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SIYE Time:11:15 on 28th March 2024
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Erasing The Future
By Moxterminator

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Category: Alternate Universe, Post-HBP
Characters:All, Harry/Ginny
Genres: Action/Adventure, Angst, Fluff, General, Humor, Romance, Tragedy
Warnings: Extreme Language, Mild Sexual Situations, Violence
Rating: PG-13
Reviews: 545
Summary: Harry goes back in time to redo his Hogwarts years after losing the war, his family, and his wife, Ginny Potter, to Voldemort. Changes need to be made, but can all changes be good? Years 1-4
Hitcount: Story Total: 396250; Chapter Total: 2648
Awards: View Trophy Room




Author's Notes:
Hope You Enjoy




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It was with slight anticipation that the Gryffindors lined up outside Potions the next day. They had just come from their lunch and were eagerly waiting for Professor Primrose to escort them in. As the bell rang the door opened, and Professor Primrose stood aside gesturing the class to come into the room. Harry and the others took their usual seats at the back of the room and waited to see what Potions classes would be like now without Snape. As they waited for everyone to settle down, Harry did notice that there were no instructions on the board like usual and Harry was intrigued again by this different approach to Snape. Once the class settled down, Professor Primrose sat down at her desk and overlooked the students taking every one of them in.

“Welcome to Potions,” Primrose started as the glow of the candles lit the dark dungeon. “When I took this job I was pleasantly surprised that a position had opened up as I wanted to teach Potions since it’s such an enjoyable and pleasant practice. Of course, it isn’t easy; I’m sure your experiences over your first three years in the school have shown you this. The Potions themselves are very delicate and tempered. Get a single ingredient wrong, and it could have devastating effects on the outcome. But once I heard that the position was available I had to apply, and I am glad that I am here, especially after what I have learnt these first two days. I’m going to ask you some questions and some of them you will know, some you won’t remember and some you will have no idea what the answer is if my theory is correct. What my theory is will come clear after the questions.”

The class were held captivated as Professor Primrose addressed the class, even the Slytherins seemed to listen carefully. It seemed Professor Primrose’s actions in the entrance hall the previous day held strong in their memories.

“So onto my first question and it’s a two part, the first one you should all get, the second we shall see,” Primrose began. “So the first question, when brewing a Swelling Solution, what ingredient do you add after you let the potion simmer for an hour?”

Hermione’s hand shot right up in the air. Obviously, she was eager to impress the new professor.

“Yes, Ms…” Primrose said addressing Hermione.

“Granger,” Hermione answered before continuing. “And the answer is bat spleen.”

“Correct, five points to Gryffindor,” Primrose said smiling, “Now can anyone tell me why?” Confused looks spread across the classroom as Primrose smiled at their reaction.

“Don’t worry, after yesterday and this morning it’s a reaction I’ve gotten used to,” Primrose explained. “Maybe you can answer this, but don’t worry if you can’t, what magical properties does bat spleen contain?” Once again the class stayed silent in confusion.

“Don’t worry; it’s the reaction I was expecting. Unfortunately, this type of thing should have been taught to you in the first year, but it seems all Professor Snape did was teach you how to follow instructions. Heavens forbid if anything went wrong with the potion…” Professor Primrose ranted.

“Anyway, it seems my theory is correct, and I am extremely sorry to say that over the course of this year there will be lots of homework, every single lesson,” Primrose announced to the groan of some students, including Ron. Instead of telling those off Primrose just chuckled.

“Yes indeed,” Primrose continued. “Believe me I hate giving it out just as much; do you know how tedious it is to read through so many essays about the same thing over and over again? I hate essays myself, and I don’t normally in practice give them out, but due to your previous teachings in this class by my predecessor, it is a necessary evil.”

“So anyway, it seems I have a lot to teach you, from first year onward on some things,” Primrose announced standing up. “First off let’s explain to you the answer. Bat spleen has restoration properties. The reason it is added to the solution after an hour is to cause the swelling to stop; heavens forbid you would have some swelling solution, and it just keeps swelling and swelling. The longer or shorter you wait to add the bat spleen indicates how much you want the object to grow.”

Harry raised his eyebrows in shock. They had a decent Professor; he was going to learn something in Potions. Not just the how, but the why as well. Over the next thirty-five minutes the class answered and discussed questions and the ingredients of the swelling solution, and by the end of the lesson they had an easier understanding of not just how but why certain ingredients were added to the Potion.

