Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

AN: okay, I actually have an ending all worked out. So only a few more chapters to go! I'm really sorry about the delay in the update but I really didn't have the motivation. Please review when you get to the end of the chapter, I really do love encouragement.

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Hermione paced nervously as she chewed on her thumb. Ron had taken to falling ungracefully to the floor and leaning his back against the cold hard wall of the semi dark classroom, occasionally emitting a loud thump as his head tipped back to the wall. Glancing to the side she could see Ginny with her head resting in her hands on top of an old table as she scratched her initials onto the table with a nail.

Bringing her mind back to it's planing she continued her pacing again. A loud sigh erupted from Ginny as she began to pick the softened wood out from under her nails.

The girl, annoyed from Hermione's constant pacing, spoke, "I might be crazy but shouldn't we be trying to get out of this mess?"

Hermione glared at her at continued her pacing, "I'm sorry Ginny, but my brain doesn't work that fast."

Ginny lent her head back down to the table, her forehead resting on the top and her voice slightly muffled as she spoke, "You must have thought of something! I mean, we've been in this old classroom for about an hour now…."

Looking up, Hermione met Ron's eyes accidentally and an uncomfortable silence descended over the room. Looking away in embarrassment, the bushy haired girl sat on a chair and spoke again, "Actually…. I have this idea…"

Ron looked up, "Well? It's got to be better than Ginny's."

Ginny threw an old book at him, conveniently nested on the table next to her, "At least I actually make suggestions Ronald!"

Standing up and grabbing the book in retaliation, Ron stopped as Hermione's voice intercepted their argument, "This really isn't the time you two! Anyways, what I was saying before… the only thing we can really do at this point is get the time turner back or get another one."

She waited for their reactions and was surprised when Ron spoke first, not expecting him to connect the dots so fast, "Do you mean that we have to go to the ministry? Again? Bloody hell Hermione, you better have some other ideas!"

A silence descended again, broken quickly by the bushy haired girl, "Actually Ronald, I wasn't thinking of the ministry… When I was in third year," she spoke mostly to Ginny, "I did a few extra classes and used a time turner to complete them. McGonagall gave it to me."

Pausing for a moment, Ron frowned as he connected the dots, "So… we go to McGonagall and get the time turner."

Hermione continued, "Well, there is a slight problem… I don't think that McGonagall is around yet which means that we really are just going to take our chances and presume that the teachers here allow students to use time turners to complete studies."

Giving a great yawn and cracking her fingers, Ginny spoke, "okay, so I guess that's the best we've got so far."

The red-haired girl walked to the door and thrust it open impatiently, not waiting for the two elder students as she walked out. Avoiding Ron, Hermione sprinted after her.

She yelled out, "Ginny, I think it would be better if we looked inside the Headmasters office first. It would most likely be there."

Turning sharply, the group headed in a new direction. They raced down the corridor, avoiding curious gazes from wizards and witches and the occasional mentally disturbed portrait that yelled after them, wanting some company.

Stopping the group with an outstretched arm, Hermione pulled them behind a suit of armour and the group looked on as a middle-aged man walked down the corridor and towards the well-known statue that guarded the entrance. From where they were, they could hear the man utter the words, "candy apple."

The statue sprung awake and started it slow ascent into the headmaster's domain.

Ron muttered beside them, "what is it with headmasters and bloody sweets."

Ginny gave a small snort of laughter.

They waited patiently for the man to reappear so they could make their own way into the office. Finally, the statue rolled back down and two men walked from out of the stairwell. The other man was stern looking and had a manner to him that screamed of order.

Letting out a relieved sigh, Hermione spoke, "so that's were the headmaster is. That's one less trouble to deal with…"

They looked both ways before crossing the hall and heading quickly towards the statue.

Standing in front of it, Hermione cleared her throat, "Candy Apples!"

The statue moved once more upwards and they stepped into the small opening, following it until they reached the top. A familiar door stood in front of them and they opened it softly, hearing the statue moving loudly back into place behind them.

Moving into the circular room of the Headmasters office, they split up, walking to different sides of the room and beginning the search through the cupboards.

The rattle of wooden shelves could be heard, as they pulled open drawer by drawer, hoping to find any sign of the elusive time turner they so desperately needed. Their search continued until they had all moved into the centre of the room, having looked in every nook and cranny they could find. They were sweating with the effort.

