Hey everyone,

So what do you guys think of the – "rewrite"? Like I said at the start of Darkened Light, there will be themes that Darkened will have in common with this story – such as the time spell and reading the books alongside the whole AD!bashing – and there will be differences – such as the soulbond between Harry, Lea and Cedric and the fact that Wolfstar doesn't get together right from the word go and the end of the fourth book.

However, just because I started a rewrite, DOESN'T mean that I won't continue to work on this one. I have worked, reworked and put too much work in editing this story over the past – almost decade I think – to give up on this story anytime soon. This is the one CR story where I am almost halfway through all the HP books and now I want to see it through to the end.

What of you?

Venquine1990

PS. Expect changes at the start, added bits later on.

Chapter 79

Light Of Guidance

4th of July 1995

Ballroom, Beast's Castle

Luna's POV

"This is your chance, sweetie. Take it. Aid the child. Prove the Demon's work."

Ever since my mother's death, I've felt as if these soft voices have been trying to whisper things in my ear, but then from a distance the length of the Great Hall or something. Thanks to this, I could never quite get what they were saying, but I somehow always knew what they wanted from me. How they wanted to help me help others.

Yet, ever since we visited the Olympus Coliseum, these voices have become loud and clear, even if they are still whispers. And finally, after a few hours of contemplating this while I listened to the recap of my first year from another's perspective, I realized who the voices were.

They were the Fates.

I truly don't know or understand how my mother was able to make me a vessel for the Fates to spread their warnings and messages through – or if that was even her intention while she was experimenting – but now that the voices are finally clear to me, I'm determined to listen.

It takes me a moment to decrypt their newest message, yet a look at the previous reader explains it all. Yet I don't really feel comfortable explaining my actual gift and what I realized about it recently. So, with my usual airy tone, I state:

"It's obvious, isn't it? This time, Harry remembers exactly what happened and yet Sirius doesn't. And we know someone – or knew someone – who messed with Harry's mind all the time." Every eye in the hall widens and many of my fellow Ravens look at me shocked and in disbelief.

Mr. Black mutters:

"Dumbledore."

With a raging tone.

I nod at him.

One student shouts that that's just disgusting and another asks why the man would do that. Harry himself sighs and mutters: "To create discord. Because Sirius remembers the event differently, he won't try to get as close as we almost were in the chapter.

Dumbledore wants me under his thumb. Sirius is an obstacle in his way to getting that done. That's why he never gave Sirius a trial and why he refused to help Sirius get his name cleared up till now. He wants Sirius out of the picture."

Here the boy stops and yet it's obvious that he wants to say more. That there is one word that wants to escape his lips, but that he's too afraid to voice.

Permanently

Thankfully, both his newly revived mother and the others seated on the blanket with him realize what he isn't saying. And the still 21 year old Lily Potter swiftly pulls her 14 year old son lovingly close against her form while a growling Remus Lupin does the same with his mate.

"A shock is coming. They must read the title. The shock will bring them much joy. Let them hurry, little Light of Guidance." The words startle me, yet the title brings a smile to my face. I wait a few more moments to give the family of four a chance to recuperate and then ask if I can read next.

Viktor Krum levitates the book over to me and I swiftly find the required page as I read:

Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs

And as soon as that last name leaves my lips the twins moan and bemoan the fact that they don't get to read the good chapter.

A lot of laughter comes from all over the hall over this, but then we all suddenly notice that there is another voice laughing along with the rest of us. We all turn to the doors to the Entrance Hall and the mouths of almost everyone drops at who is there.

James Potter snickers as he stands in the doorway.

"J-J-J-J – JAMES! HOW!"

Lily, Harry, Sirius, Remus and several teachers all scream in awe and disbelief. James Potter shrugs and answers: "The battle between Greengrass and Goyle had the rules broken three times. So Lord Hades requested me to find two souls and told me that the three of us would be brought back as well. One at a time though and he still gets to decide who and when. Apparently he thought now would be a good time to send me back."

