Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or his world. JK Rowlings is the woman who got rich from this masterpiece. I just like playing around with her characters.
Sorry it took so long to update!
Chapter 12 Things Continue to Change
Sirius gave a sigh of exasperation as he was once again interrupted from reading the paper. This was the third time since it was delivered this morning. He glanced at the cause of the interruption once again. His son was whining because he was bored. The boy had woken up at seven-thirty this morning and had been in a mood ever since.
He understood the kid was bored. Being on the mend but still forced to stay in bed was never fun. The first time he had interrupted his reading the paper was because he was moping around whining about boredom, so Sirius had put the paper aside after reading the front page and played three games of chess with him. The second time he had read two more pages when the whining started again. His Pup wasn't happy that he wouldn't make Leilani come to visit him, when Grandmother Rowena said she was reading in the woman's private study/Library.
He had played a couple of games of exploding snap with him until lunchtime. Harry had been put out when none of his friends came to visit. Hoping to forestall more whining Sirius had given him his Transfiguration book and told him to read the second chapter. That was ten minutes ago. His Pup was now whining again about boredom, friends who had forgotten him, having to stay in bed, and a Dad that wouldn't make his new godsister come and visit him.
Sirius pinched his nose between his thumb and forefinger. Don't get him wrong he could take a little whining from his kid even if he was thirteen. All kids whined to their parents at some point, but six straight hours of it was making the man want to pull his hair out.
"Harry James, I am not going to make Leilani come up here to entertain you." He held up his hand to stop the words about to spill out of the kid's mouth. "She is trying to find a way to adapt to her new situation. You should remember how that is. She needs time, and you will see her for dinner. And no you cannot get out of bed now. You are going to wait for Andi to release you. Now I suggest you stop the whining and read your book, before I decide since you are whining like a five year old, that I will treat you like one and make you take a nap."
Harry gawped at the man. "I'm not acting like a five year old." He sputtered indignantly.
"Read your chapter Pup." Sirius picked the paper back up. He opened it to page four again. He had just finished the page when he heard.
"Daaadd, let me get up. This is so boring." The plaintive wail was drawn out.
"That's it." Sirius laid the paper aside and stood up. He walked to his son's side and took the book from his unresisting hands. "Lie back down. You are taking a nap."
Wide eyes stared in shock at him. "What? No Dad, I don't want to take a nap."
"I don't care. Evidently you woke up wrong today and need one. Now lay down." He held the covers up, so the kid could scoot down in the bed easier.
Harry didn't move. He couldn't believe the way his Dad was acting. He couldn't help that he was bored. The man had only let him out of bed to use the loo and for a shower. It was boring staying in bed all of the time.
"Harry James, I said lie down now." When the kid still didn't move he bent down and whispered. "Unless you would like me to give you a couple of swats for incentive I would do as you are told."
Harry glanced nervously at the portrait of his grandparents before scooting down in the bed. He gave his Dad a betrayed look before turning his back to the man.
Sirius pulled the covers over his son. He bent and kissed the top of his son's head. "I know you are mad at me, but I truly think you must be tired, since you never act this way. Take a small nap and maybe you will be in a better mood when you wake up." He tried to sooth his Pup's ruffled feathers. "I love you, Pup."
An hour and a half later Sirius once again stood up from his chair and made his way to his son's bedside. He knew he needed to wake him up, or he wouldn't want to sleep tonight. Reaching up he ruffled his son's hair gently. "Time to wake up, Pup."
"Umm... tired Dad, go away." The mumbled words were spoken into his pillow.
A bark-like laugh rang out. "Just like you, first you don't want to go to sleep, and now you don't want to wake up. Did I get the most contrary kid or what?"
"I'm not the contrary one, you are. First you tell me to sleep and now you say wake up." Harry yawned as he sat up.
The Founders couldn't help laughing at the two's conversation. "I would say you act a lot alike." Helga giggled.
"Can I get up now?" "Harry sent pleading eyes his Dad's way.
"If you need the loo you can, but otherwise no. Andi should be here in a couple of hours. Do you want to read your book or play some gobstones?"
"Gobstones, please," Harry got up and headed to the restroom. "I'll be back in a flash."
Sirius set the gobstone game up and had everything ready when Harry climbed back on the bed sitting cross-legged. They were still playing when Andi made an appearance less than two hours later.
She checked him over thoroughly. "Okay you can go back to your own quarters. You're good as new. Remember if you get hurt again don't wait to tell somebody."
"Oh he won't if he knows what is good for him." Sirius promised while giving his son a stern look.
Harry was fidgeting under that glare. He wondered how much trouble he was in. "Can I get dressed now?" He changed the subject.
"Sure." Sirius handed him some clothes, and Harry rushed to the restroom to change.
"That boy definitely hates the hospital wing, even if it is a private one." Andi commented, as she cleaned up everything she had used to take care of Harry the last few days.
"He gets that from his Da. The man hated the hospital wing with a passion. I think he tried every trick in the book to be allowed out of bed early." Sirius smiled fondly, as thoughts of his husband roamed through his head.
"Really?" Harry looked eager to hear more about his Da.
"Of course half of the time he got in trouble for his schemes to get away before he was released." Sirius grinned when he saw the disappointed look on his kid's face.
"Thanks Professor Tonks for taking care of me, but I really hope this is the last time you have to do that." Harry exclaimed with heartfelt emotion.
"Me too Harry, and it's Aunt Andi unless we are in class." She smiled at the young teen.
"Yes Ma'am."
Andi turned away to hide her disappointed face. Would he never call her that? She really was growing to love the young man, and it hurt that he wouldn't accept her as his family. Sirius saw the pain on his cousin's face. It looked like he might have to have another talk with his son about being more forgiving of how the family had treated him. He couldn't understand why the kid could forgive slights against himself but not Sirius.
"Can I go now Dad?" was the desperate plea from his son.
"Yes, I'm coming. Thanks Andi and we will see you in a little bit for the family dinner." He gave her shoulder a comforting squeeze. Harry had already walked out of the room, so he added quietly. "Please give him a little more time Andi. He's just having a hard time forgiving what he considers my abandonment."
"Oh Sirius, I'm so sorry I didn't mean to abandon you." She looked at him with tear-filled eyes.
"Hey now stop that. I forgive you, and I don't blame you at all. I know your mind was messed with. I'm just telling you why Harry is acting this way." He pulled her into a hug. "He is a very forgiving kid, and he will come around. Trust me on that."