Ginny wiped her dusty hands on the bottom of her shirt as she flicked a piece of hair out of her eyes, "It isn't here."

A groan came from Ron and he closed his eyes, obviously tired, "well then, were is it?"

Ginny spoke again, "It could be in a teachers office?"

Sighing again at the effort they were going to, Hermione slumped towards the door, "I guess you're ri …."

She trailed off and her eyes widened as she heard the familiar scrape of the statue. Someone was coming up and they were about to be caught. The last thing they needed was to be arrested.

The eyes of her companions had expanded to twice their normal size and Ron muttered faintly, "Oh crap!"

Thinking quickly, Hermione grabbed both of their arms and dragged them swiftly towards the fireplace, she dropped the extra limbs and grabbed a handful of green powder from out of its pot, throwing it into the fire. The green flames rose higher and licked the small opening of the chimney.

She shouted in a clear voice, "The ministry of magic!"

Pushing Ginny into the flames, she watched with a smaller sense of ease as the younger girl disappeared in a swirl. She looked at Ron and he quickly followed his sister, yelling in a slightly cracking voice.

Voices could be heard on the other side of the door and with a feeling of intense adrenalin, Hermione grabbed the floo, jumped in and shouted, "Ministry of magic!"

Before she disappeared to the new location, she could see a slight arrow of light sift through the widening crack of the door.

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Racing up the stairs of Hogwarts, Harry Potter gripped his prize possession under his arms with a fierce intensity. Despite the danger of the situation, he couldn't help but grin with pride and exhilaration.

Tripping slightly over one of the stone steps, he ignored the call of, "be more careful, young man," from a painting to his left and continued his excitement fuelled run. He passed Mrs. Norris who hissed at him in anger but ignored her.

The fat lady portrait came into view and he sped up, skidding to a halt outside of the portrait. Yelling the password at her she swung slowly open (much to his displeasure), and admitted him into the royally coloured common room.

Reaching the top of the stairs to his room he threw open the door and shut it with a bang, making sure that it was locked securely.

Slumping to the floor and panting sharply, he carefully opened the front cover of the album. He smiled at the first picture, happy that it wasn't a hoax. He couldn't even imagine his luck at having his most prized possession come into his hands once more. With a warm glow, he knew that somehow it had been the work of his friends.

Tracing the border of the photos in an expression of genuine tenderness, he felt his eyes brimming at the thought of all of his new friends future. His mother and father seemed so full of energy and life; it was hard to believe that their dreams and future plans would be crushed in only a few years.

And Sirius….

He chocked on the rising sob that had caught in his throat and his vision went blurry. Gripping the book tightly he breathed in a deep breath and let it escape slowly. His eyes slowly lost their blurry edges and he suddenly felt more relieved. The last thing he wanted to do would be to break down.

Sharp knocks rapped on the door and a voice filtered through, "hey Harry!! Open up!"

His heartbeat sped up quickly and he looked around his room in fear. Shooting to his feet he rushed over to his trunk and flung it open. Gently placing the book in, he shut the lid firmly, locking it with a spell.

Breathing in once more he collected himself and walked over to the door. Opening it slowly he was met with the worried faces of his father, godfather, and future professor. He looked behind them and could see Peter emerge up the staircase, panting and sweating from the trip to his room from the classroom.

James broke through his observations, "Harry… are you okay…. You look like you've been … crying…"

His father shuffled nervously as he tried not to embarrass the small boy in front of him.

Harry responded, "I'm fine, I just needed to return my book. Umm…" he quickly thought up an excuse, "See, Myrtle has this thing for me and I kind of shut her down, so now she's kinda making up for it by taking my things and returning it in very odd ways…"

He hoped they would buy it. When he had thought of a lie to tell them (one that involved flying books), the only thing he could think of was his second year and the flooding accident that occurred after Ginny threw the cursed book at Myrtle. Thankfully, James let out a snort of laughter that reminded Harry of something that an animal would do.

Sirius patted him on the back, "a shame that the one girl to like you was a raving loony."

Blushing, Harry couldn't help but let his mind drift to Ginny. He missed her, more than he thought he would. It was times like these that he could use her quick thinking.

Sirius picked up on his expression though, "So you do have someone!! Ohh, who is she?"

He blushed even brighter and heard a soft laugh coming from Remus.

