Getting Tested

1st September, 1994.

The assignment was too close to Family business for Nymphadora Tonks, Child of Black, to keep it a secret from her mother, To her surprise Andromeda had given it her blessing. Family takes care of its own. She'd told her daughter.

Though Tonks was sure Family should not look that damn good at fourteen.

The day after her meeting with Madam Bones, Tonks had moved into the Bones' Manor to spend as much time with Susan as possible. The two girls had hit it off immediately and Tonks was able to gain a lot of information about the goings on within Hogwarts as well as a few crumbs on Harry Potter himself.

She was sure that there were many things that had been left out. Sketchy answers that had Tonks' investigative mind working overtime and the picture that had been painted of the Potter Scion was nothing like the Auror's report from the World Cup. If Harry really had been spending time with her fugitive of a cousin, it had been an extensive period to bring out the changes it had.

Tonks was forced to throw all her preconceived notions aside when she knocked on the door to the compartment and a far too handsome Harry invited her in. Eventually Tonks, as Natalia, fell into an easy conversation with Hermione while Harry and Neville joined in when their interest was caught, leaving the sulking Ron to his thoughts.

Her palms began to sweat as the carriage drew closer to the majestic castle that was Hogwarts. She was heading to the key part to her assignment, the very thing that could upset everything, and there was nothing she could do.

"Natalia, don't worry." Hermione's fingers laced with hers. "The Sorting will go fine and we'll still be your friends no matter what House you're in."

"Unless it's the slimy Slytherins." Ron grumbled.

Hermione's Ron! kept Harry's Better a live Slytherin than a dead Gryffindor hidden to all but Tonks' ears and she turned to the unique boy.

"You believe that?"

"Of course Harry doesn't!" Hermione exclaimed, thinking that Tonks was talking about Ron's comment. Harry simply gave her a sad, heart wrenching smile.

The moment was broken by water balloons exploding around them, soaking many and sending Professor McGonagall sliding to the floor. The Animagus teacher had pulled Hermione with her and Harry took the moment to face down the poltergeist responsible.

"Peeves, front and centre." Harry called out in a commanding voice. Tonks watched his face change from that of a boy to a commanding Lord when the little being floated down.

"Potty-Wotty calls Peeves?"

"Messrs Padfoot and Son of Prongs bid you a good evening, Peeves." Tonks didn't recognise the names but by the look on the eavesdropping Weasley twins, they sure did. "And want to remind you of your agreement."

"Peeves not doing nothing!" The poltergeist glared at Harry.

"Son of Tiger-Lily says otherwise." Harry grinned wickedly and Peeves lost all gusto. Apparently the poltergeist feared Tiger-Lily more than the other names. So much so that the trickster spirit fled as fast as his magic could carry him.

"Ten points, Mister Potter." McGonagall awarded once she got to her feet. "You must be Miss Columbus. If you wait here while the rest of the students go in, we can start the Sorting with you."

"Yes, Professor." Tonks replied, nervous as a true firstie at having to face the Gryffindor Head of House again.

The other students passed through the doors and McGonagall looked down at Tonks.

"You must be good friends with Susan Bones, Miss Columbus. Her aunt, Amelia, doesn't use the power of her position lightly."

"She understands the value of family, Professor." Tonks answered, easily slipping into her fake identity. "Mine is looking after its own and being alone in London isn't as fun as most kids would pretend."

"Indeed not." The two words held more in them than Tonks could ever know and the heavy silence was thankfully broken when the large, wet form of Hagrid appeared with all the firsties. One had obviously fallen into the Lake and was swamped by Hagrid's furry coat.

"'ere you go, Professor. Little tikes need some dryin' out tho'."

"Thank you, Hagrid."

Tonks was able to 'enjoy' the "house is your family" speech once more and then the Scotswoman led them all into the Great Hall. At the last minute she remembered to be impressed by the magic of Hogwarts.

She smiled over at Harry and the others, hiding her nerves, and waited.

"Welcome back." The sparkly-eyed Headmaster spoke up. "We have some important announcements after your meal but first I would like you all to welcome the first transfer student Hogwarts has seen in over thirty years. She may only be here for this year but I want you to make her welcome regardless of which house she joins. Welcome to Hogwarts, Natalia Columbus."

The students clapped politely and Tonks took measured steps to the three-legged stool. The Hat was placed on her head and her heart thundered with fear.

