My Brother!

by Oracle2Phoenix

AU. Harry's little sister: Emma Lily Potter, most witches and wizards don't know she exists. How different would he be growing up with a someone he loved and who loved him back? Harry and Emma go to Hogwarts where they make friends, duel, brew illegal potions, form a guild, fight Wizarding prejudices and get burdened with a terrible secret. Now with Elemental Magic. H/G E/C R/H N/L

26. Anomalies

I can't believe this has taken as long as it is. Nearly a month. There is no denying, Harry's third year is boring. I am this close to manufacturing a violent situation like what I did with the Acromantulae in Second Year.

Anyway, timescale aside I left you with a cliff-hanger. I told you all I was evil and now I'm about to prove it.

Please review.

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Anomalies

The Blasting Curse bounced off of Dumbledore's shield and impacted the ground far away from the two of them, not hurting anyone or anything.

"Professor?" said Harry in shock. He lowered his wand, all the while Mopsus kept on moving around his legs.

"Please calm yourself Harry." Urged Dumbledore.

"Sir, Black… he… he got into Gryffindor Tower…"

"I am aware of this. Where did he go?" asked the headmaster.

"I… I don't know. I followed him to this general area but I lost him." Said Harry.

Dumbledore cast his eyes around him and shone light out of his wand. Harry too, kept his eyes open.

"It would appear Sirius has eluded us for now." Commented Dumbledore. "Come, it is neither safe nor healthy for a boy in his pyjamas to be out in this downpour."

Harry blushed and realised only now how cold and wet he was. He picked up his sister's Kneazle and allowed the Headmaster to escort him back inside.

ORACLE2PHOENIX

They proceeded to Professor McGonagall's office, where he and Dumbledore met up with various members of staff in their nightwear. After a warming charm to his drench clothes and a Pepper-up Potion from Madam Pomfrey, he sat down with Mopsus on his lap and told them how he'd encountered Black in at the Portrait Hole and then chased him down to the Grounds.

"And it would appear you damaged a great deal of the castle in the process." Sneered Snape.

"Severus." Said Dumbledore warningly. "I think you shall agree with me, the damage done by Harry was entirely reasonable given the circumstances."

"Besides which all the damage will be completely gone by morning." Said Professor McGonagall. "Most of it has already been cleared up."

"Do you have anything further to add Harry?" asked Dumbledore.

"How did he open the portrait door?" asked Harry.

"I have spoken with Sir Cadogan." Said McGonagall. "Apparently Black knew the password. How he learnt it is beyond me, especially as Sir Cadogan keeps changing it."

Harry's eyes widened. It suddenly occurred to him that only one of his alarm spells went off. The one outside the Portrait Hole, the one at the far end of the corridor, didn't. It wasn't possible for one to get to Gryffindor Tower without setting off that alarm. Except on…

"It's Sunday." Said Harry.

"Mr Potter?" Said Professor McGonagall.

"It's Sunday."

"What is the relevance of that Potter?" said Snape.

"On Sundays there is a passage way that leads from the Entrance Hall all the way up to Gryffindor Tower. Black didn't enter from the far end of the corridor, if he did he would have set off the alarm I set up there. He must have waited behind the secret passageway, he probably heard the password when you came in to tell us all to go to bed."

"Well Potter your mind seems to work in peculiar ways, although I'm not sure work is an appropriate term." Sneered the Potions Master.

"Actually I must agree with Mr Potter." Said McGonagall. "If Black knew that Gryffindor won the Quidditch match, given my House's history… it would not be unreasonable to assume the party would go late into the night and that I would show up and break up the party."

"In any case, I think I will set up another alarm in the passageway." Said Harry. "Can I go back to bed now?"

"Yes I believe you have told us everything that you can." Said Dumbledore. "Minerva could you please see him and young Mopsus here back to the Common Room?"

ORACLE2PHOENIX

When Harry and Professor McGonagall got back to the Gryffindor Tower, the rest of the House was up waiting for them.

Emma ran up and took her brother in a hug.

"Harry are you alright? Are you hurt?" she demanded. "Why are you carrying my Kneazle?"

"I need to go to bed." Said Harry. "I'm fine, really. I lost Black in the rain."

Many people looked worried for him. They were generally impressed at the manner in which he challenge Black and also for taking out a chunk of the floor in the process, a chunk which was now being repaired by Professor McGonagall.

"I agree with Mr Potter, you should all go to bed." Said McGonagall sternly.

Harry let his sister go and allowed Mopsus to follow her up to the Girl's Dormitory. He then retired to his own along with the others from his own Dormitory, where upon they were met with a shock.

ORACLE2PHOENIX

"What the…. Scabbers?" said Ron in shock, he ran over to his rat's cage, or rather what was left of it.

The metal bars of the cage had been snapped and bent out of shape, leaving for a hole about the size of a Quaffle or a football. The cage itself was lying on the floor next to Ron's bedside table and Scabbers the rat was nowhere to be seen.

"What the?" said Dean.

"Who's been in our room?" said Neville. "We all followed you out Harry, so it definitely wasn't one of us."

Harry looked over the cage, where he noticed several things. Firstly the gaping hole on the top of the cage, the snapped ends were red… with blood. But there was another material sticking to it… it looked like… pieces of skin.

"Hey theirs some hair in there." said Dean. Everyone looked and saw, amongst the spots of blood in the cage, thin strands of black coloured hair.

"Is it just me or does this cage look like it was broken open from the inside?" said Neville.

"Actually it does look like it." Said Harry. "But that's impossible, Scabbers is way too big to make that hole, and no one else has gotten inside it, see the locking charm I put there is still in effect."

"But where is he?" said Ron, his voice shaking.

"He'll turn up soon enough." Said Dean.

"He's right." Said Harry. "He's bound to be hiding in here somewhere, we just need to remember to keep the door shut and he shouldn't be able to leave."

Ron seemed to take some comfort in Harry's words. As a boy who owned very little, a pet, even one as battered as Scabbers, was important to him. The boys searched under their beds and under and behind a few bits of furniture just to be sure. But they failed to find any trace of him so they all went to bed. But Harry didn't go to sleep that night. Whenever he closed his eyes he saw Sirius Black, and the look he gave Harry.

Despite his honest desire not to interact with Sirius Black, Harry had always wondered what would happen if he met the man. Now that he had… Harry had imagined many looks Black might give him: deranged madness, uncontrollable rage, crazed joy, vengeful hatred, or perhaps variants of all those emotions and others… but that look he'd seen… Harry had no idea what it was. The closest he could compare it to when he saw Emma in their room at Privet Drive, the day after he and Hagrid went to Diagon Alley. At that point in time, she was coming to terms with their rejection from the Dursleys and the fact that they could never reconcile with them… ever.

But why would Black look like that, according to all accounts Harry was aware of, he betrayed the Potters voluntarily and happily, yet he looked at Harry… as if his heart was torn out.

Other things then began pouring into Harry's head, things that he learnt since Black had escaped. Sirius Black, abandoned his family and its pro-Voldemort type views Black could conjure a Patronus – despite the fact it's a hallmark disproving one as a Dark Wizard – now Harry had a niggling feeling that there was yet more to the tale of the Prisoner of Azkaban than what he knew so far.

ORACLE2PHOENIX

Scabbers didn't turn up the following morning. There was a huge amount of concern amongst the five Gryffindors, as Seamus pointed out none of the hairs in the cage could be any of the five of them because the strands were too long. So they took the remains and went straight to McGonagall.

"I take none of you were in the Dormitory last night during Mr Potter's chase?" said McGonagall.

"That's right." Said Neville.

"One moment." Said McGonagall. "Please wait here and do not touch that cage."

The Deputy-Head Mistress left her office and to everyone's surprise came back with Madam Pomfrey.

"No, no one has come in with injuries that could have come from that since last night." Said Madam Pomfrey. "Oh course a skilled enough Witch or Wizard could heal themselves."

"Well I can't have my Gryffindors stealing from each other." Said Professor McGonagall. "Can you please tell me anything you can about who did this, these traces of blood, skin and hair are clearly not a rat."

Madam Pomfrey ran her wand over the materials, using a forensic variant of the Diagnostic Charm.

"Well whoever it was, was male." Said Madam Pomfrey. "Blood type O negative and…"

The Matron suddenly looked really worried.

"Poppy what is it?" said McGonagall. The five boys too looked concerned.

"Minerva I think you'd better call Amelia over." Said Madam Pomfrey. "According to my readings the owner of these materials is aged between thirty and thirty-five."

ORACLE2PHOENIX

Aurors and Law officers swarmed to Hogwarts within the hour and, on the orders of Madam Bones began sweeping the school for evidence of an intruder. As the only people matching the gender and the age, Professors Snape and Lupin were tested to see whether they matched the samples found. But both were quickly discounted by the Auror specialist who performed the tests.

There was some speculation that the materials could belong to Sirius Black, even though he had barely gotten into the Common Room, but the DMLE had his information on record and quickly ruled him out. Harry also ruled him out by pointing out that he…

"Caused quite a mess." Said McGonagall. Considering everything that happened, Harry was summoned to Professor Dumbledore's office where he explained what happened to Madam Bones and two Law Officers. "Still he showed some remarkable control."

"Be that as it is, I want to know how Black got as far as he did without detection." Said Madam Bones.

"I tested Mr Potter's theory this morning. There is no clear indication Black hung about behind the secret passage, but one can clearly here someone enunciate the password to the Gryffindor Common Room from behind the top entrance." Said McGonagall.