As the Gryffindors walked up the steps from the dungeons and into the Entrance Hall, the chatter was in a curious and optimistic mood. Harry had an understanding of a potion for the first time. Even when following the instructions in Snape’s old potions book, he never had an understanding of what the ingredients did. But now, at least with the swelling solution, he started to understand. Sure, Snape would sometimes give out essays to research individual ingredients, but he would never go into the detail that Professor Primrose just did. And not only that, but she seemed to be a capable Slytherin Head of House.

“That was interesting,” Hermione said as they met Luna in the Great Hall for lunch and headed to the Gryffindor table and sat down.

“Just goes to show how rubbish Snape truly was,” Ron said digging into his cottage pie.

“The homework is annoying, though,” Ginny said sitting down next to him. “How come we have to do so many essays in Potions because Snape was a bad teacher?”

“You can’t blame Professor Primrose,” Harry said to her. “It’s not her fault either.”

“Then get Dumbledore to write them,” Ginny sighed.

“Well let’s change the subject,” Hermione mentioned. “We need to discuss C.A.R.E.”

“What about it?” Ron asked with a mouth full of pie.

“Well, what are we going to do first?” Hermione asked the group and also shooting Ron a disgusted look. “Luna, you managed to get the leaflets and posters sorted?”

“Indeed, Dad said he’s happy to print whenever we are ready, shouldn’t take a week,” Luna said smiling.

“Well that’s okay we can start advertising soon,” Hermione chirped. “Harry, Ginny, had any ideas on how to announce us?”

“A couple,” Ginny said between bites. “I’ll need to speak to the twins, and Harry, though.”

“Could I join you again?” Hermione asked.

“Maybe we all should,” Neville offered. “After all it’s our group; we should have some say in its announcement.”

“Sure the more, the merrier, as long as you’re okay, Hermione, with getting detention again,” Ginny said slyly to Hermione.

“It’s for a good cause!” Hermione said to the shock of the rest.

“Who are you and what have you done to the real Hermione?” Ron asked her.

“Hilarious Ron,” Hermione smiled.

-oOoOoOoOo-

Thursday afternoon found the Gryffindors lined up outside the Defence Against the Dark Arts classroom. They had all turned up early to what seemed to be a rather anticipated lesson. Harry himself was looking forward to the lesson, to see what the real Mad-Eye would teach the class, although if he remembered right it was Dumbledore’s idea to show them the Unforgivable Curses so maybe at least that would be what they were doing first. When they bell rang they headed into the lesson and chose a seat right at the front on the insistence of Ron. A few seconds later they could hear clunking as Moody walked down the corridor and into the classroom.

“Right then, those books can go for a start,” Moody announced to the class. “They’re to help you do research for homework, not to waste time in my lesson.”

The class looked eagerly at each other as they put the books away and took their wands out for those that haven’t.

“So,” Moody continued. “I had a letter from Professor Lupin explaining where you all are regarding the understanding of the Dark Arts and your defensive measures against them. While you are quite up to speed on dark creatures, you somewhat lack on curses and spells. As an ex-Auror, I believe I’m somewhat capable of teaching you these things.”

“So straight into it then. Curses can come in various shapes and forms. Many are small time and are easily defended against; some are not. There are curses you don’t need to bat an eye at because it’s simple to undo, while there are some that will make you sick to the stomach. It is my job to make sure you are ready to deal with any of these at any time. Constant Vigilance!”

“Now what I’m going to show you today is the extreme and something hopefully you won’t have to deal with ever, but it is always better to prepare for the worst and hope for the best, that way you are never out-manoeuvred. The three curses I am going to show you today, is, according to the Ministry of Magic, the three worst spells anyone could ever cast, and as such, they are named the Three Unforgivable Curses. While these Curses are typically saved until N.E.W.T level, myself and Professor Dumbledore, after some discussions, have decided to teach fourth years and up about these three curses. So out of curiosity, can anyone name me an Unforgivable Curse?”

A few hands went up into the air, including Harry’s and Ginny’s. Moody searched the classroom and finally picked out Ron who had his arm up as well.

“Err my dad told us about one, the Imperious Curse?” Ron said uncertainly.

“Indeed, the Imperious Curse,” Moody said. “It’s the most underhanded one of them all, in my opinion, sneaky and disgusting. You see what the Imperious Curse does is take away one's free will. You could make anyone do anything you want to. I could put the curse on you Mr Weasley, and make you walk through the corridors of this school in only your underwear.”

The class laughed at the image of Moody making Ron do such a thing, although Ginny and Harry didn’t. Moody smiled before continuing.

“Or make you drown yourself or slit your throat,” he continued.

The laughter in the classroom died instantly.

