"So, are we all ready for this?" Harry asked his newest guests.

"This might be one of the strangest things I've ever done," Ernie said.

"Oh, what's the point in living life if it's not a little strange," Susan said. "Besides, who doesn't like looking back at their childhood and cringing?"

"I don't, but I'm forced to," Malfoy said.

"Ah, poor thing," Astra cooed. "So, let's get to this."

"Let's," Sara agreed. "Gideon?"

"Chapter Eleven, Gideon read. "The Dueling Club."

"Oh boy," Hannah murmured.

"Hogwarts having a Dueling Club seems like a good idea," Sirius said.

"If, and only if you had a competent Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher," John said.

"Surely Dumbledore couldn't have been dense enough to let him run a dueling club," Remus said.

Everyone who lived through this or read the books before shifted nervously.

"Yeah, let's read," Kara said.

"Bugger," Peter grumbled.

"Honestly, he should be fired, and not rewarded with a dueling club," Nora said.

Madam Pomfrey gives Harry the go ahead to leave after he had to regrow all of his bones thanks to a negligent teacher.

"Glad we have a competent healer at the very least," Lily said.

"Hogwarts would be a mess without her," McGonagall said. "Although, Mr. Potter did spend a lot of time in that Hospital Wing."

"Which one?" James asked with a cheeky smile.

"Your son has you beat," McGonagall said.

"It's true," Harry said.

"Unfortunately," Sara agreed. "Harry does put himself in a lot of situations which leaves him gravely injured."

"I'd like to think I've gotten better at healing from those situations," Harry argued.

"He's got a point," Zari said.

"Which only just encourages him," Kara said with a half-sigh, half fond smile.

Harry runs into Percy, who is in good spirits, given Harry's flying earned him fifty points. The third oldest Weasley expresses his desire that Ron's not in another girl's toilet.

"Funny story about that one," Fred said.

"Odd to see Percy this chipper," Kara said. "Normally so uptight."

"Yeah, he was in a surprisingly good mood," Harry said. "You would have thought he got twelve OWLs all over again."

"And that's exactly where Ron was," Astra said with a smile. "In another girl's toilet."

"Well, I wasn't there alone," Ron said. "We should get a jump on things."

"With your really insane plan, yes," Lily said with a frown.

"Still not a plan of that one?" Mia asked.

"Not in the slightest," Lily said.

"Don't worry, we're not either anymore," Ron said.

Sure enough, Ron and Hermione are in the toilet. And they are preparing to make the Polyjuice Potion in Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

"Still don't think it's the best place to make it," Lily said

"Yeah, we're lucky things didn't go worse than it did," Harry said. "But, that's to come."

"You do love teasing us with bad times, don't you, Dad?" Ruby asked.

"It could have gone a lot worse," Hermione said.

"Oh, Hermione, please tell me something bad didn't happen," Charlotte said. "And this is the first I'm finding out about it."

"I can't believe you never read the books before now," Lita said.

"I couldn't bring myself to read them," Charlotte said. "Or watch the movies. Besides, I thought my daughter told me everything, and therefore, there was no need to read it."

It was here that Hermione shifted nervously.

"These books have a lot of things some of us thought would never come out in public," Hannah said. "And Harry did manage to keep a lot of things from coming out, just giving a more general story."

"And I vetoed a lot of things which would make our fictional avatars look worse than we did in real life," Harry said.

"Still haven't told us what that is," Lita said.

"Oh, we'll get to that when we get there," Harry said.

"Oh, the suspense is killing me!" Bellatrix groaned.

"You'll live," Sirius said. "Unfortunately."

Bellatrix just stuck out her tongue in response.

They talk about Colin being attacked and also Dobby coming in the middle of the night.

"Yeah, Colin being attacked, that's unsettling," Hermione said.

"Especially when the monster destroyed his camera," Remus added.

"The house elf seems to be more of a threat than the monster right now," Regulus said. "At least from Harry's point of view."

"The house elf has a name," Hermione said.

"Fine," Regulus said. "Dobby is more of a threat than a monster."

"Still, I'm surprised Dobby was able to spill as much as he did," Junior said.

"Well, if the Mastermind has a habit of monologuing in front of the mirror, and the house elf overhears, plans tend to get foiled, if you don't order the house elf to keep a lid on it," Narcissa said.

"Huh, that seems oddly specific," Lena said.

It did indeed.

Harry brings up the revelation the Chamber of Secrets has been opened before.

"Dumbledore knew," Susan said.

"Yeah, he did," Harry agreed. "So, what did your aunt have to say about that?"

"Well, she was extremely busy at the Ministry, and there was not a lot of stuff she did not find out until later," Susan said. "And to be honest, none of us understood what was happening or who could be doing this."

"It's not like what's attacking is common knowledge," Astra said.

"Highly forbidden knowledge," Hermione agreed.

"It's terrifying to think about," Ernie said. "And to think…well you all know what a lot of people thought."

Harry nodded. They would get to that in a second.

Ginny's upset about the attack. Fred and George try and cheer her up, until Percy threatens to write home to their mother.

"Thank guys, you tried," Ginny said. "I appreciated the effort, but I was jumpy for other reasons."

"We all understand," Sara said.

"It was a tough year for all of us," Susan said gently.

"What would your mother have done if Percy wrote to her?" Sara asked the Weasleys.

"Well, I have a feeling we might have gotten a howler," George said.

"We learned how to defuse those a long time ago," Fred said.

"Oh, that's just survival, when you get into trouble," Sirius said. "And when you've disgraced the family by hanging around undesirables."

"Did your mother ever give up?" Remus asked.

"Well, eventually she might have gotten the hint when I ran away," Sirius said.

"It's a pity you left," Regulus said.

"You could have as well," Sirius said.

Regulus said nothing.

There is a roaring trades of talismans and other magical enchantments to protect against the monster.

"Oh, boy, the con-artists are alive and well," John said.

"Superstition makes for excellent business," Kara said.

"No one knows what's attacking, though," Mia protested. "So, how is any of this stuff going to help?"

"Purely a placebo," Harry explained. "People want to sleep better."

"Some of those items are more dangerous than the things they're protecting against," Susan said. "The Ministry has to defuse more curses caused by so-called protective items than anything else."

"It's true," Junior said. "The more benign ones are tacky jewelry, but there are some objects that are cursed. Father won't shut up about them."

"There's a shock," Bellatrix said dryly.

Neville is afraid he might be a target, because he was almost a squib.

"No, there is no almost a squib," Natalie said. "This boy's self confidence is not high."

"It didn't help when his uncle tried to bounce him out of the window to get him to perform magic," Astra said dryly.

Natalie, Lily, Charlotte, and Narcissa all made sounds of indignation that anyone would treat a child like that. Although, a dark thought in the back of Narcissa's mind reminded her how, even today, squibs held a certain stigma.

"He's the perfect target for scams with his lack of self-confidence," John added.