"We will, of course take measures to ensure he cannot reuse that passageway again." Said Dumbledore. "I think it might also be a good idea to ensure all entrances to the school be blocked or monitored and for us to move the curfew."

"Mr Potter I think you can go now." Said McGonagall. "Unless you have any other questions Amelia."

"No, Mr Potter can go." Said Madam Bones.

ORACLE2PHOENIX

Word that an unknown man could be sneaking around the school caused a great deal of panic amongst students. Girls in particular began trading jinxes and hexes, as well as physical methods to counterattack against any man seeking to overpower them.

Malfoy began joking about a scary man going after Gryffindor Children and ended up scaring some First Year boys into tears. He found this funny, but when no one was looking later Harry fired a Stinging Hex at his backside. He was of course questioned by Professors McGonagall and Snape but there was no proof he'd done it and, as McGonagall pointed out, the Stinging Hex was a well-known spell and everyone Second Year or Higher would know how to cast it.

Meanwhile, Harry retrieved the Marauders Map from his trunk and used it to search the school for any unknown or uninvited people. Unfortunately this proved difficult, there was no one inside Gryffindor Tower that he didn't recognise, but there were dozens of names all over the castle that he didn't, Hogwarts after all had a population of several hundred students.

Stumbled by this mystery he turned back to the other. Sirius Black. The search of the Castle was called off at around dinner time. Harry retired to the Room of Requirement. This was normally time he spent analysing Lawrence's paper, but the look on Black's face just didn't go away. Harry was again reminded of a conversation he'd recently had with his friends regarding Black's lack of trial. Suddenly the question of his guilt was beginning to register. Hermione had done a fair bit of research on Black before Christmas, after a bit of persuasion he got her to point out the sources she had researched.

Because it wasn't homework or anything, Hermione had not written anything down so Harry had to review the books and old Prophet articles himself. On the plus side it allowed him a fresh perspective.

Sirius Black was the eldest of two sons in the House of Black, which was something Hermione forgot to mention, that he had a younger brother. He was cast out at the age of sixteen, Harry couldn't find out why but it was likely he fell afoul of the family's values. This alone was probably a big red flag in Black's guilt. If he was such a big supporter of Voldemort, why was he cast out a family known to sympathize with him?

Harry looked over the case against Black, he was seen killing Peter Pettigrew and twelve Muggles. There were actual witnesses who saw Pettigrew name Black as the one who betrayed Harry and Emma's parents. But if Black so callously murdered Pettigrew and betrayed the Potter family, why that look? Black looked like Harry had very personally hurt him, but it was the other way round, Black had betrayed Harry.

But then why did he look so betrayed, and if Black was such a Dark Wizard, how could he cast a Patronus Charm?

"What the heck is going on?" Grumbled Harry.

He needed another perspective. One that was logical, unbiased, intelligent and very good at spotting inconsistencies. Thankfully for Harry, there was one person he knew held all those attributes.

ORACLE2PHOENIX

"I'm worried about Harry." Said Emma. "He's closed himself off ever since he went after Black."

It was after classes on Monday, there was supposed to be a duelling session amongst the group in the Practice Room but Harry had yet to show up.

"I think he might have started obsessing about Black." Said Hermione. "He asked me for all the research I did on him a few months ago."

"You don't think Harry is going to…" Colin began to ask.

But then Harry entered the room, he could immediately tell by the sudden silence and the way everyone was looking at him that he had up until a moment ago been the subject of discussion. But that wasn't important right now.

"Sorry guys but can we do this another day, I don't think I can focus on Duelling right now?" said Harry.

"Sure of course." Said Hermione suddenly. "We don't want you to accidentally get a Stinging Hex in someone's eye do we?" she tried to joke.

Harry wasn't really interested though "Umm… Luna?" he said hesitantly.

"Yes Harry?" said the Ravenclaw.

"Could I… borrow you… and your brain for little bit? I have a slight problem I think you can help with." Said Harry.

"Of course." Said Luna. "Lead the way."

Harry left with Luna which left the rest of the group in great confusion.

"What could Harry possibly want Luna for?" said Ron.

"Maybe they're secretly together." Joked Geoffrey.

"They're not." Snapped Neville quickly and a little louder than he intended.

"They're not." Said Emma. "Harry's very fond of Luna, but not in that regard."

"Then what does he want her privately for?" asked Ron.

"I don't know, you're his best friend." Said Emma.

"You're his sister." Ron countered incredulously.

"Good point." Said Emma, suddenly going all logical. "Luna is a bit different from the rest of us in the brain department."

"That's one way of putting it." Said Natalie.

"But she is very intelligent, in some ways much more than the rest of us." Said Emma. "My guess is Harry is highly confused by something and wants answers, so he's asking Luna."

"Not you?" asked Colin. "You know him best."

"And he knows me." Said Emma. "Harry's in need of advice from someone who thinks outside his box, with the exception of women's clothes, Potions and chicken bones we think a lot alike."

"Chicken Bones?" said Colin.

"Harry prefers Chicken Drumsticks, I prefer Chicken Wings." Said Emma.

"Ok?" said Natalie slowly.

"I know, he is an odd one my brother." Said Emma.

"He's not alone." Said Demelza.

ORACLE2PHOENIX

In the Room of Requirement, Harry tried to explain his confusion.

"In most cases where someone was thrown in prison without a trial, there was still overwhelming evidence against them." said Harry. "Dolohov was witnessed murdering several people and one of the Death Eaters who helped him killed the Prewitt brothers testified to his and the others' involvement. Travers was caught firing Reductor Curses into the body of a Muggle and mouthing off in the process by two Aurors, not to mention the Muggle witnesses, and there are plenty of other examples. But with Sirius Black…"

"Is there something off with the evidence?" Luna asked.

"I can't put my finger on it and… I can find no fault with the witness testimony of those who saw him blow up the street, and Professor Dumbledore made him the Secret Keeper himself." Said Harry. "But I keep feeling I'm missing something."

"Remember when we thought Malfoy was opening the Chamber of Secrets?" said Luna.

"Yeah… so does Ron." Remarked Harry.

"Do you remember the discussion we had when his name was first suggested by Ronald." Said Luna.

"Um…" said Harry. He thought for a while, then he remembered his own scepticism. "If Malfoy opened the Chamber of Secrets, why did they choose last year. Well we know now it was to discredit Mr Weasley and his new Muggle protection legislation."

Then Harry remembered another part of that conversation.

"Does it matter why?" said Emma "It's happening now, assuming this whole thing isn't a hoax. Dumbledore seemed spooked so I doubt it."

"Why, is the most important element to understanding." Said Luna.

Harry's eyes widened. "Why did Sirius Black betray my parents?"

Luna smiled. "It seems you have found what you are missing."

Harry went over everything he had learnt about Sirius Black. "You're right Luna, it's not just why did he do it, but why did he do it at that time, why did he betray my family in favour of an ideology that cast him out five years previously?"

"We need to start from the beginning." Said Luna. "Let's start with when he was disowned. Why?"

"He was disowned because his views were incompatible with his family's." said Harry. "We assume he was against blood bigotry and the fact that he was best friends with my Dad even after he married a Muggleborn…"

Harry also wanted to mention Black's friendship with a werewolf but, despite it only being Luna, he didn't want to tell anyone else about the Defence Professor's condition.

"What is the next thing you know?" said Luna.

"My family went into hiding, and Voldemort killed mine and Em's parents a couple of months after she was born." Said Harry. "Black was the Secret Keeper of our house, so only he could have told him where to go."

"Wait Harry." Said Luna. "Why were you in hiding?"

"I'm not sure, Voldemort was after me for some reason. I don't know why but…"

"When did he start looking for you?" said Luna.

"Um… I don't know…" said Harry, but then he remembered all the talks about Emma's secrecy. "But it had to have been months at the very least. According to Hagrid and Professor Lupin, we were able to keep Emma's time in our mother's womb and her birth secret because we were in hiding. Think about it, it would not have been that easy to hide her if Mum went out with Emma in her belly."

"Months?" said Luna.

"Maybe even from when I was born." Said Harry. "I have a photo album of our parents, there are some pictures of us in it as well, but the photographs of Emma and I are all inside a house or the same garden, probably the one at our house, if fact the last photo that was taken anywhere outside those two areas was a picture of Mum and Dad where Mum was heavily pregnant with me."

"So Sirius Black was your Secret Keeper for months if not over a year before he told Voldemort where to find you." Said Luna conclusively. "Which means for some reason he chose that Halloween to betray your family. Why?"

"I don't know maybe he missed… his… fami… wait that can't be right?" Harry blurted out suddenly.

"What is it Harry?" asked Luna.

"Professor Lupin, he said that the organization he, Black and my parents were a part of had been losing its members to Death Eaters for over a year. Lupin said that Black had betrayed the groups' members to them, including the woman who delivered Emma." said Harry.

Luna's eyes widened. "Then Black had the motive and opportunity to betray your family for over a year. Why didn't he?"

A minute of silence passed before either of them spoke again.

"What happened afterwards. Black killed Pettigrew?" said Luna.

"Yes." Said Harry.

"Where?" said Luna.

"Um… I don't know, some secluded street somewhere in London, I forgot the name." said Harry.

"Why?" said Luna.

"Why did he kill Pettigrew or why do I not remember?" said Harry in confusion.

"Why that area?" said Luna. "What did Black hope to accomplish by going to that street. Pettigrew tracked him there did he not?"