“The Imperious Curse gives no sign, no indication to the outside world that it is affecting the person. If the caster has done it correctly, even the person the curse is on won’t understand that they are being controlled. They’ll just happily go along with anything that the caster wishes. Back in the days in the war against Voldemort, there were many witches and wizards who fought for Voldemort only because of this spell. They were even reports of Voldemort’s supporters putting the spell on Muggles and forcing them to do horrible things to their family and friends. Out of the three you will learn today, it is personally my most hated of them all.”

“Over the next couple of weeks I will be teaching you how to defend against the Imperious Curse, but for now, let’s move onto another one, anyone else know what the other two curses are?”

Neville raised his hand along with Harry and Ginny, and Hermione also, although none else did; it appeared that the Imperious Curse was the most well-known of the three.

“Mr Longbottom,” Moody said addressing Neville.

“The Cruciatus Curse,” Neville said slightly uneasily.

“Yes, yes indeed,” Moody said, although his normal loud gruffly voice was lower than usual. “The Cruciatus Curse, better known as the torture curse, unbearable pain. I have been under it twice myself from my days fighting in the war. You cannot imagine how horrible it is; there is nothing like it. It’s like white hot metal spikes continuously punching into your skin. If held under long enough, people lose their minds. The brain shutdowns to try to get away from the pain. Even the most skilful mind Healers in all the top hospitals in the world, including St Mungo’s, can’t bring the mind back to life. It’s gone for good. Your memories, your personalities, snuffed out. It’s a fate worse than death if you ask me.”

“Now, who knows the last one?” Moody asked the now quiet room. Harry and Ginny once again raised their hands and Hermione also, although they were the only three to do so.

“Yes, Mr Potter,” Moody said addressing Harry.

“Avada Kedavra,” Harry said. “The Killing Curse.”

“Yes,” Moody said sadly. “I have lost too many friends to that curse than I would like to admit. Including your parents. The Killing Curse is the most feared of the three. Can anyone tell me why?”

“Because it can’t be blocked,” Hermione said. “Nothing can stop it.”

“Wrong!” Moody said to the shock of Hermione.

“But…” Hermione said aghast.

“You are correct in thinking that no magical barrier can stop the Killing Curse,” Moody started. “No magical way to counter the curse. Due to this, it is common practice to believe that the Killing Curse cannot be stopped and therefore is the most feared and most terrible of them all. But there is a way. Simply not be there. When compared to most other dark curses the Killing Curse is relatively slow and can be dodged. Also if you have things around you, pieces of rock, or furniture, you can summon things in the way of the curse so that it will hit that object rather than yourself. Don’t feel bad for thinking the way you did, but don’t fall into that trap too often. Otherwise, you won’t last many seconds in a fight against Dark wizards.”

“Funny enough the Killing Curse, while the most feared curse, is not, in my opinion, the worst. It is only the use of the curse by Dark Wizards that make it unforgivable; does anyone know who created the Killing Curse?” Moody asked the class.

“You-know-who?” Lavender Brown asked.

“Not even close,” Moody replied.

“Grindlewald,” Ron asked.

“Stop thinking Dark Wizards,” Moody exclaimed.

“Healer Thompson,” Harry answered him. “In twelve thirteen.”

“Correct, Mr Potter,” Moody said.

“A healer? What was he, an angel of death?” Hermione asked.

“A demon?” Ron asked. “Are you crazy?”

“No don’t be stupid; it’s the name of a doctor, or healer that kills their victims on purpose,” Hermione answered. “It’s well known in the Muggle world.”

“Actually no,” Professor Moody answered. “The healer was researching a way of mercy killing. When the victim was sure to die, but would have to spend days in agony before so, Healer Thompson wanted a peaceful and painful way for the victim to pass on; therefore he created the killing curse. The reason no magical barrier can stop the killing curse is that Thompson didn’t want any magical curses that were currently affecting the patient to interfere with the process and cause more pain.”

“Sadly, only a few months after he had created the curse a dark wizard picked up on it and used it in a duel killing his opponent dead on the spot. Since then it’s been frowned upon and eventually banned from use on humans, so much so that using any one of these three spells on a person even once, can earn you a lifetime spell in Azkaban.”

“So, the question is why am I teaching you about these curses? Well, the answer is simple, not knowing can be the death of you!” Moody continued. “There are wizards and witches out there that do not care about the law and are willing to use these curses anyway. You need to know what you could be up against. The strongest weapon anyone can have over you is the unknown, how can you prepare for something you don’t know about?”

“Well now you know about these curses, it’s time to move on. I’m sure you will never forget them, but just to make sure, your homework is to write each of the three curses down on parchment and to tell me what they do, even better, write a way to counter them.”

