Chapter 5- Back to Hogwarts

Potter Manor was a very happy place for the past month. The occupants spent all their time doting on the new occupant. Harry spent the past month enjoying with his family. He loved his mother and father a lot. His brother and sister were devil pranksters. He was being targeted by both but he would reverse or neutralize all their pranks and switch them with his siblings and they would fall in their own pit. James would pout and sulk till the prank is undone. His sister though was another thing. She promised she will take her revenge for pranking her.

Her retribution came in the form of a shopping trip to Diagon Alley.

Harry came down from his room one afternoon after his spell work.

"Mum??" Harry called." Yes love", his mother replied and turned towards her son. " Are you free tomorrow?"

"What's wrong Harry??"

"Oh nothing mum. It's just that my clothes don't fit me anymore. I wanted to go and buy them before when I had been to Gringotts but I don't know how to choose clothes so I thought that I could take you or Katie…", he was cut off by a loud squeal from the female occupants of the manor and he instantly thought that he made a mistake.

He looked towards his father and brother looking at him with a horrified expression. "What did you do Harry?", James questioned him. " You should know better than to ask mum and sis on a shopping trip. It's your funeral Harry", he said and shuddered. His father too was nodding his head in agreement.

By the end of the next day Harry learnt his lesson. His mother and sister had dragged him from store to store and tried literally every single robe from every shop. Harry decided that he better listen to his sister. She took particular joy in Harry's suffering and that told him enough to understand that she had her revenge.

" Oh bloody hell!!!" Harry groaned." We know that look very well Harry. That's a long day courtesy of the women in our home. Thank god Meli is not here, nor the Black sisters. You would have been a dead man walking by now", Charlus told him as he took a seat in the living room.

" The pair of them are crazy dad. They dragged me to every store and made me wear every single thing. I was like a mannequin on display, dad."

" Is he still moaning??",asked Katie.

"It wasn't that bad Harry",his mother chided.

"Not for the pair of you. I swear we are not related to them dad. It can't be. We should get a heritage test done. Those two are pure evil."

" Don't worry Harry. Next time we will try to finish it quickly", Katie said softly.

Harry looked utterly horrified." There is a next time" he asked, dreading the answer.

"Of course Harry. We haven't bought you any dress robes. What are you going to wear to parties and balls? We have to get you a whole set", replied Dorea with a glint in her eyes that was mirrored by her daughter that he didn't like one bit. He groaned and collapsed on the couch much to the amusement of the others.

The thirty-first of July was a special day for the Potters. They were celebrating Harry's birthday for the first time.

Dorea was going overboard with planning for a good birthday for Harry. She wanted to celebrate by inviting guests but since the Blacks were abroad she thought she would do it the next time.

Harry was overwhelmed. His birthday was celebrated for the first time in his life with his own family.

He had received presents from his family. His sister had given him a photo of the entire family and another photo of just the two of them as a present. Harry just hugged his sister tightly and thanked her.

James had given him a broomstick. A comet 300 so that he could play quidditch this year. He had played quidditch with his brother and was blown away by his abilities on the broom.

"You better get into Gryffindor Harry. We need a new seeker and if we have you the cup is as good as ours. We must not lose this year at all", he had said with excitement. Harry just smiled and shook his head remembering that.

His mother had gifted him a book about healing. " With the amount of practice and training you do Harry and if you follow James into quidditch, you better know some healing spells. This is my personal book, Harry. I have created hundreds of spells there . Many of them have made the grimoire. I wanted my gift to feel something close to you Harry. Take good care of it for me."

Harry just hugged his mother hard and kissed her forehead and nodded in agreement.

His father had given a rare dark arts book written by my great great great grandfather Henry Potter.

Harry had wanted that book for months now. He had told his father who bought it to him. He hugged and thanked his father who just smiled and patted his back.

"Dad, " Harry said after that. "It's time I did my family ritual. I can feel my magic dad. I think I will be undergoing my magical maturity. My magic is starting to feel erratic and I am feeling a bit of tiredness every now and then. I have already taken a lordship so it might happen anytime now."

