A/N - Note about Harry and his behavior. For many it will feel a little strange, but remember that he is brought up as a future Lord of one of noble houses and certain things are expected from him. He will be still easy going and friendly, but there will be moments when he will be looking like Death, one that you do not want to cross or you will die.
Sagittarius looked at Harry and couldn't believe how much he had changed in past few months and weeks, when he brought him here he was extremely thin and almost looked starving. Now he looked like a healthy boy of nine and was growing quite nicely, it was hard to believe how much he has changed in past months and weeks.
When he brought him here he only knew English and now he could quite fluently speak in Latin and Ancient Greek as well as normal English and Russian, which was quite a shock to Sagittarius that he was able to learn those languages so quickly and easily. Like they were almost natural to him and he was able to learn them in a matter of days, but he also knew that knowledge of multiple languages would help him one day.
Also he surprised him in terms of his sheer magic as he was able to almost effortlessly change form and now he was training those abilities of animagus as he was running as a direwolf in one of forests surrounding the castle. It was one of the best forms for the animagus as it was a large predator that was able to kill a man with just a one bite of its massive jaws, each of them more than able to snap a spine in two.
Sagittarius musings were cut short when one of elves appeared by his side with a letter in its hands, he nodded in thanks to an elf and took the letter. When he opened it, on his lips appeared a wide smile as it seemed that Sirius Black was free and wished to meet, which was fine with him.
For Sagittarius it was obvious that Sirius wished to meet with his godson and him as soon as possible and Sagittarius also wanted to meet with him due to certain reasons. Mainly his political stance as a new Lord Black and what he was planning to do as those were rather important things to know. He would pen a reply later, now he focused on watching canine form of Harry that was rummaging through the forests and scaring every single animal that was there.
"I must say that my grand nephew is impressive." Said Druella as she joined Sagittarius where he was standing. "I expected him to be good at languages and animagus transformation, but not that good. He managed to do something that took James weeks of attempts at Hogwarts and later at home."
Sagittarius looked at her curiously "He is a genius that happens few times per generation, he will be a powerful wizard in his life. But also if he was brought up as he was supposed to be, he would be taught that from the moment he turned six years old so it is partially doing of his magic that helped him with learning of those things."
"I guess you are right." Nodded Druella "In tad over two years he will start Hogwarts and it might be dangerous for him. We both know that Dumbledore has some plans for him, I don't know what, but he must have some."
"Who doesn't have." Shrugged off Sagittarius, but got seriously quickly "He is planning something with him playing a central role, it is hard to guess what, as he is good at hiding his thoughts."
"We will see." Nodded Druella "But tell Harry to be careful at Hogwarts and ask Orion to keep an eye on him."
"We shouldn't need to ask him to keep an eye on him as he will even if we won't ask him."
o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o
Time skip – July 1981
o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o-0-o
Past three years passed in a blur for Harry and were so far one of the best in his life, he finally felt safe and good. He felt like he belonged somewhere and people there genuinely cared for him and his wellbeing. How much he grew up during that time was a little shocking as now he was almost at five feet and inch, his hair were much longer than he originally had them and he tied them into a ponytail to keep them in order. He also picked up quite a lot of mass as previously he was almost skin and bones, but now there was something filling the space.
Currently Harry was sitting on one of benches as he just returned from quite a long horse ride and wanted to allow his aching muscles some time to rest as they were in pain after that ride. He wasn't a bad rider, but he wasn't the best one and after longer ones everything hurt him. He squinted his eyes as he saw an owl approaching place where he was.
Owl flew past him and dropped onto his lap thin envelope with Hogwarts seal on it, Harry smiled when he saw it as he expected it to arrived at any day now. He picked it up and tore the envelope, inside on the fine parchment he found those words.
HOGWARTS SCHOOL of WITCHCRAFT and WIZARDRY
Headmaster: Albus Dumbledore
(Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorc., Chf. Warlock,
Supreme Mugwump, International Confed. of Wizards)
Dear Mr. Potter,
We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment.
Term begins on 1 September. We await your owl by no later than 31 July.
