Authors Note - Thanks for the reviews.
Disclaimer - I do not own Harry Potter, he is the creation of the brilliant JK Rowling
Chapter 4 – Summer Triumphs
The last month had been the most peaceful that Harry had experienced in years. He was so happy, he'd been able to establish that everyone from his past were alive and well. He didn't understand time travel properly and was worried that by simply going back he would have changed things for the worst. Remus had spent a lot of time at the manor. He and Sirius had a lot of catching up to do.
One of the happiest days was the Monday after his trip to Diagon Alley. He had gotten up early and returned to the portrait maker to retrieve the portrait. He asked the man to magic it to his bedroom. He'd then returned to manor. Thankfully Sirius was still asleep. Using Sirius wand he cast the muffilato spell on Sirius' bedroom door so he wouldn't hear anything. Harry went downstairs and opened the curtains that surrounded the portrait of Mrs Black. She started shrieking immediately.
"SILENCIO!" bellowed Harry, nothing happened. Harry had expected that. No doubt the Order of the Phoenix would have tried that when they moved in. He tried in vain to remove the portrait even trying the Sectumsempra spell that was contained in his 6th year potions book. It didn't work. So he broke off the frame of the portrait so only the picture remained. He then used another of the Half-Blood Princes spells to stick Mrs Black's tongue to the roof of her mouth. She was still opening and closing her mouth but she was unable to say anything. All that remained was a quiet gagging sound. He summoned a step ladder and hung the portrait from Diagon Alley directly over the portrait of Mrs Black. The new portrait was the same size as the old one, so none of the old portrait was visible and it also muffled the gagging Mrs Black considerably. Harry vanished the curtain as it was no longer required. This portrait was silent, but it looked great. Harry's father and Sirius were sharing a joke, they were laughing heartily. Lily was beaming at her son and Lupin was smiling at his friends.
When Sirius got up and saw what Harry had done he couldn't contain himself. Tears leaked from his eyes.
"I can't believe you've done this" sobbed Sirius happily. "This is great!! How? When?"
Harry explained about his early morning escapades. And then explained what he had done to Mrs Black's portrait. Sirius seemed very impressed and summoned Remus almost immediately. When Remus arrived he looked quite ill, Harry wondered weather it was a full moon. Sirius seemed not to notice in his excitement to show him Harry's present.
"That's great" said Remus when he saw it "When did you get this?"
"Harry did it!" exclaimed Sirius excitedly. Remus' expression changed to puzzlement, again Sirius missed it but Harry saw the problem. How was he going to explain this? After all he was supposed to be 9 years old and completely new to the magic world.
"Harry, you did this? How?" asked Remus looking at Harry.
Harry spoke before Sirius could.
"There was an advert in the Daily Prophet for a portrait maker in Diagon Alley. I asked Kreature to take my order. I didn't think he would but Sirius had told me about House Elf's and how they will do jobs for you. He didn't seem happy but he went. I saved up my pocket money that Sirius gives me to pay for it. It arrived this morning and Sirius hung over his mum's picture" Harry explained it in a quick excited way which he hoped made him sound young. Harry wasn't sure if Remus excepted the story or not but he said no more.
Harry woke up early on the morning of the 31st July. It was his 10th and 28th birthday. Harry got up and dressed then walked sleepy eyed down to the kitchen. As soon as he opened the door he was greeted with a shout of 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY HARRY!!' Harry was so shocked he nearly fell down the steps. Sirius was beaming at Harry. Remus was cooking breakfast. Then Harry noticed that there were other people also present. They were Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall and to Harry's absolute surprise Hagrid. Harry's face lit up. He felt his heart would burst with happiness.
"Come on Harry! Presents!" called Sirius. Harry hurried down the steps and plonked himself down in one of the empty seats. He looked at the huge pile of presents. Sirius passed one to him.