"That's how the story goes." Said Harry. "Black killed Pettigrew, along with twelve Muggles. Then he was found laughing madly by the Aurors."

Harry was surprised at how calmly he was talking about Black's crimes, ever since he learnt of his family connection to the Black case he had, up until this point only felt anger and hatred for the man.

"I have one more question why Harry." Said Luna.

"Okay." Said Harry.

"Why are you suddenly thinking about this now?" asked the Ravenclaw.

Harry suddenly looked uncomfortable. "You promise not to tell anyone?" he asked vulnerably, and almost childlike.

"I promise Harry." Said Luna.

"There were two points during my chase with the Blasting Curse that Black and I locked eyes. The first time, he looked surprised. Not so much that I'd discovered him or that I'd stopped him entering Gryffindor Tower further than the Portrait Hole but… he looked surprised to see me." Confessed Harry. "Which doesn't make any sense if he was coming for me."

Luna looked thoughtful, as Harry continued.

"The second time was after I fired a few Curses." Said Harry. "That time he looked… heart-broken."

"Heart-Broken?" said Luna "Are you sure?"

"I am." Said Harry. "Maybe not so much about the shock but I remember seeing Emma's face when she was heart-broken. Black looked the same. He didn't look enraged or mad or malignant. He looked… troubled…"

Luna again looked thoughtful. "Black was rejected from Voldemort-style ideology; from the sound of things by his own wishes, he had an opportunity for over a year to give Voldemort the location of your Fidelius protected home, out of all the places he chose to go to he went to a secluded London street where he met Peter Pettigrew and despite the fact that he is supposed to be out to get you and possibly Emma he was both surprised to see you and hurt that you tried to kill him."

"That sounds like a lot of contradiction." Said Harry.

"Yes." Said Luna.

"But it doesn't change the fact that if Black was Secret Keeper, he was the only person who could give away the location of the house in Godric's Hollow nor does it change the fact that he killed thirteen people soon afterwards." Said Harry.

"No it doesn't." agreed Luna. "But I feel there is something missing from this equation. Sirius Black still sounds mostly guilty, but there are too many unanswered questions, most important of all…"

"…Why." Harry said it for her.

ORACLE2PHOENIX

Harry couldn't believe he doubted Black's guilt. But the evidence spoke for itself and Luna, someone with an unmatched understanding of logic, agreed that Black's case was in doubt. Unfortunately this epiphany came to Harry at a real inconvenient time. The Monday morning Prophet delivered Lupin's prediction only a day late. The Dementors now had permission to consume Sirius Black's soul at their discretion.

The Ministry and Harry did not see eye to eye before Black escaped and the public incident in Diagon Alley with Fudge before the school year started had only made things worse. Madam Bones might listen to him, but Harry sincerely doubted he had enough to get her interested, most of the teachers and Dumbledore knew Black personally and would doubtfully accept Harry's theories. As far as most adults were concerned, Black was unquestionably guilty and the Wizarding World was not interested in putting people on trial. Which left only one group Harry and Luna could confide in.

It was a very tense meeting to say the least. Harry actually had to put Hermione under a Silencing Charm. When he took it off she was angry but focused all her energy trying to dissuade Harry.

"Harry he killed thirteen people, including a close friend of your Dad's, not to mention he betrayed your family, Emma's Family." She said incredulously. "You think he's innocent, and the teachers are all wrong."

"Hermione, you should not take everything you hear for granted." Said Luna. "You yourself are not afraid to criticize Professor Trelawney's claims."

"That's different." Said Hermione. "Black belongs in prison, he murdered Harry's parents he's guil… guil…" she trailed off. "Innocent until proven guilty." She recited the old saying that roots trace back to the Ancient Civilizations of old. At least in the Muggle World.

Emma looked at Harry carefully. "You don't think he's innocent do you Harry?" she asked.

"I'm mostly sure he is guilty." Said Harry. "Even if there are doubts, people saw him kill all those people and Dumbledore himself cast the Fidelius Charm. But I can't figure out why? Yes he's from a family that supported Voldemort, but he was disowned by that family. Then as Luna pointed out, we were under Fidelius Charm since before you were even conceived. Why did Black wait that long, especially as according to Lupin he was betraying allies left, right and centre in the year before Mum and Dad were killed."

"So what are we going to do and will it involve a great big fight with some dark creature? Because if it does, count me in." said Demelza.

Everyone looked at her as if she was nuts.

"Hey, it would be nice to have something distracting and you have to admit the stuff we did last year was so cool." Said Demelza.

Harry and Emma locked eyes, they both knew that Demelza was looking for a distraction from her family troubles.

"I meant what I said a few months ago. I am not going to go looking for Black." Said Harry. "However, I think I will keep an eye out for him. He's tried to get into Gryffindor Tower twice now and he may try again. I'm going to set up more monitoring spells all over the castle, including at all the secret passages."

"But won't they just get set off if Lupin or Snape pass through?" said Emma.

"No, I've worked out a new modification. Hair."

"Hair?" said Ron incredulously.

"Yeah." Said Harry. "Black is completely coated in facial hair. So Long as neither Lupin nor Snape grow facial fair longer than say 2cm, they should be fine. I'll also keep an eye out on the Marauder's Map. If I see Black again, I'll approach him stealthily and capture him. Then I want answers."

"But Harry, as things stand there is a good chance Black is guilty." Said Hermione.

"I know, but he never got the opportunity to defend himself." Said Harry. "Innocent until proven guilty. Unfortunately I don't see any way we can get him a fair trial. Even on the off chance he's willing to accept one, the Ministry is not prepared to offer one."

"So what are you going to do?" said Emma.

"What I want to do is find Black and ask him why." Said Harry. "But this is your decision as much as mine, they were our parents."

Emma took a deep breath. "It does bother me that I still know so little about why someone tried to kill you, and why Black betrayed us. I want to know to."

"So you're supporting him?" said Hermione incredulously.

"I am." Said Emma. "There are too many unanswered questions, even if he is guilty the fact that he never had a trial still bothers me. James and Lily were our parents, we have a right to have those questions answered."

Hermione looked uncomfortable, she clearly did not like the idea of Harry and Emma seeking Black out, even in a passive sense. She had been really worried about the both of them after they learnt of Black's connection to the Potter family, she was really happy when Harry told them that no one was to go looking for the escaped convict. But now he was suggesting something quite to the contrary.

"So what are we going to do then?" said Ginny.

Harry and Emma looked at her.

"There isn't really much we can do." Said Harry. "I will set up the monitoring spells and keep an eye on the Marauder's Map. But we're really playing a waiting game here."

"Actually I can think of something, Patronus." Said Emma.

"Patronus?" said Harry.

"Yeah." Answered Emma. "If you spot Black at short notice, you will probably have to run somewhere outside the castle, it would be better for us if we didn't gain the attention of the Dementors, but we may accidentally gain their interest and need to defend ourselves."

Harry nodded. "It might be an idea to revise our targeting practice, I fired a lot of curses the other night and none of them hit Black. I've not really had practice targeting someone I'm chasing."

ORACLE2PHOENIX

Having recently learnt how to conjure a corporeal Patronus, despite not being able to test it on an actual Dementor, Harry thought his exhaustive focus on the charm was over. But it seemed that the Patronus was set to dominate his life.

The groups' progress at learning the charm had been even slower than he himself had when he first tried incanting the spell. After two weeks only Luna and Ginny were able of producing Patronus mist, and for some reason Ginny was only capable when Harry was personally adjusting her hand to perform the wand movements.

In other developments, he did not understand how Winston Lawrence in his incomplete paper managed to hypothesize the idea that happy memories power the Patronus was flawed. He was beginning to wonder if the man was a complete nutcase, but the fact that he could do such advance mathematical equations allowed Harry to keep the faith.

Lawrence appeared to be trying to determine the Elemental magic that made up a Patronus Charm, but he made no reference to any one of the six. This led Harry to believe that he was seeking to prove the existence of a Seventh Element, something that according to Professor Vector had not successfully proven despite several attempts. The proof was significantly difficult to find, given that no one had ever managed to knowingly find traces of any element other than the conventional six. The only proof that another element could exist was the Patronus Charm. All spells be they Hex or Curse, Dark Magic or otherwise, correspond to at least one of the six elements, except, that is, the Patronus Charm which corresponds to none of them. As such, many believed analysing the spell was the key to finding a Seventh Element.

Harry's understanding of the Elements had improved greatly since he had found Lawrence's paper at the start of the year, but, although he was beginning to understand the formulae the man had written down, he had no idea what the Elemental Stimulus was referring to but apparently it was important in harnessing Elemental Magic.

Given that Harry had now mastered the Patronus Charm, one could argue, he no longer had a need to understand Lawrence's work. But he could not help but feel he was still missing something, that he had more to learn about the Charm.

Still in the meantime he had to teach his friends how to repel Dementors, because as things stood at the moment Black was out there and the only way to confront him was to go outside the castle.

ORACLE2PHOENIX

"By the way are you two ever going to want this back?" Harry asked Fred and George one day in the Common Room.

"Nope." Said George looking at the map. "We may ask you to lend it to us on occasion but…"

"It is yours now…" said Fred.

"Well whatever, can I have you borrow it tonight though?" asked Harry.

"Uh… sure why?" said George.

"It's about the imposter who may or may not be at Hogwarts." Said Harry. "You know the one whose… materials… were found amongst Scabbers cage?"

