Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.


WARNING: This story wouldn't take place in the original Harry Potter timeline. It'll be in the more recent time period. There will be bashing, most likely. If you haven't picked that up yet, I don't know what to tell you


Author's Note: So it's been a while my loves. I'm not going to list out everyone that favorite and I'm not going to answer reviews this chapter because there were so many and quite frankly I want to get this to you as soon as possible. So why I haven't updated in a while is a) I have a lot of family things to take care of. I would have updated last month around Christmas time but my dad passed away right before Christmas and b) I've been making a website for my profile and it'll have thinks and such on it. I hope you all enjoy this much awaited chapter.


The Change, For Better or For Worse

Chapter Six: Returning to Hogwarts


Enjoy!


Sirius Black- Not as Black as Painted. Peter Pettigrew Alive!

By Rita Skeeter

As of yesterday evening, Sirius Black, 35, is declared innocent by the Wizengamot. Everyone knows the story of the Boy-Who-Lived and his parents. For the past fourteen years it has been thought that Sirius Black betrayed the Potters, Black's best friends, to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named and killed 12 muggles and long time friend Peter Pettigrew with a single curse. But this reporter found out the truth in an exclusive interview with Sirius Black and his godson, the Boy-Who-Lived.

Continued on page 2…

Harry smiled as he looked at the cover of the Daily Prophet. The trial had gone well the day before and the interview after.

They walked into the courtroom and an immediate hush fell over the room before all hell broke loose.

"QUIET!" Amelia's voice could be heard over everyone. "Lords and Ladies of the Wizengamot I bring before you Peter Pettigrew, who was believed to be dead, and Sirius Black, a man I discovered was wrongfully imprisoned." Amelia pulled out the transcript from her interview with Sirius and tapped it with her wand and it copied and was sent to everyone in the room. "What was just given to you is the interrogation I conducted with Sirius Black under Veritaserum. As you read the file please note that Sirius Black was NOT the Secret Keeper and was framed by Peter Pettigrew. Now I shall have Auror Shacklebolt give Pettigrew Veritaserum and we can proceed with the interrogation." As Harry looked around he saw several people lean forward in interest.

"State your name."

"Peter Pettigrew."

"When were you born?"

"March 9, 1960."

"Were you the Potters' Secret Keeper?"

"Yes."

"Did you betray them to Voldemort?"

"Yes."

"Did you kill the twelve muggles with a blasting curse?"

"Yes."

"How did you escape?"

"I turned into my animagus form and escaped in the sewer."

"Where did you go after you escaped?"

"To go into hiding with a wizarding family."

"Are you or have you ever been a Death Eater?"

"Yes."

"Are you currently loyal to the Dark Lord?"

"Yes."

"Give him the antidote." Kingsley gave the antidote to Pettigrew as the Wizengamot deliberated.

"All those in favor of sending Sirius Black back to receive the Dementor's Kiss?" Augusta Longbottom asked, voice enhanced by a Sonorus charm. A woman that looked like a toad and was sitting next to Fudge was the only one that raised her hand.

"All those in favor of clearing Sirius Black of all charges and giving full compensation?" Every hand besides the toad lady's, some of the darker families' and Fudge's all raised. Sirius let out a breath he hadn't known he was holding.

"All those in favor of administering the Dementor's Kiss on Peter Pettigrew?" Every single hand was raised besides the toad's. Harry kept a calm exterior but on the inside he was cheering but he still felt pity for the man in front of him.

"Let it be known that as of today August the 17th of the year 1995, Sirius Orion Black is acquitted of all charges and shall be giving full compensation for his time in Azkaban prison and shall not be fined for being an illegal animagus. Let it also be known that Peter Andrew Pettigrew has been declared guilty of all charges brought against him and shall receive the Dementor's Kiss immediately. I now declare the emergency meeting of the Wizengamot, called by Madam Amelia Bones, dismissed."

As the Aurors brought the stunned Pettigrew, who had begun to squirm and was stunned so he would not change into his rat form and escape, Madam Bones turned to Sirius.

"I assume that you will be filing for guardianship over Mr. Potter."

