Author's note. Some people have suggested that the trio allow Ginny to get the diary because it did make her stronger. Problem is, can you honestly imagine Ron agreeing to that? It may have made her stronger, as many other events made the trio stronger but that doesn't mean they're going to repeat them. Harry for example, most certainly isn't going to let Cedric and Sirius die just because he managed to become stronger as a result.

Plus, because small differences can change events, they can't predict what might happen if Ginny gets the diary and Tom is unleashed. What if someone dies this time? What if Ginny mentions how different her brother is, what if Tom decides to act differently based on any information she gives him. So, spoiler alert, Ginny isn't getting the diary, I just can't picture the trio allowing that.

Enjoy and please review.

"Well," Ron said, relaxing back against his pillows. "That went well."

"It did," Hermione admitted, glancing at the now empty bed across from them. "What do you think will happen to him?"

"No idea," Harry said with a shrug. "Maybe this will show him what Voldemort's really like."

"Who knows but he'll probably be holed up in St Mungos for a while," Ron said wisely. "I don't think we have to worry about him."

"But we have to worry about Dumbledore," Hermione stated worriedly. "He knows there's something funny about how we took down Quirrel."

"Yeah but we knew that was going to happen," Harry reassured her. "But I think even he will take a while to work out what happened."

He shot Ron a grin as he said.

"Who would suspect we became blood brothers."

"And sister," Hermione added with her own smile.

"And sister," Harry agreed, laughing.

The night before, they had all cut themselves with Ron's silver knife and then performed the blood brother ceremony. This involved Harry is placing his cut directly against Ron's and then Hermione's, pressing hard so that the blood mixed. In this way, Harry was able to pass on his mother's protection while also making Ron and Hermione his brother and sister. Hermione had shown them the best place to cut so that the blood flowed well but obviously not life threateningly. Once it was over, she healed it in a flash.

They had known that their actions would raise alarm bells in certain teachers minds but they'd felt it had been the best course of action. There was no reason to allow Voldemort to thrive for a while year while trying to get his rather Quirrel's hands on the Philosopher's stone. They had to get rid of him quickly and efficiently and this had been the best way to do it. The first time round, Harry had collapsed and been unconscious for three days, clearly, setting him on Quirrel alone was too risky.

Thanks to the plan, they were only slightly drained and only needed a night's recovery. And since they were alone in the Hospital Wing, they could discuss their next move.

"We're still going for Halloween?" Ron asked, referring to Scabbers.

"Sounds good," Harry agreed as Hermione said.

"I agree but I think we should put anything relating to Voldemort on hold after that. We'll attract far too much attention if anything else happens in quick succession."

"I'm alright with that," Harry said, stretching in bed. "We could try setting up the DA in the meantime."

Harry didn't mean the original DA but they still referred to their idea of a sort of homework club by that affectionate name. Because they were finding the schoolwork so easy, they thought setting up a group to help their year mates might help challenge them a bit. It would be open to anyone who wanted to come, including Slytherins. They weren't sure if any would come but the out of the whole House, the First year Slytherins were the most likely to join an interhouse group like this.

They hoped Neville would join, they'd decided not to go to their Head of House in the end. They didn't want to upset Neville and thought that encouraging him without demanding he perform might be better in the long run. Although Harry suspected that Hermione would still give Augusta Longbottom a piece of her mind if they ever bumped into each other.

And heaven help Uncle Algie if he happened to run into her.

Ron and Harry were planning to explore and try to find a disused room; they didn't want to reveal the Room of Requirement just yet. There were certain students and their families who were better off not knowing about it. The group wasn't going to be really formal or anything like that; they were hoping to make it casual while allowing their fellow First years to practise the spells they had learned during the week.

By helping the others to master charms and spells faster, they hoped to create something of a bond between the four Houses, instead of allowing the usual separation. Gryffindors usually got on best with Hufflepuffs while Ravenclaws seemed to get on best with Slytherins. Of course, Gryffindors and Slytherins as a rule did not get on but there was considerably less hatred in the lower years.

