AUTHORS NOTES: Ff.net is being evil about my font tags and I'm only using the approved ones. Anyway, in case the bold on the letters doesn't come out all written correspondence is between // //

I would like to thank everyone who reviewed. 51 reviews. Wow. That's big for me. hugs self I feel the love! Thank you, thank you, thank you. I love how you guys ask questions and say what you like about the plot or characters. As you know I write really really long reviews so love to get detailed ones too! grin

Review comments are below. But one comment by rayvern makes me realize that perhaps I should explain once again, in case I wasn't too clear before oops! My bad ;)

In Clawtracks to the Stars Harry, age nine, and his two guardians get pulled into another war torn world. Dumbledore in this world is highly mistrustful of who exactly Harry is, as the boy is very very powerful. Harry faces down Death Eaters, wandless and wins, in the first few moments he is in this other world if you remember. While this story is not complete, neutral and I had some heavy email correspondence about where that story was going and how it has shaped Harry. The mentions of Harry holding Voldemort's wand, of fighting on the fallow pitch beside a crumbling Hogwarts, of the "alternate universe" Dumbledore using and twisting Harry's beliefs are part of the Clawtracks story not yet written that I thought up, that turned out to be parallel to a lot of what neutral had outlined for the rest of story. As agreed upon by neutral and I, I allude to Clawtracks events written and unwritten in this story because it is relevant for the way Harry deals with his inevitable confrontation with Voldemort.

I hope that makes more sense. ;) Thank you rayven for your review. I'm glad you liked the Howler.

The rest of answers to review questions/comments are below!

*****

CHAPTER VI: One Flew Over the Quidditch Pitch

*****

After sending Hedwig off with a bright red envelope and having a good night's sleep, Sirius felt ready to tackle the job search once again. Settling down at the kitchen table with the necessary tools, breakfast, and some strong tea, he dove in. Remus, emerging from his room still sleepy after being up all night writing away, stumbled into the kitchen and blindly poured himself some tea.

Murmuring in satisfaction, the werewolf sat down gracelessly and finally managed to pry his eyelids open and get a look at what his best friend was up to. The black haired man had come back from the employment agency yesterday tight lipped, refusing to say how it went.

Moony looked over to the post basket and found it empty. "No letter from Harry?" he asked with faint surprise.

Sirius didn't look up. "No, nothing this morning."

Remus focused on what Padfoot was doing, and finding the still muggle photograph of the Times staring him in the face he wondered if Padfoot hadn't lost it in the night

.

"Is that a muggle paper?" he asked cautiously.

"Yes, for your information Mr. Moony it is."

The werewolf opened his mouth but Sirius cut him off. "Why do you ask? Why would I, Sirius Black, be looking through the muggle job adverts?" Sirius pointed his quill accusingly at the werewolf. "I'll tell you why. Because I have a reputation as a deranged killer and Death Eater in the wizarding world. Snape can get hired but me? Oh, noooo! I branded for life a traitor, while he is at Hogwarts. Teaching. My. Harry. Potions. Slimy git," he muttered, tucking the quill back behind one ear, and shaking the paper in his hand, resumed his search.

"Snape is teaching at--?" Lupin began incredulously, but was cut off again.

"So it's off to explore the world of muggle job possibilities."

"Need any help?" Moony put in weakly completely blindsided. Snape. Teaching children?

The mind boggled.

With extreme concentration, Sirius plucked the quill from behind his ear, dipped it in red ink and circled a tiny advertisement. "No thanks. I'm fine."

"Wait a minute," Remus said, suspicions rising. "How did you know Snape was teaching at Hogwarts? A letter came from Harry last night didn't it, didn't it?"

Not meeting his eyes, Sirius gathered up his papers, finished his tea with one gulp and made his escape. "Sorry, got to run Moony,"

"Sirius!" Abandoning breakfast in favor of an impromptu run, Remus took off after his friend.

