Very grudgingly, I amended the tags on Archive of Our Own to indicate there are some crossovers. Even if this is still mostly Harry Potter related. I did make a minor note on DotNet's version as well in the summary. I kind of did not want to do it, because it might entice me to add more crossover elements and I have been trying to keep a higher Potter content versus crossover content. Although I feel like this is slowly becoming a semi DC Legends of Tomorrow and Harry Potter crossover, with a small dash of Supergirl. Which kind of fits in well with the time travel crack nature of this story. At this point, I'm just rolling with it.

I feel like I should stop saying that this is going to be a long chapter, and only point out when it's going to be a short one. But this is a long chapter.

Bella's Blue Screen of Death.

"So, what happened to you never going to school at Hogwarts?"

I thought it was a fair question. Astra only responded with the most poignant "are you serious look". Rowena and Zari hung with the school sorting hat.

"That was before a dozen Dementor snakes were released on the train," Astra said. "Remember what happened the last time a snake of magically created origin attacked you?"

"I recall," I said. "I died."

Well the actual story was a tad bit more complicated than that.

"I'm glad you understand," Astra said. "I would like to avoid you dying again. And I managed to finally get myself un-unpersoned. You don't want to know the hassle that was, but everything has been restored."

"Good thing that," I told her. "The goblins were helpful in getting you everything I want?"

"Well, yes, here's the invoice for their helpful services."

Astra showed me the paper. I looked over it. That was pretty much on point for the goblins. I am honestly surprised they did not sickle and knut her for more. Those numbers were enough to make a grown man cry. It will take about six months to recoup all that gold.

A whoosh was heard outside and Kara turned up outside. She double-taked when eyed Rowena.

"Still not used to that," Kara said. "Sorry."

"Well, it's a bit jarring when someone looks like your best friend," Rowena said.

"Sorry, I'm late, checking up on my cousin and sister," Kara said. "Clark just started the eighth grade, Alex is going through a particularly nasty bout of the terrible twos. Seeing them so young is jarring, but I came out on my pod about thirteen years early so that's to be expected. I knew them when they were much older."

"And Lena's not even alive yet," I added. "For another year."

"Yes," Kara said with an exasperated sigh.

I smiled reassuringly at her. This entire time travel mess had been rough on those who had been memory dumped. Which is why I coped by taking a chance to mess with people who I felt deserved to be messed with. I am honestly surprised that I was not arrested for crimes against time.

Although blowing up the prison when I had to spring the Legends from time prison might have had something to do with the fact there were no time cops breathing up my neck. But that's just a hunch.

Might have been easier if I just recruited Snart and Rory from somewhere in the time stream to help me pull a prison break. They're good at that. And a lot cleaner.

Could be a chance that this entire time travel misadventure was retaliation for me blowing up that time prison. But that's just a theory.

"Well, technically I wasn't born, and I'm here," Zari said. "Although I had to turn into a cat to get here."

"We're keeping an eye out for anyone," Astra said. "They could pop up anywhere, anytime. Of course most of our friends are very young or they haven't been born yet."

"Time travel," Kara sighed, speaking for us all "I made Rosemary promise to use the watch if anything happens. So I can get over there right away. Kreacher's keeping an eye on her, and given she's a Black, he will die protecting her."

"Still haven't informed Trixie, have you?" Zari asked.

"Well, that's a big thing to inform her of," I said. "I hate keeping secrets, but I can just imagine how she's going to relax."

"Rip off the band-aid?" Astra suggested.

"A-hem, I'm not getting any younger," the Sorting Hat said.

"Or any prettier," Astra quipped back.

"This is highly irregular, but Lady Rowena insisted," the Sorting Hat said.

"Really wish I was here last night to see the great pink toad get yeeted into the Forest," Astra said. "Do you know where she landed?"

"Well, we're not sure, other than it wasn't with the centaurs this time," Zari said.

"Damn," Astra said.

"Ms. Logue, Ms. Danvers, are you ready?" Rowena asked.

I am guessing Umbridge made it out of the forest. Without finding a body, it was a foolish assumption that she was dead.

"Well, Kara, you're up," Astra said.

"Right," Kara said. "Did you see my exam scores, by the way?"

"Straight outstandings, positioning you into your third year as part of whatever house you go into, at the very top," I said to her. "Brilliant. Ten points to whatever house you go into."

"I had a good teacher," Kara said with a grin. "Okay, Sorting Hat, it's your turn."

"Finally," the Sorting Hat said. "Loyal, but fierce. Extremely hard working as well. You're cunning enough and brilliant enough to go anywhere."

Kara closed her eyes.

"I can see you flourishing well in….HUFFLEPUFF!"

Kara smiled. I was surprised, although not really. Kara could really go into any house she wanted to, although I can see her leaning more towards Hufflepuff with her nature. So the Hat did something right for a change.

"Astra," Zari said.

"Fine," Astra said.

"Hello, Ms. Logue," the Sorting Hat said. "My my, your mind is an interesting series of contrasts. Some of your actions, have been bold and brazen. You have a thirst for adventure and your bravery sets you aside. You can be extremely reckless, especially when your friends are in danger…"

"I swear to all that is unholy, if you even think about putting me in Gryffindor, I will hand deliver you to Fluffy myself," Astra growled.

"Fine, fine," the Sorting Hat said. "You are fiercely loyal to Mr. Potter so…"

"And I'll be damned if I go into Hufflepuff," Astra remarked.

"What's wrong with Hufflepuff?" Kara asked. "I'm a Hufflepuff."

"Yes you are, Paragon, but you don't have to share a room with the Wiki Witch," Astra said. "So, think about it very hard, Hat, and realize that if that bint annoys me, you will have that blood on your hands."

Oh, I forgot how much Astra did not like Hermione. At all. Which is why I make a habit of going out of my way not to mention Hermione around Astra. At all. Because Astra did not like the way Hermione used to talk down to me. At all.

"Yes, yes, of course," the Sorting Hat said. "Even if I lack hands, I would not want a child to be threatened. Therefore, your cunning and ambition is strong, and you still might have a small thirst for power, deep down. Therefore, I believe you will go to Slytherin!"

Astra blinked in surprise.

"I said it, no take backs, Hogwarts rules!" the Sorting Hat said.

"Slytherin," Astra remarked. "I can deal with Slytherin. I can deal with half of the people in that house, because I know all of the ways to make sure they don't mess with me or with Harry and Kara and the rest of our friends. I've already met some of them. I can handle them."

"Actually, Slytherin's a really bad idea," the Sorting Hat said.

"But, you said no take backs," Astra said sweetly.

Zari and Kara looked amused and I chuckled. Rowena barely kept the smile off of her face.

"You did, Chester," Rowena said. "All Sortings are final."

"Plus, I get the entire dormitory to myself, only a first-year girl in Slytherin, remember?" Astra asked.

Rowena noticed a letter appear on her desk.

"Helga," Rowena said. "The new secondary teachers are arriving for the core subjects. Took a bit longer to get them here."

Oh, right, that's a thing. I'm sure if any of those new secondary teachers are important and relevant they will come up. They will be in the background teaching. From what I heard, the secondary teachers will focus for the most part with first through fourth years, while the head teachers will be focusing on fifth, sixth, and seventh year. At least that's to my understanding.

Honestly, I am glad that I don't have to figure out the logistics of scheduling classes. That seems like a nightmare. Astra, Kara, and I left the office.

Astra was not the only new first year student. Another new student, Fay Dunbar, transferred in over the holidays. Her parents got a transfer over from Canada, eh, and joined the Ministry of Magic as Aurors from whatever the equivalent was up in Canada.

Maybe they were magical mounties. Didn't the mounties always get their man or something? I know they were handsome, brave, and strong and they always enforced the law.

Andrea Runcorn is back as well. Remember her? She was the daughter of a guy I polyjuiced in the past. She was mentioned at the sorting, but apparently she ended up pulling a Sally-Anne Perks and disappearing after said sorting. But, now she's back. Not because someone overlooked her existence or something, despite placing her in the same house that I, Harry Potter, was put in.

Moving swiftly along.

The classes we were attending shifted around a bit. Our year groups were divided into two groups. There was some kind of random sorting algorithm who split us into Group A and Group B. Not due to grades, just random. There's a pretty even mixture of Gryffindors, Slytherins, Hufflepuffs, and Ravenclaws in the year groups.

Our first class is History of Magic, with the lovely and talented Professor Penerelle Flamel. And we entered the History of Magic classroom to a more vibrant and colorful atmosphere as opposed to the droll, drab, and boring. It's amazing what new curtains and paintjob could do. Plus, actually putting on some lights. That helps a lot. And not sounding like Ben Stein after a dozen Quaaludes.

Let's see who we got. The Hufflepuffs were Hannah Abbott, Megan Jones, Susan Bones, Millicent Bulstrode, Wayne Hopkins, and Neville Longbottom. Very good, very good.

The Gryffindors were the new girl, Fay Dunbar, Parvati Patil, Roger Malone, Lavender Brown, and Gregory Goyle. Man, splitting up Crabbe and Goyle, even I didn't do that. Harsh. Like cold.

Ravenclaws were Mandy Brocklehurst, Su Li, Tracey Davis, and Lisa Turpin. Oh, and Harry Potter. That prick.

