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Note: Another surprise Sunday update. I don't mind admitting that we are getting close to some chapters that I really am eager to see how people like them. They were ones I had in mind form the moment I started writing this and I really hope they show how different this setting will become as far as canon divergence but hopefully in a believable way. So I wanted to do some extra updates to get there a little quicker. After that I may slow down a bit on updates because I am running through my backlog a bit more swiftly than I am filling it up but we shall see.

I hope everyone is still doing well and still enjoying the journey. Thank you for your likes and follows and kind words. I'm always happy to see feedback. Have a lovely day!

The Family that Chooses You

Chapter 51 – Cloaks, Claws, and Crystal Balls

Harry was having a difficult week.

It had taken him some time to get back into the swing of things. He felt like he was constantly on edge. Despite the Dementors being kept on the boundaries of the school, he imagined he could feel their presence no matter where he was. He knew he could not, he was not freezing cold nor was he filled with despair. Yet he felt like his head was always buzzing, a low tingle that never really went away.

Coupled with the fact that everyone kept talking about Sirius Black, it made for an atmosphere that he felt he could not escape from. People talked about what got him sent to Azkaban all the time, debating on how he was able to escape Azkaban, talked about his ties with You-Know-Who.

Harry wished he could just escape somewhere where people did not talk about either Dementors or Sirius Black.

Luckily his friends provided that solace. Ron, Angelina, and Oliver were always happy to talk about Quidditch. Hermione needed the barest prompting when it came to school work for her to discuss that. Alicia was always helpful with potions and to hear stories of her family and their potion work. Not to mention she was incredibly talented at causing a bit of fun with her comments. Katie was always happy to talk about her family and to just chat with Harry. The twins never failed to regale Harry with stories of their misdeeds and misadventures.

Despite being very busy as Head Boy, Percy popped by the common room every now and again to lecture his brothers and to check on Ginny and Harry. He had to stop doing the tutoring sessions with Harry and had apologized for it. He was too busy with his duties.

Harry did not mind. He was touched that Percy made time to just check on his well-being.

Angelina and Alicia had become very busy too. This was their O.W.L.s year and had a lot more homework and review to do. It was also the twins' O.W.L.s year as well, but they did not seem to acknowledge it much to the annoyance of Percy. They certainly did not let its existence hold them back from their escapades.

Harry was happy enough to just spend time with them while they worked. He did his own work and did not ask them to help often. Consequently, he was keeping up rather well because he worked diligently alongside them, much to Hermione's delight and Ron's disgust.

Harry sighed deeply as he set his quill down. He looked morosely out of the window; the grounds bathed in moonlight under the half moon.

"What's wrong Harry?" Katie asked, concerned.

He shrugged. "It's silly," he murmured.

"Doesn't seem like it to me. Go on, tell me."

He smiled wanly. "Divination isn't as cool as I thought it would be."

"You mean not as easy as you thought it would be," Alicia amended as she continued to read her textbook.

Harry snorted. "Okay, maybe that too."

"What's so bad about it?" Katie asked. "Leeanne likes it."

Harry flushed and felt shy. "Never mind, it's silly."

"Professor Trelawney predicted his death," Hermione said waspishly from his side. She punched the parchment hard with her quill.

The three older girls looked up at that. "She did what?" Alicia asked, appalled.

"She said Harry is fated to die soon," Hermione said with a sniff. "Something dodgy about his tea leaves and something called a Grim."

Katie snorted. "A Grim? Bollocks."

Angelina looked worried. "I'm not saying I believe in that sort of thing, but isn't Professor Trelawney a Seer?"

"No, she's a child of someone who was a true seer," Alicia said. "There's never been a record of her making an accurate prediction. Teachers predicting their students' death. I thought only Defense professors were supposed to be terrible."

"My Mum says people killed by being a Grim are individuals with so little sense that it's really only a matter of time and that they rather blame a Grim than the person's intelligence." Katie smiled comfortingly at Harry. "We know you have plenty of sense."

Harry flushed from pleasure.

"It's just, you don't really use it," Katie continued with a giggle.

Harry flushed from embarrassment as the four witches laughed. "You're not wrong," he conceded, unable to stop from smiling despite his bright red face. "I've gotten better though, right?"

"Remains to be seen," Alicia said as she went back to work. "I'll reserve judgment until after our first Quidditch game this year."

"It's okay Rabbit," Angelina said at Harry's sour look, ruffling his hair. "At least you're cute and cuddly. That makes up for it."

His face and his attempts to bite Angelina's hand had the girls erupting in laughter. Despite the ribbing, he felt much better.

-0-

Harry stumbled slightly, sliding off Buckbeak's back. Flying on a hippogriff was an amazing experience, even though he preferred a broom. He imagined it was a lot like riding a horse, the only difference was that this horse flew in the air. His face was still a bit numb from the cold wind and he knew his untidy hair was even more messy. Still, it was a wonderful experience.

Hagrid's congratulatory pat on the back made him stumble even harder but Harry did not mind too much. The new Professor was so nervous and so happy.