"Okay Siri." She finally pulled back. I will see you in a little bit in your quarters." She kissed his cheek. "I'm glad I have you back in my life."
"I love you, Andi. Our family is going to be just fine, now I need to go and make sure Dobby has everything ready for tonight's dinner. It's going to be a special occasion, and I want everything perfect."
"Oh, why is that?"
"Ah-ha sorry not my announcement to make," He teased, as he headed for the door that led to the private staircase.
"You are still a prat, Siri." Andi grumbled good-naturedly after him. "Which is why I love you so much," She added just loud enough for him to hear. His bark-like laugh rang out through the stairwell bringing a smile to her face.
When Sirius walked into their quarters it was to find Harry bouncing around excitedly. He turned to him as soon as he entered. "When are they getting here? Can I go see Leilani or Drake?"
"Harry it's five o'clock and the dinner is for six. They will be here soon."
"But Dad I miss them and I'm bored." Harry sent beseeching eyes his way.
"Well we need to have a talk anyway." Sirius decided. "Let's go to your room for a little bit.
Harry looked down nervously. He was bored, he wasn't stupid. He didn't want to have that talk now. How much trouble was he in? He rubbed his neck in agitation, as he followed after his Dad. Merlin, he hoped he wouldn't get a spanking for this. He wasn't holding out high hopes though, since he put himself in danger. Did his Dad have to do this before they had company though? He walked in to see his Dad sitting on his bed. Harry took in the man's face trying to gauge just how much trouble he was in.
"Come and sit down beside me Pup." Sirius patted the bed beside him.
Harry walked slowly over and sat down. "Umm... Dad I'm sorry for putting myself in danger, but can't we at least wait until after the dinner before you uh... spa... punish me?"
"Harry, I'm not going to spank you?" Sirius shook his head, as he ran his fingers through his son's hair.
"You're not?" Harry was gaping at him.
"Well not unless you want me too?" Sirius teased.
"No of course not, but I don't understand why not. You said anytime I put myself in danger that was my punishment." Harry's brow was furrowed in confusion.
"I guess I should amend that just a tiny bit." Sirius explained with a pensive look. "Harry the incident in class where you got hurt was an automatic reflex I'm sure. You didn't plan it or go out of your way to do something that you knew would put you are someone else in danger. Matter of fact you were trying to save someone from getting hurt from their own stupidity." Seeing Harry was still looking more or less confused he added. "Don't get me wrong, I am upset that you got hurt, and truly hope that something like this never happens again, but I won't punish you for a split second decision that saved somebody from possible death."
"But..."
"Pup, you didn't have time to ask for help. It was a spur of the moment thing. I just wish you would realize that your welfare is as important as everybody else. I'm not punishing you for that, just going to ask you to be a lot more careful, as I can't bear the thought of losing you." Sirius wrapped an arm around his child's shoulders and pulled him into a one armed hug.
"But then why are we having this conversation?" Harry laid his head against his Dad's shoulder.
"Your failure to tell somebody that you were hurt, and you not getting yourself healed immediately." Sirius's voice took on that stern note that always had Harry squirming.
Harry tensed up. "I didn't want Hagrid to feel bad," He admitted in a small voice.
"Harry James." Sirius's voice was filled with exasperation. "How do you think Hagrid is feeling right now? He knows that you have spent the last three days in the infirmary because of what happened in his class? Don't you think he is feeling guilty to know you were hurt on his watch, and he never even knew it?"
"But that's not Hagrid's fault." Harry exclaimed vehemently. "I didn't tell him."
"I know that, but that won't take away the guilt Hagrid is feeling." Sirius held up his hand to stop his son's words. "Do you know how I know that Pup?" He looked into the eyes of his child. "Because it doesn't take away my feelings of guilt at knowing you were hurt, and you didn't feel like you could tell me. I feel like I let you down, because you didn't feel like you could trust me enough to come to me when you were hurt, so I'm sure Hagrid is feeling the same way."
"Dad, I trust you." Harry looked horrified that his Dad thought he didn't trust him. "I trust you more than anybody in the world."
"But not enough to come to me when you are hurt and let me help you." Sirius reminded him.
"Daddy, that's not true." He threw his arms around the man in buried his face into his shirt trying to hide the tears in his eyes. "I didn't mean to make you think I don't trust you." The muffled words were heard.
"Pup, I understand that people have let you down in the past, especially the adults around you, but I'm here for you now, and I need to know I can count on you to come to me when you need help. You have no idea how truly important you are to me Harry James Sirius Potter-Black. You are my life and it would kill me to lose you." Sirius said with his face buried in his child's hair.
"I'm so sorry Dad." Harry had tears falling freely down his face now, because he felt the moisture from his Dad's own tears hitting the top of his head.
"I know Pup, and I don't think you did it on purpose. I think it is so ingrained in you to handle things like this on your own, that you didn't even think about coming to me." He felt the nod against his chest. "So I'm going to punish you for this, but not because you endangered yourself by not getting help so much, but as a way to teach you to ask for help." He had felt his son's body tense at the word punish. "But if this pattern keeps up that will not be the case in the future." He tapped his fingers on his son's head. "Understand?"
"Yes Sir," came the croaky reply.
"Your punishment this time is I hope a way to get you to start thinking differently in these kind of situations." Harry pulled back in looked into his Dad's face with questioning eyes. "You are going to write me lines. Five hundred times you are to write, 'My Dad wants to know immediately if I'm hurt or ill.' You have until breakfast on Monday to turn it into me. You don't have to write it in here. You can even do it outside if you want. I'm just hoping if you write it enough times it will sink in."
"Okay Dad and I'm really sorry I didn't come to you this time." He hugged the man again.
"Thank you, Pup. You might want to apologize to Hagrid later too." He said as he hugged him back.
"I will. I promise." Harry pulled back with a rueful smile.
"Okay we need to wash our faces and go wait for our guests to arrive. We are celebrating not only Leilani being back, but you're healthy again. We are going to have a great evening." He stood up and pulled his son to his feet. He gave him a slight tap on the bum to propel him towards the bathroom.
"I thought you said I wasn't getting a spanking." He called back cheekily, before he closed the door. His Dad's laughter made him feel lighter than before.
When Harry entered the sitting room it was to find Regulus and Drake already there, and his Dad opening the door to allow Neville to come in. "Drake, Neville. Merlin, it's good to see you guys. You have no idea how boring today has been without you guys."
"Yes Harry. It's good to see you too." Regulus Black said sarcastically.
