Clean your room, make your bed, oh and take a shower dear," Ron said, imitating Mrs. Weasley.

Ron heard a crash downstairs and ran towards the living room. Ron saw Harry on the floor and Mrs. Weasley helping Harry up. Ron smiled and thought, some things never change. Once Harry stood up, Ron saw how much Harry had grown. Harry wasn't a scrawny small boy anymore. He was tall, lean, and defined.

When Harry stood up and saw Ron, he saw what Ginny had written about. Just by looking at Ron, he could tell how much had changed. He looked mature, wiser, taller, and muscular.

"Bloody hell! Look at ya, you look great," Ron said and hugged Harry.

"Yeah, well look at you! What have you been doing to gain all this muscle," Harry asked while touching Ron's arm where the muscle was.

"He's been doing some martial arts stuff with me. How are ya Harry? You look good, have the Dursleys finally decided to feed you?" Ginny asked from the kitchen doorway.

Harry looked at Ginny in her dress and was completely astounded by her beauty and grace. Her hair was wavy and her hair shined in the light. There was a pin in her hair holding some loose strands making her hair look elegant.

"Um, yeah they have," Harry replied.

Ginny made a face and said, "Charlie and Bill are here. They are helping Mum in the attic. No idea what they are doing but eh. Come on, let's go put your stuff away and find the family."

Ginny went up the stairs with Ron and Harry lugging the trunk up from behind. Ron gave Harry a look saying that his sister was insane. Harry just laughed internally and thought, it's good to be back. They got up to Ron's landing and his door swung open. Ginny was sitting on the cot that was Harry's bed, waiting for them to hurry up. Ron and Harry sat the trunk down and sighed. Harry looked around and saw some things different about the room. There were a couple of stacks of books on Ron's trunk and Harry's eyebrows raised.

"Where did you get all these books?" Harry asked.

"Um…the twins gave me the money. Well, I borrowed some money so I have to pay them back. But I ordered the books by owl post," Ron said and got a bit pink in the ears by mentioning it.

Harry walked over and saw the variety of books. He saw a book on the darks arts and Harry's interested perked up. Harry wanted to take a look at that one. He saw some muggle books about martial arts and something about yoga. He also saw a book on wandless magic and Hogwarts: A History.

"Hermione will be impressed that you have Hogwarts: A History," Harry exclaimed.

Ron turned pink at hearing Hermione's name and said, "I didn't read it because of 'Mione. I read it because I wanted to know about the shields and how Hogwarts is protected. I got into Charms. It's really interesting, you should read it."

"Read Hogwarts: A History or about charms?" Harry asked, teasing Ron because he wanted to see him squirm.

"Both, they are interesting. I've been talking to Charlie and Bill about it since they got home," Ron said.

"Aw look at Ron! He's actually excited about talking about books! Ginny, how come you never told me?" Harry asked and winked at her.

Ginny grinned and said, "I didn't know about all the books Ron ordered. I just knew he has been rereading all his schoolbooks?"

"Seriously?" a voice by the door asked in surprise.

Ginny squealed and ran to the newcomer. They hugged and chatted really quickly. Ron's face turned bright red that he busied himself cleaning his dresser that was already clean.

"Is it true Ron? Have you really reread all your school books?" Hermione asked.

Ron turned around and saw how Hermione looked. She was wearing skinny jeans that hugged her in all the right places and a blue sequined tank top. Ron could tell that Hermione was wearing a bit of eye make-up. He saw girls in town with the goo on their faces and he had to ask Ginny about it. Hermione's hair looked wavy and really shiny.

"Yeah, I've actually bought some books at Flourish and Blots," Ron said with a bright red face.

"I never knew this day would come! Oh, Ron, I'm so proud of you," Hermione said and hugged him tightly.

The hug lasted a bit long and Ron had a goofy look on his face. Ginny and Harry just showed a knowing look about the couple. Hermione cleared her throat and looked a bit embarrassed about the public display of affection.

"Ron, Ginny, Harry! Come on down to lunch, the food is getting cold," Molly Weasley yelled to her children from the bottom of the stairs.

The awkward silence was broken by the four as they walked to lunch. In Ron's case though, he shoved Harry aside to get to the table first. Hermione rolled her eyes and thought, some things never change. The table was filled with food and Charlie and Bill were sitting at it chatting very loudly.

"Harry, Hermione! How are you?" Charlie asked.

Harry and Hermione looked at each other and both said, "Good."

Bill and Ginny were already talking and Harry thought Ginny looked so breathtaking while talking. She was so animated and alive. Her eyes sparkled with a fiery passion. Harry looked around and didn't see Percy. He looked at the clock and saw his name was at traveling.

"Hey Ron, where's Percy?" Harry asked.

Ron grinned and said, "Percy has a girlfriend and he has been with her at least every day."

"Oh," Harry said and went back to his thoughts.

The afternoon went by quickly with a couple rounds of Quidditch. Harry's team always won which consisted of Charlie, Ginny, and Fred. Ron's team was Bill, George, and Hermione. They lost because Ron was giving Hermione pointers of how to improve. It was cute how Ron was being patient and gently. Everyone saw a difference in how he treated Hermione.

Afterwards they had dinner and Percy joined them. Harry felt content and happy with his family and friends. After dinner, Harry and Ginny played a game of chess while Ron and Hermione were on the couch talking about God knows what. Harry could not have asked for a better day.

Harry went asleep with a smile on his face. Except everything in his dreamland was white. Harry felt like he was squeezing through a very tight spot. The whiteness went away and he was lying in the hospital wing at Hogwarts. Harry grabbed his glasses to see his surroundings better.

"Ah, you are awake. I'll inform the Headmaster," Poppy said and left the infirmary.

Harry was left alone again wondering why he was in the hospital wing. The last thing he remembered was going to bed at the Weasley's house and now he was at Hogwarts. Something was defiantly not right. The door swung open and Harry saw Dumbledore walk in.

"I see that you are awake now," Albus said and nodded to Poppy.

"Just take this potion and I'll be out of your way," Poppy said.

Harry took the potion and he felt himself go numb. He had no control over his mind or body. It wasn't like being under the Imperius Curse. It was as if he was under a spell. Harry just couldn't pin-point what it was.

"What is your name?"

"Harry James Potter."

"Why are you here?"

Harry did not answer since it was too broad.

Albus asked, "Where did you come from?"

"The Weasley's house."

Albus frowned and asked, "Are you for the light?"

"Yes."

"How did you get here?"

"Time travel through the mind."

The feeling was going away and Harry felt in control again. He saw Dumbledore stand and look at him in wonder. Dumbledore left the room for a minute or so and came back with two middle aged people.

Harry was staring at his parents. He remembered looking at the photograph of his parents that Hagrid had given him. Now his parents were standing in front of him! They were supposed to be dead but they looked so healthy.

"Harry?" Lilly asked hopefully.

Harry nodded, not able to speak. Lilly cried with relief and hugged Harry. She hugged him as if there was no tomorrow. James stood back on shock and amazement. Harry looked at him before he became sleepy again.

Harry awoke with a start and looked around him. He was back in the Weasley's house in Ron's room again. That dream felt so real though. He got up soundlessly and walked downstairs. The fire illuminated the living room and he saw someone sitting on the couch.

AN: There it is! I'll try and get the next chapter up as soon as possible but I can't promise anything. Reviews are much appreciated!! So review and tell me what you think. Reviews also keep me writing faster since they get me inspired.