Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was a cold night at Grimmauld Place, and the wind blew through the open window as the darkness of the evening deepened.

 Harry sat on the edge of his bed, staring out at the swaying trees. He was spending his summer here, in the eerie old house, before heading back to Hogwarts. Normally, he would be able to hear the Order’s voices drifting through the halls, their constant chatter and arguments filling the air.

 But tonight, there was an unusual silence. Perhaps they were giving him a break, sensing that he wasn't in the mood for their usual bickering. 

He didn't mind. The abundance of noise was actually comforting in a way. It reminded him of what “home” felt like to him atleast. though the Dursleys were still the people he’d been forced to live with for far too long. At least this year, he couldn’t go back there, not after everything that had happened. 

"All he needed was chocolate," Harry recalled under his breath, remembering how the Dursleys had reacted when Dudley was attacked by the dementor. They'd been horrified, and Harry had no doubt they believed him to be some kind of monster for what happened to their "poor Dudley."

He snorted at the absurdity of it. "As if he hasn't had enough to be cured immediately." It was a bitter thought, but a part of him felt oddly amused. 

Harry settled back on his bed, his feet still on the floor. He didn’t bother to tuck himself in, never did. Instead, he absentmindedly traced his fingers over his scar, rubbing the raised, bumpy skin.

 The scar was an old companion, a permanent reminder of the night that had changed everything. The night he should never have survived. What made him the “Boy-Who-Lived”. He hated the title and the memory. 

The scar hardly healed over the years. It still hurt in places, and sometimes, it felt unusually sensitive. He could still feel the magic pulsing underneath the surface, a strange connection to the events of that night. 

Before he could drift further into his thoughts, a letter suddenly fluttered through the open window, landing with a soft thud on the floor beside him. The owl that had dropped it off had already flown away before Harry could even blink. 

"Must be an anonymous letter," Harry thought as he carefully picked it up. He peeled the wax seal off with meticulous care, trying to preserve the intricate design. He read the letter aloud in his head, though it made no sense to him.

---

Dear Harry Potter-Black,

I hope this letter finds you well. I wish to meet you, not yet, but in the past. I hope this year brings you good enemies and loving devotees. Your followers await your arrival.

Let the goat rest, and the snake take over. 

Not known to you yet,  

Luna Potter, née Lovegood

---

Harry stared at the letter, confused and disoriented. "Luna? As in Luna lovegood? As a Potter?" he repeated, his mind spinning. There was so much to process: followers? A goat? A snake? What did it all mean? And what did she mean by "not yet, but in the past"? Was this some kind of joke? 

Harry glanced at the wax seal he had preserved. 

it was a raven and a snake, intertwined, with the initials P. B. L engraved beneath. It was an odd, almost surreal detail. This didn't feel like a prank from Fred and George, or even Luna herself, though he considered the possibility. 

The seal was too precise, too professional. almost as if it was a family heir. 

It wasn’t something they could have easily made up. 

But if it wasn’t a joke, then who had sent it? And why? Harry's head hurt just thinking about it.

 He carefully slipped the letter back into its envelope and stowed it away in his trunk, hoping it would somehow disappear or that he would eventually find an explanation. He wasn’t sure what to make of it yet, but the mystery gnawed at him. 

Days passed, but Harry couldn’t stop thinking about the letter. He had read it over and over, memorizing the strange words, but he still couldn’t make sense of it. The questions kept swirling in his mind. Was it a warning? A riddle? Or something else entirely? 

When Ron and Hermione lettered to harry to do their school shopping together, Harry decided to bring the confusing letter with him. Maybe Ron knew something about the twins' mischief, or perhaps Hermione. Being the brightest of them all, could shed some light on it. 

The letter felt almost sacred in his hands, as though it was an artifact he had to protect. The scent of lemon hung around it, faint but distinct, and the ink glimmered ever so slightly in the dim light of the room. It was beautiful, in a strange way—something about it stuck with Harry, even when he tried to push it aside.

As Harry walked into Diagon Alley, he couldn’t help but smile at the usual chaos. The Weasleys were everywhere, patting off the Floo powder from their clothes as though it had taken up permanent residence on them.

“Don’t laugh at me, Harry! As if you didn’t go to ‘Diagonally’ the first time!” Ron grumbled, patting off the last of the floo powder.

Hermione laughed. “i dont think it can be that far on foot. Go to the Muggle world, you’ll see how easy it is to walk for everything."

She said this, seconds after appearing behind Harry, startling him with her quiet footsteps. 

“Aah!” Harry yelped, spinning around, hermione almost knocking him off his feet.

“When did you get here??!” Ron said, his voice cracking slightly in surprise.

“I’ve been here the whole time, how rude of you not to notice!” Hermione replied, a little too smugly for ron’s liking.

“Yeah, Ron, didn’t you see her?” Harry said, his voice filled with mock innocence, though his face betrayed him. 

Ron scowled, but it only lasted for a moment before all three of them burst into laughter. 

It felt good to tease each other, to forget the weight of the past for a moment and just be kids again. They had missed each other.

Missed this. 

Together, they continued down Diagon Alley, picking out new school supplies and laughing over the absurdity of it all. 

The letter, however, still burned a hole in Harry’s bag, the mystery of it tugging at him with each step he took. 

“Harry?” Hermione looked at him worryingly, of course she’d notice first. “Whats got you thinking like that?”

Harry hadn’t even noticed that he was staring at the ground the entire time. Just staring. Thinking for what mustve been an hour.

“Id rather wait to explain on the train, ‘Mione..” 

harry said, quietly. 

Hermione understood, nodding her head , smacking ron on the upside to gain his attention who reluctantly agreed aswell.

"Alright alright. But dont be expecting me to not be questionin' you an awful lot." said ron, rubbing his now hurt head.

Harry followed behind the two, walking into kings cross station.

Chapter Text

“Harry?” Hermione’s voice broke through his thoughts, filled with concern, as usual. She was the first to notice. “What’s got you thinking so hard?”

Harry blinked, realizing only then that he had been staring at the ground for what felt like an eternity. Lost in thought, his mind swirling around something he didn’t quite understand. It could have been an hour, or maybe more.

“I’d rather wait until we’re on the train, ‘Mione,” he said quietly, his voice carrying a weight that felt out of place in the bustling surroundings of Kings Cross Station.

Hermione gave him a knowing look, nodding in understanding. With a swift motion, she slapped Ron lightly on the arm, and, though reluctant, he gave a grumble of agreement. The trio began their walk through the station, heading toward Platform 9¾.

The trio was in the thick of the crowd now, weaving between families and students. Platform 9¾ was packed as usual, and the train was scheduled to depart in fifteen minutes. They had just enough time to stow their trunks.

 With little more than a glance at each other, they ran toward the wall, stepping through the magical barrier to find the Hogwarts Express waiting for them.

The moment they were through, the familiar chaos of the station greeted them: people bumping into them from all sides, a crush of magical folk, and the ever-present rush to get settled. 

Harry quickly sent a soft, final farewell to Hedwig as he loaded her cage onto the train before following Ron and Hermione inside.

They found an empty compartment, and as soon as Harry sat down, Ron and Hermione’s eyes locked onto him.

" Tell us," they said in unison, catching Harry off guard.

He sighed, feeling the weight of the moment. 

Slowly, he stood up. reaching into his bag to pull out the letter he’d received just days before. The envelope was still pristine, the edges slightly shimmering in the light, and it still carried a strong citrusy scent that was almost too delicate to place.