Slytherins were the sole girl in the year, Astra, along with Blaise Zabini, Michael Corner, Seamus Finnegan, and Ron Weasley.

Thank Morgana for no Zacharias Smith. I think Astra and I would have spent the entire year fucking with him if he was here and we would not get any work done.

"Hello everyone and welcome to History of Magic. For those who do not know me, a short introduction is in order. I am Professor Penerelle Flamel, and I would like to take you through this journey through history."

Elle took roll for the entire class. After she was done she smiled.

"What is history?" Elle asked them.

"A bunch of stuff that's happened before," Goyle grunted.

"While in essence true, Mr. Goyle, history is all around us, every single day, what has happened before, has shaped the events of the present and the future," Elle said. "History is not about mindlessly reciting facts and figures. It is not repeating a narrative of recorded events. It is not about remembering what goblin caused what goblin rebellion. It is not about droning three hour lectures. It is about feeling, understanding, and experiencing. And looking forward to see how those events affect us to this day. Magical history and non-magical history have a symbiotic relationship to each other. Most magicals think about history that only pertains to them. But, we have to understand just how these certain events of history have cause and effect. Can any of you name one of the most pivotal events in the Muggle world?"

Elle looked around and Fay raised her hand.

"Yes, Ms. Dunbar?"

"The Assassination of Archduke Francis Ferdinand, which sparked World War I," Fay said. "And had great ramifications for the following decades for the Magical and Muggle Worlds."

Astra and I just exchanged knowing smiles. That particular point was such a pivotal point in history that changing it would have grave ramifications. It was what was known as a Fixed Point.

"Yes, World War I, the Great War as it was known at the time, created a powder keg of events which is still being felt by the magical world to this day," Elle said. "The events of World War I, allowed Gellert Grindelwald's rise to power. Which resulted in events which lead to World War II and the events there. The ramifications of Grindelwald's reign lead to the rise of Lord Voldemort."

Quite a few members of the class flinched.

"Old habits, they die hard," Elle said. "Voldemort, and yes I will be using his name, so you best get comfortable with it. Voldemort is a pivotal part of our magical history, and it remains to be seen if his final chapter is. But, who is Lord Voldemort?"

"Terrifying," Nott said quietly.

"Yes, he did cruel things, killed people, tortured them, tormented them," Su said.

"People still fear to speak his name or even hear it," Lavender said.

"He created a mystique around himself," Elle said. "A larger than life figure which people feared overall. To the point where speaking his name caused people to quiver. Everyone looked over their shoulders and rightfully so. But events in the past set the stage for Voldemort. Just like Voldemort's reign of terror is something we will all fear. No one knows Voldemort."

"He must be pureblood," Wayne said. "Aren't all dark witches and wizards purebloods?"

"Are you trying to say all purebloods are dark wizards?" Ron asked testily.

"Well, I haven't come across a dark wizard in history that hasn't been pureblood, it's all documented," Wayne said.

"Oh, I don't know," Fay said. "Purebloods would like to let us think that they have the most powerful and most feared wizards."

"I agree with Fay," I said. "They want us to believe that every single dark witch and wizard is pureblood. While many are, it's not an exact truth."

"A Muggleborn dark wizard?" Wayne asked skeptically. "What would a Muggleborn have to gain?"

"Revenge, mostly, for being mistreated by purebloods," Astra said. "And there are self-loathing Muggleborns and half-bloods who are ashamed of their heritage. They want to prove they are superior to the rest. It's an ego thing."

"She does have a point," Susan said.

"But, can't you name any dark wizard who isn't pureblood?"

Oh, I could name one right now, Hopkins. A really big one.

"There's a phrase which I would like to teach you,," Elle said. "History is written by those with an agenda. And it serves many people to create a narrative through history that purebloods are among the most powerful and most feared wizards and witches ever. For fanatical, blood purists, they cannot stomach the thought of a Muggleborn or even a half-blood being a fearsome user of magic. And for those who support more progressive ideals, they don't like it either."

"They want to continue to champion the rights of Muggleborns, but they also want the moral high ground when they do it," Megan said.

"Amazingly put, ten points to Hufflepuff, Ms. Jones," Elle said. "Your assignment is to look into a notorious dark wizard or witch in history and really research their past. Each of you will be assigned a notorious dark witch or wizard and by the end of the month, I would like a full oral report on your findings and their backgrounds. Where they came from. I will give you permission to use the restricted section of the library. I trust none of you would abuse it."

Everyone shook their heads. To be fair, I already had a blanket pass from Bellatrix.

"Professor, what are you hoping we'll find?"

"Knowledge and understanding," Elle said. "Mr. Potter, I believe it's only fair you get the honor of writing your report on Voldemort."

"I will not let you down, Professor," I said.

"Oh, that's a tough one, isn't it?" Lavender asked. "I mean, no one knows his real name, do they?"

"If anyone can find out the dirt on Voldemort, Harry can," Su said.

The rest of the class received their assigned people. Mine would be the main event for sure. Although, I had a feeling that most of these witches and wizards Elle passed out were at the very least half-blood. Just a hunch I had.

The Founders apparently were sticking around to assist with some of the classes, or at least Godric and Helga were, with Rowena running the school. Salazar slunk into the shadows.

"I'm going to see if the Care of Magical Creatures teacher needs an extra hand or two!" Godric bellowed.

Kettleburn? Well, I daresay he does. Surprised they did not replace that guy. Knows his creatures, but even more reckless than Hagrid with them. And does not have a half-giant's durability to match. Godric moves off past us. After a quick break, it was time for the first Potions class in a post-Snape world. And I could not wait for it. From what I heard, Snape was currently awaiting trial. And likely holding out hope that Dumbledore would recover and work some kind of miracle to get out of trouble.

I don't think there would be miracles.

"Potter!"

Astra and I turned around and saw Zacharias Smith making his way towards us. Oh, I really hoped never to deal with him.

"I heard about your little harem scheme," Smith said. "You really think that you are entitled to all of those women, don't you?"

"Well, they're interested," I said. "Is that really my fault?"

"So, if a bloke gets five Outstanding NEWTs, does that mean that the great Harry Potter gives us permission to get the witch or our choice?" Smith said.

"Well, Smith, I don't think you'd have to worry about that," Ron said when he came up the steps along with Blaise, Seamus, and Michael. "The only one you'll be beating in an exam with the way your grades are is Crabbe and Goyle."

Oh, that was savage, but I'll allow it.

"And try running that by the witch of our dreams that you feel you're entitled to, see what happens to you," Blaise said. "I'll find a matchbox to put your remains in."

"Oh, you would know about burying bodies, given what happened to all your mother's husbands," Smith said snidely.

"That was out of line," Ron said.

"And what are you going to do about it, Weasel?"

"Smith."

Gemma Farley walked down the steps and eyed Smith.

"Not causing any trouble, are we?" Gemma asked.

"Of course not," Smith said.

"Well, you're not part of this group, and you should be heading up to History of Magic," Gemma said. "So, you better get going or you'll be put in detention for missing class. And you wouldn't want to dishonor the Slytherin house."

"No, I wouldn't want to be responsible for that."

He gave Ron and Blaise a nasty look. In another world, Ron likely would have lost his temper.

"Wanker," Ron said.

"Agreed," Blaise said. "He'll get his. Trust me."

Ron nodded and walked off with Blaise.

"I'm glad we didn't get him in class," Astra said. "Seeing him in the Common Room is bad enough."

"Don't do anything to him that they can pin on you," I said.

"I know," Astra said.

"HARRY!"

I turned around to see the bright and bubbly demeanor of Penny Haywood as she rushed down the stairs. She wrapped me in a hug.

"Good to see you too, Penny," I mumbled.

"Right, I shouldn't be doing that, it's not professional, but I'm just…I heard what happened on the train," Penny said. "With my sister. And the other students. You have my thanks. I don't know what would have happened if you hadn't been there to save them."

Genocide, unfortunately, I suspected. I am pretty sure that was the plan for those who released those snakes. Although it was also very likely a message towards me.

"So, what brings you to Hogwarts?" I asked her.

"I'm one of the Assistant Potions teachers," Penny said. "I didn't think I was going to do it, with me trying to get my Morganas, but when Rowena Ravenclaw personally offers you a job, you don't say no. And working alongside Preeti Patil, the only thing better is if your mother was still around."

Penny gasped and realized what she said.

"Sorry, I didn't…"

"We would be better off if she was around," I said to her.

"Yes, we all would," Astra said. "Good to see you, Professor Haywood."

"That still doesn't feel real," Penny said. "Guess I'm going to have to get used to it. Just wish Beatrice would talk to me. We were making some real progress over the summer and now I feel we've regressed."

Ah, sibling drama. How I did not miss dealing with thee.

"She went through something bad, didn't she?" I asked. "I heard her screaming."

Penny hesitated but I reached out and lightly touched her shoulder.

"I don't expect you to tell me," I said. "Something went on here. Before I went to Hogwarts."

"Yes," Penny said. "But, we would like to put it behind us."

"I understand," I said. "It's hard to find any details. When Hagrid visited me, he told me Hogwarts is safe."

"It is now," Penny said. "But, it wasn't always."

