A/N Hey All! Here's a bit of a light hearted chapter. I will have a Christmas fic up soon!

Agi: to answer your review (the rest of you can read on if you want!) First of all Krecher didn't see Mrs. Black as dead the past ten years or so b/c he was still taking orders from her portrait (going slowly mad. Possibly because of the binds holding him, she was dead and yet she wasn't confusing the magic). Also he did have a master then, though Sirius was shunned and in Azkaban he was still legally heir to the Black manor, and hence Krecher's master.

Unlike Tonks, this couldn't be changed because the first born inheriting is an old tradition in Europe and probably deeply rooted in magic history (judging from the old fashionedness of some magic). As of now we don't know what he's done, and besides WInky held it off (with Dobby the liberated elf's help) she didn't have to do it since she'd been released. Even if you don't think it is magically controlled it (Dobby didn't know it is… I do!) it could just be a tradition and Winky is a traditional elf. That should answer any questions!

 He met up with his friends outside the class. 

"Man that was some class eh?" Ron said genially.

"Humph." Harry muttered. Hermione rolled her eyes.

"Come on Harry don't tell me you didn't find that the least bit interesting?" Harry grinned.

"Okay I won't tell you. Yes it was interesting just don't tell her that!"

"Oh for God's sake give it up Harry! She had to get you here!" Harry pouted like a sullen child without a lollipop.

"Don't care. Didn't wanna come." Hermione sniggered and Ron laughed out right.

"You look like my stepbrother when he was a baby." They all jumped to see Sander who was walking next to Harry.

"How long have you been there?"

"Since you left Defense Against the Dark Arts." Harry blushed. "And yes I heard you pout like a two year old." Ron and Hermione's sniggers became out and out guffaws.

"Damn, Harry he's got you down." Harry smiled sheepishly.

"He does, doesn't he? Sander nice one." The boy beamed and Harry somehow felt much better. That was until their next class, Care of Magical Creatures. They trudged down to the grounds the Slytherins not far behind them. To Harry's utmost horror their Professor was an older witch with her hair up in a bun. Grubblyplank.

"Follow me class today we are taking notes on the properties of a Billywig." Harry groaned. To make matters worse Draco Malfoy suddenly appeared next to him.

"Well Potter you didn't die over the summer after all! What a shame."

"Bug off Malfoy."

"Oh I'm scared!" Harry looked up at him and Draco suddenly became quiet. Before Harry could wonder what was wrong he said, "What happened to you?" he sounded genuinely concerned but when he realized this he added, "Those Muggles you live with finally realize what you were?"

"You could say that." Harry scoffed. A look passed over Malloy's face that Harry couldn't read.

"Oh. Sorry Potter." He muttered gruffly. He went off to join the Slytherins and Harry and Ron gaped.

"Was that the Draco Malfoy or a horrid clone?" Ron asked when he had regained speech.

"No idea."

During lunch he opened his Aunt's letter.

Dear Harry,

First off I want to apologize for having Arabella take you to school like this. I wouldn't have minded you staying. You're good company but Vernon was talking about sending you to St. Brutus's for real. Also I know how much you're needed there.

I also want to tell you about a decision I made about a month or two ago. I am going to divorce Vernon. I married him to get away from my home as a young girl and was swept into his hatred, especially his hatred of you. I never really hated your mother. I envied her because she got away earlier and she married a man she was in love with but I never hated her. So I had no right to hate you.

You are a very brave boy and you don't deserve everything that is happening to you. I have always admired you. I want you to know you can come back for Christmas. You may bring a friend with you if you like. It was always Vernon who requested you stay there. I look forward to seeing you,

                   Aunt Penny (that's what my family called me)

Harry set it down in his bag feeling quite contented.

By that evening Harry had six essays to write and three tests to study for. He said good night to his friends early and set up camp in the common room. Having missed the lessons on things he wasn't even sure where to begin. Frustrated he banged his head on the desk.

"Need some help?" He lifted his aching head to see Ginny standing next to him.

"I really need a time turner." he moaned.

"I've got the next best thing. Knowledge." she pulled a chair up next to him. "What are you studying?"

"Large inanimate objects transfiguration, Billywigs, Grindlewald, and Venomous Tentacula, oh not to mention Polyjuice potions, and the divination signs of Chinese as  opposed to English, Swelling charms, the 3453 goblin rebellion."

"You can't have all those classes in a day."

"I don't I went around to all the teachers. They all had work in between "when you have a chance's" which means "I'll bug you about it every class for two years if it's not in next time." Ginny laughed.

"Alright we'll start with that transfiguration." She opened his book and explained all the fundamentals to him. He found he understood it more than he ever had with McGonagall. More and more as he she spoke he felt himself staring at her. Before she left him alone to write the essay he leaned close to her and kissed her. "What was that for?" he blushed.

"That was a thank you."

"What do I have to do to get another one?"

