Chapter 2 - Back in time, Great Master Harry Potter Sir! Part 3.

Harry noted the melancholy that flashed in his face when Neville mentioned his parents. He wanted to ask about Neville's parents, just to keep up the pretense of not knowing. But he cannot justify being cruel to his friend like that. He decided to just let it go.

"So that makes us godbrothers. Kind of makes me glad that my godbrother is a great bloke and not an absolute horror like Malfoy. I would jump off the Astronomy Tower if that were the case," Harry joked attempting to shift the mood. Neville flashed a small grin, "He may not be your godbrother, but I remember Gran saying that the Blacks were related to both Malfoys and Potters, so he is related you."

"Fuck me."

Neville schooling a deadpan expression quipped, "No thank you. You are a good bloke an all, but you are not my type. I prefer girls you see."

Harry's eyes widened and then he guffawed. Neville soon followed him. It took a while for them to stifle their laughter, but they were still giggling like two loons. It is then when the rest of his dormmates came down to the common rooms, still looking every bit drowsy as when they woke up. Seamus lifted an eyebrow and asked, "What's got the two of you in a tizzy?"

Both replied simultaneously, "Nothing."

Not getting any further information from the two giggling loons, Dean and Seamus shook their heads and rolled their eyes. Ron's eyes gave a flashed with a weird emotion at the sight of the two of them getting along. This is when Ron noticed that Harry wore no glasses.

"Mate, where are your glasses?"

"Ah, I woke up this morning and noticed I had perfectly good vision without my glasses. I am going to ask Madame Pomphrey to check my eyes for any problems when I go over to visit Hermione before breakfast. Do you want to come with?"

Ron shivered slightly and shook his head, "Nah I don't want to go in there. Madame Pomphrey might fuss over me for no reason, plus its breakfast soon."

Harry just nodded and subtly narrowed his eyes. Interesting reaction Ron. 'I need more to get a more accurate reading on him. Have I been wrong this whole time about him? Or am I just being ridiculous? Am I letting Death's opinion define mine about Ron?'

Unless I see more reason to worry, I am going to shelve my suspicions away for a later time. I have enough as it is. It does beg the question to the degree I can associate with him. I will not tolerate anyone trying to control me.

Harry slightly shook his head and drew his thoughts away from Ron, for now. 'I never really noticed these minute expressions before. In the absence of the Dork Wanker's soul piece, my mental faculties seem much sharper, in fact they seem to be getting sharper by the minute.' Harry's musings were broken out by a Dean's voice.

"Harry are you going to walk down with his?" his tone slightly worried, as Harry seemed to be distracted by something. To Dean, having been his dormmate for the last two years, any sign of Harry distracted meant a significant event was about to take place or has already taken place.

"No, me and Neville are going to head over to the Hospital Wing to visit Hermione. You guys go ahead, we will join you at the Great Hall."

"Alright then, let's go lads, off to breakfast," with that the other three headed down to the Great Hall. Ron gave one more cursory glance at Harry who was looking directly at him. Harry seemed expressionless. Something happened last night, and Ron could not wrap his fingers around what it is. Shivers went down Ron's spine as he looked into Harry's eyes. He quickly averted his gaze and rushed out to the Great Hall, with Dean and Seamus in tow. 'Blimey, his eyes are scary without those glasses.'

Harry stoically held his gaze as Ron stepped out. He let out a breath he did not know he was holding. This time travelling business is not as easy as it sounds. After grabbing his book bag, the two godbrothers made their way into the Hospital Wing. When they got there, they made their way to Hermione's bed. A younger Hermione lying in bed, without a hint of movement. Still as if Death has already claimed her soul.

A wry smile worked its way into his face. 'I forgot how hard it was to see you in this state. Even though I know you are going to recover, it aches me to see you hurt like this.' He reached out to stroke her cheek and then held her hand. Neville stood in silent support of his friend. Noticing his distress, he placed a firm hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry gave a slight nod to Neville, acknowledging his silent support.

"Did you know Hermione that they are almost done making the restorative draft? I bet you the Potter Vault that you just want to know how to make it yourself," the two young men chuckled at her enthusiasm to learn. He continued, "Not that it's a bad thing. I guess with all the trouble we seem to find ourselves in, someone's got to figure out how to fix the mess."

The two of them told her several updates about what is going on in the castle. Peeves throwing an apple pie on a couple of Ravenclaws during dinner. Weasley Twins nearly giving poor Professor Flitwick with one of their pranks and a few other stories. They said their goodbyes and left her bed. Harry walked towards Madame Pomphrey and Neville walked to the exit of the Hospital Wing and stood in wait for his fellow Gryffindor. Harry walked up to the matron's desk. She looked up at him with a raised eyebrow.

In an amused tone, she said, "Mr. Potter it seems like those glasses did a good job at hiding those eyes."

Harry impishly grinned. "Madame Pomfrey, I know that I am a regular visitor, but have I managed to capture your heart with my emerald orbs? I of course find myself truly touched," he finished with a subtle wink, or as subtle as a twelve-year-old can.

