Harry Potter and his New Beginning

Greetings prospective readers!

My name is the Quill of Gryffindor, and I thank you for choosing to read this story. This story has been uploaded for a good few years now, but I have recently been updating some of the older chapters to correct errors and make them read better. For a long time now, I haven't been uploading as often as I should be, so now I'm getting back into the swing of things.

This story is my flagship piece: my first, longest, and in my opinion, best piece of work.

It really broke my heart that I might not have been able to finish it, which is why I am making a concerted effort to leave it nicely tied up for all of you readers out there!

Before you read, please remember that this is a story where Harry and Hermione go back in time to try and fix things, like the summary suggests. I know that the storyline has been done before, but it hasn't been done by me: this is my interpretation of the idea. If you don't like these sort of stories, then I suggest you stop reading here and now.

However, feel free to look at some of my other work!

Anyway, I'd just like to say, like every other writer on this website, I DON'T OWN HARRY POTTER! I don't think I could have written such a masterpiece of a story (despite some debatable parings). I do, however, borrow some of the original text at various points in the story, including some in this chapter. That does not mean I own it.

I hope you enjoy this story and I hope you review! Some of the most useful comments on my work come from the great people on this website!

So, without further ado, I give you Chapter One of Harry Potter and his New Beginning!

Prologue

Chapter One: The Beginning...and the End

The grounds of Hogwarts were silent. The moon shone down on the ancient fortress, casting it in an eerie glow. For a small amount of time, it looked serene and tranquil. However, the serenity of the night was disturbed by the knowledge that only a few minutes ago, a fierce battle had raged across the castle, leaving casualties on both sides.

The blood on the grass and stone was still fresh.

In a perverse act of mercy, the self-proclaimed dark lord had allowed the defenders of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry to retrieve their dead and heal their wounded before the battle continued. It did not change a simple fact, however.

The light side was losing.

"I speak now, Harry Potter, directly to you." Voldemort's snake-like voice echoed across the castle as he addressed a single wizard. "You have permitted your friends to die for you rather than face me yourself. I shall wait for one hour in the Forbidden Forest. If, at the end of that hour, you have not come to me, have not given yourself up; then battle recommences." There was a pause, before, with a hint of laughter, he continued. "This time, I shall enter the fray myself, Harry Potter, and I shall find you, and I shall punish every last man, woman, and child who has tried to conceal you from me. One hour."* The grounds fell silent once more.

In one of the ruined halls and corridors of the castle, the recipient of the message sat on the floor, with his back leant up against the stone slabs. In his mind, the dark lord's words repeated themselves over and over again, becoming even more menacing and evil with each recitation he made.

"…you have permitted your friends to die…" Tears streaked down his blood and dirt stained face, mingling to become a dark coloured puddle resting on his arm.

'How many have died in the name of protecting me?' He thought in despair. 'Sirius, Moody, Dobby, Fred, Remus, Tonks…' His thoughts turned to the image of a young Teddy Lupin growing up without a father or a mother…just like himself.

"…I shall wait for one hour…One hour..." Harry sighed tiredly as the daunting time limit returned to his mind.

He knew he had failed. The mission Albus Dumbledore had left for him as his legacy was almost complete…tantalisingly so. However, the last piece of Riddle's immortality sat directly at the dark lord's feet.

While he desperately tried to think of a solution to kill Voldemort's familiar, in the back of his mind he knew it was impossible. Not only was it surrounded by him and his minions, but it was also protected by a shield charm.

At that moment, the haunting words of Sybill Trelawney floated through his tired mind.

"…For neither can live, while the other survives…" With that, the wheels in his mind stopped turning with a realisation. He knew his destiny. He knew what to do.

Dragging himself to his feet, he pulled his father's unique cloak over his shoulders and set off through the castle. As he walked, the darkened corridors and the quiet flicker of flames in his first home began to trigger memories of happier times.

His mind began to wander to the faces of his friends who had been by his side through it all, through every adventure, in every escapade…

'God, I wish I could see then now…" Harry thought sadly. '…Ron…'

"…Anyone sitting here? Everywhere else is full…"

"…Sunshine, daises, butter mellow, turn this stupid, fat rat yellow…"

"…Oy, pea-brain…"

'…Neville…'

"…Gran, I've lost my toad again…"

"…Thank goodness you found me! I've been out here for hours. I couldn't remember the new password to get in to bed…"

"…I won't let you do it. I'll – I'll fight you…"

'…Hermione…'

"…Just because you've got the emotional range of a teaspoon doesn't mean we all have…"

"…We could all have been killed - or worse, expelled…"

"…Me! Books! And cleverness! There are more important things-friendship and bravery and-oh Harry-be careful…"

'…Hermione…oh, Hermione.' He thought with a sigh.