The warning bell rang.

"You better get seated," Penny said. "I wouldn't want to be responsible for making you late on your first day."

We went into the classroom where Preeti Patil waited at the front. Penny walked up to her and there were two more assistant professors with them. The four talked as Astra and I took a table with Susan and Neville.

"Is that Penny Haywood?" Susan asked.

"Yes, that is," I told her.

"Oh, I'm glad she didn't get in any trouble," Susan said. "She seems so nice."

"Trouble, why would she get in trouble?" Neville asked. "What did she do?"

"Oh, I can't talk about that here," Susan said. "And nothing. At least she wasn't the one that the Ministry wanted. They all agreed not to talk about it, I think. Whatever happened. The records were sealed. At least I overheard Auntie Amelia talking about it one time."

"Eavesdropping on your Aunt?" I asked.

"Well, it was an accident," a flushed Susan said. "I think Penny wants to move on."

"Yeah, I can see why you would want to move on from something," Neville said quietly. "Not let the past define you, show you who you are."

Neville looked to be in an odd mood after the incident with the snakes. Then again, it seemed like that incident made a lot of people reflect who they really are. I did notice something.

"Is that a new wand, Neville?" I asked him.

"Yeah, Professor Lestrange broke my old one," Neville said. "It was kind of an accident, although I'm glad she did it. Because it was my father's old wand. Gran seemed to think I would be just like him."

I am only fifty-percent sure Bellatrix breaking that wand wasn't an accident. You never could tell with her.

"That wand didn't choose you, though," Susan said. "Your dad's old one."

"It didn't," Neville said. "Something's different with this wand though. Gran wasn't pleased. I didn't tell her how I broke it, just told her I did. Please don't tell her."

We all agreed not to. It was time for Potions class to begin.

Potions class was interesting. Professor Preeti Patil led the class although her assistants would be taking over more of the classes in the coming weeks once we had a grounding of the basics we should have been taught from day one in this class. She explained how she would not be giving or taking away house points in this class as well. She felt it created a negative atmosphere and emphasized competition among the students as opposed to educating them. And she was right to be fair.

We had a spirited discussion and then a trivia game,discussing various potions and ingredients and their effects and how certain mishaps could cause a potion to go foul. It was enlightening and much more entertaining than an overgrown bat telling us to follow a set of instructions and making snide remarks about our talent, or lack thereof, for the next two hours.

"No homework tonight, because I need to map out a course for your education over this next term," Preeti said. "This is a fairly knowledgeable group, and I know some of you might be struggling, but we'll all get there. Everyone enjoy lunch. And that was quite enlightening Mr. Zabini, and you're right, adding one drop of Salamander's blood too many could have disastrous consequences. And it would be undetectable, thus making an antidote impossible"

The class rose. Ron and Blaise answered a fair few questions and Susan answered many. Some of the members of the class got one apiece. I snagged a few, although I wanted the classes to know.

"I can't believe you know so much about poisons and antidotes and counter-antidotes," Ron said.

"You picked up a few things from Mum over the holidays when you were at my house," Blaise said.

"Learned more than Mum ever taught me," Ron said. "Or anyone else, really. Guess it's best to know these things. Weasley in the Slytherin house means that someone can try to snuff me. But not if I see it coming."

"Mum has to deal with people trying to poison her all of the time," Blaise said. "As if they could ever succeed. But best to be prepared."

"Yeah, Aunt Amelia always has to be prepared too," Susan said. "Guess Moody's onto something when he says you don't leave your drink unattended for too long."

Children talking way too casually about being poisoned or their loved ones being poisoned. I am very concerned about some aspects of this world.

"Harry, do you think I can have a word with you?"

Astra locked eyes with me for a second as Penny Haywood walked eyes from me. I smiled.

"I'll see you at lunch," I said to her.

"Don't wait too long," Astra said.

The rest of the class filed out and this left myself and Penny alone in the classroom.

"You were holding back," Penny said quietly.

"I know," I told her. "I wanted others to have a chance to learn. And they can't learn if I steamroll over them all and be the only one to answer the question."

"Wise and selfless," Penny said. "I'd give you points, but in the spirit of what Professor Patil is trying to teach us, that wouldn't be very fair, now would it?"

"No," I agreed with her.

"I would like to meet with you, on Saturdays after lunch, if you're not busy," Penny said. "See what you're truly capable of. I can see it in you, you're just like your mother and she would have been brilliant."

"She was very brilliant."

And once I broke this curse, Lily would be brilliant once again. Got to get rid of that Horcrux.

"She was," Penny agreed. "So, you don't have to if you don't want to, but I want to see what you're capable of. I swear, I won't be too hard on you or be too disappointed."

"Be as hard on me as you like," I said. "I enjoy the challenge."

"Great!" Penny exclaimed. "See you on Saturday. Say about one?"

I swear Penny was going to kiss me on the cheek, but stopped herself. I had been holding back trying not to tempt the women around me as much. I suspect it would go the way of most New Year's resolutions, but I had to make the effort.

Most of the women around me did not need any added encouragement.

"See you there, Professor Haywood," I told her.

Charms and Herbology were standard fare for the afternoon classes. Flitwick and Sprout talked to us briefly and introduced their new assistants. No one notable, although they seemed rather knowledgable enough.

I entered the common room. The lovely Penelope Clearwater looked spent and drained. Padma, Su, and Tracey followed me into the Common Room, followed by Daphne.

"OWLs?" Tracey asked.

"Yes," Penny said. "Sorry if I'm going to be busy tonight. If you need anything, just let me know, but Professors McGonagall, Lestrange, Flitwick, and Vector, they're all increasing their workloads and I've got loads of work to finish so I don't get too far behind. We might have the OWLs pushed back a month so we have more time to prepare. I really feel sorry for people preparing for their NEWTs."

"Oh, those poor people are going to be spent," Daphne said.

"I heard some of them saying they might have to take another year for their added classwork," Su said. "Guess, we're lucky being first years."

"Or second years," Cho said. "We don't have too much adjustment to make. If you need help dealing with Prefect duties Penny, I can lend a hand."

"Me too," Marietta said.

"That's sweet of you both, but you're only second years," Penny said. "Professor Ravenclaw knows best."

"Still can't believe the Founders have come back," Cho said. "Gryffindor is really admanent about his dragons."

"Yeah," Daphne said. "Although his idea for an ice cream fountain has merit."

"You would think that," Tracey said.

"Oh, it would raise student morale and you know it," Daphne said. "Just like my idea of having a competition of seeing who can sell the most Harry Potter ice cream bars. Speaking of which, can you believe Crabbe and Goyle came to me with all of those coupons and demanded me to pay up?"

"What did you do?" I asked her.

"I laughed in their faces and told them that they were all fake," Daphne said. "Think they're a bit miffed with Eddie."

"I would be concerned, if I didn't know that Eddie would work his way out of this con by pulling an even bigger con on those two," Marietta said. "And to think, this started because he was trying to con a bunch of women thirsty for an eleven year old boy. Which sounds like of creepy when you say it out loud."

"A little," Cho started. "To be fair, I forget Harry's eleven most of the time."

"I think everyone does," I quipped.

A lot better than the people who thought I was forever fourteen. Bloody three year summer.

Marietta took out the Daily Prophet and broke out into a bit of a smirk.

"A lot of parents are apparently upset about the ground sweeping and radical changes at Hogwarts," Marietta said.

"And by parents, you mean politicians who aren't used to getting their way," I said.

"Well in some cases, they're the same," Cho said tensely.

I knew exactly who she was referring to. A lot of them once claimed they were under the Imperius Curse. Well, we did not need such weak-willed people dictating the future of our children, did we?

"And they're skeptical about the founders really returning," Marietta said. "To be fair, it's wild to think about. Although, we live in a world of magic and this is their bridge too far."

"What's insane for most people is normal for us," Padma agreed. "Do you think the Ministry is going to try and interfere again?"

"No," Marietta said. "Well, maybe. I think they might try and set up their own school, independent from Hogwarts."

"Morgana help us," Daphne groaned.

That sounds like a glorious trainwreck waiting to happen. Which means I really want to see them try.

"So, for some reason no one really bit on the assistant Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher job. However, I will get some help, thankfully, from Mr. Lupin, one of our new caretakers."

"Hello," Lupin said. "I'll be assisting Professor Lestrange with some of her classes. Although she insists on teaching the first years personally."

"You have the second to fourth years, I'll get the fifth to seventh years," Bellatrix said. "And hope our monthly problems never overlap because that will be a logistical nightmare."

"What monthly problem?" Goyle asked.

"Don't listen to aside comments from your teacher, that's rude!" Bellatrix snapped. "Fifty points from Gryffindor for being rude and another fifty points for your father being an dimwit and passing on his stupid genes to his son. And another fifty points because your cat's breath smells like cat food."

"But, I don't have a cat!" Goyle yelled.

"And another fifty points for being a fascist cat hater," Bellatrix commented.

None of us had the heart to tell Bellatrix that the points system was just suspended this morning. Mostly due to Gryffindor being so far into the negatives, the hour glasses did the magical equivalent of a blue screen of death. Just let her have her fun, and everything will be mostly alright.

