AN: I have a job now! Yay! And I've been working almost every single day. So it's been hard to work on my fic. I'm sorry for the delay. And thank you to those who favorited, and commented. You really helped. Also the ADHD was strong with this one, I had a hard time contrasting on anything.
I will now answer some comments.
Dork 19 Bookaholic:
Who knows if Tom will or not? But I can say I am setting up what will happen when the time comes. But I hope this chap answers your thoughts.
The guest under the last commenter:
Thank you for the correct spelling for Weasley, I did mean to leave the 'e' off of Kitsun, I like how it sounds.
Genny will eventually fess up, but not till she has to. She will not want Harry to go to Azkaban because of her. But (unfortunately) she will never be a part of Harry's group, too much guilt for not speaking up.
And thanks to those who told me (very nicely) about the mix up of Bill and Charlie. If you go and look I have fixed that.
...
A few years before Naruto disappeared, Suna:
A little boy with red hair stared over the playground with tired eyes. He rubbed at them. He was tired, sad, and lonely. He didn't understand why no one wanted to play with him. He sat on a swing clutching his teddy bear, looking forlornly at his fellow children playing.
"Hello." The red head looked up to see a pale, dark haired, blue eyed boy. This boy was talking to him.
"Hi." The little boy replied, holding on to his teddy a bit tighter.
"What's your name?" The new boy asked.
"Gaara." The red head told the other.
The dark haired boy gave Gaara a smile that put the boy on edge. Gaara could feel how smart and... cunning this boy was. It felt as if Gaara was walking into a trap. "What's your name?"
"Tomū Nazū. Want to go and...play? I'm new to Suna and don't have any friends."
Gaara blinked. Is that why this boy was approaching him? Did he not know better? "Okay." Gaara was then alarmed when the boy reached out to grab his hand. "Wait!" But it was too late, Tomū now had a cut on his hand.
Gaara felt as if he was about to cry, but instead of yelling and being mean Tomū just offered Garra a smile. "So no touching? It was really interesting how the sand stopped me. I wonder if there is a way to stop that from happening?" Tomū was then just murmuring to himself, just barely audible.
"W-what about your hand?" Gaara asked. Tomū showed his hand to the red head, who saw it was already healed. "Wow"
Tomū nodded, "still want to play? Or can I ask about your sand?"
Gaara answered Tomū's questions about his sand, Tomū was jotting down notes on a notepad that he produced out of nowhere. This was nice, this boy wasn't scared of him. Gaara really hoped he could stay friends with him.
...
To the Dark Lord:
I know I will be dead long before you read this but I want you to know that it was I who discovered your secret. I have stolen the real Horcrux and intend to destroy it as soon as I can. I face death in the hope that when you meet your match you will be mortal once more.
R.A.B.
"Regulus Arcturus black." Tom snarled.
Naruto nodded, as she listened to kyuubi's explanation of who that was. "So when he disappeared, he died here?"
Tom nodded. "I'm afraid that we won't be able to destroy the locket right now."
Naruto hummed, "which horcrux do we go after then?"
"We can go to the Gaunt house, I hid the family ring there." Naruto nodded.
"Then we go home, and sleep?"
Tom nodded, offering his arm which Naruto took.
...
Harry walked into the book store, slouching and dragging his feet. Naruto was beside him, her usual yellow blond was now a softer color.
"Come on Shikamaru! We need to get your books! I already got mine!" Behind them was Tom, his job was to help make them look less suspicious by having a grown up with them.
Harry resisted the urge to smile, instead just grumbled: "troublesome blond."
Naruto, or Ino as she was going by, pushed him forward towards the Hogwarts books. "Go on then! Tom and I are going to look at other books!"
She then went over to the fiction section, while Tom went to the muggle section. She looked through each book, trying to find something she would enjoy. All she could find was smutty romance and corny comedy. Then she saw it. A familiar orange book. She picked it up, and stared at it in wonder. It was Icha Icha: Paradise. She checked the author's name: Jiraiya.
She turned to Tom who already had some books he would enjoy. The hobbit, then the sequels. He had told her how much he had enjoyed the series in his teenage years. She showed him the book in her hands.
He read the title out loud, "Icha Icha: paradise?"
Naruto nodded, "Inu used to read it to me when I was a little girl." She said straight faced, which raised alarm bells in Tom's head.
"What is it about?" He asked slowly.
"It's a romance comedy." She said simply. The comedy mostly came from how horrible the sex scenes was, and how corny the woman was. It had been funny to Naruto, but apparently most of the women in her village hadn't seen it that way.
He sighed and took the book, and went up to the desk. He was stopped by Naruto, "can you ask how they got that book?" He nodded, putting the books down on the counter.
The witch gave him a look at the sight of the orange book. He shrugged, "A friend asked if I could pick it up."
