14. Homework Revisited

Harry tried to avoid his homework, but Sirius wouldn't let him.

"I know you don't want to do this, Harry, but you really need to. I know you are smarter than what your homework shows, so what's the problem?"

"Well, Snape's not going to care what I put down; he's going to give me a D anyway. None of the other teachers have ever said anything about it before."

"I'll make sure Remus talks to Snape about how he treats you. Once I'm cleared, I'll have my own talk with all of your professors, beginning with Minerva. As your head of house, she should be counseling you about your performance. Now, let's start with your Transfiguration homework first. I got an O on my NEWTS, so I think I am qualified to help you here. Why are you having problems with it?"

"Professor McGonagall went over it with us right at the end of the term, but with everything that was happening at the end of the year I was a bit preoccupied with other things."

"You shouldn't have that problem this year, so let's get you started off on the right foot. I want you to explain it to me as if you were teaching me the transfiguration."

Harry opened his book to the chapter on Inanimate Transfiguration and hesitated before started, "It's hard to explain it when you can't DO it."

"I know. We've complained about that for years. It's easy for students who live in magical houses because they can't tell exactly who cast the spell. You could probably cast here and not be noticed. We're going to have to work on your casting before you go back anyway so we can modulate your power. I bet if you tried to cast Wingardium Leviosa now your feather would embed itself in the ceiling. I'll get Remus to ask Amelia to have the Department of Underage Magic ignore any notices for you so you can get some practice now. Since he's a professor and the Potter Steward, she shouldn't have any problems with that, especially since she is aware of the binding on your core. Now, let's try again."

Harry began again with starts and stops, but finally he got the hang of it and was rolling along. After another hour Sirius stopped him. "I think you've got it now. All you need to do is write down what you were explaining to me. You might want to write it like you are teaching someone. Minerva will be satisfied with that."

"Can we have lunch first?"

"I forget. Teenage boys run on their stomachs. And yes, we can. You took your potion at breakfast, correct?"

"Yes," Harry rolled his eyes.

"Roll your eyes again at me, young man, and you'll see how it feels to have them roll constantly for ten minutes. And I won't clean your sick up when you do."

They headed back downstairs to eat. Harry decided on a sandwich and some fruit instead of a heavy lunch. Tom brought something else for Padfoot who seemed to enjoy it. This time Harry asked for just a small bit of pudding. Both Sirius and Remus had counseled him about his eating habits. If he was going to regain his full health he needed to make better choices in what he ate. Potions could only do so much.

When they got back to the room, Hedwig had returned from her trip to Hogwarts. Sticking her leg out to Harry, she nipped his ear while he took the note from Professor McGonagall from her. He read the note and passed it to Sirius:

Dear Mr. Potter,

I am quite happy to change your elective from Divination to Ancient Runes. It appears that Professor Lupin has already had a positive influence on you in such a short time. Please ensure you have a copy of Runes: A Basic Primer when you arrive. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,

Minerva McGonagall

Deputy Headmistress

Sirius barked a laugh, "If she only knew. I told you she would be more than happy to make that change. I can't believe they're still teaching that subject. While I'm thinking about it, let me contact Remus about getting your wand released. Hedwig just got back so I don't want to send her right back out."

"Can't you just have Dobby give him the message?"

"Good thinking! Dobby!"

"Master Doggie is calling Dobby?"

"Yes Dobby. Could you ask Remus to contact Director Bones about getting an underage magic waiver for Harry?"

"Of course Master Doggie. Dobby be telling Master Wolfie your message," then popped right out.

"You know, that elf grows on you."

"I hope all house elves aren't like him?"

"Oh no. Kreacher is one of the vilest creatures I've ever had the displeasure to know. Now, back to your homework, pup."

Harry got out a new piece of parchment and started rewriting his Transfiguration homework. He'd written down notes while he'd been talking with Sirius earlier so it made it easier to remember what he'd been discussing. By the time he'd finished it, he had a cramp in his hand but he was proud of the result. He passed it over to Sirius to read.