Haven't we met before? The Sorting Hat's familiar voice spoke in her mind. You're too old even for a resorting, Miss Tonks. Just what are you up to?

Please, Hat. She answered. This is important. Please don't reveal anything.

You want my silence? The Hat's voice held none of the gentleness it did when she was eleven. Open your mind young metamorph and show me why you've returned to Hogwarts.

Tonks lowered her Occlumency shields and let the Hat see her meeting with Madam Bones. She was sure it looked at other memories, that was its job after all.

Ah. It mused. You're here to protect those who can't protect themselves. It's been far too long since these halls were walked by someone with that mission. You have my silence, Miss Tonks, and you have the aid of Hogwarts should you need it.

Tonks sighed, her tense muscles sagging with relief.

Now, I think it's time I Sorted Miss Columbus.

But Natalia isn't real. She thought back in confusion.

Oh no! The Hat laughed. She is her own person. Nymphadora Tonks was the quintessential Hufflepuff with her loyalty and fair play. But Natalia Columbus is a different girl entirely. She's tricky enough for Slytherin but that wouldn't work for your mission. She's loyal but only to her Family. No, no, Miss Columbus could only ever go one place. She's brave enough to sit beneath me, strong enough to stand beside Mr. Potter in the future and would make Godric himself proud. Yes, it had better be...

"GRYFFINDOR!"

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oOoOo

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The rotten weather hanging over Hogwarts had not managed to dispel the enthusiasm of one student. Harry found himself giving Colin Creevey a thin, exasperated smile when the sprog excitedly told him about a younger brother, Dennis. Harry distracted himself by imagining what a Muggle house would be like with two of the little live-wires running around in it and then shuddered at the all too clear images his mind produced.

"You okay?" Hermione's whisper brought him back from the living nightmare.

"I'm good, 'Mione." This smile was real and she returned it.

"You're the talk of the school, Harry." Neville said in awe. The Herbology prodigy looked around the Hall with a little fear at all the eyes aimed their way.

"Don't worry about it, Nev." Harry flashed a Marauder-style grin. "I got ahead of the curve. Just wait until you finish filling out and you'd be hiding in those greenhouses of yours to get away from all the girls."

Neville was quickly losing his baby-fat and hit a growth spurt that almost rivalled Harry's. Given all the hard work the shy boy put himself through in the summer, he was even carrying a little more muscle.

"I already am." Came the weak mumble.

Harry was about to forge ahead to find out which girl had caught his friend's attention when the firsties plus Natalia came into the hall and the Headmaster made his announcement.

"Her parents have had to move away to look after a sick relative." Hermione told him over their enthusiast clapping. "Susan's aunt used a favour to have her transfer to us for the year until they got back."

Both boys stared at her to the point they almost forgot to sit back down for Natalia's Sorting.

"How in Merlin's name do you know that?" Harry asked.

"She told me."

"When?"

"When you were reading that book." She told him smugly.

"I read one page!"

"GRYFFINDOR!" The Hat shouted, cutting off their talk.

Gryffindor table, led by Harry's small group, stood and clapped for their new member. They were always the more enthusiastic of the houses.

"Quick Sorting." Harry mused as Natalia sat next to Neville opposite Hermione.

"It felt like it took ages." The new girl said, confused, and Neville chuckled.

"It was a few minutes but these two were talking and didn't notice. Don't worry though, Harry's was longer."

"Mate, that's not something you're supposed to talk about in polite company."

There was a stunned silence as the trio realised Harry's double entendre and then Natalia led them into all into a laughing fit. Hermione turned a cute shade of red in embarrassment, Neville buried his head into his arm on the table and Natalia slipped right off her seat. She landed hard on the floor and this sent the rest of Gryffindor off.

"Potter!" Snap bellowed. "Twenty-five points for causing a disturbance to the Sorting."

The Gryffindors sobered up quickly and there was a suspect snickering coming from the Slytherin table. Everyone looked to Harry for his reaction but none would have guessed what he did next.

Harry stood. His tailored robes accentuated his body rather than hide it as the old ones had. He locked eyes with the Potions Professor and then stunned the Hall with a respectful bow.

"That's your prerogative, Professor." Harry's voice was clear to all. "I apologise to you and the new students for holding up their time."

As Harry sat you could have heard a tribble sneeze. As ideas flew through adolescent minds of anything from compulsion spells to pod people being responsible for the change in Harry, it fell to Ron to get everything back on track.

