The Third Year Begins Again

Harry thought for a moment.

"Hey Ron, I'll buy Scabbers off you," he said.

"Why would you want him?" said Ron in surprise, "you've seen he does nothing interesting, mate."

"I'll give you sixty galleons," said Harry. This was the minimum price for a nimbus series broomstick, if Ron did not mind getting an older model second hand.

"It's a deal," said Ron, his eyes lighting up. Harry was able to shovel sixty of the goblin minted coins into Ron's greedy hands, there and then. The goblins had cleverly made an alloy that was only 2% gold, but had a golden hue nonetheless. They were as proficient and skilled in metalcraft as the Japanese manufacturers of shakudo. Their alloy was stamped into the 'golden' galleons, which as Harry recalled, were about five pounds in muggle money back in this time period. To think the past which he had thought was lost to him was now the young present, to be made good use of!

Soon Harry had Wormtail in Hedwig's cage, Hedwig having gone ahead to the owlery. He nipped into the lavatory with the cage and performed the body bind curse wordlessly on Wormtail's rodent form. Why no one had done that when they captured him the previous time, Harry could not fathom. He stuffed the immobile rat into his pocket.

Suddenly the train screeched to a halt and Harry had to hurry to find Hermione and Ron.

"We need to find Professor Lupin," he said abruptly, and then he addressed Crookshanks; "and thanks, old friend, for the wisdom you showed at this time when we all still had no clue." Crookshanks stared at him with greater intensity than would have been possible for an ordinary cat.

"Harry, are you sure you're alright," said Hermione, peering at him anxiously.

"I think you need to see Madame Pomfrey, mate," said Ron.

Harry took Hermione by the hand. "We've got to see Professor McGonagall first, anyway," he said decisively, "then we can find Professor Lupin."

"You have to see her as well, Harry?" said Hermione, "how did you know I'd have to see her?"

Harry wondered how he would eventually approach the subject of the nightmare possible future he had seen. Hermione was smart, but there was a limit to what she would accept – somehow, he and Hermione were always supposed to know what was 'normal' by magical standards, even though they had come from the muggle world. Take when Harry first saw the thestrals, how on Earth could he have been so sure that he wasn't supposed to see them and thus start doubting his own senses? If he had been in a story, the term "huge plot hole" would have come to mind. If in a film, the term "it's in the script."

"There are thestrals pulling the school carriages, but you can't see them," said Harry, as the great reptilian beasts dragged the procession of carriages up to Hogwarts.

"I should hope not mate, they bring bad luck don't they?" said Ron uneasily.

"That's a superstition," said Hermione, "it's because of the stigma of being visible by those who've seen death," she turned to Harry, that look of touching concern in her eyes. "So you've been able to see them all this time, Harry, you were stoical in keeping it to yourself. I like how you always want to fit in, despite everything that's happened to you. Why, I would have thought that you actually couldn't see the thestrals, you were so quiet about it."

"Well of course he could always see them, he watched his mum and dad die, didn't he?" said Ron, "what sense would that make, if he couldn't see them?"

Harry supposed that there was more to the criteria of seeing the thestrals than simply being present at a death, but he didn't argue the point. He shuddered as the carriage passed by the Dementors at the gate. To think the whole place was again crawling with soul suckers that would devour any student as readily as an Azkaban escapee. What did that say about their entire Ministry? And for all his making faces about it, how could Dumbledore agree?

"I would like a word with the twins, Ron," said Harry as another thought struck him. The twins did have the Marauder's Map. How could they have been Okay with seeing Peter Pettigrew in Ron's dormitory on a nightly basis? How to approach the matter? He would have to think of something.

"Malfoy will be hanging around on the steps," said Harry as he suddenly remembered this as well. When they disembarked from the carriage, Harry hurried ahead through the cold rain and wordlessly struck Malfoy with a trip jinx so that he fell off the flight of steps. Now where was Professor Lupin?

"Potter, Granger!" They were in the Entrance Hall again and McGonagall wished to speak to them. So much to re-do and so much to remember. Harry supposed he should not be slacking like Ron this year. It hadn't stood him in good stead the first time round.

"Professor, I'm OK, despite the Dementor, but I was wondering, I need a time turner like Hermione's and to be able to take all available classes."

Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows, "how do you know about time turners, Potter?"

"It's not obscure, professor," he said.

"Well well, I am sure we can arrange something for you, but I have to write to the Ministry," said McGonagall.

At that point, Madam Pomfrey came in and tried fussing and clucking over him once more. Harry rolled his eyes.

Harry decided to explain his decision to Hermione as they proceeded down to the feast, "I think I should start working harder, like you do, Hermione," he said. Hermione beamed.


