So sorry guys. Writers block is a terrible thing.

Death Eaters.

Harry suddenly found it very hard to breathe. The bliss and excitement he'd felt the last couple days immediately evaporated…to be replaced by the cold, harsh reality of duty.

Voldemort.

The three of them sat frozen in their seats while the meeting in front of them went on. One gaunt-looking witch stood up and waved her hand around as she argued about something in a fierce whisper. Someone pulled her back into her seat and the group suddenly leaned into a huddle as some kind of debate ensued.

Harry looked down. He hadn't admitted it to himself, but subconsciously he had dreamed of staying here, at Hogwarts, with his parents, and the Marauders…and Sammi. How could he do that though? How could he stay here in warmth and comfort when his future self was the only one who had the power to stop Voldemort's reign of terror?

"Should we stun them?" Ron's voice cut through his reverie. "I mean, man, they're right there!"

"Shush," Hermione admonished. "Harry knows we can't do anything. Right Harry? Harry…say something! Harry!" Her voice broke off and she sounded like she was about to cry.

"Stop saying my name," Harry murmured. Rudolphus Lestrange was now speaking. The husband of Sirius' killer. The one who made Neville as good as an orphan.

Harry felt Hermione's fingers clench over his wrist. "Don't, Harry. Don't even think about it."

Harry glanced at her, suddenly feeling strangely irritated. "Don't do what?"

"Don't attack them! Don't do something that isn't meant to happen!"

"What do you mean isn't meant to happen?"

"I mean," Hermione hissed back furiously, "If you change history, something bad is bound to happen!"

"You mean my mum and dad were meant to die?" Harry demanded.

Ron looked between them warily. "Um, guys…?"

"No, I didn't say that!" Hermione's face was flushed. "Harry, why do you always think we're trying to keep you away from something?"

"I didn't say anyth—."

"Shut up you guys!" Ron shouted, his butter beer bottle coming crashing down onto the floor."

There was a ringing silence in which everyone in the pub turned to stare at them.

Hermione pointed a shaking wand at the glass on the floor. "S-sorry about that," She said loudly to the room, " Re-Reparo."

The Death Eaters, or Death Eater recruits, were now looking at them suspiciously. Harry dug into his pockets and threw some money onto the table. "C'mon, we should be getting back to the castle."

Hermione looked at him anxiously, before standing up. "Yes, we really should be finishing that Transfiguration Essay," she said loudly. She stole a quick glance at the Death Eaters who were still watching them, and sped up for the doorway. Ron and Harry followed.

A dirty looking witch stood up then. She was holding her wand.

Harry felt his heart jump and it took all his self-resistance not to turn around or speed up. They were just out the door when a curse hit the wooden door as it swung shut, leaving a smoking hole in the center.

Hermione shrieked, falling backwards. Ron's freckles stood out in his pale face as he almost dropped his wand. Harry grabbed them both by the arm, pulling them upwards. "Get out of here!"

The three raced out the door as raucous laughter exploded behind them. "Are they following us?" Hermione panted as they rounded the bend.

Ron looked behind them and seemed to choke. "Bloody hell, one of them's behind us. "

Harry turned to see a tall, wizard in grey robes gliding after them with a crazed, sadistic look on his face. "Crap."

The three teenagers ducked down, and sprinted between the shops, skirting around small groups of people before ducking into a small alcove that was near the pathway leading to the Shrieking Shack.

"This is going too far, Harry," Hermione panted. "This can't go on. We are running for our lives. We've got to…you've got to tell Dumbledore."

Harry stared at her, not quite sure if he'd heard right. "Dumbledore? You're kidding me. What can he do? He doesn't know that we're here. He'll freak out or something."

Ron glanced at him. "Dumbledore can't freak out, mate. He's like, not capable of doing that."

Hermione elbowed him. "Look Harry, I know we have the book. I know we have a way…but what if…what if we don't know what to do? What if we can't decide…the right path…"

Harry sighed. "Hermione, you're trying to lecture me about the right path? My whole life is about choosing the right path. If I make one mistake…if I screw up…the whole wizarding world's going to fall apart."

"Oh Harry…." Hermione put her hand on his shoulder. "I know how you—he's right there!" Her voice broke off into a squeak. The trio turned around to see the grey-robed wizard from before, this time accompanied by 3 more, ambling down the street. They hadn't seen the three yet.