"Oops." Harry blushed. "Sorry Uncle Reggie. Hi, I missed you too."
"It's okay Harry. Go enjoy talking to your friends." His uncle smiled kindly.
Harry pulled the two boys into a corner of the room. "Why didn't you come and visit me today? Dad was a pain." He pouted remembering having to take a nap like a sodding five year old.
"Sorry Harry, blame it on Longbottom." Draco replied.
"Neville, come on Draco call me Neville, please." The Gryffindor wheedled. He really was starting to see the Slytherin as a friend and wanted him to accept being a friend back.
"Fine blame, Neville. Granger didn't show up for any of her classes, so he rushed me to the hospital wing and Library, as soon as I was done eating lunch to look for her." Draco explained.
"Harry, I'm worried about her. I asked the girls in her dorm, and they said she didn't sleep there last night. Nobody has seen her since we left her with you and your Dad last night." Neville explained worriedly.
"Did you ask Professor Lupin? He is her Head of House after all." Harry didn't want to tell Hermione's secret. That was her right.
"I never thought about that." Neville smacked himself in the head.
"Well he should be here anytime for dinner. You can talk to him about it then." Harry assured him trying not to give anything away. He saw out of the corner of his eye that Draco was staring at his suspiciously. But he was lucky somebody knocked on the hallway door at that moment.
When they all turned towards the door it was to see Ted and Andi Tonks accompanied by their daughter. Harry knew who she was of course, since she had been there the night of the Opening Feast, but he had never spoken to her. He couldn't take his eyes off of her bright pink hair.
"Why is her hair pink?" Draco asked with a weird expression on his face.
"Dad says she's a Metamorphmagus." Harry explained with a grin at the other two's faces. He walked forward to say hello. He held out his hand. "Hi. I'm Harry and you're Nymphadora Tonks, right?"
The young woman shook the hand but scowled at the words. "Tonks, please call me Tonks as I hate my name."
"Oh okay. I'm sorry." Harry stuttered out an apology.
"Don't worry about it, sweetheart. Nymphadora," stressed Andi, "is just being silly. She has a perfectly fine name."
"Muuum." groaned the young Auror. "I like to be called Tonks." As she turned towards her mother she tripped over her own feet. Sirius and Ted rushed to help her up, but she waved them off with. "I didn't fall, I attacked the floor."
There was a moment of stunned silence before the room rang with laughter. This helped Harry from feeling nervous about having upset the young woman. That he knew was his cousin.
"Tonks it is then." Sirius said when the laughter died down. "This is Regulus's son, Draco and the boys' friend Neville Longbottom."
"Nice to meet you guys. Please call me Tonks."
At that moment they all heard a knock, but it didn't come from the door that the Tonks had just come through. "Oh that's the inner stairwell door." Sirius explained, as he went to let his best friend in.
Everyone but Harry was surprised to see Remus Lupin coming through with a beautiful petite redheaded girl. Andi, Ted and Regulus couldn't believe how much she looked like a young Lily Evans, well except for her eyes.
"Everybody I would like to introduce you to Remus's daughter and my goddaughter, Leilani Tasha Lupin." Sirius told them, as he placed a hand on the young teen's shoulder.
Harry rushed forward. "I missed you. I thought you would show up early to see me. I tried to get Grandmother to tell you to come and visit me, but Dad wouldn't let me."
Leilani's mouth dropped open. What had happened to her friend? He never acted like that? "Are you okay Harry?"
"Sure I'm fine."
"Hi. I'm Neville Longbottom." The Gryffindor held out his hand.
Leilani shook his hand with a mischievous look. But before she could tell Neville who she was, Draco pushed his way in front of the other boy.
"Hi. I'm Draco Black. Your godfather is my uncle. I think that makes us godcousins."
"Hello Draco." She smirked. She caught Harry's eyes, and they both started laughing, but before they could explain what was funny Sirius called out that it was time for dinner.
When everybody was at the table and had their plates filled Andromeda finally asked. "Remus I don't understand. How is Leilani here? She was stillborn."
They all listened with disbelief and shock, as Remus explained the whole story from what had happened in the past all the way up to how Hermione had been changed back into Leilani the night before.
Draco and Neville were shocked to realize that the girl was Hermione, but now they knew why her and Harry had laughed earlier. The two boys couldn't help wondering just how much the girl they had known would change, now that not only the glamour but the spells were removed from her.
It was a fun-filled dinner with family and friends. They laughed and joked while eating the scrumptious meal that Dobby had provided. Harry had never thought he would ever have such a meal with so much family.
When the meal was over Neville was a little sad, when he realized that his other friend was now living in the Founders Tower. He knew though even with some things changing about the girl,that she would definitely enjoy living in Ravenclaw's quarters. He left promising to be by her side the next day for support as the school met Leilani Lupin.
Draco and Regulus headed down as Remus and Leilani headed up in the private stairwell. Draco also promised to be supportive of the redheaded girl.
The next morning the four teens made their way to the Great Hall together. Sirius, Regulus and Remus followed behind the kids. The men couldn't help the smiles of pride they were sending the teens. It made them happy to see all three boys being so supportive of Leilani. They let their children go in first and stayed back. Sirius told the others he thought that the kids would like to make people wonder about the new girl. When the men finally entered the Hall, they couldn't help but be surprised to see Draco actually sitting at the Gryffindor table. It seemed the Slytherin really was determined to give as much support as he could.
"Harry, who is your beautiful, new friend," Fred asked, as he reached down and kissed the hand of the new girl.
"You are the most beautiful redhead I've ever seen." George pushed his brother away, so he could kiss the beauty's hand.
Nobody noticed the angry look on Ginny's face. How could her brothers be fawning over that girl? She knew she was more beautiful than that.
Ron was watching with jealousy. The girl truly was beautiful, and she was hanging around Harry, Longbottom and Malfoy. Just because that prat had a different color hair didn't change the fact he was a Malfoy to Ron. And why was that slimy snake sitting at their table for anyway? And Harry still hadn't come back to beg for his forgiveness.
"Malfoy , you slimy snake slither back to your own table, before you slime ours up." He snapped angrily.
Draco just ignored the redheaded idiot. It wasn't like he was talking to him anyway. He was a Black now, not a Malfoy.
Being ignored infuriated Ron Weasley. "Don't you ignore you filthy Death Eater want-a-be. Get back over there where you belong."
Looking at the redheaded weasel with faux innocence he asked. "Are you talking to me? I think you have made a mistake. My name is Black, not Malfoy, and as Rowena Ravenclaw is one of my ancestors I believe I can sit or go anywhere I want in this castle."