And instantly it's proven that both other Potters wholeheartedly agree with the God of the Dead as they shout their husband/father's name as they jump him. Then, just like I hear the fates whisper in my ear, the voice of Lord Hades comment:

"Hey, I can be a fair God

When I want to be."

And while Sora had wanted to argue, the second part of the line takes him this chance. Before he shrugs in agreement to the whole statement. A few others grin, smirk, snicker and giggle at the words of the fiery god of death.

"This is just so incredible.

I missed this so much."

Lily whispers softly while she holds tightly to her son and husband. Harry turns to look at his mother and yet his father – or one of his fathers, I guess – explains: "After we died, we became transparent souls. We were completely unable to touch each other as trying would just make our forms pass through. We lost the chance to physically express our love for one another."

This horrifies his son, myself and many of those around us.

Yet James Potter seems determined not to let things remain gloomy for long. He turns to the Weasley matt and says: "Thanks for all you've done for my son for all these years. As a reward, I went to get your uncles when Lord Hades told me to fetch two other souls. Though I can't quite tell you when they'll get here. Might be this book, might be the next one."

The Weasleys stare and gape at him in disbelief and awe. He grins at the lot of them and then turns to me and suggests that I start reading. I happily comply.

It took all of a few seconds for his godfather's statement to … was thinking.
"You can't be serious."
"How is that possible?" Hermione asked faintly.
"I thought Peter Pettigrew was dead!" said Harry. "I was told that he killed him … at Scabbers; but Harry was faster and managed to jump in between.

Sirius shakes his head and says: "That bastard. In my memory it wasn't Harry who intervened. It was Remus. He grabbed me from behind and tried to keep me away from Ron."

I notice James Potter turning to the matt with Sora and the others and he seems to get what he's looking for. He turns back to his own matt and gently reassures Sirius: "Don't worry about it, mate. Just wait till we're done with the book. After that, Naminé will take care of you just like she did Harry." Sirius looks up and sees Naminé nodding.

He smiles at her gratefully

As I resume the chapter.

Black faltered and stood still in front of Harry, who stood in front of his best friend with his arms stretched. Yet Black's eyes kept switching between Harry's form and Scabbers, who … to escape.

Harry knew he was taking a risk, but he didn't care.

Sirius reassures his adopted son that he would never hurt him. Yet while Harry goes to lean against the man, he reminds him:

"I know that you wouldn't, but you were still very much affected by your twelve years in prison. That's what I was cautious about back then."

Sirius sighs, yet then James leans over to whisper something in his son's ear. Harry's eyes widen as his father winks at him. Harry smile and I continue.

"I want to know."He stated and this brought Black's attention back to him. "I want to know why you think Pettigrew is disguising himself as a pet! Why you stayed away all these year, this whole year. Why you still want to kill him - you owe me the truth, godfather!"
Black stared at Harry, though his hollowed eyes still fleetingly fixed on … bleeding hands.

Again Harry wished they were back at Hogwarts so he could ask the mighty castle to heal his friend.
"You know he's right, Sirius." Lupin told his friend, while switching his gaze between his three students and resting on Harry at the end.

"You just need to –."

But Black turned on Lupin and screamed, "I DID MY WAITING! TWELVE YEARS OF IT! IN AZKABAN!"

I can't help myself. I look up and ask: "Did I do good?" Yet even before I finish asking the question, I already have my answer.

Many of my fellow year mates are gaping at me, while most of the adults, such as Professor McGonagall and Mr. Diggory are cringing in guilt.

"Luna, where – where did that come from? I mean, you suck at trying to make your voice sound male, but – but that – that emotion." Ginny both compliments and criticizes me. And while Harry mutters that he almost felt as if he was back in the Shack, I read on.

In that moment, the deranged prisoner from Azkaban was visibly standing right in front of Harry, who – out of sheer instinct – took a fearful step back.

Black noticed this and a look of regret crossed his face.

"All right, then," … imprisoned for. . . "
"You'd leave me alone again?" Harry asked and instantly the man turned back to Harry, a look of dawning guilt in his eyes.