-oOoOoOoOoOo-

The rest of the week was uneventful, double Potions lesson on Friday afternoon was met with more appreciation for Professor Primrose as the Potions Mistress continued to impress. Even though they had already done it the previous year, they spent the lesson re-brewing the swelling solution, although the difference between Primrose and Snape were black and white. Rather than just have the instructions on the board Primrose also chatted happily away with the students mingling, helping and laughing. The Slytherins weren’t sure what to do with themselves. As they got to certain stages of the potion, Primrose reminded them what to do and even explained how what they were doing were affecting the potion and why it was necessary to get the outcome they desired. Overall the first week of Primrose's classes was informative and gave the student body hope that things were improving. Harry himself for the first time was looking forward to Potions. He never knew he could enjoy it so much without Snape, but it soon became one of his most anticipated lessons. And due to Snape’s previous shambles of a class, he was learning new stuff, which he hadn’t learnt before nor had his future self-been taught.

The icing on the cake was when Malfoy tried to chuck an extra ingredient into Ron’s Cauldron. Harry’s ears were still ringing from the shouting Professor Primrose had done at Malfoy for a full ten minutes. He had quickly lost Slytherin another fifty points and gained another week’s worth of detentions for his antics.

Training was also going well; he would wake up and meet Ginny in the common room, and then head off to the Room of Requirement. They would first do two laps of the lake in the copied grounds, and then take turns on the weight machines. The first couple of days their bodies ached after, but they knew it was worth the pain.

Saturday morning found Harry and Ginny preparing for the first time with the dummies. They arrived very early and went about their routine of the run and then the weights. But then they eagerly walked over to the training dummies.

“I’m looking forward to this,” Ginny said looking the dummies with excitement.

“Yes, you are aren’t you,” Harry said carefully eyeing her. “I’m not sure whether I should be scared about that fact or not.”

“Just be glad I am not practising my aim on you,” Ginny retorted shoving Harry playfully.

They walked up to the line which was about ten meters away from the dummy. As they got there, the dummies sprang to life, weaving sideways. Ginny saw Harry put the dummies on a lower setting, to begin with, before stepping forward and waiting for the spells to start coming his way. He didn’t have to wait very long as spells began to get thrown his way. Ginny watched entranced as Harry jumped from side to side and threw himself on the floor to avoid getting hit. However, he wasn’t doing a very good job as spells still hit him. After five minutes Harry had enough and stopped the dummies before sitting down panting.

“It’s harder than it looks,” Harry told her.

“Looks simple to me,” Ginny said shrugging.

“Then, by all means, be my guest,” Harry said waving his hand at the dummies. Ginny strode forward and stood on the line waiting on the dummies to start. She didn’t have to wait long before the dummy raised its wand and shot the Stinging Hex at her. Ginny dodged to the left as the spell flew past her. Smirking at how easy it was she looked up to see another already coming right at her, and she quickly dove to the right. The Stinging Hex just brushed her left shoulder as she rolled and stood back up. She couldn’t even catch a breath before she once again had to dive out of the way. The more she dived and dodged the slower she got and all too quickly the spells were hitting their target. Still, she struggled on, determined to continue. When she was sure she had lasted longer than Harry, she stopped the dummies and dropped to the floor.

“See easy,” Ginny panted heavily.

“You lasted seven minutes,” Harry said. “Those last two minutes you were hit ninety percent of the time.”

“Still lasted… longer than you,” Ginny heaved out causing Harry to shake his head.

“Competitive much?” Harry asked her.

“You sound like you haven’t known me most of your life,” Ginny shrugged. It was true; she had a rather serious competitive streak in her when it came to proving herself against her brothers or Harry. Although the latter she found very hard to satisfy her competitive streak with, the fact she lasted longer than Harry brought her a small amount of satisfaction.

“I thought you had grown out of that,” Harry sighed.

“Nope,” Ginny said grinning.

Harry and Ginny took another turn each on the dummies before calling it a day and had a shower before heading down to breakfast. There they found their friends waiting, and they hungrily ate their breakfast after all the energy they had just used up. Both were sore but knew that they would get better in time. After they had filled their empty bellies, they said goodbye to their friends, who by now were used to Harry and Ginny going off to their own, even though it didn’t stop Hermione asking questions, and headed back to the Room of Requirement. Harry was planning on studying a battle between Dumbledore and Voldemort back in the first war to see what traits he had. He didn’t get much from his future-self memories because most of the time he was in hiding away from Voldemort. However, when they got back to the room, Ginny changed the plans slightly.