Yours sincerely,
Minerva McGonagall
Deputy Headmistress
When he read the content of the first page he rushed into the castle, forgetting about all of his aches and pains.
"I was going to look for you." Said Orion as he saw Harry entering onto one of terraces, he was also holding a letter. "Hogwarts letters arrived."
"Owl found me outside." Explained Harry as he came to stop in front of his cousin. "So shopping time?"
"Yes" Nodded Orion "You have wand, so you will skip probably the most crowded part of the Diagon Alley. I will look for dad and tell him that Hogwarts letter arrived so we can get this done today."
o-0-o
"So shopping for Hogwarts." Mused Sagittarius de Normandie as they apparated to one of apparition points that were inside of Gringott that were received by the most trusted customers of it. "Orion, go and take care of books and apothecary, while I will go with Harry to menagerie so he can get an owl, we will meet at Twilfitt and Tattings."
Orion nodded and walked towards Apothecary and one of bookstores, while Harry followed Sagittarius to the menagerie, which seemed rather easy as wizards parted in their tracks, allowing them free passage. Either because they saw Harry and his scar or Sagittarius, it was hard to say which one was the reason for this.
Diagon Alley was a long alley, filled to brim with various buildings and it was a magical district of London that was invisible to Muggles, who didn't even know it existed. When they were passing by it they didn't see it, they saw another building and omitted existence of magical one.
"Generally the best pet to have is an owl." Said Sagittarius as he looked at Harry, they were pushing their way through the crowds that were filling the street. Most of them politely nodding when they saw Sagittarius. "The most useful one and usually the best looking. But not every owl is the same, usually eagle-owls or great horned ones are the best as they are the strongest and biggest."
Harry nodded at those words and at the same time they entered the menagerie, it was filled with all kinds of animals, he was assaulted by a strong smell of animals, all kinds of them. He shook his head, trying to clear it as it was so strong.
He moved for a while until his eyes landed on a beautiful black and light grey eagle-owl that hooted at him the moment his eyes landed on her. He smiled and turned to look at Sagittarius. "I think I found a one that likes me."
"Indeed you found one." Agreed Sagittarius and picked up the cage in which was that owl. He walked to a counter with it. "How much it will be?" He asked as he placed it on the counter.
"Twenty-three galeons."
Sagittarius counted money and placed it on the counter and shopkeeper smiled at him and took it. Doing business with important nobles was always a pleasure as they payed everything without any troubles.
"Think about a name for him as we do the rest of our shopping." Sagittarius said as they were exiting the shop and heading for the next stop on their path, school robes.
"Hmm" Mused Harry as he looked at owl that looked at him curiously "What about Aries?" When he said it, owl hooted happily at him and he smiled. "Than it's settled, Aries."
"Not a bad choice." Said Sagittarius looking at him "After Aries Potter?"
"Yes" Harry nodded happily and followed Sagittarius into Twilfitt and Tattings. It was shop designed for more affluent customers that were able to spend a lot of money to get the very best things on the market.
"Lord de Normandie." Said witch that came from behind a counter, she wasn't short, yet she wasn't tall, she had brown hair and was wearing brown robe. "How may I help you today?"
"Full set of Hogwarts robes for Harry and Orion when he will join us as he is doing shopping for other things."
"Of course" She nodded and looked at Harry, pointing him to sit on a stool that was in the room. For next dozen or so of minutes she was measuring Harry and when Orion joined them, she measured him. After that she spent several minutes with them choosing materials and once it was done she started working on them and due to help of magic it didn't take her a lot of time.
Hour after they entered the shop they had their robes for the Hogwarts done and they left quite a lot of money there as it wasn't a cheap shop, but it was definitely a good one. After that they spent several more minutes buying miscellaneous things that were going to be useful in Hogwarts in one way or another.
Harry also got a wand holster, it was a thing that many wizards were forgetting about, but it was useful as it allowed for easy and quick access to ones wand, with just a flick of a wrist it was sliding into waiting hand. Harry got one made out of dragon hide and it was attached directly onto the army with two thin belts.
o-0-o
"Looks like I am a Prefect." Said Orion as he placed his gold and crimson Prefect badge on the table. "I didn't expect to get it."