"Hurry up." He moaned. "I could eat a hippogriff!"

"Your execution may be lacking, Mr. Weasley." McGonagall said, looking reproachfully at him. "But your sentiment is accurate. Hat, if you please."

The Sorting Hat's song was different from what Harry remembered and he frowned. Ron, annoyed and hungry, was able to interpret the look.

"Different one every year, innit?" He told Harry. "Boring old life being a hat, probably takes the whole year to make up a new song."

When the Sorting was over and the feast started, Harry once again shocked those watching. While everyone went at their food with their usual gusto - though none as energetic as Ron - Harry took his time and ate with the control of a relaxed Head of House.

They weren't even halfway through the meal when Nearly-Headless Nick brought up Hogwarts having its own house-elves. Harry's hand moved like lightning to clasp Hermione's before his friend could begin ranting. Neither noticed the assessing look Natalia gave through the resulting conversation.

"'Mione." Harry's thumb absently brushed the back of her hand and the miracle of him willingly touching her derailed the girl's brain. The intense look he was giving her didn't help either. "Before you go on a Free All Elves rampage, I want to ask for three things. Okay?"

Sirius had told him how Lily, on learning about the little creatures had driven her friends and teachers almost insane with her research to understand the link between wizard kind and elves. It was this road, rather than the narrow crusade of freedom, that he hoped to send Hermione down.

"Okay, Harry." She gingerly nodded.

"First; a question. If you were able to free every elf in Hogwarts right now and they all decided to go back to how they were before, would you accept that?"

"But they don't know any better!" She argued and out of Harry's periphery vision he saw Nearly-Headless Nick cringe.

"And that's my second thing." He continued. "I want you to do some major research on house-elves. Don't look at what you think is true. Find out why they're bonded, what they get out of the whole thing."

"But I was going to do that." Hermione snapped in defence, not catching his subtle emphasis. "Third?"

"I know a couple of elves." Harry told her in a tone that refused any judgement. "Once you've done your reading and you're still wanting them free, I want you to sit with them and ask questions. Learn from the source as it were. Deal?"

Hermione waged war with her lower lip, looking at his requests back and forth to see what he was really asking of her. She couldn't see a trap even while her mind was niggled by suspicion so eventually relented, giving a firm nod. The loud sigh of relief at avoiding a Mount Granger eruption could only have come from Ron.

The group was able to enjoy the rest of their meal as the storm raged overhead, though if Hermione's enthusiasm was dimmed it was overlooked by the others. Then Dumbledore rose.

"Now that we are all fed and watered." Hermione grumbled. "I must once more ask for your attention. Mr. Filch has asked me to remind students that many items are banned, the impressive number is now four hundred and thirty-seven items, and a full list is available at his office for those curious enough to read it.

"As ever, the Forbidden Forest is forbidden to all students to enter."

"What about first year?" Harry scoffed, catching Tonks' attention. Her head swivelled when Ron followed up.

"And second. 'Follow the spiders!'"

"It is also my sad and painful duty to inform you that the Inter-House Quidditch Cup will not take place this year."

"You're JOKING!" Fred blurted out.

"I am not joking, Mister Weasley." Came the immediate reply. "Though I did hear an excellent one over the summer about a troll, hag and leprechaun who go into a bar..."

Professor McGonagall's not so quiet clearing of throat brought the aged Headmaster back to the topic only for the Hall doors to slam open.

Everyone turned to see a man standing in the doorway, a long staff held tightly in one grizzled hand. A flash of lightning illuminated the man as he threw his hood back to reveal a dark, grey mane.

"Impressive entrance." Harry murmured and Neville franticly nodded his head in agreement.

What in Morgana's name is Mad-Eye doing here? Tonks thought in a panic.

The heavily scarred face held the students' attention as the man took his time walking towards the teachers' table. The large, electric blue, false eye had the students cringing when it swivelled to assess each of them. Harry felt a sense of dread was over him when that eye lingered in his direction.

Dumbledore and the strange man exchanged a handshake and small conversation and then the man took the empty teacher's chair.

"Allow me to introduce our new Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher." Dumbledore beamed at the shocked students. "Professor Moody."

Only the teachers, sans Snape, clapped. When the new Professor took a swig from his hip-flask, Harry caught sight of the clawed peg-leg.

