Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

AN: This chapter has been edited as of October 29. You may now consider this a new introduction. Almost a whole new story. It will be infintely more well written. I will be doing this for all chapters of this story, so that I may introduce newer, higher quality chapters along with these chapters being re-vamped (it makes no sense whatsoever to have shitty chapters meld together with okay chapters).

Chapter 1: A New Beginning

Harry Potter walked the halls of Hogwarts. The stones he pounded underfoot were chilled from the unnaturally cool October air. It reflected his mood, Harry felt dead to the world. having lost what could have been the closest thing to his parents in one fell swoop had ruined the boy. He was in agony. No one besides Remus understood what he was going through. The werewolf had lost, in all aspects, a brother and his last lifeline to a past filled with joy he rarely experienced anymore. Remus wasn't really any help to Harry coping with the death of his godfather, since he was worse than Harry was. Harry even caught Remus a few times trying to kill himself. Harry couldn't really blame him. He was even contemplating it himself.

During his walk, he unintentionally bumped into the headmaster. The headmaster was also looking worse for wear. It wasn't the fact that the Order was failing in repressing Voldemort's forces, or that the reign of terror on wizarding Britain, but the pain he caused in Harry Potter's life aggrieved him greatly. It hurt to watch a young man he had come to respect and admire, hurt so badly at his own decisions. He wanted so much to see a blaming glare directed towards him from the boy's eyes, only to get an empty stare. Watching Harry's clothes hang off his thin frame, the dark circles under his eyes, and the overwhelmed look in his green orbs was almost too much to bear.

DUmbledore was at his wits end to try and break Harry out of his rut. This mere child had the hope of all wizards placed unsteadily on his shoulders. Dumbledore knew that he was unlikely to survive long enough to see the end of the war, be it for better or for worse. However, he so much because the child in front of him deserved a life where he could live comfortably without dark lords and reporters hounding his every step. However, it wasn't just Harry that deserved this peace, but all the children in the hallowed halls of Hogwarts, and those who would soon pass through the same halls and attend the same classrooms. He put his arm around Harry and led him up to his office. Harry took a seat in the chair adjacent to Dumbledore's. Dumbledore watched Harry for a few minutes before asking a question pressing on his mind.

"Harry, what's the matter, besides the obvious?" Dumbledore asked in a soothing voice.

"I-I have been thinking a lot about the past." Harry responded with a crack in his voice. It had been months since he talked.

"A dangerous thing to do, Harry, as I told you before. You shouldn't dwell on the past." He said in an almost disappointed voice.

"Yeah, well, I can't help it. I'm not as strong as you, and don't give me that bull that I am. I'm not and that's something you have to accept. I understand that we have had similar lives, with a slight difference. You haven't had this kind of pressure on you since you were one year old." Harry finished passionately. Dumbledore let him storm on, sensing he needed this. Even though Harry's studies suffered greatly, as well as his friendships, he mastered occulmency by himself. Dumbledore was unable to tell how Harry was truly feeling, but guessed this was close.

He decided to get Harry to open up, so coerced Harry into talking. "What particular part of your past, Harry?"

"First year when I had the chance to go to Slytherin." He responded in a flat tone. Dumbledore didn't know if this was the truth or if Harry was throwing him off.

"Why?"

"The Sorting Hat said I would be great. Unlike now, I'm not, but my name is. If I would have let the hat do its job, we might all be better off."

"Harry it might have meant great evil, or a great prat, we don't know." Dumbledore pleaded. Harry's wish sounded too much like a young man he heard over fifty years ago. Harry smirked slightly at the joke Dumbledore cracked. Not that it was funny, but he must be desperate if he was resorting to jokes at the time.

"I know my powers would be great. Whether good or evil doesn't matter. I know it's not the noblest of things, searching for power, but I need it. I need a new start. If I did turn evil, two dark lords couldn't survive with each other. And you could come up and finish off the weakened winner."

Dumbledore didn't know what to say. It was logical, but it would be a miserable life for many people. He suddenly remembered a spell that was extremely difficult. It would, however, show Harry what this particular decision's consequences.

"Harry, are you really thinking about this part of your past?"

"Yes," he responded instantly.

"There is a spell that can show you the consequences of that choice. However, it is extremely dangerous. It is like the Mirror of Erised. Those who have seen this usually go insane with the 'what if,' and 'could have been.' Would you like to see it?" he asked cautiously.

Harry brightened up at this, worrying Dumbledore. "Yes sir!" Harry exclaimed.

Dumbledore frowned and looked at the bookshelf behind him. After exploring it for a while, he found the book he was looking for. It was a thick tome with a large amount of dust on the red covering. He opened the book near the back reading repeatedly, clearly making sure he wouldn't do it wrong.

He finally straightened up and asked Harry if he was ready, who gave a nod in confirmation. Dumbledore waved and flicked was wand repeatedly, making Harry think he was having a seizure. He was mumbling strange words under his voice also. A light abruptly struck Harry. Nothing seemed to happen at first, until a beam shot out of the front of Harry's forehead. At first, there was nothing but fog, but then it started to clear to show a first or second year Harry walking in the hallways of Hogwarts.

The scene started as unexpected to the two as if VOldemort had suddenly jumped out of no where and danced the 'the Can-Can.' There was like a bubble around a young Harry that even the upperclassmen dare not enter. His eyes looked shadowed, in fact Harry couldn't see his younger self's eyes through his thick, long hair. He looked a little skinny also, but Harry felt strength, physical strength coming off the kid.