"Yeah, although it doesn't help that his family is almost as superstitious," James said.

Thankfully, Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle will be signing up to attend school at Christmas. Which is the perfect time use the Polyjuice Potion.

"Sure, why not?" Kara asked. "What can go wrong?"

Astra shivered.

"Not as much as you would think," Harry admitted. "But still too much to go wrong."

"And you're brewing it in that filthy bathroom," Severus said. "The slightest bit of contamination can ruin the entire potion."

"He's right," Snape said.

"Of course I am, I am you," Severus said. "Only with more of a future."

"Just keep thinking that," Snape said.

Severus responded by sneering at Snape. Who sneered back.

"Snape versus Snape, Snark Battle for the ages," Lita murmured with a big grin.

"My money's on Snape," Mick said.

"I don't know, I think Snape's got this one," Sara said.

"Sorry, but I'm going to have to go to Snape," Zari said.

"I wonder what the Snapewives think of this," Lita remarked.

Some of the members of the group shuddered.

"I have no idea what that is," Zari said.

"And be thankful you don't," Lita said.

"Wait, Snapewives?" Sirius asked.

"No, Black, just no," Snape said with a shudder. "We're not discovering these...mentals."

Snape knew what those miscreants were talking about and he would avoid thinking about it. He forever damned Alan Rickman for making him so appealing to the mentally unhinged portion of society.

Harry is apprehensive about breaking in Snape's office.

"And yet you do it," Snape said.

"To be technical, I wasn't the one who broke into your office," Harry said.

"That doesn't make things any better, Potter," Snape said.

"Oh, I would say get over yourself, but you never learned that lesson, have you?" Harry asked.

Severus shifted at how bitter and scowling his older self turned into.

"I'm curious how you pull this one off," Astra said.

"Me too," Lily said.

"Oh, it's quite the little trick," Lita said.

Hermione decides on a diversion. And she decides to do the actual stealing, given her record was clean.

"Well, other than smuggling an illegal dragon thing," Zari added.

"Yeah, forgot about that one, didn't you, sis?" Kate asked.

Hermione just responded with a sheepish expression.

"To be fair, most wizards have the attention span of a goldfish," Ron said.

"That's being extremely charitable, Weasley," Malfoy said.

"And Hermione was just talking about that year," Nora suggested.

"Did you think the records got wiped clean after every year?" Sirius asked in amusement.

"I just thought…they shouldn't get in trouble, after the Car," Hermione said.

"Oh, we know," Sirius agreed. "But, we have an entire filing cabinet in Filch's office."

"Each," Peter agreed.

"I didn't quite manage a second one," Sirius said. "Not sure how Filch managed to fit in all in, but bless him for doing it."

"He can be resourceful sometimes, got to give the old bastard his due," Fred said.

In Potions class, Malfoy is being a little troll by flickering pucker-fish eyes at Harry and Ron.

"Honestly, Draco," Narcissa murmured. "You should know better."

Because, it could be dangerously just casually flicking around Potions ingredients in a lab. And Snape should have put a stop to this.

"He's showing his true age," Kate said.

"About five?" Ruby asked.

"Exactly."

"That's about as dangerous as what I think you're going to do," Lily said.

"Pretty much," Harry agreed.

"Well, let's deal with it," Lily said.

Snape harassed Neville which gave Harry time to hurl the firework right into Goyle's cauldron and cause chaos when his Swelling Solution splashed everywhere.

"Wait?" George asked. "You flicked that firework in Goyle's potion?"

Both twins looked gobsmacked at Harry's bold action.

"Yes," Harry said.

"And it actually didn't melt everyone's skin when it exploded?" Fred asked.

"It actually worked," Harry said.

"I'll be damned," Regulus said.

"Pretty much," Malfoy said. "Only you would find the one lesson that Goyle has a somewhat functional potion. Only you, Potter."

Harry just responded with a sheepish smile.

"I'm surprised that Goyle had a functional potion," Snape said. "And what you did Potter, was completely idiotic and could have gotten people killed."

"And Malfoy flicking puffer fish eyes wouldn't have done anything?" Lily asked.

"And I wouldn't have had a chance to do it, if you hadn't been harassing Nevile as usual," Harry said.

"You only got away with it, because of the Headmaster's intervention," Snape said.

"Well, you should know all about getting away with stuff because of Dumbledore's intervention," Harry clapped back.

Everyone just whistled. Lily cleared her throat to bring back to the conversation at hand.

"It was reckless though," Lily said. "You're very lucky Goyle did his potion right."

"I agree," James said.

"It was really dumb, and I was twelve," Harry said. "Sometimes I think people forget that."

"He has a point," Zari said.

"He does," Sara said. "We forget that Harry made his share of dumb mistakes just as much the rest of us."

"Just seems to have it more together than the rest of us at that age," Lita said.

"Not really," Harry said. "Only because I'm forced into these insane situations."

"Most people would have broken down," Alex protested.

"Well, regardless, it was stupid," Lily said.

"If it makes you feel any better, I never flicked a firecracker into someone's cauldron ever again," Harry said.

"Good shot, though," Mia said.

"It was," Sara agreed.

"I give you points for nailing that one," Alex agreed.

"If you would have been an inch off, things would have been far worse," Astra said.

Harry had no disagreement with that fact.

Hermione slipped off while Snape tells everyone who has been splashed to come for the antidote. Also he threatens the person who did it.

"He knew," Harry said.

"I did," Snape reminded them.

"And he knew I knew that he knew," Harry said.

Snape nodded curtly, pleased to see that Harry understood.

"Literally the worst," Malfoy said. "Although, I'm surprised that Goyle had a functional potion. Although he did have a few more brain cells to spare than Crabbe. At least that year."

"It's almost like they share the same brain," Kate mused.

"Same handful of brain cells more like it," Malfoy confirmed.

Half of the class is swollen. As is Hermione, in a different way, as she ran out with the items she needed.

"Well done," Sara said. "We'll make a ninja out of you yet."

"I don't think I'm cut out for that sort of thing," Hermione said.

"Yeah, Hermione's not the thinking on her feet type," Ron added. "More like the plan type."

"Hey, make the plan," Sara said. "Execute the plan. Expect the plan to go off the rails. And throw away the plan."

"Good old Snart," Mick said with a fond smile at his fallen former partner.

Snape threatens to expel the person who did it.

"If only I had a Galleon for every time he threatened Potter with expulsion," Malfoy said.

"You'd be even more obscenely rich?" Susan asked.

"Exactly," Malfoy agreed.

"To be fair, I should have at least gotten detention," Harry said. "But, desperate times called for desperate measures."

"Well, those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones," James said. "But, your tunnel vision regarding Malfoy could have put a lot of people in danger. It was good Snape was on the ball with the antidote."

"Did you just say something nice about me, Potter?" Severus asked.

"No, about Professor Snape," James said. "Although, I would prefer he didn't become a teacher."