"As I was saying." Dumbledore cleared his throat to regain their attention. "The cancellation of Quidditch is due to an event that will be starting in October, and continuing throughout the school year, taking up much of the teachers' time and energy. I have the great pleasure in announcing that this year Hogwarts will be hosting the Tri-Wizard Tournament."

"Really?" George mirrored his brother's shout.

"Yes, really, Mister Weasley and Weasley." Dumbledore replied, eye twinkling as the students laughed.

Harry felt like doing anything but laughing and the more Dumbledore talked, the worse he felt.

"The Tri-Wizard Tournament was first established some seven hundred years ago as a friendly competition between Hogwarts, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. A champion is selected from each school to compete in three magical tasks. Alas the death toll mounted so high that it was discontinued."

"Death toll?" Hermione whispered to Harry, her soft eyes blazing with fear. His grim look matched her concerns.

"Our own departments of International Magical Cooperation and Magical Games and Sports have decided the time is ripe for another attempt. The heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang will be arriving with their short-list contenders in October, and the selection of the three champions will take place at Halloween. An impartial judge will decide which students are the most worthy to compete for the glory of their school and a thousand gallons prize money."

"I'm going for it!" Fred stage whispered down the table

"Eager though I know all of you will be to bring the Tri-Wizard Cup to Hogwarts," Dumbledore continued over the rising whispers. "It has been agreed that that only students of age, that is seventeen or older, will be allowed to put their names forward for consideration. I will personally be ensuring that no underage student hoodwinks our impartial judge into making them Hogwarts champion."

Harry's scoff caused Hermione to give him a strange look but he ignored her to look towards the mutinous twins.

"Hey Fred." He called perhaps slightly louder than he should have. "What's the odds of me somehow getting involved in this thing?"

"You're not thinking of trying, are you Harry?" Neville asked with concern.

"Of course he is!" Ron jumped in. "You'd have to be an idiot not to want to."

The cold glare Harry gave his friend cooled Ron's enthusiasm. The talking had masked the sound of Professor McGonagall approaching behind them.

"I do hope you aren't thinking of trying to enter, Mister Potter." The stern Scottish brogue was filled with obvious disapproval.

"Halloween, Professor." Harry told his Head of House without turning around. "Think of my luck with that date and tell me you wouldn't be concerned if you were me. Think I'll ever have a peaceful year here?"

Those who heard him cringed at the reminder and Tonks grew more worried for her charge. She needed details. Badly. She had a sinking feeling she had found herself in much deeper situation than she'd first imagined.

"The Headmaster has it well in hand." McGonagall told him in a softer voice that didn't seem to have any affect on him. "And he wishes to see you in his office."

Harry shrugged and stood, nodding to his friends. He and Sirius had expected something to happen once the faculty caught sight of the new, improved him.

"Does that happen often?" Tonks asked Hermione as they made their way to Gryffindor Tower. "Harry getting called up to see the Headmaster?"

"He's spoken to Professor Dumbledore more than most students."

"He's right, you know." Ron said quietly. "The troll first year, finding Mrs. Norris petrified second, Sirius last year. He doesn't have any luck with Halloween."

"Troll? Petrified?" Tonks' head swivelled back and forth between the two friends so fast she caused herself to stumble, saved from hitting the floor by Neville's quick reflexes. She gave him a thankful smile. "What's gone on in this place?"

That evening was the most insightful of Tonks' fledgling career to date.

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oOoOo

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"You will be exempt from classes tomorrow, Mister Potter." McGonagall told Harry as she took her brisk strides down the empty corridor. "Instead you'll have your Ancient Runes and Arithmancy assessments in the morning. The afternoon will be us discussing your results and were you go from here."

"Thank you, Professor." Harry replied, his hands clasped loosely behind his back. "I appreciate the opportunity you're giving me."

"Your letter surprised me." She admitted. "Pleasantly so I may add. I've been waiting for you to show your potential, especially with how bright Lily and James were."

The words scratched the sore nerve in Harry and he stopped moving. McGonagall stopped a few steps later and turned to him.

"Mister Potter..." An eyebrow raising in question.

"Tell me something, Professor."The emotional growl that tended to worm its way into his speech had returned and his eyes took on a dirty grey hue. "How am I supposed to know what my parents were like if no one speaks to me about them?"

McGonagall's mouth snapped shut and she pursed her lips in disappointment to his tone. Yet behind the firm exterior Harry could see a small spark of confusion in her eyes.

