Harry was both happy and worried about school. He had managed to avoid the headmaster for most part of the summer. But at school there would be no way to avoid the man. He was reminded that his dads would be at school with him. He was choosing to stay in the dorms for now but they had a second bedroom for him to use. The marauders were sure they would not be alone in keeping an eye on Harry. Harry was very popular among many of the staff. Both Filius and Hagrid would keep an eye on Harry. Though both men had been fond of the marauders, Lily was said to be Filius' favorite, he would not be swayed. They hoped even Minerva would do her part. Minerva may have been cold at times, but she did care about her Gryffindors with a fierce loyalty that was undeniable. She had been heard to say that Harry made Gryffindor very proud.

Harry and his friends were set to take the train to school. Remus and Sirius had wondered if they should take Harry when they went early for the staff meeting. But Harry wanted to try and have a normal experience, and Lily and James would be at school.

Harry looked at the train. "Time to get on."

Sirius reminded him. "You can come with us."

"I should go on the train."

Remus agreed. "We will see you at school."

Ron came over. "We should get on."

Hermione agreed. "The prefects will be meeting."

Harry hugged his dads one last time. "I am fine."

Sirius kissed his head. "I know cub."

Remus assured him. "We will be at school later."

"And Orion?"

Sirius had a playful smirk. "Oh, I forgot him at the manor. I assume we will see him at…."

Remus cut him off with a nudge. "Kreacher took him to school for you. He'll be in our rooms."

Harry went on the train with Hermione. "Good."

Hermione smiled. "He hasn't forgiven the cat snub has he?"

Harry shrugged. "I think Orion is growing on him."

Sirius could be heard snarling behind him. "Like a fungus."

Harry and Hermione laughed as they headed off together for the prefects compartment. They would have a meeting with the head boy and girl. Each house had a set of prefects for every year. They would be expected to do rotations of watches on the train for the year. Fifth year prefects didn't get their own room, only sixth and seventh year prefects did. Draco and Pansy were the prefects for Slytherin. He had only got to know Blaise that summer but Pansy seemed friendly enough. He was reminded Draco's friends were all good, their families not dark, spies or not in. Theodore and Daphne's parents had been, Daphne now away at school, though Theo was here. He now lived with his Uncle.

Harry was in a better mood until he heard talk about adults on the train. He was shocked and angered to learn his so-called mother was aboard the train. He learned though his father was not on the train and wished the woman could have been left behind.

Hermione looked at Draco. "I need your help."

"My help? This is new."

"Not Ron."

Draco agreed. "Definitely not."

"There is only one reason that woman is on the train."

"And you want help keeping her away from Harry."

Hermione nodded. "He has had hard enough of a time."

Draco assured her. "No problem."

"Thanks."

"May have to enlist some more help."

Hermione laughed. "Oh Gryffindor is on it."

Draco smirked. "Don't think we'll let the lions have all the fun."

Hermione went to leave. "Thanks."

"He is my cousin."

Hermione was grateful for it. She had enlisted the help of the Gryffindors but knew they could use any help they could get. Harry had been worried about taking the train and upset when he found out Lily was onboard. They weren't certain how long they could keep her away from him though. It was not a short train ride and there was plenty of time for her to try and get to her son on the train.

Lily was indeed on the lookout for her son when she ran into a pair of girls coming down the train. They didn't have robes on, so she didn't know what house they were in. She did notice that one of them had a prefect badge on and smiled in memory of her own days.

The one with the badge stopped her. "You are a professor?"

"A staff member." Lily would only admit.

"I need your help. I fear the twins are pulling a prank."

The other girl added. "They won't listen to a young prefect."

Lily thought her son likely was with them. "I guess I can come."

The prefect led the way. "I fear they may blow up a toilet."

"A toilet? What are you on about?"

The other girl pointed. "They set a timer in the toilet."

Lily looked into the bathroom. "I see nothing."

The prefect motioned. "They said it was in the basin."

Lily bent looking. "I don't…."

The prefect closed the door tight. "Now to seal it."

Her friend pulled out a product. "Fred provided this."

"Well we did say it was a twin prank."

Her friend laughed as they sealed it. "Wonder if she found the other."

The shriek heard from inside told them she had in fact found the little spray pellet. The seal complete, she could no longer be heard. They added an out of service sign to the door and headed down the hall. There were bathrooms all along the train, no one would miss this one. They were assured the seal would last only a few hours. It would last just long enough for Harry to get back to school without being bothered.