"Me too," Severus said.

"I can't believe I'm agreeing with Potter," Snape said. "But, circumstances made it so."

The best years of his life, teaching dunderheads Potions. All because he owed Dumbledore a favor.

The entire class filed out. Daphne nudged Harry.

"Sorry," Daphne said. "Let me get that."

Daphne picked up Harry's notebook and quill and handed it to him.

"I'm honestly surprised Goyle had a working swelling solution," Daphne murmured. "And you didn't just melt half of the class's face off."

Harry tried to fix his expression into one of surprised innocence.

"Harry?" Hermione asked.

"I'm right behind you, Hermione," Harry said.

"Hopefully it's worth it, whatever you're doing," Daphne whispered. "Good luck."

Tracey Davis and Lillian Moon both stared at Daphne.

"Just making sure Potter didn't drop anything else," Daphne said. "You know how Gryffindors are. Butter fingers."

"Right," Tracey said.

"He's kind of cute when he's flustered," Lillian said with a giggle.

"Ah, even at twelve, always a hit with the ladies," Sara said.

"Still was too inept to put it all together until much later," Harry said.

"Pieces were there, though?" Sara asked.

"Yeah," Harry said.

"Greengrass," Malfoy said. "She saw it."

"Didn't you figure out I did it?" Harry asked.

"No, I thought Goyle did something stupid and caused his potion to explode," Malfoy said. "It wasn't the first time. It wouldn't be the last. I just wish I hadn't been in the splash zone when it went off."

"You had it coming for being a douchebag by flicking those pufferfish eyes," Astra said.

"Normally, I'm not a fan of victim blaming, but I am a good fan of Karma busting people in the ass," Zari said.

Malfoy just folded his arms and scowled.

"Well, that conversation explains it, doesn't it?" Ron said.

"Yeah," Harry said.

"Another bit not in the books?" Lita asked.

"Quite a bit in this chapter," Harry said.

The potion will be ready in two weeks.

"Just cutting it close then," Lily said. "You have absolutely no room for error."

"What could go wrong?" Ruby asked.

"Ugh, Ruby, what did I tell you about tempting Murphy?" Kara asked.

"Don't?" Ruby asked.

"Again, didn't the bad thing already happen?" Junior asked.

Harry suspects Snape will do something foul if he catches on to what Harry did.

"I would hazard a guess he would like to, if he could get away with it," Ginny said dryly.

"Good thing Dumbledore has his pet secured on a leash," John said.

"If he didn't, I wouldn't be at Hogwarts, and Potter and I would never meet," Snape said.

"A shame you owed him your freedom, isn't it?" Harry asked.

And Snape had been locked in another cage, when Harry held the coin to his soul.

They are starting a dueling club. It could be useful, although Ron wonders if the Slytherin monster could duel.

"Boy, that would be a sight for sore eyes," Astra said.

"So, you know what was attacking?" Ernie asked.

"Some have figured it out, some have already read the books, and others haven't," Harry explained. "No spoilers though."

"Right," Ernie said.

"What if we accidentally slip?" Susan asked.

"Tongue-tying curse," Harry said.

"Could have used one of those fifth year," Susan said. "Might have saved some problems."

Once again, Hermione shifted nervously.

Speculation about who teaches the club follows. Flitwick is a popular choice.

"That would be the smart choice," Remus said.

"Which is why it's not the point we're going for," Zari said.

"Oh, bugger me sideways," John grumbled.

"Ah, suck it up, Johnny," Natalie said.

"Flitwick would be perfect, he's a master at dueling," Lily said.

Naturally it's Lockhart. And Snape's there as well.

"Never thought I'd say this, but go Snape," Peter said.

"You say that now," Ron murmured.

"Oh, it's…that day," Kara said.

"Fuck, I hate this chapter," Alex grumbled.

Both Danvers sisters scowled. And the Hufflepuff guests all sat rigid.

Lockhart gives a bombastic speech about his many achievements in dueling. And he introduces Snape as his assistant.

"Snape's not your assistant, he's your colleague," Lita said.

"If only looks could kill," Mia said with a small smile.

"Oh, Snape's fitting to spit venom," Sirius said. "This should be good."

"Or over real quickly," Junior said.

Harry just watched. Kara and Astra sat on either side of him. Harry knew what was coming.

Lockhart assures the group that they will still have their Potions master when he's done with them.

"Well, we felt so much better for his safety, if Lockhart was going to go easy on him," Malfoy said.

"This guy almost sounds like he's believing his own con," Zari said.

"Lockhart would be the type to gaslight himself," Ron said while rolling his eye.

"Snape's not amused," Regulus said.

"I wouldn't be," Severus chimed in.

Snape is giving Lockhart the death stare. Harry figures anyone with any sense would run. But, considering it's Lockhart.

"Oh, Harry, sense has left that man a long time ago," Zari said.

"Seriously, I'd put my money on Snape," Mick said.

"Fool's bet, Dad, Lockhart couldn't beat Snape if Snape slipped on his own hair grease," Lita said.

"Thank you for your confidence, Ms. Rory," Snape said dryly.

McGonagall had been silent for a long time. However she had been appalled when watching this particular spectacle play out.

"Oh, Albus," McGonagall murmured. "What were you thinking?"

"I've asked myself that question for years," Snape said. "He convinced me it was a good idea. Being babysitter to this charlatan."

"This isn't going to end well," Remus said.

"Dumbledore never should have rewarded this idiot with a platform to make more of a spectacle out of himself," Astra said.

"Maybe Dumbledore is trying to get him killed," Nora said.

"And dragging down the education of all of Hogwarts in the process," Sirius said.

Lockhart assures that neither will be aiming to kill on that first spell. Harry doubts it.

"Potter, I was sorely tempted, trust me," Snape said.

"But, Dumbledore made you promise to be a good boy," Sara said.

"If you must put it that way," Snape said.

Snape disarms Lockhart much to the jubilation of the Slytherins.

"Doesn't that make his wand yours?" Lita asked.

"Only in a proper duel, this is an exhibition," Snape said.

"How would the wand know?" Nora asked.

"You would have to ask someone like Ollivander to explain this in more detail," Snape said.

"He's still around to ask?" Lily asked.

"Yes," Kate confirmed.

"Wow, he was pretty old when I got my wand," Lily said.

"He's always been pretty old," McGonagall said.

"Are we sure it's the same Ollivander?" Sirius asked.

Everyone responded by shrugging in response.

Lockhart tries to say he let Snape do that.

"Sure you did," Kara said.

John had broken out a particularly large bottle of firewhiskey.

"Good thing I had this on standby to deal with this wanker," John said.

"I wonder how much longer Snape's going to put up with him," Ruby said.

"Oh, not long, if i know Snape," Peter said.

Even Lockhart realizes Snape has that "I would kill you and no one will find the body" look. So he hastily split them up into teams.