“Do you know how to cast the Imperious Curse?” Ginny asked him when they had shut the door and put their bags down.

“Hmm, what?” Harry asked caught off guard.

“The Imperious Curse, do you know how to cast it?” Ginny repeated.

“Hmm yes,” Harry said. “At least I know the theory; I’ve never put it on anyone.”

“No, no, of course not,” Ginny said soothingly. “Just, will you cast it on me?”

“Excuse me?” Harry asked confused.

“Harry,” Ginny started sitting down wondering how she was going to persuade Harry to do this. “My free will has been taking away from me twice now, once with the diary, and again by Crouch at the end of last school term. I hate the knowledge that someone could do that to me again. I want to make sure it doesn’t. You know how to throw off the Imperious Curse. Teach me how.”

“Well, I suppose you have some exceptional reasons for wanting to learn,” Harry said. “But I’m no expert in teaching how to do this. In fact, I don’t know how I do it myself. It just doesn’t have much effect on me. Of course, the fact that we know Occlumency helps as well. In fact, I’ve never personally done it, my future-self has, so who knows if I still can.”

“But how did your future-self learn? By having the curse put on you again and again until it didn’t affect you,” Ginny said trying to emphasise her point.

“So you want me to do the same to you?” Harry asked her.

“Yes,” Ginny said nodding hoping that Harry would understand.

“I understand why,” Harry said. “But I’m no expert at casting the curse; I’ve never done it before.”

“I trust you,” Ginny told him without any uncertainty.

“Like I said, I’ve never done it before; maybe we should get someone else to cast the curse,” Harry said. “Plus I haven’t ever thrown it off myself, and I know it would be something Voldemort would try on me. It's an excellent idea to learn how to throw it off; we just need someone else to teach us.

“So Dumbledore or Moody?” Ginny asked him.

“Well, Dumbledore might not make us do cartwheels around the room,” Harry mentioned to her.

“Constant vigilance Harry, always prepare for the worse,” Ginny replied. “Plus Dumbledore might have more on his plate than Moody, being headmaster and all, and the Tri-wizard Tournament.”

“Moody it is then,” Harry concluded.

-oOoOoOoOo-

The rest of the morning Harry and Ginny spent doing homework. They debated whether to join the others in the common room but knew they would do so tomorrow. In order to not neglect their friends, they had decided that every Sunday, they would only do the morning jog before heading back to the common room and spend the day with them. With that in mind after lunch rather than head back to the Room of Requirement, they made a detour to find Professor Moody. They found him in his office, scrolls of parchment spread around his desk as he looked over them, although his magical eye was fixed on the two of them in the doorway.

“Potter, Potter,” Moody said nodding and smiling at Ginny, knowing that Ginny liked it when she heard her true surname said aloud.

“Moody,” Harry said sitting down.

“Call me Alastor when I’m not teaching,” Moody said waving his hand. “What can I do for you?”

“We were discussing something this morning, after your lesson on the Three Unforgivables, and we were wondering if you could help us with practising to throw off the Imperious Curse,” Harry asked him. Moody looked between the two of them before nodding his head.

“Smart Potter,” Moody said nodding. “That’s definitely something worth doing. You are both aware, though, what that would entail?”

“You putting the Imperious Curse on us while we try and fight it,” Ginny answered.

“Indeed, I just needed to make sure that you knew what you were asking,” Moody said. “Now when do you want to do this?”

“When are you free?” Harry asked him.

“No time like the present, unless you have something else to be getting on with?” Moody asked standing up. “I believe doing this in the Room of Requirement where no one can walk in on us would be the best thing to do.”

“Thank you, Professor,” Harry said standing up also.

“Constant Vigilance,” Moody said opening the door to his office. They headed back to the Room of Requirement and Moody inspected the room.

“Not bad, Potter,” Moody said looking around. “I take it you have warded the door, so no one else can get in?”

“The room does that automatically,” Harry explained.

“Yes of course, if you require it to be so, it will be. Quite useful room this is,” Moody said looking around. “Right then, Imperio.” He had his wand pointing straight at Ginny whose body went slack, and her face relaxed, smiling. She didn’t have time to prepare herself.

“Hop around the room on one leg,” Moody said, and Ginny started to move around the room.

“You didn’t exactly give her any warning,” Harry said as he watched his wife hop nonstop.

“Of course not!” Moody exclaimed. “You think that Death Eaters or Voldemort are going to explain to you what they are just about to do before they do it, boy! No! They will just do it. Constant Vigilance! Always be prepared. She knew what both of you were asking me to do! She should have been ready to fight it as soon as you both asked.”