Harry saw the rest of his year's repeated the same way. The loneliness the other Harry faced was strange. He had no friends, communicated with no one unless necessary. This isn't what Harry wanted to see though. He wanted to see the magical strength this other Harry had. Like reading his mind (since it was his mind), the images changed into classrooms. It showed Harry cut off from the rest of the class, but excelling in spells and schoolwork. He was even better than the other Hermione, who was also sitting away from everyone.

The only thing Harry knew about the other Harry after the images stopped flashing was that he seemed to be a loner and was extremely good in school. He was unsure if he was evil. He would have guessed he was, if it wasn't for the fact the other Slytherins were scared of him. Harry guessed they would surely revel in the fact they were in the presence of a future Dark Lord.

Harry looked at Dumbledore, who had a sad look in his eyes.

"Are you glad now Harry that you didn't go into Slytherin?"

"No," Harry said in a far away voice. This surprised Dumbledore, but detected a hint of sadness in Harry's voice.

"Why, then, are you sad?" Dumbledore questioned.

"Because I would have been so much happier in that other world." Harry said, shocking Dumbledore.

"I don't understand," Dumbledore, said, puzzlement in his voice.

"Even though my life here has had a lot more happiness, it seems that that other life didn't have as much of troubles. I could have worked out my troubles so much easier too if I did not have to worry about my friends. Or have my friends distract me from things that are more important. I know I would have been happier. That's all I have ever wanted." Harry finished with tears evident in his eyes and voice. "I had a saying once," Harry spoke again, "that if it wasn't for pain, one would never understand joy. But I think it's the other way around. If you never experienced joy, how would you know you were in pain?"

It broke Dumbledore's heart to see him like this. All the child in front of him deserved was happiness, even if it meant the absence of said happiness. And for some reason Harry wanted to be in this other world. Dumbledore didn't feel much like disturbing Harry's thoughts, so read more of the book where he got the spell Harry wanted. As he read further and further, he came upon a very interesting spell. It was a spell that turned the world backwards, back in time for a person. This spell enabled the person to make a different choice. As he read further into the specifics of the spell, it detailed that it was one of the more dark arts spells out there. As he finished, he thought it was well in his capabilities to perform. He thought hard about his decision, until Harry pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Sir, I think I've disturbed you long enough, I should be on my way," Harry said melancholy voice.

"Were you serious, about being happier in the other world?" Dumbledore asked in a pensive manner.

"Dead serious, Sir," Harry said with conviction.

"There might be a way. It is very dangerous, but I'm willing to do it for you."

"Why sir?" Harry asked in awe that someone would do that for him.

"Because, Harry, you deserve it. We need a day to prepare."

"Sir, is there any way you can retain knowledge of this reality?" Harry asked, there really was no need to repeat this reality's mistakes. "Or any way for me to give information to the new me?"

"Yes, but that would defeat the whole purpose. I would try and mold you into the person you are right now." Dumbledore explained.

"Couldn't you give your self vague ideas about a matter? Like a need to teach occulmency? Or to talk to me often through my schooling, because I figure if I talk to you frequently, I'll be less likely to turn bad. I mean not teach me anything, but ask how my day went, any girls I'm looking at. Things like that."

Dumbledore thought about it, and thought it was possible and a good idea. "I'll try Harry."

"And you might want to have your memory restored of this reality my sixth year, that way you can explain why I did what I did to myself. Because I want my other self to know about my life here and why I did it." Harry explained.

"How about you make a recording of sorts, and I can preserve it through the time warp. That way you'll here it from the horse's mouth."

"You calling me a horse sir?" Harry asked playfully. He was excited for the first time since he visited Sirius after fourth year.

Dumbledore sort of smirked and replied, "Of course. Now go to bed and come see me first thing in the morning to do what we have set out to do."

Harry smiled and went to bed.

Harry didn't sleep at all during the night. He was excited at the prospect of being at a constant level of happiness, even though it wasn't that happy. At a half hour after sunrise, he made his way to Dumbledore's office. He went up the stairs, knocked, and heard a, 'come in.'

Inside Harry didn't notice anything different except for a wide space in the middle of the room. Dumbledore seemed all ready for Harry.

"I sense you didn't sleep well?" he questioned.

"Too excited," Harry replied.

"Now before we do this, do you want to do your recording?" Dumbledore asked.

"Yeah, I think I do." Harry said as if he was getting out of a trance.

Dumbledore gave him a weird looking device, which he showed Harry how to work it, and went into a private room to record his thoughts. A long time later Harry came out with a smile on.

"It went well, I take it." Dumbledore said with a smile.

"It felt real good," Harry said.

"Good, now I need to put a spell on you so you pick Slytherin instead of Gryffindor." Dumbledore mumbled a few words and tap on Harry, causing them to cross.

"Now let's get this show on the road, so to speak." Dumbledore said with a twinkle in his eye.

Harry closed his eyes and heard Dumbledore start mumbling and walking around. Harry heard a whooshing sound and a rushing noise. Finally, he heard some clapping and a "Potter, Harry."

AN: please give me your feedback on this story. Like if you want me to continue this one, or another one, or quite writing, or any advice whatsoever. I would really appreciate it.