Both Ron and Hermione leaned forward, their curiosity piqued as Harry handed it to them with the gentlest of gestures, as if it might shatter if they weren’t careful.

"Who’s it from?" Hermione asked immediately, eyes scanning the ornate envelope.

"Such a beautiful envelope! Is it from a noble family?" Ron added, leaning in to inspect it.

"Argh, it’s not MALFOY, is it?" Ron asked, looking over at Harry, half-joking, half-serious.

"Ron, do you really think Malfoy would use lemon-scented paper?" Hermione shot back, arching an eyebrow.

Ron gave it a sniff, and reluctantly shook his head. “Indeed, he would not… BUT WHO THEN?”

Harry bit his lip and silently motioned for them to open it.

Ron immediately began inspecting the wax seal, while Hermione unfolded the letter carefully, her brow furrowing as she read aloud:

“Luna Potter, née Lovegood…?”

Both Ron and Hermione stared at the letter in disbelief.

"This is a snake.. eating a raven?" Ron muttered, eyeing the strange symbol next to the name.

“Harry, explain,” Hermione said, her voice now serious, a frown creasing her forehead. “None of this makes any sense.”

Harry slumped back in his seat, rubbing his temples. “I.. don’t know. At first, I thought it was some prank from Fred and George, but... seeing the wax seal, it’s clearly real. And well-kept. Not tampered with.”

He paused, staring at the letter. “And the words… it’s just Luna, isn’t it? No offense to her, but... it fits her way of speaking entirely.”

He was worried. It wasn’t hard to see that. His friends exchanged glances, and even though they hadn’t said anything aloud, they could tell. Harry was uncertain.  not just about the letter, but about its implications. He didn’t know how to explain what it might mean for him and Luna.

“I mean, why would Luna Lovegood have your last name, Harry?” Hermione muttered under her breath, scanning the letter again. "It doesn’t make sense. "

Harry didn’t have an answer for her. The question itself felt like a riddle. He shifted in his seat, unsettled. "I don’t know. i was thinking of showing her when we got there, But-" His voice dropped lower, "-what if Luna’s just as confused by this as I am?"

Ron looked between the two of them, then raised an eyebrow. "What if you... send it back? Or track down where it came from? There has to be some way to find out more."

“I’m not sure…” Harry said quietly, his voice trailing off. “But I’ll think about it.”

Ron, ever the pragmatist, clapped his hands together. “Right, well, let’s not get all worked up over it. It’s the start of a new year, yeah? I don’t know about you lot, but I’m starving for some sweets. Let’s leave the mystery for now and just enjoy the ride. I’d much rather start the year with a sugar high than a tiring adventure.”

Hermione and Harry both nodded, the tension slowly dissipating. It had been a long summer, and the mysteries of the letter were something they could put off for a little while.

With a soft sigh, Harry carefully slid the letter back into his bag. The lemon scent still lingered on his robes, a faint reminder of the strange, cryptic message and the enigma that was Luna Lovegood.

For now, though, he’d look past it. The rest of the year awaited.

The journey to Hogwarts was a blur of conversation and quiet contemplation. 

Ron, as always, was more interested in the trolley full of sweets than in any cryptic letters or mysterious messages. Hermione, though she glanced at the bag holding the letter once or twice, didn’t bring it up again, and Harry was grateful for the unspoken agreement to let the issue rest for now.

As the train pulled into Hogsmeade Station, the familiar sight of the castle silhouetted against the dark sky filled Harry with a strange mix of excitement and unease. He couldn’t shake the nagging feeling that something was about to shift in his life. 

Something that might involve Luna Lovegood, and something that wasn’t entirely good, or bad. He had no way of knowing what it meant.

But for now, there were other matters to attend to.

The students filed off the train and onto the platform, heading for the waiting carriages. Harry, Ron, and Hermione climbed into one of the carriages, sharing a space with a few other students, all of them excited to begin another year at Hogwarts. The carriage ride seemed to fly by, and before long, they were standing in front of the massive castle, bathed in the warm glow of its many windows.

The Great Hall was buzzing with excitement. The usual sorting ceremony had already taken place, and the first years had been led away to their new houses. Harry and his friends made their way to the Gryffindor table, where they were greeted with smiles and claps on the back from their fellow housemates.

As the food appeared, the conversation turned to what each of them expected from the year ahead. Harry was lost in thought again, still turning over the mysterious letter in his mind, but Ron and Hermione seemed to be doing their best to make him forget about it for the time being. The feast passed in a blur, and soon enough, the students were heading out of the Great Hall to their respective common rooms.

The next morning, after a full night’s sleep in the Gryffindor Tower, Harry, Ron, and Hermione made their way to the Great Hall again for breakfast. Hermione was holding her new timetable, frowning slightly at it as she scanned the list of classes.

“Right, so first up we’ve got Transfiguration with Professor McGonagall,” she said, reading off the parchment. “Then, after lunch, it’s Charms with Flitwick. And .. oh, it’s Ancient Runes right after that.”

Ron, who had been trying to eat his way through a stack of pancakes, stopped mid-bite and stared at her in shock. “Ancient Runes? Hermione, you’ve got ..onetwothreef.. twelve classes?”

Hermione’s eyes flicked to her timetable, and she quickly ran a hand over it as if smoothing out some imaginary wrinkle. 

“Oh, no, it’s.. it's a mistake!” she said casually, her voice too light. 

“It’s probably just a mix-up in the system. I’ve got only 8 classes, really. Must’ve been a clerical error or something.”

Harry raised an eyebrow “Twelve? You’re taking twelve classes, Hermione? You’ve got your normal load, plus Divination, Muggle Studies, and Care of Magical Creatures ? You’ve never shown any interest in dragons or Hippogriffs before.”

Hermione’s smile wavered just a fraction before she recovered. 

“It’s a new elective. I thought it might be useful, you know? Practical ,” she added quickly, as if trying to convince herself as much as Ron. 

“I thought I might want to learn more for .. study purposes .” She smiled too brightly.

Ron’s brow furrowed. “I didn’t know you were that interested in magical creatures. And since when do you ever take twelve classes? You don’t even have time to breathe when you take eleven, Hermione! What on earth made you decide to take twelve ?”

Hermione twitched a bit. “I already said it was a glitch in the system, didn’t i ?” She gritted her teeth, staring at ron in a demanding way, almost as if to say shut up already.

But Harry could tell there was something off. Hermione was definitely hiding something. She had a way of glossing over things when she didn’t want to discuss them, and right now, that’s exactly what she was doing.

“Right,” Ron said skeptically, still eyeing her suspiciously. “But twelve classes, Hermione? That’s… a bit much, even for you.”

Hermione glanced down at her timetable again, her fingers lightly tapping the edge of the paper as if lost in thought. “Well, if that’s all i need to get going.” she said softly, more to herself than anyone else. “I might as well start studying early.”

Harry exchanged a look with Ron. He was starting to get a weird feeling about this. Before he could say anything more, a loud voice rang through the hall.

“Students! Time to get to your first classes! Don’t be late!” Professor McGonagall called from the head table.

Ron let out a groan, pushing back from the table. “Well, there goes my breakfast. I’ll see you two later. I’ve got Transfiguration first with you, right, Harry?”

Hermione stared at ron, before remarking: “Ron, you’ve eaten atleast 3 servings of breakfast. You ate a whole day.” 