"I've heard how smart they were." Harry elaborated with a heavy sigh. "But no one here tells me anything more. You think I grew up hearing stories about them? Think my magic hating aunt regaled me with tales of her witch sister and wizard brother-in-law?"

Harry's tone grew steadily more filled with venom until the sound of it shocked him back to his senses. He took a deep, calming breath and released it in a regret filled explosion of air. His posture took on that of the Lord he would become.

"Professor McGonagall, as Scion to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Potter I humbly apologise for my attitude. I have been here for three years and could have easily come to you for information rather than waiting for it to be given."

And it was true. His rant at Ron about the lack of details from McGonagall meant something only if she had been deliberately hiding it from him. He had simply never asked.

The switch in attitude caught McGonagall in mental whiplash. But true to her nature, she was quick to recover and reply.

"No, Harry." She answered softly, tears watering her vision from his words. "We've all done you a disservice by not telling you more about them. If you wish, you can come to my office and I'll tell you some stories."

They shared a smile and continued the walk, the proud woman making sure to get the last word in as they approached the stone gargoyle.

"Though watch your tongue next time, young man. Ice Mice."

He chuckled and agreed. It was a more relaxed duo who then stepped into Dumbledore's office to find the other three Head of Houses along with Madam Pomfrey waiting.

"Ah, Harry, my boy." Dumbledore beamed from behind his desk. "Please take a seat. I trust you know why you're here?"

Harry nodded to each member of staff and dropped languidly into the offered chair, his Marauder side peaking out through the cheeky look he gave Dumbledore.

"You want me to convince the Weasley twins not to try entering the tournament?"

Flitwick chuckled loudly and even McGonagall's lips twitched. Snape only sneered, barely holding back a nasty retort.

"Alas, no." Dumbledore looked over his half-moon glasses at Harry. "My protections will keep them out."

"Good." Harry said, looking around the office.

It was filled with knick-knacks and strange machines. Harry found his gaze drawn to the beautiful bird perched on its golden stand. The phoenix, Fawkes, looked back and Harry felt something stir within him at the intensity in those black eyes.

"Planning on entering yourself, Potter?" Drawled Snape, bringing Harry's attention back to the moment. "Wanting glory like your father?"

Harry turned his head and matched the unpleasant teacher eyes. He sat up straight in the chair and when he spoke, his words were clear, focused and shocking to the man opposite.

"18th November, 1975..."

"Harry..." Dumbledore gasped while Snape's eyes widened.

"The date that changed seven people's lives." He continued over the Headmaster's protests. "It fractured the friendships between three brothers in all but blood, forced my father to grow up and face the idea of consequences, and marked you forever.

"Potions Master Snape, there is nothing I can do to right the wrongs of that night. But know this, it and those years have been forever regretted. And no, I have no wish to enter the tournament."

"Well," Dumbledore sighed into the silence following Harry's speech. "I think that answers the question of your physical appearance. Sirius."

That Snape made no comment to the mention of his school enemy was proof of how deeply Harry's words affected him.

"He took an abused boy suffering malnutrition." Harry snarled, turning away from the haunted dark eyes and into the sparkling blue ones. "And gave him the body he should have possessed in the first place. Leave Sirius alone, Headmaster."

"Abused?" McGonagall moaned and then turned a glare at Dumbledore. A growl came from Professor Flitwick while Professor Sprout looked ready to murder someone. "Worst sort of Muggles, Albus! Worst sort."

"Perhaps another time, Minerva?" Dumbledore hurriedly said, his raised hand forestalling any further comments. "We need to get back to the important matter. Harry, we would like Madam Pomfrey to test you. To make sure nothing dangerous has been done to your body."

Harry looked at the medi-witch in question and saw regret and sorrow etched in her face at not being able to help him. He felt on the brink of a Moment as he stared into her haunted eyes. Would he deny the request, spitting in the kind woman's face for not spotting his past?

The room waited as he thought through the request when suddenly Fawkes broke into song. The magical sound soothed Harry's mental pains, reaching into his mind to touch deep within.

Harry whistled along with the song, not noticing how in tune he was with the majestic bird.

"Test away, Madam Pomfrey." He acquiesced, olive branch held out once the song was over. "I'm at your tender mercies."

"Cheeky boy," she smiled softly as she stood.

With her wand held like a conductors baton, the spells flowed smoothly over Harry. A parchment and quill appeared beside the matron to document the results.