The matron scoffed, "Mr. Potter, I knew your father for longer than you have lived, your little tricks won't work on me you little scamp."

His grin widened, "Ah, that would be true if I haven't gotten a reaction from you."

Madame Pomfrey rolled her eyes, "Off with it, you little scoundrel, why are you here? Don't tell me you got into another death-defying scuffle."

He chuckled, "No. I am here because when I woke up this morning, I had perfectly clear vision without my glasses. In fact, I can see better than I had ever before. I wanted you to see if there was anything wrong with me."

Without saying another word, she cast a couple of diagnostic spells on him. She then checked his eyes and his vitals. Seeing nothing wrong, Madame Pomfrey said, "There seems to be nothing wrong Mr. Potter. You are doing much better than when you came in here yesterday. Though I wonder what the cause of your sight reversal is."

Harry shrugged, "Couldn't it be a side effect of the basilisk bite and then having been healed by a phoenix?"

The matron nodded, "It is possible, and it does make sense. Combined with the neutralizing properties of phoenix tears and the potency of basilisk venom, it is possible for some interesting effects on the human body. Nonetheless, do let me know if you notice any more changes. Off with you now Mr. Potter I got patients to take care of."

Harry nodded and wished her a good day. He walked towards the exit, joined Neville, and the two of them sat with their housemates at the Gryffindor table. Several students commented on his lack of glasses and he gave the same answer he gave everyone else; he woke up this morning and suddenly he had clear vision, and that he was cleared by Madame Pomphrey. He soon tuned himself out of the conversations around and he looked around.

The last time he was in this hall, it was mangled with the bodies of the dead and the destruction of the battle. And now here he is, thrown back five years into the past. He looked around the room and steeled the expression on his face, not wanting to give away his emotions. Seeing the likes of Lavender Brown alive struck him harder than he thought it would.

Looking over at Susan Bones, he realized she had not lost the last remaining family member. Hannah Abbott had not yet been forced to withdraw from Hogwarts. George was not missing an ear and poor Fred is still alive. And then there is Cedric. The same Cedric who was killed as a spare as an aftermath of the resurrection of Riddle.

Seeing all these innocent faces, untouched from the brutality of war, it strengthened his resolve. He knew that he had made the right decision in coming back. But seeing all these innocent faces, it wiped away any lingering hesitations. Of course, he still feared the possibility of innocent blood being split, especially ones of those his friends. But he drew comfort in the fact that he can reduce or even prevent the scourge of war. He closed his eyes to calm his turbulent emotions.

When he opened his eyes, he drew his attention towards the Slytherin table. Harry narrowed his eyes at the now sullen Blonde Ponce of Slytherin, Draco Malfoy. Harry gave a small unnoticeable smirk towards the direction of his self-proclaimed nemesis. 'Guess Daddy losing his position with the Board of Governors really soured his mood.'

The Malfoys were responsible for much of the structural damage to wizarding society. Their wealth and influence swayed public policy at the Ministry and the Wizengamot. The pureblood Death Eater families held a united front, and their influence was massive. After all, one cannot just get away with a slap on the wrist after the First Blood War, even with the Imperius curse defense, without significant political and financial power.

The Malfoy family is the flagship for that one bunch of bigots. They were responsible for the cuts in the Auror program and the subsequent weakening of critical infrastructures prior to the Second Blood War. They influence every place of power from Hogwarts to the Ministry of Magic. They made the lives of numerous muggle born and half blood wizards, just because they do not deem them worthy of magic.

Harry glanced at the head table where Dumbledore was currently eating his breakfast. Despite all the magical and political power, the man has done nothing significant to change the magical society. In fact, as Death said, he just made sure enough was done to maintain the status quo. Case and point, if he did his duty as the Chief Warlock, he should have led the correction of magical society after the First Blood War. He could have used the end of the war as an opportunity to push for equality measures that Magical Britain so desperately needed.

His word alone could have ensured proper measures were taken place. Instead, he and the rest of the leadership allowed magical society to bury its head in the sand and pretend that nothing was out of place. He calls himself the greatest supporter of equality, yet where was he when muggle born witches and wizards were being subjected to extreme prejudice.

Forget the broader magical society, he does not even address the prejudices that exist within the castle walls of Hogwarts. When purebloods such as Malfoy spew their vitriol, not one member of staff in his time do anything other than a simple slap of the wrist to curtail their hate mongering. 'The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. If good men do nothing and evil does triumph, can you even call them good men?'

Then there is Severus Snape. The man who claimed to love his mother. The man who informed Riddle of the prophecy. The man who spent more than 6 years trying make his life miserable. The man who protected the bigoted members of his house. The man who claimed to be a spy for the Order of the Phoenix. The man who left his station of protecting his students during the Battle of Hogwarts.

The Battle was the end of the war, what point was there for him to abdicate his position and flee to Voldemort's side. The man who Dumbledore claimed to have his utmost trust. Sealed by an unbreakable vow. Men like Dumbledore do not have others they trust, they have pawns they know they can fully manipulate. 'Pawns like me.'