The witch nodded, not believing him, they all said that. Although his next sentence made her question it. "I've never seen this author before, what is this about?"
Tom hadn't trusted the look in Naruto's eye.
The witch thought about telling him the truth, but she didn't want to embarrass the man, so she simply said: "a romance."
Of course it was useless, Tom already had read the woman's mind on the subject, and resisted the urge to kill Naruto. "Where did your shop get it?"
The woman shrugged, "it shows up in a box on top of a toad." Naruto froze, a toad?
Tom nodded, paying for the books and going to wait by the door. Where he handed the orange book to Naruto. "Smut, really?"
Naruto shrugged, "Inu was a man of interesting tastes." But she had to admit, she had liked him more as her Sensei than her bodyguard.
Tom hummed. "Do you understand what she meant about a toad?" Naruto nodded.
"I think so."
...
Harry paced up and down the platform waiting for the train. It was thirty minutes late. This hadn't happened the year before, and it made him worry. Could a magical train break down?
'the Hogwarts express can not break down, not unless the school or ministry makes it.'
Harry only half listened to Tom. He could see the light of the train coming out from the darkness. He breathed a sigh of relief.
The train came into the station, and he took a step forward on instinct. The first one off was a man in ragged clothes, hurrying to the castle. The wave of students completely blind sided him, he tried to see his friends, but he was short.
He jumped when he felt a finger tap on his shoulder. He turned to see Luna and everyone else, but they seemed to be supporting Neville.
"What happened?"
Theodore was the one who answered, his face grim. "Dementors. Dementors were on the train, they made Neville faint."
Harry was wide eyed, he didn't know why dementors were on the train to Hogwarts. "Are you alright Nev?"
The boy shook his head, his eyes showing a lot of pain. Harry wrapped Neville in a hug. "Come on, guys. I've got our own feast in the chamber, and my stash of chocolate is yours to binge Nev and the rest of you too of course."
The twins tilted their heads. "The chamber?"
Harry turned to Luna who nodded, he gave the twins a serious look. "The chamber of secrets, or my home."
They told the twins everything on the way to the chamber. All about Naruto, the first year, helping Theo during the last summer, second year, and what he'd been up to during that summer. They were in the chamber by the time he was done.
He bowed, just as Naruto taught him. "I'm sorry for not telling you sooner Fred, George."
"Ahhh, look Forge! Harrikins feels bad."
"Yes Gred, I see this. But I don't know if we should forgive him."
"Right you are Forge. He lied to us."
"I didn't mean to, it was just...I didn't know you guys very well." Harry said, shifting uncomfortably. But he found himself in the middle of a hug from his friends.
"Of course you didn't tell us Harry, that's fine. Thank you for trusting us with your secret." They spoke together.
Harry smiled in relief, but it was whipped off by Hermione. "Who's Tom?"
Harry blinked, "what?"
She tapped her chin, "you said Tom helped you study this and last summer. So who is he."
Naruto burst out laughing, drawing everyone's attention. "Ha, you teme! He's totally got that from me."
Tom popped up in a puff of smoke, and huffed. Harry's friends stared at Tom with wide eyes. "Harry may not be able to keep a secret," he shot the boy a look who was sheepish, "but he gets his cunning from me!"
"Please! Do you know how hard it is to paint a monument in the middle of the day and not get caught?"
Harry sighed, gesturing to the two. " That is my magical adopted father, that's Tom."
They all stood around watching the two squabble. Hermione murmured to Harry, "are they together?"
He shook his head, "I've been waiting for them to see it. But unfortunately they're both thick about that sort of stuff." Hermione sighed.
"I'm bi." The friend group turned their attention to Theodore, the two grown ups not paying attention still arguing over who Harry took after more.
Hermione tilted her head. "I didn't know the wizarding world had a LGBTQ community."
Theodore shrugged, "we don't. We're not really supposed to...be novis"
Harry tilted his head, "novis?"
"It's Latin Harry. It's like mudblood for me, it means something strange." Hermione was frowning.
George chuckled, "man we're all coming out with something, huh?"
Fred nodded, "right you are, makes me wish we had something to add."
George nodded, "right it's time to confess Fred. I can't take this anymore!" He said very melodramatically.
Fred followed his brother's lead, "what brother 'o mine?"
"I'm...a prankster!"
"Me too!"
They started to loudly 'cry', the friends rolled their eyes. They would start the feast without them.
Up in the great hall two professors noticed the missing boy who lived.
...
The next week gave Harry a feel for the upcoming year. Mostly it was the same as the years before. Although the stares from the students were more pensive, and worried. He had no idea why.
Unlike the years before Defense against the Dark arts was fun. Professor Lupin went over the material in such a way that even Harry , who already knew what he was teaching, couldn't help but enjoy the lessons. He even put a few points in a different context that made more sense to Harry.