Both twins drew dark looks, though they were jokers most of the time, they did not like the idea of an unknown middle-aged man being in the same dormitory as their younger brother.

"I was thinking, you've been using this for years. Do you think you would notice anyone different if you glanced this thing?" said Harry.

Fred and George looked at each other.

"Well…" trailed off Fred.

"It's possible…" said George.

"But there are no guarantees…" said Fred.

"But we could look over the names and see if there is anyone we don't recognise." Said George.

"Good." Said Harry. "Start with Gryffindor Tower, I'd suggest tonight when everyone is either in bed or the Common Room. See if there is anyone in particular you don't think should be here. Also look over the rest of the castle, but I don't expect you to recognise everyone."

"Sure thing." Said Fred.

"Anything else?" said George.

"Yeah." Said Harry. "Did you guys bring your swimsuits?"

ORACLE2PHOENIX

"Where on Earth would I go swimming?" asked Percy incredulously but quietly to Emma.

Inviting Percy and the Clearwaters to Ron's/Demelza's/Luna's birthday swimming party was Emma's responsibility, one in which she had to go about very carefully. She had specifically chosen to corner Percy in the Library, while Ginny and Colin watched on in horror from a distance. Generally snappish at anyone who interrupted him or even distracted him, many students had taken to avoiding him when he was very obviously studying so he had a relatively secluded corner of the Library to himself. Only Emma had the courage to approach him, though since he had a soft spot her she was not in as much danger as testing his wrath.

"We have a place where we can hold a secluded swimming party." Said Emma. "Since Ron's one of your brothers we thought you'd like to come, but you need a swimsuit."

"Where on Earth did you find somewhere you can actually swim at Hogwarts." Said Percy suspiciously.

"It's a secret." Said Emma. "You have to promise not to tell anyone."

Percy's eyes narrowed. "Do the teachers know about this… place…"

"Madam Pomfrey does." Said Emma evasively.

"Emma I think the teachers need informed of such a location." Said Percy pompously.

"Please?" pleaded Emma in a very girly manner. "We're having so much fun with just us using the room. If the teachers find out, either all our fun will be gone or we're going to have an overcrowded room that's shared with everyone else. Please promise you won't tell anyone?"

Percy was on the fence after Emma had finished speaking her plea. But at the end, when she asked him not to promise not to tell anyone, she fluttered her eyelashes and looked him dead in the eye. She may not have her mother's eyes, but she still used her own to great effect. The Head-Boy didn't stand a chance.

"I… alright then." Said Percy. "I suppose Penny and I haven't been swimming together since…"

He suddenly blushed.

"Cool." Said Emma. "You tell Penny and I'll tell Ruth."

She gave Percy a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you for everything Percy."

She then walked off to re-join Ginny and Colin, both of whom were looking at her with a mixture of disbelief and awe.

"Not that I'm complaining, but what the heck have you done to my brother?" said Ginny incredulously.

"I've no idea what you're talking about." Said Emma.

"He'd snap his head off at if I tried talking to him at that moment." Said Colin, reflecting on previous instances.

"Guess I'm not as irritating as you Colin." Said Emma smirking.

"Hey!" protested Colin.

ORACLE2PHOENIX

"Just make sure you get him something nice for me." Said Harry as he handed Hermione a small bag full of Galleons. "Luna and Demelza too." The two of them were in the Common Room waiting for the others to wake up for breakfast.

"Noted." Said Hermione. "I really wish you could come to."

"Well despite my doubts I have to assume Black is after me." Said Harry. "Besides, you know that tomorrow the teachers are inevitably going to be worrying about where we all are. No need to let them worry today as well, I did promise I'd stop going to Hogsmeade until the Black situation is rectified."

Hermione frowned. "Part of me is guilty that we are keeping the Room of Requirement secret from the Professors. But even I don't want to give it up."

Harry nodded. He and Emma were the ones who mainly used the room, the others only really came in for birthday parties or if they had a specific need that could not be met by the Practice Room. There had been an idea to move all activities from the Practice Room to the Room of Requirement, but it was soon pointed out that the group could easily get missed and with McGonagall and the others so worried about the Potters, the chances were a teacher would follow them and find them entering an unknown room for long periods of time, raising unwanted questions.

"Anyway have a nice time." Said Harry.

"Do you need us to pick up anything else?" asked Hermione.

"No." said Harry. "The twins are picking up… uh never mind… Hagrid kindly picked a few things up for us and the rest we can get from the House-Elves."

Hermione nodded. "What are the twins picking up?" She asked, not failing to notice Harry avoid telling her.

"Uh… just something for the lamb…" Harry said evasively. "You'd better get going."

"You're not going to be working all day on tomorrow's party?" She said. "It's sweet but…"

"We're just doing the cakes today. There won't be time tomorrow, what with the new curfew and the rest of the food, we're going to have to start earlier than we did with your party." Said Harry. "Also Professor Lupin invited me round for a cup of tea."

"Not Emma?" asked Hermione.

"She's in the middle of a Potions assignment." Said Harry. "It was either do it today or miss the party tomorrow. What about you and your twelve different classes."

"I completed everything at the end of yesterday." Said Hermione. "It wasn't easy, but since I had enough time to plan…"

"Alright." Said Harry. "Have fun."

Hermione went to meet Ron and Neville while Harry went to Professor Lupin's office. Over time stories about Harry's parents had been largely replaced with discussions about Defence Against the Dark Arts. Harry was visiting him more often than Emma, as for some reason Lupin and Pomfrey were seeking to test each of the Potters' academic proficiency.

But today the conversation was a little less school based, or at least work based.

"So are you okay about not going to Hogsmeade?" asked Lupin.

"I'm surviving." Commented Harry. "Despite what happened the other week, I really don't want to get into a wand fight."

Lupin nodded. "By the way, when did you learn the Blasting Curse? We generally don't teach it at Hogwarts until Seventh Year."

Harry shrugged. "A few months ago. After what happened in the Chamber of Secrets I wanted to learn some stuff that could kill a certain magical creatures. I love Flipendo but it's of no use against Basilisks or Trolls."

"No I suppose not." Said Lupin.

"Is it because I tried using it on Black?" said Harry.

"Yes… Sirius… Black… was once a friend of mine, even knowing what he did the idea of killing him with such a spell…" Lupin trailed off.

"Professor." Said Harry, choosing his next words carefully. "Ever since I chased him with that curse… things have been… going through my head… I think we're missing some information here."

"Oh?" said Lupin.

"Well…" Harry hesitated. "You know how he never got a trial?"

Lupin looked a little dark "Yes. I pleaded for him to get one, so I could just understand why… why he did it… but Crouch was simply not willing to hear it."

"Was Black interrogated at all?" said Harry. "Did anyone ever learn anything from him?"

"No." said Lupin. "In fairness their probably wasn't any need. Voldemort was defeated and all his supporters were being rounded up with remarkable speed. Why are you bringing this up?"

"A lot of Black's supposed motives… they don't make sense." Said Harry. "Why did he betray my parents? Also why did he wait so long to give them over to Voldemort?"

Lupin frowned. "I'm sorry?"

"You said it yourself, there was a spy amongst you and you were losing allies all the time."

"For over a year." Said Lupin.

"My parents were in hiding all that time. Why did Black wait until Halloween before…"

Lupin's eyes widened. He looked shocked, as if what Harry was suggesting had never occurred to him.

"Voldemort was after my family, long before Emma was born. Why did Black wait until that moment before he gave the location?" Harry emphasized again.

"Black." Lupin trailed off. "I'm not sure anyone really understood him. I thought I did, but the man I thought I knew would never have done that to Peter and those Muggles, never mind what he did to your parents and the rest of our allies. I probably knew Black better than anyone who is alive and… well maybe after he left school and the sanctuary of Hogwarts he changed, but I never saw it. He and the others still found time for me and to play with me during the full…"

Lupin stopped suddenly.

Harry pretended not to notice though. "It couldn't have been anyone else?" he said.

"No." said Lupin. "Myself, Peter and Professor Dumbledore were the only others who had knowledge of where your parents were and knowledge of those who were betrayed in the year beforehand. I was away most of the time trying to negotiate with the Werewolves."

"The Werewolves?" said Harry.

"Yes. Historically, those whom suffer from discrimination tend to ghettoize themselves and make their own little community within the community they are discriminated against. There is a werewolf village: Dùn Blaidyn. Those werewolves who don't turn to crime or make the effort I do in the Wizarding World tend to live out there."

"But I thought Hogsmeade was the only all Wizard village in Britain?" said Harry in confusion.

"The Ministry of Magic do not think of Werewolves as human." Said Lupin. "The only reason I was able to convince the werewolves to keep out of the war was because neither did Voldemort. Since the end of the war though, the Ministry has passed some anti-werewolf measures that have since made it virtually impossible for my kind to get work in the Wizarding World. The only reason Dumbledore can employ me is because of his influence in the Ministry and the Wizengamot. Besides no one would want to visit Dùn Blaidyn. I can't even tell you where it is, part of the deal allowing me to enter the village was that I tell no one of its location."

"Dùn Blaidyn?" said Harry. "Well I would assume that's in Wales."

Lupin chuckled. "Most people do. But 'Dùn' is actually Gaelic."

The two of them spent more time discussing Werewolves rights and Lupin's stories about working in the Muggle World and such.

But Harry didn't forget Lupin's slip up. Sirius Black and Harry and Emma's Dad, as well as Peter Pettigrew, Lupin's close friends, played with him during the Full Moon.