"So, as a reminder, what is the reason why many use the dark arts?" Bellatrix asked.

"Torture?" Goyle asked.

"Are you asking me or telling me?" Bellatrix asked. "And they use it because they get a rush out of it. They get a sadistic joy out of tormenting others. Now while many spells the Ministry has declared dark are because they are beyond most witches and wizards, there are some which are completely vile and would make your skin crawl. Both literally and figuratively, if you're lucky to have skin. And it warps the mind. You can shake off the addiction with time and with patience, but many go mad trying to. Obsession is why many learn dark magic. And obsession is why many fight those who would seek to hurt others."

Bellatrix eyed the entire class.

"But, yes, torture is a reason," Bellatrix said. "And we have a new student today. Ms. Dunbar, I would like to assess your abilities. And today, you will be dueling with our top student, Mr. Potter."

"A duel?" Fay asked. "I didn't expect to do that in the first class."

"Well, you wouldn't expect a dark wizard to attack you either," Bellatrix said. "Well, unless you're Moody and you always expect a dark wizard to attack you. Everyone clear back."

The desks moved and formed a circle. I stepped inside to Fay who looked nervous.

"Hi," Fay told me. "I'm Fay. I'm new. I'm from Canada, eh."

She winked and grinned at me, almost if she was having a little bit of fun with the standard Canadian stereotypes.

"I'm Harry Potter," I said. "Maybe you've heard of me?"

"Yes, a little," Fay said. "So, I guess we're going to duel?"

I bowed and Fay bowed as well.

"Don't hold back," I warned her. "I know you're supposed to be polite being from Canada, but don't hold back."

Spells flew through the air. Bellatrix did not bother putting up a protective barrier to protect from errant spells. Mostly because she thought it was good practice for shield spells or at least dodging the attacks. There were a lot of injuries in our class, but nothing too lethal.

We were first years after all. I evaded two spells, and then Fay broke through my shield with a rather nifty flame whip spell. She whipped her wand back and tried to blast at me. I dodged the attack and used the desk to propel myself behind her.

Fay spun around and blocked the attack. She kept her eyes on the wand in my hand which allowed me to disarm her and allow her wand to fly into the air.

"I thought I had you," Fay said.

The charm she was using heated up my hand and prevented me from holding a wand and another moment, it would go flying.

"Not bad," I told her. "You'll do fine."

"Thanks," Fay said. "Guess,you're more than a pretty scar."

She flashed me a cheeky grin.

"Could anyone tell me where Ms. Dunbar went wrong?" Bellatrix asked.

"She didn't expect wandless magic," Megan said. "Wait, Harry can do that?"

"He's Harry Potter, what do you think?" Blaise asked.

"He can do anything," Parvati practically gushed.

"No wonder he defeated You-Know-Who," Neville said.

"Correct, Jones," Bellatrix said. "Ten points to…what is your house again?"

"Hufflepuff," Megan said before realizing.

"I wish you children would stop lying to me and making up a fake house. Fifty points from Gryffindor."

"Actually, Professor Lestrange there are no…"

"No reason why you should keep these children waiting for their education!" Sirius cheered from the door. "Moony…no…no…no Professor Moony, I hope you're doing well, first day teaching your favorite subject. Don't mind me, I just am hunting down a particularly nasty pixie who gave me the slip. But, I'll get the little bugger."

"Why did you call Mr. Lupin, Moony?" Susan asked.

"Well, Ms. Bones, there was an incident where he dropped his pants," Sirius said.

Lupin sighed and rolled his eyes.

"But, that story will have to wait until you're at least in your fourth year," Bellatrix interjected. "And where did you say that pixie went?"

"It landed in your hair," Sirius said.

Bellatrix freaked out and started blasting the pixie. The little trickster was a step ahead and Bellatrix singed off about half of her hair until she finally knocked it through an open window.

"Professor Lestrange?"

A nervous Neville looked at Bellatrix after class, and I stuck around, along with Astra, and also Susan, to see what Neville was doing.

"I see you got your new wand, Longbottom," Bellatrix said. "After that accident. Wink, wink."

"You aren't supposed to say wink, wink, out loud," I said.

Bellatrix cheerfully ignored me. I hate when people do that.

"Um, yeah, I got my new wand," Neville stammered. "But, Professor Flamel has assigned me to do a report on an infamous figure in magical history, and she assigned me you."

"Oh, infamous, Elle, you make me blush," Bellatrix said. "But, that's a bit of an interesting twist, assigning Longbottom of all people to write a report about the notorious Bellatrix Lestrange."

"Well, I talked to her and she thought it would help me, if I understood what made you tick and why you did what you did," Neville said. "Um, you know…"

"Yes, I know," Bellatrix said. "It's about time we have a chat. Because, kid, I swear I didn't leave your parents that wrecked. Granted, I roughed them up a little bit. And Junior got a little handsy with your dear mum until Auntie Bella pulled out her paddle."

Neville looked mortified. Come to think of it, I was kind of mortified as well.

"Right, don't mentally scar the kids, Bella," she remarked. "I say I can give you a bit of an insight on what makes me tick. Because, over the holidays, I learned something rather shocking about…well Mr. Potter will share that with you, when he gives his report. Won't you, Potter?"

"Oh, don't worry, I intend to tell the world exactly who Voldemort is," I said.

"Um, what's going on?" Susan asked.

"Do you look at your presents before Christmas, kid?" Bellatrix asked. "It's a surprise. Who do you have your report on?"

"Countess Maria Von Schmidt," Susan said.

"Mmm, a delightfully twisted one," Bellatrix said. "You know, I've made it my passion to learn about all of the notorious dark witches and wizards in history. So, maybe I can give you kids a little hand and point you in the right direction. But, yes, Longbottom, I'll grand you an interview. Friday evening, after dinner."

"Are you sure it's a good idea to be alone with her?" Susan asked.

"I'll be there," I said. "He won't be alone."

"You don't have to, Harry," Neville said. "It's fine. I'm not scared. Really, I'm not."

"Oh, Longbottom, with all I've done you better bring your brown pants. You'll need them."

"Oh, they are very happy, very happy to be of service," Kara told Astra, Daphne, and I as we walked through the grounds after dinner one night. "You know, Helga Hufflepuff was generous in allowing the house elves to work at Hogwarts. One of her last acts before she went on the first time. She told me herself. She also warned me about prying around in their past, because it's going to stir up a hornet's nest."

"Not sure what you're trying to accomplish," Daphne said.

"Well, Elle has an obviously slanted view, given she was betrayed and would rather put that matter behind her," Kara said. "The Elders have a slanted view as well. The one thing I've found in common is if I mention Cringle's name, the house elves quiver in terror and beg me not to speak of him."

"That's interesting," Astra said.

"Any luck with getting ahold of Winky?" Kara asked.

"Diggory told me he would keep me posted," I said. "She's holding out hope that Crouch is going to come home. Although, it's looking unlikely, no matter how Crouch is using his resources to delay the inevitable. He's running out of ways to appeal."

"That elf is going to be in shock when her master goes away," Daphne said. "Winky's been serving the Crouches since she was able to serve a human family. And her mother before her."

"Do house elves generally serve the same family over generations?" Kara asked.

"It depends," Daphne said.

We walked out further onto the grounds and went to a training area which was mostly used by advanced Defense Against the Dark Arts students. I caught sight of Beatrice Haywood with her back to me. She used her wand to fling knives into several training dummies. She was breathing heavily.

I remembered her screams on the train.

"Be back in a minute."

Beatrice still had her back to me. Black leather jacket, black leather pants, black boots, her hair clipped over to one side, with the traditional Hogwarts button up shirt underneath. I stepped off to the side and she turned around and almost blasted me with one of the knives.

I quickly transfigured it into a dove. Beatrice blinked.

"Are you insane?" she asked me. "I could have sliced you in half."

"You could have," I agreed. "Figured I'd check up on you. See how you were doing."

"Fine," Beatrice said. "I'm fine."

"You're not fine."

Beatrice sighed and waved her wand to skewer one of the practice dummies. She was blowing off steam.

"Thanks for helping me, but I'm fine," Beatrice said. "Not like Malfoy. Or Granger. Neither of them have left the Hospital Wing all week since it happened. Granger's not even talking. That's unsettling. You can never shut her up."

Interesting.

"You've been through something."

"Oh, I have, but I'm not allowed to talk about that, am I?" Beatrice asked. "Hogwarts is supposed to be safe. Nothing bad ever happens at Hogwarts. I'm glad Dumbledore's gone. Maybe now people will take students being in danger more seriously. It was a game for him, you know."

"Mmm," I said.

"Oh, you know, you know exactly what Dumbledore's all about, don't you?" Beatrice asked. "And let's face it, she was a dry run for the Boy-Who-Lived and whatever grand plans Dumbledore had. Only, you didn't want to play ball, did it? She woke up to it too late. And now the Ministry is hunting her down. And after all she's done for Hogwarts. Ingrates, the lot of them. And her old friends, they can't even mention her name, without being branded with suspicion."

"I know," I said. "Tonks told me. Or didn't tell me."

"I'm glad you stood up and spoke up for Dumbledore's third floor death trap," Beatrice said. "Senile old coot never learned his lesson after the last seven years. It shows you might actually care. Although, you had every reason to go after this world. And every reason to watch it burn to the ground."