Charlus looked towards Dorea who was biting her lower lip with worry. She sighed after seeing his face and nodded. She couldn't deny her baby. It is painful, yes but if it's benefitting him she will help her husband do it.

That is the reason why the entire family had gathered in the ritual room.

Harry was sitting in the centre of the room with a ritual circle around him carved with runes. Dorea and Katie were watching with worry and Harry also saw that James too looked scared and a bit worried.

Charlus brought out a cauldron and started the ritual. He told Harry to cut his right palm and let out his magic along with the blood into the cauldron and to release his occlumency shields.

It had come as a shock to Charlus and his wife that Harry knew occlumency. Yes other children are taught Occlumency by their families but that's just basic. When Charlus used legilimency on Harry he was dumbfounded by his mental shielding abilities. It was impenetrable.

Harry lowered his occlumency shields and felt a pain in his head. It increased suddenly to so much more than pain. His body was on fire. It was like Voldemort hitting him with a hundred Crucios . But he didn't shout. He took in the pain. He was stronger. He saw in his vision that there were several creatures sitting in front of him and judging him. He then felt his vision go dark.

When he came to consciousness there was nobody in the room. He got up and he could feel his magic all over the place. He felt excellent. He could feel excellent control over his magic. My magical maturity has happened, he thought. He felt different.

He conjured a mirror to look at him and his eyes widened with shock at what he saw. On the left side of his chest till his abdomen there was a picture of the Egyptian Black. On the right side was the Hungarian horntail from below his chest to his knee . There was a basilisk that had taken up on his right arm. It was extremely beautiful. Fawkes had taken up position in his right calf. Hedwig had taken position on his right tricep and Iggy was on his right arm. His animagus form of the Asiatic magical lion was on his right thigh.

On his heart was the face of king Nundu in all its majesty. It was a sight to behold. He caught something on his shoulder and turned and gasped as he saw a thestral in flight covering his entire back. "So I am mostly like you huh??" He questioned himself.

His limbs and joints felt off but the pains were diminishing with each passing second.

He opened the door and went out to the dining room. The occupants let out a long breath. Dorea and Katie launched themselves at Harry. Harry hugged them back and told them that he was alright.

Harry smiled towards his dad. He turned towards his brother and his eyebrows rose at the sight. His brother had filled up more and had grown a good two inches standing at around six foot now. His brown eyes were dancing with joy. He got up and hugged his brother. They then resumed eating.

"How long was I out", Harry asked.

"You were out for twenty two days Harry. The first day was due to the ritual. Then you went into your magical maturity. We couldn't even come near you. Your magic was swirling wildly . It was soothing for us but we couldn't get close without exhausting ourselves. We decided to do the James ritual as well. He was out for eight days as well." Katie answered.

"I really feel good. Like extremely good. Thanks mom and dad", said Harry.

"Oh you don't have to thank us love. We are proud that you are showing great interest in our family matters. Your father was very proud when you crossed the sixteenth day. No other person in recent history has ever had his maturity for more than fifteen days.

Now why don't you show me your markings." Dorea said.

Harry removed his shirt and he heard sharp intakes of breath.

"It's beautiful. Why don't you explain them to us Harry." Katie asked with the others nodding .

Harry sighed and shook his head.

"Well you guys know Hedwig and Iggy, my familiars. The Egyptian Black is my wand core along with the King Nundu.

The basilisk is because I am a parselmouth." Dorea gasped in surprise at that declaration." But also because there is basilisk venom in my blood, that was neutralized by this phoenix here . " Dorea became deathly white with this declaration. She became silent. Her eyes were betraying emotions. Fury. He felt scared. He needed to do something.

"Mum, listen to me please. Don't get angry. I should have done something mom. Almost 400 of them were in danger. Since I was a Parselmouth I tried to bring it to control but its mind was addled mum. I killed it but it caught me with its fang mum. This phoenix which was nearby came and cried onto my wound. I had to do something mum. There were a number of children."

Dorea softened a bit and held her son close. She was sure that he would give her grey hairs very soon but she loved him. She knew he was not the one to sit around and watch others in suffering. She nodded and told him to continue.