Hermione's hand closed on Harry's wrist. "Go. You've got to get Dumbledore. He can put a stop to this. If nothing else, he can stop these Death Eaters."

Harry shook his head. "I'm not leaving you guys."

Ron groaned. "Harry, listen mate, we love you too but this isn't about us."

"Exactly!" Hermione looked slightly surprised that Ron was helping her out. "This isn't about us. It's about everyone here…in Hogsmeade and the future wizarding world-."

"I get it okay?" Harry stood up. "You don't have to be so metaphorical." He took out his wand and looked worriedly at his friends. "You'll be okay? I don't know about this…"

"Just go Harry." Hermione said, pushing him.

"Yeah, the lady said to go."

All 3 whirled around to see Sirius, James, Lily and Remus standing behind them.

"Sirius!" Hermione felt a smile break onto her face "Wait—how long were you listening?"

Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Is there a reason why I shouldn't have been? Some….dirty secret?"

Hermione smacked him lightly on the shoulder. "No! It's just that eavesdropping is incredibly impolite you know…" She trailed off, seeing the looks Harry and Ron were giving her. "I'm sorry. I-Harry—." Her next words were cut off as Sirius pushed her onto the ground. A black jet of something whizzed past, causing the grass it hit to shrivel.

"What was that for, man?" Sirius shouted at the wizard strolling towards them.

The wizard responded by raising his wand.

James was quicker, aiming a stunning spell of his own at him which the wizard had to hurriedly block. The next thing they knew, hexes and curses were flying everywhere.

"Go, Harry," Hermione hissed.

Harry went. He ducked away from the group, feeling ashamed. He couldn't believe he was just leaving them like that; His friends in a life and death situation.

His feet flew as he raced up the path to Hogwarts and up the stone steps. Breath coming in gasps, he winced at the wave of heat that hit him inside the castle before stumbling for the stairs. The route to Dumbledore's office was all too familiar though the last time he was there he was trashing the place.

Harry arrived at the wooden door and stopped cold, staring at the stone gargoyle before the door. "Crap."

"Nope, that's not the password," the gargoyle said lazily. "And I swear, James Potter, you were just in here a few days ago. You forgot the password already?"

Harry turned away, not in the mood for yet another person thinking he was his Dad. What if his Dad or mum got killed? Would that mean he Harry wouldn't be alive? How had he screwed everything up? Harry clutched his head. Just concentrate. Think what to do now…

"Harry? Harry!"

He turned and froze, staring as Sammi raced towards him. "Sammi? What are you doing here?"

She waved her hands sheepishly. "Got caught at the whole snowball fight thing, hexing a Slytherin." She shrugged and smirked. "Not that he didn't deserve it. You looking for Dumbledore?"

"Yes!" Harry shook his head. "I swear, you are psychic or something."

Sammi raised an eyebrow. "There's also the fact that you are standing in front on his door staring at the Gargoyle. Just a small clue."

Harry smiled sheepishly. "That too." He remembered the Death Eaters again and jumped up. "You know where he is?"

"Yeah, I was just speaking to him. He had to go though, because of some urgent message. You wanna go check anyway?"

"Yeah, that'd be great." Harry followed her down the corridor. "Listen, thanks for helping me. You have no idea what's going on right now."

Sammi turned and smile at him. "Try me."

Harry stopped. He hasn't actually considered telling any of the Marauders or Lily or Sammi about this whole time-traveling thing. But what if…. Harry shook his head. "I have to see Dumbledore first."

Sammi shrugged. "Sure, whatever. He might be in that room to your right."

"Thanks," Harry said awkwardly. He waved at her before entering through the door.

It was a small circular room, brightly lit by the large square windows. An empty wooden table filled the middle, while a fireplace occupied almost the entire left wall. Dumbledore was crouched there, talking to someone.

"—and then...I'll see you Albus," The wizard said, seeing Harry enter. He disappeared with a pop.

Dumbledore straightened, sighing. Harry stared at him. He was visibly younger than he would be 20 years later, but his hair was white and there were lines that hadn't been in his face when Harry had seen him in Riddle's diary.

"What is it?" Dumbledore turned towards Harry and stopped, frowning.

Harry swallowed. "Hello, Professor Dumbledore."

Ah, Dumbledore. Don't we all love him.

Thank you to all the reviewers, who ultimately made me update the story.

Up next is Harry's convo with Dumbledore!