"Absolutely nada." He leaned in and they kissed once more, then again. By the time Ron and Hermione came in they were making out. The two stood over the new couple. Hermione cleared her throat and Ron sniggered. They broke apart blushing furiously.

"How," Hermione glowered. "Is the studying going?" Harry and Ginny looked at each other then at the one book on the table then at each other and began to laugh hysterically.

The next morning Harry sought out Sander first thing.

"Well you were right!" Sander looked at him curiously.

"About what? I mean I'm always right but-"He cut off ducking his head down. "I mean… that sounded awful…" Harry laughed.

"It's okay. We're friends! Anyway apparently I do like Ginny."

"What changed your mind?" Harry smiled in a secretive way.

"You were snogging weren't you?" Harry nodded.

"Ick…" Suddenly Sander was whacked from behind. Both he and Harry looked to see Ginny behind them.

"Care to repeat that small fry?" Sander shook his head fervently. "Good." Ginny kissed Harry good morning and Sander pretended to gag winning himself a face full of oatmeal.

The time at Hogwarts passed quickly and before anyone knew it was nearly Halloween. Harry had completely caught up in all of his classes thanks to Ginny. They were now going out steadily and they had a wonderful time together. Sander was getting used to Hogwarts and Harry had taken a real liking to the small boy.

On the Friday afternoon before the yearly Hogsmeade trip the five friends were wandering the grounds. Harry had brought Jimmy. Sander was absolutely enamored with the dog. He was chasing the pup around the lake when they both slipped on some mud. Jimmy caught himself but Sander lost his footing.

"Harry help!" he cried. Everyone near the lake gasped and started running towards the screams. Jimmy who almost never barked was yipping frantically and jumping around as if he had springs in his feet.

 Harry leapt up from his spot next to Ginny but someone got there before he did. Someone grabbed the young Ravenclaw's wrists and pulled him up to the shore shaking. Harry took him and saw the mysterious savior was the one and only Draco Malfoy.

"Here Potter take this kid before I throw him back in." Harry stood open mouthed. "Do I have to spell it out?" Harry shook himself and took Sander's arm. Ginny took him to get towels.

"Malfoy you saved him."

"Yeah don't go making a thing out of it."

"But you hate anyone who's not a Slytherin."

"Not enough to make a kid drown in the lake Potter did you think I was that heartless?" Ron, who was standing over Harry's shoulder spoke,

"Well yeah." Malfoy sneered at him.

"Sorry to disappoint you Weasley" He turned on his heels and headed up to the castle. Ginny and Sander returned. Sander was wrapped in towels with a mug of tea. His ears were steaming showing signs of Pepper-up Potion. He sat next to Harry and stared out at the sky for a minute.

"You okay?"

"Yeah fine. Little scared but fine." He took a book out of his pocket and Harry groaned.

"Please not that Sand…"

 Sander had recently taken up cracking riddles Harry guessed to get them to pay attention to him in between make-out sessions. Not that they didn't pay attention to the boy. He needed it after all he'd been through.

"Harry?"

"Yeah Sander?" Harry was gazing longingly at Ginny who was helping Stuart Ackerly rid himself of acne but changing his zits into Dots candy.

"What is black and white and red all over?"

"A newspaper, that's an oldie." Sander shook his head grinning.

"A ketchup covered Oreo." Harry groaned. "Who is bigger Mr. Bigger or Mr. Bigger's baby?"

"Mr. Bigger."

"Mr. Bigger's baby is a little bigger."

"Sander."

"Yeah?" he looked up from his joke book.

"Do me a favor. Knock it off." Sander looked crestfallen.

"Sure thing. I'll be going as I'm not welcome." He stood still dripping a bit and headed for the castle. Just then Ginny came back.

"Hey Harry I'm back." Harry jumped up and kissed her gently.

"I know but I've got to go after Sander or risk having a new Malfoy." She looked perplexed as Harry raced of. His arm was out of the sling though a bit stiff and he grabbed Sander by the shoulders. "Sander, listen to me." He said panting.

"Lemme go!" the boy struggled. He was slippery but Harry kept his grip. He began rubbing the towel to dry the boy off as he spoke. It would not be good for him to catch cold now. 

"Look kid I'm bigger than you so you have to listen."

"Not by much!" Harry ignored this, the kid could be a little smart aleck when he wanted to but his friends were used to it.

"I'm sorry. Those riddles were getting annoying,"

"Well if I'm annoying-"there went the habit of misunderstanding. Harry could tell the boy hadn't had many friends in his life and he knew it was up to him to correct that.

"Not you! The jokes. There is a difference Sander, joke, Sander, joke, Sander only one letter's the same! You don't have to do that for our attention! We like you for who you are!" Sander looked up at him.

"Really?" Harry nodded.

"Yeah!"

"Okay." They went back to a very miffed Ginny

"You two about done?"