"What could go wrong there?" Ruby asked.

"You mean other than everything," Ron said.

"Forget I asked," Ruby said.

"Lockhart has some self-preservation after all," Mia said. "Who knew?"

Snape splits Harry, Ron, and Hermione up. Ron duels with Seamus, Hermione with Millicent Bulstrode, and Harry with Malfoy.

"These are some poor choices," Zari said.

"Ron against Seamus?" Susan asked. "Didn't Ron have a broken wand?"

"And doesn't Seamus have a habit of accidentally blowing things up with a functional wand?" Hannah asked.

"The Irish Wizard who blows things up," Lita said. "I feel like that's encouraging some kind of stereotype."

"Then again, Seamus Finnegan is the most Irish name you can have," Remus said.

"And this is coming from the werewolf named Remus Lupin," Sirius murmured which earned him an eyeroll from Remus and snickers from Peter and James.

"Millicent isn't that bad," Ron said. "Although, Hermione found a way to get on her bad side."

"Bulstrode never liked Granger," Malfoy said. "Always thought she was too smug. And a show-off."

"And Malfoy and Harry," Zari said.

"Wow, actually going to duel this time, aren't you?" Astra asked.

"What do you mean this time?" Narcissa asked.

Malfoy wilted underneath his mother's look.

"Well, Malfoy challenged me to a duel in our first week at Hogwarts," Harry said. "And he skipped out and tried to get me and Ron in trouble with Filch."

"It's a good thing Harry was ignorant back then," Narcissa said. "Because, you realize how much trouble you would have gotten into and how much shame you brought to the Malfoy name if you made a challenge for a duel and backed out on it."

"Potter could have a right to the Malfoy name, if he pushed hard enough to it," Junior added.

"Well, thankfully Potter's ignorant then," Regulus said.

"Let's see how badly this goes," Astra said.

Given how certain people were acting, especially their guests, Astra had a bad feeling about this.

Harry compares Bulstrode to something he saw in Holidays with Hags

"Oooh, that was a bad comparison past me," Harry said.

"You were extremely harsh on Slytherins in those first couple of years," Zari lightly commented.

"I mellowed out later," Harry said.

"She's nice when you get to know her," Ron argued.

"Ron, is there something you want to share with the rest of the class?" George asked.

"Look, you twin gits, I'm just saying, don't judge a book by it's cover," Ron said.

"He's got a point," Lita agreed. "Lockhart's a real pretty picture. But, the truth about him is…not too pleasant."

Susan nodded grimly. Lockhart had one charm he mastered and he used it to defraud a gullible public with his books.

Lockhart tells them to bow to their partners.

"Only the proper thing to do," Mia said. "At least he understands that much."

Naturally, Harry and Malfoy don't go for disarming spells. Harry performs the tickling spell and Malfoy makes Harry do a wacky dance.

"Well, considering your history, those spells could have been a lot more violent," Sara said.

"We were only second years," Harry said.

"And Malfoy was Malfoy," Natalie said. "He could have picked up a few nasty tricks from his father."

"All of the nasty tricks I picked up were on my own," Malfoy said. "Father refused to teach me anything useful. He said I wasn't ready."

"Well, people never are, are they, Malfoy?" Harry asked.

Malfoy nodded solemnly. And cringed when realizing in some twisted way, he had something in common with Harry Potter.

There was chaos. Thankfully Snape, the only one passing as an adult in the room, took charge and cancelled all of the spells.

"And imagine just how bad this club would be with just Lockhart," Kara said.

"Oh, I don't even want to think about that," Alex said.

Harry thought he might have turned around and left if it was just Lockhart. The spectacle of Snape doing something to Lockhart or Lockhart by some miracle living up to his reputation and wrecking Snape was the only thing that made him stay.

Ron's wand malfunctioned again and he's apologetic to Seamus.

"Really, should have gotten that thing fixed by now," Lily said.

Ron said nothing. If he had a working wand, he shuddered to think what might have happened when Lockhart got ahold of it. Things tended to work out in their own strange way.

Somehow.

Hermione is practically about ready to get choked out by Bulstrode, until Harry manages to pull her off.

"What did you do?" Mia asked.

"I was….trying to get something off of her," Hermione said. "That we needed."

"And Bulstrode defended herself accordingly," Malfoy said.

"Surprised Potter managed to pull her off,' Ernie said. "She was…quite imposing."

"I just barely managed it," Harry said.

"Just enough for me to slip away," Hermione said.

"Good thing Harry was there, or you might have been smothered," Charlotte said with a frown.

Hearing her daughter almost got choked out made

Lockhart suggests they learn how to block unfriendly spells.

"Probably a good idea," Sirius agreed.

"Just the wrong person to teach it," Remus added.

Everyone in the room sensed doom.

Snape says using Neville and Justin as a pair will not be a good idea, taking a shot at Neville in the process.

"You petty piece of garbage," Astra grumbled.

"What has has Neville done to you anyway?" Lily asked.

Snape refused to answer. Lily turned to Severus who just shrugged. He had no idea why his older self was bullying the Longbottom boy worse than Potter and his gang ever bullied him.

"As long as it's not Harry and Draco, we should be fine," Natalie said.

He suggests Potter and Malfoy.

"Damn it," Natalie said.

"Way to jinx it, Mum," Astra said.

"Already happened, but yeah I get your point," Natalie said.

"So, this is how it begins?" Ernie asked.

Harry wordlessly responded with a nod.

Lockhart shows Harry how to block unfriendly spells. Only his wand is a bit overexcited and he drops it on the ground.

"I'm sorry, but could you run that by me one more time?" Zari asked. "Explain it to me in detail. Because I don't see how dropping my wand like an idiot is going to do anything."

"Seriously, why is he still there?" Peter asked. "We've had some really bad Defense teachers in our day, but Lockhart's the worst."

"Too bad Moony's obviously dead, because he would have been a good teacher," Sirius said.

"No way," Remus said. "No way they would let me with my…."

"Furry little problem?" James asked.

"Exactly," Remus said.

"It's only a problem once a month though," John said "Lockhart's a wanker every month, all day, all month, all year, every day of his bloody existence."

Remus found himself scarcely able to argue with that one.

Snape whispers something to Malfoy.

"What did you just tell him?" Astra asked.

"Severus, did you just tell him a spell that could harm my son?" Lily asked.

"Damn it, Snape, I'm trying not to be a bastard to you, but you make it difficult," James grumbled.

"Merely to scare some humility into him after the entire Potions debacle," Snape said. "I regret doing so."

"Oh, you better," Alex said.

"So, this all came out because Snape suggested it," Ernie said.

"I didn't know, MacMillan," Snape said.

Malfoy conjures a large snake in front of Harry.

"And to think, fangirls everywhere would want to have Malfoy show Harry his snake," Lita joked.

"Oh, thanks, thanks for that unholy image," Malfoy said.

