Chapter 2: Back to the Beginning
Harry's heart raced as he stared at the familiar red and gold décor of the Gryffindor common room. Everything felt eerily normal, from the crackling fire in the hearth to the soft hum of voices beyond the portrait hole. But he knew better—this was no dream.
Beside him, Hermione stood frozen, her wide eyes darting around the room. Slowly, she turned to Harry, her voice barely above a whisper. "We did it."
The weight of her words hit him like a Bludger. They had actually gone back in time—back to their first year. Harry's head spun as he struggled to process the enormity of what they had done.
"What do we do now?" he asked, his voice hushed.
Hermione's brow furrowed in thought. "First, we need to confirm exactly where we are. The calendar said September 1st, 1991, but we need to be certain." She glanced toward the stairs leading to the boys' dormitory. "And we need to see if our younger selves are here."
The idea of coming face-to-face with his eleven-year-old self sent a shiver down Harry's spine. "What if we're... I don't know, erased or something?"
Hermione shook her head. "I don't think that's how it works. We're here because of the Hallows' magic. We're outside the normal timeline, which is why we remember everything. But we have to be careful. If someone realises who we are..."
Harry nodded grimly. "It could change everything."
The door to the common room swung open suddenly, and a group of first-years stumbled in, laughing and chattering. Harry's breath caught in his throat as he recognised Ron Weasley, his face flushed with excitement. Behind him was a slightly nervous-looking Hermione—eleven years old, her bushy hair frizzier than Harry remembered.
"Oh no," Hermione whispered, instinctively stepping behind Harry. "That's us."
Harry stared, his heart twisting at the sight of their younger selves, so carefree and untouched by the horrors of the future. Young Hermione was eagerly explaining something to Ron, who looked confused but interested.
"We need to get out of here," Harry murmured.
Hermione nodded, grabbing his arm. They slipped out through the portrait hole, their presence unnoticed by the newcomers.
The cool corridors of Hogwarts were a stark contrast to the warmth of the common room. Harry and Hermione walked in silence for a while, both lost in thought.
"We can't stay in Gryffindor Tower," Hermione said finally. "It's too risky."
"Where do we go, then?" Harry asked.
Hermione paused, considering. "We need to find a safe place where no one will look for us. Somewhere we can plan our next steps."
A sudden thought struck Harry. "What about the Room of Requirement? It's always been a good hiding spot."
Hermione nodded slowly. "It could work. But Harry, we can't just hide forever. We came back to make changes—to stop the war before it starts. We need to decide what we're going to do."
Harry ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling to the surface. "I know. But where do we even begin? Do we stop Quirrell? Dobby's warning about the Chamber of Secrets? Pettigrew escaping? It's all connected, Hermione. Every decision we make could change everything."
Hermione placed a hand on his shoulder, grounding him. "We'll figure it out. One step at a time."
By the time they reached the seventh floor, exhaustion was beginning to creep in. Harry paced back and forth in front of the stretch of blank wall, concentrating on what they needed. We need a safe place where no one can find us.
The familiar door appeared, and Harry pushed it open to reveal a small, cosy room with two beds, a table stacked with books, and a roaring fireplace. It reminded him of the Gryffindor common room, but with a quieter, more secluded atmosphere.
"This will do," Hermione said, stepping inside. She immediately began examining the books on the table. "We need to document everything we remember—every event, every detail that could be important. If we're going to make changes, we need a plan."
Harry watched her for a moment, a sense of relief washing over him. Even in the midst of all this madness, Hermione was still Hermione—logical, determined, and brilliant.
"Alright," he said, sitting down beside her. "Let's start with the basics. Voldemort's Horcruxes, the Philosopher's Stone, and the Chamber of Secrets. Those are the biggest threats in the next few years."
Hermione nodded, pulling out a quill and parchment. "And we need to keep an eye on people like Snape, Pettigrew, and even Dumbledore. They all have roles to play."
As they began writing, the weight of their mission settled over them. They had a second chance to change everything—but the stakes were higher than ever. One wrong move, and they could destroy the future they were trying to save.
Harry glanced at Hermione, her face illuminated by the flickering firelight. Despite the fear and uncertainty swirling inside him, he felt a flicker of hope. If anyone could help him rewrite destiny, it was her.
AN: Thank you for the overwhelming support for the first chapter. I hope you enjoy this as well :)