Sirius pulls his adopted son so closely against him the two look like one, which is something that happens very often during these readings, and whispers the words Never again, pup. Never again. Harry smiles at him and James snickers:

"I know you always felt jealous of Ron for having so many brothers, my little one. But now Ron has a reason to be jealous of you. You have a father, a dad and a papa as well as a mum."

Harry beams at the man, yet Sirius seems to have a strange desire to argue this. But while the man had been mostly laughing and snickering since his return, he turns stern and serious as soon as he hears his best friend call out his name.

"Sirius Orion Black, you are as much my boy's father as I am and I won't hear otherwise. I may not be willing to share Lily like that, but you adopted Harry and my return changes nothing about that. Not now, not ever. End of discussion."

Sirius grins at his best friend with a teary smile and when Harry looks at him, Sirius whispers: "I just didn't want your old man to feel as if I was intruding upon his time with his boy." All of the Potters and Remus smile at this and I happily continue.

"I need to see Madam Pomfrey." said Ron … for support. "I don't feel too good. I'm off. "
… you listen. I'll fix you up later myself, I promise."
"HE'S NOT … the bed.

Harry could hear it in his friend's voice, Ron truly didn't want to believe that he had been housing a murderer for all these years. In that moment, Harry truly felt for his best friend.

Then, ignoring … agreed, silently: This was it. The questions that had been plaguing both their minds since Christmas were going to be answered. Harry noticed the look of dawning horror and guilt on Ron's face, but shook his head ever so slightly. He would never blame Ron if Scabbers was really Pettigrew.

James is smirking at this point and says: "You know, we might have been nothing but spirits these past few years, but I did learn a few tricks while I was in said state. And apparently you can hurt your fellow souls if you pass through them.

Three times a guess what Lily and I did several times over when that filthy little rat finally joined us." A lot of grins and smirks, yet I can't help but think that's so disgusting. You're going through someone that vile. And I read on while suppressing a shudder.

Though at the same time he worried for the two people who were once friends of his father. Had years in Azkaban and years all by himself affected Black and Lupin at the same time? Or was this another of Dumbledore's tricks? Or maybe even the truth?
Then Hermione … trying to convince herself and them at the same time.
"But Professor Lupin … it can't. . . "
Harry really didn't understand why his female best friend wasn't on the same wavelength as he and Ron. She usually was, if not slightly ahead of them.

"Why can't … desperate move as well as Harry who still stood between the man and his best friend. "I've waited … one there … "

Harry suddenly had a bad feeling in his gut.
"This place … very intently. Harry was too, though occasionally his gaze would switch to Black instead.
"I as … frightened squeaking.

"I hate to say this, but this really is just further evidence of Dumbledore's need to manipulate and indebt people to him." Harry suddenly growls angrily.

Everyone looks at him in confusion as he leans against a pillar with his arms crossed and a furious frown on his young face. He shrugs and says:

"It's true. The whole thing proved successful with Lupin, so why didn't Dumbledore do this more often? Why not invite at least one werewolf to come to Hogwarts every seven years?

Or maybe invite four that each have one of the most prominent House traits? That would make it so that they'd be in the four Houses, thus draw less attention to a student missing from the dorms one night a month. And it would give the four a chance to form a pack of their own.

Why didn't Dumbledore ever do this?

Because he wanted the Shack and the whole thing exclusively for Lupin. As a reminder of how kind, noble and trusting the man was, as a way to indebt my father to him.

He could have easily improved the lives of at least 2 to 8 more werewolves in the past 17 years and he didn't. Was this because he planned this whole thing from the get-go? I'm not sure, but whether he did or not, I don't like it."

Everyone nods in agreement to this,

Those who know Remus personally looking especially furious

And I shake my head in disgust before I turn my focus back on the book.

"My transformations … at will. "

Harry instantly knew what books he'd be studying in History from now on.

"Please tell me you didn't actually try the transformation yourself, little one. I'm not against it, but your papa, father and I had each other to help us out. That's what made it safe enough for us to dare take the risk."

I'm quite certain that the late Molly No-Name would disagree on this and feel very glad that she is now haunting the realm of the Rich One. Harry's face turns sour and he mumbles that he completely forgot about that decision of his afterwards.