Somehow, even now, his thoughts turned to the brown haired, auburn eyed witch: the woman who had never left his side, ever since the day their friendship truly began, with the shoving of his wand up the nose of an irate troll. Whenever he thought of her, it always made him smile with an indescribable feeling in his chest.

Lost in his musings, Harry almost didn't notice that he was walking past the entrance to the Great Hall. Deciding to stop for a moment, he stepped up to the open doors and looked in on the people inside.

The bright fires, the floating candles and the five long tables were gone. In their places was a room which looked nothing like the image from his memory. All along the floor were rows upon rows of white sheets, each covering the lifeless body of a person he knew. The hall was silent and dark, the familiar tell-tale sound of children's laughter and joy which usually graced the space, missing. In their place were the gentle sobs and tears of mourners.

As Harry's eyes scanned the room, they fell upon a large gathering of red headed men and women, standing over a body. Molly Weasley was kneeling down to the pale body of Fred, crying heavily and cradling his body. Arthur Weasley was alongside her, trying to comfort his distraught wife, all the while fighting the tears and sobs which threatened to come out and break his control over his emotions.

George knelt on the opposite side of the body, just staring down at his unmoving twin. The mischievous glint which was always present in his eyes was gone, leaving him looking empty and hollow. Stood at the feet of the body were Ron and Ginny, side by side. His best friend was completely expressionless, his eyes puffy and his face red from tears that had long since passed. He held his sister, Ginny, tightly, who had hidden her face in his shoulder, crying with painful sobs.

Harry's heart panged as he watched her cry, but he fought himself to stay hidden and out of sight, lest they try and stop him.

As he finished his sweep of the space, his eyes fell upon the bodies of Remus and Tonks, lying side by side. The newly wed pair's faces were uncovered, their eyes closed so it looked like they were sleeping. In between them, their hands were laid side by side, the couple's fingertips almost touching in a heart wrenching gesture.

Looking at his pseudo uncle and aunt's unmoving bodies, once more conjured up the image of Teddy Lupin growing up without his parents. As tears stung Harry's tired eyes, he turned away with a quiet sob.

"It should have been me." He whispered. "It should have been me, oh God, why couldn't it have been me?" Just as he crossed the threshold of the school, he lost control of his emotions and burst into tears.

Harry stopped for a moment to try and stop his tears and stifle his sobs, which were racking through his body painfully. As he did so, he glanced up at the castle, which had been his true home since his eleventh birthday.

The resplendent towers, parapets and ramparts which dominated the skyline and grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry had been turned into ruins. Huge parts of the rooftops and masonry had collapsed, and the wooden supports were burning, the fire leaving a faint orange flicker against the black, smoke filled sky.

As he stared at what his home had become, even more memories began to resurface in his mind, drowning out the intense sorrow and self-hatred which plagued his thoughts, for a small while.

Happier thoughts and memories of his time at the school emerged in his mind: crossing the lake on the boats in first year; seeing the castle for the first time; crashing a ford Anglia into the Whomping Willow; flying his firebolt on a gauntlet to avoid a dragon; all memories which he cherished.

The film reel which was his short life soon began to recall his most recent adventure…his last adventure. The death of Dumbledore; the wedding at the Burrow; hiding at Grimmauld Place; breaking into the Ministry; hunting the Horcruxes.

Shaking his head of those memories, he began to walk again, keeping his cloak tightly wrapped around him. Despite trying to focus his mind, the film of his life continued to play...

…going to Godric's Hollow; the Forest of Dean; escaping Malfoy Manor; breaking into Gringrotts; breaking into Hogwarts; the battle of Hogwarts…

As the recount of his life reached the present, his mind began to wander to memories involving a single person: Hermione. He remembered her tears when Ron abandoned them in a fit of horcrux induced rage; he remembered her laughing and joy filled face as she danced with him in the tent in the Forest of Dean; he remembered her understanding face as they stood in front of the graves of his parents…

Harry smiled when he thought of those times with Hermione. No matter what, even when the odds were against them, even when he acted like a total prat ('which was a lot of the time' Harry mused); when the going got tough, she stood by him.