But potions were the most different, Snape had stopped most of his treatment of Harry, now Harry was treated like everyone else. So... progress? Harry didn't really mind, he understood that the teacher couldn't continue being an arsehole to him after what Lockhart did, and somehow he still didn't come off as pitying, probably because Snape never really gave off the energy of pity. Since Snape was now not picking every little thing he was doing he was having a lot easier time of potions he was now in the A's to low O's.
...
Harry took a studying breath, as he knocked on Dumbledore's door. At least he wasn't worried about Dumbledore reading his mind, he knew gramps would protect him no matter how much he grumbled. He only was slightly better after Naruto fixed her mind and escaped again and allowed him out in the main space.
"Harry my boy!" Dumbledore's voice sounded. Harry resisted the urge to send a kunai in-between the old man's eyes. Instead he offered a smile.
"Good evening headmaster. You called me?"
The old man nodded, "I wished to ask where you were this summer my boy."
Harry cocked his head to the side, "I stayed with my relatives sir." He said in a confused voice.
Dumbledore furrowed his eyebrows, "your aunt said you haven't been there in two years."
Harry put a sad look on his face, "my aunt is known for lying sir. After all my parents weren't drunks like I was told growing up sir. But I promise, I was with my auntie and uncle all summer." He said sincerely.
Dumbledore hummed, he didn't believe the boy. He had checked the wards, and they had said the same thing as Patuna. He tried to skim the surface thoughts of Harry, only to be blocked by what felt like a demonic presence.
Harry watched the color drain from the old man as he was told by Kurama that the man had tried to get into his mind. "Sir?" He asked, worried if this continued, he would burst into laughter.
"Ah yes, thank you Harry my boy. You may go." Harry nodded to the man, leaving the office. Only when he was in the hall leading to the office did he allow himself the grin.
Dumbledore, for his part, drummed his fingers on the desk. Eventually turning to the portets behind him. " Can two of you go get Severus and Remus?" Phineas went off with a huff, probably to get his fellow slytherin. A Hufflepuff headmistress made her way out of her frame. Dumbledore sat, waiting for the professors to come.
Snape walked in with his customary sneer lupin just behind him, "headmaster, care to explain why you called the wolf and I."
The old man smiled at the two. "Ah Severus, Remus. Please sit." He conjured two overstuffed chairs for the men.
Remus nodded and thanked the headmaster, Severus merely did the former. Dumbledore placed his hand and sent his head on top of them. "Tell me what do you think of Harry Remus? Severus?"
Severus huffed, "he's just like his father, arrogant, and a bully."
Remus shook his head, "I don't know where you got that he seems more like Lily to me."
Snape asked, "you haven't seen one of his pranks yet."
Remus gasped, smiling slightly, "Harry?" Happy to know that part of his friend lived on.
"Ah yes, please hold in your enthusiasm wolf."
"Professors." Dumbledore interrupted. "How do you think the boy is dealing with black's escape?"
Remus instantly went pale, while Severus sneered. "The boy is all bravado, if I didn't know better I would've bet he was a Griffindor." he said. He could not tell the old man his true thoughts and concerns. He'd ask Harry soon about why he'd missed the opening feast.
"I'm worried about Albus!" Remus finally exclaimed. "He's been skipping meals! At least once every day, and he's missing his friends. And... He wasn't on the express Albus! But he was at the station when I got there."
Snape cursed the wolf in his mind. He was not helping the boy, the wolf had just made things worse. Severus could tell by the loss of twinkle in the blue eyes of the old man.
"Could the two of you talk to him? Severus you first, then Remus."
"I do not wish to be anywhere near that self absorbed, selfish, entitled, brat!" Severus yelled in fake anger. He stormed out of the office, the nerve of the old man to manipulate him so obviously. It was an insult to his Slytherin cunning.
Remus sighed standing up, "I'll talk to him headmaster."
"Thank you Remus, that would be quite helpful."
Albus finally allowed himself to smirk as Remus closed the door. Oh yeah, it was all coming together.
...
The day was normal, no one could guess what would happen at breakfast. An event that goes down in infamy among the staff, and legend for the student body.
"Ooooohh- shun-kun!!!!" A high pitched woman's voice yelled over the great hall. The tone made many blush.
"Albus! What is going on?!" McGonagall exclaimed.
The voice that only a few recognized when on. Lured details make many uncomfortable emotionally and physically.
Flitwick waved his wand frantically. "Why is it not working?!"
"Class is canceled!" Dumbledore yelled, face red.
While leaving the hall in mass, Theo raised an eyebrow at the pranksters in their group. "What was Naruto reading?"
Harry flashed him a foxy grin, "Icha Icha: Paradise. Chapter 10, the sensory deprivation scene. I thought it was hilarious. The reactions are so exaggerated."
