Wit Beyond Measure

by AntonXIV

Born two years before the prophecy, Tom Riddle does not mark Harry as his equal. Still, life has never been easy for Potters. How will an intelligent, and independent Harry, fit into the two dimensional wizarding world? Will he conform to the prescribed paths or will he find his own way through life despite the machinations of the powers that be? More inside.

7. A change of Plans

Chapter 7: A Change of plans

(Wit Beyond Measure)

A few days after visiting Sirius, Harry sat at the Ravenclaw table with Cedric and Artemis discussing the events of Christmas break. Cedric had been surprised by his parents, who had taken him to Sweden to visit some relatives of theirs. He said the country had been really fun and that it was a nice change from Great Britain. Artemis had stayed at the castle for the break, which while not exciting was not uneventful for the boy. He had a few new potions under his belt and had managed to find a few of the secret passages hidden around the castle. The owls arrived as they finished up their meals, and Hedwig was surprisingly among them. Harry fed her some scraps, while he removed the Prophet and a letter from her leg. "Hey girl, you're early I wasn't expecting you for another few days." Harry said giving her a light pat on top of the head. Hedwig hooted and pecked at the letter that was clearly written by Remus. Harry reached for the letter when an uproar started up around those who got the Daily Prophet. Mildly curious about its presentation, Harry unrolled his Prophet and smiled at the huge headline on the front page. "So thats how they are presenting it. I was wondering how long it was going to take to get out." Harry commented handing the paper to Cedric and Artemis. They nearly fell out of their seats when they looked at the paper.

Sirius Black Escapes Azkaban

Three days ago convicted Death Eater Sirius black escaped from the high security prison at Azkaban without a trace. Known for his highly public murder of Peter Pettigrew, and betrayal of the Potter family following the downfall of You Know Who, Black is on the run and considered extremely dangerous.We advise anyone that sees Mr. Black to flee from him and report his location to the authorities. Do not attempt to engage him except under the most dire of circumstances. For more information on Black please turn to page six.

The prophet had put the most crazed and menacing portrait of black they could find on the cover. A hollowed gaunt form, unkempt hair, unblinking eyes, and a mouth etched into a sinister smile that kept repeating the same phrase over and over again while he sat at the back of his cell in Azkaban. Harry had to admit when the ministry wanted you to fear someone, they knew which picture to pick. Harry turned to page six to see what else was written about his God Father. Of course it was a Rita Skeeter article, meaning it would be embellished beyond belief, of course that wouldn't stop whatever she wrote from becoming the accepted truth on the matter. Her article featured a smaller version of the the photo from the cover. It was titled Sirius Black: Quintessential Death Eater and right hand to the most heinous man to ever walk the earth.Harry read a few lines, learning that Sirius had used the dark arts to get himself sorted into Gryffindor so that he could be a sleeper agent for He who Must Not Be Named. How he had tricked everyone into believing him good until his brother, another avid supporter of the dark arts, had be murdered by a squad of Aurors led by supposed best friend James Potter. The paper went on to explain a revenge plot worthy of some two bit soap opera and the current condition of both Lily and Harry. Aparantly he had grown up on the streets begging for food because Lupin had refused to give up custody. Skeeter even questioned whether or not Harry was now a werewolf. Harry stopped reading and sighed. It seemed that his life story would soon be common knowledge. The attention he was going to get from this would be a pain in the ass. Especially considering everyone would be sorry for him in some way or another. He turned to Artemis and Cedric who by this point had stopped reading. "Should I play up the fact that I'm a werewolf now? Might help scare away from of the attention."

"Why didn't you tell us?" Artemis asked with a smile.

"Werewolves are dangerous creatures." Cedric said with a laugh.

