~Never is a Long Time~
*Chapter One: How very odd*
Sixteen-year-old Harry Potter looked at Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts with a stunned face.
"What?" He asked incredulously. "You can't be serious Professor!"
"Sorry Harry It's the truth."
Harry's mind was reeling, Dumbledore had just told him that Voldemort had gone back in time to kill his parents before the problem even started, the problem being Harry, of course, and on top of that, he wanted Harry and Malfoy to go back and act as fifth year students to try and keep Voldemort away from them, Harry because of his immense power and also a chance to meet his parents, Draco because he could think like a Death Eater, after all, he was trained as one.
"And Malfoy is happy with this?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy has consented, though your sixteen he was the one who suggested you go back as fifth years." Dumbledore stated calmly as Sirius Black watched with apprehension, he didn't want to lose Harry, even if he was wanted and couldn't see him much it would be much better if.
"Albus!" Sirius sprang to his feet. "Please let me go back with them, I could teach at the school or something, I have experience with DADA!"
"Hmmm." Dumbledore fingered his beard deep in thought. "If I remember correctly, there was a new teacher that year and he only stayed for one year. And I also remember him showing up with a boy named Harry Granger and his cousin Draco Granger, just before school started." Dumbledore muttered. "Maybe it was you!"
"Oh please Albus, I promise not to be biased to Malfoy, even if he and Harry don't get along." Sirius did his puppy-dog eyes, which wasn't hard as he did it every time he turned into his animagus form, and Dumbledore sighed with a small smile on his face.
"I guess so. But you realize you must leave today?" Dumbledore looked at Harry and Sirius sternly, they both nodded. "Before it's too late."
"Yes sir!" The two chorused and Dumbledore smiled again.
"OK. Draco is already packing, go to the Common Room Harry and get your stuff, Sirius, you may as well buy new things there."
Harry went back to the Gryffindor Common Room, both he and Draco had been staying at the school for protection, Harry from Voldemort and Draco from his father, both of them were the two child members of the Order of The Phoenix, as well as Ginny Weasley, but she no-doubt wouldn't be coming.
It was a sad thought, over the past year her, Ron, Hermione and Harry had become really close friends. They were all best friends actually.
After Harry had his trunk and everything packed he made his way back to Dumbledore's office where Draco was waiting along with Sirius and Dumbledore.
"Ok, here's the story." Dumbledore said. "Harry, you and Draco are cousins, if it is possible Draco, please try and get yourself sorted into Gryffindor- " Draco grunted in response "-and you two Harry. Sirius, your name can be Professor Little-"
"Professor Little?" Sirius asked deadpan. "Pro-fes-sor Lit-tle?"
"Yes Sirius, Professor Little." Sirius mumbled something and Dumbledore took it as a yes. "Harry and Draco, you both had home schooling with Sirius who is your Uncle." Nods all round, even if Draco looked a bit apprehensive about having 'Black' as a relative, though he was the same way about Harry as well. "OK. Good. Anything else you need to know?"
"Uh. Wont we look a little bit like our fathers? I mean, everyone says I look like my dad when he was young, and everyone says that Potter looks like his father ." Draco trailed off. "Plus, we look nothing alike." He finished.
"I was getting there. Do you remember the Iris changing Charm I taught you?" Dumbledore asked and Harry and Draco nodded. "Well, use that to change your eyes to the same color, and then just say that the look-a-like thing is coincidence if anyone sees your faces. Try and keep your hoods and such up as much as possible, you don't have to Draco and Sirius, but Harry must, though that may raise some suspicion."
"Alright. I am ready." Harry said.
"Me too." Sirius said happily.
"Unfortunately so am I." Draco muttered.
"Alright then. Harry, do you remember the spell?" Dumbledore asked. Harry nodded. Dumbledore had taught him the spell that Voldemort had used, it was highly illegal and needed a lot of power behind it, unfortunately, Harry was the only one with enough power to cast it, not even Dumbledore had that much. "Good. Now, you will probably land somewhere near Hogsmeade as it cannot take you to Hogwarts, if anyone happens to see you make up some excuse about a portkey."
Harry closed his eye and concentrated on the power hidden within him, he felt it building up and his robes started to swirl more than they usually did with all his tightly leashed power.
Once Harry had enough energy in the room and Dumbledore had left with Fawkes, leaving only Harry, Draco, Sirius, Hedwig and their trunks that they were holding onto, Harry started to chant in another language that he didn't even understand properly.