Well, Beatrice would have a reason to be bitter. To be fair, I would be, if I was stuck inside of a portrait for a year.

"Bit extreme."

"And true," Beatrice said. "I almost forgot you're eleven. But, you haven't been a kid since that Halloween, have you? I read Skeeter's articles. At least, I had eleven years. You barely had one. That really puts things in perspective."

Beatrice stepped closer towards Harry for a second.

"Thank you for all you've done," Beatrice said. "Know that one person appreciates it."

Astra stepped over and caught Beatrice's eye.

"Harry's twin sister, right?" she asked with a small smile.

"Astra," she said. "You're Beatrice Haywood."

"Penny's little sister," Beatrice said. "And she's teaching at Hogwarts. Just after word got out that I was screaming my head off because of some demon snake. Thought we had an understanding. Thought we put it all behind us. But, I'm still that trapped and terrified eleven-year-old girl to her. I'm not. I'm fourteen. I've had my first maturity."

I turned to Astra. We wisely decided not to get involved in the middle of what the hell was going on between the Haywood sisters.

"That knife throwing spell was pretty cool," Astra said.

"It's all in the wrist," Beatrice said. "I have to channel my aggression into something and that helps. Wish I didn't need my wand. Although the entire school is buzzing. Harry Potter doesn't need a wand to perform magic."

"You heard."

"Hogwarts rumors travel fast," Beatrice said. "Can you teach me how to do it?"

"Well, it just happens," I said.

To be fair, I had not used a wand in twenty years, before going back in time. I merely defaulted back into my old habits during that duel without thinking about it. It's just like breathing.

"I owe you a butterbeer," Beatrice said. "Why don't we head to Hogsmeade this weekend? My treat."

I do enjoy how bold she was, just flat out asking me on a date and not caring. Astra looked quite amused.

"It's not a Hogsmeade weekend and I'm only a first year."

"Yeah, that's going to stop Harry Potter," Beatrice scoffed. "And we can sneak out. I overheard those two twin terrors in Gryffindor talking about a secret passage out of the school they found. "

"And I've got plans," I told her.

"Oh, I guess you would," Beatrice said. "The Clearwater girl right? You and her spending some time together. Bit too young, still, but I'm sure you can charm her. And you know, being charmed by a Parselmouth wouldn't be the worst thing, would it?"

"Actually, your sister wants to assess my potions making skills," I told her.

"Ooh, of course she does," Beatrice almost groaned. "Right, sorry, sorry. Another time. Nice meeting you too, Astra."

Beatrice excused herself. Kara stepped forward and smiled.

"Ah, the glorious rivalry of sisters, it strikes again," Kara said. "Not that I'd know anything about that."

"And I most certainly don't," Daphne said. "My sister and I get along great."

"Right," Astra said. "Of course you do."

"We do," Daphne said. "Most of the time."

I smiled, knowing better. I looked out into the Forbidden Forest.

"I still think you were seeing things," Astra said.

"Maybe," I agreed. "Maybe not."

The female centaur did not appear ever since that night when Astra and I came across Zari in the forest. Perhaps she had not wanted to risk getting caught by her herd being seen. Given how isolated centaurs were and how they reacted when Firenze taught Divination, I most certainly did not want to get her hurt by anyone.

Whoever she was.

Magical Culture Studies, bit of a mouthful for a class, but that was the class taught by one Professor Katerina Zabini. It would be going on during the same time that Muggle Studies would be taught by the lovely Professor Zari Tarazi.

I looked at the group who came in. Half-bloods can elect to choose what class they wanted out of either and I chose Magical Culture Studies. Therefore, we had Justin-Finch Fletchley, Wayne Hopkins, and Dean Thomas of Hufflepuff make their way into the class. Terry Boot, Stephen Cornfoot, and Roger Malone of Gryffindor. Su Li, Sophie Roper, and Lisa Turpin of Ravenclaw. And Astra was the sole Slytherin who took the class.

For those who wondered, Hermione would have been taking this class, but she's still in the hospital wing. So is Malfoy come to think of it and likely other students, but those two are the main ones from my year group that I noticed missing.

"I can't believe we have to take a class where we learn just how amazing purebloods are," Wayne grumbled.

"It would be unbelievable, wouldn't it, Mr. Hopkins?"

Wayne jumped almost halfway off of his seat as Kat stepped out of the shadows. She did know how to make an entrance and cast a presence.

"The Ministry of Magic never wanted this class offered, even if it would be a perfect opportunity to tell First-Generation students of all of the ways that what they call proper witches and wizards are superior and how they should have proper wizarding pride," Katerina said. "Naturally, we have magic. Therefore we are superior, right?"

Kat obviously did not want an answer to that question.

"We have pretty much the same culture over the past three hundred years, with a few minimal changes," Kat said. "At first, we did have the advantage over non-magicals. We were the first to have indoor plumbing, centuries before Muggles for instance. We had more efficient forms of travel."

Kat's eyes fell over us all.

"We had a robust educational system ahead of Muggles for the longest time," Kat said. "We could all mass produce books and newspapers long before our Muggle friends. But, something happened. Something happened over the past century that changed that. And we have to understand why things were kept the way they are. Does anyone have an idea why we have not changed how we do things?"

"Because, it's just easier to go with what has worked for generations," Lisa said. "They feel their system has worked and they do not want to change it."

"And if there's changes, they are afraid they'll be left behind," Terry added. "And someone else will step up in their place."

"And they are just arrogant enough to believe they are perfect," Wayne added.

"Arrogance is a two-way street," Kat said. "There are some who come into the Wizarding World and are appalled because they apply the same standards from the Muggle World. But, they do not understand why things are this way. They just demand change and try and push for it. And it gets shut down every time because they do not try to meet us halfway. Because, one thing you should understand about most magical users, is they are extremely stubborn. If you push something, they will push back. And if you threaten their livielhood, you will be the enemy, even if your point is valid. And many points are valid. But, heavy-handed methods will not get through to your average wizard on the street. Especially with the power of the Daily Prophet to brand those points as radical and inciting an insurrection over the safety and security of the magical people. Bring up the old witch hunts and burning constantly, to remind us of the horrors Muggles can do. Extreme methods rarely end well, even with the best inventions."

Too true. You can really turn people off if you go too far and demand sweeping change too fast. People will curl into defense mode.

"This class is going to teach you aspects of Wizarding Culture which are not pleasant and are considered alien who have not grown up around them," Kat said."I do not celebrate many aspects. I find the practice of politically arranged marriages barbaric and outdated. But, it helps consolidate power and it will remain as long as it's beneficial. The twenty-eight families have swapped political power for years. And there is the practice of house elves and goblins doing our banking. Why do wizards not set up their own bank, many have asked?"

"Most wizards do not want to put in the work," I said. "They would rather cast blame and not work on a solution to a problem."

"Yes," Kat agreed. "Mr. Potter has a point which we will run into time and time again in class. It is easier to find a problem. It requires effort to find a solution. By the time you have completed this course, you will understand even if you don't like what you understand."

Kat paused and we all took out her notes.

"And so begins our first discussion. The Sacred Twenty-Eight, a list of families who were still considered pureblood during the 1930s. Given how outdated much of this information may be, it poses a problem. Now, the definition of pureblood varies depending on who you ask. For many, it's having two magical parents. For others, having even a squib on their family tree means it's tainted. Squibs in general are a very dark part of magical society. Of the twenty-eight, there will be many names which will come as a surprise to some of you, given they do not fit the profile of what people consider pureblood. And there will be several families whose lack of inclusion on their list will be baffling. I can assure you that there are many pureblood advocates who are half-bloods chasing clout. It's not about reality, it's about perception, among wizards. Fake it until you make it."

And thus began Katrina Zabini's lecture on the sacred twenty-eight. It was interesting how many so-called blood traitors were considered pureblood sixty years ago and how many upstanding pureblood families did not make the cut.

Narratives were obviously rewritten during the time of Voldemort and Grindelwald.

"So how many purebloods does it take to change a lightbulb?" Daphne asked.

"About as many as it takes to figure out they should just use a switching spell," Tracey said. "Plus one to fix the mess when the light bulb blows up in their faces for using the wrong kind on the fixture."

The group of first year Ravenclaws laughed when sitting around the fire, indulging in their Friday night S'mores. I decided to enjoy them, before meeting with Neville for his little interview with Bellatrix. Andrea Runcorn just shot Daphne and Tracey a look of mock agitation.

"I feel like I should be offended by that," Andrea said. "Unfortunately it's true."

"So, how are you doing?" Padma asked. "That was a real scare you had, wasn't it?"

"Oh, I was on a high after my sorting, and then the next thing I knew, I just woke up almost five months later, life a complete blank," Andrea said. "I'm glad the healers fixed what was wrong with me."

"Sorry that none of us really noticed it," Su said.

"Oh, you had other things to worry about that night," Andrea said. "And you shouldn't really worry about me."

"Should we?" Padma asked. "You almost died."

"Almost," Andrea said.

"That must have been terrifying," Morag said.

"And you don't remember anything?" Lisa asked.

"Not anything between collapsing and waking up," Andrea said.