ORACLE2PHOENIX

"I don't understand." Said Emma. She and Harry were in the Room of Requirement kitchen baking cakes for the following day's party. "If they could comfort him as a Werewolf, why not."

"But how." Said Harry. "Em' Werewolves in their beast form have a pathological instinct to hunt and bite human's by any means necessary. There are only so many ways one can do so."

"What ways?" said Emma.

"Normally standing behind a heavily reinforced Shield Charm, while the Werewolf satisfies itself with plentiful supplies of meat." Said Harry. "Somehow I don't think that's how Dad and his friends did it."

"And the other ways?" said Emma.

"How should I know?" Grumbled Harry.

"You're the Defence expert. How would you do it?" said Emma.

"Good point." Said Harry. "Well the beast form seeks out Humans. So the best way would be to convince the werewolf that I wasn't a human."

"How could one do that?" asked Emma.

"The best I could come up with would be a Confundus Charm." Said Harry thoughtfully. "It wouldn't be easy though, and even a good wizard would only be able to guarantee a Confundus for about what… four hours… tops."

"Not exactly a whole night." Said Emma.

"Unless they did something with Runes." Said Harry. "They would need to activate it after the transformation started but not before he became a full beast."

"Yes but what would they Confund him to play. Solitaire?" said Emma. "No. I mean no insult to Werewolves, but I think they played with him like one would play with a dog. Which basically involves a lot of running."

"I don't know." Said Harry. "It's not like it matters much, except…"

"Yeah I know, answers can be found in the most unlikely places." Said Emma. "And we have a lot of unanswered questions."

"I think I just found one more." Said Harry.

"Let's just focus on and enjoy tomorrow." Said Emma. "By the way the twins should be back by now do you think they got the…"

Suddenly both Potters jumped as the door to the room burst open.

"Ahoy there chefs Potter." Shouted Fred.

"Chefs Potter?" said George.

"I couldn't think of anything better." Remarked Fred.

"I recall a certain conversation I had with Angelina regarding your brains." Said Emma before George could continue the twin speak.

Both twins looked at her with mock hurt.

"Oh how you hurt us." Remarked George.

"Whatever." Said Emma.

"And after all the trouble we went through too." Said Fred, reaching into his bag.

"Oh success?" said Harry.

"Yes." Said George. "But we feel insulted."

"Awe I'm sorry." Said Emma mockingly. "Can I have the bottle now?"

"Very well." Said Fred. "But only because I love you so much."

"Sell-out." Remarked George.

"Oh just because you're the ugly one." Said Emma, taking bottle from Fred.

"So tell us Miss Potter." Said George inquisitively. "Of all the things to get drunk on, why a cheap bottle of wine?"

"That's cheap red wine George." Said Harry. "And we're not going to drink a drop of it, it's for the lamb tomorrow."

"Lamb?" said both twins at once.

"Roast Lamb with garlic." Said Emma. "Ginny said it was Ron's favourite, and it's been so long since we've been able to have some."

"You're making a Roast Lamb dinner?" said Fred incredulously.

"Yeah." Said Emma. "I'm sick of party food, I want Yorkshire puddings with gravy."

"Well that's all well and good but where are you going to get Yorkshire puddings and lamb for tomorrow?" said Fred.

Emma turned around and opened some cupboards. As she took the things out she named each of them. "Milk. Eggs. Flour. Potatoes. Salt. Also: Lamb."

Emma took out a good sized Lamb.

"Where did you get that?" said George incredulously.

"Hagrid. I think he thinks that I'm doing a Potions project." Shrugged Emma. "This won't be enough for all of us so there are another three in here as well. We'll cook all four of them tomorrow along with the other stuff."

"So what are you making now?" asked Fred, noticing the Room of Requirement's oven was on.

"That's Demelza's birthday cake." said Harry. "Not easy to find a recipe, but Colin's mum new one and sent it over."

"Chocolate lemon marble cake." said Emma in answer. "We've made Luna's and Ron's already."

"Three cakes?" said Fred.

"Three birthdays." Said Emma in response. "If I was in charge of your birthday party, you'd both get a cake. I'd even make your favourites."

"Our birthday is in April?" said George, before he could stop himself.

"Yeah we know, April Fool's day." Said Harry.

"Expect a surprise." Said Emma.

"A nice surprise?" said Fred excitedly.

"I never said that." Said Emma.

ORACLE2PHOENIX

A little after Lunch Harry and Emma went into the Room of Requirement to finish the preparations. The party was starting much earlier in order to cope with the change in curfew times.

They set about preparing all the food and ingredients. Because of the magnificent nature of the Room, they were able to summon up an additional oven which was entirely dedicated to cooking the four legs of lamb.

"Are we going to have enough space?" said Harry.

"Should do." Said Emma. "I must admit, I've never tried cooking for so many people before."

"Well proportionally this should work." Said Harry. He looked at his watch. "Everyone will be here soon."

Vicky, Natalie and Geoffrey were the first to arrive, Vicky and Geoffrey holding hands.

"Hey guys." Said Harry.

"So what's the plan boss?" asked Geoffrey.

"Boss?" said Emma.

"Well we got to call our great leader something haven't we?" said Geoffrey lightly.

"No we don't." said Harry sharply, hoping to stop the eventual conversation from developing. He failed.

"Well I always just call you Big Brother." Said Emma. "But if I ask Ginny to call you that, she might cry."

"I think something more along the lines of Supreme Overlord would be more appropriate." Said Geoffrey.

"In what way is Harry an Overlord?" remarked Vicky.

"How about Grand Master Dueller." Said Natalie.

"No." said Harry forcefully.

"Like I said then Boss." Smirked Geoffrey.

"Would you all just call me Harry?" said Harry.

"That can be arranged." came Ginny's voice from the doorway. She, Demelza and Colin all entered the Room followed by the twins and Lee Jordon, all three of whom had slowed to a stop in order to admire the Water World room.

"Thank you Ginny." Said Harry "It's good to know that someone loves me."

This caused Ginny to blush.

Emma, feeling pity for her best friend, sought to change topic. "So guys what do you think?"

Lee Jordon, the only person present who'd never entered the Room before, turned and grinned. "This looks so cool, I mean a room that can actually morph at will?"

"Yup." Said Emma. "This is actually based on Muggle indoor water parks. Harry and I have never actually been so we decided to create this one on our own."

"Why don't you guys get changed and we'll join you in a minute?" said Harry. "Em' and I need to finish setting the ovens."

"Ovens?" said Fred.

"Yeah!" remarked Emma. "This is a party for eighteen people, that's four legs of lamb. Do you know how much space four legs of lamb and all the trimmings take up? Especially when they've been proportionally adjusted, we may even need a third oven."

"Are you guys ok doing this?" asked Colin.

"Yeah, we've done this sort of thing tons of times." Said Emma. "Admittedly never on this scale but…"

In order to avoid discussing the Dursleys, Emma's friends ushered everyone into the changing rooms.

"By the way Demelza." said Emma, before she and the others went in. "Happy Birthday."

A few minutes later; Ron, Hermione and Neville came in.

"That looks good." Said Ron, eyeing the lamb.

"Just wait until we add the garlic." Said Emma. "Then you'll be excited as… well as excited as you usually are at the prospect of food."

"Hey!" protest Ron as Hermione giggled along with Harry.

"Come on let's get changed." Said Harry. "Happy Birthday mate."

"Thanks. Percy is waiting outside, he insists on escorting his lady inside." Said Ron badly making his voice sound more posh.

"Whatever makes him Happy." Said Emma. "Harry go on ahead, I'll finish peeling the potatoes."

"You know you can do those magically?" questioned Hermione.

"I know, but we go back to Privet Drive in a few months." Said Emma. "I want to stay in practice."

"You don't have to cook for them you know." Said Hermione insistently

"Yes we do." Said Harry assuredly. "The alternative is letting Petunia cook. I doubt she'll have improved enough after a year without us."

"Go." Ordered Emma. "I'm almost done."

Harry followed Ron and Neville into the boys changing while Hermione went to the girls.

Emma had just finished when Percy and Penelope walked in arm in arm, Ruth and Luna walking behind them.

"Wow!" said Penelope incredulously as she let go of Percy's arm and stepped forward.

"This is just like the ones back home." Said Ruth in awe. "Except it's…"

"Private." Finished Penelope.

"Well what are you waiting for?" said Emma. "The girl's changing rooms are this way. Percy the boys are over there." she pointed as Geoffrey and Neville exited dressed in trunks.

But Percy's eyes were fixed on the kitchen area.

"Is that alcohol?" he said sternly eyeing the dark bottle on the work surface next to one of the ovens.

"Yes red wine, very important for a roast lamb." Said Emma.

"But that's alcohol." Percy protested. "School rules strictly prohibit students from possessing access to any form of alcohol."

"Percy, I'm sure she means no harm." Said Penelope.

"But…"

"Please Percy." Said Emma pleadingly, looking at him with both eyes again. "We're not drinking it, we're just cooking with it. The alcohol will have completely disappeared from the food by the time we eat it. We can pour the rest away under your supervision later if you like. Also look." She walked over to Luna and turned the Blond haired Ravenclaw, whom wore her calm happy expression, to face the Head Boy. "Look at that face. Doesn't that face deserve a great party? I want her dinner to be the best and I can't do that without the wine."

Ruth stared in shock as Emma, expertly played Percy. She could see her sister's boyfriend's face contort. Percy for his part turned to his girlfriend, the Head Girl.