"This is much better, Harry. Your penmanship is definitely improved. Your essay is much easier to understand and you make all the correct points you should make without being overly wordy. This should definitely be worth an Exceeds Expectation if not an Outstanding. Now, let's talk about your Charms homework."

Sirius had Harry do the same thing for Charms as he had for Transfiguration and had Harry teach him the information first. Again Harry made notes on the reverse of his original essay to refer to later. When he thought he was done, Sirius added a couple of extra points he should make. They were about to stop for dinner when Dobby popped back in.

"Master Wolfie would like to know if you be eating dinner with him?"

"If it's not too much trouble, that would be good," answered Sirius.

"No problem Master Doggie. Would you like Dobby to take you over?"

Sirius started to say no, but Harry stopped him, "Fudge told me not to go out into muggle London, so it would look strange if I went out with just you. Hopefully Tom didn't notice us coming back earlier."

"Good point. Dobby, if you please." They each took one of Dobby's hands and they were quickly transported to Potter Hall.

The house had made major strides in just the few hours they had been gone. The sitting and dining rooms shined and the kitchen was taking shape as well. Remus welcomed them back and showed them what had been accomplished so far. While there was still much to be done, it was beginning to look like it was habitable again.

"Remus, Harry reminded me of something. He can't be seen going out into muggle London without an adult wizard with him. I think we got by when we returned earlier, but we can't count on that."

"I'll walk back with you tonight. I'm going to stop by the ministry tomorrow morning to talk to Amelia if she is available and talk to the floo network manager about the status of Potter Hall. If all is well, I'll get some fresh floo powder and we can floo back and forth from the Leaky Cauldron. It will also make it easier for me when I go to Hogwarts. I can floo directly to Minerva's office. "

"Harry and Harry's wizards, dinner be served."

They all adjourned to the dining room. Dobby had gone a bit overboard with dinner, but everyone was satisfied. Remus made sure Dobby had eaten too before they went into the sitting room.

Remus went into professor mode again, "How far did you get on your homework this time, Harry?"

"I've got Transfiguration done," and under his breath he said 'again', "and Charms is half done. I just need to write it up."

"Which leaves Potions, Herbology and a few edits for History of Magic, correct?"

"Yeah. We didn't get any homework for DADA since there was nobody there to give us any."

"What about Astronomy?"

"Oh. Right. I think I forgot about it. It's not much; just a discussion about Jupiter's moons."

"Had you even done it before I reminded you?"

Harry blushed and said, "No. I'll get it done."

Remus walked into the library and came back a few minutes later with several books, "I think these will be helpful to your efforts."

"Thanks!"

"Why don't we get you two back to the Leaky Cauldron. Padfoot, if you'd like to sleep here tonight, I can have Dobby come get you and bring you back."

"Thanks. I think Harry might like some extra room to stretch out. We need to make sure Harry takes me outside before he goes to bed, then again when he goes down to breakfast. We have to keep the disguise up for a few extra days."

"Very good. Harry, I'd like to go over the Potter holdings with you tomorrow afternoon. If we need to do anything, it would be best to handle it face to face with the goblins. I think we should also make an appointment with Gerald Howe for Wednesday to fill him in on the plan since Hermione will be here on Thursday."

"Sounds good to me!"

The trio walked back to the Leaky Cauldron and made sure to take Padfoot outside where he was seen to take care of his business. They went up to Harry's room.

"You have the whole evening free, but I would hope you would work on your homework. You should be able to finish your Charms homework fairly quickly. It would probably be good to write your friends. Ron doesn't know that Hermione is coming for sure," said Sirius.

"Sure. The sooner I get it done, the sooner you'll get off my back," Harry said with a grin.

"And don't forget it. Uncle Moony will be keeping a close eye on you, Mr. Potter, so don't think you will be able to slack off when you get to Hogwarts."

Remus went back downstairs to walk back to Potter Hall. Once Sirius was certain Harry would be fine for the evening, he called for Dobby and also left for Potter Hall.