"Wasn't worth the energy." Harry answered. "I would have had to answer all sorts of questions and then it would have spread across the school, and put me at the center of attention. Besides I wanted to make sure everyone got the truth from Rita. Being such a respectable journalist, I'm sure she knows my life better than me. "

The three of them burst into laughter, not holding the Prophet's top reporter in very high esteem. Her stories were utter rubbish, but they sold papers which was apparently all the Prophet cared about. Setting aside the paper, Harry grabbed the letter from Remus.

Hey pup, I figured you'd want a heads up. Because of what's going on, and the fact that I know You're bored with school one of us is going to come pick you up in a few days after the Prophet gets an anonymous tip that Sirius is coming after you. We will claim puling you for safety reasons, and tell those who need to know that we are enrolling you in an American school under an alias until black is "found." If you really want to stay you can, but I figured you would want some field experience in rat hunting. You were the one who found him in the first place. Write me back if you want to stay. If not, have a fun few days at school, your favorite dog suggests a send off worthy of our successor. You have the book, but I bet you can come up with something good yourself.

Remus

Harry thought about it for a moment. Sure after the four months that he had known them, Harry actually considered Artemis and Cedric his best friends, not that he would admit it. However Harry's goal and purpose in life wasn't to make friends. Until Lilly Potter stood beside him his life was not his own. Pursuing Pettigrew may not lead to that end goal, but it would put him in a better position to do so, and time to grow. Hogwarts would come to serve its purpose in time. However he wouldn't deny his friends a parting prank. It wouldn't do to part ways without one.

"I think a welcome back event is in order" Harry said, folding up the letter.

Cedric raised an eyebrow at Harry's comment, and Artemis started to do some sort of excited wiggle that more than slightly disturbed the other two.

"Got anything in mind?" Cedric asked.

"Actually I do." Harry responded. "Remus suggested it."

(Wit Beyond Measure)

Artemis, Cedric, and Harry sat in their room going over various bits of homework, reading a quidditch magazine, and studying ahead, respectively, when Tracy burst through the door. "I've seen that stupid wiggle Artemis did this morning before. What are you three up to?"

"Why did I tell her how to get into here again." Harry groaned, completely ignoring her.

Simon interjected from the shelf beside Harry's desk. "Just blame Artemis. It will make you feel better. At least it should." The hat offered with a bored sigh.

"For once I agree with the hat." Cedric said hesitantly. He still had issues with the dusty old rag, as he called Simon.

"Artemis this is all your fault. Your lack of a spine created this situation. Control your harpy" Harry said nonchalantly, after deciding that it really was Artemis' fault. Considering why he had told Tracy how to get in to their dorms in the first place. He turned to look at the girl and with a frown. "What do you want?"

"I just told you what I want." Tracy growled, angry at being ignored.

"Oh those noises before. They just sounded like banshee shrieks mixed with Snape's accusations." Harry replied, getting sniggers from the other occupants of the room.

Tracy glared at the others to get them to shut up, but she had learned not to give Harry any sort of reaction. It would have only fueled his tormentive personality. "I know you three are the ones that keep causing mayhem like at Halloween. I'm bored with classes at the moment so I thought I'd give it a try."

"Aren't we all." Harry interrupted "Haven't really learned anything from my classes."

"As I was saying." Tracy offered, fighting the urge to scream at the black haired boy. "I would like to join you for this particular venture, to see if I like it."

Harry went deep into thought at her request. Sure at times she was annoying, but was probably his only friend outside of Cedric and Artemis. They were going to need a few people for this one as well, and even if he did include her, he wouldn't have to deal with the aftermath since he was leaving.

"An extra hand wouldn't break the plan." Harry said making it seem like an inconvenience. "You will have to be a good sneaky Slytherin, and bend a few rules." He added.

"I bend the rules often enough." Tracy smirked. "You just never see it and I never get caught."

Harry chuckled at her response, she really was a Slytherin, however that didn't mean he couldn't out snake her. "I personally find it funny that as a Raven I break the rules in plain sight, and get away with it. It seems the House of Slytherin has fallen over the years." He offered, beginning to read an advance transfiguration book. Tracy twitched at his insult to her house, but offered no response. In truth his point was well made.