"Thank you" said Harry timidly, he'd never gotten used to receiving presents "I never expected presents"
"Surely you've had birthday presents with the muggles" said Professor McGonagall, Harry shook his head "Christmas presents?" Professor McGonagall pressed further again Harry shook his head.
"WHAT? Those ruddy muggles!" Roared Hagrid taking Harry by surprise making him jump.
"Hagrid, calm yourself" said Dumbledore quietly.
Harry said nothing he was watching Hagrid.
"Harry this is Hagrid, he works at Hogwarts" explained Remus
"Are you a teacher too?" asked Harry eagerly.
"Nah, I'm Keeper of Keys at Hogwarts" said Hagrid proudly.
"Nice to meet you Mr Hagrid" said Harry very politely. Dumbledore chuckled at the look on Hagrid's face of being address in such away.
"It's just Hagrid" said Hagrid.
"Enough talking, presents!" said Sirius excitedly.
Harry ripped open the presents. Off Sirius he got a Wizarding Chess Set, a set of Gobstones, bags of Zonko's Gags, a set of Tornado Robes (Harry had mentioned that they were his favourite quiddich team even though he'd never had the heart to tell Ron) and new watch. Remus had bought Harry a lot of books about Magical Creatures, history and simple spells. He also bought Harry a big box of Chocolate Frogs. Hagrid had bought Harry a wizard camera. Professor McGonagall had brought him a book on the theory of Transfiguration. He stammered his thanks to Hagrid and McGonagall.
"Don' mention it" said Hagrid gruffly.
"Your welcome. Remus told me you were very interested in the books of magical theory you have been reading, so I thought you might like it." Said McGonagall.
"Grooming for a star pupil are we Minerva?" Chuckled Dumbledore. Everyone laughed.
"I am sure it will be very interesting Professor. I can't wait until I can do magic!" said Harry.
And the last present Harry opened was off Dumbledore. He opened the present carefully; it turned out to be his invisibility cloak.
"James' cloak!" exclaimed Sirius looking very happy.
"James, my Dad?" asked Harry, Sirius nodded.
"I haven't seen that in years!" said Sirius excitedly.
"It's an invisibility cloak Harry. Try it on" said Dumbledore.
Harry did as he was told, he looked down a saw his legs were gone. Pretending this was the first time he saw it he gasped "Wow". He looked up; all of the adults were beaming at him. By this time Remus had finished cooking breakfast and served it up to everyone.
"You look better than the last time I saw you" smiled Professor McGonagall.
"Yes Professor, I like it here. Sirius and Remus are really funny" smiled Harry. Dumbledore chuckled.
"I am pleased to hear it. I was sorry to hear you had a bad time with the Dursley's" said McGonagall. Harry said nothing he just smiled weakly at her.
"I was the one who brought yah to the Dursley's" said Hagrid sadly. "If only I'd known"
"It's not your fault Hagrid" Soothed Professor Dumbledore.
"Its ok" said Harry timidly.
Professor McGonagall looked at Harry pityingly.
"So you enjoy reading?" she asked to change the subject.
"Normally no but the books Sirius bought are so interesting. I always thought magic was fake, I mean the men on the TV making cars disappear they use smoke and mirrors" gibbered Harry.
"Do you miss TV Harry?" asked Remus
"Not really I never really got to watch much. Just what was on at meal times. Dudley would watch all of the time though. He always got to pick what was on." Replied Harry.
"That's too bad" said Dumbledore.
"That's ok, this world seems much better. TV is silly, magic is much more interesting. Is it true you can change into a cat?" asked Harry eagerly to Professor McGonagall. She smiled and looked at Sirius.
"I see Sirius has been filling in about our world. Yes it is true. I am Animagus." She said. Then turned into a tabby and back again.
"WOW!! That was great!" beamed Harry. "Can everyone change?"
"No, no. It takes a lot of study then you have to register with the Ministry of Magic." Explained Professor McGonagall.
