Chapter 4: Scenes from August 1996

Time moved both slowly and quickly after the birthday party. Harry had fewer falls because he was intentionally watching himself more, but his muscle spasms liked to come and go. He noticed that they always got worse after large amounts of physical activity. He found this supremely frustrating, and often had to go back to his sticks, as he called them now. He had always liked to be on yhr move, and sometimes he felt like he simply had to move. He was well-aware that some of it was his magic. It needed to be used. He, Draco, and Hermione had started practicing wandless magic on their own, and Harry tried to teach them what he had taught himself thus far. He had to give Hermione credit for attempting to be patient with herself. Sometimes Dudley came over to study with them, and although Dudley had never been a stellar student in the past, he was trying his hardest to learn as much as possible as fast as he could. He found magic infinitely more interesting than anything at "muggle" school and was honestly moving along at a steady clip.

Harry had gone with his mum, Aunt Petunia, and Dudley to visit Hogwarts two days after the party. Minerva had decided that this would be the best place to meet so that Dudley and Petunia would see what Hogwarts was like now. Minerva had also said that she and Snape had to confer with some of the other staff about the matter of Squibs coming into their magic. It seemed that FIVE other teens had discovered they had magic after all. Two others were Muggleborn, two were half-blood, and one was pureblood. They all ranged in age from 13 to 17. Nothing like it had been seen prior, at least for many years. Remus was researching for any history of this over the summer. Their names had appeared in a new location in the register. In addition, upon studying the register book, another list had appeared a few years previously. Harry's mum (Tara) was registered there, as were other names of known adults under the age of 50. Her name was in purple as opposed to green as she had already completed her magical education. Tara's jaw dropped with this news.

"When did it appear?"

"We are not certain about that," Snape, who had joined them, answered. "Usually, the book is open to the incoming year's page. It is how the letters are addressed by magic."

"Severus," Aunt Petunia began, "Luna mentioned that I am a Squib. Would my name be in the book? I know I was even lower than a Squib when we were children. You and Dumbledore made that abundantly clear."

"I know, Petunia, and Minerva and I have some ideas, indeed, about why this may be happening. I do apologize for my behaviour back then. If your magic continues to develop, we may find your name in the book one day. We have placed additional charms on the register to alert us to new entries. I do wonder if we could find a way for the register to record new Squibs."

"We shall also consult Ms. Lovegood soon, as there have been interesting articles speculating about this in her father's paper," Minerva added.

"She told me I have magic," Dudley said softly. He really liked Luna. Harry could see that clearly.

"Well, then, let's move on with our plan. After consulting with our staff and the Board, we decided on two approaches," Minerva said in her stern voice. "The first would be the teenage students. We will offer that they may come to Hogwarts but will not be made to join as first years as none of them are eleven years old."

Dudley sighed in relief. Harry patted his arm with a smile.

"Yes, Mr. Evans, we have a plan. If you agree to attend Hogwarts this term, you and your fellow new students would have your own classes to attend to try to catch up to where you would be had you begun at age 11. You know the professor that will be taking on your classes, as Professor Black is now taking on a mastery student to assist with Defence Against the Dark Arts. Professor Lupin is very pleased to take on this new program. He will be teaching you DADA, as well as a few of the other subjects. Professor Snape will teach potions."

"Will you be nice to my boy, Severus?" Petunia asked worriedly.

"I will be his professor, and his behaviour is up to himself," Snape replied with a hint of a smile. Petunia turned to Dudley.

"Dudley, do you really want to come and live here for ten months?"

"Yes, Mum. I have already learned a lot from Harry, Hermione, and Draco. I shall do better here than at Stonewall," Dudley said. "Anyway, I will be home at Christmas like Harry."

"That's settled then." Minerva was pleased. Harry could see this even if the Head of Hogwarts was not outwardly showing it. "On to our second approach. Ms. Evans, perhaps you would be interested in the evening classes we will begin in November for adult students who have latent magic. You rank as a squib at present, but squibs can learn several of the magical arts, such as potions. We would arrange for floo connection if necessary, or a class portkey. These arrangements are still being worked out. We have had more adults coming to us this summer inquiring if such a thing is possible. I can no longer tutor individually as I did with Taraneh. There simply is no time, so Professor Snape and I are planning these classes. There will be much self-study involved, but you do not need to take all subjects at once."

Aunt Petunia glanced at Tara, with a hopeful expression, trying to get her opinion. Over the years, Harry had noticed that his aunt had been unofficially adopted by his
mum. They considered themselves sisters-in-law, perhaps. His mum gave Petunia a nod and a smile. Harry wanted to hug his aunt, as she was finally going to achieve her dream of attending Hogwarts.