"You're in." Harry said. "Now let me figure out the spells we need in peace." He added effectively ending the conversation and nodding towards the door.

(Wit Beyond Measure)

Two days Later

"I take it you're leaving then." Tonks said with a bit of a frown as she finished reading Remus' note. Harry had asked her to meet him in one of the old classrooms the next time they both had a free period.

"Yes, I think the experience will be good for me. Although I'm surprised to say that I am a bit reluctant to leave my friends behind." Harry admitted. "I guess I'm not a total book worm." He added. "That's part of the reason why I asked you to come. I need a bit of help with what I have planned for my departure. Your skills in disguise would be appreciated."

"I don't feel like it." Tonks said with a bit of a pout. "Too much work, and you could probably do it without me."

"How about another solution then." Harry suggested. "We duel, I win you help."

"You've gotten better little bro I'll give you that, but You're still too young and inexperienced to beat me" Tonks answered as she started walking towards the door.

"Walk out and I'll write some very interesting facts about you on a giant poster in the great hall." Harry said, an evil tint to his voice.

Tonks turned to glare at him. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Try me."

"You're on, but if I win You're wearing a dress and using tap dancing as transportation for a week." Tonks growled.

"I accept those terms." Harry stated, calmly sliding into a ready stance. With a wave of his wand the desks of the room slid to the sides of the room.

"Silent casting, you took my advice to heart." Tonks applauded. "But it wont get you a win by itself."

"I've been practicing." He said with a shrug."Simon will moderate and act as the judge." Harry said tossing the hat onto the one desk he had left near the center of the room.

Simon coughed a couple of times before dawning a dramatic announcers voice. "Welcome, welcome, ladies, gentlemen, today you will be witnessing a duel between on Harry Potter and Nymphadora Tonks." Simon announced as he defied physics by jumping out of the way of Tonks' curse. She really didn't like people or things using her name. "The rules are quite simple. No Lethal spells, Submit if you wish or I will call the match when a participant is unfit to continue... LET THE BLOODBATH BEGIN!"

"I hope you enjoyed being better than me sis, cause it ends here." Harry taunted, waving his wand and conjuring a lightweight shield on his arm.

"You haven't beaten me yet, and I don't plan on letting you." Tonks growled, firing off a stunner at Harry. He whipped his shield in front of the red beam letting it dissipate harmlessly before retaliating with conjured arrows. He shot a dozen arrows from his wand which found purchase in the wall behind Tonks as she rolled out of the way. Before she had even returned to her feet, she had already summoned a set of chains in an attempt to bind him. Harry slashed his wand at the chains and banished them back at her. With an additional flick of his wand he turned the chains into three very large snakes.

"Shit!" Tonks growled as she dove out of the way. Using a trio of blasting curses she disintegrate the snakes. Rolling to her feet, the pink haired witch conjured birds with the Avis charm, before sending them on the attack.

"I always forget that your clumsiness seems to disappear in a duel, why don't we bring it back." Harry offered, shooting a tripping jinx at her, while turning the desk closest to him into a small army of miniature tin soldiers. His makeshift army shot the birds from the sky before surrounding Tonks, bayonets at the ready. "Do you surrender?" Harry asked. He didn't want to draw blood if he didn't have to.

"No." Tonks grunted, attempting another spell from the ground, but Harry beat her to it. In a surprising show of speed he hit her with a full body bind spell before she could finish half the wand movement for her spell. "Now you surrender, I win." Harry smirked, canceling both spells, he walked over and offered her a hand.

Tonks' glared at him, but gave in. "I'll help, I think you've been holding out on me in our duels though."

Harry smirked. "In some ways yes I have, in others not really." He answered vaguely. "I'm just getting the experience you told me I needed." He explained cheekily.