"That was really cool," Ron said with a grin.

"Thanks," Harry said. "Can't wait and see how disheveled you get."

"I'm not going up there," Ron snorted. "I'll do my bit and bow though." He and Hermione approached another hippogriff, one with snowy white feathers and a painted equine body.

Students in class did the same all around them. Pairs or trios approached a magical creature and bowed warily. Most of the time the hippogriff would bow back, allowing the students to touch and pet them. If the animal did not bow back, the students would back off with some haste.

Draco approached Buckbeak alongside Pansy and Daphne. He bowed with every bit of arrogance he exuded and after a long look, Buckbeak did not bow in return. The pale boy turned his back and sneered. "The beast seems to have absolutely no taste at all. It should thank me fore approaching it, stupid animal."

Harry did not know why exactly he started to run, but as soon as Draco opened his mouth he did. He could see Buckbeak take offense to the insult and the hippogriff reared on his hind legs, the long claws on his forelegs glinted in the sunlight.

Pansy, who was still facing Buckbeak, shrieked in fear. Draco turned and knocked Daphne over who was trying to scramble back. His face went slack with shock and he looked dumbly at the angry hippogriff.

Harry pushed him and Pansy hard, knocking them out of the path of the reaching claws. The sharp talons missed Draco by inches. Harry turned and faced the angry animal, his stomach churning. He focused on Hagrid's instructions from earlier and bowed at the waist.

Buckbeak fell forward, his forelegs impacted the earth and his claws sank deep. He glowered at the scrambling Draco and cawed angrily, pawing at the ground. He then looked at Harry and bowed almost immediately.

Harry almost collapsed from relief. He patted Buckbeak's head for a few moments, keeping him occupied for Hagrid to rush over and pull the temperamental animal away. Harry's skin was slick from sweat and he turned, looking down at Daphne who was still on the ground, looking at him with wide eyes. He offered a hand, "Are you okay?"

She stared at his hand and then looked back at his face.

He flushed and wiped the sweat from his palm before offering it again. "Sorry, sweaty."

It was her turn to blush. "No, my apologies. That's not why I was staring." She took his hand and she rose with his help. "Thank you," she said looking him in the eyes. "Why did you come save us?"

Good question, he thought. "Well," he said slowly, trying to gather his thoughts, "I was trying to keep Buckbeak from hurting himself really."

She looked shocked and then laughed. After a moment he joined in.

"So it was not to save Draco from his own mistakes?" she asked.

"I…don't like seeing people get hurt," he replied, shrugging.

"What if it was just me?"

"I don't think you'd be dumb enough to insult a hippogriff."

She laughed again. "Thank you very much…Harry," she said with a blush. "I appreciate your help."

"You're welcome…Daphne. Oh, I uh, never thanked you properly for what you said last year." He looked down at the ground. "During all that."

"Well, it was despicable how people treated you." She looked at Draco, Pansy, Vincent, and Gregory glaring at them.

Harry saw them too. "I hope they don't bother you about…talking to me."

"Do not worry Harry," she said as she walked away. "I am not dumb enough to care about them."

Ron and Hermione hurried over.

"What were you thinking?" Hermione hissed, angry and relieved.

"I didn't want Buckbeak to get in trouble. You know if he touched a hair on Draco's head he'd go to his father and who knows what would happen," Harry protested.

"But trading your health for Draco's?" Ron shook his head. "The git didn't even thank you."

"He doesn't need to," Harry said and was surprised that he meant it. "I didn't do it for him…personally. I just," he sighed. "I really don't like seeing people get hurt. Not if I can help it."

"You're too noble," Hermione scolded.

"Hey speaking of, riding a hippogriff is kinda like riding a horse. Does that count?"

"I'm not calling you Sir Harry," Hermione said trying to fight her smile.

"I'll call you Sir Harry," Ron offered. "Sir Hairy Arse."

Hermione sighed and muttered a very weary 'boys' as Ron and Harry devolved into more playful insults.

-0-

Harry was feeling nervous again. Typically something he felt to differing degrees in class but this nervousness had a sharper edge to it. He watched as someone else approached the Boggart, watched their deepest fear come to life, and watched them dispel the fear.

Harry was afraid of lots of things. He was afraid of the Dursleys, all in equal measure despite their differences. He was afraid of losing his friends, especially the team, and he did not want to see how the Boggart would manifest that. He was scared of Voldemort and he still had nightmares of a Voldemort and Quirrell combo, a misshapen skull that hissed at him from two mouths.

If he was truly honest, he was afraid of being alone again. Also something he did not want to think about how the Boggart would manifest.

He was at the front of the line now and it would be his turn next. He watched in amazement as Ron's acromantula lost its legs and the body rolled up to him. He noticed out of the corner of his eye Professor Lupin rushing forward to interrupt but something got in his way and he stumbled.

The legless looked up at Harry and shifted. Hair became fabric, body became thinner and longer. The room instantly became cold and a horrible wasted cloaked figure rose from the ground. The dark hood seemed to swallow him up and it made a terrible rattling noise.

