Here Once Again

Oh my God! Am I actually writing?!

Here's another chapter, and the wait wasn't nearly as long this time! :)

(Amelia Claw caught that paragraph 3 was unfinished, so that's been fixed now. Thanks Amelia!)


It was well past lunch by the time I settled myself in at The Leaky Cauldron for some well-deserved food. I had actually gotten a lot more done today than I thought I'd be able to, and most of that was because of Silvertooth, and the fact that I was emancipated.

In fact, because of my discoveries at Gringotts I hadn't needed to go to Gilton's to get the Trace removed, which had saved me a whole lot of time and a shit ton of money. I also hadn't needed to go sneaking around The Ministry to find the papers necessary to free Sirius.

With those two main things off of my to-do list, I had managed to get almost the entire list done. My magical PO Box had been easy enough to set up, and had barely taken five minutes of my time. After setting the Box up, sending the necessary files to Madam Bones regarding Sirius' case was simple. Being the (apparent) paranoid bitch that I am, I ended up charming the package to the teeth before also enclosing the three memories where "I" encountered Wormtail, in this timeline anyway. I didn't care what Bones thought of the overly charmed package. I wasn't taking any chances with Sirius' freedom.

(Not that I didn't trust Bones, I actually held her in rather high regard, but still. Better safe than sorry.)

Finding a scent blocking potion to hide me from Remus had taken a bit longer and cost me a touch more than I expected, but considering that I hadn't had to spend anything at Gilton's, it had definitely been worth it.

Then had come the more tedious part of the day, shopping. Yes, I'm a girl, but that doesn't mean that I automatically like shopping, especially when I'm alone. Though to be honest I have no idea if I'd like shopping with other people either. I mean, I didn't really have any other memories of when I was female – though I was sure it had happened before – but I suspected that I would enjoy shopping more with other people to keep it entertaining.

I hadn't spent long shopping in the Alley, just grabbing what I needed and a few other things that caught my eye. I bought all my school supplies for the next semester, or what I could remember needing anyway. I didn't bother buying Umbitch's book. It wasn't worth the parchment it was printed on, and much less the asking price.

Ok, so maybe I went a bit crazy in the Apothecary…buying about half of their stock of everything. But since I could actually remember quite a few handy potions from the first time around, I didn't want to be caught unprepared. Besides, who knew when a cool potion would come in handy? I liked being prepared.

Apparently.

I had been tempted to do something similar in Flourish and Blotts, but a mental nudge from the Cloak had calmed me down long enough for me to remember that I'd have access to the Hogwarts Library and the Room of Requirement as soon as the school year started; or sooner, if I decided to sneak in. Not to mention the Black library and all of the books in my vaults.

I wasn't sure what I'd do without the Cloak. Probably end up spending all of my inheritance on crap I didn't even realize I didn't need. Or do something embarrassing. Or both, knowing me.

I had even explored down in Knockturn, just looking for anything interesting. I hadn't really found much, not even a single book caught my attention. Though I did attract a lot of attention from everyone else in the Alley. Hey, I looked like a weird Muggle-Born; it as bound to attract attention. Not that anyone even said a word to me, mind. Just barely projecting my aura invisibly kept people away.

Ok, so maybe the Cloak helped too. I swore that the Hallow was being over protective. Even now I had the Cloak's magic wrapped around my own, shielding me from notice while in the tavern. Not that the pub was very full mind; besides myself, only Tom, a mother and her young child, and a man dressed in rags were here.

But still, I guess being overprotected is better than being discovered, especially in my situation.

The Cloak swelled with pride as I pushed my plate away. I rolled my eyes as I got to my feet.

Lovely, now the Hallow was never going to leave me alone.


Somewhere Else

A tall young man with inky black hair slowly lumbered onto the crest of a large hill. Sunbeams peaked through the low hanging clouds, catching the figure's hair and tinting it a brilliant blue color. The boy's checks were rosey red as he gasped in air, trying to regain his breath.

Leaning forward, he braised himself by gripping his thighs tightly.

He had never felt this way before, never experienced such physical exhaustion. His feet ached, his lungs burned, and he was sore in places he had never even felt before.

Closing his eyes, he allowed his hair to hide his face for just a moment more as he wallowed in the aches and pains of his current body.

"I don't know how you do this," He muttered to himself, getting used to the fact that he actually depended on this body of flesh and blood to find his other half. "But I don't believe I'm going to mock Mortals ever again."

But the agony of his newly constructed physical body was nothing compared the burning anguish coming from the distorted Bond. He could sense his Bonded, but couldn't reach out to her. Something was blocking him, and although he had been catching random snippets of her thoughts and emotions, he did not believe that she could sense him at all.

"I'm coming," He said, his eyes snapping open as they flashed black. "You aren't going to go through this alone."

His moment of weakness and indulgence passed and he straightened up and gritted his teeth. A look of cold hard determination glinted in his silver colored eyes, and he strode down the hill towards the town below.

Perhaps by the time he reached the village his bound powers would be stable enough for him to actually use them.

He wasn't overly fond of being human so far.


Privet Drive, 7:15 pm

I groaned as I fell back onto my bed with a sigh. I was so sick of being here, and I had only been back in the house for an hour!