Ron looked stunned. This wasn't possible. He didn't believe it. "You're a filthy liar." He snarled throwing himself at the other boy.
A minute later both boys were rolling around on the floor punching each other for all they were worth. Two years of hate was fueling the fight. Harry started to jump into the fray to save his cousin, but he felt himself pulled back hard against a chest.
"Don't even think about it Pup." He heard the order in his ear, and realized it was his Dad holding him back.
Even as he was realizing this he saw that Remus was pulling Ron away from the fight, and Uncle Reggie was doing the same for Draco. He could see anger on both men's faces, as they each gave the boy they had a hold of a sharp shake to get their attention, as they tried to get at each other still. It was Uncle Reggie's words that finally got through to Draco though.
"Draco Regulus Black, you stop this instant or else." The implied threat had Draco stopping, as if suddenly he was frozen in place.
"Mr. Weasley, that is enough," Remus gave the boy another firm shake to get his attention. "I do not know what brought this on, but as your Head of House you have just lost twenty-five points and earned yourself two weeks' worth of detentions. I will also be sending a letter to your father to let him know you have been fighting, so he can add any punishment that he sees fit."
Draco had not noticed that his Uncle Sirius had waved his Head of House over to the scene, while he was watching the weasel being told his punishment. He first realized she was there when he heard her words.
"Mr. Black, I'm disappointed to see a Slytherin acting in such a way. You will also be losing twenty-five points and two..." Andromeda Tonks was interrupted before she could finish.
"Wait, he shouldn't get the same punishment, since he was defending himself when Ron attacked him." Leilani cried out. "What was he supposed to do just sit there and let himself be beaten up, until one of you got over here?"
Andi exchanged a look with Sirius. That didn't seem fair to her, but she truly hadn't memorized all of the punishments in the book. She wanted to be fair, but she also couldn't condone fighting. But the thing was she knew she would not just let someone beat her up without defending herself either.
"She is right. Do the rest of you agree that Mr. Weasley attacked Mr. Black?" Sirius asked those at the Gryffindor table.
Everyone but one said that the new girl was right. That Draco was only defending himself, after Ron attacked him. Some even went in my detail and explained about the way that he had talked to Draco before that, and how Draco had been nice we he answered that he could sit where he wanted. The only one who contradicted this besides Ron was his younger sister Ginny.
"Then that changes things." Sirius was speaking, because he could see that Andi wasn't sure what to do next. "Mr. Black, you will still lose the twenty-five points because fighting is not allowed under any circumstances, but you will only receive three days instead of the ten Mr. Weasley received."
"That's still not fair." Leilani was outraged.
Sirius and Remus both gave her a look that said, 'that's enough.' Sirius then turned back to Draco. "The detentions are because you should have called for help. You could have tried to hold his arms, as you tried to get a Professor's attention, seeing how you are in a room full of them. You didn't have to actually hit back. You will set up times with your Head of House to carry out your detentions."
"Do I have to go back to the Slytherin table?" Draco was not happy with his uncle, but he felt grateful to Leilani for saving him from an extra seven days of detentions. He wanted to stay and give her moral support even more desperately now.
"Of course not, any student can sit with their friends at a different table." He said the words loud enough for everybody in the Hall to hear. "We want to encourage house unity." He gave his nephew an encouraging smile. "So enjoy your breakfast."
As Sirius and Andi headed to the staff table, Remus pulled Ron aside while Regulus did Draco.
"Mr. Weasley I suggest you leave Mr. Black alone. You have already accumulated enough detentions, if this keeps up you will be suspended for two weeks." He turned and headed to the staff table after smiling at his daughter.
"Draco, we will be talking about this after classes today." Regulus told his son sternly. "I suggest you don't get into anymore trouble today young man."
"It wasn't my fault." Draco had his back to the rest of the hall, so his pouting face wasn't seen by anybody but his Dad.
"Like I said we will talk about this later." He saw the worried look on his son's face. "I love you, Draco, no matter what." He was happy to see the teen's face relax after hearing those words. He knew his son really was insecure though he didn't like to show it.
When he got to the Head table it was to hear Remus explaining exactly who Leilani was, and her whole story. He saw that Minerva, Pomona, Poppy and Charity all had tears in their eyes. He could understand that. All four of them had known Lily and Remus in school, and would have felt bad about the pain they suffered thinking their baby was dead. It was shocking to him to see Alastor Moody rubbing Minerva McGonagall's back in a soothing manner. It really did look like those two loved each other. This made him wonder how Dumbledore could have been so evil to hurt so many people that had trusted him.
It wasn't long until Harry and company were sitting in Transfiguration class. Harry was excited about this, because this was the first one of his Dad's classes he had gotten to attend. They had gotten there before the others, and his Dad wasn't present either. This gave the Hufflepuffs time to try to find out what they could about the new girl sitting with Harry and Neville.
"This is my godsister, Leilani Lupin. Her parents were my godparents, and my parents were hers, well our Dads still are, but you know what I mean." He explained as he introduced her around.
"Why didn't she come when Professor Lupin did? And why hasn't she been here the last two years?" Susan Bones asked eager for information.
"Why didn't we get to see her sorting?" Lavender Brown called out.
The questions didn't get answered, because at that moment a big bear-like black dog made its way into the room. Screams were heard as it made its way to the front of the class. The whole room seemed to be in total chaos, but only Harry, Leilani and a few muggleborns stayed in their seats. They were looking at their classmates as if they were crazy.
Ron Weasley was the worst of the bunch. He screamed a girly scream, pointed at the dog and yelled, "GRIM!" before turning any running towards the door. Harry couldn't help laughing when the idiot ran smack dap face first into the door and fell over in a dead faint.
This of course only caused more of an uproar as those that thought the dog was a grim, thought the redhead was dead.
"Why is everybody acting like idiots?" Leilani asked in a loud voice.
"It's a Grim." Ernie Macmillan tried to explain through his fear. "Seeing one means you are about to die. It's a death omen."
"So you're saying our whole class is going to die, because we see a black dog?" Harry snickered, since he was the only one to know who the dog really was.
"This is not funny Potter-Black." Zacharias Smith snarled.
"Oh I think it is." Harry was outright laughing now. "If you all sit down and pay attention to the front of the class, you might find out why I think it is so funny."