His dad sighs in relief and promises that Sirius and him will help their boy. Harry beams at just the offer and many of those around them, like they often do when they see how happy this makes their friend, beam as well.

I grin too as I read.

"But how … haven't changed. . . "

Remus' face right now equals his son's face from before. It's a mask of disgust and annoyance as he growls: "I sure don't feel guilty about any of this anymore now. I just feel annoyed that I fell for his scheming tricks for so long."

Harry lets out a thoughtful hum and mutters: "Wait a second. What if – he knew?" Everyone turns to the boy and he explains that he means Pettigrew.

"What if Pettigrew knew that Dumbledore was such a manipulative bastard? What if, at some point, Pettigrew confronted Dumbledore, only for Dumbledore to take Pettigrew as his – protégé of sorts? What if that's why Pettigrew was able to give everyone the slip for so long?

Because Dumbledore trained him?"

Everyone's eyes widen and suddenly Ron bursts out THANK MAGIC! Everyone looks at him and he says: "I never really stopped feeling guilty and disgusted with having Pettigrew for a pet, for not seeing the so very obvious truth.

But if Harry's right, then I really, truly never stood a chance figuring this out. So again, thank magic!" Harry sends his friend an empathic smile of acceptance and I feel my heart go out to the kind redhead as I read on.

Lupin's face … too cowardly.

Professor McGonagall growls that she only knows one coward, whose name is Albus Dumbledore. At this Harry leans back and mutters that they really need to do something about the man. "I mean, sure, he's being locked behind a door that can only be opened by the Keyblade and the only people who have one are those that hate him the most, but let's not forget.

He's still a manipulative little bastard. And probably one that the Fates want to see be brought into the realm of the Rich One sooner rather than later. So how do we get that done? Do we really wait for four more books to gather evidence about him? That could give him almost another fortnight to manipulate people behind our backs."

Most of us grimace and the Minister mutters that they definitely have enough evidence against him to warrant a trip through the Veil without getting into trouble with the ICW. Madam Maxime and Headmaster Karkaroff nod and state that they will vouch for the decision if necessary.

Then James Potter smirks and says: "And I know just the way to make sure we can send that body through the Veil without him resisting. I mean, if he sees us, the old guy might just get a right-out heart attack. Problem solved."

For a moment there is silence. And then the majority of the ballroom bursts out laughing. And the laughter gets even worse when the Beast offers to scare the man into a heart-attack if that doesn't work. The Marauders give their host a playful wink as I read on.

It would … us expelled … "

"Like you have a right to judge him. You three were equally as bad and you know it, Sirius." Lily playfully reprimands her husband's best friend. Sirius winks at her and retorts that he never said he wasn't. This sparks more laughter and I giggle as I read.

"Severus was … Quidditch field …

At this Professor Snape sends a disbelieving eyebrow stare at his former colleague, who winces and mutters: "Apologies, Severus. I unfortunately fell into that age-old trap where I try to make late loved ones of my friends seem better than they really were."

James Potter groans and mutters that he definitely had his issues. This naturally really worries his young boy, yet Lily Potter is quick to reassure her son and whisper that she will explain more to him about this later. And while I feel curious, I read.

Anyway Snape … I was … "
Harry suddenly noticed a strange look of confusion flit over Black's face.

"So that's … Harry slowly, his gaze on Black instead of Lupin, "because he … at Lupin.

When the look of confusion was mentioned, a lot of people turned to look at the man in question. Yet I read on before any of them could question him as only a small portion of the chapter was left. And the ending has a few heads turn to the Head of the Snakes in shock.

"I never understood that one. I went along with it, because it kept Snape away from Remy and that was important to me, but I never understood how that could have possibly been me."

Black says with the same look of confusion on his face and his arms crossed. In this stance, he and Harry look quite a lot alike. Professor Snape asks why this confuses the man and he gives a simple, but also very confusing answer:

"That's simple,

I was in detention that night."

Wait, what?

Yep, I did it again! Though I swear on my love for the HP and the KH franchise, I WILL NOT let the next installment take another two years.

I PROMISE,

Venquine1990

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