"I can turn into a dog. Not registered yet but I will be doing so with the Ministry soon. Your father turned into a Stag and of course you know that Pettigrew turned into a rat." Said Sirius keeping up with the pretence.
"Your Animagus?" asked McGonagall.
"Yes, James, Peter and I learned how to do it in our 5th year. So we could spend time with….." started Sirius but Remus cleared his throat loudly.
"Harry will understand Remus. You are around friends. He will find out soon enough" explained Dumbledore. Remus looked dubious.
"It's his birthday, now is not the time" replied Remus
"It's your call Remus but this is James' son. James didn't judge you and neither will Harry" said Sirius. Remus looked at Harry who was trying to look confused. Of course he knew that Remus was a werewolf.
"Ok very well. Harry this may be a shock but you will need to know since I'll be spending a lot of time here. In fact Sirius has asked me to move in…" started Remus.
"Really? That's great!!" said Harry smiling wildly. Sirius looked really happy.
"Yes, this is why I must tell you, I am a werewolf" said Remus looking sad. Hagrid looked really shocked. Both professors looked unsurprised.
"Cool!" breathed Harry, determined to sound like a naïve 10 year old boy who didn't understand what that meant. The adults except Hagrid laughed, even Remus was smiling weakly.
"What's wrong Hagrid?" asked Sirius
"Just I didn't know." Replied Hagrid
"Is that a problem?" asked Sirius glaring at Hagrid.
"No of…of course not. Just a surprise is all" he stammered.
Remus looked sad again. Harry had never really appreciated how bad the prejudice was. He'd known it was there but Hagrid's response really brought it home. Last time Hagrid got to know Remus for a year before Snape announced it.
"Remus?" said Harry
"Yes Harry?" he replied
"I don't care that you're a werewolf. I am not afraid of you. My dad trusted you and cared about you and so do I. You and Sirius have changed my life so much. Both of you have cared for me more than anybody else. I don't know what being a werewolf means but you're my Uncle Remy…..if I call you that?" Harry finished talking and looked down at the table feeling embarrassed. He'd always considered Remus an uncle but never had the nerve to tell him. This time he could. Harry looked up when he heard a sniffing. It was McGonagall, she was dabbing her eyes on a lacy handkerchief. Remus looked at Harry with an unreadable expression. He got up and walked around the table and hugged Harry.
"Thank you Harry. Of course you can call me that" he said thickly though a lump in his throat.
The rest of the day was enjoyable. In the afternoon they went into the back garden so Harry could fly. Dumbledore put up wards so that the muggle neighbours wouldn't see. Harry was eager to get on a broom again even if it was an ancient Shooting Star. Harry had to endure a lesson about flying from Remus and Sirius before he could get on the broom. Remus believed that Harry had never been on a broom and well Sirius just wanted to pass on his expertise. Harry had told Sirius how good he was and he wanted to prove it. Eventually he was allowed to mount and take off. He soared high and hovered 10 metres above the ground.
"Be careful Harry" Called Professor McGonagall.
"I will. Sirius throw me a ball" called Harry back to the ground.
Sirius threw a ball; Harry let it fly over his head and then went into a dive to catch it. Harry was careful to make the catch look clumsy after all this was his first time on a broom. The adults on the ground cheered.
"My word he can fly!" announced Remus. Harry beamed at him. Harry continued to fly around the garden. While the adults sat and talked. Harry felt great to be on a broom again. This was the most content he'd ever felt.
Back at Hogwarts, Professors McGonagall and Dumbledore went to the Headmasters study for a cup of tea.
"He's a very gentle boy." Stated Professor McGonagall
"Yes he is" replied Dumbledore thoughtfully. He was deeply troubled about Harry returning from the future. Him returning now meant bad things were about to happen and he was helpless to stop them unless Harry was more forthcoming.
"He seems quite intelligent and an excellent flyer. He is going to be fine student. I think he should be mixing with some children of his own age. You know he's could possibly join Madam Hooch's Quiddich academy. The under 11 team are a few players short. She only takes the best. What do you think?"