Everybody, but Ron who was still passed out, made their way to their seats. Seats they pulled as far away from the dog as possible. None took their eyes off of the dog that was just standing there watching them from in front of the desk. When everybody was sitting quietly, the dog begin to change and gasps were heard when Sirius Black was now standing where the dog had been. The room was so silent you could have heard a pin drop.
The silence lasted a full minute, before Neville started laughing, soon followed by Harry and Leilani. In no time the class was laughing at how they had acted. Professor Black still didn't say a word for a couple of minutes until the laughter started dying down.
"Can anybody tell me what form of magic I just used?"
Half the hands in the room went up. "Mr. Macmillan if you please."
"The Animagus transformation spell, Sir."
"Very good. Take five points for Hufflepuff."
The class went on talking about Animagus and how difficult it could be to become one. The class only had ten minutes left when Ron finally woke up from his unexpected nap. He spent the rest of the class time looking around nervously for the Grim. Nobody bothered to tell him that it was their professor's Animagus form.
Harry enjoyed the rest of the day. Moody showed them how using a summoning charm could help them defensively by having the students take turns throwing hexes at him. He would summon something into the path of the hex to protect himself. He said that Flitwick had promised to start teaching them the summoning charm, even though it wasn't normally taught until fourth year.
Herbology was fun because Neville showed them a shortcut that Sprout hadn't known about. When she saw them using it, she was impressed and had Neville teach the rest of the class. He earned twenty-five points for Gryffindor.
The Gryffindor table was the liveliest at lunch time. When the twins found out about what had happened in Transfiguration, they couldn't stop taking the mickey out of their younger brother. But the table became downright rowdy when Harry had explained that his Dad's Animagus form was called Padfoot.
"Do you mean Padfoot," asked George excitedly.
"Of the Marauders, Padfoot?" Fred's own excitement was shining in his eyes.
"How do you know about the Marauders?" Harry tilted his head curiously.
"You tell us," George started.
"What you know," Fred continued.
"About the Marauders," George added.
"And we'll tell you," Fred looked at him longingly.
"What we know about them." They finished together.
"Well my Dad is Padfoot, my Da was Prongs, Professor Lupin is Moony, and that rat that betrayed them is Wormtail." Harry said matter-of-factly.
"Yo...you are the son of two Marauders?" George looked like he would pass out.
"And the godson of another?" Fred wasn't doing much better than his twin.
"Yep." Harry took a bite of his chicken leg as if it was no big deal.
The twins got up and each took one of Harry's arms lifting him from his seat. "You need to come with us Harry." They said as they marched him out of the Great Hall and into an empty classroom.
Fred cast a privacy charm, and the twins proceeded to explain to Harry how they had found a piece of his Marauder heritage. When they pulled it out and offered it to him, Harry could only gape at them in shock. He knew what it was because his Dad had told him about making it, but he never thought he would see it.
"You're really giving it to me?" He finally stammered out. "Don't you want it for yourself?"
"You deserve it." Fred said solemnly.
"Your parents made it." George gave him a knowing look.
"And anyway if we really need it for something we could maybe borrow it back." They both had pleading puppy dog eyes.
"Of course you can." Harry was quick to reassure them. "Thank you, guys. You don't know how much this means to me."
"Yes we do." George had a far off look in his eyes.
"That's how we feel about getting something from our Uncles Fabian and Gideon." Fred was smiling fondly.
"You may have your Dad now, but you don't have your Da, and he helped make this." George said knowingly.
"Anytime you guys need to borrow it just ask." Harry told them fervently. "And again thanks guys."
Classes were over for the day and the four kids were out by the lake doing homework, before Harry was able to actually tell the others what had happened when he was taken from the Hall by the twins. He explained that it was a part of Leilani's heritage too, but she was happy leaving it with Harry. She reminded him that he would get more use out of it than her, besides the only time she would probably need it was when he was with her. It wasn't like she snuck around on her own.
"But you guys know what this means, right? We'll have an easier time being the Mini-Marauders." Harry told them excitedly.
"Well I'm not sure I like that name." Draco looked disgruntled.
"Why not?" Harry felt hurt that Draco didn't want to be like his parents.
"Well being called mini makes me feel like a little kid. Can't we figure out a different name? Please?" Draco implored with big grey eyes.
"How about something that means the same thing as Marauders." Neville suggested.
"That could work." Harry looked happier at the thought, as did Draco. "Leilani, do you know some words that might work?"
"There are quite a few pirate, plunderer, pillager, outlaw, bandit, robber,,,"
"I like bandit." Draco blurted out.
"Yeah we could be the Hogwarts Bandits." Neville suggested eagerly.
"And if we learn to become Animagus like the Marauders did we could have nicknames to go with our forms." Harry was bouncing around in his excitement.
"Harry, don't you think that is dangerous?' Leilani tried to be the voice of reason.
"Leilani, the Marauders started in their third year working on it. It took them until the middle of their fifth year, but even Pettigrew could do it, and he was a mediocre wizard at best. Plus I have a way to get something that could help us maybe do it even faster." Harry tried to get her as enthusiastic as the rest of them seemed to be.
"What is that?" She looked interested.
"A book that the Marauders wrote in, while they were working on becoming Animagus. They put all of their mistakes and what worked in it. We can avoid the mistakes this way, and just use the sure fire things that worked. It should make the whole process faster."
"You can really get that book Harry? That would make it easier." Leilani was getting excited now. "It would be great to be able to turn into an animal."
"I will get it just as soon as I can." Harry promised his three friends. "And before you know it the Hogwarts Bandits will be Animagus."
"You won't get in trouble for getting the book will you, Harry?" Leilani had a feeling Harry wasn't telling them something.
"No. I've got it covered." He refused to worry about anything right now. He was too excited to be an Animagus to let breaking one of his Dad's rules bother him.
The next day at noon Sirius was in his quarters grading some papers, when Granddad Godric interrupted him.
"Sirius, Minerva needs you to come to her office."
"Do you know what she wants Granddad?" Sirius was putting his work away, as he prepared to go meet the Headmistress.
"I think she has received some bad news." The man in the portrait admitted.
"Oh? Do you know what it concerns?" Sirius sent the papers to his office in the tower with a flick of his wrist.
"All I know is that she also sent for Andi and Ted as well as young Neville." The portrait of the Founder looked solemn.
"Thanks Granddad. If Harry comes back before I do tell him where I went."
He walked out of the room and made his way to the stone gargoyle protecting the entrance to the Headmistress's office. When he got close he saw Neville surrounded by Harry, Draco and Leilani. They looked towards him, as they heard his approach.