Moody waved his wand at Ginny apparently removing the curse as Ginny stopped.

“That was unfair!” Ginny exclaimed.

“Fair! You think Voldemort or Death Eaters are going to fight fair!” Moody growled.

“Imperio!” Moody said as he waved his wand over Harry.

Harry felt blissfulness spread over him as he smiled in content. The worry of Voldemort and the possible upcoming war melted away. He was truly at peace for the first time since he could remember in his life.

“Do cartwheels,” something in Harry’s mind said to him. Cartwheels? Harry asked himself.

“Do cartwheels, it will help with your training, keep you fit,” the voice said again and not seeing anything wrong with that logic, Harry started to do cartwheels around the room. The blissfulness continued as he began the second lap and only when he had finished did the blissfulness vanish.

“That was something, Potter!” Moody growled out. “Not good enough but at least something. You questioned why, didn’t you? I could see the hesitance. That is the thing to remember! To ask why! That’s the start of fighting it. Your occlumency should help, which I’m sure you had prepared.”

“Yes,” Harry said. “But I still failed.”

“It isn’t easy boy, but it does come with practice,” Moody explained.

“Imperio.”

Once again Moody had waved his wand capturing Ginny in the spell. Moody asked her to start dancing. Harry could see her hesitate, and Harry wondered if she would manage to fight Moody off.

“You have the Yule Ball coming up this Christmas; you need to practise for it,” Moody explained.

Harry saw Ginny relax after that and then start to dance around the room. Harry couldn’t help but see the situation in a funny light as Ginny pranced around the room waving her arms about. Moody must have seen the look on Harry’s face because blissfulness suddenly swamped his mind and soon he pranced over to Ginny and grabbed her hand and danced around with her. It wasn’t for another minute before Moody had them stop.

“I thought you said you could throw the curse off in the future, Potter,” Moody growled at him. “Doesn’t seem much like it at the moment.”

“Sorry I wasn’t prepared,” Harry explained.

“Constant vigilance, Potter, constant vigilance!” Moody roared. “You need to control your mind. I didn’t expect for you guys to find it so hard with your Occlumency shields.”

“Me neither,” Harry admitted.

“Can you stop making me do things that wear me out?” Ginny complained. “I’ve been up since dawn, and while I’m not exhausted yet, my body is starting to ache a little.”

“Do you think the Dark Lord would take that into consideration? Or his Death Eaters? It’s more likely they will try and put the curse on you after a battle between them and yourself, rather than before, so you will be tired anyway!” Moody explained. “What you’re feeling now is perhaps exactly what you will feel like when they put it on you! You must learn how to throw it off even when you are having trouble opening your eyes!”

“I hate it when you’re right,” Ginny muttered.

“No, you just hate it when you’re wrong,” Harry told her earning a glare from Ginny.

“I think we will stop there actually,” Moody said. “We’ll continue this at a later time. Go away and practise your Occlumency shields, maybe they aren’t as strong as you think. Plus dinner will be soon. Spend the evening with your friends; we’ll meet again on Monday night.”

Harry and Ginny left the room and started to slowly walk back to the common room where they would meet the others before going down to dinner.

“Did you think it would be so hard?” Ginny asked as they got to the grand staircase.

“I didn’t think we would get it on the first try, but no I didn’t believe that it would be this hard,” Harry conceded. “What I don’t get is why? What’s causing us to fail?”

“Fatigue?” Ginny asked Harry. “We’ve been doing extra training all week that we’re not used to yet. Could tiredness be the cause?”

“It is possible,” Harry said thinking. “Defending against the Imperious Curse is all in the mind, and if you’re tired your mind isn’t going to be as strong defending against attacks.”

“Shall we test that theory?” Ginny asked. “Let’s say we don’t do any training on Monday, missing one day won’t hurt, see if we can fight of the Imperious Curse then. If so, we know it’s a simple matter of stamina. Then it is simple continuing training until our endurance has built up and then we shouldn’t have a problem.”

“It is worth finding out, agreed,” Harry said nodding. “We need to make sure. And your way does seem like the best way to know.”

“Of course it is!” Ginny said cheekily. “I thought of it!”

-oOoOoOoOo-

The next day, being a Sunday, they woke early and went for their jog before heading back to the common room and settling down in front of the fire waiting for the others to wake up. They didn’t have to wait long before Hermione soon joined them by the fire sitting across from them.

“What are you two up to today then?” Hermione asked them. “Whatever have you two have been doing this past week anyway?”

“Just hanging out,” Ginny said. “But we realised that we weren’t spending enough time with you guys.”