"I don't want to even think about losing that much time," Sophie said with a shudder.

"I know."

Andrea's disappearance and sudden reappearance really had been overlooked in all of the chaos that happened in the months since then.

"Students come and go at Hogwarts all the time, I guess," Tracey said.

"Yeah, not everyone sticks around," Daphne agreed. "Although it's odd that someone goes down before they even make it to their Common Room for the first night. And you don't remember anything?"

"Yes, Greengrass, I told you I don't remember anything, at least ten times," Andrea tensely said.

"Just concerned," Daphne said.

"Sorry," Andrea said. "Thankfully the teachers are going over everything."

"Harry?" Daphne asked.

"Just thinking," I said.

"You do that a lot," Andrea said. "You were right that night. And I can't help but think that set the ball rolling for all of the changes. A lot has changed over the past five months. After this last week, Hogwarts seems different. Very different. A lot of parents don't like that. Dad insisted I leave, thankfully Mum supports me going here."

"But, you just got back," Lisa said. "And now he wants to leave?"

"Dad is ride or die with the Ministry, no matter who is in charge," Andrea said. "And Lady Rowena made it clear she doesn't want the Ministry involved with Hogwarts at all. If the Ministry sets up their new school, we're going to be divided even more than we were during the time of You-Know-Who."

"Only because the Ministry wants to push for the division," Daphne said. "They like it. They like us all to be at each other's throats."

"She's got a point," Padma said.

"Mmm, maybe," Andrea said. "Although a lot of people who come into this world don't try and understand why it is, and they try and change us, change who we are."

"We can learn more about each other with these new classes," I suggested.

"Maybe, although the Muggles don't exactly have a perfect society," Andrea said. "Up until over a hundred years ago, they still enslaved their fellows just because they had a different skin color. And depriving women the right to vote for so long. You won't see that in the Wizarding World."

"Let's not talk about politics, please," Lisa said.

"I agree," Padma said.

"Number one rule for Friday nights, no politics and no religion," Sophie said. "Sometimes we just have to settle our differences, but tonight."

"Agree to disagree," Andrea said. "Although these are pretty good. So, not everything from the Muggles is bad."

"They're better without magic," Sophie said.

"Mmm, are they?" Andrea asked.

"They are!" Sophie exclaimed. "You know, maybe we should all go camping this summer? Maybe we can talk to Professor Tarazi and we can arrange some kind of get together where we can camp the Muggle way?"

"Without magic?" Andrea asked.

"That's what the Muggle way generally entails," I told her. "And it would be quite the experience."

"We could learn a lot," Padma agreed thoughtfully.

"I agree."

Well, our lovely fifth-year prefect looked like a sight for sore eyes. Penny collapsed down on the chair.

"Finished, for tonight," Penny said. "Are you doing okay settling back in, Andrea?"

"Well, everyone's settling in to the new Headmistress and her goals for the school?" Andrea asked. "Are we sure it's really Rowena Ravenclaw?"

"Yes," I said. "The school would not allow an imposter to claim she was Rowena. You would know that if you read Hogwarts: A History."

"Mmm, I'll take your word for it," Andrea said. "Give me another one of those S'mores. I can get to enjoy this."

"See," Sophie said.

My watch beeped.

"Got to go, meeting Neville," I said. "He's going to talk to Lestrange for his interview for Professor Flamel's assignment."

"I'll tag along too," Daphne said.

"I'm coming," Tracey said. "To make sure the two of you stay out of trouble."

I flashed Tracey a look of mock indignation.

"And since when have we gotten in trouble?"

Tracey just grinned.

"If I made a list, we would be very late."

Tracey, Daphne, and I sat alongside Hannah and Susan as Bellatrix was giving Neville some of the details of her motivation to become the notorious dark witch she was.

"Thanks for coming along," Susan said. "Neville's a bit better around her now."

"He is," Hannah said. "Did you see Hermione today?"

"Hasn't spoken a word since the train," Susan said. "You saved her."

"She's alive," I said.

I did not want to tell Hermione's roommates she was resigned to dying on that train. She pretty much froze out when those things attacked.

"What if she doesn't get better?" Hannah asked.

"Well, she'll be held in the Hospital Wing until they decide to ship her to St. Mungos for further observation," Daphne said.

"Who is going to pay for that?" Tracey asked. "You know how they knut and sickle even the most respectable pureblood families."

I can only imagine. I honestly did not want to get involved with Hermione, but fate appeared to keep nudging me, despite my best interests not going there. I was fully prepared to be more stubborn and dig my heels in harder.

"Don't know," Susan said. "Her parents can't even come and see her, can they?"

"I haven't seen them," Hannah said. "Her mother seemed nice enough when I called to check up over Christmas."

"How did it feel to kill someone the first time?" Neville asked.

"A relief," Bellatrix said. "My first kill earned me a spot in his group. Very few witches qualified. The Death Eaters might have been called the Sausage Eaters. Okay, fine, my analogy got messed up."

Neville grinned nervously at Bellatrix's smile.

"My first kill was a very prominent and annoying politician, a real reformer. He wanted to crack down on what he called hate speech against Muggleborns and he was making waves in the Ministry. Made a few friends, made even more enemies. And he was a fairly competent and charismatic wizard. And quite the arrogant fuck, always claiming the moral high ground. I got the task of shutting him down. It was quick, it was easy. But, after a while, the quick and easy deaths are unsatisfying. Dull. And I had something to prove and I needed a more stimulating challenge."

"You said you had something to prove, with your parents, right?" Neville asked.

"Mmm, with my older sister and my younger sister, I had a lot to prove," Bellatrix said. "But, you have every reason to go that way too, if you get pushed that way?"

"I don't understand."

"You lost your parents," Bellatrix said. "Worse than dead."

"Because of…"

"Because of me, yes, or so the Ministry claims," Bellatrix said. "It's time I tell you what happened that night. The truth was, we did not know what to believe. And we did not believe some snot-nosed brat could have taken down the most powerful dark lord of all time. Knowing what I know now, I hate some of the stupid decisions I made. Do you understand?"

Neville nodded.

"We heard that your parents had information about the Dark Lord's whereabouts. We were all desperate to learn anything. So we struck. Myself, Junior, my idiot husband, and his doofus brother. It was a fierce fight. Your Dad gave me this scar."

Bellatrix pulled down to show a scar on her shoulder.

"Mummy Longbottom gave me this one."

She showed a jagged scratch on her upper back.

"Your parents did not go down without a fight," Bellatrix said. "But, we got them. And we roughed them up. They refused to tell us anything. Said things I shouldn't repeat in the presence of little first-year ears."

I can only imagine.

"Your parents were tough ones, they wouldn't break easily," Bellatrix said. "Your mother, she was a real fiery one. Literally given she burned my idiot husband. And he snapped and responded with the Cruciatus Curse. And we all thought it was a good idea. To make them talk. To make them tell us what they knew about him."

"That's what they said though, the Ministry said you tortured them into madness, that's what Gran's always said," Neville said.

"We tortured them and they begged us to stop, yes," Bellatrix said. "And then, the Aurors showed up. Crouch's little personal hit squad even. I saw them getting up right before I was knocked out."

"You put the curse on them," Neville said.

"Yes, I did," Bellatrix agreed. "But, I knew when to put the pressure on them and when to pull back. They didn't say anything. It's all a blur and I ended up in Azkaban. Apparently, I was on trial and I guess we all were. Only because Crouch wanted to show just he was hard on dark wizards by throwing his son to the Dementors. And they talked about the crimes we caused. All because Crouch leaked information that your parents knew where he was."

"You-Know-Who?"

"Who's on first!" Bellatrix shrieked which caused Neville to jump and Bellatrix to giggle. "Sorry. To my knowledge, your parents were not insane. Granted, they would be roughed up. A competent healer would have had them right as rain. They wouldn't be without nightmares, but they would be your parents. And they would get over it. Frank and Alice were survivors."

"I…I don't know if I can believe you."

Neville looked at me.

"I can't make that decision for you, Neville," I told him. "It's up to you."

"I'm not asking for forgiveness and I'm not telling you that I'm innocent, far from it," Bellatrix said. "I attacked your parents off of a stupid reckless whim. And used the Cruciatus Curse on them, but it would take days of constant torture before they went insane to that level where they were put in the Long Term Spell Damage ward. We put them under the curse for less than three hours, at most."

Neville did not know what to say.

"But how do you…"

"I conducted a lot of experiments which would terrify you," Bellatrix said. "And rightfully so. The homeless are easy to miss. All one has to do is grab some random Muggle off of the street. Or even entice one in with the promise of a warm meal. I tormented one for days, seeing how much torture it would take for his mind to completely break. Three days before he lost his marbles and all control of his bodily functions. He ended up ripping his own eyes out because the pain was so intense."

"Oh, I'm going to be sick," Hannah groaned.

"Susan, take her to the lavatory," I told her.

"I did warn you, I didn't do nice things to people," Bellatrix said. "And to think it was in the name of some ingrate who did not care about what I would do and who…mangled his soul in his quest for power. He didn't care about preserving our culture or protecting us from Muggles assholes like Dursley who would hunt us down, if they could."

Bellatrix's rant about Voldemort caused Neville to be petrified with horror.