The swirling around them grew to include all the living things, and everything that any living thing was holding onto.
Then the world around the time travelers went blank, and they were left in a void of nothingness for at least five minutes.
Draco felt his bottom hit something hard as color came swirling back to meet them, Harry's power still flowing around them and making him dizzy.
Though he would never admit it, Draco envied Harry, he had apparently gone under some growth spurt and had a magical power surge, one that kept coming back with even more power over the last year. Sometimes he would scream in the middle of the night and when Draco had been out in the castle he had heard it, but it was just Harry and his power surges, coming bit by bit. Also, much to Draco's amusement, Harry had started talking to himself like he was insane. "Hello?" Came Harry's voice, it sounded rather distorted.
"Mm." mumbled Sirius on one side of Harry while Draco just grunted from the other. He wasn't too happy about Potter coming too, but then again, it was his parents they had to save, not Draco's.
Draco opened his eyes and looked around. They were in Hogsmeade and as estimated it was nighttime. Harry had a pair of broken glasses on his face and Sirius was massaging his bottom, not unlike Draco. Harry's robes billowed about him with the power flow as he got up and stretched.
"Alright then!" He said in mock cheerfulness. "Who's ready to go and do some explaining?"
As they walked around and found the gate to the school Draco could see the castle looming up on the hill, it looked rather intimidating in the nighttime with bats and owls flying around every now and then.
"Well, don't just stand there let's go." Harry said.
Draco was amazed at how cheerful he was, after all the pain he had been through since Voldemort's rebirth didn't seem to drag him down at all, but then again, Draco didn't know it was just an act and he was only doing it because of the voice that insisted he be happy.
Now Harry, act happy, you can't let Malfoy know what you really feel like, being a Slytherin he'll think your weak. I should know, I come from a Slytherin*
Uh, thanks. Harry replied back. He still wasn't too used to having Voldemort's good self inside his body. Harry had just found out the previous year, though he hadn't told anyone, that he possessed the small bit of Voldemort that was good inside him. It was something he liked to keep secret, something he could call his own.
No problem. Oh, I can't wait! How much fun is this going to be! Part of Voldemort chuckled in his head. This part of Voldemort liked to be called Tom though, and he still had a little cheekiness in him. Apparently Tom's good side had come through to Harry when the Killing Curse had backfired, and he only awoke when Harry's first power surge had come.
They were now at the castle and Harry opened the doors slowly. It was dark inside, but Harry had noticed that Dumbledore's light was on in his office when they were walking up.
Luckily for the Time-Travelers, no-one was about, then again, they still had a day until school started, well actually, they had that night and until tomorrow evening when the students arrived at seven.
The three walked all the way up to Dumbledore's office, though Harry was lagging behind a little after using so much power to get them here, therefore exhausting him. Harry and Draco both performed the Iris changing spell to make them have the same colored brown eyes, unfortunately that drained Harry more.
"Hmmm." Sirius mumbled. "What was the password? I know it was a sweet."
Harry smirked at Sirius despite how tired he was. Waving his hand across the stone gargoyle, it sprang aside and revealed the moving staircase.
"I didn't know you could do that Harry." Sirius said.
"I've never needed to while you were around, so I haven't bothered telling anyone. 'Mione, Ron and Ginny knew though." The weariness shone through in his voice and Harry saw concern wash across his godfathers own.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, just tired." Harry said, he could feel unconsciousness flying towards him with speedy wings. He promptly fainted.
Draco looked down at Potter as he fell into his godfather's arms. Though he didn't like Harry, he also didn't like him being hurt and so he felt concerned, even though he didn't let it show through as he helped carry Harry up to Dumbledore's office, hood now up covering the battle scars Harry had received from Voldemort and his Death Eaters while they had held him prisoner.
Sirius and Draco stepped onto the moving staircase carrying the unconscious Harry between them as they made their way up.
Sirius knocked on the door with one hand while balancing Harry carefully on one knee. "Come in." Came the unmistakable, even though it was younger, voice of Albus Dumbledore.
Sirius and Draco stepped in and set Harry on a lounge before both taking armchairs as Dumbledore beckoned them to make themselves at home.
"Now, this may sound rude, but. who are you?" Dumbledore questioned after offering everyone a lemon drop and then settling down himself.