"Well then there is the Asiatic magical lion. My animagus form." The other members' eyebrows rose again at this revelation. Magical animagus is literally impossible. Well it seems like another day in the office for Harry.

And the thestral , my wand core takes up its place here" and he turned over.

Dorea and Charlus were extremely proud of him. "I am so going to rub the fact that you are a parselmouth on the face of Arcturus" she said gleefully.

"Damn you became more attractive than me Harry. But not to worry Harry. I will teach you how to be a gentleman to all the beautiful ladies out there. I will make you my apprentice."

Katie snorted" You better be careful Harry. That slob has been trying to woo a girl for the past four years and is still failing miserably. You listen to him, the girls will be running away from you even before you approach them."

James gave a mock outrage and darted towards her sister and captured her and started to tickle her.

"Ha ha ….. ha.. mer-mercy James. Please don't . Ss stop. Sorry ss sorry."

James let go of his sister and then showed his markings. He had a stag along with an Asiatic lion and also a small thestral with a Ukrainian ironbelly.

They all spoke well into the night. Teasing each other and laughing at the jokes.

--

It was the end of August and they will be going back to Hogwarts tomorrow. The family was sitting in the dining room and having a breakfast.

" Dad" Harry called. His father looked up from the newspaper he was reading. " Yes son?" " I need to get my appration license tomorrow. Will you be coming with me?"

" Of course Harry. Let's go together. It's time the ministry knows that my son and the new Lord Peverell has come to Britain."

That evening Harry and Katie were discussing the study material, and Harry wondered something.

"Hey Katie, who was that girl you told me about, the one James is pursuing??" Katie grinned. "Her name is Lily Evans Harry. She is very pretty and intelligent. But she does not like the bullying that James pranks does…"

she trailed off and the look on Harry's face was terrifying."James bullies other students!??", he questioned dangerously. His eyes were glowing with an emerald fire.

Katie swallowed nervously." N..no Harry . Really. James does not mean it. He does it in jest but he sometimes takes it overboard in his enthusiasm. He really does feel bad and even his friends too, but he does not allow it to dampen his spirit." Harry started breathing a bit easily . He sent a patronus to James asking him to come to the library.

Katie watches the majestic Nundu patronus go through the door with wide eyes. "You have got to teach me that big bro. Please!!!!!", she pouted and gave her puppy dog look.

"Damn those puppy dog eyes. Alright I will teach you ". She launched into Harry and embraced him hard as James came into the room.

"What can I do for you, my young apprentice??" asked James with a silly grin on his face. "Are you ready to learn the fine art of pranking, from the master of the art??" Harry sighed."Sit down James. We need to have a long talk." James sat down, confusion evident from his brother's tone.

" James I know you like playing pranks on people but aren't you going too far with it? I know your intentions aren't bad brother but when the other person is hurt. Does he feel the same way? You are a very intelligent young man James. Yes you are no more boy. You are well on your way to becoming a man. Is this how grown ups behave?"

Don't feel bad mate. I am not disappointed in you. I am only telling you to exercise caution. Prank people there is nothing wrong with that but pranking to get back at a person. That's really bad James."

"Katie told me about Miss Evans. If you like her so much that you have been following her for four years, shouldn't you give something to think about? Shouldn't you grow up and respect her wishes??"

"Here is what will happen. You will decrease your pranks. I will make sure you are in line. Hell I will assist you in all your pranks as long as it's reasonable. If the other person is a jerk. Then he is fair game.

This year in Hogsmeade ask that lady out. You should show maturity James. You are from an ancient and powerful family line. Concentrate on your studies. Work hard. Enjoy. Got it??"

James nods to his brother's words and gives him a hug. " Thanks Harry. I won't let you down." " You have never let me down brother. I am only looking out for you, being the responsible brother."

James snorted." You are responsible. The world is going horribly wrong. What has the world come to. I woo the day this less handsome twin was born as my brother" he said dramatically with a hand over his heart and fake tears.

Harry hit him with a stinging hex.

"Ouch!! Hey now that was unnecessary. What the!??, Yow …."