Ron looked back at her and scowled. “Nuhuh! Go to your twelve classes now, wont you missy?!”

Harry had enough of the two, they bickered the entire time while walking to their first class. They sat down in their class, everyone starting to read the year’s upcoming subjects.  but harry’s mind wasn’t on Transfiguration. It was still on the letter , and its words..

The day passed in a blur of classes and introductions. Harry couldn’t help but notice how preoccupied Hermione seemed every time someone asked her about her timetable, and how quickly she would change the subject whenever it came up. But it wasn’t until the end of the day, as they were leaving the castle for the first Quidditch practice of the year, that he finally decided to confront her.

“Hermione,” he said, his voice quiet but firm. “What’s going on? Why are you taking twelve classes?”

She looked at him for a long moment, her lips pressed into a thin line. “I am not doing such a thing, harry.” she said coldly, before trying to walk away.

But Harry wasn’t convinced. He could see her holding a necklace, remembering the past other year where she had used a time turner to go through more classes.

“‘Mione..” he said gently, holding her hand, that held the turner.

“I understand you like to learn. But we both know the turner and all of these subjects aren’t going to do good. You can study more if you’d like, but if this is about you needing to show you can do magic as a muggleborn i implore you to calm this down.” he was gentle, almost whispering to her so no one would notice it. 

“I dont.. I dont know what you’re talking about harry. I can do it, i’m the smart one. I need to know everything, to help.” she hesitated to speak. She does like to study, but she also feels that its her duty as harry’s friend, the Boy-who-lived. He deserved a follower worthy of keeping.

“You are not my devotee, hermione. I have no inner circle or followers. You don’t need to prove yourself. I am friends with you because you are friends with me. It’s almost as if you see me as Voldemort.”  harry giggled a bit after saying that. she was the one that said being afraid of the name makes you afraid of the thing afterall.

but imstead of reciprocating the laughter, it hurt her. It wasnt meant to, but it hurt her. She was taken aback a bit. That he would even speak his name or compare the two. She was his follower, and if he couldn’t see it what was the point of all of this?

“Is that how you feel? You stay with me because i stay with you? I get it. If i left you wouldnt come running, is that it?! Would you prefer i go back in time and make sure you never meet me then? I can do that!” she was close to tears, quickening her speech faster as she spoke.

It was anger in her voice, but sadness in her face. Had he said something wrong?

“ No!- of course not hermione! You’re my friend! I care about you, i dont want you as a Follower!!”

Hermione held up the time turner and spun it in anger.

“NO!” 

He grabbed it and ran. 

Past the corridor

through the doors 

-and right into an unsuspecting Luna lovegood. 

Chapter Text

“NO! Of course not, Hermione! You’re my friend! I care about you, I don’t want you as a follower!”
Harry’s voice cracked with desperation, the words bursting out before he could stop them. He didn’t want to lose her to this obsession. She couldn’t keep pushing herself like this.

Hermione’s hand clenched around the timeturner. Her fingers twisted it in agitation, spinning the small device with an almost frantic energy.

“NO!” harry snapped , his voice tight with fear.

Harry lunged forward, desperate to stop her from spiraling any further. In a single motion, he grabbed the timeturner from her hand, the cool metal shocking his palm. Without thinking, he looked at her, turned and ran.

He raced 

past the corridor,

 through the doors

and straight into someone.

The collision was sudden, and Harry stumbled back, heart racing.

“Sorry luna, ! didn't see you there.” he spoke softly, thinking he had gotten away from hermione enough..

blinking as he looked up right into Luna Lovegood’s wide, expectant eyes.

"it's quite alright har- .. Harry?!"

luna and harry, were shoved through swivelling lights and flashing colours as the time went by.

…

“Harry? Are you okay?” Luna’s voice was soft, but something about it felt distant, as if she were speaking to him from the other side of a veil.

There was a ringing in his ears. A high-pitched sound that drowned everything else. He couldn’t focus on anything except the sharp, searing pain in his scar.

It burned . It burned like fire, like his skin was being pressed against a hot stove. A violent, gnawing pain. His breath hitched, his chest tight with each pulse of agony.

He didn’t know when the tears started. But they came, hot and relentless, and he couldn’t stop them.

Luna’s arms were suddenly around him, pulling him close.

 Her embrace was warm and gentle, but even that felt distant in the fog of his pain. She was there, holding him, but her words were muffled. “Harry, you’re… you’re hurt. In pain..  It’s okay… I’m here.” But the pain.. his scar felt like it was writhing, twisting inside him, an insatiable burn. And then, as quickly as it came, it began to fade.

The agony ebbed. Slowly, as if the pain was being drawn away, sinking deeper into his skin.

His scar was... disappearing.

Luna gasped softly. “Harry... Your scar... It.. it’s uhm..”

Harry looked up at her in confusion and pain.

“ ..disappearing??”

Harry’s hand flew to his forehead in an instant., instinctively touching the scar, but it didn’t feel the same. The skin was smooth.. no roughness, no ridge. His heart raced as he pressed harder, feeling for any sign that it was still there. But there was nothing. It was gone.

The scar was gone.

His scar, was gone

how . the actual . hell.

Luna’s arms tightened around him, but he barely noticed. The pain was gone. The scar that reminded who everyone thought he was, that had plagued him for years was... simply no longer there.

“Luna... What happened?” His voice came out broken, almost hoarse from the strain of it all. it was still serious, as much as it could be anyway.

Luna blinked, a dreamy look crossing her face as she tilted her head to the side. “Well, I was looking for my items,” she began in that peculiar way of hers, as though nothing strange had just happened.

 “Quite a few people have stolen things from me when you bumped into me. But, it’s okay. We got... well, sucked into something. And you landed on the floor, quite funnily, actually." She chuckled softly, as if she were telling a story about a minor accident, her voice distant and casual. Harry blinked at her, still trying to piece together the fragments of his thoughts.

"...The timeturner," he gasped, his heart thudding in his chest as he glanced down at the broken chain in his hand. The timeturner.. 

the one Hermione had been holding, the one he’d grabbed in desperation, had snapped clean in half. A thin, jagged crack ran through the delicate glass, and the once-twirling device was now useless. It had shattered under the strain, just like everything else.

His stomach dropped. "It must've... sent us back," Harry claimed, barely believing the words coming out of his mouth. Had it really? How far..?

Luna’s eyes flicked to the broken timeturner in his hand, her expression unreadable. “I’m not sure when it left us.. but I’m glad it stopped the pain.”

“Yeah...” Harry muttered, still trying to absorb what had just happened. His fingers pressed against his forehead again, but there was nothing. No scar. Not even a trace.

He sat there for a moment, trying to calm the whirlwind in his mind. The letter, is that what it meant?

“Luna, I..” He paused, his voice faltering. “I don’t understand. This is… it’s impossible, right?” pointing to his scar, he knew that it had been seen by many many professionals and all said it would be a permanent scar from the killing curse.

She tilted her head at him with that gentle, almost serene expression. “I don’t know, Harry. Magic’s strange sometimes.”

Magic. 

…

Strange.

“Indeed it is..”

..they stared at eachother a bit.. unknowing of what to do..

"uhm.." they both said, in unison.

Luna suddenly gasped. “Oh! I see someone. Would you like me to ask them when are we?”