*****

//Dear Padfoot and Moony,//

//Guess what? We had out first flying lesson and Neville got hurt. But anyway some stuff happened, Malfoy was being a prat and I didn't get expelled like Madam Hooch threatened for flying but, Professor McGonnagall said I'm on the house Quidditch team. I'm a seeker! Oliver, he's the Captain he asked me what I'd played and I said I'd played 2 man with you Padfoot. But they already have beaters named Fred and George Weasly. Gryffindor didn't have a seeker and now I'm it. I'm not sure I'll be very good, but Professor McGonagall said I'd better be especially if I didn't want to get in trouble and punished. Oliver said we were going to practice with the snitch later on and I'm going to start the very first match. They said I'm the youngest seeker in a century. I was wondering if you could give Hedwig my broom. Not right away because she must be tired. We have our first game against Slytherin soon and we have practices in the morning. It is nearly time for dinner so I must go.//

//Love to you and Moony.//

//Harry//

"The youngest seeker in a century. My godson." If Sirius smiled any wider his face would crack.

"Seeker" Moony whistled admiringly. "I never knew Harry was any good as seeker."

"Neither did I! The youngest seeker in a century."

Remus grinned. If James was alive he'd been jumping about, doing cartwheels-- he'd have been so happy. And Lily, Lily would have been proud but worried about her boy playing with the older, rougher girls and boys. "What was all that stuff about being expelled and punished if he doesn't play right?"

Sirius waved him away from the letter. Despite him hiding the last one that Harry had sent, he'd managed to get the new one from Hedwig first and had read it aloud. "Probably got into a fight with that Malfoy brat. No firecalls from McGonagall so I'm sure it's no big deal. And if it is," Sirius muttered under his breath too low for Lupin to hear "I'll send her a Howler too. Threatening my godson."

"Probably got into . . . Let me see the letter," Remus demanded. "Did you even read all of it to me?"

"I read it! I read it!"

Moving quickly, Moony snatched it away and skimmed it's contents smiling at the excited tone. He reached the end and froze. "P.S. Thank you for the Howler. You don't need to send another one," he read aloud. He stared incredulously at Padfoot. What alternate universe had he fallen into when he wasn't looking? Sirius sending Harry a Howler? "A Howler. You sent Harry a Howler?"

"What?!" Yelled Sirius indignantly. "I would never send Harry a Howler. Are you mad? I sent Snape a Howler."

Remus's eyes nearly bugged out of his head. "You s-sent Snape . . ." he gasped falling onto the couch. "You sent him a Howler?"

"Made sure it came in on the morning post right during breakfast," Sirius said proudly.

A strangled noise was all the response the werewolf could muster.

"Obviously it did the trick and that greasy git won't be bothering Harry any more."

"Or," Moony argued, voice returning "Harry will be persecuted mercilessly as a result of your letter and he won't tell his overreacting crazy godfather anything that is bothering him for fear of MORE lunatic stunts!"

"You don't think Harry would keep things from us do you?" Sirius said worriedly. "Oh Merlin," he murmured. "That's exactly what Snape would do! Take it out even more on Harry, and he wouldn't want to worry me and he wouldn't tell me!" Leaping to his feet, Sirius grabbed his friend's arm and a handful of floo powder. "Come on, we're going to Hogwarts and bringing Harry home right now. I won't leave Harry to be miserable and alone there persecuted by that—that GIT!"

"What?! No, we are not!".

"But Moony--!"

The werewolf yanked his arm out of the Animagus's grasp. "For the thousandth time Harry. Is. Fine. He'd tell us if he was unhappy. According to this letter he is very happy because he just made seeker for his House team. I was just pointing out that sending Howlers to his professors could be counterproductive."

Sirius looked ready to protest for a moment when the amber eyes of his friend pinned him. Sighing he replaced the powder in the jar. "You're right. He does sound excited. And why wouldn't he? He's the youngest seeker in a century!"

"We'd best send the broom right away then. First game's against Slytherin. I heard they've won the House Cup the last couple of years."

"Not this year," Sirius scoffed. "The broom, yes, the broom." Sirius ran to the stairs and came down with Harry's Cirrus 7. He was about to give it to Hedwig when he suddenly hesitated.

"Padfoot," Moony began, a warning tone creeping into his voice. He recognized that expression. It was Sirius's I've got a brilliant idea expression and it never boded well. Last time he wore it was no doubt just before he sent of the Howler to Snape. Gods, Remus wished he was an owl in the rafters when that one went off, he thought with an inward smile.

"Harry can't use this old Cirrus 7. If he's playing for Gryffindor, as seeker, the youngest in a century, he needs the very best racing broom."