"My name is Sirius Little, this is Draco Granger and Harry Granger, they are cousins and I'm their Uncle." Sirius said. Draco could tell that Dumbledore was surprised by the amount of power Harry was giving off as he tried to revive himself.
"Is Harry alright?" Dumbledore asked with concern feeling his voice.
"Oh, I'm sure he'll be fine." Draco said with his usual arrogance. "It's just like Harry to get himself hurt, I wouldn't be surprised if he's in the hospital wing more than any other student this year."
Dumbledore wore a confused look and Sirius elaborated. "I am looking for a job, and since these two have had home-schooling their whole lives I decided maybe they should come to school here."
"It's a little bit of a late notice, but we do have one teaching position open, Defense Against the Dark Arts good?"
"That's funny. I was hoping to get that job." Sirius said with a smile.
"Alright. Well, I guess we should get you and your cousin sorted." He said as he turned to Draco and Harry. Dumbledore got up to go and wake Harry but Sirius jumped up quickly and stood in front of him.
"I wouldn't to that if I were you sir." He said.
"Why?" Dumbledore asked as Draco looked on in amusement, it would be really cool to have Harry blast Dumbledore out the window if he startled him.
"Because, he. uh. doesn't like to be startled too much." Sirius trailed off and Draco picked up, that man was just so protecting of his godson, wouldn't even tell the truth.
"You'll find that if Harry is startled out of sleep he gets rather defensive." Draco smirked. "He would most likely blow you out of the tower."
Sirius glared at Draco, but he wasn't fazed in the least, he just glared right back.
They want you up. Harry was informed by a voice coming out from the darkness of his mind. Dumbledore almost woke you up but Black and Malfoy stopped him.
Oh. Well, they are lucky your there to warn me. Remember when I accidentally blasted Ron across the dormitory.
He heard Tom chuckle as he enervated himself, even though he would have much preferred to stay asleep.
A groan escaped his lips as he stretched and opened his eyes; his vision was blurry, as someone must have taken his glasses off.
That's a good lad. Tom chuckled. Harry quickly cast a visibility charm on himself, wandless.
"Welcome to the world of the wake." Came Draco's drawl.
"Hello to you to Draco." Harry replied also in a drawl to match Draco's. He could feel his hood on his face and was thankful for it; he really didn't need to be explaining away scars and whatnot. "Hello Professor Dumbledore." Harry added looking over at Dumbledore from where he was sitting.
"Hello Mr. Granger." Dumbledore answered. Harry smiled, why on earth did Dumbledore chose Granger as a last name, honestly. "Now, I guess we can sort you two. Would you mind taking the hood off Harry?"
Harry groaned as Dumbledore gave him a curious look. He cast a quick glance at Sirius and after a small nod of the head Harry took off the cloak, Dumbledore looked to him with wide-eyes.
He had six large scars on his face. There was the one from when Voldemort had attacked him when he was a baby. A large jagged one on his left jawbone was from Lucius Malfoy when he had been held prisoner for a two-month period. Another went down the side of his nose, which was from Wormtail, as was the one that stretched right across his forehead just below his hairline. One went down the middle of his lip and his chin, compliments from Voldemort also. The last one he had accidentally given himself, it was on his right eyebrow in the shape of a fang.
"I'd rather not explain." Harry sighed wearily at Dumbledore's questioning look. Dumbledore nodded but Harry knew the look all too well, it was the 'I'll find out sooner or later' look. Draco snickered from the side and Harry masked his face with a completely emotionless expression, his should length hair blowing onto his face every now and then with the power radiating from him, it got quite annoying sometimes, especially when his robes wouldn't stay still.
"Well then." Dumbledore got up and pulled down the sorting hat. "Try this on." He gave it first to Draco.
It took about a minute; Harry could make out Draco muttering Gryffindor to the hat and watched in amusement when he had a totally disgusted look when it actually called the name out.
"Well done Draco. I hear Gryffindor is one of the best houses." Harry smirked.
Harry put the hat on, and at first he thought it was Tom talking when he realized it was the hat. He had totally forgotten it could talk!
'Another Potter? I wasn't aware James had any other male relations old enough to go to this school.' The hat said curiously. 'Hmm. What house should you be in? You would do extremely well in Slytherin, but your brave, not a coward. Hmm. You've suffered quite a bit of hardship have you not?' Harry nodded. 'Your very loyal and rather smart, but I believe that Gryffindor would be best for you.'
Harry let out a sigh of relief. "GRYFFINDOR!"