He ran away from the room.

" Mum!!! Your precious son has gone mad. It's time we sell him, we owe!!! Bloody hell Harry!!!", he screamed.

"Language young man" Dorea chastised him with a shake of her head.

--

It was the first of September and it was time to board the Hogwarts Express.

Harry and Charlus had left to the ministry to get his apparation license.

James, Dorea and Katie flood to the platform.

" Now you people take care of yourself. And James please curb your enthusiasm for pranks. "

" Don't worry mum", Katie intercepted." If he steps out of line then Harry will drag him back with just a look. I swear that I had never been as scared as I was that day when I saw Harry angry." She shuddered again and was mirrored by her brother.

Dorea raised an eyebrow at that." What happened that day? I have never seen James behave so well even if it was for a single day."

" Now that is a trade secret mum." James replied with a cheeky grin.

Dorea sighed" I spoke too soon. It will be a frozen hell the day James behaves".

"Katieee….", a voice was heard. The Potters turned towards the call and came face to face with the other half of their family, the Black family.

" Cissy!!!", squealed Katie and threw herself at Narcissa Black. The blonde haired beauty gave a greeting in equal enthusiasm.

" For Merlin sake Katie get off her", came the voice of Bellatrix Black. She too was the epitome of beauty like her other sister Narcissa. But she had long shiny raven locks along with the aristocratic looks of the Blacks.

"Bella, you look wonderful today. "

said Katie and gave her other friend a tight hug which she returned with all the more enthusiasm. " Hello Andi. Good to see you as well", she gave a bone crushing hug to Andromeda Black, the third and eldest of the Black triplets. Andromeda was the exact copy of her younger sister Bellatrix but with brown hair.

"Hello James" the sisters intoned in unison. " Ah ladies. Good to see you in such fine health. It's good to see such fine specimens, especially you three." He gave a dramatical wink. The three rolled their eyes and smiled at their cousin's antics .

"Ah James, still the same idiot I see", said Sirius Black with a raised eyebrow but her smile ruined his statement. Sirus Black too had the traditional Black aristocratic features and looked very handsome and his eyes were full of mischief . Next to him stood a copy of Sirius who had blue eyes but the same features of serious. He is Regulus Black, Sirius's brother. He and Katie are classmates." You hurt me dear Padfoot. It's my brother who is an idiot. Not me".

" James please be quiet and don't you dare sath your brother is an idiot." Dorea said with a hint of warning in her voice.

"Aunt Dorea!!! It's so good to see you." said Bella. The sisters love their aunt very much and would always stick to her like glue. They engulfed their favourite aunt in a group hug which she returned with equal enthusiasm.

" Well, where is my nephew Dorea? I am looking forward to meeting the brat." Said an amused voice of Dorea's brother Arcturus, the Lord Of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black.

" You would do well to remember not to call my nephew a brat Arcturus", came the voice of Melania Black,nee Potter.

"Of course dear. It was only a joke". Arcturus might be a warrior but he will be a fool if he thinks he can take on his wife and his sister. They know better than to mess with them.

" He and Charlus went to the ministry to get his apparation license", replied Dorea.

" Why would he need the licence now unless he has been emancipated somehow?" asked Arcturus.

" He claimed the Peverell lordship, brother."

There were gasps heard all around her.

" Is it true Dorea??", asked Melania. She knew that it was her brother's and father's dream to revive the Peverell line. She suddenly felt very proud of her nephew.

" How the hell did the boy manage that at this age??", Arcturus questioned with a bit of awe, clearly proud of his nephew.

" You must see him uncle. I have never seen anyone so powerful and smart like him. He moves like a predator. We can feel the power around him uncle. He just had his magical maturity too and that lasted twenty one days", replied James.

The Blacks were listening to the conversation with a bit of awe and interest.

" You should have seen him duel dad uncle. Dad didn't last ten minutes against him. DD has been trying it for the past month but couldn't defeat him", said Katie with a giggle.

" Really!!?? He defeated Charlus??".

Dorea snorted," more like training Charlus" she said.