"It sounds like a good idea, keeping him close would mean we could keep an eye on him. He's been though an awful lot in his short life." Agreed Dumbledore.
"I will speak to Rolanda about it. Of course we will need to discuss it with Sirius."
"Yes of course" replied Dumbledore.
"You seem troubled Albus"
"I am Minerva, very troubled indeed."
"What is it? Is it about Harry?"
"Yes, but now is not the time to explain"
"But you will?"
"Yes I am sure I will eventually"
The two of them sat in silence for a few minutes.
"He seems to have taken very well to Sirius and Remus. Very quickly, I would have expected him to be more weary of people after the life he has had." Said McGonagall
"Yes he has. I think Harry is just eager to accept any love and affection that comes his way. This may be a problem later but for now I think it's ok to let it go." Replied Dumbledore.
A few days after his birthday Harry received a letter baring the Hogwarts crest. Confused as he was not to receive his letter for another 12 months he opened the letter slowly. It read;
Dear Master Potter,
I am pleased to inform you that you have been accepted to try out for the Hogwarts Summer Quiddich Academy Junior Division. Your sponsor has vouched for your character and ability. It is my understanding that you show promise as a Seeker. As such your tryout will be for this position. Please report to the Quiddich pitch at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry on August 10th at 9am.
Good Luck
Kindest Regards
Rolanda Hooch
Head of Quiddich Department
Harry tore out of his bedroom and ran down the stairs two at a time.
"Sirius! Sirius!" he cried
"What is it? The house on fire?" chuckled Sirius
"No, read this!" said Harry thrusting the letter into Sirius' hand. Sirius read it and smiled.
"It's about time I was expecting this yesterday"
"You….what?" asked Harry confused
"Minerva needed my permission to submit your name. She is your sponsor. I am your legal guardian after all."
"Oh. Right. So legal guardian can I go?"
"Of course you can. You seem really excited about this."
"I am! I didn't know Hooch did summer academy's."
"Oh heck yeah. The Adult division is tutored by Wilf Barton"
"Who?"
"Blimy Harry, he is the head of talent relations for the England squad! Which means there is always scouts around. Only the very best get in. If you do get in you'll train for a couple of weeks then there is a tournament for the Junior Championship Cup. Teams from all over the place join in. I think the Americans got involved last year. There are normally 10 teams."
"How come I've never heard of it. Surely I should have known someone at Hogwarts who talked about it. I never saw the cup in the trophy room."
"Britain has never won the cup that's why. Also the players quite often then choose to go to Durmstrang because there Quiddich facilities are much better. They play every day. Or they are picked up by the Junior national teams and prefer home schooling."
"Did Ludo Bagman play in the tournament?"
"No, he failed to get in. So do you think you will?"
"Hell yeah, wait until you see me play. I'll need a better broom though? It's too bad because the Nimbus 2000 that is realised next year is brilliant" sighed Harry.
"The Comet Two Seventy has just been realised, we could get you that one. What do you think? This is a once in a lifetime opportunity…..well unless you go skipping though time!" laughed Sirius. Harry laughed too.
Harry woke up very early on the morning of the 10th August, he was so excited about the day ahead. He knew he was good enough to make the team. After all he had been the youngest house player in a century. He hadn't told Sirius this yet because he didn't want to get his hopes up in case it didn't happen this time. He got up and dressed in his tornado robes and then went down to the kitchen for some breakfast with his new broomstick over his shoulder. He was surprised to find Sirius in the kitchen already. Remus must have still been in bed.
"I didn't expect you to be up" said Harry
"I am just as excited as you. James would have been so proud" said Sirius beaming at his Godson.