When they reached the Great Hall, the Sorting had finished. "You know the Sorting Hat thinks house division is a bad thing and that everyone should strive for house unity?" he told Hermione, "and very strangely, no one will ever listen to it. Ron's view will be held up as the correct one."

Hermione grimaced, "the Sorting Hat sounds too clever for this world," she said.

"Well we need to think about house unity," said Harry, "and by that I mean that I can be the thinker and you the one who does the hard work."

Hermione blinked, "well we'll have to think out a strategy," she said.

Harry snapped his fingers, "yes, let's start a strategy!" he seized Hermione by the hand and dragged her over to the Hufflepuff table and plumped down beside Susan Bones.

"Hello there Harry, what brings you over here?" asked Ernie Macmillan in surprise.

"Get back to your own table," said Zacharias Smith.

"Shut up Zacharias," said Harry, "Susan, I need your help. I wanted to be friends before, but was too shy," he added, thinking himself very cunning.

"That's alright, Harry, how can I help you?" asked Susan, gazing at him quizzically. He had totally disregarded her until she had been in the DA. Now he saw her as she had been when younger. She was not quite as pretty yet as she would be, but her freckled face was striking nonetheless and he recognised the cleft in her chin.

"I need to contact your Auntie, the head of the department of magical law enforcement," said Harry, he remembered how Sirius had seemed to know Amelia Bones personally and he himself had been too incurious about everything to wonder what there was between the two of them. Now he had to wonder… "only one as wise as she can help me."

"That's very sensible of you, Harry," said Susan, flicking her long red plait over her shoulder. She began to ladle stew and cabbage onto his plate, "now be sure to eat your vegetables." Bossiness ran in the family it seemed. Amelia would have to be bossy to rise so high in their government.

"Thank you dear Susan, it's good just to be your friend now instead of later," he said, marvelling at how he could have let that bit of networking go unexplored for so long. Susan beamed at him.

Hermione shifted closer to Harry. "If you have a problem, you should tell me about it," she said softly, "I'll feel awful if I can't help…" But Harry was distracted as Dumbledore stood up to make his speech. He scowled at the old wizard as the candlelight shimmered on his beard.

"Doesn't that make his beard sound greasy, or sticky?" said Harry scornfully, "beards should never shimmer. Ever."

"Harry, you've got to tell me what is wrong," said Hermione, a little unsteadily. But Dumbledore had begun his speech, gloating about Professor Kettleburn's misfortune, bragging about the promotion of Hagrid, one of his personal favourites and introducing Professor Lupin. That was who Harry also wanted to see. But first, he required the Marauder's Map.

"See you later, Susie," he said, remembering not to say "stay safe" – how would that sound, given the high mortality rate of her family?


He took Hermione by the hand and led her up to Gryffindor Tower. He accosted Fred and George; "hey you twin dukes of chaos, I was just wanting to say how much I admire what you do, all that rule breaking and such," he ad libbed, "and I wish I had brothers like you. I create a lot of trouble and it would be fitting if I were really your brother."

"We agree, Harry mate," said Fred, patting his back, "and we wish you were our brother instead of Ron." He raised his voice with those words, undoubtedly hoping Ron would hear. Harry felt flattered. "Well you are smart, Fred," he said. Ron was standing in earshot. He stood frozen for a second and then stormed off. Harry ignored him, but Hermione gave a little groan and shook her bushy head, covering her face with her hands.

"I think we should bequeath something to you, honorary bro," said George. And so it was that Harry received the Marauder's Map three months early. He wondered how it had ever come to be in Filch's office in the first place.


Harry and Hermione hurried up to Professor Lupin's quarters, the Marauder's Map showing the way. He pounded on the door.

"Harry, do you think we should?" said Hermione, laying a gentle hand on his arm.

"Yes! This is important," said Harry, "you'll like Lupin, by the way. Of all the teachers I've ever had, he would be the one I want to tutor my kids. Definitely something to keep in mind."

"You know him already?" said Hermione, her eyes wide.

Professor Lupin opened the door and smiled when she saw who it was; "why Harry, this is a pleasant surprise."

"And my pleasure is even greater, professor," said Harry grinning. "I'm especially delighted that we have this chance. I have two, very important things to show you.

He first showed Lupin the Marauder's Map.

"Well I'm very glad you found this Harry, but I'm not sure if it is advisable for a student to keep such a thing at this time-" he began.

"Look at this room on the map, professor," urged Harry.

Lupin did so and then jumped.

"No! Peter can't be alive, he just can't be!"

"Oh yes he can!" said Harry grimly and drew the immobilised Wormtail out of his pocket.