"Well no. I'm Harry and I'm about being a sixteen-year-old wizard. This is Sander and he's about misunderstanding every word that comes out of my mouth." Sander laughed and even Ginny cracked a smile. "Tell me Ms. Weasley are you about me or is there some other man you're all about?"

"Hmm… what do you think Sander should I tell him the truth?" Sander was laughing hard by then and Ginny was grinning.

"Oh Ginny, that's okay." Harry said making puppy dog eyes. "I believe in monogamy even if you don't," she snickered but Saner looked thoroughly confused.

"Mowhatamy?" Ginny explained while Harry laughed. Then she turned back to Harry. He opened his mouth to say something else but she silenced him with a finger to his mouth. Harry broke away and kissed her Sander groaned but Harry winked at him without Ginny seeing.

 She sat down on the ground and Harry grinned mischievously at Sander. Harry sat down right next to Ginny and pinned her on the ground. He began to tickle her.

"Stop it Harry!" she laughed. Harry signaled for Sander to come over and soon both boys were tickling their friend. Ginny was laughing so hard she had begun to hiccup. "Get off boys. Please?"

"What do you think Sander? Should we?" the young boy who was always keen for amusement shook his head. "Okay then!  A boy after mine own heart."

"Sander whose side are you on? Uncle! Uncle! Aunt! Olly olly oxen free! White flag! Argh!" Harry finally took pity on her and let her go. She lay on the ground gasping for breath. Sander chuckled but stood way out of reach. He'd done things like this recently with the neighbor hood kids near home; Harry hadn't had that experience and didn't have the world's best foresight on this occasion.

 He made the mistake of lying on the ground chuckling to himself and before he knew it Ginny was on top of him.

"Uh oh…" Ginny was looking slightly malicious. "Hi Gin? Having a nice day. Beautiful weather isn't it a good-" he was cut off by the worst tickling he'd ever had. "Oh God! Ginny stop I'm gonna piss on myself! Get off please? I love you! Really! Oh God it hurts!"

"Aw aren't the lovebird's coote?" Sander was grinning and Ginny and Harry fixed their gazed on him. His eyes widened, he'd lost his guard and gotten with in reach.

"Oh no… uh bye guys have fun." he took off running and Ginny followed Harry did also a bit slower.

"Sander you're gonna pay for that" they cried as they ran.

"You have to catch me!" Ginny had caught the boy by the time Harry got there. "Uh congrats you caught me. Harry, tell 'er what she's won. Or tell ya what you want that pay in pounds or sickles?"

"Tell me young McKinnon are you ticklish?" Sander looked sincerely frightened.

"Nope." He said not convincing a soul not even himself.

"Good so this won't bother you a bit." Harry held him down and Ginny worked her nimble fingers. Albeit the boy tried his honest best not to laugh and show weakness his face turned red and he had to let it out. His laughter filled the outdoors and older kids looked over and smiled. Those who knew him knew he was usually so quiet.

Before Harry and Ginny even thought of letting go Jimmy decided to get in on the act. Sander was one of his favorite humans and he started to lick his face. Sander moaned with laughter.

"Not the dog too! Oh please save me!"

"Save you? Never!" Ginny said. "Harry help me down here.

"Who'll hold him down?"

"I won't move!" they both looked at him.

"Fat chance."

"I'll hold him." Ron was there and he took Harry's place. Hermione held the child's legs and Harry and Ginny joined forces.

"Oh man four against one this isn't fair."

"Ah but lad you must learn." Harry said with a fake accent. "Life at 'ogwarts es never fair." This made Sander laugh more.

He laughed so hard tears ran down his small face and his cries for forgiveness were cut off by new bursts of laughter. When they finally let him go it was only because it was nearing dark and they wondered if he'd break a rib laughing. He could barely walk by then. Harry took pity on him and carried him piggyback. He was surprisingly light.

At dinner that night they were all famished. Harry was gobbling down his second helping of baked chicken when he realized Sander was just picking at his food.

"Sander what's wrong?" the boy was lost in thought and Harry seemed to break his concentration.

"What? Oh nothing." He went back to spreading his food across the plate.

"Something's wrong. I'm no expert but a growing boy who spent the day outside should be eating more than you are."

"Yeah." Ginny chimed in. "Take skinny here. He just ate more than I've seen him eat in a month." Harry glared at her but Sander laughed.

"Nothing's wrong I'm just not hungry. Being within an inch of death can really take away your appetite."

"Sander you were a foot from the lake at least." Harry said this really to reassure himself about that fact. "You're fine now and you need to eat."

"Yes mother."

"Don't make me set Madame Pomfrey on you." Sander who had visited the nurse once or twice began to shovel food in his mouth.

"Sinth you put it atta ay." He mumbled spraying food across the table.

"Say it don't spray it." Ginny said. Sander swallowed and laughed wincing.

"Don't make me laugh please." He begged, "It still hurts." Everyone who heard him began to laugh.