He got up smiling, thanked Dumbledore, and gave the hat back.
"Draco, Harry, would you two mind waiting outside while I have a word with the new Defense Professor? I have to see if he is qualified enough." Dumbledore said and Harry and Draco left. They went down to the luggage that was still at the bottom of the stairs.
"I don't think that's all Dumbledore wanted to talk about." Draco said knowingly as Harry pulled his hood back into place.
"Yup." Harry mumbled, wondering why on earth Draco was talking civilly to him.
"Listen Potter." Draco said. "I've decided, we're meant to be cousins, right? So we have to act nice to each other, well at least civil."
"Yeah, I agree." Harry said. They sat in silence for a while and Harry could tell Draco was dying to ask a question. "What is it?"
"Are you insane?" Draco blurted out. Harry blinked owlishly at him while Tom cracked up in his head.
"Probably why?" He said after a while.
"I'm being serious." Draco said.
"I thought you were meant to be Draco Granger, not Sirius." Harry said, smirking.
"You are so annoying. Please answer me in all honesty." Draco said, trying to be nice about it.
"Ok. I could be considered insane, after all, I hear little voices in my head-" Harry waited patiently for Tom to stop laughing, making Draco even more confused, after all, he couldn't hear the laughter. "-But the voice is actually there." He finished after a minute.
"There is a voice inside your head?" Draco asked. Harry nodded. "Well then, what's its name?" Draco ventured, obviously trying to catch Harry out for lying.
"Tom Marvolo Riddle. Also known as Voldemort."
Draco stared at Harry, long and hard. "What?" He asked. "Voldemort is inside your head?" He had his eyebrows raised in disbelief.
"I have the good part of Voldemort inside me, there isn't much of it, that's why there's only a voice." Harry explained. "Though, I've never told anyone that, so you better not either." Harry shot Draco a look that stated clearly 'Or else'.
James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black sat in a compartment on the Hogwarts express. It was the first day of school, September the first, and they were all quite excited to see who their next DADA Professor would be.
"So, do you think it will be Professor Craig again?" Sirius asked apprehensively.
"No. Well at east I hope not." James said, Professor Craig had been their teacher two years ago and had retired that year after Sirius and James drove him up the wall.
"Doubt it. Look, don't worry Prongs, Padfoot, they can't be worse than Professor Morgan. She taught us nothing." Remus said.
"At least we didn't have to do work Moony." Peter piped up.
The door of their compartment burst open and I funny sight strode in and slapped James, then Sirius and then Peter on the cheek, missing Remus all together.
"Hello Lily." Remus said while Lily Evans glared at James, Sirius and Peter.
"Hello Remus." Lily said through big, blue lips. Her hair was green streaked with red and her skin was a neon pink color. "What did you do?" Lily roared angrily, not very much like Lily Evans, the most popular fifth year girl, who always was very polite. Of course, she wasn't so polite around James, the most popular fifth year boy, who was at the moment rubbing his cheek.
"We didn't do anything." James said indignantly, putting on an innocent look.
"I'll get you back for this." Lily said as she stalked out. Sirius waved to Arabella Figg who had been standing just outside the door. She waved back and then ran off after Lily's retreating back.
"When will carrot head ever learn?" James sighed as he sat back in his chair. The others shrugged.
~*~
When the Marauders walked into the Great Hall they scanned the teachers' table and noticed a person they hadn't seen before, though he looked vaguely familiar, sitting there. He had a look of pure pleasure on his face and James could have sworn he looked right at them once they were seated at the Gryffindor Table.
"Wonder who that is." Sirius hissed at him. James just shrugged and Sirius continued. "He doesn't look too bad does he? I mean . he doesn't look evil."
After the sorting was finished Dumbledore stood up to make the usual announcements.
"Welcome students old and new, to another year at Hogwarts. Please remember that the curfew due to Voldemort is seven o'clock each night. Also, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that there should be no magic in the Halls.
"This year we have a new Defense Teacher as Professor Morgan, unfortunately retired last year. Please welcome Professor Little." A few sniggers broke out and James and Sirius looked at each other, Professor Little? What a name! "Also, we have two new students joining the fifth years this year, both are in Gryffindor and I would like you to treat them well. Would Draco and Harry Granger please stand up?"
Utter silence met this request. James noticed Professor Little looked a little bit concerned when no one stepped forward.
