AN: Thanks to everyone who is favouriting and following this story; it means a lot to me every time I get one of those emails letting me know. The poll as to future coupling is now closed however I have only made up my mind about a few of the characters; there were relatively close races amongst some of the characters. Here we have the reunion of Harry and Gabrielle as well as the introduction to the story of a few necessary characters.

Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter or any of its characters.

Chapter 4:

The rest of the summer passed in a monotonous routine for Harry Potter; he did his chores and when he had nothing to do he would escape to his room to read one of his new books. He found that he was particularly intrigued by his potions textbook, realizing quickly that it was very similar to cooking; something he had been doing for as long as he could remember. In addition he found the spells mentioned in his Defence Against the Dark Arts textbook to be fascinating. The transfiguration concepts confused him slightly as they were described in the book; he made a mental note to ask Gabby whether he was missing anything.

Harry's Aunt and Uncle had continually failed at their attempts to get into his room; the force that had kept his Uncle out that first day had continued the entire summer, allowing no one but himself to enter. Harry hadn't heard from anyone the entire summer. He had, out of fear for his owl, desperately hoped that Gabrielle would keep her for the remainder of the summer and for some reason that had happened. He would occasionally get twinges of feelings which did not belong to him; feelings he knew were Gabby's so he could only assume that she was getting similar feelings from him.

Finally August 31st came along and with it a deep excitement for the next day. Harry packed everything into his trunk, actually he just threw everything in and forced it shut. He knew he had to meet Remus at the park on Magnolia Crescent the next morning and so made sure to get to sleep early. He picked up the book that he was currently reading, one of the wizarding fiction books he had bought in Diagon Alley and read it until his eyes started to drift shut.

"Goodnight Gabby." He whispered, as he had every other night of the past month and just like every night of the past month he thought he heard her voice whisper back to him.

"Goodnight Harry."

** The Cub & The Veela **

Harry awoke early on September 1st, before anyone else in the house would even think of getting up. He had thought ahead and wanted to be out the door with his trunk before his Aunt Petunia or Uncle Vernon had even laid their feet on the floor; he knew it would be the only way to make a clean escape.

Luck was on Harry's side, given that it was a Saturday, and he was out the door and up the street before Vernon Dursley had let lose a loud snore, jolting his wife awake.

Harry made his way to the park where he was to meet Remus and sat on the bench they had sat on the day when Harry's life had changed so dramatically. He couldn't wait to get going but Remus wasn't due to meet him for half an hour so he spent the time thinking. Whenever he let his mind wander like this it went to 3 different people. His parents and Gabrielle.

Ever since Hagrid had told him the truth about how his parents had died he had wondered what they were really like. He knew that they were not the drunks which the Dursleys had always told him about but he didn't have stories to replace the lying facts which his relatives had told him. He decided that he would ask Remus for some stories and if there was anyone else who might be able to tell him anything about them. He wondered what his parents would think about how his life had been so far. What they would think about the other person who occupied his thoughts in recent weeks even more than them. His Gabrielle.

Her perfect face and soft laugh and sweet voice; he was truly blessed that she wanted to know him. He still didn't fully know what it meant to be her mate but he knew that he felt blessed whatever it meant and he liked it.

Suddenly Harry felt a hand on his shoulder and it jolted him. He normally didn't like people touching him, years of experience with the Dursleys had trained this instinct into him and so he moved away from the hand before he looked up and saw it was Remus.

Remus frowned as he felt Harry shy away from his touch, remembering his suspicions and making a note visit Dumbledore again to talk about what the headmaster may have discovered. When he saw Harry's wide smile at the sight of him however he grinned in return and helped Harry up before grabbing his trunk.

"Ready to go Harry?" Remus asked.

"Yes but before we do can I ask you something?" Harry's voice was hesitant as if unsure of what he wanted to ask. Remus simply nodded and waited for Harry to ask his question. "I wanted to know more about my parents. I wondered if you could maybe write my some stories during the year and if there was someone else I could ask as well?"

Remus nodded thoughtfully at Harry's words. "Sure. I can send you letters containing stories I have of your parents from our time at Hogwarts and beyond." His mind then moved on to the second part of Harry's request; unbidden before he had a chance to stop it a memory of James appeared in his head, laughing with him. Remus never allowed himself to think about him; after what had happened as far as Remus was concerned there had only ever been three marauders. And yet in response to Harry's question his internal voice, the one he didn't like to listen to, pointed out that if there was one person who Harry should have been able to ask about these things it was him.