"I can't believe this is happening. But is it fair?" said Harry expressing a thought that had been troubling him. Sirius frowned
"What do you mean?" asked Sirius
"Well I am not really a kid. I've played a lot of quiddich. I might be taking a chance away from somebody else"
"You are a child, physically. You can only do what your body allows you to. Flying has nothing to do with magical power. You will not be as good as a 17 year old simply because your body isn't as strong as a 17 year old. If you are worrying about cheating, your not." Explained Sirius. This cheered Harry up a lot. A little while later Remus came down.
"So cub are you excited?" he asked Harry. Remus had taken to calling Harry cub since his birthday.
"Yeah" squealed Harry, Remus smiled and ruffled Harry's hair.
"You'll do great" said Remus
"Uncle Remy are you coming to Hogwarts?" asked Harry.
"You bet I am. Wouldn't miss it for the world" beamed Remus
They ate breakfast then apperated to Hogsmead. They were slightly early but Sirius and Harry were too excited to be sitting at home. They walked down the high street and though the gates into the grounds of Hogwarts. Harry had not expected many people to be there already but as they walked down to the quiddich pitch they could see lots of people milling about. Some of the children were wearing Team GB quiddich robes; they must already be on the team. The other children had opted like Harry to wear robes of their favourite team. Sirius walked over to where a table had been set up for the children to be signed in. Sirius and Remus saw to it that any forms that were needed were filled in. Harry was too busy watching the older kids flying around that he didn't see a kid walk up to him.
"Your Harry Potter right?" said the boy. Harry looked at the boy he didn't recognise him. He was slightly taller than Harry with short brown hair and icy blue eyes.
"That's right" replied Harry "You are?"
"Sebastian Parkinson" said the boy holding out a hand. Harry took it while wondering if he was related to Pansy. "So what position you after?"
"Seeker" Replied Harry "You?"
"Chaser, I've been playing for a couple of years. My uncle sponsored me." Replied Sebastian pointing towards a man standing near to Sirius. Harry smiled.
"Professor McGonagall sponsored me"
"I guess your going to be a Hogwarts brat then?" smirked Sebastian.
"That's right, let me guess Durmstrang?"
"That's right but get me wrong Hogwarts is ok. In fact my cousin Pansy will be coming here."
"Is that right?" replied Harry "Why are you going to Durmstrang?"
"More quiddich, also dad works aboard."
"I see"
There conversation was interrupted by a shrill blast of a whistle. Harry looked around to see the stern looking Rolanda Hooch looking over the heads of the children.
"Listen up. I need you are to split up into your positions. Seekers by the Gryffindor changing rooms. Chasers by the Hufflepuff changing rooms. Beaters by the Slytherin and Keepers by the Ravenclaw. Now please" called Madam Hooch.
Harry ran over to Sirius and Remus for a quick hug before running off to join the other hopefuls in front of the Gryffindor Changing rooms. There were six other boys and two girls trying out with him. They sat and watched as the chasers were put though there paces first. They were really good. Harry could see that Sebastian was an excellent player. After they had run their drills it was the turn of the keepers. Using older kids for the chasers presumably to really test the keepers skills. One player caught Harry's eye, she was excellent. She was quite small but didn't shy away from the larger boys coming at her. Harry didn't know her name but made a mental note to find out. Next was the turn of the beaters. They actually realised the bludgers and watched as the beaters combated them. Soon it was the turn of the seekers.
Harry walked onto the field with the other eight hopefuls. Madam Hooch walked up to them and explained what was going to happen. "You will be tested individually. We will realise the snitch. You will catch it. This will happen five times." She smiled at them reassuringly before walking away.
They were called in alphabetical order. Harry was the last to tryout. He mounted his broom and took off. He hovered fifteen feet above the ground and waited for the snitch to be released. He was happy to be back on a broom all the nerves that had been building up he had left on the ground. He looked around the pitch looking for sight of the snitch. A few minutes past and he was flying up the pitch in search when he finally saw a glimpse of gold. It was hovering just above the ground next to the goal post. Harry put on a burst of speed and then went into a spectacular dive. He grabbed the snitch before levelling off. He repeated this another four times. The second catch had been easy, the third more tricky, the fourth caused him to climb before the fifth made him dive again but this time it was easily a fifty foot dive. He had been the quickest to catch all of them but he knew this didn't mean anything as it all depended on how quick the snitch was at showing itself.