"You are one of the best students, so it was expected from you to get it." Said Sagittarius as he looked at him. "But anyways, congratulations are in order as it is a great honor."
"I wonder in which house Harry will be placed." Mused Orion as he played with his badge.
"Probably Gryffindor." Said Sagittarius "His family always landed there, so he should follow them in their footsteps. I want you to keep an eye on him in Hogwarts as many people might try to gain something at his cost."
"I will try" Nodded Orion "Honestly he is more of a younger brother than cousin."
"I suspected that." Said Sagittarius looking at his son "The way you treat him suggested it, also how much time you spent together."
"You were the one that kind of forced it." Chuckled Orion "After all you asked me to show him some wards and runes, as well as basics of French."
"I was busy than." Shrugged off Sagittarius and looked at Orion, his voice dead serious. "You have Heir ring, use family magic wisely and when needed use it to protect Harry."
"I will" Nodded Orion
"Good" Said Sagittarius and looked at his son, who even more looked like his carbon copy. He seemed to be a miniature copy of him. "On less serious part, I won't be shocked if Harry will win a place in Quidditch Team in first few weeks."
"Dad, you're joking?" Asked Orion and looked at his dad face "You're not?"
"I'm not, I am dead serious." Said Sagittarius "We both know he is a great flyer and has all things required from a great Seeker, reflex, agility, grace and this thing that is hard to describe, but the most famous ones had."
"I guess you are right." Nodded Orion "And we need a Seeker as last one left year ago and now our game looks bad. He would need a good broom and the rest of the team also. Most of them are flying on obsolete ones."
"If he will be a Seeker I will see what I can do." Said Sagittarius and looked outside of the window "Maybe Nimbus 2001 or Firebolt as they are ready to release prototypes. I will see what will be the best on the market."
"That will cost a fortune." Muttered Orion who was groomed by his father to take out title of Lord in the future so he knew the state of the vaults, their political stance and so on. So that change of leadership would pass without a flaw.
"Well, our coffers are full of money, so we might as well spend it on something good." Chuckled Sagittarius and at the same time on the desk landed black eagle-owl. Sagittarius took the letter from it and quickly read it. "It seems that Sirius wishes to see me. Right now."
"Have fun" Orion walked out of the room and towards his own to start packing for Hogwarts or maybe show Harry some of the more useful spells, ones that weren't taught at first, but helped a lot.
o-0-o
"So here you are." Said Orion as he found Harry laying on his bed and reading some Hogwarts textbook. "What are you reading?"
"Potions textbook."
"Good choice of a book to read." Chuckled Orion as he sat near Harry "Snape who is a Potion Master and Professor at Hogwarts have a habit of asking a lot of questions on the first class you will have with him. So reading this and maybe second year textbook won't harm you, more likely it will help you as you will have better understanding of what is going on."
"What do you mean by questions?"
"What is required to make a specific potion, how much of something is required, that kind of stuff." Explained Orion "Also he hates Gryffindor with a passion and since most probably you will be in it, he might take you a lot of points. On the brighter side of things, it won't hurt you to read this and every other textbook before beginning of the term. If you have questions about those things in them you can ask me."
"Cool" Said Harry and looked at Orion "I know that you want something else?"
"Yes" Agreed Orion "I want to show you couple of very useful and easy spells that aren't taught at first, but help a lot as they make life easier. Meet me at my room in let's say ten minutes as I need to find few things and get a list of spells that I will show you."
o-0-o
"Good that you are here." Said Orion as he saw Harry entering his room. It was designed in similar manner to Harry's, only details and furniture was different. It was also much messier than Harry as there were scrapes of parchment, books and robes everywhere as well as owl cage that stood on the windowsill. Currently it was empty as its occupant, large eagle-owl called Pollux was away delivering a letter or returning.
Orion stopped writing what he was writing and he looked at Harry, who was holding his wand. "Keep it on yourself at all times as you don't know when you will need to use it. I will show you Self-Heating Charm, how to shrunk of expand things and make things follow you or your wand. They are rather easy charms, yet they will teach you them during second or third year."