(Wit Beyond Measure)

Harry and the others had to time their entrance right. Tracy and Tonks had it easy, since they were already in there, but too early or too late, on the boys part, and it would be obvious that they were the ones responsible. It had been quite difficult to keep people out of the great hall for long enough to get things set up, but using Tonks' abilities to pose as a few wayward professors, and a few less than subtle distractions, they had pulled it off. Harry was actually rather impressed with this one. As he approached the great hall, with Cedric and Artemis, he could hear loud conversations coming from within the dining area. It took a conscious effort on their part no to smirk as they entered the large hall with a fellow group of Ravenclaws. Acting like everyone else, they began to inspect their handy work, by mumbling questions about the current situation. They had taken the four house tables, the staff table, and Dumbledore's podium, levitated them up onto the walls and stuck them there with a combination of sticking charms and duct tape. Mostly duct tape for its unique spell resistant properties, making the various attempts by the professors to right the situation ineffective. Ladders had been placed against each of the tables, but no one had figured out what they were for yet. Harry was about to signal Tonks to give a demonstration when the Weasely twins entered the hall.

"This is right brilliant." Fred announced.

"Too right brother why didn't we think of this." George responded.

They both proceeded to walk over to the ladder that led to the Gryffindor table. Giving it a shake, they knew it was real and began climbing. George reached the top first and touched one of the massive seating benches with his hand. A set of runes came to life along its edge, glowing a dull blue. "Absolutely ruddy brilliant!" George shouted stepping onto the seat and walking along it, to the shock of most in the hall. Fred followed, both walking to about where they normally sat before sitting down. Both of them turned to look at the rest of the houses. "Well what are you waiting for? We can't eat until at least a few of us are up here."

A few more Gryffindors climbed the ladder and joined the twins on the walls of the hall. Seeing as none of them had fallen off yet, confidence spread throughout the great hall, and most of the students began climbing the ladders to their respective tables.

Once the students had been seated, Dumbledore stood on the back of his podium so as to be facing the students, instead of the ground. "In all of my years at this school I have never experienced such an ingenious bit of magic. I suggest that we take the time to enjoy this as it will most likely never happen again. Dig in" He added clapping his hands, causing the food to appear on the tables. In a bit of a show himself, Dumbledore walked straight up the wall of the great hall to his seat at the staff table. His stunt earned him a few shocked expressions and several ooh's and Ahh's from some of the students. Most simply appreciated it as another of Dumbledore's impressive magical skills.

(Wit Beyond Measure)

Harry set the Remus' journal in front of Artemis and Cedric. "I'm leaving tomorrow." He announced. "I expect both of you to keep up with this book. I'm not sure when I'll be back, but I can't leave the school Marauderless."

"What...Why are you leaving?" Artemis asked, while Cedric patiently waited for an explanation.

"Officially or really?" Harry said giving them an option. He had debated whether or not to trust them with the information, but eventually decided as his only real friends outside of the family he should trust them.

"Both." Cedric answered, sensing the seriousness of the situation he knew Harry was about to tell them something he wouldn't tell anyone else. It was a rare moment where his friend was opening up enough to trust them with another secret from his life.

Harry looked to a serious Artemis who nodded his agreement to Cedric's statement. "Officially I'm leaving because Sirius black is thought to be coming after me, which we have leaked to the press. I'm really leaving because Sirius, who is my godfather, is actually innocent. I ran into Peter Pettigrew, the real secret keeper for my parents and the one who betrayed them, in the states over break. He's the one responsible for my mum."

"So You're going to hunt down Pettigrew." Artemis supplied, to which Harry nodded.

"Someone should be here to pick me up in the morning." Harry offered. "I trust that you two won't divulge this information to anyone else."

"Never dream of it mate." Cedric answered.

"Yes Artemis you can tell Tracy some of it, but id rather you leave the things she doesn't know out of it." Harry said before the boy could ask. "Everyone knows about my mum now, but it was never really something I intended to tell, especially not to the masses." Harry said "Thank you for not pestering me about it like the rest of the school. Despite my best attempts I trust both of you and I'm happy to consider you friends."