Harry chuckled a bit at how she said that. “If you could, yes.. But try to make sense. Not that you don’t, but sometimes people aren't as… open eyed as you.”

Luna nodded and skipped the entire way, and spoke to.. Someone rather familiar looking.

Harry watched from afar. She spoke gently to the person, thought that person seemed quite confused.

He still told her something.. And she was … taking it in

She was.. Shocked. Luna walked back quickly, and jumped into his lap, quickly holding his head close.

harry almost toppled over from her speed. he quickly tried to hold himself up, curious of what she was trying to tell him so quickly.

the ravenclaw whispered in harry’s ear.

“Harry.. We are in 1943”

They both know what that meant. Harry knew what that meant. Luna.. she knew.

Tom Riddle was alive, and not yet Voldemort. 

they had to hide somehow. What was he to say to the headmaster? How was he to stay in hogwarts? 

Harry grabbed Luna's arm.

“Oh, where are you taking me harry? Away from the nargles i hope. There are much more than there are in our year.”

Harry ran. He ran all the way to where hagrids house.. Will be. And ran into the forest.

–

They ran into the forest. And they stopped.

Harry sat down, on a rock. And luna joined next to him. 

He didnt know what to do.

Harry sat on the rock, his head in his hands. The weight of everything pressed down on him. 

Luna, as always, seemed far calmer, though her wide eyes darted around the forest, observing their surroundings as if she were searching for something unseen. “We can’t stay here forever,” Luna said, her voice soft but certain. She tilted her head, studying Harry. “We wouldn’t want to disturb the snorkacks.”

Harry nodded slowly, though his thoughts were spinning. “I agree... How are we supposed to blend in, though ?” he muttered. “We don’t belong here. If anyone finds out… especially.. Him. ” His voice trailed off, the unspoken name hanging in the air like a shadow.

Luna touched his arm gently. “Then we don’t let them find out.” Her eyes sparkled with a quiet determination. “We’ll figure it out, My lord. We always do.”

Harry looked at her, struck by how calm she seemed , and what he had just called him. “Do you ever worry,  My Luna?” he asked, his voice quieter now.

“Oh, all the time,” she replied, her tone breezy. “But worrying doesn’t help. curiosity does.”

Her words struck a chord, and Harry found himself nodding. “Right,” he said, sitting up straighter. “Okay. First things first. “ he took a glance at luna, to check if she was listening.

Luna nodded and sat up like a soldier called to Attention.

“we need to figure out what’s happening at Hogwarts right now. Blend in with the events and such.. If we’re lucky, Dumbledore’s already a professor.”

Luna’s face lit up with recognition. “Ah ! He is! Transfiguration, I think. Im not sure if he’ll be good help.. He usually decides his own students fate.. much to their.. demise.” she stares up at harry, and he.. Picked up what she put down.

“Let’s hope not..” Harry muttered, his mind racing. “But we can’t just show up looking like this.” He gestured to their robes, which were clearly out of place compared to what students of the 1940s would be wearing.

Luna pursed her lips in thought, then brightened. “The Room of Requirement might help. It’s always good for things like that.”

Harry frowned. “Do you think it exists now?”

“Only one way to find out,” she said, hopping to her feet. 

She offered him her hand. “Shall we, my lord?”

Harry hesitated, glancing deeper into the forest. The thought of leaving their temporary cover felt risky, but staying here wouldn’t solve anything. He took her hand and stood. “We’ll need to be careful. No one can know who we are. we aren't even alive yet.... to them atleast.”

Luna smiled. “Of course not. I’ll be someone else. You can call me... Lune Starling.”

Harry blinked at her. “Lune Starling?”

“Yes, it’s a lovely name, don’t you think?” she said, her tone airy as ever. “And you can be… oh, something very ordinary. Like… Harrison Evans. That should do nicely. It's your mothers last name, too. You’ve never gotten much use out of it.”

Harry let out a reluctant chuckle. “Harrison Evans…. And I guess you're right.”

He stared at her gentle, soft smile before finishing his sentence. “Great. Let’s go before I change my mind.”

They set off, weaving through the forest as quietly as they could. As they neared the edge, the towering silhouette of Hogwarts came into view, its familiar spires a comforting sight even in this strange time. 

The castle looked both the same and somehow different.. less worn by time, more kept.

Harry took a deep breath. “Here we go,” he said, gripping the broken Time-Turner in his pocket as if it were a lifeline.

Luna smiled beside him, her steps light and sure. “Don’t worry, Harry. We’re exactly where we’re supposed to be.”

He wasn’t.. so sure about that, but for now, it was enough to keep moving. Together, they slipped out of the forest and into the shadows of a Hogwarts that felt like another world.

Chapter Text

The castle looked both the same and somehow different.. less worn by time, more kept.

Harry took a deep breath. “Here we go,” he said, gripping the broken timeturner in his pocket as if it were a lifeline.

Luna smiled beside him, her steps light and sure. “Don’t worry, Harry. We’re exactly where we’re supposed to be.”He wasn’t.. so sure about that, but for now, it was enough to keep moving. Together, they slipped out of the forest and into the shadows of a Hogwarts that felt like another world.

Here they sat. both going up to the headmaster’s to ask to be enrolled in the school.

Fear, was engulfing the both like a blanket. There was stares, teachers confused. No one knew them. 

The grand entrance hall of Hogwarts stood as majestic as ever, though the air felt heavier in this time. The torches burned brighter, their light casting sharp shadows against the ancient stone walls. Harry’s heart hammered as he and Luna stepped through the massive oak doors. The familiar yet alien scene sent a shiver down his spine.

Luna’s demeanor remained unshaken. “It feels like home, doesn’t it?” she whispered, her voice light as a feather.

“Not exactly,” Harry muttered, tugging at the hem of his too-modern robes. He glanced nervously at a group of students crossing the hall. Their robes were more formal, fitted with sharper lines and adorned with embroidered house crests. “We stand out.”

“Not for long,” Luna said cheerfully. “Let’s find the headmaster’s office.”  she gave a small peck on his arm, to calm him. It did, abit.

Harry wasn’t sure if her optimism was reassuring or maddening. He took a deep breath and nodded, leading the way.

 The halls seemed eerily quiet, the occasional student passing them by with curious glances. Harry avoided eye contact, keeping his head low.

They reached the familiar gargoyle that guarded the headmaster’s office. Harry paused, realizing he had no idea what the password might be.

“Do you think it’s still something sweet?” Luna asked, tilting her head thoughtfully.

Harry shrugged. “Only one way to find out.” He stepped forward and tried, “

Sherbet lemon?”

The gargoyle didn’t move.

“Sugar quill?” Luna offered.

.. 

Nothing.

“Chocolate frog?” Harry tried.

Still nothing.

Luna giggled softly. “Maybe we should ..just knock?”

Before Harry could protest, Luna tapped lightly on the stone gargoyle. To their astonishment, the statue shifted, revealing the spiral staircase behind it.

“Well, that worked,” Luna said with a smile, stepping onto the staircase. Harry followed, his stomach twisting with nerves.

At the top, they found the headmaster’s office door slightly ajar. Harry hesitated, then knocked softly.

“Enter,” came a deep, authoritative voice. Harry pushed the door open, stepping inside with Luna close behind. The office was much the same.. cluttered with odd magical devices, books stacked high, and a large desk at its center. Behind it sat Headmaster Armando Dippet, his sharp eyes narrowing as he took in the unfamiliar pair.