"What do you think?" He asked her.

"Well." Said Penelope. "I know that the rules on alcohol are strict, but they weren't designed to stop this, they were designed to stop drunkenness and general misuse. I think, we can overlook it."

Percy looked thoughtful for a few seconds before visibly sighing. "Alright." He said "But don't expect me to let this slide so easily next time."

"Yay." Shouted Emma. She rushed over to him and pecked him on the cheek. "Now be a good boy and go change into some trunks."

Percy smirked slightly and walked over to the Boys changing area.

Neville and Geoffrey had not yet entered the water, when Percy started going on about the alcohol they had stood still and silent, not wanting to upset a situation which could ruin everything. But it wasn't over yet.

"You seem to have my boyfriend on quite a leash." Remarked Penelope, she didn't sound unfriendly but there was a little unease in her tone.

Emma shrugged. "It's a gift. Besides which can't be that much of a leash, he did ask you whether you thought it was a good idea."

"I guess." Said Penelope.

"Someone's going to have to remind him on occasion that rules aren't everything. That's you." Said Emma. "We people of the world who rely on fun are counting on you."

Penelope chuckled a little, as only someone so close to Percy could.

"Come on. Let's change into something less suitable for polite society."

Emma led the girls past Neville and Geoffrey, both of whom were still standing completely still, taking in everything that had just happened. It was most likely a combination of her father's genes and the shear positioning of the semi naked boys. But, with their stupefied expressions, Emma thought a wakeup call was in order.

"Wha!" shouted Geoffrey and Neville in remarkable synchronicity.

Emma pushed them both over so they landed in the pool with a big splash.

Penelope stopped with a look of shock as Ruth and Luna burst out laughing.

The boys surfaced. "Hey what did you do that for?" shouted Geoffrey, though he was rather amused by the whole thing.

"You looked like you could do with a dip." Emma defended.

The two boys did not look impressed. Geoffrey nodded to Neville and jerked his head in Emma's direction. She did not immediately realise the consequences of her actions until the boys had climbed out and started towards her.

"Wait no!" she begged to no avail.

She turned to run but Geoffrey grabbed her round the waist and shouted to Neville "Get her legs."

Emma, found herself hoisted up by the two boys, who played the next part much more torturously than she did.

"Alright Neville on three." Said Geoffrey.

"And a one… and a two…" they started. Each time swinging her back and forth. "And a THREE!" shouted Geoffrey.

Emma impacted the water with a much larger splash, probably because of her robes, than both the boys combined. When she surfaced she found that her audience had significantly grown, as Natalie and Vicky came out.

"And what is my boyfriend doing throwing another girl in the water?" said Vicky, her eyes narrowed but still full of mischief.

"That's a good question." Said Geoffrey. He ran up and with a surprising demonstration in strength for one his age and lifted Vicky off the ground.

"Wait what are you doing?" she demanded.

Geoffrey grinned, pecked her on the lips and then quick marched over to the poolside and jump in.

Meanwhile Emma climbed out of the pool, wanting vengeance. Unfortunately Geoffrey was in the water but Neville was standing relatively close to the edge of the water. He wasn't the only one.

As her closest friend in position, Emma locked eyes with Natalie, nodded to Neville, then to Luna and locked eyes with her again raising an eyebrow. Natalie grinned and nodded. The two of them took up positions, Natalie right next to Neville.

"Say Luna could you come here a sec?" asked Emma.

"Of course." Said Luna. Judging by the look in her eye, she knew what Emma was about to do.

When Luna was close enough, Emma guided her right into Neville then, demonstrating expert synchronicity, Natalie and Emma pushed Luna and Neville into the water.

Upon surfacing, Emma felt that Luna was laughing a bit much. But then she stopped suddenly. She had to, because Neville chose that moment to kiss her.

Everyone present stopped what they were doing, except Vicky and Geoffrey who were both caught up in their own moment.

In the silence, Neville broke off the kiss and looked Luna in the eyes. "Happy Birthday Luna." He said simply.

"Thank you Neville." Said Luna, the joy and happiness evident in her voice.

The silence once more was ensured but, almost inevitably, was ruined when Harry and Ron exited the Boys changing area.

"Em'?" said Harry in confusion. "Why are you all wet?"

ORACLE2PHOENIX

After everyone caught up on what happened and Neville and Luna received the prescribed level of ribbing, though in Luna's case it was never going to have any effect, Emma finally lead the Clearwaters into the girl's changing area.

Penelope took pity on Emma and Luna and cast some magic that dried their wet clothes.

"Thank you Penelope." Said Luna.

"Thank you kindly." Said Emma with a little mock pomposity.

"What's got you so hyper?" asked Ruth as she unzipped her skirt.

"I don't know." Said Emma.

"I imagine you're enjoying the tension relief." Said Luna.

"I guess." Said Emma. "Between what's been happening with Black, not to mention the stuff I've helped Demelza put up with, it's nice to have a party."

The four of them pulled on their suits, all of which were completely different. Luna still wore the same one-piece that she wore at Hermione's Birthday Party and the start of term welcome back party, Emma wore the modest two piece that Mrs Creevey had sent her for Christmas. Ruth's suit was a sports bikini, Penelope's on the other hand was also a Bikini, but it wasn't what Emma would consider sporty.

She drew a few looks from everyone, some boys more than others, when she exited and trotted up to Percy.

"I guess we're a few years away from being able to do that." Said Ginny quietly to her year mates, envy in her voice apparent.

"Do what?" asked Ruth.

"Well." Started Demelza. "Recently, especially since Emma and I got these suits to replace our one-pieces, we've been wondering how…"

"We've been wondering what it would be like to wear a Bikini." Said Ginny.

"I'd thoroughly recommend it." Said Ruth. "But probably something more like this as opposed to Penny's."

Emma regarded the sports bikini Ruth was wearing, it wasn't that much less modest than the two-pieces she and Demelza were wearing.

"I asked my Mum to get me one like Penny's when we were on holiday last year, but she said no and got me this instead." Said Ruth. "She said I could get one when I was older."

"How much older?" said Ginny eyeing the suit.

Ruth shrugged. "My sister got one like that that when she was 15 and Mum didn't mind. I would imagine I could get one after my 14th, maybe 13th at a stretch. But if I'm honest I'm happy with this one. I just didn't like the one-piece, the straps pulling from both sides…"

Ruth blushed as she just admitted that to her year mates, who in turn burst out laughing.

"Sorry." Said Emma. "In fairness though, this one I'm wearing feels less constricted just because it's not connected to the pant."

"It is nice to have a bit more bare skin." Said Demelza fingering her belly button. "Even if it's only a little."

Ruth and the others who hadn't been to the Water World Room of Requirement managed to fit in and relax pretty quickly. Ruth and Penelope had been to Muggle Water Parks before and Fred, George and Lee's general fun nature allowed them to enjoy things like the flumes and the wave machine with expert ease. Even Percy, whom usually had a strict and no nonsense attitude was able to wind down and have fun in this unfamiliar environment.

At one point, Emma, Lee, Luna and Neville were waiting at the top of the flumes when a two ring inflatable materialised at the mount of the slide.

"Well." Said Lee. "I think this one goes to the new couple."

"Why thank you Lee." Said Luna. She had Neville sit at the back then she sat at the front and guided his arms around her waist.

Emma giggled at the look of shock on Neville's face, having a girlfriend was going to take him a bit of getting used to.

"Oh, it looks like we shall be going down together." Said Lee.

Emma turned to see another two ring inflatable had materialized, suddenly the idea of going down the slide with the older boy made her blush a bit.

If Lee noticed then he didn't say anything. "So front or back?" he asked.

Emma mentally weighed the options up, "Front he holds me, back I hold him."

Lee seemed to be noticing her hesitation, so in panic she suddenly blurted out her answer.

"Front!"

"Ok." Replied Lee.

It was a fast and weaving ride with a very wet ending. But Emma wasn't paying any… well she wasn't paying that much attention to the actual ride. Lee had a very strong grip, it was not uncomfortably tight. When asked later Emma would describe it as…

"Snug?" repeated Ginny.

"Yeah." Said Emma. "Between his arms round my waist and the warmth of his upper body… I would say that it was snug."

"So what are your thoughts on Lee." Said Ginny.

"He is a lot more attractive closer up." Said Emma. "But I think more experimentation is needed."

Before Ginny could respond to that statement, Emma swam over to one of her twin brothers.

"Hey Fred, want to ride down one of the flumes with me?" Emma asked the boy.

"Why Miss Potter I'm delighted you…"

"Great come on." interrupted Emma dragging Fred through the water.

She pulled him up to the top of the stairs where a two person inflatable was waiting for them.

"Sit." She ordered. "No not there, there. I want to go up front."

Fred, a bit perplexed, complied. Emma sat down in front of him and when he didn't put his arms around her she reached back and put them there.

"Much better." Said Emma, and, before Fred could make a comment, she pulled them forward and shouted "GERONIMO!" What followed was a yet another thrilling ride. But Emma again found herself feeling snug in the arms of a boy. This felt more intense though because it was a boy she actually knew. She was constantly aware of her relationship with the boy behind her and the potential for something more.

When the two of them splashed down at the bottom; Ginny, George and Demelza were all there waiting for them. George and Ginny both looked shocked whilst Demelza was grinning like an idiot.

"Well?" asked Ginny surreptitiously.