"Thanks Harry. We'll keep our traps shut about the Sirius thing." Artemis replied. "I understand not wanting everyone to know about unpleasant things from your past." He added speaking as if he had his own experiences similar to Harry's. Cedric nodded in agreement. "It's going to be more than a bit boring around here without you though."

Harry nodded his appreciation before turning to Simon. "Can't take you with me so You're stuck here, but its probably for the better because Jill would eventually turn you into ash."

"Evil woman." the hat shuddered.

"No just rough around the edges." Harry answered, "With a violent temper." Which did not seem to do much to placate Simon. "Oh and I almost forgot." Harry said, turning to rummage through his trunk. He pulled a book out and set it on top of the Marauders book. "I'm done with this, and it might help you cure that boredom" Harry said. "You're not a true Marauder until you've accomplished that."

Artemis and Cedric looked at the book. The title read The Science of Animagus. The other two looked at Harry with a look of shock. "What's..your...form?" they stuttered.

"Thats for me to know, and you to wonder." Harry smirked. "You'll find out someday."

"I've never even seen you practice. When did you do it?" Artemis asked.

"I've known for a long time. I bought that book for another project I'm working on, but I think I've gotten everything I can out of it." Harry answered simply. "Better start working hard, and If you have any problems track down Tonks. She's a great help when you get stuck. Although you might have to bribe her to help you."

(Wit Beyond Measure)

Harry was about half way through his morning classes when the Gryffindor prefect Charlie Weasley came to get him on behalf of the Headmaster. Hushed whispers spread across the room like a wildfire. No doubt he would be expelled and sentenced to life in Azkaban by the time the rumors were done spreading but Harry knew that was the farthest thing from the truth. Charlie had led him to the Headmasters office which oddly enough had moved since the beginning of the year. Harry shrugged it off as one of the many oddities about the castle as he left his escort and walked up the stairs behind the guardian gargoyle. Just as he was about to knock, the headmaster's voice came from the other side of the door, saying. "Come in Harry."

Harry entered the room with a puzzled look on his face. "How did you know I was here? I was just about to knock." Harry asked, searching all of his knowledge about the school for a possible answer. "Wards, a detection spell..."

Harry was about to go on when the headmaster chuckled. "Those are good guesses, but something you most likely will not discover unless you take up my position in a few years."

"Perks of the job." Harry commented.

"Yes that is one way to put it, but we are not here to talk about me." Dumbledore responded. "Miss, excuse me, Mrs. Strix has come to me with some interesting news. It seems as though Remus feels you are in danger due to the recent escape of Sirius Black, and wishes to pull you from school."

Harry was slightly confused by the Mrs. Strix bit until he saw Jill sitting in the seat next to the one Dumbledore was currently motioning for him to take. "Hello Mrs. Strix, I assume Remus and your husband are still hard at work on their project." Harry said as he sat next to her.

"Yes, so I volunteered to come get you." Jill replied. "I was dying to see my favorite cute little wizard."

"I doubt that." Harry muttered. "Probably just want one more chance at attempting to scare me."

"Or that, you do smell oh so sweet." Jill replied smiling evilly, baring her fangs to Harry.

"No effect." Harry stated, making her pout. "You're trying too hard at this point."

"You have an interesting friend Mr. Potter."

"Yes well when your guardian, or uncle as I prefer to call him, is a werewolf, you tend to meet interesting people." Harry answered. "One gains a broader view of the world, and the experience to go with it. Mrs. Strix and her husband have taught me a number of things I won't learn inside this castle." Harry explained. "Not that there aren't things to learn here" He added. No sense in upsetting the Headmaster.