The teachers watched Pomfrey while Dumbledore kept his eyes firmly on Harry. The look gave Harry a feeling he was some type of complicated puzzle that needed its answer found and he wasn't impressed.

"All fine." Pomfrey declared, breaking him out of his thoughts. "But I want you to come to the hospital wing tomorrow for a chat."

The look she gave Harry made him very sure he wouldn't enjoy the consequences of disobeying and he gulped, nodding.

"Excellent." Dumbledore declared, somewhat subdued. "Well that will be all, Harry. You'll want to be well rested for your tests tomorrow."

Accepting the dismissal, and seeing the angry glares McGonagall were giving the Headmaster, Harry made his way to the door. He stopped when he took hold of the handle and looked back and in that moment it was a stern Lily Evans glaring at the group.

"Professors, for the record I don't want anything to do with the Tournament. Remember that."

Harry's departure left a heavy silence that was broken by the Sorting Hat.

"I told him Slytherin would help him on his way to greatness." It chortled. "And the most Slytherin of Families is helping him do exactly that!"

"Sebastian?" Dumbledore looked at the Hat in concern.

"He's a Potter, Dumbledore." Sebastian the Hat snapped. "A Potter with Black blood running thickly through his veins. The School itself understands the importance of that. Great things are coming Headmaster, great but terrible things, and that boy is going to be at the centre of most of them."

The Hat became still and silent once more, the Professors staring at each other in confusion. It was down to Snape to react first.

"Preposterous." He sneered, standing tall before storming out of the office. It was McGonagall who took up the conversation next.

"About those Muggles, Albus..."

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oOoOo

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Harry took his time making his way to Gryffindor Tower. It was when he reached the Fat Lady's portrait that he remembered he didn't know the password. He stood there debating over whether he could sweet talk her into letting him pass when the painting opened and a familiar bushy head peaked out.

"There you are! We've been waiting."

Harry found himself pulled through the hole to find Neville and Natalia talking softly on the sofa. He looked around and noticed the lack of a familiar face.

"He wanted an early night." Hermione explained as she dragged him to a seat.

"After talking about how great it would be to enter the tournament." Neville added with a weak smile. "I wanted to make sure you were okay."

"You're a good friend, Neville." Natalia told the boy. "Everything okay with Dumbledore?"

Harry looked at the three of them and felt his spirits lift. These three cared about him not the Boy-Who-Lived.

"My new body." He explained, leaning back in the chair to relax. "They had Madam Pomfrey check me over. Aside from having to visit her lair for a lecture tomorrow, it's a clean bill of health."

"Well you can't blame them, Harry." Hermione's defence of the teachers didn't surprise him in the slightest. "They're looking after you."

"Maybe." He replied, fighting back a yawn. An early night might not be a back idea. "Snape was there."

"Professor Snape."

"I don't mean to be rude." Natalia slid in. "But what's up between you two?"

"Ancient history." Harry explained as he stared up at the ceiling. "Left overs between my dad and his friends and Snape when they were students. I've settled it now."

"What do you mean?" Neville asked nervously.

"An overdue apology." Harry replied with a frown as he wondered if a Marauder apology would have changed the past three years. "As far as I'm concerned it's done with."

"Oh my god!" Hermione suddenly shrieked, causing the three to look at her in concern. "You've got your tests tomorrow. You should be resting. Or studying. No, definitely resting. Go to bed, mister!"

Their laughter filled the common room and Hermione smiled bashfully at how motherly she had sounded. Harry wished them a good night and headed off to the dorm room, slipping easily to sleep despite Ron's impersonations of a chainsaw.

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oOoOo

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2nd September, 1994

Harry woke feeling ready for the day yet also slower than he was used to. It was on his way to breakfast that he remembered that he hadn't been for a run since he left Privet Drive and found himself missing the experience. The decision to pick the habit up again put an extra pep in his step.

Breakfast went smoothly aside from Ron calling him 'ruddy mental' for choosing to take the exams while Hermione's quick pop-quiz had Neville and Natalia chuckling. He headed off to the Ancient Runes classroom with their good luck wishes ringing in his ears.

Bathsheba Babbling was a small, curvy woman with a red pixie-cut that highlighted a prominent bone structure. Harry had heard she was as no nonsense in class as McGonagall, yet catch her for a one-on-one talk and she could be as lively as Flitwick. That her best friend on the staff was Septima Vector, a taller brunette whose personality was the reverse, was an amusing fact to their colleagues.