"This could be bad," Ruby said. "But doesn't Dad…"

Ruby had been spoil-locked for a minute.

"Here we go," Kara said.

"Severus, you shouldn't have done that," McGonagall said.

"How was I supposed to know what would happen?" Snape asked. "It's not like Dumbledore told me that the boy…might have that ability."

"Although he probably knew," Harry said. "From the start."

Snape, enjoying himself, says he'll get rid of it.

"Foul loathsome git!" Astra yelled. "You like watching twelve year olds squirm because it makes you feel like a big man?"

"Astra, settle down please," Natalie said. "If you want to mangle Snape, trust me, the line starts behind me. But…he's being tormented enough right now."

"So, scared some humility into Harry, did you?" Susan asked. "It's a good thing you're dead, because I would have you thrown into Azkaban. And this time Dumbledore's not around to vouch for your pathetic greasy arse."

Snape watched this unfold. Not one of his finer moments. Which was saying something.

And naturally Lockhart makes things worse by blasting the snake right in front of Justin Finch-Fletchley.

"Oh, I almost forget his incompetence made things far worse," Alex said.

"Can this get any worse?" Sirius asked.

"Just wait," Ron said.

Harry tells the snake to leave Justin alone. And it backs away.

One could hear a pindrop in the room.

"So, you're a Parselmouth?" Sirius asked.

"Yes," Harry said.

"Well, that's something, isn't it?" Regulus asked.

"That's not from my side of the family," James said.

"Oh, people are going to think you're behind these attacks," Peter said.

"Because, people are ignorant and stupid," Kara said.

"But, we know Harry's not evil," Peter protested.

"That's the key thing, we know Harry's not evil," Sirius said. "But, how well does the Wizarding World really know Harry as a person? And not a legend."

"Not well, at the time," Hannah admitted. "He was kind of in his own little bubble with Ron and Hermione most of the time. At least back them. And he didn't seem very approachable."

"That changed," Susan said.

"I think Dad speaking to snakes is pretty cool," Ruby said.

"It's awesome," Astra said. "But considering some really bad dark wizards had that power, they're going to think Harry's evil."

"Good old Herpes," Zari said.

"Herpes?" Junior asked.

"Herpo the Foul," Nora clarified.

"The Godfather of all dark magic," Bellatrix said. "He's the nutcase who invented Horcruxes. And figured out how to make the Basilisk as well. A fascinating and crazy man."

Justin freaks out over this. Snape gets rid of the snake. The damage is already done.

"You're not whistling Dixie," Sara said.

"The fact everyone had been ushered out of there, made rumors spread like wildfire," Ernie admitted. "It's really obvious what happened there."

"But, Justin panicked and lost his mind over it, and we wanted to be loyal to our housemate," Hannah said.

"Not everyone went off to blame Harry," Susan added. "Enough people did."

"And the Hogwarts rumor mill took a life of its own," Zari concluded.

"Pretty much," Hannah agreed.

Ron and Hermione usher Harry back to the Common Room and Ron tells Harry he's a Parselmouth. As in he can talk to snakes.

"You two bolting Harry out of there didn't help matters," Susan said.

"Well, we were just concerned," Hermione said.

"It was a shock," Ron said. "Because, we knew Harry couldn't be bad because we knew Harry. But, having him show some ability which was tied into dark magic, that threw us off."

Harry tells the story about the Brazilian Boa Constrictor and how he set it on Dudley. And how it told him he never saw Brazil.

"The fact you can so casually have this conversation is hilarious" Kara said with mirth. "And honestly, a bit concerning."

"Ah, I almost forgot about that," Astra said. "And the look of terror on Popkin's face. Good times."

"Well, that just shows how much you don't know," Regulus said. "And that was by design, I think."

"It appears so," Narcissa said.

Harry learns speaking Parseltongue is a rare gift. And he can speak a language without knowing he's speaking it.

"That's kind of strange," Charlotte said.

"And yet you know so many more languages now," Kate said.

Harry smiled, that he did.

"And he can speak a language without knowing he did though," Nora said. "Which is strange."

"Magic can have many quirks," McGonagall said.

"And where were…actually never mind," Astra said. "I should know better than to ask that question."

No one did anything to appease Harry at all," Sirius said with a frown. "Tell him that he wasn't to blame."

"No, the blame should be on Snape for pulling that stunt," Natalie said. "And Lockhart for making it worse."

"And yet, they won't be the ones to have their reputation taken through the wringer," Alex said.

Now everyone's going to think that Harry is related to Salazar Slytherin. Hermione and Ron are worried about the implications of that.

"That far back, it's possible," Junior said. "All of the pureblood families were interrelated in some way. It's hard to find someone you don't have a distant relation with."

"And some relations aren't that distant," Sirius added.

"You two weren't exactly helping Harry's anxiety," Kara said.

Harry has a restless night.

"No kidding," Mia said.

"That's a lot to drop on someone," Astra said. "But, Harry can't be behind these attacks."

"Are we sure?" Bellatrix asked.

"Well, he would know if he was attacking people," Astra said. "He hasn't encountered any strange magical artifacts that are controlling him."

Those who were in the know said nothing.

The Sorting Hat wanted to put him into Slytherin, Harry reasons.

"Again, possible," Bellatrix said.

"This is really bothering you more than you let on," Hermione said.

"I was worried I would get kicked out of Hogwarts and sent back to the Dursleys," Harry said.

"That's not a shock," Kara said when she moved over. "If only someone had assured you that everything was okay."

"That should have been us," Lily said. "But, we're dead."

Those in the know wondered how the party from 1978 would react if they were still around for certain revelations.

Harry vows to talk to Justin the next day.

"If I were you, I would give it a couple of days," Kate said.

"Agreed," Lily said. "Cooler heads need to prevail."

"And Justin was pretty hysterical," Hannah said.

"It wasn't just Justin," Ernie reminded them.

"What did you do?" Astra asked.

"We gave in to stupid hysteria and groupthink," Hannah said.

"And really ended up sticking my foot in my mouth," Ernie said.

"We'll get there soon enough," Sara agreed.

After a few sleepless hours, Harry put on his invisibility cloak and made his way down to the kitchens of Hogwarts

Here Hermione flashed Harry an accusatory glare. And unlike when they were younger, Harry did not even blink.

"So, you did know, in your second year?" Hermione asked. "And you told me to ask Fred and George in my fourth year."

"I didn't want you to annoy the house elves," Harry said. "They take pride in their work. And they were very happy."

"It's useless to go back to this now," Ron said.

Much to Harry's surprise, he saw hundreds of house elves, just like Dobby. Although they were much better dressed than Dobby, with a much cleaner set of uniforms.

"Can Carmen help Mr. Harry Potter?" one of the house elves asked.

"I'm just…just wanted to see the kitchens and cook something," Harry said.

"Oh, no, young master should not be cooking," another one of the house elves said. "Unless young master is to report to detention in the kitchens."