“So we’re spending the whole day with you,” Harry explained.

“Well,” Hermione started picking up a book. “At least you realise that part, although you’re still keeping secrets from us. When are you going to learn to trust us?”

“It’s not about trust,” Harry explained.

“Have you two always hung out on your own then?” Hermione asked.

“What do you mean?” Ginny asked her.

“Well, the first year Harry didn’t hide away at all, but then you came, and you guys hid in the Room of Requirement all year. Which I thought afterwards was just because of the diary,” Hermione explained. “Then came last year and while you did spend some time in the room, you spent a lot of time with us. So I thought it was just, you know, trying to deal with the diary. But now your starting to hide away again and I can’t help think, did you guys always hide away before coming to Hogwarts or…”

“Or what Hermione?” Harry asked her intrigued.

“Or do you no longer wish to hang out with us?” Hermione asked them.

“No way!” Ginny exclaimed. “You’re our best friends!”

“Who never see each other anymore,” Hermione said. “I know, I know, it’s only the first week, but we’ve barely seen you! And I have the feeling this first week is just the promise of more to come.”

“We’ve got care to do,” Harry reminded her.

“C.A.R.E!” Hermione responded automatically. “And yes we do, but is that the only time we get to see you? Once a Sunday to do C.A.R.E? That’s not enough to do C.A.R.E! Let alone spend time with your friends.”

“What we are doing is important,” Harry began.

“And we’re not?” Hermione finished for him.

“I didn’t say that!” Harry defended.

“What are you doing?” Hermione asked them.

“We can’t tell you,” Harry told her.

“Can’t, or won't?” Hermione asked them.

“We’re doing this for your own good!” Harry argued.

“Then it’s dangerous?” Hermione asked them. “If so, what’s stopping me going to McGonagall right now and have her stop you?”

“What on earth is going on?” Neville asked as he and Ron walked down the staircase from the boy’s dormitories.

“They’re up to something!” Hermione said addressing Ron and Neville. “And I think it’s time I went to McGonagall!”

“Come off it; they are just hanging out!” Ron said frowning.

“No they’re doing more than that, but they won’t tell us!” Hermione argued.

“Have you ever thought why?” Harry asked her.

“Of course I have!” Hermione responded. “I can’t stop thinking why! You said you still want to be friends, but you don’t hang out with us. You say what you are doing is perfectly safe, then why are you keeping it a secret? I just want you to trust us like friends should.”

“Hermione look, I know you’re rather passionate about this,” Ginny said. “I know you had trouble making friends when you were younger, which is why you overreact sometimes, but we’re just hanging out in the Room of Requirement, learning magic and just relaxing.”

“Then why can’t we hang out with you?” Hermione demanded.

“Because you ask too many questions!” Harry responded heatedly. “Sure, we could let you in, let you see what we are doing, but then the next set of questions will be why! Why are you doing this, why are you doing that! You will never be content! You will always be after the next detail. The next secret we haven’t shared with you yet. Sure, we can tell you that we use the Room of the Requirement to go for a run every morning and to learn certain magic. But then your next question will be why are we going for a run? Why do we want to learn this magic? It will always be why, why, why! Maybe we don’t let you in because we don’t want to be treated like a project that you have to unravel all the time. Maybe we just want you to treat us as friends and accept that some things you can’t know!”

“Why…” Hermione started.

“See, another why!” Harry interrupted her. “Who are you to think that you deserve to know all my secrets? Who do you think you are to say that you deserve to know certain things about me?! I wish I could trust you more, but I know all I would get is more questions aimed at me.”

Harry sighed and dropped his head in his hands.

“I’ll admit,” he continued. “There are certain things I’m keeping from you that I don’t need to. That won’t put you in any danger, that won’t do any harm from you knowing. But I also know that once I open up those floodgates a little, you will force them wide open, and I’ll drown. And I don’t think I could take that; I don’t think our friendship could take that. Contrary to what you think Hermione, I value each and everyone one of you and the friendship I have with you all. And I don’t want to lose that friendship.”

“I don’t want to lose it either,” Hermione murmured.

“Well I don’t know what to do, Hermione,” Harry said spreading his hands out in an empty gesture.

“Give me a chance,” Hermione answered. “I understand, and I know that I get, too much, sometimes, but your friendship means everything to me. All of your friendships do. Before I came to Hogwarts, I had no friends; I had no one. And it was you, Harry, you that reached out to me. It was you that made me feel welcomed, that allowed me to become friends with Neville and Ron. It was you that showed me that there wasn’t anything wrong with me! That I wasn’t defected, and that it was possible for me to have friends.”