Hermione huffed. "Because of you we don't have class!"
Harry shrugged, "we can go learn from Tom today."
Hermione nodded, "you should have just said so." She went ahead and led the way to the chamber.
With the teachers Remus turned to Severus slightly pale, "was that- was that-?"
"That was Mr Potter's handiwork." Snape resisted laughing at lupin till he was alone, then let out a chuckle. He wished he had a hat to tip to the boy, the face Lupin made was amazing."
...
Harry knocked on the door to his potions professor's door. The twins flanking him on his right and left. Snape opened the door and looked at the three for a moment, then ushered them in.
"Hey prof." Gred greeted me.
"How've you been?" Forge asked.
Snape sighed, rubbing his temples. "Sit down boys."
Harry chuckled, and was the only one of the students to sit. "Sorry professor, but they are quite funny."
Snape sneered. "Ah, as funny as a newborn hognose playing dead."
Harry nodded, "exactly."
"Now to what I wanted to talk to you boys about. Potter, what did you do to Dumbledore?"
Harry cocked his head to the side, "I did nothing to him professor."
"Then why has he instructed me and the wolf to check on you to make sure that black's escape hasn't negatively impacted you?"
Harry's mouth hung open, "Sirius escaped?"
Snape frowned, "yes, were you not informed?" Harry shook his head. "Where have you been all summer? It's the news of the wizarding world."
"I live with my auntie and uncle, we're not in contact with the news." Harry said blankly.
Snape huffed, "I'm sorry you had to hear this news from me then. If your feeling unsafe-"
"Why should I feel unsafe? My godfather is free, this is great news!" Harry enthused.
...
The next day the hall was full of mutterings. Harry once again turned to Cedric Diggory. "What's going on?"
The seeker shrugged. "Black was seen last night at the Gryffindor Tower. Apparently he thinks you're a Gryffindor Harry."
Harry frowned in worry. He made his way to his Gryffindor friends. "Is everyone alright?"
Neville nodded. "Yeah mate, the guy didn't even do anything. Just scared the fat lady a bit."
Hermione nodded. "Which is quite strange. You would have thought he would destroy the painting as a witness instead he just ran."
Luna popped up beside Harry. "That's because he's looking for a rat, no one else."
...
"Summoning-no-jutsu!" Naruto exclaimed as she slammed her hand down on the floor of the chamber. A puff of smoke and a small toad came out. He looked around and shrieked at the sight of Naruto.
"Naruto!" Gamakichi sweated.
"Hello Gamakichi,"Naruto offered him a nasty grin, "I have some questions." She held up the small orange book.
She flopped down on the couch in the shared mind space next to Kurama. "Well that was interesting." She sighed.
Tom nodded in agreement, "we now know it was not just a coincidence, or this world's version of your pervert of a Sensei."
Naruto nodded, giving a grin. "Who would've thought that that old perv would have found a way to sell more books. In different worlds no less"
...
"Everyone form a line!" Lupin called over the class. They all were about to practice facing a Bogart.
The first from their group was Hermione. The thing transformed into her, surrounded by books, tired looking and sad. Hermione grew pale, and intoned in a wavering voice, "ridiculous." She turned into a telly tubby cosplayer.
Then Neville, a wild haired woman. A manic look in her eyes. "Look, it's itsy bitsy baby Longbottom. How's mum and dad?" She laughed insanely.
Neville was the opposite of Hermione, his voice was firm. "Ridiculous." The woman who was feared was wearing a god awful hat and robes.
Theodore's was darker still. Dead bodies of all his friends. The class was shocked, and lupin was regretting doing this lesson. "Ridiculous." The body's were then a bunch of kittens.
Harry was the last, he turned into Naruto and Tom. But they were different then they usually were. It was the version of them from the mirror. His wish for them as his real parents.
'Naruto' frowned at him. "Look Tom, it's him again. When will he leave us alone."
'Tom' smirked. "We will have to make ourselves clear, my dear." The bogart bent over, towering over Harry. "We do not need, or want you."
"You're a burden!" Naruto sniffed.
"We will never love you!" Both said at once.
"Ridiculous." Harry cried. The bogart was then a snake and a fox with cat ears taped to their heads. He ran out of the classroom.
Lupin blinked, that was unexpected. Harry's Bogart...those two people, and rejection. He sighed and turned to the class. "I hope I don't have to worry about reminding everyone to not make fun of others for their fears." the students looked at him incredibly, after what they had witnessed they collectively agreed you had to be a jerk to make fun of someone for a fear like that.
...
Hermione was studying, and for once it wasn't books. What she was studying was more of a who, Naruto. She stared at the blond girl, who was trying to read her beloved smut in peace.
"Have you ever dyed your hair?" Hermione finally said.