Of course, they had no idea how this would be received or even if anyone would join. However, all they could do was try and hope for the best, while attempting to make it fun for everyone. While the DA's purpose had always been serious, Harry had always tried to make the lessons enjoyable as Professor Lupin once had. He'd demonstrate spells then work out the best ways to practise them, either with partners or death eater dummies that could be liberally attacked. Since Umbridge had been forcing them to study nothing but theory, Harry's lessons had overwhelmingly been about the practical side of defence and he felt he was better at this than explaining theory.

Lucky, that's where Hermione could come in, her area of expertise was definitely theory. Ron wasn't really sure what he could contribute as a teacher but he was good at getting a group involved in stuff. He'd be able to tell more easily if the First years were enjoying themselves or not.

"I hope it goes well," Hermione now said with a smile. "It would be good if we could all get along instead of this silly House rivalry."

Ron grunted, he was really hoping the likes of Malfoy didn't come along. He could tolerate most of the others Slytherins but Pansy, Malfoy and his cronies he couldn't. They might be relatively innocent First year but he couldn't forget how they'd acted or some of the things they'd done, especially Crabbe. Harry and Hermione were a little creeped out by the boy who would one day be capable of torturing fellow students and trying to murder them.

Hermione didn't really think they'd come, perhaps they would to see what all the fuss was about but she doubt they'd stay. Malfoy was far too haughty and Ron could not be happier about this. He was slightly concerned that Fred and George would take the mickey out of him for doing extra studying and also that Percy might become interested. It wasn't that he didn't want Percy to approve but his brother would probably go on and on about it, encouraging the twins to also carry on.

"What do you think we should do first?" Hermione asked Ron who looked a little shocked but pleased. They started discussing what they could do in earnest.

Harry smiled and took out his new photo album out. It seemed Snape had actually told the rest of the staff that he didn't have any pictures of his parents and Professor McGonagall had gathered together a collection for him. The book was leather bound and continued many photos Harry fondly recognised as well as a couple of surprises.

He had a sneaking suspicion that Snape might have been bullied into providing a few although he never appeared in any. They were of a young Lily in her early school years, bursting with happiness and energy. Most were wizard photos, showing her casting spells and running about, her awe at her own ability evident. But there were a few that were muggle, still pictures that in a way, he preferred. Just these snapshots of his mother's life, moments he could look at again and again, knowing they wouldn't change.

This was only the beginning of the journey to defeat Voldemort and save as many lives as they could but at least he would always have this album to remind him why he was doing this. Lily and James had given their lives so that he would live, the least he could do was ensure their sacrifice was not in vain. If he could, he would make sure no one else was orphaned as a result of that monster.

And hopefully, this wouldn't involve coming into conflict with a certain headmaster.

Headmaster's office

"I'm telling you Albus, there's something suspicious about them."

Dumbledore leaned back in his chair as Snape paced his office, back and forth.

"How could three First years take down the Dark Lord and his lackey?"

"Perhaps it was an accident?" Dumbledore suggested calmly as Snape shot him a disbelieving look.

"You don't believe that," Snape stated, pausing in his pacing. "If it was an accident, then just how did they burn Quirrel's skin?"

"That is a very curious point," the old headmaster acknowledged. "There is definitely more to those young Gryffindors than meets the eye. But I do not believe we need be too worried about them Severus."

"Not worried?" Snape exclaimed, staring at his employer as though he was mad, a rather common occurrence. "Albus, what if they do something else?"

"I'm sure they will," Dumbledore said very calmly. "However, considering their actions has rid the school of a dangerous maniac as well as possibly saved a foolish young man from a dreadful fate...I'm inclined to wait and see what their next move will be. If all they do is continue to fight against Voldemort, then I would consider them allies."