"He can't," Harry told the head of the DMLE before Sirius could say anything. "I'm emancipated," he offered as an explanation then turned to his godfather. "I'll let you have your interview with Skeeter and meet you in the Atrium?" Sirius nodded. Harry excused himself by saying that he had some errands to run and left the courtroom to go to the lift. On the way he was hoping that he wouldn't run into Fudge.

The Fates were cruel to him.

"Well, well, well," Harry heard the drawling voice of Lucius Malfoy. "It is a surprise to see you here Potter." Harry took a deep breath and prayed that his lessons over the summer wouldn't fail him now. He turned and said "I could say the same to you Mr. Malfoy. Hello Minister," and raised an eyebrow at the money bag Malfoy had with him. Malfoy glared at him. This man thought he could intimidate Harry? Intimidate Harry, the Boy-Who-Lived, the person who had dueled with Voldemort, killed Slytherin's legendary monster, AND endured countless Potions lessons with Snape? The man couldn't hold a candle to the glare of a house elf much less a basilisk. But sadly Harry didn't find it appropriate to laugh and turned cold, killing curse green eyes on the minister.

"I hope you don't make any more mistakes Minister; otherwise your remaining time in office will shorten dramatically." Fudge couldn't meet Harry's eyes and fear shone very clearly in the Minister's body language but he puffed himself up, straightened his bowler hat and replied, "Are you threatening me boy?"

Perhaps it was the way Fudge said "boy" so very similarly to his Uncle or the stupidity of the man in front of him or just being in the general presence of these two people, but you could see Harry's magic flare behind his eyes and the temperature around the three people dropped to a temperature that would make a Dementor proud. "No Minister," Harry said in a cold voice to match the temperature, "I don't make threats, I make promises." Fudge shivered as a wave of déjà vu flashed through Harry and he turned to the Death Eater. Harry took delight in seeing the way Malfoy wouldn't look him directly in the eye. "You can tell your Lord that he should watch his step. Tell Tom that I'll be coming for him. I don't know when but I will be and when I do, the gloves are coming off. Good day Minister," Harry turned on his heel and began walking again.

"Why you little-" Malfoy stopped reaching for the cane that held his wand when Harry stopped walking and the temperature dropped even more. Fudge even stopped spluttering and generally making himself look like even more of an idiot.

"Oh and Malfoy, if you don't tell him I will know. I do have my sources," Harry said without even turning around and began walking again. He had a meeting with an Unspeakable to get to.


HPHPHPHHPHPHPHPHPHP


"Did you see the article in the Prophet this morning?" Harry asked his godfather as he walked into the kitchen where Harry was enjoying the tea.

"Why yes, yes I did," Sirius grinned at Harry. "What surprises me most though is that Skeeter stuck to the truth mostly."

Harry smirked at Sirius. "I may or may not have some dirt on our favorite reporter." Before Sirius could say anything he had a sudden thought. "Have you heard from Remus?"

"Yes. He'll be coming over later to talk to you." Harry nodded absently. "What about Narcissa?"

"Just waiting for her to write back. Have you talked to Neville?"

"Yeah. He's working on growing the herbs."

"You know, you look different today," Sirius said looking at Harry trying to find out what was different. Harry looked at him amused waiting. "Oh I got it, you're wearing glasses today!" Harry nodded at him. "Why are you wearing your glasses?"

"I kinda get tired of poking myself in the eye. The glasses tend to be more comfortable when I don't plan on staring anyone down." Sirius raised an eyebrow. "Is it more intimidating when I glare at you like this?" Harry glared at Sirius from behind his black, plastic frames. "Or like this?" He took his glasses off, pushed a little bit of magic behind his eyes, making them glow, and glared at Sirius. He shivered.

"Without the glasses," Sirius agreed.

"My glasses also make me look smarter as well." Sirius chuckled.

They sat in silence until they heard people running down the stairs and into the kitchen that was currently being occupied by Harry and Sirius.

"SIRIUS BLACK! HOW IRRERSPONSIBLE CAN YOU BE? WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?" Molly Weasley yelled as she stormed into the kitchen, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, and the twins following closely behind.

"Is there something wrong Molly?" Sirius questioned looking at the irate redhead a feeling of déjà vu swept over him. The twins chuckled and leaned against the wall next to the door.

"IS THERE-YES THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG! HOW COULD YOU BE SO-SO-STUPID! HOW COULD YOU PUT HARRY IN SO MUCH DANGER? AND YOU WANT TO BE HIS GUARDIAN?"