" Yeah you can drill the information from your sister later Arcturus, it's time for them to board the train. They will be leaving now", Melania said.

The kids started moving to the trains after exchanging hugs, giving kisses to the cheeks of their great aunt and grandmother and boarded the train waving one last time.

--&&&&--

The Potters and Blacks took their seats in a compartment and settled down.

" Is your brother so good Kat??" asked Regulus.

" He is damn good Reggie. He has learnt literally all his life. He is like a walking library. But he is fun to be around. Helps me and James . He really scares me when he is angry, and that being said there might be less number of pranks this year. James received a dressing down from Harry."

" Oh really??", Asked a confident Sirius. But he was surprised when James nodded in agreement to his sister. The other occupants were so shocked that they were looking at him with their mouths open.

" Trust me guys, you don't want to get on Harry's bad side. He might be cool and fun but if he gets angry…" James shuddered and so did his sister.

The compartment door opened and in came Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. Remus was a tall boy with Amber eyes, wiry frame and brown mousy hair. Peter was opposite of Remus. He was short and a bit stuffy and had blue eyes with black hair.

" Hey guys" both Remus and Peter wished in unison. " Hello Remus/Peter" the group wished back.

" What were you guys doing??" asked Peter and that's how the occupants spent their time talking about the returning Potter.

They reached Hogsmeade station and got down and started walking towards the carriages.

The marauders got into a carriage, the Black sister took a carriage for themselves and Katie and Regulus took a carriage with their other friends.

The castle was standing as majestic as ever. It increases in its beauty every single time the students come back from the holidays.

The great hall was beautiful as ever and all the houses were taking their seats. The group separated and left to their respective tables. The Potters, Remus, Peter, Sirius along with Katie joined the Gryffindor table. The girls nearby were giving appreciative glances towards James. Though he was oblivious to this his friends and sister were not. His sister was glaring at anyone who looked at her brother like a piece of meat.

What surprised her was Lily Evans, the girl James had been pursuing, studying him with interest and Katie swore she could make out a tinge of pink on her cheeks.

" Well would you look at that? James Potter , the prankster extraordinary sitting silent and engaging in decent conversation. The world must be ending today Alice." said Frank Longbottom dramatically, holding his hands on his forehead and fainting. Alice Prince, his girlfriend caught him and gave a kiss on his cheek and pushed him to sit up properly.

" Yeah yeah laugh it up. But yes, things have changed a bit now. I have certain responsibilities. I will be doing pranks, guys. I am not giving that up. But I won't be going over the board like before and that's the same with Sirius, Remus and Peter as well. We apologise for any trouble we have caused. We won't be causing problems for anyone anymore. Pranks yes. Dangerous pranks no." He said looking around.

Katie wrapped her hands around him and hugged him sideways, with a proud smile.

The others had gone wide eyed at this declaration. Nobody expected James Potter to apologize for pranks. Lily had gone open mouthed at James's words.

Minerva McGonagall and her staff were dumbfounded but we're clearly proud of James and his gang for apologizing.

The headmaster of Hogwarts, Supreme Mugwump, Chief Warlock and one of the most respected wizard in the world Albus Dumbledore raised his glass towards James and his group with a twinkle in his eyes and congratulated them.

The Black sisters were happy that James and Sirius are coming under control. They really loved their cousins but they used to make it difficult for all.

" James, what is wrong with you? Are you sure you are alright?" Alice questioned her friend.

James sighed." Yes Alice I am alright. As to why I am like this, well you guys will see the reason very soon." He replied a bit mysteriously.

" Oh,there is nothing there to see. The arse hole is lying. He is nothing but an attention seeking,lying bully who bullies in the name of pranks", came the noise of a hooked nose greasy haired boy from Slytherin , Severus Snape ranted against James by standing in front of the Gryffindor table.

His rant was further cut off when there was a rumbling sound and a trill. He was blasted back suddenly to the Ravenclaw table.

The students looked up to see a lightning bolt and suddenly a black scaled bird materialized from the bolt and flew over and sat on James.

That was all it took for Snape to rant again." See!! I told you we must not believe him. He is a lying bastard and a Potter, who craves attention."