"Useless, half-blood snake-faced twat, I gave the best years of my life to his so called-cause! I did everything for him. I went to Azkaban for him. I didn't torture the Longbottoms into insanity, but I did other nasty and cruel things to him. Murdered, maim, tortured, all of the pureblood I spilled because they went against his agenda. And I thought I would get something out of it."

"BELLA!" I yelled.

The glass bulbs in the room broke. I could hear the tell-tale bleep-bleep-bleep of a super sonic signal watch and out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a blur flying in the direction of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place, faster than a speeding bullet.

"Daphne, Tracey, get him out of here," I said. "She's having an episode."

I reached over and grabbed the music box. It played a soothing tone which calmed Bellatrix down a little bit. Although her hand was still shaking. Neville, Tracey, and Daphne stood at the door.

"Tell Longbottom that I didn't mean to lose it like that," Bellatrix said. "Why didn't Ravenclaw just return me to Azkaban? I might not have done what they said I did to the Longbottoms but still, I'm a mess. Dark magic made me a mess. My obsession with him made me a mess."

Bellatrix's hand still sent sparks into the air. And then she was shocked by the failsafe.

"I'm okay, now," Bellatrix said. "Tell Longbottom that's all for tonight. And that I'm sorry for his parents. They were good people. Better than me. And if I didn't fall for Crouch's bait, he would have had a better life. Alice would have skinned that fat bastard Algie alive if she knew he dropped her son out a window to force magic out of him."

I stepped back and saw Neville in the hallway trembling.

"Is she alright?" Neville asked.

"No," I told him. "Are you?"

"I don't know," Neville said. "I really don't know. I…I need to go lie down."

Susan returned along with a flushed Hannah and led their fellow year mate to the Hufflepuff common room.

"Elle, I really hope you know what you're doing," I murmured.

"We should take you to Madam Pomfrey," Susan said. "Get you a calming draught."

"Good idea," Hannah said. "Harry?"

"I'll stay with her," I said. "For a bit."

Bellatrix rocked back and forth in her classroom, humming "Tiptoe Through the Tulips", while tugging on her hair. And then she got up and rummaged through her desk before pulling out stacks of essays.

"Papers to grade," Bellatrix said. "Tell the furball I want to go over some lesson plans with him if you see him."

"Are you okay?" I asked.

"I'm spiffy," Bellatrix said. "Never been better."

Somehow I doubted that.

I was very glad for my meeting with Penny Haywood so she could assess my potions skills. I needed something extremely constructive to keep my mind off of everything that was going on. I never thought there would be a time where I would be concerned for the mental health and well being of Bellatrix Lestrange.

I turned towards Penny and blocked the troubled Bellatrix out of my mind.

"A simple one to start," Penny said. "What potion starts with the user adding a powdered root of asphodel to an infusion of wormwood?"

"A sleeping potion so powerful it's called Draught of the Living Dead," I said. "Putting too much wormwood could make it too powerful and put the drinker in an enchanted sleep with nothing waking them. Other than true love's kiss. Pricking a finger on a cursed spinning wheel could cause a similar effect."

Penny smiled knowingly at my reference. Of course, most of those old fairy tales have a basis throughout the history of magic. Although the actual stories are not kid friendly.

I could tell you things about those seven dwarfs which would make your skin crawl. But, I will spare you.

"Snape asked you that one, didn't he?"

"Well, no, he didn't," I said. "He never really got around to him, although Cho and Marietta, they were surprised he didn't. And a bezoar is located in the stomach of the goat, although most Potioneers worth their salt always keep at least one handy."

"I've got a few," Penny admitted. "And you know the one about monkshood and wolfsbane?"

"Yes," I agreed. "Also known as aconite. Same plant and a key component for the Wolfsbane potion."

"Well, you know that, although they're all fourth and fifth year material," Penny said. "We don't even try to brew Draught of the Living Dead until our sixth year and it's strictly supervised. And there's also the Draught of Peace. Which is one of the most common mistakes with it?"

"Syrup of hellebore is the most common mistake," I recited. "Forgetting it renders the potion using. Using too much, causes the drinker to lapse into a catatonic state. Using not enough will cause the drinker to become overly paranoid and frantic until an antidote is made."

"Excellent," Penny said.

"So, I've got a question about Forgetfulness potions," I said. "Wouldn't it be more effective to erase someone's memory?"

"Memory charms are more easily reversed," Penny said. "A Forgetfulness Potion can erase certain memories completely. Although one mistake with it and you could have both long and short term memory loss. The same thing with memory charms really."

"Could it drive someone insane?" I asked her.

Penny pondered my question. It was almost if she was trying to assess why I would ask her such a question.

"Well, I suppose it can, or at least cause a similar state of insanity," Penny said. "A licensed healer could use a forgetfulness potion to erase trauma, and it shouldn't be done by a student, especially unsupervised by a licensed Potioneer. I really hope you're not going to use one on yourself. You have reasons, but..you shouldn't."

Penny sternly looked at me and I shook my head.

"Just asking for a friend," I told her.

"It's not worth it," Penny said. "I was down that road before. It's easy to want to forget. But what does not kill us makes us stronger. And you could erase everything that makes you, you."

"Are you speaking from experience, Professor?" I asked her.

"Let's just say I had a really good friend who talked me down from a really bad place when I was a couple years older than you," Penny said.

Penny asked me a few more questions, and I answered them. Her grin grew wider and wider.

"Brilliant," Penny said. "You are really brilliant. A real nature. But knowing the theory is one thing. Making a potion is another thing. And I want you to make the Draught of Peace for me. Now let me walk you through all of the steps."

Penny explained the potion line by line, all of the things that could go wrong each step of the way. We spent the next twenty minutes having a discussion and Penny made sure I understood everything. You know, actually teaching a student.

"I'm not expecting a perfect potion," Penny said. "This is OWL level after all. If you can't handle it, we'll try something third or fourth year level. But, I'm confident you'll impress me."

The next hour resulted in me making the Draught of Peace. I made a few minor tweaks, mostly to expedite the process without compromising the potion. These short-cuts required precise calculations. A steady hand and plenty of focus.

"You're having him make OWL level Potions?"

Beatrice stood at the doorway and raised an eyebrow towards her sister. Penny crossed the room. I focused on making my potion.

"He's doing a good job, so far," Penny said. "He's brilliant."

"Yes, he's Lily's son, of course he would be brilliant to you," Beatrice said when eying her sister. "But, he is brilliant. Did you hear what he did in Defense Against the Dark Arts?"

I put the finishing touches on the potion.

"Wandless magic, I heard," Penny said. "Professor Lestrange was singing his praises at the staff meeting."

"They let her in the staff meeting?" Beatrice asked. "They wouldn't even let her at meals for the first couple of months, and she's not exactly well. No one else wants that job though, right?"

"No," Penny said.

"Cassie, she would have been great at it," Beatrice said. "Speaking of which, have you heard from her lately?"

I acted like I was not eavesdropping on their conversation. I'm good at that.

"Bea, not now," Penny whispered anxiously.

"The Ministry cleared you of everything, although they were bullshit charges," Beatrice said. "But, she hasn't even tried to tell you she's okay?"

I wondered if I should tell them that I did get a present from their friend and she seemed okay. Although why I got it, I had no idea.

The fact it was a very illegal present that could potentially spark another goblin rebellion also gave me pause. And I did not Binns to pop out of the ground with a ghost boner and try to take over History of Magic.

"Can we talk about this later?" Penny asked. "I don't want to distract Harry."

"Fine, it's always later, when it's something you're uncomfortable talking about," Beatrice grumbled. "I'm fine by the way."

"Good to hear," Penny said.

"Finished!" I cheered.

The Haywood sisters moved over and Beatrice whistled when eying my Potion. It seemed like she took a second to remind herself that I was in fact just eleven.

"Perfect," Beatrice said and Penny raised her eyebrow in astonishment. "After all of the times I heard you rattle off Potion recipes in your sleep, I know a little something about Potions. Although Defense and Charms are more my thing these days. And this new Magical Heritage class. Professor Zabini is so cool."

Penny looked a bit disturbed that her little sister thought that Katerina Zabini was a role model to emulate.

"A perfect shade," Penny said.

"The proof is in the tasting," I said.

I held out a spoonful and Beatrice daringly bit the bullet.

"Bea, you really shouldn't…"

"You said it was perfect," Beatrice said before a dreamy look washed over her face. "And everything is wonderful. It's such a beautiful day. Penny, did I mention how you're my favorite sister?"

"Not recently," Penny admitted.

"Well, you're always looking out for me, and I don't normally appreciate all of that," Beatrice said. "I can finally relax for a little bit. I think I'm going to go out and watch the clouds. I like the ones that look like puffskeins. Bye, Harry. Thanks for the little taste of heaven."

Beatrice kissed Harry's cheek and then Penny's before giggling and skipping past a bemused Kara who had come down to meet me. Given how intensely she was throwing those knives the other day, Beatrice needed a magical chill pill.

"Overuse of that potion could have nasty effects," I reminded Penny.

"She's happy now though," Penny said. "And she's right, it was a perfect potion. She's relaxed. And nothing can rattle her for the next twelve hours."