Instead of saying this aloud, however, Remus pushed the thoughts aside and responded as best he could. "As far as others who might be able to tell you stories, I'm afraid there aren't many who knew your parents very well still around." Remus looked at Harry and saw him frown slightly in response. "One of our friends other friends is still around; I meet with her on occasion and could ask her to write you. She was more a friend of your mother's, just as I was closer to your father. But she would have interesting stories of both to share. In addition some of the professors you have were teachers when your parents and I were at Hogwarts." Harry grew excited at these revelations. He would have the same teachers as his parents! "Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick are likely to be your best bet, they both adored your parents and I'm sure would be happy to share remembrances with you. Professor McGonagall certainly spent a great deal of time with James while giving him detentions; he liked to cause fun trouble on occasion."

Harry smiled at learning this detail about his father. "And your mother was working on her charms mastery under Professor Flitwick's tutelage before you all went into hiding." Harry smiled once more before he grabbed onto Remus's now proffered arm and held tightly as the werewolf apparated them away.

Appearing just around the corner from Kings Cross station they moved inside and towards the barrier. Harry looked around, confused. "Where is Platform 9 ¾?"

"You have to run at the barrier between platforms 9 and 10." Remus told the young boy. Harry looked up at him shocked but seeing Remus's encouraging smile he nodded and started towards the wall of brick. When he was sure he was about to smack right into it he closed his eyes and kept moving forward.

Feeling nothing but suddenly hearing a busy and loud environment that he had not heard a moment before, Harry opened his eyes and looked in amazement around him. He was on a crowded platform with a large red steam engine train in front of him. Looking around he saw many adults wearing robes of every colour as well as younger people whom Harry assumed were his fellow students; some already wearing their black Hogwarts uniform robes and others in normal clothes like Harry was wearing.

He just became aware that Remus was standing at his shoulder again when he felt a wave of joy from the part of himself which he had identified previously as where he sensed those emotions which came from Gabrielle when he heard her voice shout his name and felt her small body slam into his from the side. He quickly turned towards her and wrapped his arms around her.

After a moment he looked up and saw Gabrielle's parents standing in front of them. Both had large smiles on their faces which reflected the smiles emanating from their daughter and her mate.

"Hello Mr. Delacour, Mrs. Delacour." Harry said as he released Gabrielle.

"Harry, please call us Louis and Apolline." Louis said as he moved towards Harry and patted his shoulder.

"Harry, here's Hedwig." Gabrielle handed Harry his owl in her cage and then together the group of five moved towards the train.

Remus and Louis moved lifted the two trunks into an empty compartment and Harry and Gabrielle said goodbye to the adults. Gabrielle's goodbye with her parents was quite tearful but she eventually left her mother's arms and sat down on the bench beside Harry. After promising to write the two the adults mad their exit.

Harry and Gabrielle quickly began discussing their summers although she noticed that he kept turning the conversation back to hers. After a few minutes of discussing they felt the train lurch forward and knew that they were on their way.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door and they looked up to see a boy with red hair and a long nose looking through the glass at them. Getting up Harry opened the door of the compartment. "Hi, do you mind if I sit here?" The boy asked, looking at Harry first and then over to Gabrielle, suddenly his face turned bright red. Harry meanwhile had moved back to his seat but had left the door open for the boy to enter.

"I'm R- R- Ron Westley, oops I mean Weasley, Ron Weasley." The boy stuttered over his name as he entered the compartment; he sat across from Gabrielle, still staring at her.

"Harry Potter and this is Gabrielle Delacour." Harry said begrudgingly, Gabby's irritation was mixing with his own. Harry had read more about Veela and knew from his readings and from being able to detect Gabrielle's emotions through their bond that she hated being stared at stupidly.

"You're a Veela!" The boy named Ron suddenly exclaimed and then he turned to Harry. "Did you say you're Harry Potter?"

Gabrielle and Harry both groaned. They didn't want this to be how they were known; as Harry Potter and the Veela. "No, this is Gabrielle and I'm Harry." Harry said as he look up and saw a girl with bushy hair standing near the still open door.

"I read all about Veela." The girl by the door interjected. "They bewitch men to act like idiots."

Harry saw Ron nodding along with the girl. He felt a mixture of sadness and anger emanating from his mate and he himself was growing increasingly annoyed. "If you actually did read about them you would know that isn't true; they don't mean for men to act stupidly around them and they usually wish they wouldn't."

"But I read that they don't stop men from doing it." The girl had now entered the compartment.

Ron nodded. "Ya, my mum always says that Veela aren't to be trusted. Harry, mate, we got to get you out of here before she bewitches you anymore; she's probably just tricking you, maybe she even works with You-Know-Who or something."

Harry had finally had enough; he could feel that Gabby was close to breaking down so he got up and threw the door open. "Get out!" He shouted at the other boy and girl. "Get out now!"

"But-"

The girl had tried to speak but Harry pushed her out of the doorway and yelled at Ron to follow her. Harry then knelt down in front of his mate who he could see had tears in her eyes. He wrapped his arms around her and she collapsed into his embrace. After a minute she wiped at her eyes and sat back up. "I'm not tricking you Harry. I really didn't mean for this to happen."

