Disclaimer: This chapter contains time-travel consequences, recovered memories, hidden agendas, and the beginning of a second chance.
The characters belong to J.K.
Rowling; the alternate path they now walk belongs entirely to fanfiction.
“…iiit!”
Harry’s own voice dragged him violently out of darkness.
His eyes flew open.
For a split second, panic gripped him as his heart thundered against his ribs.
He jerked upright so abruptly that he nearly struck the roof of the taxi.
“Harry?!” Hermione exclaimed.
Her voice cut through the lingering haze of disorientation.
Blinking rapidly, Harry forced himself to focus.
A Muggle taxi.
London traffic.
Rain-streaked windows.
Hermione sat to his left, Ron to his right, while Mrs. Weasley occupied the front passenger seat and was now twisted around to stare at him with obvious concern.
Right.
The train.
September first.
Fourth year.
He was back.
“Sorry!” Harry said quickly, forcing a nervous laugh.
“Sorry. I think I was having a nightmare.”
Ron let out a breath.
“Bloody hell, mate! You nearly scared the life out of me.”
“Well, as long as you’re alright, dear,” Mrs. Weasley replied.
She continued studying him for several moments longer than Harry found comfortable before finally adding,
“We’re almost there.”
Then she turned back around.
Ron soon lost interest and returned his attention to the rain-covered window.
The moment he did, Harry carefully reached across the narrow space between them and brushed his fingers against Hermione’s hand.
She stiffened in surprise.
Harry gently squeezed her fingers.
When Hermione looked at him, he saw concern, confusion…
…and hope.
Making certain neither Weasley was paying attention, Harry leaned closer and whispered into her ear.
“I’m back.”
Three simple words.
Hermione’s eyes widened.
For an instant, pure shock flashed across her face.
Then relief.
Joy.
Recognition.
Her fingers immediately tightened around his hand.
Harry felt a knot inside his chest loosen.
She remembered.
Turning away before either Weasley noticed anything unusual, Harry glanced toward Ron.
Instantly, he felt the familiar tug.
The loyalty potion.
Even now it pushed at his thoughts, urging him to confide in his supposed best friend.
Tell him everything.
Trust him.
Share the secret.
Harry’s newly reinforced Occlumency barriers slammed shut around the impulse like a steel vault door.
The compulsion vanished.
And for the first time in years, he felt nothing but cold clarity.
The remainder of the journey passed in uncomfortable silence.
The taxi was absurdly overcrowded.
One trunk occupied part of the back seat with them, while the other two barely fit into the boot.
Every sharp turn forced someone into someone else’s shoulder.
Crookshanks, meanwhile, was still recovering from the fireworks accident that had occurred while Fred and George loaded their luggage.
The cat alternated between glaring at everyone and digging his claws into whichever unfortunate person happened to be closest.
By the time they reached central London, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had all collected several fresh scratches.
Harry only remembered after a few minutes that another taxi behind them carried Charlie, the twins, and Ginny.
When King’s Cross finally came into view, everyone looked relieved.
Unfortunately, the weather showed no mercy.
Rain hammered the pavement as they unloaded their belongings and hurried across the crowded street toward the station entrance.
Within moments, Harry’s clothes were damp and his glasses spotted with water.
Some things never changed.
Entering Platform Nine and Three-Quarters was second nature by now.
The trick was not passing through the barrier.
The trick was doing it without attracting Muggle attention.
Today they crossed in groups.
Harry, Hermione, and Ron went first.
With Hedwig, Pigwidgeon, and Crookshanks accompanying them, they were already conspicuous enough.
Leaning casually against the barrier between Platforms Nine and Ten, they pretended to chat while gradually shifting sideways.
A heartbeat later, the solid wall vanished.
Platform Nine and Three-Quarters unfolded before them.
The sight struck Harry harder than he expected.
The Hogwarts Express stood waiting beneath clouds of steam, its brilliant scarlet engine gleaming despite the grey skies overhead.
Students crowded the platform.
Parents shouted final instructions.
Owls hooted from every direction.
Through the drifting steam, people appeared and disappeared like shadows moving through fog.
Pigwidgeon immediately began screeching excitedly at every owl within hearing distance.
Hedwig, naturally, maintained her usual dignified silence.
Together, the three made their way aboard and quickly claimed a compartment near the middle of the train.
After stowing their luggage, they returned to the platform to say their farewells.
Bill had already arrived by Apparition and stood talking with Charlie near Mrs. Weasley.
“I might be seeing you all sooner than you think,” Charlie announced with a grin as he hugged Ginny goodbye.
Fred’s eyes narrowed instantly.
“Why?”
Charlie merely smirked.
“That’s not an answer.”
“It’s the only one you’re getting.”
He lowered his voice conspiratorially.
“And don’t tell Percy I said anything. It’s technically classified.”
Harry and Hermione exchanged brief glances.
Unlike everyone else present, they already knew exactly what Charlie meant.
The Triwizard Tournament.
Bill looked toward the train with an almost nostalgic expression.
“I kind of wish I were going back this year.”
George frowned.
“Why?”
Bill’s smile widened.
“Trust me. Hogwarts is going to be interesting.”
Ron looked thoroughly confused.
“Interesting how?”
Before Bill could answer, the train whistle shrieked.
Mrs. Weasley immediately began ushering everyone toward the carriages.
“On you go. Quickly now.”
“Thanks for letting us stay this summer, Mrs. Weasley,” Hermione said politely.
“Yes, thanks for everything,” Harry added.
The words tasted unpleasant.
Mrs. Weasley smiled warmly.
“It was lovely having you both.”
For just a moment, something unreadable flickered behind her eyes.
“I’d invite you back for Christmas, but I imagine you’ll want to stay at Hogwarts this year.”
Harry knew exactly what she wasn’t saying.
The Tournament.
The Yule Ball.
The plans she believed were unfolding perfectly.
Ron groaned.
“Mum, what do all of you know that we don’t?”
“You’ll find out tonight.”
Mrs. Weasley’s smile widened.
“It’s all very exciting.”
Then she added,
“And personally, I’m glad they changed the rules.”
“What rules?” Fred, George, and Ron demanded together.
“I’m sure Professor Dumbledore will explain everything.”
The train lurched.
Steam burst from beneath the engine.
Slowly, Hogwarts Express began moving forward.
Fred leaned halfway out the window.
“Tell us what’s happening!”
Mrs. Weasley only waved.
Within moments, she, Bill, and Charlie disappeared from sight.
Harry watched the platform vanish behind them.
Then he quietly turned and headed back toward their compartment.