"And what if all of this is much more sinister?" Snape questioned.

"Then," Dumbledore said, taking a sip of lemon flavoured tea. "Then we have a problem."

Snape grimaced but resolved to watch those three very carefully. He had them for Potions on Monday so at least he could start his observations soon. However, Snape did not get the opportunity to study the trio in his class as something rather unexpected happened.

The trio were heading to their first class which was potions, they were just emerging into the entrance Hall where lots of other students were mingling or heading off to their own classes. There was nothing special about this situation; Harry was simply half listening to his friends as they argued about something as they stepped into the entrance hall. His eyes idly wandered over the students and happened to rest on a group of Hufflepuff Third years.

And that's when it happened, a face suddenly jumped out at Harry, so suddenly that it felt like a bolt of lightning had struck him. A tall, dark haired boy who was rapidly becoming a handsome one with a bright, friendly smile was chatting animatedly with his friends as Harry stared. A third year, an ordinary boy with a lot of potential to achieve great things...if only he could live long enough to achieve them.

"Harry...are you listening...Har...Ron?" Hermione gasped as she saw her friend's face drain of all its colour and he swayed on the spot.

"Mate? What's wrong?" Ron exclaimed, grabbing hold of Harry's arm while Hermione tried to spot what had upset him. Following Harry's fixed gaze, she let out another gasp.

"Cedric Diggory."

"Bugger," Ron swore as he heard her and realised what the look on Harry's face meant, he'd seen it enough times. "Come on; let's get him out of here."

Taking him under his arms, they quickly dragged him away; thankfully no one was paying attention to a bunch of First years. They found a deserted corridor which led down to the laundry. They continued as far as Harry could go to avoid anyone finding them but eventually, his legs gave up.

He was breathing hoarsely, gulping in slightly steamy air as memories washed over him.

"You've saved my life twice now."

"If we take it together, it'll still be a Hogwarts victory."

"Kill the spare."

"Cedric Diggory's death was a tragic accident."

"What really happened in that graveyard?"

"Harry...take my body back...to my parents."

"I will..."

"Oh Cedric," Harry thought before he suddenly threw up all over the floor.

His arm slipped out of Hermione, and half slumped, he clutched his stomach as he threw up again. All of his undigested breakfast splattered across his front, the wall and the floor. But he couldn't stop, just the images of a smiling Cedric mixed with the ones of his pale, dead face with its wide staring eyes. He closed his own eyes but that just made it worse as he breathed in air and tried to stop heaving.

"Its okay, Harry," Hermione cooed even as she vanished the mess left.

Getting rid of the bitter smell helped a little but he was still struggling to control himself. He could taste vomit and acid in his mouth, making his eyes water. Cedric's death had been without a doubt the hardest on him, even worse than Sirius's. For some of those he'd seen die, it had been only hours later that he was back in Privet Drive so they just hadn't affected him that much beyond a few nightmares.

It hadn't been difficult seeing Fred with George because...Fred was always with George and there hadn't been time for the fact the twins would never be together really sink in. As for Sirius, well, he was experienced at losing someone by then and in a way, seeing Sirius with the aid of the Resurrection Stone really helped. He knew that Sirius would be waiting for him on the other side, along with his parents and Remus.

But Cedric?

No, he was nowhere near over that death even though he'd believed he was. Despite the fact he'd wished things could have been different, that Cedric could have lived, somehow he couldn't bear to actually see Cedric alive. It reminded him so painfully how an innocent boy had died simply because a manic had wanted to kill him. He'd blamed himself for Sirius's death but Sirius had been a grown man who'd made the choice to come after him, Cedric never had a choice.