"I know Gabby, I know." Harry replied.

"Nobody has ever really called me that before." She told him, to which he responded with a frown.

"I'm sorry, I'll stop if you'd like." He told her.

"No, it's fine. I like it. I like being your Gabby." She told him.

"Good." Harry smiled at her. "I like being your Harry."

Gabrielle wrapped her mate in a hug again but this time she had a soft smile.

When the two broke their embrace and looked up again there were two redheads standing in their doorway. These two were obviously identical twins and were grinning. Although the grins were mischievous they had kind faces and friendly eyes behind the mischief. Nevertheless, Harry wrapped is arm around Gabrielle and looked at the twins with a daring expression, challenging them to upset his mate as the other redhead had recently done.

"Hello, I'm Fred and this is George." The twin on the left said.

"Hi," Gabrielle's voice was soft but friendly.

The twin on the right spoke this time. "Yes and as my twin said I'm Fred and he's George or he's Fred and I'm George; depending on our mood." Harry and Gabrielle were laughing at the antics of these two who were obvious trouble makers. "Anyway we heard you had the misfortune of meeting our younger brother Ron."

Harry immediately tensed but relaxed slightly when the other twin continued. "We wanted to get rid of him but Mum wouldn't let us; he's the only one who believes the rubbish she spouts see."

"Anyway, we wanted to apologize for what he said." The other twin remarked.

Harry smiled. "I'm Harry and this is Gabrielle."

"Well hello Harry and Gabrielle. I'm actually Fred." The twin on the right said, smiling.

"Anyway we have to go but just wanted to make sure you know not all Weasleys are idiots like Ron." The second brother, George, said. Harry and Gabrielle nodded and watched as the twins left the compartment.

About halfway through the train ride a toad hopped out from under the bench opposite them and almost immediately afterwards while the couple was trying to decide what to do with it a knock came on the door. This time it was a round-faced boy who was obviously upset. "Have you seen a toad?" He asked as he slid the door open.

Harry simply pointed at the one which had just emerged. "Is that it?"

"Yes! Thank Godric. I thought I'd lost him." The boy rushed in a picked the toad up in a tight grip. He looked up at Harry and Gabrielle with a large smile. "I'm Neville Longbottom."

Harry's face broke into an excited smile. He had read that the Longbottoms and Potters were longstanding allies and he knew it was his responsibility to re-establish that alliance. "Heir Longbottom?" Harry asked, unaware of whether that was to whom he was speaking.

"Y- Yes." Neville stuttered slightly as he responded, obviously not used to being addressed as such.

"I am Heir Potter. It gives me great pleasure to see you today; I look forward to the continued alliance of our two houses." Harry saw Gabrielle nodding at him from the corner of his eye and could feel her approval.

"Thank you Heir Potter; as Heir Longbottom, I accept your offer of continued alliance and also look forward to working together." Neville sounded to Harry as though he had memorized this line and was simply speaking it robotically.

Harry smiled encouragingly at the boy opposite and knew there was one final thing he had to say before dropping the formalities. "Allow me to introduce Gabrielle Delacour, who has claimed me her mate by virtue of a Veela bond, as the future Lady Potter."

Neville's eyes widened, before he looked to Gabrielle and nodded his head slightly. "Would you care to join us Neville?" Gabrielle asked.

Nodding, Neville sat and the three of them enjoyed the rest of the train ride becoming fast friends.

** The Cub & The Veela **

Following the train departing from Platform 9 ¾ Remus Lupin left King's Cross station by apparating directly out off the platform. He turned up in Diagon Alley and made his way to her apartment above Flourish and Blotts. It had been several weeks since they had last met up when he had told her all about meeting Harry.

"Hi Emmeline." Remus said when she opened the door, responding to his knock.

"Remus." She responded, warmly. "How did it go with Harry?"

"Well. He wants to hear stories about Lily and James. I told him I would have you write him." Emmeline Vance's face had broken into a huge smile hearing this; she had wanted to communicate with Harry as much as Remus had and he knew that she missed Lily and James just as much as she did.

Emmeline had always been able to read people well; it was what made her such a successful journalist. As she watched one of her oldest friends pace her living room she knew that something was bothering him; eventually she had enough of the silent brooding while she sat there. "What is it?"

"We shouldn't have to tell him stories about them. It isn't fair." Remus finally spoke but still paced.

"I know Remus. I miss them too."

"That's not what I meant," Remus Lupin continued to pace the room, too nervous to say what he was thinking but to angry to keep it in any longer.

"Then what did you mean?" Emmeline was confused, she didn't know what was going through Remus's head and that worried her.

Remus turned and regarded his old friend for a full minute before slowly making his way over to a chair and sinking into it. "As much as I love Harry, I'm not his godfather Emmeline." Remus Lupin spoke softly but his words hit the floor with intense force.