Naruto looked up from her book in surprise. She hadn't expected that. "Dyed my hair?" She asked slowly, not sure she was really understanding.
Hermione nodded. "Truth be told I've been thinking about dyeing my hair. There's magical hair dye! It doesn't need bleach!"
Naruto furrowed her brows, "what does that have to do with me?"
Hermione shifted, "well I brought this up with Luna, asking her thoughts about my hair and what color it should be. She thought you would like to join us.
"What color are you and Luna doing?"
Hermione grinned. "Luna's doing a Tardis blue, and I'm doing hot pink."
Naruto sweat dropped, muttering. "Not another Sakura."
"What?"
"Nothing!" Naruto said quickly, and distracted the girl as fast as she could. "I don't know what color I should do."
Hermione squinted at her, "I think... red."
...
Harry sighed gently as he closed the book and put it back on the shelf. It was a book on magical creatures. He'd tried to find one of the dark creatures, or even just the ones he was looking for but they were suspiciously missing.
"Many things are missing from the library." Luna said from where she'd popped up beside him.
He nodded, "I've noticed, along with the theme among those missing."
Luna agreed. "Anything describing dark magic or creatures as anything but to be wary of or evil."
"I just wanted to know if there's a way to protect Nev from Dementors."
"There is."
Harry turned to the blond, then blinked.
"What did you do? Did you...dye your hair blue?"
Luna nodded, her newly blue hair swaying with the movement. Her eyebrows had gotten the same treatment, a really nice dark blue. "Do you like it?"
Harry nodded, "it looks fun."
Luna grinned, "Naruto, and Hermione also dyed their hair, wait till you see theirs."
"So dementors?" Harry asked after a moment longer of admiring her hair.
"The patronus. It's an advanced spell, but I'm sure you get it."
"Could you teach me?"
"I would be delighted."
...
Tom stared at Naruto, whose nose was firmly in her orange book. The book was already a bit worn, cracks in the spine, and many dog ear pages. The book, however, was not what he was looking at. It was her hair that had caught his attention. It was a bright red, it reminded him of a tomato.
"It's not like you to stare at Tom." She looked up momentarily to smirk at the man, then went back to her book.
"Your hair is red." Tom settled on saying.
Naruto nodded. "Yeah it is. So?"
"Why did you dye it?"
"Hermione and Luna invited me to join in on their dyeing hair thing. We had a mini party of sorts."
"So you did this with others?" Naruto nodded. "Why?"
Naruto raised her eyebrow, looking up at him again. "Why not."
Tom frowned. "Your blond hair was fine."
Naruto's expression mimicked Tom's, "why does that matter to you? It's my hair."
Tom tried to think, why did he care? He wasn't sure. He stopped that train of thought, "I was just used to the blond, I'm sure I'll get used to the red."
Naruto nodded, looking at a strand that was in her face. "When Kurama saw it, he said it made me look more like my...mom."
Tom blinked, "is that good?"
Naruto stopped staring at the offending strand, and turned to Tom once again."I'm not sure. I mean, I don't even know who she is. Kurama told me about my clan, but ever my parents."
Tom hummed, "well, it does look nice Naruto. It's just new, and I'll get used to it."
Naruto smiled which for some reason made his stomach flip. "Thanks Tom."
...
At breakfast everyone was startled when Snape suddenly stood up, opened his mouth, and a woman's voice started singing. "Poor unfortunate souls.
In pain, in need. This one's longing to be thinner. That one wants to get the girl, and do I help them? Yes, indeed."
Everyone stared at the stern potions master, clicking this was another prank. The music that started with Snape was very catchy. Muggleborns and those born in the wizarding world laughed together.
"Those poor unfortunate souls. So sad, so true. They come flocking to my cauldron. Crying potions, Severus, please. And I help them. Yes, I do"
Severus then sat down as a marinette with their strings cut. The music changing, Albus stood belting like a prober singer. "So prepare for the chance of a lifetime. Be prepared for sensational news. A shining new era is tip-toeing nearer.'
"And where do we feature?" Severus stood for his line then flopped down.
"Just listen to the teacher." You could see the old man really get into the part. "I know it sounds sordid, but you'll be rewarded when at last I am given my dues. An injustice deliciously squared. Be prepared"
Madame Pumphrey stood after Dumbledore sat down. "Beata Maria. You know I am a righteous man. Of my virtue I am justly proud. Beata Maria. You know I'm so much purer than the common vulgar, weak, licentious crowd."
Several students' eyebrows reached their hair line, and their hands on their ears. The healer was awful.
"Then tell me, Maria. Why do I see her dancing there? Why her smoldering eyes still scorch my soul. I feel her, I see her. The sun caught in her raven hair. Is blazing in me out of all control."