Harry had no idea how to make a Dementor funny but he lifted his wand and thought hard for a solution.

"-it's him!"

"Who?" Harry asked, head turning to where he thought the voice came from.

"-it's him! Take-," the voice crackled, "-and run! I'll hold him off!"

Harry did not see any of his classmates anymore. He did not see Hermione or Ron. Remus was nowhere to be seen. He saw swirling white fog tinged with sinister green light. He saw the Boggart-Dementor in front of him.

"No," Harry whispered but no one heard him.

"Lily, it's him! Take Harry and run! I'll hold him off!" The voice was slightly clearer now. It was male, young, terrified.

Harry's mind reeled. "Please no," he whispered again. He was beginning to understand.

The cold cruel laughter echoed around him. He tried to run but his body refused to listen. He felt he was dipped into the Black Lake in the middle of winter, frozen and unable to move. Utterly at the mercy of the nightmare.

"Please! Harry is just a baby!" Lily cried.

"Get out of my way foolish girl," Voldemort said.

"Mum," Harry whispered.

"Leave him alone! Take me instead!"

"R-R-Riddikulus," Harry whispered. His wand shook and nothing happened.

"Ridiculous," Voldemort sneered. "Give me the boy and you will live."

"No! You won't take him!" Lily yelled.

"Avada Kedavra," Voldemort said.

Lily screamed and after a moment so did Harry.

-0-

"Is everything okay?" Neville asked nervously.

The class stared at Harry. They had watched in fascination to see what the Boggart would turn into. When it became a Dementor, everyone had scrambled away, already feeling the effects of the aura of despair the Dementor exuded. It floated in front of Harry, menacing in every way.

Harry stood there frozen, staring directly at the Boggart-Dementor. He did not move, did not make a sound. After a moment his mouth moved but he still made no sounds.

Ron and Hermione took a few steps forward, trying their best to combat their mounting fear.

Harry screamed.

Hermione had heard him scream a few times before. She heard him scream with joy at Quidditch games. She still remembered the painful noises he made when they first met and when getting to know each other during the first year, whenever he was startled or afraid. All of those had paled in comparison to the scream she heard in the compartment on the Express a week ago. That scream was one of intense pain and loss. A scream of someone who felt something deeply and could not contain their anguish.

This scream was one many times worse.

Harry's scream was filled with fear. A fear of someone understanding something terrible. The fear one had when they saw something awful and could do nothing to fix or change it. A fear saturated by pain.

Hermione ran to him, grabbing his robes. At her touch he fell limp, as if his bones had disappeared. She fell with him, desperate to keep from hitting the stones. Ron jumped over Harry's falling form to confront the Boggart directly.

The Boggart shifted again, turning into the giant acromantula that had nearly paralyzed Ron mere moments before.

This time however, Ron had no hesitation. "Riddikulus!" he yelled and flicked his wand. The acromantula was flattened down, as if stomped on by a giant boot. The imprint of a boot print appeared on its back and the Boggart-spider hissed in pain. Ron flicked his wand again and the magical fear creature was sent flying into the clothes cupboard. The doors closing behind it with a distinct slam.

Everyone looked at Ron with amazement but the boy ignored them, sinking down to his knees besides his friends. "Is he okay?" he asked Hermione.

"I don't know," she fretted. She had managed to keep Harry from hitting his head on the stone floor and he writhed in her lap. "Harry, it's okay, you're safe," she said to him pleadingly.

"Harry!" Remus knelt down too. "I'm so sorry, I tried to prevent the Boggart from approaching him but tripped on something."

"Do people normally react like this to Boggarts or Dementors?" Ron asked.

"Normally no. However, people with significant trauma tend to be more sensitive," Remus said worriedly.

Harry's eyes snapped open and he gasped. "Mum." He struggled to rise.

"Harry, you're okay now," Hermione said, in a tone that she wished it was so when said out loud. "It was a Boggart Harry, it turned into a Dementor." She tried to ignore what Harry meant by saying 'mum'. She tried to ignore the implications.

Harry sat up. His chest heaved and he skin looked clammy. He started to shake, his breathing shallow. "I need to go," he said in a dreadful whisper. "I can't breathe in here."

"I will take you to the Medical Ward," Remus offered and laid a hand on Harry's arm. Harry flinched hard, his eyes wide as he stared at the professor. Remus flinched too, hand darting back as if burned. "Harry…" he began sounding surprised and hurt.

"He doesn't like it when people he doesn't know touch him," Ron said, inserting himself in between the startled professor and his friend.

"But I-"

"Up you get mate," Ron said, ignoring Remus. He pulled Harry to his feet.

Hermione rose with him. She did not like how cold his hands were, how ashen he looked. He swayed unsteadily and she pretended not to notice how desperately he held onto her.

"You go on," Ron said. "I'll take your things up to the tower. Same with Harry's."

She nodded gratefully. "Let's go Harry," she murmured softly. Without waiting for Remus' permission, she led Harry gently from the room with everyone staring after them.