"Always a Ravenclaw. I must say you are a true contribution to that house and I must agree with you. I have traveled quite a bit in my long life and there are things one cannot learn at Hogwarts. As wonderful an establishment as it is, this castle does not offer all the answers to life. I would like to think we do a rather good job though." Dumbledore offered with a smile. "But I believe we are here to discuss a leave of absence on your part due to Mr. Black's escape from Azkaban." Dumbledore said, trying to get the conversation back in a more productive direction. While he would love to know where and how the boy had befriended a vampire now was not the time to pick the young boy's brain. "I cannot stop you so I will only say that your presence will be missed, and that I wish you a swift return."

"So you are letting me go?" Harry questioned, unsure if it was going to be that easy. While it really did not matter what the headmaster thought, Dumbledore had more influence in the wizarding world than just about any other. He could make things difficult to say the least.

"Yes, Remus is an old student, and a close friend, so I can understand his concern for your well being. Even though I consider Hogwarts to be a most secure and safe location, your uncle, is allowed his doubts, especially considering the man in question knows this castle very well." Dumbledore offered.

"Thank you for your understanding Headmaster. Remus told me to assure you that Harry will return to the school as soon as Black is caught." Jill replied, as she stood to shake the headmaster's hand. The old wizard happily returned the gesture.

As they were walking out of the office, Dumbledore offered one last statement to the boy with a smile. "By the way Mr. Potter. Your parting gift to the great hall was truly ingenious, especially the Runes. I doubt even your father and his friends could have accomplished such a feat, at least until much later in their careers. Although they did not have a metamorphmagus as a sister figure to assist them. I dare say this school would not have survived such a combination." He said, eye's twinkling with merriment. "If only they had applied their genius more directly to their schoolwork."

Harry turned to the headmaster, a slight look of shock on his face, before inspiration hit him. "A perk of the job?" Harry asked.

"Quite, and an enjoyable one if I say so." Dumbledore chuckled.

Harry smiled as he turned and left the room, but before the door could close completely, he stuck his head back in. "Professor, I have a suggestion for you." Dumbledore nodded for him to continue. "Would it be possible to charm the Hogwarts Express to be the color of whichever house won the cup?"

"I believe so." the Headmaster said with a smile. "It may even off some more incentive to students to actively participate in the house cup. 20 points for an outstanding idea Mr. Potter. Do not be surprised if the Hogwarts Express is a different color when you return." Harry nodded as he left and Dumbledore watched the door close completely this time. Harry was one of his best and brightest students, that much was obvious, but the ancient wizard could not help wondering what path lied ahead of the boy. On the right path he would be an asset in the years to come, the wrong path and he would become a great hindrance. Albus had sworn he would never allow another student to make the mistakes Tom had. "Perhaps some guidance will be in order when he returns" the headmaster mused to himself as he sucked on a lemon drop. Leaning back in his chair, Dumbledore relaxed and focused his attention on one of his many instruments. It tracked the magical signature of all or in this case one of the students. When it suddenly went slack, Dumbledore immediately sat up. It was far too soon for Harry and his escort to have left the grounds, yet his instruments indicated otherwise. Perhaps the wards around the school were not as secure as they could be. "Guidance indeed." Dumbledore muttered as he began searching his instruments for any clues as to what had happened.

(Wit Beyond Measure)

"So Mrs. Strix? As in the Greek owl like creature that feasts on human blood and flesh?" Harry thought aloud as they appeared inside the vampire's home.

"I felt it was appropriate?" Jill giggled.

"What is your actual name?" Harry asked curiously.

"I could tell you, but I think it would be fun to watch you squirm." Jill said playfully.

Harry sighed, he had been trying to figure out Alucard and Jill's original names since Christmas, but never had any luck with getting answers out of either of them. "Where's Sirius."He asked. While not a replacement for his mother or father, Sirius was his official god father, and a piece of the puzzle that was his past. He was wanted to know about Sirius. The Black heir had been a bit of a sore subject with Remus before now, so Harry didn't know much about him other then the fact that Remus considered him to be the most adventurous and reckless of the original marauders.

"Where they always are." Jill offered pointing towards the room that had been dedicated to Remus and Alucard's experimentation. "Blowing up my house as usual."