"Yes, yes, Professor, I love would to!" Petunia shouted, and then clapped a hand over her mouth as she realized her lack of deportment. Harry laughed, as he sensed that was the little girl in his aunt being let out. Even Snape could not help chuckling. Dudley's mouth gaped open as he had never heard his mother sound quite like that.

"I apologize for my outburst, Professor," Aunt Petunia said in an almost prim manner, a smile playing at her lips. "It is a dream come true."

"Do call me Minerva, as we are both adults and school is not in session," Minerva suggested. "I shall take you and Dudley of a tour of the school now. I am certain Harry has already told you of some of the clubs and such here at Hogwarts."

"He knows about the music, chess, and dueling clubs. Of course, he knows about Quidditch. Hermione told him about the Yule Ball this year," Harry injected as he stood. "She has not told any of our friends, though, and Dudley knows it's a secret right now.

"You and I have an appointment with Poppy, Harry joon," his mum said, gathering her bag.

"And I must get back to work," Snape said. Before turning on his heel, he told Petunia that he was indeed happy for her. Perhaps they could become friends after all.

~~Break~~

Madam Pomfrey was back at Hogwarts from her summer holiday. With Minerva's permission, she decided to set about with a big project she had wanted to do for years, as she explained to Harry and his mum. She had wanted to modernize the Hospital Wing for some time, with better beds that could be moved up and down, like they had installed at St. Mungo's. Harry loved the idea and asked cheekily if he might have a bed assigned with his name on it. Madam Pomfrey laughed, unusual for her, and agreed yes, they could do that, and she would create a room with a door just for him. Harry did not know if she was joking or not, until she led them over to a door next to her office door. Harry's name appeared to the side of the door. His face started to go red with his embarrassment.

"Seriously?" He asked.

"When you need it to be yours, it will be yours, Harry," Madam Pomfrey said seriously, so that Harry knew she was serious.

"We have come to get your opinion on Harry's latest issues," Tara explained.

"You wrote that he falls frequently. This is true, Harry?"

"Yes, and my muscles cramp and spasm in my legs mostly. Mum has been giving me vitamin and nutrition potions, and perhaps it has helped, but just a little bit. Also, when I walk, it feels like I can't pick up my foot all the way sometimes. That's when I trip and fall. Sometimes I just lose my balance. Sometimes when I stand up too quickly, I need to sit down again so I don't fall. If I drink a lot of water, this feels better. Er, sometimes I have what Mum says is neuropathy, especially in my leg. And I've sprained my ankle twice this summer."

"Thank you, Harry, for the details." She led Harry and Tara to her office, and they all sat down. "I would offer you tea, but I am quite sure Minerva already served tea."

"Indeed, she did, thank you," Tara replied. "I just don't know what to do for Harry. This is not anything magical as much as I can see."

"I concur." Madam Pomfrey paused a moment before continuing. "I do, however, believe whatever it is, it has been present in some of the pureblood families, including the Potter line. James had some fascinating issues and injuries during his Hogwarts years. I nearly assigned him his own bed. He dislocated his knees often. I don't think he had muscles spasms, however. That is quite interesting."

"Do you have any suggestions then?"

"If you have not already had Healer Hannah evaluate Harry, that is the next step. You and she will know better than I how to contact muggle resources if needed."

"And I have already suspected that this is outside my specialties," Tara lamented.

"I am always unusual," Harry moaned. "Aren't I? What can't I be normal?" He put his head on his arms on Madam Pomfrey's desk, while his mum and Madam Pomfrey talked "shop." He stayed that way until Minerva, Aunt Petunia, and Dudley came through on their tour. He decided that they did not need to know about his personal hospital room.

~~Break~~

(Hermiones 3rd person POV)

Hermione sighed as she studied her desk. It was covered with papers and parchment. It was mainly organized, but she felt scattered in her own mind, a feeling she did not care for. She had purchased some binders for this for this purpose, to organize in two places: her 'muggle' education and her magic education. She would have to make a high specific study schedule for the coming term, with her prefect duties scheduled in. She would also want to take care to schedule social time, and planning sessions with Minerva. She was still of many minds about her ultimate goal. Part of herself would love to eventually become Headmaster at Hogwarts one day, but another part of her would like to go into law, change some of the old policies, and eventually work her way up to Minister for Magic. She was rather enjoying her research into how Vernon Dursley could possibly be tried in the magical court system one day soon. After all, he had threatened the life of THE Harry Potter, the 'boy-who-lived," and permanently injured Harry.

Another part of herself would like to be a Librarian. It sounded like a lovely, peaceful goal, although she knew being a Librarian was not that particularly peaceful at times. She had observed enough Librarians to know this. It was the thought of being among all of the books, and helping others with their research.