“Hermione…” Ginny said shocked at what she was hearing.

“No, I have to say this,” Hermione said looking at her. “Before I came to Hogwarts, I was the class nerd, the teacher’s pet, the class geek that answered all the questions because I couldn’t help but want to learn everything about the world. But that changed when I came here. I found you guys, but now I fear I’m losing you. And if I can lose you Harry, the person that reached out to me and befriended me in the first place, then who’s to say that I wouldn’t lose Ron, Ginny, Neville or Luna too?”

“That’s not going to happen!” Ron growled. “You’re our best friend!”

“So is Harry, yet we’re losing him,” Hermione whispered.

“Can you promise me that you will cut back on the questions?” Harry asked her quietly. “That you will stop treating me as a project to work out or learn about, that you will start treating me as a real friend?”

“Your friendship means everything Harry,” Hermione whispered. “I guess that’s why I’m so forward because you mean so much to me. I promise that I will try. If I get too much just tell me, and I will try to back off a little.”

“Very well,” Harry said standing up and holding out a hand to her. Hermione stood up taking the hand looking at Harry inquisitively. She had opened her mouth to ask a question, but then her mind caught up with her, and she immediately shut it again. Harry smiled at her recognising her effort and started to lead her out of the common room. Harry caught Ginny’s eye quickly and hopefully managed to pass on the message he wanted to quick enough for her to read. She seemed too as she headed quickly away from the others.

“Where’s Ginny going?” Hermione asked then shut her mouth quickly. “Sorry I didn’t mean…”

“It’s alright; she’s just got something she needs to do first. She’ll join us in a few minutes,” Harry explained as Ron and Neville followed Harry and Hermione through the corridors of Hogwarts.

Harry led them swiftly through the seventh-floor corridors until he reached the Room of the Requirement, the door visible to them. It seemed that Ginny did thankfully understand

“That door isn’t normally there is it?” Ron asked tilting his head. “I’m not going that stupid am I?

“Oh,” Harry replied, suddenly realising that he hadn’t ever told Ron or Neville about the Room of Requirement since they weren’t privy to the information that Hermione had a Time Turner last year.

“No, it’s not; this is the Room of Requirement,” Harry explained. “Or also known as the come and go room. It only appears to those who have the need to use it. To open it up, you simply walk past this wall here opposite the tapestry three times thinking what you are in need off, and then the door will appear. Since Ginny is already in there, then we simply open the door.”

Harry led the others through the door into the training room Harry and Ginny had been using for the past week. Harry quickly scanned the room and noticed a new door to the left next to one of the tables, and no memories of Voldemort or any indication of his memories of the future was about. He didn’t want them to find out and put them at risk of being targeted for knowing his secrets. They were obviously behind the new door.

“This is a training room,” Hermione said walking to the balcony and looking over the railings to see the gym and training dummies.

“Yes, it is,” Harry said. “I thought, since dark wizards seem to try and attack Ginny and me every year, it would be a good decision to learn to defend ourselves.”

“But you’ve known wandless magic for ages, you already know how to protect yourself,” Ron said looking around.

“Knowing wandless magic does not mean I can take on every dark wizard on the planet,” Harry said.

“But why would every dark wizard on the planet come after you?” Hermione said looking at him. “Or why would you go after every dark wizard?”

“Well they won’t, but since I came to Hogwarts, each year I’ve had someone try and kill me,” Harry said sombrely. “Or someone has sought to kill Ginny. I don’t think it is beyond the imagination that someone might try and kill us again. So we have decided to train ourselves. We’re not actively looking for dark wizards, but knowing our track record, it isn’t beyond the possibility that someone could try and kill us again. Training ourselves like this means that we are prepared for the worst. Constant Vigilance as Moody would say.”

“Why the need to keep this from us?” Neville asked him quietly.

“There was no need,” Harry said. “But it leads to other secrets, for example, what is behind the locked door that you guys can’t get through. Which you can’t by the way, It’s warded only to let Ginny and me in. And sadly, that is a secret I can’t tell you.”

“And you were afraid I would push for those secrets,” Hermione said.

“Don’t tell me you don't desperately wish to ask what is behind that door,” Harry said.

“I won’t lie,” Hermione said looking to said door. “I do wish to know, but I will respect your privacy. At least you’re trying. You both are. Plus, this is an excellent base to do research for C.A.R.E and plan what we are going to do. I do wish to know more, but I promise I won’t push for it. I’m just happy that you still want to be friends.”

“Of course we do,” Harry said smiling. “And that won’t ever change.”
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