After the tryout Harry, Sirius and Remus headed to the castle for lunch. Harry and the other hopefuls had been told that they would find out later that afternoon. Harry knew it would be a long wait. After a delicious lunch of Steak and Kidney pie (which Harry had forgotten tasted so good) they got up to leave the great hall to take a walk around the castle. They had reached the entrance hall when Dumbledore's voice called after them. They turned around to see the old man walking down the marble staircase.
"Could I speak to you for a moment in my office?" he asked. Harry had a feeling Dumbledore would wish to speak to him. He had hoped it wouldn't be just yet.
"Now Albus?" asked Sirius inclining his head slightly to Remus hoping the headmaster would realise that he didn't know about Harry.
"If it's not too much trouble" replied Dumbledore. "You and Harry"
Remus looked from one man to the other waiting for an explanation but none came. He shrugged "I'll see when your finished" and walked out of the open doors. Harry followed the adults to Dumbledore's office.
"Was it necessary to do this now?" asked Harry
"I believe so, I need to know what you are planning. If my students are in danger I need to know" replied Dumbledore.
"No, they are not in danger. I have no idea what will happen in this school next year. I didn't enter the magical world until I turned eleven and Hagrid came and got me." Replied Harry.
"So why then did you come back now?"
"Because I wanted some quality time with Sirius before things kicked off. I swear to you Albus I will inform you of anything important. Your students will not be at risk"
"Is that good enough for you Albus" asked Sirius
"I suppose it will have to be" replied Dumbledore, Harry could tell he was peeved about Harry not telling him anything.
They left the office and set off for the grounds to find Remus.
"He's been owling me almost every day to get information."
"I expected so much." Replied Harry
When they found Remus he was sitting under a tree looking out over the lake. He looked quite content.
"This was my favourite study spot when I was at school" he said when he saw Harry and Sirius.
"Mine too. Well not study of course" laughed Sirius.
"So what did Albus want"
"I needed to sign some papers, to legally take guardianship of Harry"
"I thought you'd signed them all"
"So did I"
"Why did he want Harry?"
"To explain a few things to him"
Harry remained quiet. Remus looked at him for a moment. Remus seemed puzzled. Harry wasn't sure if he was buying it. They defiantly needed to be careful.
They whiled away the afternoon walking around the castle and grounds. Before long it was time for Harry to go back to the Quiddich pitch. Once there they were advised that a team list had been posted and if their name was on the list they were to collect a schedule of the training and leave sizes for uniforms to be ordered. Harry nervously walked over to the notice board which had been erected. He had to fight his way though the crowd to get close enough to see the list. It read;
Under 11 team
Keeper
A. Merryfield
Chasers
S. Parkinson
P. Stanton
K. Kirk
Beaters
E. Prewett
J. Wren
Seeker
H. Potter
Harry could have leapt with joy. He hadn't truly believed he would make the team given the standard of the other hopefuls. Sure he'd been quickest but the others had been really good on the brooms. He ran over to the table to collect a schedule and give his size for his uniform before running back to Sirius and Remus.
"I done it! I made the team" beamed Harry.
"That's great!" replied Sirius excitedly.
"Way to go cub. I knew you could do it" smiled Remus.
They decided to have a celebratory dinner at the Three Broomsticks before heading back to Grimmald Place.
Authors Note - Well that was chapter 4, it is really just a filler. More interesting things to come. Don't worry I am not going to make Harry brilliant at everything as some of the Harry-back-in-time stories do. The purpose of this will become apparent. Anyways hope you enjoy. Next chapter will be up as soon as possible I promise. Please review.