Everyone was suitably creeped out by the music. They just kept hoping it would stop. "Like fire, hellfire. This fire in my skin. This burning desire is turning me to sin"
The healer dropped, sighing in relief. The song was too scary for her. Then the professor sprouted shot up.
"No one's slick as Gaston. No one's as quick as Gaston. No one's neck is as incredibly thick as Gaston's."
Now the tension that had built up with the last song was gone, and everyone was laughing.
"For there's no one in town half as manly. Perfect, a pure paragon. You can ask any Tom, Naru or Harry. And they'll tell ya whose team. They'd prefer to be on!"
Harry and co snorted. It was hilarious.
"No one's been like Gaston. A king pin like Gaston. No one's got a swell cleft in his chin like Gaston."
Flitwick then jumped up, and in his high voice sang perfectly in tune. "As a specimen, yes, I'm intimidating."
Spout was obviously trying not to burst into laughter, instead she pretended to swoon.
"My, what a guy that Gaston"
McGonagall stood then.
"Mother knows best. Listen to your mother. It's a scary world out there. Mother knows best. One way or another something will go wrong, I swear."
Her hand then seemed to be jerked up, pointing to Hagrid, "Ruffians and thugs". Then she pointed to the spout, "Poison ivy, quicksand." She pointed then to the muggle study's professor, "cannibals and snakes." She then pointed at Dumbledore, "The plague"
Dumbledore looked a bit insulted, and seemed to not to notice standing and dropping down again, "No!"
McGonagall grimaced she could feel her raise and vacation time going down the drain. "Yes, but also large bugs" once and again pointing at Hagrid, and then Severus. "Men with pointy teeth. Stop! No more. You'll just upset me."
And true to the lyrics McGonagall did seem a bit upset, which made Harry decide to do something nice for her. Maybe he'd leave her some catnip.
"Mother's right here. Mother will protect you. Darling, here's what I suggest. Skip the drama, stay with mama. Mother knows best"
"Yes" the muggle studies professor stood, and seemed to be actually into her part if the wide smile on her face was something to go by. "Are you ready? Are you ready? Transformation central."
"Transformation central." the whole student body copied back.
"Transmodification central. Can you feel it? You're changing, you're changing, You're changing, alright. I hope you're satisfied, but if you ain't, don't blame me. You can blame my friends on the other side!"
The students once more sung back. Many were off key, but were enjoying the fact that everyone was singing. bonding through trauma. "But you got what you wanted."
Albus stood looking as if he was sucking on one of his lemon candies. "But you lost what you had. So Ali turns out to be merely Aladdin, just a con, need I go on? take it from me. His personality flaws give me adequate cause to send him packing on a one-way trip, so his prospects take a terminal dip. His assets frozen, the venue chosen is the ends of the earth, Whoopee. So long, ex-prince Ali!"
The old man slumped, his bad mood was hidden well for most in the hall not to notice. The teachers did see, and made a silent goodbye to any free time that week. Harry also saw this and smirked, messing with Dumbledore was hilarious.
After a moment Dumbledore stood with a barely noticeable strain to his smile, "I must applaud the creativity of the pranksters behind this but please don't do anything of this magnitude again.
Snape huffed, he knew that would not be enough of a warning for Harry and his friends. He took a sip of his tea to his smirk. It was hilarious to see Albus's reaction to such a thing. After all, even Potter senior hadn't pranked the headmaster.
...
"expecto patronum!" A light mist came from Harry's wand. He cursed, he just couldn't do it right.
"It's okay Harry, you're doing great." Luna told him. Her hair pulled back into pigtails, thanks to Naruto. They were in an abandoned classroom, Luna sitting on a desk watching him patiently.
He sighed, "I feel as if I'm making no progress."
Luna hummed, "don't push yourself Harry. You'll get it."
"Can you show me again? Please?"
Luna nodded, flicking her wand. "expecto patronum." A skeletal horse came from her wand. Walking slowly and calmly around Luna, not leaving her side.
"What is it Luna?" He asked. He'd been wondering about it the first time he saw the patronus, only at that moment did he have the courage to ask.
"He's a thestral, Harry. I'm not surprised you haven't heard of them. They are the sacred animal of Brother, and only able to be seen by those who've seen death."
Harry nodded, "sacred animal? If they're the Bother's, what of Sister and Mother?"
Luna hummed, petting her patronus. "Mother's is the demiguise, they see and write down the future and guard her library. Sister's is the Phoenix, who's tears heals, and songs sway the emotions of the living."
Harry's face showed his amazement. "That's so cool."
Luna nodded. "It is, but not common knowledge."
Harry cocked his head to the side, "why? Shouldn't it be more known?"
His friend shook her head sadly, "wizards and witches may respect our parents but they are scared of them just as much. Especially Brother."