Sixteen-year-old Harry Potter looked at Albus Dumbledore, the Headmaster of Hogwarts with a stunned face.
"What?" He asked incredulously. "You can't be serious Professor!"
"Sorry Harry It's the truth."
Harry's mind was reeling, Dumbledore had just told him that Voldemort had gone back in time to kill his parents before the problem even started, the problem being Harry, of course, and on top of that, he wanted Harry and Malfoy to go back and act as fifth year students to try and keep Voldemort away from them, Harry because of his immense power and also a chance to meet his parents, Draco because he could think like a Death Eater, after all, he was trained as one.
"And Malfoy is happy with this?" Harry asked.
"Yes, Mr. Malfoy has consented, though your sixteen he was the one who suggested you go back as fifth years." Dumbledore stated calmly as Sirius Black watched with apprehension, he didn't want to lose Harry, even if he was wanted and couldn't see him much it would be much better if.
"Albus!" Sirius sprang to his feet. "Please let me go back with them, I could teach at the school or something, I have experience with DADA!"
"Hmmm." Dumbledore fingered his beard deep in thought. "If I remember correctly, there was a new teacher that year and he only stayed for one year. And I also remember him showing up with a boy named Harry Granger and his cousin Draco Granger, just before school started." Dumbledore muttered. "Maybe it was you!"
"Oh please Albus, I promise not to be biased to Malfoy, even if he and Harry don't get along." Sirius did his puppy-dog eyes, which wasn't hard as he did it every time he turned into his animagus form, and Dumbledore sighed with a small smile on his face.
"I guess so. But you realize you must leave today?" Dumbledore looked at Harry and Sirius sternly, they both nodded. "Before it's too late."
"Yes sir!" The two chorused and Dumbledore smiled again.
"OK. Draco is already packing, go to the Common Room Harry and get your stuff, Sirius, you may as well buy new things there."
Harry went back to the Gryffindor Common Room, both he and Draco had been staying at the school for protection, Harry from Voldemort and Draco from his father, both of them were the two child members of the Order of The Phoenix, as well as Ginny Weasley, but she no-doubt wouldn't be coming.
It was a sad thought, over the past year her, Ron, Hermione and Harry had become really close friends. They were all best friends actually.
After Harry had his trunk and everything packed he made his way back to Dumbledore's office where Draco was waiting along with Sirius and Dumbledore.
"Ok, here's the story." Dumbledore said. "Harry, you and Draco are cousins, if it is possible Draco, please try and get yourself sorted into Gryffindor- " Draco grunted in response "-and you two Harry. Sirius, your name can be Professor Little-"
"Professor Little?" Sirius asked deadpan. "Pro-fes-sor Lit-tle?"
"Yes Sirius, Professor Little." Sirius mumbled something and Dumbledore took it as a yes. "Harry and Draco, you both had home schooling with Sirius who is your Uncle." Nods all round, even if Draco looked a bit apprehensive about having 'Black' as a relative, though he was the same way about Harry as well. "OK. Good. Anything else you need to know?"
"Uh. Wont we look a little bit like our fathers? I mean, everyone says I look like my dad when he was young, and everyone says that Potter looks like his father ." Draco trailed off. "Plus, we look nothing alike." He finished.
"I was getting there. Do you remember the Iris changing Charm I taught you?" Dumbledore asked and Harry and Draco nodded. "Well, use that to change your eyes to the same color, and then just say that the look-a-like thing is coincidence if anyone sees your faces. Try and keep your hoods and such up as much as possible, you don't have to Draco and Sirius, but Harry must, though that may raise some suspicion."
"Alright. I am ready." Harry said.
"Me too." Sirius said happily.
"Unfortunately so am I." Draco muttered.
"Alright then. Harry, do you remember the spell?" Dumbledore asked. Harry nodded. Dumbledore had taught him the spell that Voldemort had used, it was highly illegal and needed a lot of power behind it, unfortunately, Harry was the only one with enough power to cast it, not even Dumbledore had that much. "Good. Now, you will probably land somewhere near Hogsmeade as it cannot take you to Hogwarts, if anyone happens to see you make up some excuse about a portkey."
Harry closed his eye and concentrated on the power hidden within him, he felt it building up and his robes started to swirl more than they usually did with all his tightly leashed power.
Once Harry had enough energy in the room and Dumbledore had left with Fawkes, leaving only Harry, Draco, Sirius, Hedwig and their trunks that they were holding onto, Harry started to chant in another language that he didn't even understand properly.