"Mister Potter, early I see." The softly spoken woman commented. "As my classes don't begin until later I'll be your examiner. You will start with Arithmancy and when finished move straight to your Ancient Runes exam. There will be no break, do you understand?"

"Yes, Professor." Harry said as he took his seat. The papers were already on the desk waiting.

"Believe me, Mister Potter." She added in a serious tone that showed her disbelief in the entire procedure. "While Arithmancy can be picked up late, my class requires intense learning of different runes. If your score fails to match my requirement then I'll place you in my third year group whether you like it or not."

Harry nodded and, truthfully, he had expected nothing less. In his letter he had been adamant that he was changing courses and knew the tests were a concession by the Hogwarts staff that he was lucky to receive.

"Begin."

Harry's quill flew across the page, the movements fluid enough that to an outsider it could have been assumed he was sketching instead of answering questions. He had always had an affinity for Muggle mathematics and found it branched into the Wizard Arithmancy smoothly. His mind's eye showed him floating equations, pieces of spells breaking off to reattach elsewhere or to another spell entirely as a way of providing the answer to the question posed.

As he moved onto the Ancient Runes exam, he was oblivious to the world and unaware of the critical eye Professor Babbling gave him. He only dimly noticed that she had accio'd the Arithmancy paper off his desk and he certainly didn't see her surprised look as she skimmed the pages.

Harry took a reasonable amount of time with the Ancient Runes questions, mostly so he would get the slant and thrusts of the runes exactly right. It had been too long since he had allowed his mind the freedom to push itself academically and there was a small buzz reminiscent of how he felt after a hard but rewarding jog. Absently he connected it with Hermione's love of learning.

It was a couple of hours before lunch when Harry finished and was released to his own devices. He stood outside the classroom, its door now firmly closed, and looked around. He had some time to pass until the results were in.

"I need somewhere for myself," he mused aloud.

"Master Harry Potter sir." The unmistakable voice of Dobby sounded before the pop of elf apparition announced his arrival. He was wearing his version of a butler uniform, except the jacket was bright, emerald green. He was also wearing Harry's old sock, now with its end cut off, around his ear as a warmer. "You bes needing the Come and Go Room."

"Dobby," Harry said, doing his best not to laugh. "Have you been waiting all this for me to say I need something?"

"Master Harry Potter sirs dogfather not bes needing Dobby."

Harry had to admit it was perfect Dobby logic. "What's this Come and Go room then?"

"Dobby hear it from Hogwarts elves when he bes speaking to them over Master Harry Potter sirs menu. It be a place that sometimes is there, sometimes not, but when it appears it always has the seeker's needs."

"That's brilliant." Harry beamed at his friend, his imagination running wild at what could be done with such a room. "Where is it?"

"Seventh floor, Master Harry Potter sir." The house-elf bounced on the spot in excitement at helping his Master. "You bes going to the painting of the dancing trolls. Dobby bes seeing you there!"

The elf popped away and Harry made his way to the seventh floor corridor. He pulled out the Marauder's Map and focused in on the area Dobby had described. The map refused to show any room and Harry wondered if he was going to see a place not even the legendary Marauders had found. Then he remembered the Chamber of Secrets and smirked. I should ask Padfoot how to make my own one of these.

His excitement shrivelled slightly when he found Dobby standing in front of a bare wall but the elf's enthusiasm held his tongue.

"Master Harry Potter sir, walk in front of the wall three times saying what you bes wanting. The Room of Requirement then gives it to you."

"Is that it's official name?" The energetic nodding had Harry shrugging and he followed his friend's instructions. "I need a place to relax. I need a place to relax. I need a place to relax."

Where there was once a blank wall, a small door appeared. Harry and Dobby beamed at each other with the former opening the door to reveal an exact copy of the living room from Sirius' tent.

"This is fantastic, Dobby." Harry cried out, stepping into the room and spinning around to take in the perfection of the replica. "Thank you. Hey, do you think you can get me an early lunch?"

The elf eagerly popped away and Harry dropped onto his favourite chair, eyes widening as it gave in the exact places that the original did.

Harry looked around, wondering why the room had given a replica of the tent. When Dobby appeared with his lunch and he half expected Sirius to walk through one of the doors he had his answer. It felt like home.

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oOoOo