Harry marveled at the girl who was quickly becoming his closest confidant. He decided to change the subject to distract the girl. He wanted to try the spell again, so he flicked his wand again, "expecto patronum." Again just mist. He was ready to throw his wand in frustration, then Luna's hand was on his shoulder calming him.
"Let's take a break." She led him out, and to the kitchens. Harry didn't really have anything to say to that.
...
"Did you hear the news Harry?"
Harry tilted his head in question, his mouth full of ramen. He made it a point to have it at least once a week, as Tom wouldn't allow him more. Apparently it wasn't very 'healthy'.
"Sirius black was seen in the Gryffindor boys dormitory. He was holding a knife over Ron Weasley. Apparently it scared the hell out of him and the other boys in his dorm."
Harry furrowed his brows, swallowing his ramen as he thought.
Ron Weasley. Brother to Fred and George. His year. Annoying. Thinks he's better than others for the fact his family is 'light', but is tender of the fact they're poor. For a pet he has a...a...a rat!
...
Lupin opened the door for Harry and the twin red heads, giving them a smile. "Please come to Mr Potter. Mr and Mr Weasley I was hoping to have a moment to speak with him in private."
Harry gave the werewolf a smile, "I'm afraid that the twins will be coming with me. Where I go they go. At least when I'm with strangers, or those I don't know well." Harry pretended to not see Remus's slight flinch. The man quickly recovered and nodded, gesturing to the three who came inside.
The twin on the right led the way inside flopping down on the desk, arms crossed, a smirk evident on his face. His twin followed his lead, both were ready to watch the chaos that was about to happen.
Lupin cleared his throat and turned to Harry, "how are you feeling harry?"
The young man shrugged, "I'm alright, I wish I had more ramen but what can you do? Hogwarts is obviously not blessed by the ramen gods."
The twins snorted, Remus was confused. "Ramen gods?"
Harry nodded sagely. "The ramen gods are mystical beings that bless those worthy with ramen. Ramen is the food for the gods!" He finished by holding his hands in a praying position.
"I don't think the ramen gods…exist harry." Remus told the boy gently. Behind him the twins were dying, trying not to burst out into loud laughter.
Harry gasped and looked up to the heavens, "forgive him oh ramen gods! He knows not what he says!"
The twins couldn't hold it in any more and burst into explosive laughter. Lupin looked from Harry to the twins and back. It seemed that the idea of Harry pulling his leg was clicking. The man sighed, "Harry, I was talking about you taking the news of blacks escape."
Harry hummed, " well how about you professor?"
"Me?" Remus was surprised. "What about me?"
"How are you doing with black's escape?"
"I'm fine, Mr potter. We're talking about you."
"Oh Mr potter now is it?"
"What do you mean mr potter." lupin was starting to feel irritated. Why couldn't Harry just answer?
"I just didn't realize that's what we call our best friends' son nowadays." Harry watched as Lupin's face paled.
"what? " Remus managed to say.
Harry looked the man in the eye. "I know everything, moony."
Remus staggered back, leaning back on a chair. "You..know?"
Harry nodded, "well, not everything, but all the important bits. Most importantly I know you have no excuse for not being in my life." Remus couldn't look away from Harry's eyes, it seemed like the boy was looking through his soul. That wasn't from James, or lily. It was almost supernatural.
"If you know everything then you know it wasn't safe for me to be around you. Harry please underst-"
Remus was cut off by Harry, "understand? Understand what? That you were too busy overthinking things to actually show up at least once a year? At least Sirius had a real excuse, he was in azkaban."
Remus gasped. " Harry, Sirius is a death eater!"
Harry growled. He could handle everyone else saying that, but Remus KNEW sirius. He should've known padfoot would never do such a thing. "Say's who?"
"Sirius admitted to it!"
Harry snorted, "did he? Did he say 'I'm a death eater, I killed all those stupid lowly muggles?"
Remus hesitated, "he said he killed james and lily."
The boy rolled his eyes, "oh, it's almost like survivor's guilt is not a thing!"
Remus blinked. "Survivors' guilt?"
Harry sighed, "yes, it's common in those who fight and live through a war. Those regret living when someone else died. Especially if they were friends before one of them died."
Remus collapsed into the chair he was leaning on, Harry decided to strike while the iron was hot. "You asked how I was doing, but I'm more interested in how your doing.'' Harry leaned down to look the man in the eyes. "I mean you're in your old school, with the man you used to bully as a student. One of your best friends is on the run, and your other best friend's son who you didn't bother to check on is right in front of you. I'm sure, you're much worse off than I am."
"Get out." Remus said quietly.
Harry snorted, and gestured to the twins to follow him. Right before he closed the door he gave Remus one more soul persing look, "Go ahead Remus, run. Run from your problems as you always do. Don't even acknowledge the fact you are running, after all you've had plenty of experience. Even in school you were running, especially from Sirius, in that way not much has changed has it?"