After finishing lunch at the Cauldron I had gone shopping on the 'normal' side of London. I had gotten myself a whole bunch of clothes, shoes, and pretty much anything else I could think of. Thankfully I put an undetectable expansion charm on my backpack so I wasn't carrying more bags than I could see over.

Of course, it hadn't been until after I returned 'home' that I realized that I had completely forgotten about the Dursleys.

I had walked in right as they were eating dinner – I had apparated a few blocks away and then walked to the house invisibly, thanks to the fact I was now Trace-less – and let's just say that it had been less than pleasant. Vernon had blown up at me, yelling and calling me all sorts of names. Petunia of course hadn't taken my make over well, and had also started yelling. Dudley had just sat there staring at me while he continued to stuff his face.

I ended up having to use a few not-so-subtle spells to get the two to shut up enough for me to talk.

Then I ended up having to bribe them with a few hundred pounds so that I could actually stay here for the next week or so. Since it was the 25th of July, I had about a week until the Dementor attack and the Order picking me up. I really didn't want to stay at Privet Drive for another minute, but considering I needed to be here for the Dementor attack so I could end up facing the Wizengamot. I was going to show the Ministry, and Dumbles, that I wasn't just some pathetic kid that they could walk all over.

Besides, it would be easier to find the other two Hallows if I wasn't on the run from three different organizations.

A tapping at my window shattered my thoughts. Rolling over and opening my eyes I saw that it was Hedwig, and she had a letter in her talons.

A small smile slipped onto my lips as I rolled out of bed and opened the window for her. Hedwig flew into the room with a grace only she could muster. She looped around the room before landing on my shoulder and holding out the letter for me to take.

"Well, they sure were fast, weren't they?" I asked, realizing that the letter must be from the Order.

Hedwig hooted softly in agreement before nipping affectionately at my ear. I rolled my eyes fondly and stroked her head.

"You did a good job, girl." I told one of my oldest friends softly. "Now, why don't you go get a drink and then take a nap? I'm sure watching the Order react to my letter was rather amusing."

Hedwig let out a bark of laughter – almost as if in agreement – before hopping off of my shoulder and flying swiftly to her stand and watering bowl. I chuckled at her behavior before popping the wax seal on the envelope and unfolding the letter within.

The Cloak's consciousness came to the surface and I felt its curiosity. We were both wondering how our odd little rhyme had been received.

Harriette Potter!

I sighed and rolled my eyes at the script that managed to sound scolding even through parchment. Of course it was Molly writing, she probably thought I was turning into the Twins or something.

"Well," I mused aloud. "At least she didn't send a Howler."

Though that probably was because I was living in a Muggle house more than anything else.

I don't know what is going through your head young lady, but I expect this behavior from the twins, not you! Not only did you interrupt breakfast, but you caused quite the ruckus with that letter of yours! You know owls are dangerous right now… oh, next time I see you we are having a very serious discussion young lady!

I couldn't help but snicker, the last part was obviously scrawled in haste. Someone – maybe even Arthur – had realized that she was writing to me and had taken the quill.

Seriously Harriette, what one earth was that about?

"Hermione, of course." I muttered to myself, none of the Order members would actually write anything. I wasn't supposed to know about them yet.

You've confused a great number of people who are all rather worried about you. I told them it was you just poking fun at everyone because you're bored and maybe a tad frustrated, but seriously. That is no excuse to send us rubbish junk mail.

I rolled my eyes. Hey, it wasn't like I was spamming them…yet….that was an idea…

A tad frustrated? Please, if I had seen that the first time around I would've thrown a fit. Such idiots… did they really expect me to be happy with being stuck in the Dursley's with no contact while being stalked by more or less invisible people?

Looking down at the letter again, I realized that the quill had been stolen out of Hermione's hand, if the ink splatters were anything to go by.

Hey kiddo

"The twins," I said, slightly surprised. The twins so rarely wrote to me that I hadn't expected them to send a reply. I didn't know which one was writing, but they were the only ones to call me kiddo at this point in the time stream… besides Sirius.

Not sure what you were going for, but you definitely made quite a stir! Can't wait to see you, Little Imp, Ron is moping around more than usual with his 'best mate' here. Is mischief managed? Or is there more coming?

The handwriting changed again, and I had a feeling that the twins had been banished from letter-writing.

Just try to behave, Harriette; and don't listen to the twins. You have to be the mature one here, you're almost fifteen.

"Ha," I scoffed, "cause fifteen is so old."

It really wasn't especially when you compared it to the years that I remembered living. Besides, who ever said that maturity had to come with age?

Glancing down at the paper, I realized that Sirius had been the one to sign it. It was scribbled quickly, like he was doing it when no one was looking. It was then that I realized that he had probably done just that.

I wasn't supposed to know that everyone was together after all.

Nice one, Prongslet.

I couldn't help the smile that spread across my lips as warmth bubbled up from my chest. Sirius…

The Cloak hummed in my mind and suddenly, I remembered that just because I was voluntarily stuck here, didn't mean I couldn't have some fun.

"Time to make that old Marauder proud." I told myself.

This was gonna be fun.


Oooh, Mortem's back even earlier this time! I hope you like the chapter. It's a touch short, but oh well.

In the next chapter we get to see things from the Order's point of view as E're reins down chaos. Hope the letter sounded authentic. I eventually just gave up on it to be honest.

Thanks to everyone who's read, fav'ed, followed, and reviewed! You all rock!

Cp