"Harry loves that broom. It's the first birthday present he ever got, the first present you ever gave him. You taught him to fly on that broom."

Sirius smiled, remembering the tiny little boy who had stared up at him, so trustingly, as he'd explained to his godson how to fly. "I know he loves it. But, he'll love the new one too." Carefully placing Harry's broom on the abandoned couch, Sirius grabbed a hand of floo powder. "Go grab our cloaks and let's go. I want to get to Quality Quidditch Supplies before it closes."

Knowing it was fruitless to argue, Moony folded up the letter and set it aside and went to get their cloaks from by the door. "He'd love it even if you gave him an original Cleensweep to fly on," he muttered to himself.

*****

"Post's here," Ron announced as the faux magical sky above the Great Hall filled with owls.

If Harry had been paying attention he would have noticed that dozens of Gryffindor eyes besides his own watched his snowy owl for more Howlers. It was now a regular nightly project to send Sirius Black letters in Harry's name detailing tortures by Snape, requesting more Howlers. If the culprits in question (lead by Fred and George of course) had informed Harry about their plans he would have told then that Moor House was so warded even the Minister of Magic couldn't get through with post, let alone regular school owls.

But today, much to Harry's relief and everyone else's disappointment, there was no red letter.

Hedwig swooped down looking quite tired and dropped a rectangular box wrapped in brown paper and string into Harry's hands. The snowy owl landed gracefully on Harry's shoulder, careful not to dig talons into her boy.

Harry smiled in greeting and stroked the exhausted bird and offered her a piece of bacon which she took delicately. He was surprised to see her. He wasn't expecting her for another couple of days and not with a store wrapped package.

"Well?" Ron asked in exasperation. "Aren't you going to open it?" he demanded through a mouthful of toast, ignoring Hermione's look of distaste.

Harry tore off the brown paper as Ron moved aside breakfast to make room for the package. Setting it down, the black haired boy and took off the top of the box and encountered a sea of gold foil and red tissue paper. Eyes alight he fingered the Gryffindor colors, reminded of his bedroom back home. Having gained the attention of surrounding students, Harry complied with vocal requests to look inside.

He reached through the tissue paper and pulled out a broom.

Awed silence descended on the first year Gryffindors.

Harry's hands followed the shape of the handle in amazement. "This isn't my broom," he murmured even as he admired the excellent grip and weight of the broomstick.

"That's a Nimbus 2000!" Ron exclaimed finding his voice.

"There's a note," Hermione pointed out.

Harry put the broom back into the box and picked up the envelope and broke the seal.

//Dear Harry, //

//Congratulations on joining the House team. I'm so proud of you! I'm sure you'll do wonderfully. Your father was good on a broom, but you were born to fly. Don't worry, your Cirrus 7 is still at home waiting for you. However, as a seeker the best racing broom is a necessity. I wanted to get it for you for your birthday, but since you weren't allowed to bring your own broom I was putting it off till next year.//

The writing suddenly changed and Harry smiled as he recognized Moony's careful script.

//We are so proud that you made the team a whole two years earlier than your father and Padfoot. I'm sure we know who the better player is. Padfoot insisted on going to the shops as soon as he got the letter to get you a new broom. I'm sure you'll do wonderful in your first game. Remember to have fun flying. Be safe. //

//Love,//

//Moony and Padfoot//

//P.S. If Snape bothers you again, you just let me know, all right Harry? //

The last bit was tacked on in Sirius's sharp hand.

Harry had no intention of mentioning Snape in his letters ever again, but the broom was a wonderful surprise.

"Well, well, well, packages from home. Don't they know you're going to be expelled for that stunt you pulled during flying lessons?" Harry looked up. The tone was unmistakably that of Draco Malfoy. The blond smirked at the shorter boy. "Couldn't tell them what happened, could you? Got expelled for being a ruddy show off."

"Harry's not going to be expelled. If anyone should be kicked out after what happened it would be you, Malfoy," Ron spat.

Draco shot the redhead a cold glance. "I don't believe I was talking to you Weasley." He reached over and grabbed the open box and burrowed through its contents. "What did they send you? Forget your baby blanket at home? Or did they--" Malfoy broke off as he lifted the handle embossed in gold. "A Nimbus 2000," he whispered before he could stop himself. Shaking his head, he tossed the package back on the table. "Presents for breaking the rules? Isn't that just like a Gryffindor?"

