AN: i can not apologize enough. I wrote almost the whole chapter a month ago, but it disappeared. Then I had tests and stuff at school so I have been super busy. This chapter will be quite short but I will try to make them longer from now on. My exams are coming up so it will probably take a while before I update again. Again I cannot apologize enough. Please read and review. And tell me what you think, and what you want to happen next.

Disclaimer: I do not own or have any rights to Harry Potter. All rights go to their respective owners.

_Story_-

Harry felt his heart rise in his chest when he entered the Great Hall. It was only now he realized how much he had missed Hogwarts, even though this was the least he had ever missed it before. He looked up at the head table and smiled gently at his godfather and uncle. It seemed like his friends still had not noticed them, and he could hardly wait until they did.

He quickly looked away as to not alert his friends. He let his eyes glide over the Gryffindor table and led his friends towards the far end, the part closest to the head table. "Hiya Harry," Harry almost jumped out of his skin. He had not noticed that Neville was sitting there.

"Hi Nev, How was your holiday?" Harry smiled gently to him and sat down opposite him. He still was not completely comfortable with sitting beside someone other than Fred, George and 'Mione. On another note, he had always regretted not spending more time with the kindhearted boy.

"It was kinda great. My gran has let up on some of the pressure. I think it might be because of the horrible things that happened to you actually. She said she would rather have me as I am now, than not have me at all. She also wanted me to tell you that we believe you and that we stand beside you and the headmaster. Not the foolish joke of a minister." Neville smiled nervously at him and Harry returned an embarrassed one. He felt so relieved. Even though he had not really thought much about it he had been worried about whether or not his friends would believe him.

"Thanks Nev, I appreciate it." Before he could say anything else Hermione hushed him as the headmaster stood up to speak. Harry readied himself; this was going to be so much fun.

"Welcome to a new school year. I know you are all hungry so I will make this short so you can all fed and water yourselves. As always a list of forbidden things are hanging in the hall. The forbidden forest…" His eyes twinkled at the twins, Hermione and Harry. "…Are as its name suggests forbidden. Now over to something more fun. This year Hogwarts will have a dueling class. This will be lead by Sirius Black…" He got no further as a collective gasp went through the room. All heads snapped to Sirius there he sat smirking beside Remus.

Harry could not help but to giggle of the faces his friends made. However his amusement did not last long. For suddenly the whole Ravenclaw table stood up and a voice rang through the hall. "how could you professor. He will surely kill or harm Harry." On a closer look Harry recognized Cho Chang. He also noticed that he must have gotten over his crush, for the only thing he felt towards her now, was irritation. It became clear that she was not the only one who thought as she did as you soon could here voices upon voices with agreeing murmurs. Suddenly several students stood up and pointed their wants at his Paddy and Harry felt panic grab him. He stood up and shouted at them to stop, but their voices where louder than his. He felt panic sink over him, but after what happened on the train his stronger side was closer to the surface and he knew he had to do something before someone harmed his paddy.

He sprang up and in just a couple of strides he was standing with his arms spread out in front of Sirius. "Stop it, just stop it. Siri hasn't done anything wrong so leave him alone." He felt Sirius hand on his shoulder and he felt his courage rise some more.

"Calm down pup. All is well. They could never harm me, we are all safe." He felt himself calm down again. Siri was safe. Of course he was. These where students, Siri was safe. He let his eyes glide over them and saw that they all had the same goobsmacked looks on their faces. He felt him self blush and he moved backwards towards his Paddy. He looked up at Sirius and got an encouraging nod back. He sucked his breath in and prepared himself. This was not the time to be a coward.

"Siri is my godfather. He does not want to kill me, or in any way harm me. Neither did he betray my parents or break out of Azkaban to kill me. He was never and will never be one of Voldemorts servants." He gave the other students a stern glare. "If I hear that anyone has done anything to my godfather, YOU, WILL, HAVE, TO, DEAL, WITH ME!" When he was sure he had gotten his message through he calmly went back to his seat.

Dumbledore figured it would be wise to continue his speech before the students got their wits back. "And with that said. I would also like to welcome Remus Lupin back as the DADA professor. That was all please tuck in." he clapped his hands and the plates filled with food. Before any of the students could actually follow what was going on.

Harry smiled thankfully at his Headmaster before he turned to his friends. This it would take some time to explain.

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