The swirling around them grew to include all the living things, and everything that any living thing was holding onto.
Then the world around the time travelers went blank, and they were left in a void of nothingness for at least five minutes.
Draco felt his bottom hit something hard as color came swirling back to meet them, Harry's power still flowing around them and making him dizzy.
Though he would never admit it, Draco envied Harry, he had apparently gone under some growth spurt and had a magical power surge, one that kept coming back with even more power over the last year. Sometimes he would scream in the middle of the night and when Draco had been out in the castle he had heard it, but it was just Harry and his power surges, coming bit by bit. Also, much to Draco's amusement, Harry had started talking to himself like he was insane. "Hello?" Came Harry's voice, it sounded rather distorted.
"Mm." mumbled Sirius on one side of Harry while Draco just grunted from the other. He wasn't too happy about Potter coming too, but then again, it was his parents they had to save, not Draco's.
Draco opened his eyes and looked around. They were in Hogsmeade and as estimated it was nighttime. Harry had a pair of broken glasses on his face and Sirius was massaging his bottom, not unlike Draco. Harry's robes billowed about him with the power flow as he got up and stretched.
"Alright then!" He said in mock cheerfulness. "Who's ready to go and do some explaining?"
As they walked around and found the gate to the school Draco could see the castle looming up on the hill, it looked rather intimidating in the nighttime with bats and owls flying around every now and then.
"Well, don't just stand there let's go." Harry said.
Draco was amazed at how cheerful he was, after all the pain he had been through since Voldemort's rebirth didn't seem to drag him down at all, but then again, Draco didn't know it was just an act and he was only doing it because of the voice that insisted he be happy.
Now Harry, act happy, you can't let Malfoy know what you really feel like, being a Slytherin he'll think your weak. I should know, I come from a Slytherin*
Uh, thanks. Harry replied back. He still wasn't too used to having Voldemort's good self inside his body. Harry had just found out the previous year, though he hadn't told anyone, that he possessed the small bit of Voldemort that was good inside him. It was something he liked to keep secret, something he could call his own.
No problem. Oh, I can't wait! How much fun is this going to be! Part of Voldemort chuckled in his head. This part of Voldemort liked to be called Tom though, and he still had a little cheekiness in him. Apparently Tom's good side had come through to Harry when the Killing Curse had backfired, and he only awoke when Harry's first power surge had come.
They were now at the castle and Harry opened the doors slowly. It was dark inside, but Harry had noticed that Dumbledore's light was on in his office when they were walking up.
Luckily for the Time-Travelers, no-one was about, then again, they still had a day until school started, well actually, they had that night and until tomorrow evening when the students arrived at seven.
The three walked all the way up to Dumbledore's office, though Harry was lagging behind a little after using so much power to get them here, therefore exhausting him. Harry and Draco both performed the Iris changing spell to make them have the same colored brown eyes, unfortunately that drained Harry more.
"Hmmm." Sirius mumbled. "What was the password? I know it was a sweet."
Harry smirked at Sirius despite how tired he was. Waving his hand across the stone gargoyle, it sprang aside and revealed the moving staircase.
"I didn't know you could do that Harry." Sirius said.
"I've never needed to while you were around, so I haven't bothered telling anyone. 'Mione, Ron and Ginny knew though." The weariness shone through in his voice and Harry saw concern wash across his godfathers own.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes, just tired." Harry said, he could feel unconsciousness flying towards him with speedy wings. He promptly fainted.
Draco looked down at Potter as he fell into his godfather's arms. Though he didn't like Harry, he also didn't like him being hurt and so he felt concerned, even though he didn't let it show through as he helped carry Harry up to Dumbledore's office, hood now up covering the battle scars Harry had received from Voldemort and his Death Eaters while they had held him prisoner.
Sirius and Draco stepped onto the moving staircase carrying the unconscious Harry between them as they made their way up.
Sirius knocked on the door with one hand while balancing Harry carefully on one knee. "Come in." Came the unmistakable, even though it was younger, voice of Albus Dumbledore.
Sirius and Draco stepped in and set Harry on a lounge before both taking armchairs as Dumbledore beckoned them to make themselves at home.
"Now, this may sound rude, but. who are you?" Dumbledore questioned after offering everyone a lemon drop and then settling down himself.