"My test results are inconclusive." Remarked Emma, much to the confusion of Fred and George.

"Are these tests of your… potentials?" asked Demelza.

"Yes." Said Emma. "But I need more testing. Come on girls, thanks for the ride Fred."

As she was leaving, Emma heard George say: "What on Earth is going on?"

"Well, what now?" said Ginny.

"Where's Percy?" said Emma, a glint in her eyes.

"He's ah…" trailed of Ginny looking for her brother. "Oh holy Merlin no."

Emma turned to see Percy and Penelope in an alcove area of water having a private moment.

"Is it legal to do that in front of children?" asked Demelza.

"Well it's definitely borderline." Said Emma. "It's probably for the best he's like five years older than me. Still quite charming, but if he's taken."

"Can you try someone else?" asked Ginny.

"Sure, where is Colin?" said Emma.

"He went into the river rapids with Harry and Ron after you came down with Lee." Said Demelza. "He looked a little grumpy though, so maybe you might want to give him some space."

"I don't care if Ron's grumpy…" began Emma.

"No, Colin was grumpy." Said Demelza.

Emma and Ginny looked at the Cornish girl incredulously.

"Colin?" said Ginny.

"Grumpy?" said Emma. "Should we check him for Polyjuice?"

"We could try talking to him first?" suggested Demelza.

"There he is." Said Emma. "Hmm. He does look a little grumpy, maybe a ride down the flumes with his favourite Emma will cheer him up."

Emma swam over to the mouth of the River Rapids and popped up in front of Colin, who seemed to jump in shock.

"Did I scare you?" asked Emma. "Could you ride down the flumes with me please Colin?"

"Wh… what?" stuttered Colin, all of a sudden quite shy.

"You know, two person inflatable ring things. Come on, come one." Said Emma.

"B… but…"

"Pretty please?" pleaded Emma fluttering her eyelashes.

"O… Ok!" Stuttered Colin.

"Yay!" shouted Emma and she pulled him out the water and up the stairs to the top.

Unlike Lee and Fred, Colin was shorter than Emma so she had him sit up front.

"Ah!" squealed Colin when she out her arms round him.

"Are you tickly?" asked Emma.

"Uh… whaaa!" screeched Colin as she began testing the answers to that question.

"Sorry." She giggled, pulling him closer to her and kissing the back of his head. "Ready?"

"Y… yes." Said Colin.

"YEEHA!" shouted Emma, and the two of the rode down the slide.

Splash! They impacted the bottom and floated together in the water.

"Well, well; have I been replaced?" asked Fred inquisitively once he'd swam closer to the pair of them.

"Let me see." Said Emma. She swam up to him. "Follow my finger."

Emma raised her left index finger and held it a few inches from Fred's nose. Then she lifted it higher and Fred's eyes followed her finger. When his eyes could look up no more on their own his head raised.

Suddenly without warning, Emma's other index finger prodded the area between his shoulder and his neck.

"Yah!" screamed Fred.

For the sake of it, Emma then prodded him from the other side with the previously levitated finger.

"Nope, I don't think you've been replaced. You're still George's twin brother." Said Emma. "Come on Colin I haven't tried the river rapids, today, has anything new been added?"

ORACLE2PHOENIX

"Harry, does your sister fancy anyone?" said Hermione.

"Sorry Hermione, that's confidential." Said Harry.

Hermione looked a little put out by that.

"Sorry but my sister and I have a relationship of mutual trust and understanding. Some things we don't share without permission. That is one of them."

"I was just going to say, she seems to be getting a feel for some of the boys." Said Hermione.

"What literally?" said Harry.

He looked over to see Emma with Demelza, Ginny and Colin roaming down the river rapids.

"That not what I… it's just she rode down with Lee, then Fred, then Colin and now she won't leave Colin alone." Said Hermione. "I was just wondering."

"Hermione, she's just having fun with her friends, like we're all doing, well maybe not as much as Percy and Penelope."

"Yes they are rather…" Hermione trailed off trying not to look at the older couple.

Ruth swam over to the two of them. "Believe it or not Mum and Dad still haven't met him yet. I think she's inevitably going to have to invite him round this summer."

"Percy still hasn't met your parents?" said Hermione.

"No. But then again Penelope hasn't met Mr and Mrs Weasley yet either." Said Ruth. "That's the advantage of boarding school. Long periods with your boyfriend and you don't have to worry about meeting his parents or him meeting yours."

"Well I don't think Luna's going to be able to avoid meeting Neville's Gran." Said Harry.

"No." Agreed Hermione. "She is one hell of a woman though."

"What about Vicky and Geoffrey's parents?" said Ruth. "Have they met each other's?"

"Don't know." Said Harry. "None of us have, well Natalie has known Vicky a while so they've probably met each other's parents. But I don't know about Geoffrey. The three of them are quite tight though so I wouldn't be surprised."

"Whose parents haven't we met?" said Hermione.

"Well I've met yours, Ron and Ginny's, and Colin's." Harry ticked off. "I'm not entirely sure whether I want to meet Demelza's."

"No." said Hermione thoughtfully. "I'm not sure I could face a man… or a woman who would… who could think so little of gender equality."

"Did you meet Colin's parents?" Harry asked her.

"I met his Mum in passing." Said Hermione. "Remember at the Leaky before term."

"Oh yeah." Said Harry. "What about Luna's Dad, Ginny said that he and Luna live near the Burrow."

"Nope." Said Hermione. "Though from what I understand about Xenophilius Lovegood he likes to spend a lot of time researching and writing. If his views weren't so… contrary to reality he would make a great academic."

"Some people think he is a great academic." Said Ruth. "Of course some don't but…"

"Eye of the beholder." Remarked Harry. He then glanced over at the clock. "Ah, it's that time. EMMA!" he called.

ORACLE2PHOENIX

"Percy stay out of the kitchen." Snapped Emma.

"But I'm only trying to help." Protested Percy.

"Well help from over there." Emma pointed to the top of the flumes. "None of this will be ready for about half an hour and once you're out of the pool you're out for the day, because we won't make curfew otherwise."

"Percy this is our domain." Said Harry. "Relax we know what we're doing. Have you finished with the salt Em'?"

"Almost." Said Emma sprinkled a little into a pan "Right here you go… Percy clear off. We'll call you when it's dinner time."

Percy looked a bit put out but reluctantly went back to have fun in the pool.

"I can handle this for now." Said Harry. "Go, get changed."

"Alright." Said Emma.

When she came back she took over from her brother and Harry took his turn getting changed.

"Right everyone, fifteen minute warning." Called Emma. "You might want to get changed now."

Once everyone had exited the pool and made use of the changing rooms, the swimwear and towels were quickly cleaned up thanks to Percy and Penelope's use of Drying Charms. Then everyone sat down at an extra-large table, big enough to accommodate the massive influx of people, while Emma and Harry levitated dishes carrying the contents of an oversized roast lamb dinner into place.

"I must say this looks excellent." Said Percy. "Where on Earth did the two of you learn to make a roast?"

Emma blushed. "We grew up learning. For as long as I can remember it's been a team effort. I shudder to think what would happen if one of us cooked something like this on our own."

"You'd be fine." said Harry. "Me, I'm not so sure about. You're the chemist between us."

"Hmm." Said Emma. "Maybe it's time I started supervising your Potions work Harry."

"Why?" said Harry.

"Same reason you supervise my Defence. Make sure it's up to scratch." Said Emma.

"Let's talk about this another time." Said Harry. "I think we should propose a toast to the Birthday boy and girls."

"Here, here." Said the Twins.

"Ok." Said Harry, standing up. "To Ron. Whose understanding of the Wizarding World is a treasure trove to those of us who grew up without it, May your stomach be satisfied by this feast before you."

"Ron." Said everyone, although some like Hermione said "Ronald.", while the redhead blushed at the rib at his eating habits.

"To Demelza. Whose innate courage and drive to understand who she is set an example to us all, may this celebration be worthy of our appreciation for you and the care you have shown us despite your recent difficulties."

"Demelza." said everyone. Demelza now took her turn to look distinctly embarrassed.

"To Luna. Whose understanding of logic is but one peculiarity in what makes you such a great person, may our presence hear always remind you that your differences are part of what we love about you.

"Luna." Said everyone.

"And finally." Said Harry. "To all of us, who came here and met in secret in order to have a good time, in spite of the chaos that has happened out with this room yet inside this castle. What we have formed over the last eighteen months is truly something to be proud of. We started off as a group of friends and now we are evolving into so much more. I do not know what form our group may take. But our future is promising and we have already achieved the most important thing the group has to offer. Friendship. To our group here and to our friends and close family that we invited, I say thank you."

The group smiled fondly at Harry whilst the others indulged this rather odd moment. To the Potters, who had no family, the group meant so much to them.

"To our Hogwarts Family." Said Harry.

"Hogwarts Family." Repeated the members of the group. The others looked a bit awkward, so Harry decided that he'd said enough. "Right tuck in guys."

The roast worked really well and everyone enjoyed what Harry and Emma had produced, though a number privately held dark thoughts regarding where the Potter's expertise came from.

At the end of the dinner, Harry and Emma then brought out the cakes. For Ron they had made a chocolate mud cake, for Luna a banana cake with chocolate chips and for Demelza they had made a chocolate lemon marble cake.

"You didn't have to make three different cakes." Said Demelza in amazement. "I'd have happily shared."

"I don't mind sharing your cake?" Joked Ron.