He looked down, "Ah, I really have to go now. Sorry…"

He pushed past the boys, missing Sirius look of disappointment and quickly ran down the steps. He could hear James call after him, "nice chat…"

Pushing the portrait open again, he broke into a run towards the Headmaster's office. Reaching the statue he stopped suddenly in front of it.

Thinking, he spoke, "Marshmallows?"

Nothing happened.

"Cockroach clusters?"

"Liquorice wand?"

"… Lemon drop…"

Still, the statue did not move.

"Sprinkles."

He turned around at the voice and could see Dumbledore standing calmly behind him, his hands behind his back.

He panted out through his nervousness, "Professor … I… have to tell … you something!!"

The old man nodded and glided up the staircase. Harry followed.

The old man moved himself into his old padded chair and sat down in an oddly graceful manner for his age. Harry slumped into the slightly less comfortable one opposite him.

Speaking quickly he retold the man all that had happened. After he finished, the wizard looked at him with a slightly less amused look.

He spoke softly, "I am glad I did not see that album, it would have not been wise for the past to see the future."

Harry nodded and spoke, "but now it's in my trunk and James is already really suspicious. I don't know what to do!"

The old man pursed his lips and regarded him once more. Ever so slowly, he bent down to a draw in his desk and retrieved something from the compartment.

Holding it up, he spoke again, "Do you know what this is, Harry?" The boy nodded slowly, his eyes wide and the headmaster continued, "I have been debating with myself on when you should use it. I thought… that since you have never got to experience life with your father or mother, that this would be the perfect opportunity for you to enjoy it."

The time turner dangled on the thin thread like a fragile feather.

Dumbledore spoke again, "I only had it in my possession because a rather brilliant friend of mine had confiscated it when he was working at the ministry. He left it in his will to me, saying that it was only wise to operate it in the most necessary of circumstances," he paused, "I believe that now is that necessary circumstance."

Feeling his eyes brim with the thought of leaving his parents forever, he nodded and met the eyes of the headmaster. The other mans eyes were glistening slightly and the twinkle was diminished.

He continued, "As for the prickling in your scar. I believe that if you were to look into your mind you would find that Voldermort's gradual rise to power occurs right now, hence the prickling. From here on in, it is up to the people of this time to help or doom themselves. Perhaps it is also time that you returned to your own time and fulfil the mission that seem so determined to do."

Sliding the time turner onto the table, Dumbledore sighed, "I will tell your friends that your father wishes you to return. I will have to obliviate them…"

Harry nodded again, not trusting his voice.

"It would be best if you left soon."

Standing up from the chair, Harry suddenly felt lethargic. His limbs seemed heavy and his eyes still prickled from the emotional situation. It was hard to believe that his parents would be ripped away from him for a second time. He wished that he could tell them everything he knew but even he could understand that many more people would die if his parents didn't.

Moving in an empty manner down the corridors he finally reached the fat lady. She glanced at him in sympathy but had better sense than to ask what was wrong.

Stepping into the common room he saw James, Sirius and Remus sitting in the chairs. James waved him over.

He smiled and hoped that it didn't look as pathetic as it felt, "hey…"

They frowned and James queried, "Are you alright because, no offence or anything but you look like shit."

Harry smiled and sat down in the fourth chair that was usually occupied by Peter. He was glad the rat wasn't present and could care less about were he was.

He cleared his throat, "I have some … bad… news."

Remus looked especially concerned and spoke softly, "What is it Harry?"

"I have to leave."

He wasn't expecting the reaction he got from them but was surprised when both Sirius and James shot up and yelled 'what' simultaneously.

"My father doesn't want me to attend Hogwarts any more…."

James stuttered out, "But- but… No!"

He nodded, "Sorry guys."

Sirius whined, "But that's not fair! You only just got here!"

Shrugging, Harry wasn't sure on how to reply to the boy. He felt a strange and bittersweet kind of happiness at the fact that they were so sad that he was leaving.

Leaning closer in, Remus asked in his usually soft voice, "when are you leaving?"

Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "Very soon. I just have to pack my bags first."

The portrait hole swung open again with a creak and he would have ignored it if it weren't for the stomps that were coming his way.

He looked up and felt sadness wash over him at the sight of Lily striding in, coming towards the group (or more specifically James) with a look of determination and frustration on her face.

She stopped in front of James and paused before speaking, "… fine!"

James raised an eyebrow, "fine what?"

