The Second Try

Reunion

The next six years passed in a blur, literally. Harry used a Temporal spell to accelerate his perceptions. He could still interact with reality, but when he wasn't doing anything, he didn't notice time passing. He couldn't explain the spell to anyone, because, again, one's mind must work differently in order for Temporal Magic to become possible. However, the spell was functional and it did keep Harry alive for the next few years. He'd set the spell to end on March 1st, giving him six months to get his things in order for Hogwarts. He'd already sent in his confirmation that he would be attending.

It was exactly fifteen weeks, four days, 23 hours, 4 minutes, and 26 seconds since the spell ended. He saw her. She was exiting the gateway, eyes full of wonder. His mind lurched forward and what little remained of his conscious mind actually had to cast a Full-Body-Bind on himself. He remained there until he was able to convince his more sensible half that he wouldn't rush her. (Remember, he's not all there. He gets most of his marbles back after he finally reunites with Hermione. He has two parts of his mind so that he can cast different spells simultaneously. Normally, he has total control, but not right now.)

He exited his flat, taking care not to use his glamour. He didn't really need it anymore. He approached her nonchalantly while she was about to enter Flourish and Blotts.

"Hello there." She said. Oh God, Harry thought. It's really her! "Are you attending Hogwarts as well?" She asked, not really noticing the strange reaction.

"Y-Y-yes." He choked out.

She extended her hand. "I'm Hermione Granger. What's your name?"

He shook her hand, nearly passing out when his glove-covered hands touched her skin. He was very lucky that he had worn them today. "Ha-Harry Potter." He choked out.

"Do you have a cold or something?" She asked, confused.

"No... I'm fine. It's just-" Before he could say anything stupid, Mia flew down and butted him in the head. "OW! Mia?!" Harry barked.

"Oh. My. God." Hermione said in shock. "Is that a Phoenix?!"

"Y-Yes she is." Harry said.

"I've read about them." She said, still in awe. "I can't believe that you have a silver and blue one. Finding one that's only slightly differently colored is incredibly rare! That one must have cost a fortune!" She said enviously.

"Um... She's not a pet. She's my friend." /And she's the only thing that kept me sane, until I found you./

"Oh. I read about that too. I just didn't believe it." She said. "I mean, it's just a bird." Mia huffed at that comment and flew away.

"SHE" Harry said. "Is not just a bird." If I were talking to anyone else, I'd just transmute them into something like a rat for Mia to eat and walk away.

"Sorry." She whimpered, cowering.

Then, Harry realized something. He had entered full battle mode. Objects around him were breaking. He was towering, radiating magic. His aura, the powerful energies that his body emanated, had crackled into existence. It was something that only the most powerful wizards were capable of and it enhanced their power manifold. He couldn't believe that he'd just done that to Hermione.

"No. I'm sorry" he said, forcing the energies to back down. "I just... She's my only family."He was suddenly in tears. He couldn't understand what was wrong with him.

Hermione cautiously rose to her feet, moving closer, trying to make sure that he was okay. "What about your parents?"

Harry chuckled bitterly. "I'm the Boy-Who-Lived. I have no parents."