"It was three different birthdays." Justified Emma. "Anyway, we have a lot of guest here today, do don't worry."

Emma was right, one cake would never have been enough to share with everybody. In fact, after everybody had one slice of cake, at the end there was no mud or banana cake.

"Uh guys." Said Percy. "We've not got long."

"Right." Said Harry. "We'd probably best get going then, we'll be in trouble if we're not back for curfew. Especially us." He indicated himself and Emma.

"Ok." Said Emma. "Percy do you want to oversee the disposal of the wine?"

"Uh… well…" Percy trailed off. "I don't see why it couldn't be reused."

The entire Weasley contingent in the Room of Requirement froze solid in shock.

"Uh…" Emma trailed off. "There's not exactly an occasion we can use it for anytime soon. We've opened the bottle so it will go off in the next few days."

"Magic can fix that." Said Penelope. "But are you sure Percy?"

"I… I am." Percy trailed off.

"I can't believe it." Said Fred.

"This level of rule breaking is so beyond what we've come to expect of you." Said George.

"Emma, Harry the two of you have truly worked wonders on him." Said Fred.

"What, it's a really nice roast." Protested Percy.

"Besides which no one is drinking it, so the spirit of the rules is still in effect." Said Penelope.

After a few waves of Hermione's wand, the left overs food vanished and the dishes and utensils began cleaning themselves and putting themselves away ready for a future occasion, Penelope personally put a magic spell on the wine to keep it from going off. Emma begged the Head Girl to teach her that spell, so a future tutoring session was promised by the older Ravenclaw.

ORACLE2PHOENIX

"And where have you all been?" Demanded McGonagall as the Gryffindors from the party. "None of you have been seen all day."

As with previous occasions, other students in the Common Room turned to see a vast entourage return to their House's tower.

"Good Evening to you to Professor." Piped up Geoffrey, causing a few giggles from Gryffindors within earshot.

"Don't be cheeky with me Mr Hooper." Snapped the Transfiguration Professor. "Mr Weasley?" she looked directly at Percy.

"Oh we've had an absolute splendid day." Said Percy.

"I'm sorry?" said McGonagall.

"My youngest Brother and Sister's friends threw the most exciting party for his birthday and the birthdays of two girls in their circle of friends I must say I had a wonderful time." Said Percy enthusiastically.

McGonagall looked shocked. If there was one thing she never expected Percy to volunteer such enthusiasm about it was a party.

"Well it's been a long day and I have the before Breakfast patrol tomorrow, so if you don't mind Professor I'll say goodnight."

McGonagall nodded simply, and Percy was up the stairs to the Boys Dormitory before she realised she hadn't receive an answer to her question. But the rest of the entourage scattered around the Common Room to play games or else go up to their Dormitories. They were all safe, fine and happy. There was no point in bothering them over what was an irrelevant detail.

"Hey guys guess what?" Said Ron, as he Hermione, Harry and Neville joined Seamus and Dean and some more of their roommates. "Neville and Luna kissed."

Ok probably irrelevant.

ORACLE2PHOENIX

It was a few days later, the final anomaly in the Sirius Black case begun to really unfurl for Harry.

It started when Fred and George came to give the latest update on their search of the Marauder's Map.

"Nothing new." Said George.

"Can you keep looking?" asked Harry.

"Sure." Said Fred. "By the way, where is your Dorm mate going at night?"

"I'm sorry?" said Harry.

"Well ever since you gave us the map back, your room seems to be missing a person." Said George.

"Who?" asked Harry.

"Sorry, we didn't learn his name." said Fred. "Doubt we've ever exchanged any words with the guy. All we know is we can only find up to five people in your Dorm at the moment. Where has the sixth guy gone?"

"Sixth guy?" said Harry in disbelief. "There has only ever been the five of us."

"Are you sure about that?" said Fred. "I'm pretty sure when Ronnie first came to Hogwarts and we checked your Dorm we found six people."

"Six?" said Harry.

"Yeah, I remember thinking it was odd because most Dorms never exceed five people." Said Fred.

"Well ours doesn't." said Harry. "There are only five beds, so unless Seamus has a dodgy secret, which isn't to unlikely knowing him, there are definitely only five people in my dorm and there have only ever been five."

"Ah, maybe we imagined him then." Said George.

"What both of you?" said Harry. "Are you sure you can't remember his name?"

"Well it was P-P." said Fred thoughtfully.

"Pee?" Snorted Harry.

"Not that kind of P." laughed Fred. "It was more a sort of… Patrick Patterson."

"No I thought it was Phillip Porter…" said George.

"Neither name rings a bell." Said Harry. "Never mind, see you later."

However after classes that day, Hermione insisted that she, Harry and Ron go to the Library to do some revision for the exams.

"Hermione it's only March." Complained Ron.

"Yes but we need to get started now." Said Hermione. "The Animagus material alone is massive. Not even I managed to understand everything."

"We're not going to have to turn into animals for the exam?" asked Harry incredulously.

"No, don't be silly it's illegal." Said Hermione.

"What?" said Harry.

Hermione then spent a few minutes explain the illegalities of becoming an Animagi and why.

"People have killed themselves by attempting the transformation without supervision." Said Hermione.

"Then why not get supervision?" asked Ron.

"Becoming an Animagus isn't easy Ronald." Said Hermione. "Most people who get proper instruction never manage to complete the transformation. About 80%. There are lots of horrible stories about people who tried unsupervised. There are other restrictions. Anyone wanting to become one has to undergo extensive physical and psychological checks as well as a comprehensive background check conducted by the Department of Magical Law Enforcement and the Wizarding Education Authority."

"Has anyone ever successfully transformed unsupervised?" asked Harry.

"Plenty." Said Hermione. "Half the people on the register did it unsupervised."

"Half?" said Harry.

"Yeah. All but one of them did time in prison for it to. The other only got out of it because of expensive lawyers and a corrupt Ministry." Said Hermione.

"That again?" said Harry.

"Historically the Ministry has relied on corruption." Said Hermione. "The same can be said for the Muggle government, it was actually a factor that lead to the American War of Independence, bribery in the London government was abhorrently widespread and accepted as how things work. It's only really within the last century governments in the Muggle world have sought to do something about it, it's still there though."

"Could there be an Animagus out there who isn't on the register?" asked Harry.

"There almost certainly is." Said Hermione. "Very few people genuinely think there isn't anyone out there, but they are. Estimates vary widely though, no one really knows for sure."

Harry again put what he'd been told to the side for the moment, but he suddenly felt as if he should look into Animagi more closely as if he was missing something.

"Hermione, do you have a copy of everyone who's on the Animagus register?" asked Harry on the way back to the Common Room.

"No, but it's in the Library, you can ask Madam Pince for it." Said Hermione.

"I'll meet you guys later?" said Harry.

"What are you up to?" asked Ron.

"Not sure yet." Said Harry in response.

ORACLE2PHOENIX

Harry found the register, but the only name on it that was even vaguely recognisable was Professor McGonagall's.

Harry sat down with the list on the table. He was getting nowhere. He had no idea what this could possibly have to do with Sirius Black. So he once more, like a million times before, went over the stuff he knew.

Black was cast out of a pro-blood bigotry family for not adhering to those values, he was close friends with his Dad and Professor Lupin. He apparently gave up their house in Godric's Hollow after over a year of espionage, he then went on to kill Peter P…

"P-P!" said Harry suddenly, causing a group of First Year Hufflepuffs nearby to giggle.

The notion was ridiculous, it was beyond ridiculous. How could Peter Pettigrew have hidden away in Harry's Dormitory of all places for the last two and a half years? He's need to be out of sight or…"

"Disguise!" said Harry out loud. The answer was in front of him. Peter Pettigrew was an Animagus? No it wasn't possible. Yet Scabbers had been alive for years, many more than he likely should have, considering he was a rat. It was crazy. Yet human genetic material was found on Scabbers cage belonging to someone the same age as Pettigrew would be now, and Lupin indicated that his friends had played with his werewolf form. Werewolves were dangerous to humans but not to animals. But did that mean that Harry's Dad was an Animagus? And if he was, did that mean Sirius Black…

Then Harry remembered the look in Black's eyes from when he'd chased him. He's seen it before. The Black coloured dog in Hogsmeade. It was Sirius Black.

---

Ok so I didn't kill or maim anyone with the Blasting Curse, but you all thought I was going to right? Like I said earlier Evil.

Dùn Blaidyn is a name I invented after taking the Gaelic word for Fort: 'Dùn' and the Welsh term for werewolf (well really wolf-man): blaidd-dyn, messing about with it and then creating the name. I couldn't decide whether to give it a Welsh name or a Gaelic name. So I thought why not.

I paired Luna and Neville together, that was a surprise wasn't it. Well no it wasn't, I made it clear in the beginning that pairing was going to happen, but even I thought I would do it later on. Still, it makes things a bit more interesting, at least for me.

Anyway sorry about the long wait, I've been really busy. I'd like to say I got a job, but I've really been volunteering in a Nursery and playing with 2 to 4-year-olds. Those sessions are over now, which is a real shame because it was fun, with any luck I'll be employed sooner or later.

One final thing, a number of my readers have indicated interest in Tales of Symphonia. Exciting news for my fellow Tales fans, and maybe future tales fans, Namco have announced they are rereleasing both Tales of Symphonia and Tales of Symphonia: Dawn of the New World on PS3, and it looks like it's coming to North America, Europe and Oceania next year. So hooray for that.

Thanks for reading and please review.