Sirius stood up as Harry sat back; Sirius deserved to defend himself. Again. "Watch yourself Molly you are in my home. You have absolutely no right whatsoever-" Dumbledore entering the kitchen cut Sirius off.

"Molly is correct Sirius. It was extremely irresponsible of you to leave the safety of Grimmauld Place. And to take Harry with you, to endanger him as you did. You took him out of a safe house to the very place where Voldemort's" -the Weasleys flinched- "followers are, without protection for him. I am very disappointed in you."

"Excuse me I am in the room you know. I'd appreciate it if you didn't talk about me if I wasn't here," Harry interjected before Sirius could do something Harry would be pissed at. Like kick them out. Harry couldn't afford that, he needed them at Grimmauld, where he could keep an eye on him.

They all turned to Harry. "Oh and professor, as I have already made clear, I can protect myself. I do not need a guard and if I find out that you have placed one, you will be one person short of your little vigilante group."

"You had lost control over your magic last time, my boy. You were feeling very strong emotions," Dumbledore tried to tell Harry with a grandfatherly air about him.

"You wanna bet, Headmaster? What does a guy have to do to be listened to around here? Kill someone?" There were a few gasps around the room as Harry threw the idea of killing someone out there. "If I do have to kill someone, I suggest you make it someone you don't need."

"Harry you wouldn't really kill someone, would you?" Ginny questioned.

"Potter lacks the skill or reason to kill someone," the resident dungeon bat drawled as he swept in from-what Harry mused was- his nightly turning into a bat.

Harry raised an eyebrow. "Are you kidding? I'd kill you for a Klondike bar. I've killed far better men for less."

Snape sneered at him. "Somehow I doubt that. Just as arrogant as your father."

"Oh my- Holy Christ man. Get over it. He was a better person than you. The way you always go on about my father would suggest you were in love with him," Harry shuddered and muttered "bad mental image."

"Since my morning was ruined already by you people, I'm leaving. I'll see you later Sirius? Fred? George?" All three people nodded at him and Harry was out the kitchen door, then the front door, and finally on the way to a nearby café to eat breakfast with some of his friends from camp.


HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP


The rest of the week passed with Sirius being in the public eye as much as possible so people would get used to seeing the ex-convict in public and so he could avoid the Order. Harry seemed to share the same ideology and spent as much time as he could with his friends from camp, the twins, Bill, Fleur, and Neville. It was pure luck that Harry was even in the same room as the others when the Hogwarts letter arrived.

As Harry skipped the letter, there really was no difference except Harry needed The Standard Book of Spells: Year 5 and Defensive Magical Theory.

"I wonder who the defense teacher will be this year," Sirius said as he read the booklist over Harry's shoulder.

"Probably some Ministry lackey if the book is anything to go by. It's a complete waste of money but I'm required to buy it. Doesn't necessarily mean I'll use it as anything other than a pillow but yeah."

"Do you want to go to Diag-"

"Yes," Harry cut Sirius off before he even finished the sentence. Sirius chuckled softly. Before they were able to continue their conversation, mostly likely about what other books Harry was going to buy, they were interrupted by a squeal. They turned around and saw Ron staring at something in his hand like he'd never seen it before.

"Oh no-"

"-Ickle Ronniekins has-"

"-Forever gone over to-"

"-The Dark Side-"

"-Being made a Prefect, honestly." Harry snorted. He had expected Dumbledore to make Ron a prefect. Wouldn't want to lose his pet weasel.

"5 galleons say it made Malfoy a prefect."

"But Sirius, that would be a fool's bet and I am certainly no fool. Probably made Parkinson one as well instead of two people that would make good prefects like Daphne Greengrass and Blaise Zabini."

"What do you plan on doing in Diagon?"

"Buying the books, new robes, buy more books that are actually helpful, might buy some Gamble and Japes products, hang with Neville and Katie,"

"Katie?" Sirius questioned, Harry had never mentioned a Katie before.

"Mmhmm. One of my friends since I was a firstie and she was a second year. She's a chaser on the Gryff's quidditch team as well."

"So you know her pretty well?"

"Yup!" Harry popped the 'p.'