"Dad, do you know what Professor McGonagall wants Neville for?" Harry was trying to give his friend support. He knew Neville was nervous about being called to see McGonagall.
"I'm not for sure Pup, but she wanted to see me too, so I will be there for Neville. Why don't you guys go do something else? I will have Dobby let you know when we are done."
"But Dad we want to be there for Neville." Harry complained,.
"I understand that, but she didn't ask for you. Now let us go find out what she wants with us." He saw Harry open his mouth to complain again. "Harry James that is enough, if you don't want to do something else I suggest you write your lines."
Harry was blushing as he walked away. They were on the next floor when he realized this was the perfect time to get that book they needed. "Hey guys I will meet you at the lake. I need to go do something real fast." And he darted off before they could say a word on the way to his quarters.
"Do you know what that was all about?" Draco asked the girl accompanying him towards the lake. He felt a little anxious, as this was the first time he had ever been alone with Granger. Yes, he saw her as Leilani now, but he couldn't help remembering how bad he had treated her before.
"I haven't a clue. I think that is something he has picked up from me." She admitted ruefully. "I always did the same thing, when I got a sudden idea. I would always rush off without explaining. Harry would get sudden ideas and head to find the answers, but he always had us go with him before."
"Don't take this wrong, but if he got that from you it wasn't a good thing. It's quite annoying as a matter of fact." Draco pointed out, as he sat down on the grass.
"I can see that now. I never understood why Harry and Ron got so aggravated with me over it. Now I know." She turned in surprise when she heard Draco snort at her comment. She had never heard the Slytherin make such an undignified noise. It seemed hanging out with Harry was rubbing off on him.
"What?" Draco demanded when he couldn't make out what that look meant.
She just shook her head, but then had a thought. "What happened with your Dad last night?"
"What are you talking about?"
"How much trouble did you get in for the fight?" She explained her question.
"Oh." He seemed a little embarrassed. "It was just a lecture. He explained that he understood me protecting myself when I'm attacked, and he wouldn't punish me for acting in self defense, but he was disappointed that I acted the way I did in the Great Hall. He pointed out a Slytherin would not have acted that way with almost all of the staff present. He said it was a Gryffindor side coming out in me." At the look he was receiving he added. "Of course that was quite painful. The worst punishment he could inflict on me."
"I thought you didn't think Gryffindors were so bad anymore." The words came from behind him. He spun around to see Harry standing there flushed and disheveled, as if he had run all the way here. "I really thought you were different than before."
Draco watched Harry turn and run back towards the castle. He was gaping after him, as he tried to come to grips with the look of hurt and betrayal he had seen on his cousin's face.
He asked quietly without taking his eyes away from where the smaller boy had been standing. "How long was he there?"
"I don't know I didn't seem him come up." She too was watching where Harry had been.
"Why did he run away?" The confusion was clear in Draco's voice. He didn't want to believe what he saw in Harry's face.
"I think he feels betrayed." was the quiet response.
"I didn't mean anything by it. I was just playing around." He turned towards her.
"I know, but Harry didn't see your face. If he had he would have known you were teasing." She acknowledged for him.
"I still don't understand why he ran off like that?" Draco looked desolate. Harry had come to mean so much to him in such a short time, and it hurt that he had ran away.
"You have to understand Draco. Harry doesn't trust easily, and after how Ron, Mrs. Weasley and Dumbledore treated him, well I think he expects everybody to treat him the same way." Her voice had a sad tone to it.
"Let's go find my cousin." Draco stood up and held a hand out to help Leilani up too. They headed back to the castle to find Harry.
Harry had run towards the castle. He felt like his heart was breaking. How had Draco come to mean so much to him in such a short time? How was it possible that just those few words could have hurt so much? He wanted to run and hide, but he didn't know where to go. He made it to the second floor, when he saw the portrait of his Grandma. It hit him then that this was the entrance to where she turned her personal quarters into a Library for the Founders' families.
Helga Hufflepuff could tell by one look of that face that she had come to love so much, that her grandson was upset. "Harry, Sweetheart, what's wrong? What's happened?"
Harry didn't want to lie to her. This was his Grandma and he swore he wouldn't lie to her again, but he didn't want to talk about it either. "Grandma, can I use your special Library?" He wouldn't meet her eyes.
"Of course you can Dear," She looked sadly on the bent head. "The password is 'family books'. But Harry, please remember that if you want to talk about what is bothering you at some point that I will always be here to listen."
"Thanks Grandma. I'll remember." He walked over and said the password before looking back at her with love and gratitude. "I'll talk to you later."
Harry made his way into the room that said Library on the door. He noticed that there were other doors, but he wasn't interested in them. He just wanted to read the book he had taken from his Dad's room. He looked around and realized that this room had been expanded not only in length and depth, but it was taller than normal. There must have been as many books in here as was in the school's Library.
The room also had a seating arrangement. There were four couches set in a square, one in each color of red, green, yellow and blue with a nice square over-large coffee table in the middle of the couches. They were in different materials and styles. The red couch was made of leather and looked quite comfortable. The green one seemed to be covered in silk but reminded you of a man's easy chair just large enough for four people to sit on. The yellow couch was overstuffed and looked like you would sink right into it, while the blue couch looked like those spindly antique chairs you would be afraid to sit on, but it was also large enough to hold at least four people comfortably, well not really comfortably, because Harry couldn't imagine sitting on that couch would be comfortable at all.
The room had tables with four chairs grouped around them but also half dozen desks were aligned along one wall. This room really was the perfect Library in Harry's mind. And part of it he knew was because there was no Madam Pince in the room.
There was a pedestal stand with a large book on it. When he walked over to it he saw 'Write the name of the book or subject you are interested in inside, and it will tell you where to look for the book or books you need.'
"Wow!" He couldn't help saying aloud.
This would be so much easier than trying to get Pince to help you find a book. He opened it and wrote 'Animagus' inside. He watched as the names of a half dozen books appeared under what he wrote. The shelf number and row was beside each book. He hurried off and picked up all six books, before he headed back to the red leather couch. He sat the books beside him, but pulled out his Dad's first. He began to read not paying attention to the time, and he got engrossed not only in the process but seeing both of his parents writing in the book.
He didn't know how long he had been reading, when he heard somebody speaking beside him. He raised his head and saw that Draco and Leilani were standing beside him and his Dad was coming through the door. He quickly put the book in his hand under some of the others and grabbed the one on top, while hoping his Dad hadn't noticed anything.