"My name is Sirius Little, this is Draco Granger and Harry Granger, they are cousins and I'm their Uncle." Sirius said. Draco could tell that Dumbledore was surprised by the amount of power Harry was giving off as he tried to revive himself.
"Is Harry alright?" Dumbledore asked with concern feeling his voice.
"Oh, I'm sure he'll be fine." Draco said with his usual arrogance. "It's just like Harry to get himself hurt, I wouldn't be surprised if he's in the hospital wing more than any other student this year."
Dumbledore wore a confused look and Sirius elaborated. "I am looking for a job, and since these two have had home-schooling their whole lives I decided maybe they should come to school here."
"It's a little bit of a late notice, but we do have one teaching position open, Defense Against the Dark Arts good?"
"That's funny. I was hoping to get that job." Sirius said with a smile.
"Alright. Well, I guess we should get you and your cousin sorted." He said as he turned to Draco and Harry. Dumbledore got up to go and wake Harry but Sirius jumped up quickly and stood in front of him.
"I wouldn't to that if I were you sir." He said.
"Why?" Dumbledore asked as Draco looked on in amusement, it would be really cool to have Harry blast Dumbledore out the window if he startled him.
"Because, he. uh. doesn't like to be startled too much." Sirius trailed off and Draco picked up, that man was just so protecting of his godson, wouldn't even tell the truth.
"You'll find that if Harry is startled out of sleep he gets rather defensive." Draco smirked. "He would most likely blow you out of the tower."
Sirius glared at Draco, but he wasn't fazed in the least, he just glared right back.
They want you up. Harry was informed by a voice coming out from the darkness of his mind. Dumbledore almost woke you up but Black and Malfoy stopped him.
Oh. Well, they are lucky your there to warn me. Remember when I accidentally blasted Ron across the dormitory.
He heard Tom chuckle as he enervated himself, even though he would have much preferred to stay asleep.
A groan escaped his lips as he stretched and opened his eyes; his vision was blurry, as someone must have taken his glasses off.
That's a good lad. Tom chuckled. Harry quickly cast a visibility charm on himself, wandless.
"Welcome to the world of the wake." Came Draco's drawl.
"Hello to you to Draco." Harry replied also in a drawl to match Draco's. He could feel his hood on his face and was thankful for it; he really didn't need to be explaining away scars and whatnot. "Hello Professor Dumbledore." Harry added looking over at Dumbledore from where he was sitting.
"Hello Mr. Granger." Dumbledore answered. Harry smiled, why on earth did Dumbledore chose Granger as a last name, honestly. "Now, I guess we can sort you two. Would you mind taking the hood off Harry?"
Harry groaned as Dumbledore gave him a curious look. He cast a quick glance at Sirius and after a small nod of the head Harry took off the cloak, Dumbledore looked to him with wide-eyes.
He had six large scars on his face. There was the one from when Voldemort had attacked him when he was a baby. A large jagged one on his left jawbone was from Lucius Malfoy when he had been held prisoner for a two-month period. Another went down the side of his nose, which was from Wormtail, as was the one that stretched right across his forehead just below his hairline. One went down the middle of his lip and his chin, compliments from Voldemort also. The last one he had accidentally given himself, it was on his right eyebrow in the shape of a fang.
"I'd rather not explain." Harry sighed wearily at Dumbledore's questioning look. Dumbledore nodded but Harry knew the look all too well, it was the 'I'll find out sooner or later' look. Draco snickered from the side and Harry masked his face with a completely emotionless expression, his should length hair blowing onto his face every now and then with the power radiating from him, it got quite annoying sometimes, especially when his robes wouldn't stay still.
"Well then." Dumbledore got up and pulled down the sorting hat. "Try this on." He gave it first to Draco.
It took about a minute; Harry could make out Draco muttering Gryffindor to the hat and watched in amusement when he had a totally disgusted look when it actually called the name out.
"Well done Draco. I hear Gryffindor is one of the best houses." Harry smirked.
Harry put the hat on, and at first he thought it was Tom talking when he realized it was the hat. He had totally forgotten it could talk!
'Another Potter? I wasn't aware James had any other male relations old enough to go to this school.' The hat said curiously. 'Hmm. What house should you be in? You would do extremely well in Slytherin, but your brave, not a coward. Hmm. You've suffered quite a bit of hardship have you not?' Harry nodded. 'Your very loyal and rather smart, but I believe that Gryffindor would be best for you.'
Harry let out a sigh of relief. "GRYFFINDOR!"