Harry nodded and focused on Orion who briefly explained and showed him how every single one of them looked and worked. After that it was his task to get them working. Which was a far harder task than watching how they were done.
"Impressive." Said Orion as he watched Harry successfully cast those spells, without a single mistake. He was rather impressed by what Harry could do, he knew his cousin was good, but not that good. "You did really good, not a single mistake made in casting of them. I think you will do quite well at Hogwarts as you seem to be good at Charms and Transfiguration."
"Thanks." Said Harry as he looked at him, happy, but slightly exhausted from casting so many charms in a short span of time. "So what now?"
"Do whatever you wish to do. I don't think you will need to know more charms. From Hogwarts textbooks I suggest you check Herbology book as it is quite good."
Harry nodded and hurried back to his room.
o-0-o
Time quickly passed and soon it was 1st September of 1980 and everybody was ready for departure for Hogwarts, two past days were hectic as they were frantically packing their trunks and making sure they had everything they needed to have in Hogwarts. Harry got hold on dragon hide trunk from Potter vault that was used by one of his ancestors at some point in the past. It was big enough and looked quite good, so there was no point in buying a new one when old one would look as good as new one and would work well.
"Excited about going to Hogwarts?" Asked Sagittarius as he looked at Harry, who looked like a small ball of energy.
"Yes" Was a reply from Harry, expected by Sagittarius.
"It is always fun." Agreed Orion "Especially competition between houses can be rather heated."
"Yes" Quietly said Sagittarius "But it is also a great place, your dad, Sirius, Pettigrew and Remus Lupin made a map of Hogwarts showing all passages and tracking every being inside of the castle. If you can get it, it will help you a lot."
"I might help you with that." Said Orion with a wink in direction of Harry "I suspect where it is or should be."
Sagittarius was going to say something, but he looked at the watch and paled. "We have fifteen minutes to be on King's Cross." Harry and Orion nodded, holding cages with their owls and trunks and let him grab them. Moments later they were gone from Kent and were in London on King's Cross 9¾.
When Harry got over his temporary nausea he noticed large train standing in front of them and preparing to depart, hundreds of people were all around them. Saying their goodbyes or boarding it. Most of them had trunks and cages for owls.
"Whoa" Managed to say Harry as he saw how many of them were here. "It's impressive."
"Yes" Nodded Sagittarius "You always travel in it, it gives you a chance to make new friends and for older years to catch up upon the events of holidays."
"Also to get to know what is going on." Added Orion "Whole seven hours of journey, but it can quickly get boring."
They nodded and after quick goodbye to Sagittarius they hurried to find a compartment, Orion looked at Harry as they were pushing their way through the crowds. Trying to find a good compartment and after a moment of moving around they found empty one.
"Eight hours or so of boring trade ride." Said Orion as he put away his and Harry trunk in proper place. "They could make it so we would travel at night, at least we could sleep peacefully."
"I guess seeing anything outside the window is better than seeing nothing." Replied Harry
"I guess you are right." Nodded Orion and at the same time doors into their compartment opened, through them stepped in three redheads.
"Second hand clothes, red hairs. Weasley." He thought as he watched them and his suspicions were confirmed moments later.
"Orion de Normandie" Said one of them "So that's why my dear brother is sulking."
"Fred" Replied Orion "I guess I got lucky about that badge. But it was expected, especially with my cousin going to Hogwarts this year."
"Your cousin?" Asked second of twins, a little puzzled by those words.
"Hadrian Potter." Said Orion and was interrupted by growl from Harry. "What did I tell you about using Hadrian?"
"Maybe I should use Arcturus Orion?" Asked Orion with raised eyebrow.
"Orion Sagittarius, I thought that we agreed that you won't use Hadrian." Said Harry with exasperation and Orion slowly nodded as he knew that Harry could be annoying. Even more that Regulus so he was forced to concede or something might happen to him.
"Who prefers being called Harry." Conceded Orion and Harry slowly nodded.