"Is love in the air for the young Potter?" Sirius waggled his eyebrows at Harry, causing a light blush to grace his cheeks and throw his head back in laughter.

"Not as of right now there isn't."

"Well damn, you didn't take the bait. At least I got you to blush."

"I am deeply sorry Sirius for ruining your fun. It was far too mature for delicate senses."

"Damn straight."


HPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHPHP


Harry entered Kings Cross with Neville and Augusta Longbottom and walked up the barrio to Platform 9 ¾. He and Neville leaned against the barrier deeply in conversation about their summer project. They stumbled out to the other side.

"Let's go find a compartment Harry." Neville told Harry as he waved at a few others.

"Lead the way Nev." They walked down the train trying to find a compartment so far none were empty. They were near the end of the train when they saw a compartment with only one person inside. It was a girl with dirty blonde hair wearing her school uniform, reading an upside down magazine. Harry stopped walking abruptly as Neville kept going.

"Wait Nev, let's sit here." Neville turned around and looked in the compartment. He looked at Harry then the compartment and back to Harry nervously.

"Harry do you know who that is?"

Harry looked at him blankly. "Not a clue Nev."

"That's Loony Lovegood, Harry." Harry frowned at his brother in all but blood.

"You did not just say that to me Neville. Did you really just call her Loony?"

"It's what people call her Harry."

"And if everyone decided to jump off the Astronomy Tower, is that enough of a reason for you to do it?"

"No," there was a pause as Harry just looked at Neville. Neville sighed, "I get it. So you want to sit here?"

"Yeah, she looks kind of lonely." Harry then slowly opened the compartment door and knocked on it. "Do you mind if me and my friend sit here?"

Luna looked up in surprise. "Go ahead." The two boys sat in the compartment. Luna looked at Harry carefully, large grey eyes peering at him carefully. "You're Harry Potter."

Harry looked at her in amusement. At least she hasn't looked at his scar yet. "I know."

"It's good to see the wrackspurts are no longer surrounding you." She then turned her sights to Neville. "I don't know who you are."

"Nobody. I'm nobody," Neville said hastily. Harry rolled his eyes at his friend.

"This is Neville Longbottom. And you are?"

"Luna."

"Luna," Harry repeated. She smiled at him brightly; glad he didn't call her Loony like everyone else. "What are you reading?" She smiled at him again and started to tell him about the Quibbler and the stories on the inside and of course, the Crumple Horned Snorkack.

"If you'll excuse me for a moment, I'm going to go find some of the other lions, specifically the ones younger than me. Maybe reassure the firsties while I'm at it," Harry told the other two as he stretched.

He made his way down the train looking into the compartments for any familiar faces. As he glanced he spotted a group that he knew to contain a few third year Gryffs. He knocked on the compartment door then opened it and made his way in and shut the door. From his glance at the group in the compartment, they were all third years, half of them Gryffindors and the other half were Ravenclaws.

"Hello," he said gently as to keep from startling them. They looked at him in suspicion.

"Are we in trouble?" the Gryffindor that had caught his eye asked.

Harry raised an eyebrow at him. "Is there a reason you should be in trouble?"

"No!" All of them said hurriedly. Harry looked at them in suspicion but decide to let it go for now.

"What are you doing in here then?" the Gryffindor Harry recognized as Michael Platt asked.

"What? Can't I see how a few of my house members are faring? I don't know if you recall but 'your house becomes your family,'" Harry said in a rather good impersonation of McGonagall. It seemed to break the ice and a few of them laughed. Harry smiled at them all.

"You've never checked before."

Harry looked at the third year. "Well I've been a bit slow and a bad house mate huh?" he glanced at them all again. "So there actually was something I wanted to talk to you all about, if that's alright."

The third years all shared a look then Michael nodded at Harry. "Can I sit here?" he asked a Ravenclaw as he pointed to a seat next to her. She looked up at him, blushed and nodded as she looked away. He smiled at her, "Thanks Sophie." She looked at him in surprise.

"You know my name?" Harry gave her a mock offended look.

"Why yes, of course I know your name. I wouldn't be a very good classmate if I didn't know your name." He looked at all of them as he got serious again.

