A/N Loving the response of this story! Please Review and let me know of anything both good and bad!! Thanks xox

Chapter Eleven

The following morning Harry was woken up by Hedwig who was tapping on his shoulder looking to get out and stretch her wings around her new home. She could only imagine how many mice she would be able to catch. She might even bring one home for her new human. She liked him, for a boy anyway, his friend Hermione was nice too, she gave her treats and rubbed her head. Her humans red friend had a rat, she thought it would make a nice lunch someday.

As Harry opened the window and warned his beautiful bird not to go too far he began getting ready for his first day of classes. He would be getting his class schedule at breakfast in the great hall and he was so excited to actually start classes and he just wanted to learn everything he could, he wanted to prove to everyone that he was worth the risk and that his name was not the only thing worth having around.

As he dressed and went down to the portrait of the Common room he was met by Hermione who was sitting on a bench just outside the opening with a book in front of her and again Harry noticed she was wearing the charm bracelet.

"Good Morning Hermione..." As her concentration was broken she looked up and beamed that huge smile of hers and gestured to the empty chair. "How did you sleep?" She nodded her head and proceeded to tell him that she had never slept that well anywhere before.

"I'm sorry you ended up in a different house Hermione I miss you already if that makes sense..." She nodded her head at Harry and felt bad for him.

"It's ok Harry...really my house is actually pretty cool." He was glad she was settling in well but the selfish part of him wished she was sorted into the same house he was if only to have her close to him.

They talked for about half an hour before Ron and Neville began to trickle downstairs and the four friends made their way down to breakfast. At least they tried to, the first few times they had taken a wrong turn or else had done a full circle and Harry was sure that if it wasn't for Hermione they would be so lost.

Finally they reached the great hall and noticed it was not very busy, they sat down and proceeded to eat waiting for their head of house which Harry only found out it was Professor McGonnagall which made him very happy, before long they saw their head approach them.

"Mr Potter, Weasley, and Longbottom here are your schedules...now I am your head of house so if you ever need anything then please feel free to come to my office and I will help...Miss Granger I have taken the liberty of getting your schedule from your head of house here you go...have a good first day..." With a smile she was off and they all looked at their classes before going to get what books they needed for their classes.

"First is Charms followed by double Potions and Transfiguration." All of the students were eager to see what their classes were going to be and luckily the first years all had classes together, as they all grabbed their books and made their way to class with the help of Hermione again the nervousness crept in...once in the Charms classroom they were greeted by a small man that Harry had only ever seen in Gringotts goblins that is.

Professor Flitwick was an ex duelling champion and even though he was small in stature apparently his magic and duelling practice was extraordinary.

The first spell they learnt was the "Wingardium Leviosa" and the only ones who did it correctly were Harry and Hermione which their friends were slightly irritated at. After their Charms class they had a small break and made their way down to the dungeons for Potions.

Harry was very excited for Potions class even if Draco Malfoy was in his class. The boy was really getting on Harry's nerves strutting around like he owned the place. Sitting inbetween Ron and Hermione with Neville on the other side of Ron they were getting their things out as the door behind them swung open with Professor Snape gliding into the room with his black robes billowing out behind him.

"I will not tolerate tardiness, laziness or any foolish wand waving in this class! For a select few you will pass straight through this year without any issues however as for others anyone not paying attention or who is generally useless will not be on my good side and will struggle...significantly now...who here can tell me the difference between Monkshood and Wolfsbane?" At this only Harry, Hermione and Draco put their hands up. He caught Harry's gaze before pointing to Hermione.

"Miss Granger?" She smiled and answered him with so much enthusiasm it was infectious.

"They are from same plant and they go by the name aconite..." He nodded at her and awarded five points for Hufflepuff.

"Who here can tell me where to find a bezoar?" Again only the same three put their hands up, Harry and Hermione were glad they got the extra Potions book as he called on Draco.

"In the stomach of a goat sir..." He nodded to him and proceeded to award him five points for Slytherin.

"Who here can tell me what potion does the ingredients asphodel and wormwood make?" Unsurprisingly the same three as he called on Harry.

"It makes a very powerful sleeping potion also know as the draught of living death sir..." He nodded at Harry and awarded him five points as well before turning to the rest of the class.

"All of you may think you will be able to fly through my class merely on guesswork but the three of your classmates who did read ahead of coming to my class are the only ones that I see with any real potential. Now take out your books and I will see if I can actually teach you dunderheads anything." Potions flew by and both Harry and Hermione thoroughly enjoyed it, Ron hated Snape and Neville was even more nervous than usual around the stern Professor.

After class was over Severus had called for Harry to stay behind which caused strange looks from his friends but after assuring them it was ok he would meet them at lunch he turned to face his new teacher.