He got up smiling, thanked Dumbledore, and gave the hat back.
"Draco, Harry, would you two mind waiting outside while I have a word with the new Defense Professor? I have to see if he is qualified enough." Dumbledore said and Harry and Draco left. They went down to the luggage that was still at the bottom of the stairs.
"I don't think that's all Dumbledore wanted to talk about." Draco said knowingly as Harry pulled his hood back into place.
"Yup." Harry mumbled, wondering why on earth Draco was talking civilly to him.
"Listen Potter." Draco said. "I've decided, we're meant to be cousins, right? So we have to act nice to each other, well at least civil."
"Yeah, I agree." Harry said. They sat in silence for a while and Harry could tell Draco was dying to ask a question. "What is it?"
"Are you insane?" Draco blurted out. Harry blinked owlishly at him while Tom cracked up in his head.
"Probably why?" He said after a while.
"I'm being serious." Draco said.
"I thought you were meant to be Draco Granger, not Sirius." Harry said, smirking.
"You are so annoying. Please answer me in all honesty." Draco said, trying to be nice about it.
"Ok. I could be considered insane, after all, I hear little voices in my head-" Harry waited patiently for Tom to stop laughing, making Draco even more confused, after all, he couldn't hear the laughter. "-But the voice is actually there." He finished after a minute.
"There is a voice inside your head?" Draco asked. Harry nodded. "Well then, what's its name?" Draco ventured, obviously trying to catch Harry out for lying.
"Tom Marvolo Riddle. Also known as Voldemort."
Draco stared at Harry, long and hard. "What?" He asked. "Voldemort is inside your head?" He had his eyebrows raised in disbelief.
"I have the good part of Voldemort inside me, there isn't much of it, that's why there's only a voice." Harry explained. "Though, I've never told anyone that, so you better not either." Harry shot Draco a look that stated clearly 'Or else'.
James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, Remus Lupin and Sirius Black sat in a compartment on the Hogwarts express. It was the first day of school, September the first, and they were all quite excited to see who their next DADA Professor would be.
"So, do you think it will be Professor Craig again?" Sirius asked apprehensively.
"No. Well at east I hope not." James said, Professor Craig had been their teacher two years ago and had retired that year after Sirius and James drove him up the wall.
"Doubt it. Look, don't worry Prongs, Padfoot, they can't be worse than Professor Morgan. She taught us nothing." Remus said.
"At least we didn't have to do work Moony." Peter piped up.
The door of their compartment burst open and I funny sight strode in and slapped James, then Sirius and then Peter on the cheek, missing Remus all together.
"Hello Lily." Remus said while Lily Evans glared at James, Sirius and Peter.
"Hello Remus." Lily said through big, blue lips. Her hair was green streaked with red and her skin was a neon pink color. "What did you do?" Lily roared angrily, not very much like Lily Evans, the most popular fifth year girl, who always was very polite. Of course, she wasn't so polite around James, the most popular fifth year boy, who was at the moment rubbing his cheek.
"We didn't do anything." James said indignantly, putting on an innocent look.
"I'll get you back for this." Lily said as she stalked out. Sirius waved to Arabella Figg who had been standing just outside the door. She waved back and then ran off after Lily's retreating back.
"When will carrot head ever learn?" James sighed as he sat back in his chair. The others shrugged.
~*~
When the Marauders walked into the Great Hall they scanned the teachers' table and noticed a person they hadn't seen before, though he looked vaguely familiar, sitting there. He had a look of pure pleasure on his face and James could have sworn he looked right at them once they were seated at the Gryffindor Table.
"Wonder who that is." Sirius hissed at him. James just shrugged and Sirius continued. "He doesn't look too bad does he? I mean . he doesn't look evil."
After the sorting was finished Dumbledore stood up to make the usual announcements.
"Welcome students old and new, to another year at Hogwarts. Please remember that the curfew due to Voldemort is seven o'clock each night. Also, Mr. Filch has asked me to remind you that there should be no magic in the Halls.
"This year we have a new Defense Teacher as Professor Morgan, unfortunately retired last year. Please welcome Professor Little." A few sniggers broke out and James and Sirius looked at each other, Professor Little? What a name! "Also, we have two new students joining the fifth years this year, both are in Gryffindor and I would like you to treat them well. Would Draco and Harry Granger please stand up?"
Utter silence met this request. James noticed Professor Little looked a little bit concerned when no one stepped forward.