"Remus." Emmeline didn't know what to say and Remus felt like he couldn't stop. The words and feelings that had been building in him since he had spoken to Professor McGonagall about it a month ago were finally spilling out.

"It was his job to watch out for Harry; it was his job to make him feel loved and cared for if something happened to Lily and James." Remus's voice was getting softer; he fixed Emmeline in his stare. "I want to know why."

"We know why Remus; he did it because that's who he is." Emmeline knew that only pain awaited her old friend if he kept these thoughts going; she hated the man who had betrayed her friends just as much as Remus did and knew that they both needed to forget about him.

Minerva's words from that conversation a month ago reverberated in his head. "Don't you want to know why he did it?" Remus did; he wanted to know the real reason the man he had called a brother betrayed them. "I have to go." He told Emmeline. "You'll write Harry?"

Emmeline just nodded, refusing to meet her friend's tortured eyes she watched as he disapparated.

** The Cub & The Veela **

Remus Lupin approached the cell just as he had almost 10 years previously; not much had changed about the prison since then but the man inside the cell he now approached had changed drastically. Gone was the handsome face and well kept hair. Now Sirius Black had long matted hair and a gaunt look about him.

Sirius Black heard someone approaching his cell and looked up; sometimes he had wished to lose his mind just as many other prisoners did. It would prevent him from thinking about all he had lost. He looked up and met the amber eyes and scarred face of the man he hadn't seen in so long. "Remus." His voice was hoarse and his throat dry; he rarely had reason to talk these days.

"Sirius." Remus Lupin simply stood and regarded the man in front of him for a moment before he asked what he desperately wanted to know. "Why? Why did you do it."

Sirius had begun shaking his head before Remus had even finished speaking. "I didn't. I would never have betrayed James; you know that Remus."

"I don't know anything Sirius. I thought we were all brothers; but apparently not." Remus frowned. "I'll tell you what I know. James and Lily named you secret keeper and the next thing I know Voldemort goes to their house and kills them. That proves that you betrayed them. Then Peter tries to bring you in and you blast him to smithereens."

"Remus, I didn't."

"And you know what else I know Sirius. I know that when Harry asks me about his mother and father and who else he can ask it should be you he's asking; I can't even tell him he has a godfather because he would ask me why he's never met you." Remus was glaring now meanwhile Sirius's face which had been brutal at the mention of Peter Pettigrew was soft.

"You've seen Harry? How is he?"

"What do you care? You tried to sell him to Voldemort just like his parents and I want to know why Sirius Black. Why did you betray us?" Remus said in a forceful tone.

"I didn't betray anyone. I was never the secret keeper Remus." Sirius's voice was back to be hard.

Remus took a step back, stunned. "What? Yes you were."

Sirius shook his head. "No I wasn't Remus. We knew I was the obvious pick so I convinced James and Lily to switch to Peter; I never betrayed them and I didn't kill Peter. He blasted the street apart and then transformed." Remus stood in silence as Sirius's words washed over him; confronting everything he thought he knew about the world. Sirius locked eyes with his old friend. "Believe me Remus. Believe me please."

Remus didn't know how but he knew Sirius was telling the truth; it made so much more sense. Peter was always the sneakiest of all the marauders. "Why didn't you tell me?"

In that simple question Sirius knew that his last friend finally believed him. "Because we knew there was a spy. Remus at the time Voldemort was making promises to werewolves who joined him." Sirius said this with deep regret in his voice and Remus felt shocked and hurt.

"You thought I was the spy? James thought I was the spy?" Remus joked back a sob.

"I'm so sorry Remus. I'm so sorry. You have no idea much I wish we told you." Sirius's voice contained only complete honesty.

"It's okay." Remus said, although he still felt slightly hurt. "Forgive me for doubting you and I'll forgive you for doubting me." 'I forgive you, Prongs' Remus thought silently.

"Of course. I only wish I could prove it; I didn't even get a trial to defend myself. I wish Harry knew I was there for him." And Sirius finally broke down after 10 years into gut wrenching sobs.

"It's okay Padfoot." Remus said as he reached through the cell bars and gripped his brother marauder's shoulder. "I'll tell Harry and together we'll get you out of here. I promise."

AN: Well there you have it. First appearances of three of the Weasley family, Hermione, Neville, Emmeline and Sirius. As I said in the above author note I have closed the poll but I have only definitively decided on a few of the couplings. The ones I am now firm on are Sirius/Amelia and Ginny/Luna. The rest are still up in the air so feel free to make your suggestion in a comment. Also comment with how you think Harry will react to the knowledge of Sirius and how do you think Remus will get Sirius out of Azkaban.

The Sorting and more to come in the next chapter; where will all our favourite and least favourite characters end up. If you have a suggestion put in a review or not.

Thanks for reading!