"But, Master Harry Potter is not in the list for detention," Carmen said.

"Oh, you know who I am?" Harry asked.

"Everyone knows of you Harry Potter," one of the house elves said. "They say how you are talking to the snakes."

"You're not afraid of me?" Harry asked.

"Harry Potter has given no indication he's a threat to any of us," Carmen said. "Therefore there's no reason to be afraid."

"I just want to help with something," Harry said. "Can I cook something for you guys?"

"Oh, no, Harry Potter, you needs to be sitting down and we will get you anything you want," Carmen said.

"Right," Harry said. "But, I want to help…"

"Surely young Master is not displeased with the food served at Hogwarts?" one of the elves asked.

"Oh, no, no," Harry said. "The food is great. The best."

All of the house elves beamed at him.

"Anything you want then, sir, just ask."

"I believe he could do with a nice bowl of ice cream."

Inside, Daphne Greengrass walked behind Harry.

"Oh, Miss Greengrass wants her usual midnight treat?" Carmen asked.

"Yes, she does, thank you Carmen," Daphne said. "You should try this Harry. I worked with them for a year, but they nearly got the recipe right. Second best ice cream you'll ever taste."

"This is high praise coming from the Ice Cream Queen herself," Carmen said.

The house elves walked off to make Daphne and Harry their frozen treat.

"So, you're a Parselmouth?" Daphne asked.

"Yes," Harry said.

"Cool," Daphne said. "I'm wondering why you weren't put in Slytherin."

"Ron said dark wizards are Parselmouths," Harry said. "I'm worried that…"

"All known Parselmouths are dark wizards," Daphne corrected him. "And there are a lot of them who have done wicked things. That would make anyone want to hush up about it. That doesn't make you the Heir of Slytherin or anything."

"Well, the Hat wanted to put me there," Harry blurted out.

This had been quite a surprising revelation to all of them.

"You told her, before you told us?" Hermione asked.

"I did," Harry agreed.

"Well, she did try and reassure Harry about the Parselmouth thing," Kara said. "So, she's pretty trustworthy."

"Hermione, I didn't go there intending to tell someone about that," Harry said. "It just slipped out."

"Oh, well, I'm not sure why you trusted her," Hermione said.

"Just because Daphne beat you in some exams, it doesn't make her untrustworthy," Susan said.

Hermione responded with a scowl. Susan refused to blink.

"Ouch," Lita said.

"Savage," Kate said although she was grinning.

"Would you like some cream for that burn, luv?" John asked.

Hermione's scowl deepened.

"It did?" Daphne asked. "You did spend a bit of time under there, but nowhere near Granger or Longbottom."

Harry took the ice cream. It did tasted delicious and calmed his nerves.

"I met Malfoy and I knew I didn't want to be in the same house," Harry said. "And I heard from Hagrid that there wasn't a witch or wizard who went bad that wasn't in Slytherin."

"Hagrid?" Daphne asked. "The Gamekeeper?"

"Yes," Harry said.

"You met him before Hogwarts?"

"He was the one who told me that I was a wizard."

Daphne stopped for a second and looked slack-jawed at Harry.

"You didn't know you were a wizard?" Daphne asked.

"Yes my aunt and uncle…well they don't like anything magic," Harry said.

"Mmm," Daphne said.

She was not letting on exactly what she was thinking.

"But that's not the point," Harry said. "I mean, you're not evil."

"Well, ask Granger and you get a different opinion,' Daphne said.

"But, imagine what people would say if I was a Slytherin."

"Well, some of us would take you gladly over Malfoy," Daphne said. "You're a good wizard Harry. Although you could be a better one. Although, I can't understand why Hagrid was the one that told you you were a wizard. Normally McGonagall or Flitwick or Sprout do that."

"Hagrid said Dumbledore trusted him with the job," Harry said.

"Interesting," Daphne said.

Daphne did not elaborate and Harry did not ask.

"I just wish Justin would understand I wasn't trying to attack him," Harry said.

"Well, Justin Finch-Fletchley isn't that bright, given he believes Lockhart's nonsense is plausible," Daphne said. "I have friends in Hufflepuff. There's some good people in there. And a lot of them are your worst Gryffindors, but without the spine."

"That's harsh," Harry said.

"But, accurate," Daphne said. "Talk to him if you think it will do you any good. It's up to you."

And with that, the two ate ice cream and talked about Hogwarts, Quidditch, and what a disgrace Lockhart was.

"Felt a lot better, didn't you?" Lena asked.

"Well, I could open up to her, because she was a bit more discreet," Harry said. "No offense meant…"

"Oh, Harry, you're right," Hermione said.

"Discretion has never been one of my strong suits," Ron agreed.

"You don't say?" George asked.

"A Weasley not being discrete? "Fred asked. "I absolutely refuse to believe that."

"Utter madness, that," Ginny added with a small smile.

Ron just grinned.

With Herbology class cancelled, Hermione suggests Harry talks to Justin. Harry decides to.

"Might be a bit too soon, given how he still thinks you're going to feed him whole to a snake," Sirius suggested.

"I couldn't live with myself without clearing the air," Harry said.

"Noble, but it could make matters worse," Lena replied.

"That's the story of my life for the first few years of Hogwarts," Harry said. "Being noble, but making matters worse."

"Eh, your heart was in the right place," Natalie said. "Lily would have tried to make things right."

"And somehow made things worse, because of how…hot-blooded I am," Lily added.

Harry makes his way to the library, and runs into a Hufflepuff fourth year boy.

"Sorry," Harry said.

"It's alright," he said. "I should have watched where I was going…so they cancelled Herbology."

"Yes," Harry said. "And I don't know if you noticed it…"

"People are hysterical about what happened the other day," the fourth-year said to Harry. "Malfoy conjured that snake and you spoke to it."

"I'm a Parselmouth," Harry said. "Everyone thinks I'm evil."

"If anyone was really paying attention, they would realize that the snake left Justin alone after you spoke to it," the boy said. "And not everyone thinks you're evil. Just the loudest."

"Snape and Malfoy set you up," another Hufflepuff, a fifth year by the looks of her, said as she walked up to Harry. "And MacMillian is going to drive me nuts. Do you think you can talk some sense into him, Cedric? Because he's turning Potter into the next You-Know-Who."

"I'll see if I can talk to him," Cedric said. "But, most of the first years, they made their mind up about what Harry is."

"They're calling me evil," Harry said. "That's what I get for saving Justin's life."

"Kid, that's rough," the fifth-year girl said. "Trust me, the best intentions can blow up in your face sometimes."

"I'm going to talk to Justin, and smooth things over," Harry said.

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," the fifth-year girl said.

"Maybe if I explain it to him, he'll understand," Harry said.

"Oh, I remember when I was this naive," she said. "Good luck, kid."

"Thanks," Harry said. "I'm going to need it."

"Yeah, you are," she said. "Reminds me of her."