Harry had always, albeit reluctantly, been the leader of their group, but she was the brains behind the brawn. She had a knack to nearly always make Harry see the logical side of an argument, even when it bloody annoyed him. But when logic failed and Harry made the wrong decision, she would come with him regardless and support him. Heck, she would have followed him into the pits of Hell, if that was where Harry needed to go.

As he neared the burning wreckage of Hagrid's hut, Harry realised how much he needed Hermione, and how important she was to him. With that thought, a single tear fell across his cheek and onto the grass. Completely absorbed in his thoughts and musings, he did not notice a figure move up behind him pointing a wand at his back until it was too late.

"Ventus!" A voice yelled.

Harry was unprepared for the spell, so as the gust of wind it generated blew his cloak from his hands revealing him, he was unable to hold onto it. As he drew his wand, his unknown assailant halted him with another spell.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Harry froze, wand outstretched, unable to move from his position.

While he was unable to move, he noticed that the voice of his attacker sounded familiar, but he could not place it. However, he knew it was most likely one of Voldemort's minions waiting for him in case he tried to escape.

'This is it.' He thought with an anxious swallow. 'This is how it ends. They will take me to Voldemort and it will all be over.' Harry's heart pounded in fear as he felt someone snatch his wand from his frozen hand.

Just as he was prepared to hear some death eater rhetoric from his captor, his eyes widened as he realised where he had heard her voice. Harry did not expect her to be his attacker.

"Harry, what in Merlin's name, ARE YOU DOING?" A voice yelled shrilly.

Harry felt his heart soar with the realisation. If he could smile at that moment, he was certain that it would be nearly from ear to ear. It was Hermione. His face began streaming with tears as she walked into his field of vision and pointed her wand at him again.

"Finite." She incanted softly.

At soon as the spell ended, Hermione rushed him with one of her notorious rib-breaking Hermione-hugs. Seeing that she was not letting go anytime soon, Harry returned the hug just as enthusiastically, and the pair stood in the darkened grounds in a tight embrace. As the hug continued, Hermione began to sob quietly into his shoulder, as the horror of the battle caught up with her, venting her tears onto Harry's robes. Trying to sooth her, he began gently rocking her from side to side.

After a short while, Harry stepped back from the hug and looked into Hermione's tear-stained, chocolate brown eyes, and conversely, she too began to stare into his emerald green ones, lost in their depths.

As he looked at her, he observed her dirty, blood stained face, and idly remembered how pretty Hermione really was. Like before, his mind began to bring up memories which revolved around her, especially the ones which, in his mind, revealed why he loved her so much. Harry had known for a long time about his feelings, at some point in third year, but he had never acted on them. He was afraid of not only losing her as a friend if she didn't feel the same way, but most likely Ron, the jealous prat that he was. Shaking his head, he focused his mind, pushing those thoughts away. 'Now is really not the time.' He thought to himself.

As Hermione gazed deeply into Harry's eyes, she was having a similar conversation with herself. She knew she had always loved Harry, first in a platonic sense, supporting Harry as a sibling would, before that grew into romantic feelings. It had first become apparent in their third year while she was watching Harry cast his patronus, protecting their past selves. As she watched, she realised how far he had come, from the scrawny boy with broken glasses on the Hogwarts Express, into the brave, good-looking individual, who cared deeply about his friends.A part of her knew, however, that Harry would never have eyes for her. He dated people like Cho Chang and Ginny Weasley, both extremely beautiful women.

'Stop deluding yourself,' she thought tersely, 'why would he go for a nerdy book-worm like me?' Her musings were interrupted as Harry began to speak to her.

"Hermione…" He began softly, his voice making her shiver.

Hermione knew full well what he was going to say and she didn't want to hear it. With a sob, she closed her eyes tightly and went back to holding the wizard in a death grip, trying to stop him from proceeding. Placing his hands on her cheeks, he gently turned her face up to meet his gaze. His thumbs softly rubbed her cheek as he smiled.

"Hermione," he repeated, "we both know that I have to go. I have no choice. I care too much about the people in that castle," he whispered softly, wiping a tear from her face as it fell down her cheek, "especially you."

Hermione had to stifle a gasp as she heard the addition to his sentence, and a loan tear streaked down her face. Perhaps she was wrong. Did Harry care about her more, than say Ron? She spoke amid sniffing and coughing.

"Harry…you don't have to go." He opened his mouth to object, but she cut him off with a look. "No…you don't have to go…alone." She whispered.

As the meaning behind her words finally dawned on Harry, his face fell and he gasped in shock. Shaking his head, the tears now pouring from his eyes, he went to argue, but she placed her finger on his lips.