"Yeah, we Gryffindor's are known for things other than stealing," Ron said.

"And we Slytherin's believe in letting our wands show our mettle," Malfoy snapped back, before turning to meet Harry's gaze who'd been watching the two of them like a wizards game of badminton volley back and forth. "Wizards duel Potter. Wands only. No contact and we finish what you started by playing the hero during the flying lesson. What's the matter?" Draco taunted. "Never head of a wizards duel before, I suppose?"

Harry nodded as he closed the box. "I've heard. I just only duel when necessary and with my enemies. Though," Harry amended "I do like to practice. Remus said that they used to have a dueling club here at Hogwarts, but not anymore."

Blinking at the tangent, Draco asked "So are you in or not?"

"I told you. I duel enemies."

Malfoy folded his arms across his chest and scowled. "And I'm not an enemy?"

"No, you're just a bully," Ron muttered under his breath but loud enough to be heard by all.

The blonde's eyes narrowed venomously. "And that's all I am?" Draco said fuming when Harry didn't contradict Ron's statement.

"I don't know you that well," Harry said rather sheepishly but attempting to employ some of Moony's diplomacy.

"I am not a-a bully, Potter," Draco spat furiously. "I . . . am a rival."

Harry bit his lip for a moment, trying to think of a way to diffuse this pointless show of House rivalry. He'd rather deal with it on the Quidditch pitch. He had enough to worry about with the pointing and the staring in the halls without gangs of students attempting to hex him for hurting Draco Malfoy, especially after the Howler incident.

"Rivalry usually implies some sort of equality in the participants," Hermione piped up from behind her book.

All three boys turned to stare incredulously at the intruder into their conversation. Hermione however did not look up from the text.

"So? Are you in? Midnight in the trophy room."

"What about seconds?" Ron piped up before Harry could explain again that he had no intention of actually dueling with Draco Malfoy.

"We don't need seconds," Harry cut in sharply. "I'll spar with you yes. A real duel? No. Not with you."

Draco pursed his lips in annoyance, grey eyes narrow, but he must have realized that on this Harry wasn't going to give an inch. "Fine then. I'll see you there." Whirling around, he returned to his House table.

Hermione set her book down with a thump. "Don't even think about going. Being out of bed past curfew could lead to loosing all the House points I won in Charm's yesterday. It's bad enough what happened during the flying lesson."

Harry bit his lip, worried. He didn't want to do anything that would bring down his House. But he had given his word and he needed the practice with the wand. Besides, of everyone here at Hogwarts Malfoy probably knew the most about dueling.

"I'll tell Percy if you go," Hermione threatened.

Straightening his spine, Harry gathered up his package. He wasn't going to change his mind and back out. While Harry didn't want full fledged war between Houses, he wasn't going to let the blond haired Slytherin walk all over him. "It's none of your business what I do. I gave my word. I'm going."

Ron got to his feet as well. "Besides, without any seconds or his two bodyguards, Malfoy's probably too chicken to show anyway."

*****

Ron's words proved prophetic. Not only did Malfoy not show up he'd tipped off Flitch to get Harry caught. Finding the hidden passage that led to an unused stairwell behind the picture of the Lady Margolotta, the famous ancient vampire, just where Padfoot had told him, he'd narrowly avoided being caught by Mrs. Norris.

At least he was alone. Harry had to sneak out an hour early to avoid Hermione and Ron coming after him, but if he was going to do something foolish he'd do it on his own.

Firmly resolving he was going to get Draco back by completely and utterly flattening the Slytherin's at Quidditch after Halloween, he dashed down the hall, freezing Peeves before the annoying poltergeist could raise an alarm with a wave of his hand. Harry unlocked the door at the end with less than a conscious thought and found himself face to face with what could only be the guardian of Tartarus.

Three slobbering, giant, fang-filled heads stared down at him and Harry realized that he was in the forbidden third floor corridor where messy and painful death was a forgone conclusion.

He froze and watched as the heads descend.