"And I don't think you're evil," Cedric said. "It's just a misunderstanding."

"Yeah, I really hate Snape," Harry grumbled. "If he didn't whisper that spell into Malfoy's ear, I wouldn't have this problem."

"Hate really is strong," Cedric said. "You shouldn't hate anyone, Harry."

"I don't know, these second-years are really pushing my patience," the fifth-year girl said.

"Beatrice, I'll take care of it," Cedric said. "They just need some time to think."

Harry walked away from the conversation to see if he could seek out and find Justin.

"Damn it Cedric, these people forgot that he saved the Philosopher's Stone from You-Know-Who last year!"

"Diggory was one of the good ones," Ernie said. "Too polite sometimes to knock some sense into the rest of us. Even when he should have."

"Beatrice didn't have that problem," Hannah said.

"Beatrice?" Lita asked.

"Beatrice, as in Beatrice Haywood?" Zari asked.

"Beatrice Haywood, as in Doctor Beatrice Haywood?" Lena asked with interest.

Even Zari and Lita blinked.

"Yes," Harry said. "That Beatrice Haywood."

"Oh, she's amazing with all the work she's done helping super-powered and alien children especially when they've went through trauma," Kara gushed. "I didn't know you knew her."

"We…it's complicated," Harry said.

"Only because you make things that way, Harry," Ginny said with a knowing smile.

"Still, she's put in a lot of work, dealing with supporting trauma victims, both magical and non-magical," Ruby said.

"I had her cut from Rowling's books because she asked me," Harry said. "She was still dealing with her own issues."

"Softened on that stance though in recent years," Lita said.

"A little," Harry admitted.

"So, how close were you two?" Kara asked.

Harry just waved off.

"Gideon, continue."

A group of second year Hufflepuffs were talking. Among them are Ernie Macmillan and Hannah Abbott. Ernie says that he's confident that Harry's a dark wizard. Because there hasn't been a decent one who could talk to snakes.

"Oh, that's nice, Macmillan," Malfoy said. "And Hufflepuffs are supposed to be tolerant."

That hurt more getting punked by Malfoy.

"I didn't expect him to be listening," Ernie said. "Sorry, Harry."

"Just because you didn't expect someone to hear you, doesn't make it any less rude," Zari said.

Ernie says that Filch's cat and Colin Creevey were attacked, after having run-ins with Harry.

"Filch has run-ins with most of the school," Sirius said. "And Harry was in the hospital wing having his bones grown because of the idiot trying to play nurse when Colin was attacked."

"Wow, and here we thought Potter thinking I was the heir was the dumbest thing ever," Malfoy said.

"And wouldn't people think that I would attack Malfoy and Snape first, given that I've had more run-ins with them than anyone else," Harry said.

Everyone realized that Harry had a point.

"He's got a point," George said as Fred nodded.

Ernie suggests that the reason why Voldemort went after Harry because he didn't want another dark lord competing with him.

"Oh, that's quite the little dumbass theory you've got there," Astra said.

"It is," Ernie agreed, agitated with his younger self.

"You'd be surprised how many people thought that," Malfoy said.

"People thought Harry would be a force to rally behind on both sides," Narcissa said. "Both sides wanted to use Harry as their mascot. MacMillian's opinion was not a mutually exclusive one."

Harry shows up much to the fear of the Hufflepuffs.

"Careful, he'll eat your souls," Bellatrix said in a low, eerie voice.

"It's a good thing you weren't there, you wouldn't help at all," Harry said.

"Oooh, this is not a good look for any of us," Hannah said. "Susan, maybe, but the rest of us, not so much."

"Susan always did have a lot of sense not to get involved," Ernie agreed.

Ernie argues that Harry chased the snake at Justin. And Harry says the snake backed off. Naturally these Hufflepuffs are too stubborn to back down.

"He just explained it, and you won't listen!" Lily yelled.

"They were scared, I suppose," John said. "People do really stupid things when they're scared."

"And we're redefining that," Hannah said.

Ernie nodded. He wanted to reach through the screen and give his twelve your old self a smack on the head.

Ernie brings up his nine generations of magical heritage.

"And who is supposed to be the asshole who hates Muggleborns again?" Alex asked. "Why would you bring that up?"

"Are you serious?" Sirius asked.

"Sounds like something Malfoy would do to save his arse," Astra said.

Malfoy nodded. It would be something he would do to save his arse.

"Oh, bloody hell,' Ernie groaned. "Stupid idiot, why did you think bringing that up would even matter?"

Hannah patted her friend on the elbow.

Ernie points out that he heard Harry hates the Muggles Harry lives with.

"Barking up the wrong treat, mate," John said. "With that one."

"Sorry," Ernie murmured.

"It's been a long time," Harry said.

"And anyone who spends any time with the Dursleys will hate them," Astra said.

"Anyone who meets them would hate them," Kara added.

Harry says that anyone who spends enough time with the Dursleys will hate them. And offers Ernie to try.

"Hard pass on that one," Ernie said grimly. "With what I know now."

"I figured about as much," Peter said. "I wouldn't want to spend any more time with them than I had to."

"Only a sucker would take Dad off on that offer," Ruby said.

Harry storms off and literally runs into Hagrid.

"Guy's hard to miss," Kate said. "You must have been really distracted."

"Pretty much," Harry agreed.

Harry finds out from Hagrid that roosters are being killed. And he needs Dumbledore's permission for a charm.

"Roosters are being killed?" Bellatrix asked with surprise. "Huh."

It was becoming more obvious what Slytherin's monster was. Although Bellatrix had no idea how it was created.

Ginny shifted a bit nervously.

"That makes sense," Astra said. "Not sure a charm is going to keep whoever is behind this out. Although, telling Dumbledore that should point him in the right direction."

"One would think," Sara said.

"One would think," Harry said.

"Would require Dumbledore to actually listen," John said.

Harry denies that anything is wrong and heads off to go to Transfiguration class.

"And we know from experience when Harry says there's nothing wrong, something is very wrong," George said.

"Too true," Sara agreed.

"You can be a shit liar sometimes, Houdini," Mick said.

"He gets it from his father," Lily said.

"I can't lie about that," James said.

Foul did not even begin to describe Harry's mood right now. Those Hufflepuffs reminded him of the Dursleys. They did not believe he did anything wrong.

"Harry!" Wait."

A Hufflepuff second year with red hair rushed down the hallway. While Harry did not recognize her from the group in the library, Harry was still on guard for trouble.

"Yes?" Harry asked.

"Ernie didn't mean any of those things he said," she said. "Hannah told me, and you seemed like you were upset."

"I am upset," Harry said.

"And you're right to be," she said. "I don't know what's going on, but you can't be the heir of Slytherin. You were regrowing your bones because of Lockhart when Creevey was found."

"Oh, caught on to that, have you?" Harry asked.