“Who are you?” he asked, his tone cautious but not unkind.

Harry cleared his throat. “Harrison Evans, sir,” he said, his voice steady despite the tension in his chest. “And this is Lune Starling. We’ve come to..-”

“Enroll,” Luna interjected smoothly, her serene smile unwavering. “We’d like to become students here.”

Dippet raised an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. “Enroll? You’re not on the school’s registry. Where are your guardians? Your paperwork?”

Harry hesitated. He hadn’t thought this far ahead.

“We’re orphans, sir,” Luna said softly, lightly holding harry’s hand, making up a story she wanted him to play along to.

her expression turned into an innocent somber. “Our guardians passed away recently, and we’ve been searching for a place to continue our magical education.”

Dippet’s expression softened, though suspicion lingered in his eyes. “Where were you studying before?”

“Private tutors,” Harry said quickly. “Our guardians preferred it that way. But we heard about Hogwarts and…” He hesitated, glancing at Luna for support.

“It feels like the right place for us,” she finished, her tone earnest.

Dippet studied them for a long moment. “And how did you arrive here? Apparition?”

Harry froze. Apparition wasn’t taught to students this young in his own time, and it probably wasn’t common practice in 1943 either. Luna stepped in gracefully. “We were brought here by… unusual magic,” she said, her voice dreamy. “The kind that’s hard to explain. But it led us to Hogwarts, and we think it was meant to.”

The headmaster frowned, clearly unconvinced. “Unusual magic, you say?”

“Yes,” Luna said. “And as you can see, we’re quite skilled for our age.” She gestured toward Harry. “Harold here is particularly talented in Defense Against the Dark Arts. I’m sure we’d both be assets to your school.”

Harry barely suppressed a grimace at her boldness, but Dippet’s expression shifted slightly, curiosity overtaking suspicion.

“Very well,” he said at last. “You’ll need to undergo an assessment before I can consider admitting you. I’ll arrange for Professor Dumbledore to oversee it.” Harry’s stomach flipped at the name. “Professor Dumbledore?” he repeated, trying to sound neutral.

“Yes,” Dippet said, his tone firm. “He teaches Transfiguration and serves as my deputy. If you’re as capable as you claim, you’ll need to prove it.”

“Of course,” Luna said brightly. “We’ll be ready.” she said, with that gentle voice of understanding.

Dippet nodded, though his gaze lingered on them with evident doubt. “Return here tomorrow morning. In the meantime, I’ll have the house-elves prepare temporary quarters for you. Follow the instructions given and do not wander the castle unaccompanied. Hogwarts has its share of… dangers.”

Harry nodded quickly. “Thank you, sir…. we.. we won’t let you down.” As they turned to leave, Dippet added, “And one more thing. “

The both stopped in their tracks, listening intently to the headmaster.

“this is a time of great … unease. Be mindful of the company you keep.”

Harry’s throat tightened at the ominous warning. He nodded again, then stepped out of the office with Luna. Once they were safely out of earshot, Harry let out a long breath. “That was ..close.”

He was a bit.. Worried. A bit confused. Staring at the time turner still broken in his pocket, and thinking of the letter still forwards in time. He wondered if it had anything to do with this, having luna as his friend stuck with him.

Luna smiled serenely. “It went rather well, I think.” harry looked a bit dumbfounded at that statement.“Well? Dumbledore’s going to test us. What if he.. I don’t know. Remembers us? Questions us deeply??”

Luna’s smile didn’t waver. “Then we’ll tell him the truth. Or… parts of it.” she did a small squeak at her last statement. Clearly enjoying the adventure.

Harry shook his head, unsure whether to be comforted or terrified by her confidence. “We need a plan, Luna…. A real one.” She linked her arm with his as they walked. “Plans are easier with sleep. Lets go see what the old quarters are like, my lord.” Harry groaned but didn’t pull away. Tomorrow would bring more challenges..

luna,lightly skipping in her steps, hummed a bit. Enjoying the different air of hogwarts and seeming almost too calm in what they’ve gotten themselves into.. Very calm. Too calm.

He knows shes a bit of a confusing girl. Theres been more than one instance where he definitely thought she was some kind of seer, but he didn’t mention it. It didn’t seem like he needed to.

As he was thinking this, she seemed to hum in a bit of a nod. rubbing up against his shoulder like a kitten, as if agreeing with his thoughts.

“Dont worry, harrison. We are safe, and time has done us well.” she said.. Eerily peaceful in her way of speaking. Harry just.. Nodded and went back to his thoughts. A bit befuddled but nothing he isnt used to near her.

It was quite nice though..

He sank back into his thoughts..

The chamber of secrets, might be a good hiding spot if the room of requirement isn’t made yet. I might be able to master the basilisk before…tom.. Too. 

And the sorcerers stone.. It isnt being guarded by fluffy yet.. Does it even exist..? Probably. 

Hogwarts was already known for having great dangers near children he knew they’d have to face.

and he could only hope they’d be ready.

Chapter Text

“Dont worry, harrison. We are safe, and time has done us well.” she said.. Eerily peaceful in her way of speaking. Harry just.. Nodded and went back to his thoughts. A bit befuddled but nothing he isnt used to near her.

It was quite nice though..

He sank back into his thoughts.

The chamber of secrets… might be a good hiding spot if the room of requirement isn’t made yet. I might be able to master the basilisk before…tom.. Too. 

And the sorcerer's stone.. It isnt being guarded by fluffy yet.. Does it even exist..? Probably. 

Hogwarts was already known for having great dangers near children he knew they’d have to face.

and he could only hope they’d be ready.

Luna and harry had gotten situated in their temporary quarters. Relaxing, sitting by the fire and coming up with a plan slowly.

Although yes, harry was worried and luna was too, it was .. quite nice to be alone, comfortable. 

It was more comforting than anything, especially being stuck. They sat on the guest common room, staring solemnly into the fire… harry slightly wished sirius would pop up in it and get them out of this. Sirius was a teen at this moment thought, wasn’t he.

“This is.. Nicer than i thought it would feel. I thought we’d be put in a dungeon.”

“oh , harry… not everyone is out to get you my lord, its okay” she said softly, with a smile on her face.

“Why have you been calling me that? It’s just a bit confusing, you didn’t do it before.” Harry was quite confused about it. He wasn’t a lord, atleast he didn’t think he was. It was confusing and a bit worrying.

“My brain told me to, you will save us and i am yours because of it. I’d like to show my devotion in some way, aswell” she smiled softly, brushing up against him, laying her head on his shoulder.

Harry took that answer. He was tired, and he knew she wouldn’t elaborate.

The fire crackled softly in the hearth, casting warm shadows across the room. The guest quarters were far from the dungeons Harry had feared, but there was a chill in the air, the kind that seemed to come from the very stones of the castle.

Luna stretched her arms out on her bed, her arms resting lightly on her stomach. Her blanket had slipped to the floor some time ago, and.. dissapeared.. confusingly.

But it was unnoticed in her dreamy contentment. Harry caught sight of it as he paced the room, lost in his thoughts.

The Chamber of Secrets... Could it really be a sanctuary? Or just a risk waiting to backfire? He frowned, his mind spinning. And the Sorcerer’s Stone…if it’s even here, how would we find it? Dumbledore might know more than he lets on during the test tomorrow.

He glanced over at Luna, who lay curled up, her eyes fluttering closed. The room was cold, but she didn’t move to look for her blanket. Instead… she shifted slightly, exhaling a soft sigh as if entirely unbothered.

