disclaimer: if you think anyone but JK Rowling owns these characters, you need serious help. there may be a few odd ones who I own, and I will tell you when there are.

a/n: there's a place in here where I accidentally used Sirius and seriously in the same sentence, it sounds really funny! okay, sorry.


Times of Change

Harry Potter tapped the end of his quill against his teeth and tried to think of what to write next. He flipped through his copy of Magical Drafts and Potions, looking for information to help him write his Potions essay on the importance of wound-cleaning potions. Harry sighed and threw the quill down on his desk.

Obviously they're important, he muttered to himself. You can say it in three words, Snape doesn't need three feet of parchment. He carefully capped his bottle of ink and set it aside.



Harry smiled as he heard his godfather's voice. After Voldemort had been defeated and Sirius's name cleared, Harry had been allowed to leave Privet Drive forever. He now lived with Sirius in an apartment in London.

Harry called back, right as his godfather walked into his bedroom.

Oh, there you are, Sirius grinned. He sat down on Harry's bed with a screech of springs. He grimaced. Have to get that oiled soon. Your school letter came. He handed Harry the parchment envelope. Harry promptly tore it open, and read it silently. His mouth dropped.

he stammered, looking up at Sirius. I think they've made a mistake. It says here that--that I'm--Head Boy! I couldn't be! It's not possible! They must've. . .

Sirius said calmly. Dumbledore sent me an owl a couple of weeks ago. Told me how proud he was of you, and to make sure you don't fall behind on your work. I'm very proud, Harry. You take after your parents.

Harry protested. But--it can't be right! There's better students in my year than me. Why aren't they Head Boy?

Do you not want to be? Sirius asked seriously.

No, but--

Then I suggest you stop complaining and finish your essay, Sirius told him sternly, but Harry could see the gleam in his eyes.

I will later, Harry yawned.

Well, as long as you're not terribly busy, would you like to arrange--no, you probably won't. . .

I won't what? Harry asked curiously. Sirius merely shook his head. Tell me!

I only thought you might like to have some people come for your birthday this year, Sirius informed him mournfully. But it seems as if--

No, it's fine! Harry insisted gleefully, joking along with his godfather. I'll just put off whatever I have planned for that day. It won't mess up my busy schedule too much. . .I promise.

Sirius grinned. Just Ron and Hermione then? I'm not sure if we could fit anyone else into this apartment anyways, he said wryly.

Sounds great, Harry said excitedly.

Sirius glanced at the digital clock on Harry's nightstand.

Almost 11:00, he yawned. I'd better get some sleep. Night, he nodded at Harry, getting to his feet with another ominous screech from the bed. He ambled out slowly.

Harry sighed with pleasure, stood up, and stretched. He pulled off his clothes and got into bed. His thoughts drifted back to the past few years of school at Hogwarts. He would be a 7th year, and this would be his last year there. He thought wistfully of the old castle with it's vanishing staircases, numerous ghosts, and wonderful feasts in the Great Hall. It was hard to believe that after this year he wouldn't be going back.

Harry thought of all the friends he had at Hogwarts, and grinned to think of how lucky he was. He had numerous friends in every house but Slytherin, and almost everyone liked him. There was only one problem he had: he had never really had a serious girlfriend. It wasn't that no one liked him, but there was nobody that he really liked in return. In his 5th year he went to the Yule Ball with Hermione, and they had been a couple for about two months. They had realized that there really wasn't anything behind their relationship besides their friendship, and had decided to end it. They were still great friends, and the relationship hadn't changed anything.

In his 6th year, Harry had gone to the ball with Hannah Abbot, who was in Hufflepuff. It hadn't gone very well: she had spent most of the night blushing whenever spoken to, and it was very uncomfortable for both of them. Harry had also briefly gone out with Cho Chang that year. He had fantasized about her so much, in reality she was nothing like what he had imagined. It was a friendly breakup, and they owled each other letters every couple of months. He really wanted to find that someone special, soon.

Why am I so worried about this? Harry muttered to himself. He flopped over onto his side. If there's nobody I like at school, I shouldn't be worrying about this so much.

Sirius called sleepily. What are you doing?

Harry could feel himself blushing. Reasoning with myself.

Need any help?

Actually, that would be great. Harry had developed a good friendship with his godfather, and they talked about almost everything. Sirius padded into his room, clad only in a pair of boxers, and sat cross-legged on the floor.

What's up? he asked.

Harry mumbled.

What about girls? Sirius asked slyly. Harry couldn't see him very well in the dark, but he could tell that he was grinning.

Harry began, and he found himself telling Sirius everything that was on his mind. When he finished, Sirius was silent.

I wouldn't worry about it if I were you, he said finally. If you're meant to be with somebody, you'll find her. People change, you know. Maybe someone who you didn't think much of last year has grown up.

Harry said thoughtfully.

Is there anyone in particular you were thinking of? Sirius asked.

Harry told him. I don't even know why I've been worrying about this so much.

Your father worried about that, too, Sirius said quietly. Then he met Lily, and. . .well, we all know what happened there.

Harry smiled. Thanks, Sirius.

No problem, his godfather yawned, getting to his feet. I'm going back to bed, if you don't need anything else.

Harry sighed. He rolled over, and in a few minutes his breathing was deep and even.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

And there's chapter 1! Hope you liked it! Click on the review button, and tell me what you think, now!