"As I'm sure all of you know, I'm Harry Potter. Bloody scar is pretty damn obvious as to who I am. I also know that you all remember what happened last year at the end of the tournament and most likely have parents that read the Prophet. I don't know if your parents believe me or if they believe the smear campaign that the Ministry is doing right now and I don't know if you share the same beliefs. People will probably tell you that you're too young to know or ask but you should be told of what's going on and make your decisions and opinions. So if any of you have questions don't be afraid to ask me, okay?" He waited until they nodded before he continued. "You don't have to ask any now, you could ask later," he reassured. "You can ask me anything. Or talk to me about anything and I won't judge as long as you don't judge me back, yeah? I know most of you don't me or really anything about me except the rumors and that is pretty much my own fault but sometimes it's better to talk to a complete stranger and ask for their point of view than asking one of your friends." Harry looked each of them in the eye and waited for them to each give him a sign that they heard what he said. "I have one last serious thing to say and then we can talk about something else. Pretty soon a war is going to break out and you're going to need your friends the most then. You have no idea how glad I was to see Gryffindors sitting with Ravenclaws. I know how it's practically protocol to hate the Slytherins. But I want you to think about something. Most Death Eaters are Slytherins but there are some from other houses. I know of a Gryffindor that is a Death Eater. Now remember Slytherins are hated as soon as they get to school and are ostracized. SO basically we ostracize about one fourth of the population because we do that. How would you feel if that happened to you? Just think about it. Try not to be mean to the younger Slytherins especially the first and second years, try to help them especially if they're lost. Help any first or second year if they are lost. Don't you remember what it was like when you first started school and you were getting lost left and right? Hell, I'm a fifth year and I still get lost. And NO bullying. If I find out that someone from my house was bullying someone, McGonagall and Filch will be the least of your problems do you understand?" Harry stared each of them down, magic making his eyes glow slightly behind his glasses. They gulped and replied with a "Yes, sir."

"Good. Now how many of you are taking Divination?" Half the group raised their hands and predictably they were all Gryffindors. "I recommend that you go to McGonagall and ask her to switch Divination out for something else, I recommend Ancient Runes. Divination is a complete waste of time, you either have the sight or you don't. If you're going to be in school might as well take something useful." The Gryffs nodded. "Alright I'm gonna go now. Tell all your friends from the other houses about what I said as well. Remember if you need help with anything or just need to vent, come find me. I'm told I'm a good listener. I'll see you all at the feast." Harry smiled one last time and left the compartment. As he was leaving he heard one of the Gryffindors, Andrew McGregor, say "I don't think he's mental," followed by a thump which Harry suspected was one of the girls hitting him upside the head. Harry smiled and shook his head as he made his way down the train.

He made several other stops along the way and gave a variant of the speech he had given the first group to each group of Gryffs. He also made sure to talk to all the first years and calm their fears. He completely avoided the compartment that he saw only had Hermione and Ron since all the other Gryffindors were avoiding them when they had heard what they did to Harry. He also made sure to stay away from Cho Chang and her friends too. He did not want to deal with the constantly sobbing girlfriend of his dead friend. Harry turned around and went back to his compartment to eat his lunch that he just got from the trolley. He smiled. He had a feeling that a lot was to come this year and it would be very eventful but it would be a good year in the end.


Playlist:

"Dance With Devil" Breaking Benjamin

"Coming Back Down" Hollywood Undead

"My Town" Hollywood Undead

"S.C.A.V.A." Hollywood Undead

"The Reason" Hoobastank

"Titanium" David Guetta

"New Divide" Linkin Park

"Sell Your Soul" Hollywood Undead

"Paradise Lost" Hollywood Undead

"Girl on Fire" Alicia Keys

"Tangled Up in Me" Skye Sweetnam

"Grenade" Bruno Mars

"Locked Out of Heaven" Bruno Mars

"Riot" Three Days Grace

"Candle (Sick and Tired)" The White Tie Affair

"Lion" Hollywood Undead

"The A-Team" Ed Sheeran


Recommendation: The Godfather's Bond by arwennraven.

If you have any recommendations for me that would be great.


Question of the Update: Rank the Harry Potter books in order of Most Favorite to least Favorite. There's also a quote in here from a comedian. See if you spot it. Since it's been so long since I last wrote I'll a hint, it's about killing and it was said by someone in the story not thought or anything.


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