“Luna,” Harry said, his voice low. “Your blanket’s gone. Aren’t you cold?”

Her eyes flickered open briefly, her serene smile returning. “Hmmh.. I’m alright,” she murmured, her voice carrying that same otherworldly peace. “It’s.. cozy enough…”

But Harry could see her shoulders tremble slightly in the dim light. He hesitated, knowing she wouldn’t admit to being uncomfortable. 

She’d probably just make up some reason about him being scared of some nargle or woobly wobbly thing., he thought, rolling his eyes fondly.

Still, he couldn’t ignore it. With a quiet sigh, he picked up his own blanket and walked over to her. Gently, he draped it across her, careful not to wake her fully.

Luna hummed a bit, relaxing under the warmth.

Harry sighed, he was glad atleast one of them were going to get sufficient rest. 

Luna shifted to make room for him, her head still resting on the side of the bed. 

She tugged the blanket up around her shoulders, her soft hum of contentment filling the quiet room. As the firelight flickered across her peaceful face, Harry allowed himself a moment to relax. The weight of their mission loomed over him, but for now, it was enough to simply sit in the quiet warmth of the room.

She trusts me, he thought, glancing down at her. Completely. Even when I don’t have all the answers.

That trust was… humbling, but it also brought a strange sense of comfort.

Without really thinking, he leaned back against the cushions, his head resting against the pillows in the bed. The fire’s warmth and Luna’s steady breathing lulled him into a rare sense of ease. He gently let himself be wrapped in her arms, like a plush being held tightly. He dozed off, resting better than he ever has.

Soon, without meaning to, Harry drifted off, the worries of the day melting away as the quiet companionship of the moment wrapped around him like a second blanket.

2 A M

Luna woke up . she felt.. something on her.

 slowly realising that, it was harry. 

sleeping on her chest, listening to her heartbeat gently. He was so calm, asleep. She couldn’t for the heart of her move.

she gently carressed his hair. humming to hersef and to harry, who was listening along in his peaceful slumber. All that thinking mustve worn him out..

6 A M

an elf called upon the two at exactly 6:15 am.

“Wake up , newbies! Rise and shine its time for your sorting!”

luna and harry quickly woke up and stood up, pretending not to realise they were sleeping on the couch together..

I thought that was a dream.. a good dream…

harry was a little ..worried about being too affectionate with her. He didn’t want to seem.. weird.

that letter had gotten to him quite a bit.

They put on their new robes, old looking, much different to the modern one in their time.

Some time had passed, luna and harry ate two bites of breakfast before someone saw them and they scurried away (aka.. harry pulled luna out of there.)

they sat in headmaster dippet’s office, waiting to be sorted into their house. 

First, luna got the hat put on her.

“Ahh, back again? Yes,yes. I remember you…”

Hello hat! its nice to see you again

“same to you… hm.. you are loyal to harry. Kind.”

Thank you! 

“hm.. HUFFLEPUFF!”

luna giggled and clapped her hands, excited to see a different quarter to hers. 

harry smiled at that. She is quite cute. 

he sat on the chair , and the hat gasped.

“oh… you again, potter? seems ive got a surprise for me.”

yes.. hello.. 

“Hm. You’re assertive. Brave. You could do in..”

You know i don’t want to be there.

“Ah but mister potter, you have changed. Gryffindor was a past choice, seeing you now, yes yes.. it’s very clear..”

Noooo-

“SLYTHERIN!”

harry frowned. dammn it. way to raise suspicion, damn hat.

“Right.” The headmaster said, pulling the hat off of harry. 

“Now that you’ve got your house, go to dumbledore. The stairs will lead you, and the ghosts are good guides. He will assess you. All you need is your wands. You do have wands, right?”

Harry and luna had their wands, quickly holding them up to the headmaster and nodding. 

they linked arms once again, walking (and luna skipping) to the stairs, knowing their way already.

Chapter Text

Noooo-

“SLYTHERIN!”

harry frowned. damn it. way to raise suspicion, damn hat.

“Right.” The headmaster said, pulling the hat off of harry. 

“Now that you’ve got your house, go to dumbledore. The stairs will lead you, and the ghosts are good guides. He will assess you. All you need is your wands. You do have wands, right?”

Harry and luna had their wands, quickly holding them up to the headmaster and nodding. 

they linked arms once again, walking (and luna skipping) to the stairs, knowing their way already.

PRESENT.

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

“Harry? Are you there…?” 

..

No answer..

“Harry.. No one can find you.. Im sorry if i hurt you enough to not go to class for a week.. Please can we talk this out?”

…still , no answer

Hermione was growing more worried. No one else had noticed that harry potter had disappeared from hogwarts, not even showing up in the marauders map.

She had to remind ron of his existence quite a few times, aswell.

She was worried. Really worried. Had her emotions really hurt him this much? She was. Distraught, and had even gotten quite a few inquiries of why she had dropped her studies and showed up less to class.

She was spending more time looking for harry, as ron had given up after two days.

She had even gone far enough as to check the chamber of secrets, with rons help. 

Hermione paced back and forth in the empty common room, the firelight flickering across her furrowed brow. She clutched the Marauder’s Map in one hand, her wand in the other. “I solemnly swear i am up to no good.” she scanned every inch of Hogwarts once again. But just like every other time she’d checked, Harry’s name was nowhere to be found.

“Think, Hermione,” she muttered to herself. “Where could he be? How could he vanish without anyone noticing?” Her thoughts were a jumbled mess, guilt gnawing at her every step. The last time she’d seen him, they’d argued.. no, fought. Over her overextended use of the Timeturner. She couldn’t even remember all the words they’d exchanged, but the look in Harry’s eyes, that mix of sadness and worry, haunted her.

What if something had happened to him? What if he’d tried to stop her.. Nono.  She couldn’t think like that. The portrait hole creaked open, and Ron stepped in, looking irritated. “Hermione, you’re still at it?” he asked, dropping into a chair. “I told you, he’s probably just... I dunno, off sulking somewhere. He’ll turn up.”

“Sulking?” Hermione spun to face him, anger flaring. “Ron, he’s been missing for a week . He’s not ‘sulking.’ Something’s wrong.” Ron groaned, running a hand through his hair. “I get that you’re worried, but what else can we do? We’ve checked everywhere. He’s not on the map, he’s not in the castle. Maybe he’s given u-”

“Don’t say it,” Hermione snapped, her voice trembling. “Don’t you dare say he left Hogwarts. Harry wouldn’t do that. Not without telling us.”

Ron held up his hands defensively. “Alright, alright. But you’ve got to admit, this is weird, even for him.”

Hermione let out a frustrated sigh and sank into the seat opposite him. She stared down at the map, her fingers tracing the lines of the castle absentmindedly. “There has to be an answer,” she whispered. “Something we’ve missed.” For a moment, neither of them spoke. The crackling fire was the only sound, filling the heavy silence between them. Then, as if struck by a thought, Hermione sat up straight.

“The time turner,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ron frowned. “What about it?”

“What if... what if something happened when he grabbed it? I wasn’t paying attention…I didn’t even realize he had it until it was too late.” She stood, pacing again. “What if he... what if he ran away from this time?” Ron’s expression shifted from confusion to concern. “You think he’s... what? Stuck in the past or something?”