"Harry Potter as in Boy-Who-Lived?" Asked lowest out of the trio. While twins were heavily built and looked robust, this one was thin.
"Yes" Nodded Harry showing his lightning shaped scar on the forehead, one that he got when he deflected that curse. "One and only, and you are?"
"Ron Weasley."
"Fred" Said one of twins and second added "George."
"Fred you mentioned that you had certain map of Hogwarts created by Marauders." Nonchalantly said Orion and watched how twins stiffened and looked at him.
"If we have" Started Fred
"Than what" Finished George
"Well, Harry is son of Prongs and godson of Padfoot." Explained Orion and twins eyes widened.
"How do you know those names?" Asked Fred
"Sirius Black is Padfoot, my dad was Prongs, Remus Lupin is Moony and Pettigrew is Wormtail." Finally said Harry "And words to activate it are I solemnly swear that I'm up to no good."
"Okay" Stuttered Fred and looked at George who slowly nodded, took out a large piece of parchment and gave it to Harry.
Harry took the map from George, opened it and with pressed wand said "I solemly swear that I'm up to no good." When he did that map of Hogwarts appeared on it, showing every single person in it. He also said "Son of Prongs claims this map, Semper Fidelis. Ours is fury, ours is wrath."
When he said them map disappeared and instead on the parchment appeared writing.
Messer Prongs wonders who claims to be his son and how he knows his cousin motto.
Messer Padfoot agrees with Messer Prongs and would also like to know those answers.
Messer Moony would like to hear any sort of explanation.
Messer Wormtail is curious about those claims.
Harry sighed with exasperation when he saw those words, Sirius told him to expect such things from this creation of him. He pressed his wand once again onto the surface of it and this time spoke in Latin. "I, Hadrian James Arcturus Orion Potter, son of James Charlus Potter and Lily Evalyn Potter née Evans swear onto my magic that everything I said is truth and truth only. So have I swore, so mote be it."
Messer Prongs is happy that he managed to marry Lily and had a child with her, he agrees to reveal all secrets of the Map to Prongslet.
Messer Padfoot hopes he is a godfather for Prongslet, he agrees to reveal all secrets of the to Prongslet.
Messer Moony wonders how Messer Prongs managed to invite Lily to a data and later marry her, but he reluctantly agrees to reveal all secrets to Prongslet.
Messer Wormtail agrees with Messer Moony.
We Marauders reveal all secrets of the Map to Prongslet.
"Stubborn piece of parchment." Muttered Harry after a moment "It forced me to switch to Latin to make it obey me."
"You know Latin?" Asked Ron
"Latin, Ancient Greek, Russian and French." Replied Harry "I might learn one of Norse languages in free time."
"I wonder what are the secrets of the map." Mused Fred as he looked at Harry. "Shall we find out?"
"Why not" Agreed Harry and opened the map, this time it also showed location of every secret passages known to Marauders as well as data how to modify it and change what it was showing. "Whoa" Managed to say Harry as he looked over the map. It was impressive map and rather useful one.
"Yes, whoa" Agreed Fred looking at, having troubles with believing it was true.
"We always suspected there were dozens of secret passages, but not that many." Said George
"It seems there is much more to this castle than we ever knew."
"It will be fun to explore." Said Harry looking at twins.
"You know that you will turn my life into a nightmare?" Asked Orion as he looked at Harry and Twins "Harry between you and Regulus, you seemed to be more let's say intelligent and less troublesome."
"You are a Prefect." Grinned Harry "So your life is supposed to be a nightmare."
"It seems you understand us better than our little brother." Said Fred looking at Harry "Life will be interesting in Hogwarts for us."
"It will be." Agreed Harry and looked around "I swear one more of my cousins should be at Hogwarts this year."
"Who?" Asked Ron
"Draco"
"As in Malfoy?" Weakly asked Ron
"One and only." Nodded Harry
"I thought I heard my name." Said someone from the doors leading into their compartment. It was a blonde boy as tall as Harry was in immaculate black robes.
"Yes" Nodded Harry "I wondered when you would make your entrance."
"Well, I'm here and I'm not impressed by your company." Said Draco with sneer "Blood traitors."