"Do you know how long we have been looking for you?" Draco said in an accusing voice. "We finally told your Dad we couldn't find you."
"I've been here reading." Harry's voice had an unfriendly quality to it.
Sirius looked at his son worriedly. That didn't sound like the way his Pup talked to Draco anymore. What was going on?
"Harry, are you okay?" Leilani spoke up for the man could.
"I'm fine Leilani. I just wanted to be alone. Is there something wrong with that?" He refused to look at either of the other kids.
"Pup, what's going on? Why are you upset? And don't tell me you're not, because I can tell that you are." Sirius was giving his child the look that said 'I want an answer and I want it now.'
"It doesn't matter Dad. I just want to be alone." Harry tried to placate his overprotective father.
Sirius was looking back and forth between the kids. He knew something had happened, but he didn't have a clue what. He knew his son was upset, but he also knew he had to hurry, as Neville was waiting for him. The other boy needed all the support he could get at the moment, but this was his Pup who was upset. There was no way he was leaving him when he was in this condition. His child came before anybody and everything.
Draco spoke before Sirius could though. "Harry I didn't mean it. I was teasing. Ask Leilani, she can tell you because she saw my face. I don't think all Gryffindors are bad anymore. Yes, I still don't like the weasel or even the weaselette and a few others. But you're my cousin and I really care about you. Leilani was asking how my Dad punished me for that fight and I was explaining that he just lectured me. He told me that a Slytherin would have used more cunning than fight in front of more than half the staff, and that it was something a Gryffindor would do instead. That is when I said something teasingly about that was the meanest punishment he could give me." He turned imploring eyes on the smaller boy. "I swear I didn't mean it Harry. Heck mate, you know how my Dad punished me for that prank. I would rather him call me a Gryffindor everyday in the Great Hall, as to have that punishment again."
"I'll remember to tell your Dad you said that. It seems he found the perfect punishment for you." Sirius smirked at his nephew.
"That's not necessary Uncle Sirius." Draco pouted.
"You really don't mind that I'm a Gryffindor?" The quiet words were heard.
Draco sat down beside his cousin and wrapped his arm around the small shoulders of the Gryffindor. "I really don't mind. I think truthfully that I love that you're a Gryffindor. You had the courage to break through the shell and mask I put up and make me your friend. I'm grateful to you for that Gryffindor courage Harry. Without it I would be so lonely."
"I'm sorry I ran away. I was afraid that if I stayed you would say you weren't really my friend. Not real courageous there, was I?" Harry leaned into the embrace.
"After the way the weasel treated you, it really is understandable. I won't treat you like that Harry. You're not only my best friend but my cousin too. I'm not losing your friendship." Draco promised.
Leilani smiled through the tears dripping down her face, as she pushed the books aside and sat down on Harry's other side. "You are stuck with us Harry. Get used to it."
"Pup is everything okay now?"
"Yeah Dad, I was just being an idiot." Harry reassured him with a true smile.
"Not an idiot Kiddo, just cautious after all you've been through." He smiled back at the three kids. "I have to go. Neville's Gran has been taken ill, and it looks like she may not make it. I came back to check on you, and to ask your Uncle Reggie to let you spend the night, if I'm not back before your bedtime. He says it's no problem. If I'm not back make sure you're in his quarters before curfew. Come here."
When Harry was close he gave him a hug and kissed his head. "Behave okay?"
"I will, and tell Neville we are sorry and we are here for him." Harry looked sad that his friend was hurting.
"I will. I'll see you guys later." He gave Harry another hug before leaving the room.
"Poor Neville," Leilani was feeling bad for her friend.
They all set and worried about what Neville would do if he grandmother died. She was his guardian after all. They hoped that Sirius would be able to help some way. They wondered if that was why he was requested to be there to. They finally decided they couldn't do nothing but worry about Neville's situation until they could talk to Sirius and Neville, so they started reading the Animagus books Harry had.
They were happy to see when they compared the books with the one Harry's parents had wrote in, that they would indeed be able to skip quite a few steps in the process. The first concern they had to worry about was making the potion to show them their animal forms. They didn't think Andromeda Tonks would let them use the potions lab or ingredients, but then Harry remembered that the dungeon in the Founders Tower was actually a private potions lab and greenhouse. All they had to do was find out the password to get in through the inner stairway. It was decided that Harry would ask one of the grandparents for the passwords for both the first floor and the dungeon, so they can see what they looked like.
They went exploring the rest of the second floor. They found four offices, but also a few bedrooms as well. It seemed the floor had only been partially transformed. They found the sitting room with a portrait of all four Founders. This one was yet again different than the others. They were sitting around a heavily laden table with what looked like Christmas dinner. The four were dressed in their finest robes, while the room in the painting was gaily decorated for the holiday.
"Grandma, are we allowed to explore the first floor and the dungeon of the tower?" Harry asked with puppy dog eyes. "We just realized that we still haven't seen all of the Founders Tower."
"I don't know, Dear." Helga was fretting.
"Oh they will be fine." Grandfather Sal waved her concern away. "The password for the first floor is 'duel for fun' and the one for the dungeon is 'plants and potions.' Just be careful down there."
"Thanks Grandfather." All three kids called out, as they headed to the first floor. They didn't want to look suspicious if they skipped it.
The first floor had a formal dueling room, but there was also a training room and even an indoor Quidditch pitch. They were amazed how much magic could do when they realized that the ceiling was at least fifty foot high. When they had checked out each room even the changing and shower rooms, they headed down to the dungeon.
The first door they went in was a huge greenhouse. They knew Neville would love this place. They headed into another room, and they saw a potions lab bigger than the potions classroom. There were at least thirty stations set up with cauldrons, scales, knives, vials and even dragonhide gloves. It had everything they needed. When Leilani checked out the supply closet she saw ingredients galore under stasis charm. They began to take an inventory of the ingredients they would need, and were happy to realize they had plenty of everything.
"Should we start brewing it now?" Draco asked excited to get started.
Harry checked his watch. "We need to go it's almost curfew time. Your Dads may come looking for us if we don't."
Not wanting to leave when they only wanted to get started, but they knew they had to anyway. As they were climbing the inside stairway Draco remembered something that made him pout.
"We missed dinner."
Harry chuckled. "I guess we did. I didn't even notice, but now that you mentioned it, I'm hungry."
All three walked into Draco's home to find Regulus and Remus sitting there talking. "Hey kids where have you been?" Regulus asked when they entered the room.
