Harmony At Hogwarts

When it came to their Potion class the next morning, Harry could see that Hermione was pale and red eyed as though she had been crying and her bushy hair was more disorderly than usual, but he did not think to ask her why.

The potion dungeon was always cold and damp, the only heat coming from the simmering cauldrons. The instructions on the chalk board said to add Grindylow hearts to the brew timing it exactly right.

Professor Snape came sweeping up the dungeon, glowering at the assembled students. His eyes rested on Harry and his lip curled. Harry thought as hard as he could. How could he let Snape know that he knew the truth? Dumbledore should no longer be able to play off his pawns against one another. He must make the classes go better this year. He had already warned Hagrid about the possibility of Malfoy not paying attention and urged Professor Lupin not to get Neville in more trouble with Snape by making a boggart dress up as Snape in ridiculous attire… how could he stop Potions from being an ordeal. Snape was still so sour towards him. It must be because he let disappointment control his whole life and was stuck at Hogwarts where memories of his past failures would always confront him.

"Don't take any rubbish from Snape this time, Harry," hissed Ron in Harry's ear. "Here, throw a Grindylow heart at him," Ron pressed a small, slippery heart in Harry's hand.

"You mustn't, you really mustn't," moaned Hermione.

"I won't," Harry assured her and Ron made a rude, contemptuous noise.

At the end Harry hung back. Snape glowered at him and Harry hastily spoke before Snape could take points from Gryffindor.

"I know now that my dad really was an arrogant berk when he was a schoolboy and I know that Dumbledore does not appreciate you enough. He let his favourites get away with too much, he always did. I can't let the other Gryffindors know I said this though or I'd be a pariah." Harry shifted uncomfortably on his feet. Snape's black eyes were unfathomable.

"You will be late for your next class Potter, you had better hurry," he said, his voice bland.

Well Harry had tried. Hopefully Snape would consider what he had said.

Harry was having another idea about how he could follow the advice the Sorting Hat gave in the timeline that had now ceased to be.

In that benighted timeline, he had followed Ron's example and derided the Hat when it suggested building up a network of friends in Hogwarts to resist the Death Eaters. Dumbledore had certainly never been interested in house unity. But Harry no longer intended to obey Dumbledore. Probably it was just Harry and Gryffindor who knew that Dumbledore plotted Harry's death.

Harry sat next to Hermione as usual in Arithmancy. He really did not find the subject easy, but so far it was at the basic level and he had persuaded Hermione to really help him understand it – even if they had to stay up late and do nothing fun.

But now was the time to branch out and make new friends. A thought suddenly struck him.

He put up his hand: "Professor Vector!"

"Yes Potter?" said Professor Vector, peering at him over her steel rimmed spectacles.

"I was thinking it would be a good idea to start a club on magical culture, to help the muggle raised acclimatise to the wizarding world. Who could I speak to?"

There was some muttering around the class room which Harry disregarded. Hermione looked up and peered at him intently.

Professor Vector raised her eyebrows. "As it happens, Professor Burbage was interested in starting such a club," she said, "I suggest you speak to her about it."

"Who's Professor Burbage?" asked Harry bewildered.

A few of the class tittered. Harry cursed silently and realised that he needed to try harder not to be so self-centred and clueless this time round.

"Professor Burbage is the muggle studies professor and has been since Professor Quirrell's ill-fated sabbatical," said Professor Vector coolly, "now onto today's topic, the question of magical minuses…"

Harry did his best to apply himself, he really did, but he knew he would need a lot of Hermione's help that evening.

When it came to Transfiguration, Professor McGonagall had a message for him.

"It seems your godfather, the much wronged Sirius Black wishes to arrange a meeting with you, Potter," said Professor McGonagall, "Amelia Bones of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement will accompany him. They have just announced their engagement as it happens." Professor McGonagall paused. "I know this all comes as a big surprise Potter. Wormtail's web of lies was so intricate that we all believed the worst of Black for so long. You have never known him, but I can assure you that although he has always had a tendency to be reckless, I consider his heart to have been in the right place."

"Excellent, it's about time he got himself round here," said Harry, "and I know all this already, Professor. Quite the pair of trouble makers, he any my dad, eh?"

Professor McGonagall raised her eyebrows. "Indeed Potter, I suppose Hagrid or the headmaster told you then," she said. Hermione had narrowed her eyes as she always did when Harry showed off his future knowledge.

Harry hastened to cover himself in more glory. "I was just going to approach Professor Burbage about organising a magical acclimatisation class, to help the muggle raised learn more about magical customs," he said unctuously.