She had felt at a crossroads this summer, as if she needed to decide soon. She had spoken with her father about her dilemma, and though he teased a bit about her following in his footsteps into dentistry, he advised her that it was fine if she did not know yet. He was aware that she had no interest in teeth, even if she did sometimes skim over his journals when she was in need of something new to read. She loved being a witch, however, and though she may go to 'muggle' university eventually, now she was not sure if she was going to do that right away. She had not mentioned that to anyone yet, not even Harry, but she was considering it. Yes, she planned to take her A levels so she would have the option, but if she needed it, she would take a gap year. Perhaps.

This whole thought process rather stunned her, as she always worked herself so hard, although her friends had taught her it was good to take breaks and have some fun. She had written often about it in her journal, perhaps attempting to give herself permission. She did not need to study all the time! However, it was just in her. She needed to know. She needed to know everything, which is what earned her the "know-it-all" name when she was young.

It irritated her that she could not work out what was going on with Harry, too. However, she did not feel completely awful about it, because her mum could not even figure it out, and she had all of the medical education! She saw that Harry hid his pain most of the time, and that it troubled him when he fell. She felt powerless, and sometimes it came out of her mouth badly.

Hermione loved that Harry and Draco had admitted their feelings to one another, and she dearly wished that she could express her feelings more clearly as they did. She herself did in fact like both Ron and Pansy. Pansy had been growing on her. She liked her dark hair, and the way she dressed outside of school. On Harry's birthday, Pansy had worn a casual summer dress that looked wonderful with her hair style. Pansy was interested in things 'muggle', too, which helped bring them together in excellent conversation, particularly as Hermione had some expertise in the muggle world!

She had no idea whatsoever with what to do with Ron. She liked him, had almost always liked him, and his family were wonderful. And yet, he seemed moody quite a lot. He seemed to start arguments at times when it seemed that no argument was necessary. Did he need to see a Mind Healer? Boys tended to mature later than girls. Would he be very put out if she tried to see where things might go with Pansy? And what would Pansy's expectations be? Hermione was not into the idea of sex early on in a relationship, Pansy or Ron. She knew her own mind in this, at least, and sex was something for much later after feeling emotionally committed, not just a fling. She could not reconcile the idea of a fling. It felt inherently wrong to her.

She just knew she could not have them both at the same time, as she was not into threesomes.

Sighing again, she began putting papers and parchment in the correct binders while wondering what was happening with Dudley. Would Dudley be permitted to attend Hogwarts? She hoped so, honestly. It would give Dudley a better focus. He was not a bad student if he was interested in the topic, and thus far, it had seemed that Dudley was very much into magic-related topics. He had already learned a great deal without casting spells with his wand. She was not sure if he could catch up to the sixth years, but she trusted Minerva had a plan. Luna and Mr. Ollivander had hinted that there were more teenagers and adults who had been coming into their magic after all, like her mum. Her mum must have been the first, that they knew of, at the least.

Perhaps she ought to have invited herself along, but she had needed to finish organizing her things. Harry would tell her everything anyway if Mum didn't first. When she was finished, she thought she would floo-call Pansy and see if she were available to talk. This idea cheered her up immensely. Who would have thought, even a few months ago, that she would make a new friend?

~~Break~~

(Harry/General POV)

The Shayani-Grangers went on their yearly visit to the seaside. They rented again the little beach house they stayed in every summer, and everyone took a holiday from their respective work. Even Hermione put her books away, for the most part. Harry missed Draco, but as the house was somewhat secluded and they only sent their owls at night, they wrote to each other. Hermione occasionally wrote to Pansy, and twice to Luna, as Hermione was interested in Luna's theories as to why more people were developing latent magic just now. Ron wrote to her once, but really, his letters were not nearly as interesting as either Pansy's or Luna's.

Harry enjoyed the water very much. As it had been unusually hot that summer, the sea was relatively warm. He adored sitting in the sand at the edge of the water, playing with rocks, and sometimes throwing them as far as he could into the waves. He tried to clear his mind and meditate, as he and Draco had started truly working on Occlumency together. It was a good skill to have, according to Snape, who was a natural at it, but had little patience for the teaching of it. He was having difficulty even with the soothing sound of the lapping water.

Hermione was reading fiction for fun further up on the beach. Their parents walking along the shore several meters away, enjoying time to themselves.