The older Haywood sister had been careful not to squander my potion.

"I'll bottle this for later, and send it off to Madam Pomfrey," Penny said. "Always in short supply with OWLs and NEWTs coming around the corner."

"Always," I said. "See you in class, Professor."

"Enjoy your weekend, Harry."

I walked off with Kara hand in hand from the Potions lab. Beatrice was right, it was a beautiful day.

"We really need to find a way to block off Rosemary's connection to Bellatrix," Kara said me seriously. "That last one was really bad."

"We're going to have to tell Bellatrix about her soon as well," I said.

"We really do," Kara said. "Get it over with."

"Oh, and Crouch is being convicted on Monday," I said. "He's run out of luck."

"So, we'll be able to see Winky," Kara said.

We walked past the Owlery and almost ran into Neville who looked a bit jumpy, more so than usual.

"Okay?" Kara asked him.

"Yeah, hey, Kara, Harry," Neville said. "I was just sending an owl. It was about my parents. After all of the things she told me last night, all of the things she confessed to, admitted doing without flinching, she was still adament that she wasn't the one that drove my parents insane. And I think something bad happened to them, after the Lestranges and Crouch were arrested. Gran never questioned it, no one questioned it, but something's not right."

"If you feel strongly about it, I'll back you up," I replied.

"Thanks, really, I appreciate it," Neville said. "You gave me the idea. When you demanded to see the trial transcripts for Sirius Black and that worked out well. Why couldn't I do the same for my parents and their medical records?"

"I hope you get them," I said. "And if you don't, let me know and I'll contact Miranda and Andromeda. They'll help you too."

Neville was right. Bellatrix always took credit for her misdeeds and was loud and proud. She admitted to attacking the Longbottoms, but she was adamant she could not torture them into insanity in the time she and the other Death Eaters had with them.

Kara and I had been signalled before we could speak. Zari wanted to see us on the seventh floor.

"According to Hogwarts: A History, technology does not work within the walls of Hogwarts."

Daphne, Astra, Kara, and I joined Zari in the Room of Requirement. In other words, everyone who had been sent back in time in some form or fashion. Which had been retrofitted into a very familiar ship. The time traveling ship known as the Waverider, used by those wacky Legends of Tomorrow. Although it was just a physical replication, due to technology not presently being able to function in Hogwarts.

"Too much magic in the air," Daphne said.

"And I say that explanation doesn't hold water," I said. "London would be a technological deadzone if that was the case. And so would Washington DC. Yet technology works there fine."

"Harry's got a point," Astra said. "There's something in this school which is actively blocking any technology."

As if on cue, a three dimensional floor plan of Hogwarts popped up in the control console of the simulated Waverider. Operated by the Room of Requirement. Zari put her finger down and a glowing blue line flickered to a certain point.

"Bingo," Zari said. "It's not ambient magic that is causing technology to go dead. It's active magic. Created for the sole purpose of making technology inert."

A door opened to the Headmistress's office. Zari knocked on it three times and the door opened up.

"We take out these three points and technology could be used within Hogwarts walls," Kara said.

Rowena walked into the Room of Requirement.

"We have to deal with that."

"What's that?" Rowena asked.

"Floorplan of Hogwarts, created by the Room of Requirement," I said.

"Oh, Helga's creation," Rowena said. "She wanted a place in the school where students can get what they needed, but only if the need was dire."

"The need for us to access my phone and find out what the hell brought us here is very dire," Zari said. "But, there's blockers preventing me from fully using the room to create everything I need to get into my phone."

"I see," Rowena said. "Those were placed by the previous Headmaster."

"Dumbledore did that?" I asked.

"It's a simple matter of taking them out," Rowena said. "Hogwarts is meant to evolve with the times, not hide from them."

"Now it just seems like some medieval LARPer's wet dream," Astra said.

"Give me a minute," Rowena said. "I'm going to need to summon the other founders."

Godric, Helga, and Salazar, who looked very miffed, appeared in a flash of light.

"We have a change in this school which is preventing Professor Tarazi from accessing the full powers of the Room of Requirement," Rowena said.

"Well, I wanted anyone to use the room if they had need of it, and anything preventing it, must be dealt with instantly," Helga said.

"Oh, a simple challenge, mere child play to remove these runes from the fabric of Hogwarts," Godric said.

"Just tell me what you want, Rowena," Salazar drawled. "So, I can return to my solitude."

I turned and caught Astra looking around the Room of Requirement's reconstruction of the Waverider. She could not kepe the smile off of her face.

"Sorry, it just brings back memories," Astra said. "It hasn't been that long, but it feels like a lifetime ago. And now we might not meet some of them again. I half expect Sara to come through that door right about now and send us off on some ridiculous mission, sending us off with some snappy one liner."

"And I kept getting dragged along into it," I said.

"Mmm," Kara said.

The Legends is one of the things which Kara indulgences me on.

"Miss them," Astra said.

"I do too," I said. "Although I swear, they could have been responsible for this little time mishap."

"My money's still on Barry for getting us knocked back in time," Astra said.

Barry Allen, the Flash, the fastest man alive, both on the streets and in the sheets, and unfortunately, a man who had went back in time more than once and caused awful consequences.

"I don't think Barry would do it on purpose," Kara said.

"But, you do think he could have fucked us over accidentally because he's the most inept time traveler ever," Astra said.

"I didn't…"

"Well, obviously, I can't think of a reason why Barry would deliberately fuck up the time line to screw me over," I said.

"You slept with his wife and his daughter," Astra reminded me.

"Not a single reason at all," I said, cheerfully ignoring Astra's point.

And that was retaliation for me having to deal with Eobard Thawne's, the Reverse-Flash's, bullshit after Barry stupidly brought him back to deal with another evil speedster. There sure are a fucking lot of evil speedsters. I suppose that's a consequence of two of your most interesting rogues going onto their own time-traveling spinoff.

We're getting off the subject.

The Founders continued their deconstruction of the wards.

"Almost there," Rowena said.

"Merlin's Cosmic Staff, this Dumbledore really chaps my arse," Godric groaned.

"He does that to a lot of people," I commented.

And the technological suppressing wards broke up which allowed the Room to finish the replication of the Waverider. Perfect down to the last detail, well except for one vital one. Namely the ship's very lovely artificial intelligence.

Legends came and Legends went, but Gideon was one constant of the crew. I created her in the distant future by combining a base copy of an AI that an alternate version of Barry Allen made with a magical AI that I constructed named Alia. The combination of magic and technology is very dodgy, and not sure how I pulled that one off, but that sounds like a future Harry problem. And the Time Masters found it and removed all of the empathy protocols, because they all had large sticks where the sun don't shine. Thankfully, Rip Hunter, the man who originally put together the Legends, restored those protocols, thus getting the Gideon we all loved.

And then Astra and I magically manifested Gideon into a physical body. Flesh, blood, a heart, a soul, the whole works. We were only trying to repair the bloody ship. The Elder Wand and the Resurrection Stone, combined with our emotionally charged accidental magic, decided to get cute with us and give us human Gideon. I blame our friend Esperanza for encouraging us to use the Hallows to repair the Waverider. This is all your fault, Spooner.

We do miss her though. Technically we are Gideon's parents, based on the laws of magic. Not the weirdest thing that ever happened though.

I am pretty fair a few people are like Daphne right now, nodding and rolling her eyes because of all of the crossovers.

"Damn," Astra murmured. "The Room of Requirement can't create life, can it?"

"I know," I said.

Zari picked up her phone and smiled when flipping it on.

"Good thing I charged my battery before we went on our trip," Zari said. "And this is…download in progress?"

"What?" I asked.

"From where?" Astra asked.

"This doesn't make any sense," Zari said. "The network my phone is on, it won't exist for years."

"Well, it's pulling something from somewhere," Kara said. "Let me look at that."

"Careful," Zari warned her.

Kara took the phone. The Founders looked in awe at the device which kept flashing code at speeds even too fast for Kara's enhanced mental processes to keep up with.

"Oh, you will have to explain to me how this charming invention works, Professor Tarazi," Godric said. "I want one of my own."

"Later, Sir Godric," Zari said. "Anything, Kara?"

"It's almost like your phone is pulling something through time," Kara said. "But, that doesn't make any sense."

"Few things about the last six months do," Astra said.

"Some kind of emergency protocol is trying to download on your phone, now," Kara said. "And now your phone is ringing."

Zari shrugged and I really had nothing.

"Hello?" a soft female voice asked. "Where am I? When am I?"

Astra's eyes widened and her face lit up like a Christmas tree.

"There is a woman trapped inside of that device!" Godric yelled. "Don't worry fair maiden, I will set you free!"

"Godric, no!"

It all happened so fast. Godric blasted Zari's phone to smithereens. The dust particles rained down onto the ground of Waverider reconstruction. Zari's anguished screams could likely be heard in the depths of the Forbidden Forest. And Astra, oh she was pissed beyond any words.

Kara, Daphne, myself, and the rest of the founders moved away from the blast zone.

Astra and Zari turned their very murderous gazes towards the idiot recklessly exploded a very important item.

"Smooth move, dunderhead," Salazar drawled.

Godric Gryffindor was twelve hundred eighty nine.

To Be Continued.