James stood up. His jovial tone had disappeared and there was a hint of ice in his tone. " Choose your next words carefully, Snape. They may be the last words you will ever speak ".

"See I told you that he is a lying bastard. These Potters are filthy liars and bullies….",

"Pardon me you piece of shit!" came a deep voice. The occupants of the great hall looked towards the door but there was no one there.

Suddenly a person materialized in front of Snape.

The person was tall. He had long hair pulled back by a curl hair band and tied into a ponytail that fell onto his shoulders. He had broad shoulders and the tell tale signs of muscles can be seen through his shirt. The girls let out sighs of admiration at the boy in front of them. He was like a character from a wet dream.

But what caught everyone's attention was the glowing emerald orbs in his eyes. They were giving a bright green glow. Fury. That's the one word that can describe the young man's eyes.

Magic was swirling around him in waves.

He pulled Snape by his collar and lifted him up holding his neck with a single hand.

" Care to repeat what you said??", his voice was barely a whisper but it held suffocating power and that's how Snape looked. Like suffocating.

" You dare to ridicule the name of the oldest living family in the history of the magical world."

" You have a problem ,you will sit down and sort it out or approach the elder of my family. But if you think for a second that you are going to blabber about my family and get away with it , you are highly mistaken."

" Harry calm down!!! Please let him go". He could hear Katie pleading with him. James joined her too. " Please let him go, Harry. He is already pissing himself. Katie is getting scared , Harry. Let him go. Please!!" His brother requested him.

Harry punches Snape in the stomach and he starts spitting out blood. The teachers made to interfere but one look from Harry and they stopped in their tracks. This young man was scary, thought the professors. Dumbledore too felt a bit uneasy to approach the man .

" Consider this a final warning, you piece of shit. You have a problem, come to me directly and speak. But if you think for a second that you are going to use my family name in your school yard fights. I will show why exactly people fear a Potter."

The great hall shuddered at that warning and gulped audibly.

He waved his wand and Snape was healed. He got up and looked at Harry with fear and fled to his table.

Harry turned towards his brother and took a deep breath." I am sorry Katie." The girl nodded her head and hugged him tightly. He sighed and kissed her forehead and sat her down.

" Did you apologise?" He asked his brother. " Yes I did, " said James.

"Good. When I told you to curb your excitement, I meant only for pranks. If it is bastards like these you are going against, destroy them. Totally and utterly destroy them. You have my permission. Are you clear??" " Yes Harry" said James and sat down.

" You have forgotten to call my name Professor McGonagall. It's on the next page."

McGonagall broke out of her stupor and looked at the list.

"Hmm...hm, students we have a new student among us who will be joining the fifth year students. He has been privately tutored. Join me in welcoming Lord Hadrian Jameson Potter Peverell!!!"

Stunned silence met the announcement. People were looking at Harry dumbly. The professors were looking at him with wide open mouths. Dumbledore looked so shocked that he might faint now.

The Slytherins were shocked to silence. Snape had become deathly pale. There had never been a Peverell lord for centuries . Now there was a lord and an heir of both Potter and Peverell.

Harry calmly walked to the hat and donned him.

'Hm … interesting. Lord Peverell and heir Potter. Arch mage. Time traveller. You are a difficult one to sort my lord.'

'Are you going to put me in Slytherin??' asked Harry mentally.

'No sorry my lord. But no you better go into Gryffindor and change the way people think about Slytherins.

" Gryffindor" hat shouted. The red and gold table burst into applause.

Harry walked gracefully to the table and sat next to his sister and brother.

Well things were certainly looking better now thought Harry as he sat at the table and started with his dinner.

TBC

&&&&&--

Hello guys. This is the next chapter in my fic. I have derived certain things from 'stepping back' fic by the Black resurgence.

The story will move to Hogwarts now and Harry's pairing/ pairings will start to play the main role from now too.

I thank all of you guys for your reviews. This is my first fic and your honest opinions mean a lot to me so that I can improve.

I have followed your suggestions and made grammatical corrections and split the text to acceptable paragraph size. Hope you guys like it. Enjoy!!!