"Harry," a soft smile crept across her face which made him shiver, "that wasn't a suggestion…" Before he could speak, Hermione placed her hands on his cheeks and kissed him on his lips.

Initially surprised by the gesture, Harry's eyes closed reflexively and he began returning the kiss, drawing his hands through her dishevelled hair. As the intimate embrace continued, she let out a quiet moan and parted her lips, deepening the kiss. So focused on the kiss, neither Harry or Hermione noticed the white sphere of light enveloping them in the darkness. It stood out in the black grounds of the castle, shining like a beacon in the night, and could be seen from the highest tower.

As they broke their first kiss, the light enclosing the pair faded once more into darkness. He stood staring into her brown eyes and felt warmth he had never felt before. It was like a part of him that had been missing for such a long time had been replaced. For the first time in his life, he felt complete. His hands gently cupped the sides of her face, his thumbs gently caressing her cheeks. Hermione let out a quiet moan, making Harry smile, before leaning in for another kiss. Neither had felt this close to a person before in their lives, and they were relishing in the contact.

"Hermione, how…I mean…when…I thought…" Harry stuttered. Hermione giggled softly, which made Harry's heart lift with happiness.

"Well, you know in first year?" Harry nodded. "Well, since the troll really…" Hermione blushed. Harry began stuttering again, choking on his speech.

"WHAT? You…you really mean that?" He gasped. "B-bloody hell Hermione, I-I didn't know." He fidgeted slightly on the spot, making Hermione giggle even more, which in turn made him laugh with her.

"Harry…you have to understand, I care for you deeply. I just didn't want to ruin our friendship. I didn't think you felt the same way, so I kept my feelings to myself." She blushed again and averted her eyes.

Harry placed his hands on her cheeks, drew her up into his gaze, and kissed her again on the lips. She moaned in contentment, parting her lips and allowing their tongues to connect. After holding the embrace for a few minutes, Harry broke it and laughed softly. Sensing Hermione's confusion, he explained.

"Hermione, I've felt the same way about you since I saw you for the first time on the Hogwarts Express." He announced with a smile. "I knew there was something about you when I looked into your eyes, but I wasn't sure. Initially, it confused me as to what I was feeling, so I decided to try and become your friend, to get close to you. That's why when I saw you threatened by the troll, I jumped on it to try and stop it from hurting you. I care for you so much." He finished softly. With his confession, Hermione's heart melted, tears streaming down her face. Harry used the ball of his thumb to capture her tears. "I didn't want to say anything for the same reason as you. I…I thought you would reject me…that you thought of me more as a brother. Then there's Ron…" Harry began, before Hermione placed a finger on his lips.

"I never loved Ron." She admitted. "I…I thought I did, but now that I think about it, it seems more like a spur-of-the-moment thing. I was lonely and I needed someone." Harry was about to speak, but Hermione silenced him again. "No, Harry. Remember, I wasn't sure how you would react. When we were in the tent, dancing together, I nearly lost control of myself. I left before I did something, and spent the night crying." She whispered.

Now it was Harry's turn to cry, with tears mixing with the blood and sweat on his face. She went to continue, but Harry stopped her, giving her another brief kiss on the lips and pulling her into an embrace.

"It doesn't matter Hermione. The past doesn't matter. We are together now. We know how the other feels and we are together. That's all that matters." He smiled at Hermione, which she returned. They hugged each other tightly, gently rocking from side-to-side.

For that brief moment, Harry forgot about his impossible task and the mission he had assigned himself. However, his mind finally came back down to earth and he remembered why he was standing in the grounds. He also remembered Hermione's words:

"…you don't have to go…alone."

Why had she done this to him? They had just revealed their feelings for each other, and he knew he was walking to his demise. As his tears began to fall once more from his cut and bleeding face, Hermione used her thumbs to gently capture them before they fell from his cheek. In an attempt to explain, Harry released an incoherent speech amid his tears. While she missed most of what the wizard had said, she caught the end of Harry's confession.

"I can't…not now…I can't…lose you 'Mione…I can't…not after this. I don't want you to suffer because of me." He finished his voice a whisper.

Harry bowed his head in shame, averting his eyes, letting his tears fall to the scorched and bloody grass. Hermione's heart melted with the revelation from her friend, and fearing losing her own hold on the situation; she grasped Harry's face and stared deeply into his eyes.

"Harry," hearing her say his name, he looked into her brown eyes, "we are going to do this together. If we die, we die together: you and me. I love you so much and I will stand by you always." She said with a smile.