“I don’t know!” Hermione said, throwing her hands up. “But it’s the only thing that makes sense. If he’s not here and he didn’t leave Hogwarts, then maybe he’s... not in our time anymore.”

Ron stared at her, the weight of her words sinking in. “Alright,” he said after a moment. “Let’s say you’re right. How do we figure out where- .. when…?? he is? And how do we get him back?”

Hermione stopped pacing, her mind racing. “We need more information. I’ll have to check the library, look up cases of time travel. Maybe there’s a way to trace him.”

Ron groaned again, but there was less resistance in it this time. “Of course it’s the library,” he muttered. “Alright, let’s do it. But if this ends with us going back in time to chase him down, you owe me a Chocolate Frog.”

Despite herself, Hermione smiled faintly. “Deal. But first, we need to be sure.”

As they left the common room together, Hermione’s resolve hardened. She wouldn’t let Harry face whatever danger he was in alone. She had to find him.

PAST .

“Hello new students, im glad to see you’ve been put into your new houses. I am professor Albus Dumbledore.”

It was.. Mind boggling. Confusing. To see dumbledore.. Younger.

He looked close to the same, but much less … white. He still seemed to have his normal “jolly” mood, atleast.

“Lune and Harrison, if i may ask. What year do you think you are.. Capable of? How far has your private studies gone in spells and other things.” it was a simple good question, but it was hard to answer.. What if the years were taught differently in the old times? They must have different curriculums..

“I’m not quite sure we know, professor” lune said, softly

“We weren’t taught with years in mind, so we dont know the levels. If we could.. Show you?”

“Ah. understandable. yes , yes. How about we go outside then? Wouldn’t want to ruin this perfectly good office with an expelliarmus, now would we?”

The two nodded, smiling gently and following the professor outside.

The cool breeze of the Hogwarts grounds swept past as Harry and Luna followed Professor Dumbledore outside. The younger version of the wizard they had known carried himself with the same measured grace but lacked the weight of time and war in his gaze. His vibrant auburn beard swayed slightly as he walked, and his blue eyes twinkled with curiosity. “Here we are,” Dumbledore said, gesturing to a clear patch of lawn near the edge of the Forbidden Forest. “A bit of open air is always refreshing, don’t you think? Now, let’s see what you’ve learned.”

Harry exchanged a quick glance with Luna. She smiled serenely, her usual calm demeanor steadying him. They had to tread carefully.

if they revealed too much or too little, they risked exposing themselves. “I suggest we start with something simple,” Dumbledore continued. “Perhaps a disarming charm? It’s always a useful spell, after all.” He conjured two dueling dummies with a flick of his wand, the wooden figures standing stiffly at attention.

Harry raised his wand, his grip tightening. He aimed at the dummy before him and cast the spell. “ Expelliarmus ! ”

The dummy’s wand flew into the air, spinning dramatically before landing several feet away. Harry sighed inwardly with relief; at least that hadn’t gone wrong.

“Excellent form,” Dumbledore remarked, stroking his beard. “Your incantation was clear, and your wand movement precise. Now, Miss Starling?” Luna’s wand was already raised, her posture as relaxed as ever. “ Expelliarmus ! ” she said in her soft, dreamy tone. The dummy’s wand shot up like a cork from a bottle, soaring even farther than Harry’s had. She watched it float down with an amused smile.

“Well done,” Dumbledore said, clapping his hands lightly. “It seems you both have a firm grasp of the basics. Let us try something more advanced. How about... a Patronus charm?”

Harry’s heart skipped a beat. This was risky .. His Patronus was a stag, a symbol tied closely to his father and known by those who studied Voldemort’s rise. Would that draw suspicion? He hesitated, but Luna stepped forward without concern.

“I’ll go first,” she offered, winking at harry.

She closed her eyes, her expression serene, with a gentle smile. With a wave of her wand, she whispered, “ Expecto Patronum. ” A silvery Bunny leapt forth from her wand, bounding gracefully across the grass before circling back to her side. It lingered for a moment, glowing softly, before fading into mist.

“Ah, a hare,” Dumbledore mused, his tone warm. “A most fitting companion. A creature of speed, elegance, and mystery. Well done indeed.”

Harry took a deep breath and stepped forward. He focused on a happy memory.. Which one..? Seeing his parents in the mirror? Meeting Hermione and Ron? No.. all he could think about was last night. The comfort of being next to Luna, her breathing, her heartbeat still beating in his mind.. the sound of his parents’ voices from the Mirror of Erised was nothing compared to this new memory, bittersweet but powerful.

“ Expecto Patronum ! ”

This, was not harry’s stag. 

It was much more powerful than that. 

A large thing, flying up to the sky, couldve engulfed half of the school. It was a phoenix, flying around him and shrinking to perch on his shoulder, flowing as it if were made of silk. Dumbledore’s eyes were wider, his curiosity and shock sharpening. “A pheonix. Fascinating. Quite rare, I must say. It seems your magic is both powerful and deeply connected to your spirit.”

Harry shifted nervously under Dumbledore’s gaze but managed a small smile. “Thank you, Professor.”

Dumbledore straightened, his demeanor thoughtful. “You are both clearly talented, id say you are in.. about fifth and sixth year. Maybe higher. But,  for now, however I am satisfied that you are capable of keeping pace with our current students.”

He gestured back toward the castle. “I will arrange for your integration into classes. Miss Starling, you shall join Hufflepuff. Mr. Evans, you will, of course, be with Slytherin.”

Harry winced inwardly at the reminder of his placement but nodded. “Understood, sir.”

“Excellent. Welcome to Hogwarts,” Dumbledore said with a small smile. “I trust you will both make the most of your time here. And remember, if you ever need guidance, my door is always open.”

As they followed Dumbledore back toward the castle, Harry and Luna exchanged a look. They had passed the first test, but the real challenges were yet to come. 

convincing the students not to dig into their lives too deep.

Chapter Text

Dumbledore straightened, his demeanor thoughtful. “You are both clearly talented, id say you are in.. about fifth and sixth year. Maybe higher but for now, however, I am satisfied that you are capable of keeping pace with our current students.”

He gestured back toward the castle. “I will arrange for your integration into classes. Miss Starling, you shall join Hufflepuff. Mr. Evans, you will, of course, be with Slytherin.”

Harry winced inwardly at the reminder of his placement but nodded. “Understood, sir.”

“Excellent. Welcome to Hogwarts,” Dumbledore said with a small smile. “I trust you will both make the most of your time here. And remember, if you ever need guidance, my door is always open.”

As they followed Dumbledore back toward the castle, Harry and Luna exchanged a look. They had passed the first test, but the real challenges were yet to come.

PRESENT

The library was quiet, saved from the soft rustle of pages and Hermione's own frantic scribbling. She had combed through countless books, searching for anything.. Anything that might explain what had happened to Harry. Her notes were scattered across the table in a chaotic sprawl, her onceneat handwriting growing more erratic with every failed lead.

But it wasn’t just the books. It wasn’t just the absence of Harry’s name on the Marauder’s Map. It was the way everyone else seemed to be forgetting him.

Ron barely mentioned Harry anymore, brushing off Hermione's concern as if Harry had never been their best friend. 

Worse, others seemed confused when she brought him up. Ginny had stared at her blankly just the other day when Hermione mentioned Harry.

“Harry?” Ginny had repeated, her brow furrowing. “Who’s Harry?”