"As if being a son of a Death Eater was a better thing." Replied Harry "We both know that Imperio was only so that he could get out unharmed."
"Don't insult my parents." Shouted Draco as he looked at Harry
"I'm not insulting them, I'm only stating what is a common knowledge, also I don't have anything against Cousin Narcissa. After all she is probably the most intelligent sister out of three." Calmly said Harry
"Can you stop those annoying taunts?" Asked Orion yawning "I heard them more than few times, while they are amusing you will have time later to try to kill each other. So calm down and be friendly."
"Truce?" Asked Harry as he looked at Draco who nodded.
"Truce"
"Since that is settled" Said Orion getting their attention "We are getting close to Hogwarts so you better change into school robes."
"Alright." Nodded Draco disappearing into his compartment to change into his robes and left them to their own devices.
They opened their trunks and pulled out their matte black school robes, which in case of Weasley were second hand as they couldn't afford new ones for each child that was in Hogwarts. Harry and Orion were on the opposite side of the spectrum, as they were from the wizarding nobility and if they wanted they could almost sleep on money. Harry also attached to his forearm his wand holster that held his wand and allowed him easy access to it.
"Wand holster?" Asked Fred when he saw that piece of leather on Harry arm.
"Yes, rather handy thing. Especially when you have brother who loves to place random wards or charms in weird places." Said Harry with pointed look at Orion.
"Guilty." Nodded Orion as he stored his own wand in his holster. "At least you manage to see and disarm them, Reg still fails for the simplest ones."
"I guess I'm lucky." Said Harry as he looked outside the window and through the night he could see massive castle coming into the view. There were barely visible towers and other buildings with hundreds if not thousands of lights visible in the windows of them. "So that is Hogwarts."
"It is." Nodded Orion
"Not that impressive. Our castle seems more impressive, at least for me."
"Well, not everybody has thousand years old family seat." Chuckled Orion "So for them it is way more impressive than for you. Also it is built with far higher use of magic than Lion's Castle in Kent as we couldn't use so much, because it was visible to Muggles. Better comparison would be Griffin House of your family as it was built in similar manner."
"I guess you're right." Nodded Harry and watched as they were getting closer and closer to Hogwarts. Their train slowing down, which meant their journey was almost done.
"First year have their own entrance." Said Orion as he looked at Harry and Ron "We can't tell you what is it as it is a surprise for you."
"As well as sorting that will follow it." Added Fred
"Although it's obvious where they will land." Finished George
"Is it?" Asked Orion as he looked at twins. "Ron probably Gryffindor, but about Harry I wouldn't be so sure. He is somewhere between Gryffindor and Slytherin, probably it will be up to him to decide it."
"We will see." Nodded George
"But now we have arrived." Said Fred as the train came to halt. It was almost pitch black outside. They filed out, leaving their luggage behind as elves would take care of it being taken to the castle.
o-0-o
"Very good chapter. This looks like it will turn out to be a very good story. I know how you like taking down Dumbledor with your stories as it happened in the other story you wrote. He should be taken down at some point but not at the start. Harry should still become friends with Ron and be against Draco. Having his cousin at Hogwarts should make for an interesting story line as well. Taking down the Dursley is always a good thing as they are so nasty and deserve what is coming to them" – Dumbledore is too powerful to be destroyed, he is a useful person and one that can help a lot with dealing with merry band of Voldemort and Death Eaters. Ron? Let's just say that Harry and Ron are from two completely different social standings, one is from stinking rich and influential family, second is from one of typical families. And Ron isn't the most intelligent and Harry will be closer to Fred and George, also in canon he clung to Ron as he was his first friend as he didn't have true family before or even friends. Now he has both so he won't be as patient in regards of him. While Fred and George are more level-headed and brighter than Ron ever be, also Quidditch will connect them as they will play on the same team.
About Draco, they will have interesting friendship as it will be revealed later. If you read Space Wolf by William King, think about Sven and Ragnar and their friendship. A lot will be about taunting each other, annoying him and healthy dose of respect that they have to each other.