In the prefect compartment later she smiled at Hermione. "I don't think Harry has anything to worry after."

Harry was surprised but relieved when he didn't run into the woman on the train. They joined Ron and their friends from time to time. He wondered if the twins were to thank for it. They claimed to be innocent and for once he could almost believe them in that. For whatever reason though, he was happy the only adult he had seen was the witch who ran the food cart. He enjoyed the train ride and his friends on it.

He smiled when he saw Hagrid at the train station and felt some usual comfort as they headed back to the school. He knew he would have to see Albus but others were there. He would even have Severus as backup he was reminded. And of course his dads were at school.

Unfortunately Albus didn't wait long. "Harry."

Harry tried to ignore him. "We have to get to the feast."

Albus stopped him. "I would like to talk after."

"I will be leading the first years to the dorms."

"Harry I must really insist."

A voice came. "Albus, surely you are aware the feast will start soon."

Albus turned to Minerva. "Minerva, I was just having a chat with Harry."

Minerva looked at Harry. "I am sure you should join your house."

Harry shot his head of house a relieved look. "Yes mam."

Albus was upset. "I need to speak to the boy."

"And the boy needs to join his house."

"I don't know when it is your place to interfere."

"Need I remind you Albus, he is a Gryffindor, and I am his head of house."

Albus snarled. "And I am headmaster."

"Then perhaps remember the feast and the first years are about to arrive."

Albus grumbled but he headed into the hall. He shot Harry a look and looked like he would say something but he kept going. He took his place at the head table. He could see James who was standing at the back of the hall with Filch. The man should have been a teacher but that was the best they could do for him. He wondered where Lily was, she could have been at his side, but he had not seen her come from the train.

Minerva led the first years into the hall and the sorting ceremony was started. Harry was relaxed as he sat there, and smiled when he saw both dads at the head table. He had seen James, but he had not seen his so-called mother. He had no idea where

Lily stormed in just as dinner was starting. "Harry."

Harry pulled away. "Keep away from me."

Ron's nose wrinkled. "Have you heard of a bath?"

Lily glared at the twins. "You will have detentions."

Fred was confused. "We haven't don't anything."

George pointed out. "Besides you aren't a teacher."

Lily glowered. "You and those girls will pay for this."

Harry looked at Fred. "What were you up to?"

George swore. "I have no idea."

Hermione smiled. "You supplied the products."

Harry looked at Hermione. "You?"

Hermione shook her head. "Can't take the credit."

Ron saw her look. "Slytherin?"

"Draco is my cousin." Harry reminded him.

"You will have to thank his girlfriend for this one."

Harry was shocked to learn it was Pansy who had pulled the prank. Pansy and Millie in fact. They had taken some products from Hermione when Hermione had asked for help. They had decided they weren't about to allow the boys to have all the fun. And they were sure Lily would be watching out for the likes of Weasleys or Draco of course. Pansy shared a smile with Hermione and Harry from her place at her table.

Albus looked at Lily. "What happened?"

She fumed. "Little prefect stuck me in the bathroom."

Minerva grimaced. "Surely you should go bathe."

Albus cast a cleansing spell. "There."

Filius asked. "Surely she should not be up here."

Lily was red. "I am staff."

Minerva smirked. "Only professors are allowed here. Like your husband and Filch, you are not."

Lily spat. "Black is up here."

Filius reminded her. "He is sharing teaching duties with Remus."

Albus quieted down. "As my assistant I welcomed her up here."

Lily was relieved. "Thank you."

Minerva reminded him. "Neither Hagrid or Filch were allowed up here…."

"She is my assistant. And pregnant. She will not stand in the back of the hall. Now it is time for dinner."

When Albus stood up and made his speech, there were actual boos when he announced Lily and James were on staff. Of course the students had all read the papers. Harry was well-known and not just as the hero but there was that as well. Albus ground his teeth and tried to remind himself that he had faced worse. Now Harry was at school, he would not be kept from the boy, and he would have him back. It was a time for change, the archaic Wizengot's time was coming to an end, and Harry was key. He was not only an heir but the boy who lived, and held a great deal of sway.

Albus watched Lily and thought. 'And if Harry won't play nice, a new little 'Potter' heir will just have to do.'

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