One nose pushed forward and pressed against Harry's chest snuffing at him deeply. Carefully, waiting until the dog had had its fill, he tentatively reached out to scratch the left head behind the ears. Smiling as the giant dog whined in happiness, Harry petted the creature. There was no need to be afraid. Remus had never hurt him the nights of the full moon even when he was completely out of his head and long before Harry had mastered the Animagus transformation. Being around Moony and Padfoot, especially with their blood bond, Harry figured he must smell like their pup. No dog however monstrous, no matter how many heads it had, would hurt him.

A steady whump whump whump broke Harry out of his revive and he peered around the heads to make out the giant tail wagging hard, hitting the ground. No, he realized. Not the ground but a trap door.

Harry made a move towards it, curious to see what was underneath when two of the heads growled at him in warning, the third grabbing his arm in its massive jaws gently and yanking him back.

"all right, I'm sorry," Harry whispered his apology. "you're on guard duty. i see."

Saying goodbye to the dog, Harry left the way he came, locking the door behind him. He walked silently back towards the Gryffindor portrait turning the presence of the dog inside the castle over and over in his mind. It was guarding something, that was certain. But what, and why here?

"Hogwart's is the safest place in the wizardin' world" that's what Hagrid had said.

"Pig snout," he said to the portrait quietly.

Whatever was in Vault 713 was now at Hogwarts under guard.

It should be safe.

Hagrid had told him not to worry.

But, Harry realized with a steadily growing feeling of dread, someone who wanted it bad enough to break into Gringotts and risk the goblin wrath would have no compunction about breaking into Hogwarts to get it.

*****

The next evening Harry escaped with his broom to the Quidditch pitch. All day he'd dealt with Ron and Hermione, the former asking him what had happened, the later refusing to speak to him but still informing him curtly at odd intervals that he was breaking various school rules.

Seeing Malfoy's shocked expression when he'd shown up for breakfast still a member of the Hogwarts student body was so much fun Harry had spent all day returning Malfoy's glares with smiles, much to the blonde's fury.

But now he was on the pitch and it felt like being home again. Not wanting to wait for Oliver, Harry kicked off with his new broom.

It responded to the lightest touch of his hand and could turn on a sickle. This was where he belonged. No experience felt as natural and as normal as flight. Faintly smiling, letting the wind whip through his robes as he flew, Harry remembered the very first time Sirius had given him a broom and helped him kick off into the bright morning sky.

He hadn't wobbled or shaken. He hadn't hovered near the ground. Six year old Harry Potter had taken off like a shot much to Sirius's amazement and pride. He'd landed only after Padfoot had coaxed him reluctantly back to earth with promises that they would go flying again, but as it was dark and long past lunch, dinner, and Harry's bedtime . . .

He hadn't wanted to stop.

His godfather had crowed with delight at the sight of him, hugging him once he was back on the ground, and declared him a natural.

It was so freeing, so easy. Magic and air flowed around him. He wasn't holding back, he wasn't afraid. There was the air, the broom, and the ground far far below but somewhere in the middle, not really part of anything else, was where he belonged. Nothing was better than flying and while he didn't dare change into his Animagus form at school, a bird of prey, having a broom at his disposal would make Hogwarts much more enjoyable.

A hooting in his ears cause Harry to open his eyes, realizing he'd been flying loops with his eyes closed well above even the Quidditch rings. Hedwig landed on the broom handle and Harry adjusted his balance effortlessly. She stared at him, ruffling her feathers and Harry sighed, running one careful finger down her back.

"I know, it's even better with wings. But I can't. Not here. The broom's wonderful though, isn't it?" he asked happily. Hedwig inspected her perch thoughtful before nipping at his fingers in agreement.

Faintly on the wind, he heard a voice. Staring down, he saw a tiny figure on the pitch waving their arms to gain his attention. Harry simply stopped the broom in midair and dismounted.

Holding the Nimbus in one hand and he fell like a stone headfirst for the first sixty feet.

Ignoring Hedwig's squawk of dismay, Harry watched the ground rush up to meet him. It wasn't quite the same as diving as a bird but the wind felt wonderful. At the last possible instant, he pulled the Nimbus back under him; it jerked to life at his command and he landed gracefully beside a pale Oliver Wood.

"Bloody Hell. You just dropped! I thought you'd lost control!" Oliver stared at the boy in awe. "Professor McGonagall was right. You're brilliant."

Hedwig landed on Harry's shoulder hooting her displeasure, nipping his ear sharply.