"An excellent idea Potter," said Professor McGonagall, patting his shoulder, "I have often suggested that such a thing be mandatory study for the muggle raised, but the headmaster has never seen fit to implement it."

Well that was no surprise. Dumbledore had always ran the school into the ground the most efficient way he could.

"I wished there had been such a thing for Harry and I when we first came," said Hermione. "It was especially hard for me being the outsider amongst the Gryffindor girls. They had all known each other before Hogwarts and then I had no idea how to fit in. Books can only teach you so much."

"Quite right, Hermione," said Harry. "You belong in Gryffindor because you realise that books and learning only have limited value. Gryffindor's own virtues are what's important. Gryffindor knows you know and approves."

"Hmm that was a very heartfelt if very strange statement of your loyalty to Miss Granger," said Professor McGonagall. "I tell you what. I will contact Professor Burbage and then send out fliers once we have agreed on a time and venue for the first meeting."

"That was a wonderful idea of yours, Harry," said Hermione as Harry wolfed down steak and honey mustard sauce in the Great Hall that evening. But at that moment Ron shoved Neville onto the floor, inserting himself into the seat on Harry's left side.

"What are you thinking, trying to start some stupid club for the whole school?" he snapped at Harry. "If it means getting matey with the Slytherins, FAT CHANCE!"

"Oh stop it Ron, Harry's idea is fantastic," said Hermione, tossing her bushy hair.

"You mustn't become a goody two shoes, Harry," Ron warned, "we don't like that sort in Gryffindor House."

"I have Gryffindor himself at my side," said Harry smugly. Ron rolled his eyes and sneaked away.

On Saturday, it was time for Sirius to visit with Madam Bones. Harry and Hermione met them both in the visitors' room. Madame Bones was still quite handsome for a middle aged witch, with a well-defined jaw and symmetrical features. He noticed her hair was now red again. Perhaps she had died it. Sirius now looked much more like the photo Harry had of when he had been best man at Lily and James' wedding. His face was now younger and full and his hair was now cut and styled. There would be no more of Dumbledore's sentencing him to hide in caves and live of rats. Seriously, how hard would it have been for Dumbledore to arrange a house elf to take a food package to him in that other timeline?

Hermione seemed nervous, but Harry shook Sirius by the hand.

"About time you visited, Sirius, I was wondering when I could come and live with you and leave the Dursleys," he said, without preamble. Well that was what was important to Harry, he always thinks of himself first and everyone else second.

Sirius beamed.

"I understand your mother and father named Sirius your guardian, Harry," said Madame Bones with a tight lipped smile. "It seemed that they named a list of legal guardians for you in their will and added that on no account should you be left in the custody of Petunia Dursley nee Evans."

"I suspected as much," said Harry, as Sirius growled like an angry dog, "so why were their wishes disregarded?"

"Dumbledore was your magical proxy and had kept this quiet," said Madame Bones, "but the Gringotts goblins kept a copy of the will in your parent's main vault. I made the enquiry yesterday."

"Main vault?" said Harry puzzled.

"Really Harry, you cannot suppose that the vault you have seen is the only one? It is refilled every time you visit from the main vault. You cannot legally control your main vault until you come of age. Incidentally, Molly Weasley has been making small withdrawals from your seconday vault. It seems Dumbledore allowed her to do that as well."

"Doesn't surprise me," said Harry, shrugging.

Hermione was frowning. "Dumbledore hasn't been very honest, has he?" she said, "and it was appalling the way he handled Sirius' case when he was head of the Wizegamot."

"Exactly," growled Sirius.

"I think you have a retreat in the tropics somewhere, where we could all go for a break," said Harry. Harry was thinking that he deserved a short break from all this trying to fix the past.

"Yes, it's a Black family retreat in the Carribean," said Sirius.

"I'm afraid my duties will keep me tied up until Christmas," said Madame Bones, shrugging.

"Perfectly understandable, Amelia," said Sirius, kissing her on the cheek.

Hermione was still looking bewildered. That bewildered expression did not sit well on one so clever. Harry decided that he may as well come clean to them all and stop trying to impress Gryffindor so much.

"Listen," he said, "I have something to tell you all. You are all like family to me. But we must not be overheard."

"Don't worry Harry, I can arrange that," said Amelia and waved her wand, making the room impervious to sound and magical eavesdroppers.

"So what's it all about, Harry?" asked Sirius.

"I think I understand," said Hermione softly, narrowing her eyes.

Harry hesitated. How should he explain? He must get them all up to speed and keep them all on his side. Setting the past on the right track depended on it. And there was the club he had started for unity at Hogwarts too that he needed help with… where should he begin?