While her desire for television had started all of this experimenting, Jill did not like the amount of damage it caused her house. One could only repair so much of a magical explosion. "Thanks, do we know anything about Pettigrew?" Harry asked

"He hasn't left the country yet, but he's good at hiding." Jill answered. "Worry about him later though. Relax and take some time for yourself. You're going to put yourself in an early grave, at this rate, and if that happens, I'll have to turn my favorite wizard against his will."

Harry shrugged at her statement. "I could probably live with the whole no sleep and drinking blood thing." Harry replied as he walked towards the room where the others were. Jill just shook her head at him. Life had been more than unfair to to Harry, but the boy just kept moving forward. One had to wonder what he would be like if he had a more normal upbringing.

Sirius engulfed the boy in a bear hug the moment he stepped into the room. "Hey pup! Glad to see you made it back." Just a few days away from the prison had helped Sirius tremendously. There was a tad bit more meat on his bones, a bit of his complexion had come back, and he had trimmed his hair. Instead of the wild and mangy prison locks Harry had seen when they met at the prison, the Black heir now sported a flowing black mane that would make any pure-blood mother proud. "So how's Hogwarts? Do you have any ladies chasing after you yet?"

"He's eleven you stupid hormonal dog." Remus spat from the other side of the room. "Even you didn't start chasing women in your first year at school."

"And you didn't get your first kiss until we locked you in a broom cupboard with that Puff your 7th year." Sirius shot back, as he wrapped an arm around Harry and led him from the room. "Honestly what's that prude been teaching you?" Sirius sighed.

"I do most of my studying on my own." Harry answered. "Remus helped me early on, but once I got passed most of the school curriculum, he just let me do my own thing."

Sirius looked confused. "What house are you in?" He asked tentatively.

"Ravenclaw."

Sirius fell to the floor, dramatically holding his arms up. "Why? Why? What did James ever do to deserve this?" He cried. "The son of a Marauder is a bookworm. How could the world be so cruel?!" Despite his apparent anguish, Sirius got no sympathy from any of the home's residents, least of all from Harry. "Did Remus ever mention I have a bit of a flair for the dramatic?" Sirius asked, returning to his feet with a smile. Harry laughed at his God Father's antics, while shaking his head. "No, well you should probably get used to them. So tell me about Hogwarts. Friends? Classes? Favorite teachers?"

"School has been an interesting change of pace. I'm a bit bored with my classes, but I've just been working ahead, and planning the odd prank or two." Harry explained. Sirius' eyes lit up at the mention of pranks. "I've made a few friends already, as much as I don't want to admit it. Artemis Wilks, Cedric Diggory, and Tracey Davis. They're a good bunch. I share a room with Artemis and Cedric. Artemis is a bit off, he likes potions, and therefore enjoys Snape's classes, something I assure you not even the rest of Slytherin enjoys. He's a bit lacking in the common sense department which gets him into trouble with Tracey all the time. They share some sort of strange relationship that stems from him living with her family. You'll see when you meet them." Harry explained. "Cedric isn't as eccentric as Artemis but he's a nice guy, and a fair bit more social. He's got a number of friends in other houses. Cedric's quite good on a broom too. I wouldn't be surprised to see him on the house team when I come back. As for Tracey," Sirius wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at the girl's name. Harry sighed, but he doubted there was anything he could do to stop Sirius' antics. "No interest, and Artemis would probably boil me alive if I tried." Harry explained. "You do realize I'm only eleven, and that I probably think girls are Icky, right?"

"You seem mature for your age." Sirius offered with a shrug. "Besides, my job has been to corrupt you since the day you were born. It's the sworn duty of any god father."

Harry just shook his head. Things would be livelier with Sirius around that was for sure.

(Wit Beyond Measure)

(Wit Beyond Measure)

Another one down. I hope the updates have improved the flow of things. As always please leave any thoughts you might have.