"We were exploring the bottom three floors of the Tower." Draco told him. "We were so excited about it, that we forgot to eat dinner and now we're starving."
Both men laughed at the disgruntled look Draco was wearing. "We can take care of that." Regulus assured him. "Dobby."
"Mister Regulus called for Dobby?" The excitable little elf asked when he made his appearance.
"Yes Dobby. It seems the kids forgot to eat dinner. Can you bring some sandwiches and pumpkin juice for them?"
"Dobby can be doing that." He popped away, but was back in a couple of minutes with a plate stacked high with sandwiches and a pitcher of pumpkin juice. "They's be refilling until youse don't want no more."
When the kids were done eating Remus and Leilani headed to the Ravenclaw quarters. Regulus sent Harry up to get him some pajamas, since Sirius was still not back. A quick shower for each boy later and the two boys were tucked into bed. Harry was in one of the guest rooms, but he couldn't help missing his Dad. This was the first night since they got together over the summer that his Dad wasn't just across the hall from him at night time.
Three hours later Regulus woke up to the sound of screaming. Jumping up from his bed he ran out of his room to find the sound coming from the room his nephew was using. He wasn't surprised to see Draco come out of his room to investigate the noise.
"Is that Harry, Dad?"
Regulus threw open the guestroom door to see his nephew thrashing around evidently having a nightmare. He rushed to the boy's side and tried to wake up.
"Come on Harry wake up." He called while gently shaking the teen. But Harry didn't wake, even when he got louder at calling him. He turned to his son. "Draco, go ask your grandparents if Sirius is back yet. If he is have them get him down here."
He pulled the thrashing child in his arms, as he watched his son run from the room. It was only a minute later he was back with the news that Sirius was definitely in his quarters, and they were sending him down. Regulus looked on with relieved eyes, when Sirius ran into the room five minutes later. Harry screams had drawn him right to the room.
Sirius hurried over and took his Pup into his arms from his brother. "Oh Puppy, I'm sorry I should have known the nightmares might come back if I wasn't near." He kissed the messy head, before speaking sternly. "That is enough Harry James wake up now."
To Reg and Draco's shock the screaming stopped even though the thrashing continued.
"Harry James I said wake up NOW. "The words got louder until the last one was actually yelled.
"Dad? What's going on?" Harry mumbled sleepily.
"You were having a nightmare Pup." Sirius voice was soothing now that Harry was awake.
"I didn't mean to wake you."
'You didn't wake me. You were staying at Uncle Reggie's place remember?" Sirius told him.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to wake everybody." Harry was hiding his face in his Dad's chest to hide his embarrassment.
"They know that. Come on let's go back to our quarters. I think you will sleep better in your own bed." He stood up, but he didn't set his son down. He carried him from the room. "Thanks for watching him. We'll see you guys tomorrow."
By the time Sirius had Harry back in his own room, he was already asleep again. He tucked his son and bed while quietly apologizing. "I'm sorry Pup. I forgot I had a charm on your bed and pillow to help keep nightmares away. He kissed his son's forehead and left the room to go to his own bed, all the while cursing the Dursleys for causing his child even more pain. He knew without being told that was what Harry's nightmare had concerned. The first two weeks he was with him he had woke up screaming like that, until he had found the charm to place on his bed and pillow
Neville didn't know what to think. His Gran was dead. She had been a strict woman, and at times he felt she had hated him, but when she got her memory back, and she had to face how she treated him it took away her will to live. She had what the muggles called a heart attack. Actually according to her Healer she had five of them before she finally died.
But she had called for Neville, the Tonks and Lord Black to come to her bedside at St. Mungos. That was when Neville found out that Ted and Andromeda Tonks were his godparents. He was supposed to have lived with them if something happened to his parents. Dumbledore had made everybody involved forget that. Andromeda said they had remembered when they got their memories back, but they had been waiting for his Gran to get hers back before telling him. Neville was raised in the wizarding world, and he knew that godparents were supposed to be the first people to get custody of a child, if their parents couldn't raise them. It was why parents took care of who they named godparents.
His Gran had asked Ted and Andromeda Tonks to adopt him, but not a blood adoption, since his parents were actually still alive. Before his Gran passed she and Lord Black watched the rushed adoption go through. He was now Neville Franklin Tonks-Longbottom. Since he was from one of the old families and would one day be Lord Longbottom, they had decided to use that name last. He had parents and an older sister now.
They told him they would let him choose what he called them even his sister. He decided to call her Dora like her Dad did, since she didn't like Nymphadora, and he thought Tonks was too impersonal for a brother to call his sister. He had decided since he had a Mum and Dad already he would call them Mama and Papa. They had seemed happy with that when they tucked him into bed tonight, and he called them that for the first time.
He was having a hard time falling asleep. He had lost his Gran but got new parents and a sister, but that wasn't all. He now had Harry and Draco for cousins. Sirius and Regulus Black were his Uncles. Leilani was his godcousin, so did that make her Dad his goduncle? He never thought he would have this much family. He was happy to have them for family, but he was sad that he had to lose his Gran for it to happen. Even if she had been strict and acting like he was a disappointment, he had loved her. She had been the constant in his life.
Before she passed she had told him how proud she was to have him for a grandson. She had praised him for turning out to be such a good boy with all he had endured. She had also made his new parents promise to take him to Gringotts to see if he had any blocks and to get him a new wand.
Neville couldn't help the tears that slid quietly down his cheeks, as he cried for the grandmother he lost. He hadn't thought he was making any noise, but the next thing he knew soft arms were wrapped around him, and he was held to his new Mama's bosom as he cried, and his new Papa sat behind him and rubbed soothing circles on his back.
Well sorry that it took so long to get up, but I hope it was worth the wait. What did you think of the new twist? Neville has parents now.
I Have been writing I swear even if it doesn't seem like it to you guys so much. I have started a few more stories. One of them is a crossover. It is HP/Avengers and I'm already writing the fourth chapter. I haven't started posting yet because I didn't know if people would like me to wait until I write more on my other stories.
I was feeling really guilty about not updating my stories as fast as I should be, but a friend told me that I have to write for myself and the ones that come to mind first, or it would become a chore and lose all of its fun for me.
I think she is right and I have to write this way since most of my inspiration to write comes from dreams. So I need to get the ones in my head down when I can. I'm also working on three other stories where I have part of the first chapter of them done. It may not be the most logical way to write, but it works for me.
Let me know if you think I should start posting that new story. It is called Sirius Love.