Hearing her say those three words, Harry met her mouth with a renewed passion. They remained locked for a few minutes, before breaking it and leaning their foreheads together, eyes closed. After enjoying the moment, he looked deep into her eyes and smiled.

"I love you too…my 'mione." He whispered.

She smiled widely and they met in a brief embrace. A few minutes later, with very little time remaining before the deadline expired; they set off into the Forbidden Forest, hand in hand, draped in Harry's cloak.

After making his direct address to the Boy Who Lived, Voldemort stood at the far side of a clearing they had used as a staging area for the attack on Hogwarts. As he waited for the boy's arrival, the dark lord inspected his newest weapon, the Elder wand.

His minions, the death eaters, stood around the perimeter of the clearing, continually glancing between the burning towers of Hogwarts and their master. As the hour deadline approached, Dolohov and Yaxley, who had been standing outside the forest entered the circle and stood before Voldemort, their eyes averted to the ground. Sensing their approach, Voldemort looked up and stared coldly at his two servants.

"No sign of him, my Lord," said Dolohov.*

Voldemort red orbs did not betray his emotions, remaining as they always did, cold and expressionless. The eyes of every death eater were now on their lord, excitedly anticipating him making a decision.

"My Lord…" Bellatrix began, before she was silenced by Voldemort's hand. The dark lord sighed, and once more began to study his new wand.

"I thought he would come," said Voldemort in his high, clear voice, his eyes blazing like flames, "I expected him to come."

The witches and wizards in the clearing watched their master intently. He had yet to make a move, or give them an order, despite the fact that Potter's time had been up for at least five minutes. Finally, after a pause, the dark lord spoke again.

"I was, it seems . . . mistaken," said Voldemort.

"You weren't." An invisible voice replied coldly.

Harry and Hermione tore off the invisibility cloak and stood defiantly in the centre of the clearing. The Death Eaters stood staring at the newcomers in the clearing, visibly shocked that the pair had managed to sneak into their midst without anyone noticing.

As soon as they appeared, Voldemort began to observe the intruders in his presence, for any signs of movement. His piercing red eyes bored into Harry's, who gripped Hermione's hand tightly, trying not to betray his absolute terror in front of Voldemort or his minions.

Harry noticed that coiling by the dark lord's feet was the snake Nagini: the last horcrux. He knew as he observed their surroundings, that if he were to bring up his wand, he would be felled by the death eaters in the clearing. They all had their wands aimed at his and her chest.

The dark lord took a few steps towards them, studying him intently, watching for any sudden movements to see if the boy had a plan. When he saw no evidence of one, he began to laugh, a cold, cruel, mirthless cackle, encouraging the other people in the clearing to join him.

Dumbledore's golden boy had nothing. He had been defeated.

Harry could feel Hermione trembling, so he gave her a reassuring squeeze through their hands, rubbing the ball of his thumb on her knuckles. The pair waited for Voldemort to speak and the inevitable end.

"Harry Potter, the Boy Who Lived." Voldemort's cruel face began to contort into what could loosely be described as a smile. His eyes darted to the girl standing next to him, basking in the absolute terror betrayed in her eyes. "And it seems he's brought his Mudblood to die with him!" The dark lord said, twirling the Elder wand in his hand.

Harry's heart was pounding at this point. His hand tightened on Hermione's in order to disguise the intense shaking which racked his body, which squeezed in return. They both knew that it would be over soon. Voldemort wouldn't chance letting them live, not after the last few times he had underestimated them both.

Harry was surprised as his mind was overcome with a feeling of relief. It would soon be over; his war would end here and he could finally be at peace with his family and Hermione. As they waited, he remembered Dumbledore's words:

"To the well prepared mind, death is but the next big adventure…"

As they watched, Voldemort's wand came up and he smiled evilly at him. Harry was certain as he met the dark lord's gaze that he was staring into the face of pure evil.

"Goodbye, Harry Potter."

Harry saw Voldemort's lips move and saw the tell-tale green spell erupt from his wand and begin its journey. Closing his eyes, breathing a sigh, he squeezed Hermione's hand one last time before he felt it hit.

Harry Potter knew no more.

There we are, Chapter One!

I hope you all enjoyed reading this chapter, as much as I enjoyed writing it! I think it reads better than the original. The first was rushed and didn't read as smoothly as I think this one does! If you think of ways to improve this story, then please, let me know! I always want ways to make my work better!

Thank you for reading this chapter, please review, and I hope you continue to read onwards!

This is the Quill, signing off!