The question had hit Hermione like a curse. She had stammered out a reply, but Ginny had only shrugged and gone back to her conversation, leaving Hermione standing there, frozen.

Now, as she sat in the library, Hermione clutched the Marauder’s Map tightly, her knuckles white. She stared at the blank parchment, again saying the magic words.

“I solemnly swear i am up to no good.”

The map layed out showed everyone. Dumbledore, …Rita skeeter..? Ron, Ginny, everyone. But the enchanted surface remained stubbornly empty of Harry’s name.

She whispered to herself, her voice trembling. “This isn’t right. This can’t be right. He was here. He’s real. He’s real.” had she gone insane?

But the memories were starting to blur, even for her. She remembered their fights, their adventures, the way Harry’s determination had carried them through so many impossible odds. But the details were slipping through her fingers like sand.

The crackle of the fireplace in the Gryffindor common room. The way Harry’s laugh had been rare, but bright. The weight of the timeturner as he’d grabbed it from her hand, his face set with worry.

Hermione slammed her fists onto the table, drawing a sharp hiss from Madam Pince. “Keep your voice down,” the librarian snapped. Hermione ignored her, her heart pounding in her chest.

“Why is this happening?” she muttered, tears threatening to spill. “Why is everyone forgetting him? Why am I... why am I forgetting him?” The door to the library creaked open, and Hermione glanced up, wiping her tears on her sleeve. Half-hoping it would be Harry but of course, it wasn’t. It was Ron.

“There you are,” Ron said, his voice carrying a note of frustration. “I’ve been looking all over for you. You missed Charms.” Hermione didn’t reply, her gaze dropping back to her notes. Ron sighed and sat down across from her.

“Hermione,” he said carefully, “I know you’re... upset. About... whatever this is. But you’ve got to let it go. You’re not making sense. There’s no Harry Potter. There’s never been a Harry Potter.” Hermione froze, her quill hovering above the parchment. The words hit her like a blow. “How can you say that?” she whispered, her voice shaking.

“Because it’s the truth,” Ron said, though there was an odd hollowness to his tone. “I don’t know why you’re so fixated on this... imaginary person, but it’s not healthy.”

“I’m not imagining him!” Hermione snapped, her voice rising. “I remember him. You should, too! You were his best friend!”

Ron flinched, but he didn’t respond. Instead, he stood up, his expression unreadable. “I think you need to rest, my best friend is you, Mione..” he said quietly. “And you’re not being yourself.” hermione looked away, tearing up more than she’d like to admit.

He left reluctantly without another word, leaving Hermione alone with her spiraling thoughts. She buried her face in her hands, her breath hitching.

“I’m not crazy,” she whispered to herself. “I’m Not   Eu não sei se eu vou conseguir ir .”

the doubt was creeping in. The memories were slipping further out of reach, like a dream dissolving upon waking. She clung to the fragments, replaying them over and over in her mind, but they were fragile, brittle.

And then, a terrifying thought struck her: What if I’m the one who’s wrong? What if he really never existed? The idea made her stomach turn. No. She wouldn’t- couldn’t believe that. Harry was real. He had to be. If he hadn’t been, she wouldn’t be where she is now. With friends, with a life. Harry made her hermione. “He cant be gone.. He can’t be fake.”

But as the days passed, and the memories continued to fade, Hermione began to wonder how much longer she could hold on.

…

PAST

Luna and harry were walking around the outside of the school, relaxing in the wind.

“It was a phoenix this time.” harry said, quietly. More to himself than to anyone.

“Hm? Ah, yes my lord it was..” luna seemed alright with that. Content

“How do you feel about that?”

Harry wasn’t shocked at the question per say but, he just hadn’t thought about how he felt about it. He only thought about what it meant, and he was stumped. Can patronuses even change??

“I feel.. Okay with it. Its a good symbol right?”

“A  very good symbol my lord.”

“Then its fine. Im okay with the change. I won’t not miss my stag but, its a change im ready for.”

The forest around them was alive with the whispers of leaves and the occasional chirp of nocturnal creatures. Harry and Luna sat near the edge of a clearing, the silvery glow of the moon filtering through the dense canopy. The light cast soft shadows on their faces, illuminating the reflective mood they both seemed to share.

Harry glanced at Luna, her calm presence grounding him in the moment. “Do patronuses usually change?” he asked, his voice uncertain.

Luna tilted her head, her gaze dreamy but focused. “They can, you know. When a person’s soul changes, their patronus can change, too. Sometimes it’s because of love or loss... or because they’ve found something new to fight for.” She smiled softly. “A phoenix is very fitting for you, Harry.”

He frowned, the weight of the thought pressing on him. “Why?”

“Because phoenixes are symbols of rebirth,” Luna said simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “They burn, they fall, but they always rise again. You’re like that, you know. You’ve been burned before, but you keep rising.” she smiled, holding his hand in hers, petting it like a kitten.

Harry wasn’t sure how to respond to that. He stared at the wand in his hand, at the faint, lingering warmth from the spell that had just been cast. His stag had been a reflection of his father, a connection to the family he’d lost. The phoenix felt... different.

Not bad, just different.

“It’s strange,” he admitted, his voice quiet. “I always thought the stag would be with me forever. It felt... solid. Like it was part of who I am. But now...” He gestured vaguely, trying to find the words. “It’s like I’ve lost something, but gained something else.”

Luna’s smile didn’t falter. “Maybe it’s not lost,” she said gently. “Maybe it’s just... resting.” she puts her hands up, and shakes her hands a bit to make sparkles, giggling a bit.

Harry chuckled softly despite himself. “Resting? That’s a comforting thought.”

“It’s true,” Luna said, her tone light but sure. “Sometimes, the things we think we’ve lost are just waiting for the right moment to come back to us.”

They sat in silence for a moment, the weight of the night pressing around them. Harry looked back toward the castle in the distance, its towering spires lit faintly against the horizon. Luna rocked her legs back and forth, staring up into the sky, her eyes deep in the stars.

“Do you think we’ll ever go back?” he asked suddenly, the question hanging in the cool night air.

Luna didn’t answer right away. She traced patterns in the dirt with a slender finger, her expression thoughtful. “Back to where we came from?” she asked at last. “Maybe. Maybe not.”

Harry sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I can’t stop thinking about what we left behind. About Hermione, Ron... everyone.”

“They’ll remember you,” Luna said softly. “Even if it feels like they won’t.”

Harry wasn’t sure he believed her. The thought of being forgotten haunted him more than he wanted to admit. But Luna’s calmness, her unwavering belief, was a small comfort.

“What about you?” he asked, turning the question on her. “Don’t you miss our time?”

Luna looked at him, her pale blue eyes shining in the moonlight. “Sometimes. But the past and the present and the future... they’re all stories, Harry. We’re just in a different chapter now.”

Harry leaned back against her, letting her words settle over him. Maybe she was right. Maybe this was just another chapter. But he couldn’t shake the feeling that the ending was still far out of reach, and the path to it was more uncertain than ever.

“We were meant to be here, or else we wouldn’t be. I like that thought. The past chose us, so lets try to fix it and give back what it’s given us.” luna said, still stargazing.

“Well, what did it give us?” harry gained the same soft voice as hers, gently looked up to the sky, getting his eyes lost in the clouds.

“A bond. A restart. I haven’t seen any thestrals yet, but I know they are here. Our loved ones haven't died yet.”

“.. i guess you’re right.”