Harry had been to see Healer Hannah before they left. She did not have much idea what was going on with him, either, except that it might be genetic, based on what Madam Pomfrey had said. Hannah did a thorough physio session as she evaluated him, which he did appreciate, although he was exhausted after. He had not seen her for physio since nearly the year before, even though she checked in on him often. She assured Harry and Tara that she had a contact at a muggle hospital who did genetic research. That was all she knew, however, and would find out more while they were on their brief holiday. After the holiday, they would get Harry back on a regular physio schedule. Hannah insisted on it when she saw how easily he could fall. This was quite unlike how Harry used to be when he was eleven, she had noted.

He pulled off his t-shirt and tossed it behind him where his sticks lay. He hadn't bothered shrinking them, as he would need them again anyway. It was difficult to cross the sand with them, although he managed to wandlessly and wordlessly place some kind of charm, as they did not sink into sand as quickly as usual. He could sense his magic on the tips. However, his intact, but now wonky, right leg had trouble getting through the sand. His magic did not seem to help with this task, if it was even possible. Still, he wanted to get further into the water as he felt entirely too hot in the sun. He scooted himself forward, more into the water, and sighed in relief as a few waves washed over him. Perhaps now he could meditate.

-Break-

"When I come home, oh I know I'm gonna be, I'm gonna be the man who comes back home to you*," Draco softly sang into Harry's ear. Harry sat straight up in surprise, as he did not think he had fallen asleep. Apparently, he had slept on Draco's shoulder, and they had been listening to music together at Grimmauld Place. Sirius and Remus had invited them to stay a few days, before they needed to head back to Hogwarts to prepare for the new term. They were both out at the moment, but Sirius had said that they would be bringing someone back home to discuss something with Harry and Draco that was rather important.

"Your singing is rather nice," Harry murmured. "I can't believe you already can sing that song already after having just heard it."

"I liked those lines very much," Draco murmured back just as softly.

"Are we ready yet, for sentiments like that?"

"I am." Draco placed a light kiss on his cheek. "Are you?"

"I think so," Harry said, returning the kiss.

Harry and Draco parted quickly when the floo lit up, and into the room came Remus, looking quite pleased. Often, he looked tired and somehow sad even when he was happy, but this was a little different. The usual careworn look was not present at all.

"Harry, Draco! We have some good news!" With that, the floo fired up again, and Draco's cousin Tonks stumbled out. Harry rather identified with her clumsiness.

"Tonks!" Draco said. "I didn't know you were coming."

"Wait for Sirius and then we'll talk." She strode over to the sofa where there was some space next to Harry in which she could be seated. Her hair was pink today, not unusual as it was one of her favourite colours. The expression on her face was what Harry could only describe as 'sheytoon', a Persian word for 'silly' or 'naughty'. Up to no good, almost, in a funny way.

Sirius was through moments later, and before he said hello, he called for Kreacher to bring him a bottle of wine and five glasses. As soon as the wine and glasses appeared, he made a big deal of making sure they all had one in hand before speaking.

"Harry, Draco, we have some good news! Remus and I will be parents soon! My dear cousin Dora here has offered to conceive and carry a baby for Remus and me! It is a dream come true! We never thought we would be parents, and now we will."

"Yes, I have offered to do this, and they have accepted. I know how much Sirius has wanted a child since he now feels he is in a place that he can raise one. And he and Remus deserve to be parents. Personally, I am not planning to have children for myself. It doesn't feel like a part of my future. I will be the biological mother of the child, and Sirius and Remus have already agreed my parents will be the baby's grandparents. They will adore being grandparents."

"I'll blood adopt the baby," Sirius said proudly, squeezing Remus' hand.

"Then you will father the baby, Remus?" Harry asked, rather in shock over this turn of events.

"Yes, cub, and we will be able to sort things out so the baby has no chance of inheriting my furry issues." Remus grinned at Harry and then turned to Draco as well.

"We would like to ask both of you if you would consent to being named the baby's godparents. How would you feel about that?"

"Seriously?" Harry asked, feeling overwhelmed. He wanted to get up, but found he was having some trouble, so Remus pulled him up for a hug, which Sirius quickly took over. Harry glanced at Draco who was now being hugged by Remus, and found they were in agreement on this thrilling matter.

"We would love to be godfathers," Harry said to Sirius.

"Alright! Thank you, Harry and Draco. You won't regret it. By the way, I am always Sirius."

Harry groaned, and Draco laughed at Harry's groan.

"Do you think we ought to name our child for a constellation as is more recent Black family tradition?"

"No! Please!" Tonks exclaimed. "Would you consider Edward after my father? That will be the last thing I ask."

"I already have the good constellation name," Draco said with a laugh.

"There are more good constellation names, don't worry, my young cousins. Yeah, I think we could consider Edward for one of the names, and I am serious this time," Sirius said, hugging Tonks and kissing her pink hair.

After a silent moment, they all burst out laughing.

*Note: "500 Miles" by the Proclaimers, quoted.