Lily spoke again, "I'll go out with you Potter!"

James's eyes widened to an almost impossible size and he stuttered out, "how- I – wait, what?"

She rolled her eyes, "I said: I will go out with you."

A smile that seemed so wide that it reached his ears spread across his face and squeezed his eyes shut in an effort to control himself. Harry actually felt a grin form on his face as he witnessed the first moment of what would become a long and faithful relationship.

His eyes suddenly snapped open and gazed at her in a suspicious manner, "Wait a second. What are you going to do to me? This can't ACTUALLY be happening."

Rolling her eyes in a manner that showed that she was frustrated and at the edge of her patience, she spoke again, "Potter, do you want to go out with me or not?"

The boy breathed in as if it had suddenly occurred to him that it actually was real.

"Merlin yes!"

"Good work Prongs!"

She smiled, almost normally but still with some spite in it, "Good."

"But first tell me why you decided to go out with me."

Lily huffed, "I don't know… To shut you up I guess. I mean, if it's a horrible date then I'll know that all of my assumptions were correct and you really are an egotistical jerk."

"Hm…. Good enough for me!"

As if it had suddenly occurred to her, she turned to the rest of the group, "hey, why where you so sad before?"

Sirius burst out, "Harry's leaving!"

Her face turned into a mask of sadness, "Oh! That's horrible!"

Remus muttered under his breath, "I know."

Sighing, Harry stood up and stretched, "I should really get to my packing…"

The group trading sad glances with him and he felt a warm glow of appreciation.

Lily quickly blurted out, "I'll write to you as much as I can and we can keep in touch."

He nodded and she stood forward and embraced him. He fought hard against the emotional outburst that was raising so close to the surface. He closed his eyes and rested his head briefly on her shoulder, breathing in her calming scent.

She let go and he felt a sense of disappointment. She smiled and then headed off towards the girls dorms. James shot him a look of sadness and followed her.

He grinned as he heard the animagus already say, "So where's our first date going to be? Oh wait, were would you like it to be?"

Glancing back at Sirius and Remus and watched as they eyed each other, almost having a silent conversation. Remus cleared his throat and spoke hesitantly, "Harry, would you like us to help you pack?"

Shaking his head but smiling at their consideration he spoke once more, "No thanks, but it was nice of you to offer. I'll see you before I leave."

He sauntered off to his room and once there, shut the door gently behind him, drawing in deep breaths. As he walked around his room he noticed that pretty much everything was packed, as he hadn't really unpacked in the time he had been there.

Sitting on top of his trunk he let his mind cloud over for a moment and drifted into the sweet nothingness. It was a long time until he broke his stare and trance of stillness, making up his mind that it really was going to be the last goodbye.

Opening up the trunk he took out his photo album again.

In the back of the album, the photos had been converted from his mum and the marauders to his friends and life. The very last photo was one of him, taken by Colin. The picture was of him paused in writing and deep in thought. Colin gave it to him after he developed it, saying that it was always best if someone had a picture of themselves.

Slipping it in his pocket he placed the photo album back down into the trunk and latched it shut. He walked to the door and slipped silently through it and into the marauders room next to his.

Glancing around, he couldn't help but laugh at the disorder that their room presented. Clothes were everywhere, on any piece of unoccupied space or even the occupied areas. A few pieces of parchment were littered on the floor and he guessed that they were for upcoming pranks.

Moving over to James's bed (he could tell by the word 'prongs' that was carved rather crudely into the headboard of the bed) he placed the photo of himself on the bedside table.

He knew that Professor Dumbledore had to erase their memories of everything but the fact that he was a boy who transferred to the school and had never spoken to him. The photo would be a small token to them to remind James that he was more than just some transfer student.

He slipped back out of the room and headed down the steps, towards the portrait entrance. He didn't need to worry about his trunk, as the house elves would transport that to Dumbledore's office.

The common room was empty except for a small girl in her first year. He looked around for the Marauders and not seeing any sign of the, went over to her.

"Um hi, sorry about this but have you seen a guy that looks like me around anywhere?"

The girl frowned and the smiled, "Oh yes, I heard him say something about going to 'dumby's' office."

His heart sunk into his stomach. He guessed then that he had already said his goodbyes to them when he left to get packing.

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AN: Sorry about the really long update. Life and lack of motivation got in the way. Love you all. My hand hurts, I need to stop typing….

Please review.