The Quidditch Captain laughed. "Often go flying with your owl?"

"Not as often as I'd like to," Harry replied.

Oliver blinked in bemusement at the odd statement.

Harry shook his head. "Never mind," he said quietly. He raised his right arm and the snowy owl shifted her perch to it and then lifted off, circling high and out towards the Forbidden Forest.

"Ready to give it a go? You're familiar with Quidditch?"

Harry nodded. "Two man mostly. Bludgers and Quaffles. Never used the snitch in play."

Oliver opened up the bag slung over his shoulder and showed Harry it was full of golf balls. "Better to practice with these what with it getting dark. We'll work up to the snitch in no time if you're as good as Professor McGonagall says. Mount up then, Harry."

Harry got on his broom and shot up about fifteen feet in the air and hovered, watching Oliver keenly in the fading light, green eyes luminescent. Oliver pitched the golf balls slowly at first, then faster and more than one at a time all over the pitch as far as he could and as Keeper it was pretty far.

Harry shot about and caught every single one. Oliver was having kittens on the ground.

"We'll get the Quidditch Cup for sure this year! You're even better than Charlie Weasley, and he could have played professional!" Oliver said with delight once he'd called Harry back to earth. "We'll just keep you our secret weapon till November and then crush the opposition!"

Slightly in awe at the near fanatical gleam in Wood's eyes Harry stayed silent, merely nodding in agreement as he and the Captain headed back inside the castle.

*****

tbc

A bit shorter than last chapter, but I hope you liked what I did with the Malfoy-Ron-Harry interactions. Hermione's character was also a challenge. I had to keep reminding myself she's not exactly friends with them yet. I hope I got the dynamics down.

Next chapter is more Quidditch and a certain Potion's Professor. Plus, the plot thickens!

P.S. IMPORTANT!!!!! My recommendation for Harry and Sirius stories for the day: "Realizations" by Wishweaver (its on my fav story page) is a great 4th summer story, with a Harry showing just how self reliant he can be. Richly detailed and very long! At Fan fiction Alley in Schnoogle . com there is a great Harry story by Aly Temia called "Third One's the Charm" a wonderful story of friendship and family with such a good epilogue I just keep reading it over and over again! Also go see "Coming in from the Cold" by ahappyjtm also on my fav story page. An alt universe Sirius-Harry story which is clever and very creative. Go check them out! You won't be sorry!

Notes: Lady Margolotta is a character from the very popular Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett. First appeared in "The Fifth Elephant." Lady Margolotta has recently joined a self help group to get over her unfortunate blood addiction, but fruit juice just doesn't taste the same. I can see her being hung in Hogwarts. Fantastic books. E-mail me if you want to know what order to read them.

Reviews: I got so many wonderful messages and some very helpful feedback with comments and everything. YAY! Thank you!

Anon- You are right, Harry is quite capable at figuring things out for himself. (So is canon Harry, really. Quite an independent and out of necessity a self sufficient boy no matter where he is) The friend dynamic of the trio in this universe is skewered just slightly. You'll see more of how the martyr issue plays out between them.

TeeDee- Yes, Harry under the table. We don't see how he gets out, but somehow he does. Being small has some advantages. As for Fred and George, who can fathom what goes on between the two of them? It is a mystery so fogged not even Trelawney could see through. But the twins, and indeed other students are beginning to pick up on Harry's "quirks" from his past experiences.

LilPup- I hope Moony's reaction to the letter was believable for you. As you can see, the marauders are ecstatic about Harry being a seeker. As for Dumbledore, he much like Snape is present and is a presence in the story so far, but haven't said much. More of them to come though.

Orion- I am so happy! I've converted someone to neutral. Congratulations! Check out her fav story list and indeed mine for other great Harry stories, Snape stories, and of course Sirius stories.

Pyro- I'm so glad I could make your day and that the howler scene came off okay!

Hyperbole- Ah, the sausages. All will be revealed in good time.

Riddikulus- Sirius thinking Siriusly? Never. Snape will be Snape and Sirius will be Sirius. And it will drive Moony mad. Padfoot can be a bit intense huh? But it is only because he loves Harry so dearly! I am so glad you like so many others found the howler scene funny. I'm glad now I risked writing it, what with neutral already having a snippit in her story Half of a Dueling Range. Thank you!