"I'm on your side," she said. "But, people are afraid. This thing can attack anyone and leave them petrified. What kind of monster does this? And who is controlling it?"

"Sorry," Harry said. "I'm just very tired and I didn't get much sleep last night."

"I understand," she said. "Susan Bones by the way."

"Harry Potter," Harry said. "You might have heard of me."

"A little," Susan said. "I'm really sorry about Ernie. He doesn't think."

"I noticed," Harry said.

"I wasn't there, but you couldn't have done it," Susan said. "You don't get along with your relatives…is that why you did that Hoovering charm? To get back at them?"

"Does everyone know about this?" Harry asked.

"My Aunt Amelia is the head of Magical Law Enforcement," Susan said.

"Susan! What are you doing?"

Hannah rushed down the hallway and stopped.

"Just talking," Susan said. "Telling Harry I don't believe he's the heir of Slytherin."

"But…"

"Do you?"

"I don't know," Hannah said. "He's a Parselmouth though."

"Well, thanks Susan," Harry said. "I'll be heading off."

Hannah and Susan had a bit of a heated discussion. Harry tried not to eavesdrop on them.

"I don't know why I was such a bitch," Hannah said.

"You weren't, you were just scared," Ginny said softly. "Everyone was."

Especially Ginny who had a pretty good idea she was losing her mind at this point.

"And that brought you back to the Dursleys," Astra said. 'Great. Even at Hogwarts, you can't escape those people."

"And to think, if Harry would have talked to Susan a little bit longer, things might be different," Ron said.

"Another important thing that was cut," Lita said.

"And you didn't know who Susan was until your fifth year in the books," Kara said.

"I'm going to say that was more for the reader's benefit than me not knowing," Harry said. "At least I hope so."

"Makes you look rather unobservant if it was because of you," Lena said.

"Yeah, there's a lot in the later books which I really hope were done for the reader's benefit," Nora added.

"You alright?"

The fifth-year Hufflepuff, Beatrice, eyed him with evident concern.

"Oh, at least one person doesn't think I'm the next Voldemort," Harry said.

"Bones?" Beatrice asked.

"Yeah," Harry said.

"You okay?"

"Yeah, I'm fine," Harry said.

"You sound like me when I was a second-year," Beatrice said. "And trust me, I wasn't fine. And now this bullshit is happening it's…"

They walked around the corner and came across the petrified forms of Justin Finch-Fletchley and Nearly Headless Nick. Beatrice's mouth hung open in shock. And Harry stared, unable to move.

Neither could speak.

It had been a long minute before anyone in the room spoke.

"The actual fuck!" Astra snapped. "A ghost…it did it to a ghost."

"What can do that to a ghost?" Peter asked.

"Remus, you're the dark creature expert, what do you think?" Sirius asked.

"It might be…but they kill mostly," Remus said.

"Oh, please tell me we're almost done with this chapter," Astra said

"Nearly," Gideon replied.

Peeves breaks the silence and pops up. And alerts the entire school of Justin and Nick's petrification.

"Damn it, Peeves!" Lily snapped.

"Like that guy normally, but sometimes he can be a pest," Mick said.

"Well, I don't know how this could get any worse," Ruby said.

"It's Harry, he'll find a way," Sara said

"Fuck," Lena swore.

She spoke for many in the room.

Everyone burst out into the hallway, including Professor McGonagall. Ernie yells that he caught Harry in the act.

"You didn't catch anything!" Lily yelled.

"If I was there, you'd be catching my hand on the side of your face," Astra growled.

Ernie squirmed at his younger self's attitude. And was grateful for Harry somewhat restraining Astra.

"There's no way he could have done it," Susan said. "I was just talking to him. Hannah was there. She saw it."

"Minnie, you don't think there's a chance Harry could do this, do you?" John asked.

"Not a chance," McGonagall said.

"But, you're not the reassuring type, are you?" Alex asked. "Because, you had a couple of days to take Harry aside and talk to him, and you didn't…."

"I don't have a good reason," McGonagall said. "I never thought we would deal with anything like that at Hogwarts."

"That's enough, Macmillan," McGonagall said curtly. "Take this fan and get Sir. Nicholas up the stairs. Please."

She conjured a fan for Ernie to blow Nick up the steps. Harry saw the limp bodies of Justin and Nearly Headless Nick. Beatrice clutched on his arm tightly.

"No, it wasn't him," Beatrice breathed.

Peeves does his singing and dancing routine until McGonagall shoos away.

"Miss Haywood, hospital wing," McGonagall said. "You're in shock."

Harry saw the trauma in Beatrice's eyes and wondered why she was this spooked.

"Professor I…"

"This is out of my hands, Potter."

"That's not reassuring," Sirius said.

"You are acting like you blame him," Astra said. "It's like the dragon all over again. Haven't you learned your lesson? Don't you people ever learn your lesson?"

"They never did," Ron murmured.

"I didn't think he did," McGonagall said. "Give Miss Haywood and her past, I was also distracted by that."

"What happened with her?" Astra asked.

"Later," Harry told her.

McGonagall takes Harry up to Dumbledore's office.

"First time?" George asked.

"Yes," Harry said.

The twins tutted in disappointment.

"Slacker," Fred said.

"All the way into your second year," George said.

"We made it by halfway through our first," Fred added.

"Only halfway?" Sirius asked. "We made it by Halloween."

"It was Sirius's fault," Peter said.

"You've said that so many times it's lost meaning," Sirius fired back.

Peter just responded by sticking his tongue out.

"So, there's the chapter," Sara said.

"Well, I'm the biggest idiot in the world," Ernie said. "Just everything I said was wrong. I'm sorry about that."

"You better be," Astra said.

"Thirty years of hindsight has not made things any better," Ernie said.

"Although, it's almost like the person behind this is attacking the people that will incriminate Harry the most," Junior said thoughtfully.

"Oh, the person behind this likes playing mind games," Ginny said darkly.

"We all could use a break," Sara said. "Just let that chapter digest."

"It was a big one," Hermione concluded.

And they were heading into another big one.

"Be back in about an hour, maybe ninety minutes," Sara said. "Mia, Harry, and Astra, do you think you could help me check up on something?"

The three nodded.

"We better be going too," Susan said. "It was nice reading with you. If only our conversation could have gone on a bit longer, right, Harry?"

"What might have been has plagued my life for far too long," Harry said.

Harry joined Sara, Astra, and Mia off in the hallway where everyone went their separate ways for their break.

"Incoming message from Ava Sharpe," Gideon said.

"About to check up on her," Sara said. "Put her on Gideon."

"Sara, you're not going to believe this," Ava said. "I've got a lead on the time assassin, but it's stranger. But, Harry's right there with you?"

"Yes, why wouldn't he be?" Sara asked.

"You've got to see this," Ava said.

"What did one of your time duplicates pull a Savitar?" Mia asked.

"Don't know," Harry said. "Better check it out."

To Be Continued.