He'd taken that Cup because it would have meant an end to the conflict within the school over who was the real Hogwarts champion. It would have been a resounding Hogwarts victory, the prize money and glory easily spilt between them. They would have made everyone proud, Cedric's parents, the Weasleys, all of their friends, their Heads of House, Dumbledore, everyone who mattered. Instead, it had torn the whole school apart with grief, anger and suspicion. What was worse was that Harry knew that Cedric would have been heartbroken at the events that had followed; he would have been horrified at how so many people had turned against each other.

Harry hadn't always liked Cedric, he'd been exceedingly jealous of how he'd won a pretty girl and thus, had scorned the older boy's hint for the second challenge. Of course, he knew that Cedric had won Cho simply because he'd asked for to the Ball in good time instead of delaying. Cedric had been two years older and hadn't felt the same awkwardness and pressure that Harry had, it was simple as that. As far as Harry could tell, Cedric had never said or even had a bad thought about Harry himself.

Cedric played to win like anyone else but he always wanted to do it in a totally fair game, for instance he had been outraged by the Demontor trick Malfoy had tried to play on Harry. He was just so...fair and he never despised anyone simply because they were on a different team. Harry was guilty of that and so were the twins, Wood and several others, they played and acted like Quidditch was a matter of life or death.

If Harry made it to the Gryffindor Quidditch team this time around, he swore that he would follow Cedric's example, that he would display good sportsmanship. Because as much as he loved the sport and was fully a part of the passion, Hermione did have a point about the discordance it created between the Houses. Looking at it, a lot of the conflicts he'd experienced in school had involved Quidditch. His big argument with Hermione in Third year had been because of his desperation to win the Quidditch Cup. A huge number of incidents with Malfoy could be traced to Quidditch.

The animosity some of his team had displayed to Cedric simply because he'd won that one match fair and square...

Cedric...

"I...I don't think I can go to Potions," Harry whispered. "I can't face them."

"Okay Harry," Hermione said in concern as Ron said.

"Come on, let's head outside, it's a good day."

"Are you sure?" Harry asked as they put his arms over their shoulders again. "We'll probably all get Detention."

Ron chuckled.

"Let's face it Harry, even if they send us into Forest, it's not going to be a real hardship. Voldemort's gone so the Unicorns and stuff will be safe. They'll probably give us some cleaning chores or something."

"Oh yes, I'd almost forgotten about the Unicorns," Hermione exclaimed as they made it into the empty Entrance Hall. "That's so wonderful."

"It'll make Hagrid's life easier," Ron said conversationally, seemingly unbothered by the fact they were playing truant. But considering they knew all the coursework and could easily catch up on anything missed, he had no reason to be bothered. Harry needed this and Ron was not going to abandon them.

Some people made the mistake of thinking that Ron wasn't interested in doing well at school but that wasn't true. Anything he'd ever missed was because of an emergency, he did want to get good marks, he just wasn't obsessed with it. He'd often complained about homework and sometimes, put Quidditch and other things ahead of it. But let's face it, he did what most other blokes did, they wanted to have fun rather than always think about class.

There was no way he was letting Harry face Snape in this state, the man would probably harp on at him all lesson if he seemed even slightly distracted. So along with Hermione, they took Harry outside into the sunshine and headed for a shaded tree. The weather was still warm so they settled themselves underneath the tree and relaxed. Harry placed his head against the bark and closed his eyes, trying to recover his composure. After making sure he was okay, Hermione took her potions book out her bag and began studying it.

Ron was just happy to lie back with Harry, silently providing his support. Cedric was clearly going to be something of an issue and he wasn't sure what he could do to about this. Would Harry react this way when he saw others like Colin Creevey? He remembered how he'd reacted with Fred, it had felt so weird but he also remembered his parents kind support.

Well, it looked like this was his chance to prove that he really was Harry Potter's big brother.

Author's note. The logic behind passing Lily's protection is that if Voldemort could do it, why not the trio. Also, becoming blood brothers is something that doesn't happen now days because infections can be transferred in this way. Eh, I'm sure that reasoning isn't very sound but let's go with it and say a wizard did it.