"How are you enjoying Hogwarts Mr Potter?" At this Harry nodded his head much like a doggy on a dashboard.

"It's amazing sir...even better than I had thought..." The potion masters face smiled at him as his enthusiasm was so infectious.

"And I see you have made some friends..." Again he nodded at the Professor before he held out an envelope for Harry which had his name on it. "This is a response from Sirius Black...and also the headmaster would like to meet with you at some point. I would also like it if you could arrange a medical with Madam Pomfry she is out medi-witch..." At this Harry nodded and took the letter from him before settling on tomorrow night for a meeting with Professor Dumbledore and Madam Pomfry. He thanked the professor before making his way to the great hall to meet his friends.

By the time lunch came around they had a free period before transfiguration with Minnie and they used that time to start the homework assignments from their classes. Harry and Hermione had finished theirs whereas Neville and Ron were both half way through before headed to their next class excited.

Entering the classroom the four friends saw a grey tabby cat on Professor McGonnagalls desk and it eyed all of the students as they sat down and after everyone had settled and were quiet the cat jumped off the desk and landed as their stern teacher.

"Holy shhh..." Ron almost let it out but held his tongue before their teachers unapproving glare. "That was bloody brilliant..." All of the class giggled at this and he put his head down even further in embarrassment.

"Thank you for that Mr Weasley...transfiguration is a hard subject it takes discipline and commitment. First we will be turning these matchsticks into needles. You will tap it three time and say Altearah..." They talked through the theory before she allowed anyone to try it. It seemed Harry and Hermione were very advanced as they were the only ones to do it before class ended and they were dismissed, their first day of classes was over and it didn't disappoint.

"That was amazing...I mean this whole place! Amazing!" Harry grinned at his best friend before they all decided to go and get their homework done before dinner. After dinner all of the friends sat in the Gryffindor common room, their housemates did not mind Hermione being there. Surprisingly it is not forbidden but is frowned upon bringing an outsider from another house into another one but the four children were already a package deal, and everyone knew it.

Harry and Hermione were reading one of their books they got from Diagon Alley and swapped every now and again when they found something interesting. Neville and Ron were in the middle of a chess match as Percy came in and posted something on the notice board.

"Flying lessons...yes!" Both Harry and Ron looked excited but Neville and Hermione not so much. The latter actually looked a little bit green at the thought of it.

Harry only just remembered his letter from Sirius and decided to read it over by the fireplace.

"Dear Harry,

I can't even begin to tell you how happy I am that you wrote to me. Considering how everything has played out over the years I am surprised you even wanted to.

I am dreadfully sorry for everything that had happened to you Harry...my own selfish need for revenge kept me from you all of these years and all I can do is apologise. I am truly sorry.

There is so much I would like to talk to you about and if you are feeling up to it I would like to keep writing to you.

I know that you are in Hogwarts this year I would love to hear all about it...how are you finding your classes, what house did you get sorted into? I was in Gryffindor along with your mother, father and a friend of ours Remus Lupin. The next seven years of your life are going to be incredible Harry. Live everyday to the fullest. Don't forget to reak some havoc along the way though.

Your father and our friends were quite the pranksters and we can only hope you can carry on the Marauder Legacy. I still don't think Minerva McGonnagall has recovered from our years at school so go easy on her.

Now onto the heavy stuff...I know that Professor Snape was helping you deliver your letters but that could be risky for all of us involved. I have provided Albus Dumbledore with my memories of the night your parents were killed please don't think any less of me when you see them...I was a man blinded by hatred, revenge and regret.

After you see the memories of that night if you would like to keep in contact let Severus Snape know and he can organise with Ragnok the delivery of your letter. It will be safer than putting Severus reputation on the line not to mention yours. If anyone found out you were writing to me it bring up a lot of questions Harry. The answers to these questions will not make people believe them.

For now I must go but I look forward to hearing from you and keep up with your studies...hopefully we will be a family again when the truth comes out. Thank you again Harry and thank Severus for me

Love Sirius

After he had finished reading his letter a few stray tears erupted from him causing Hermione to look over at him and place her hand on his arm.

"Are you ok Harry?" All he could do was nod at her and she reluctantly went back to her book albeit keeping an eye on him from the corner of her eye. Harry set up his parchment and proceeded to write another letter. His meeting with Professor Dumbledore tomorrow night would tell him whether or not to send it to the man but Harry only hoped that he was innocent because the word family from Sirius was enough hope for Harry to believe he would have a proper family and that was good enough for him. Before long they all made their way to their dorm rooms and fell asleep almost as soon as their heads hit the pillow.