Remmus watched the door close. He wasn't sure how long he sat there. Eventually he stood and wobbled to his desk. Opening a drawer, and removing a picture that he never had the heart to throw away. He moved his thumb over the grinning face of Sirius Black, who winked back at him. He held back a choked sob, "oh sirius."
...
"Potter!" Harry looked up from his breakfast at the irate redhead.
"Yes Ron?" He asked pleasantly.
"Where is scabers!" Ron pouted.
Harry tilted his head, "who?"
Ron even turned even redder, "my rat!"
Harry frowned, "you have a rat?"
"Had a rat! Had!"
Harry nodded, "I'm sorry for your loss, but what does this have to do with me?"
"You did something to him! I know you did!"
"Hey," Cedric interjected, "he didn't even know you had a rat. How could he have done something to it?"
Ron seemed to lose his use of words. "I- I- I- I don't know!"
Cedric smiled, but it seemed a bit sinister. "Well then, would you please leave Harry alone?"
As the red head hurried away, Harry thanked Cedric. Who just nodded and smiled at him. "We're friends Harry, it's what friends do." Harry was privately thankful to be in hufflepuff.
...
"Albus Dumbledore, you have some explaining to do!"
The relative calm of breakfast was broken by Amelia bones. Who had just blast open the double doors. Two aurors on either side of her. She held up a letter and seemed to be brandishing it at Dumbledore all the way across the hall.
"Miss bones." Albus greeted, going full grandfatherly to the stern witch. "What can I do for you today?
"Explain to me why I have a letter from a lord saying that you have had an unregistered animagus in Hogwarts for over five years!"
Dumbledore held his hand out, in a passive manner. "Which lord is this?"
Bone pursed her lips, displeased to be reminded of her own lack of knowledge. "Heir lord of Gaunt-Slytherern-Uzumaki."
Dumbledore blinked; he knew the first two names, but the last he knew nothing. What did Tom do?
"I hope that there isn't an unregistered animagus, but you are welcome to look." Madam bones nodded.
"I'm going to search the grounds in the morning and the castle in the afternoon. And you Dumbledore your going to come with me and my aurors."
Dumbledore nodded, agreeing easily. When the four disappeared out the door, Harry made his way to Luna.
"Do you know if it will go as planned?"
Luna hummed, her eyes flashing white with gold pupils for just a moment. She nodded, "it does, Peter will be in custody by lunch, and Sirius will be free by next week." Harry nodded. "But I should warn you Harry, after helping your uncle, you should go right down into the chamber. Don't worry about us, just go."
Harry frowned, "what's going to happen?"
Luna shrugged, "the controlling old man will want you to go back to your prison."
Harry nodded in understanding, "thank you luna."
...
Many things were not going according to plan. Sirius was supposed to kill Peter thirteen years ago, but obviously didn't. Now he was on his way to be free, which made him have a chance to have harry. He wouldn't allow that. But he could work on that later, now he would set in motion that last phase of the plan he made the year before. Dumbledore snuck into the potion cabinet, and he quickly found Lupin's potion for that night. He uncorked it, and added a drop of honey. Thus making the potion null, and useless.
...
Harry walked through the halls, he was running late going to the hufflepuff dorm. The news of blacks innocence was going through the school like wildfire. In particular, sense finals were done, and they were able to relax. Harry though couldn't help but get more and more wound up, waiting for when he needed to make a run for it back to the chamber.
He heard a howl in the distance, but gave it no mind. He had learned not to over think on Luna's words, but he couldn't help but worry he might not understand when he needed to go and disappear. What use was Luna's warning if he didn't even follow her advice? Harry turned into another hall.
As it turned out, he didn't need to worry. After all, it was hard to miss a massive werewolf. Harry stared, there was only one person in the school he knew of who had a furry problem. "Kami fuck me." he cursed. He wished Naruto was there, but she and Tom were in the chamber. He breathed in and out, he couldn't rely on naruto for everything. So he needed to do this himself, all while hopefully keeping Moony away from other students who were running late and professors on their rounds. He mentally went over everything Tom told him about werewolves.
He came up with a plan. A stupid, idiotic plan.
He cupped his hands around his mouth, and howled. Moony turned towards him. He did one more for good measure than went running. Moony bounding behind him. Harry poured chakra into his legs going as fast as he could without completely losing Moony. He made it in front of a tapestry of dancing trolls on the seventh floor. He did exactly what Tom said to do, except one difference.
When Moony ran in to the now revealed door he bounded in mindlessly. The door shut behind him. The room was a prison for those who had no control. There was padding on the floor and walls, and the door handle was made so only a human could open it. And standing once again right in front of Moony was harry.
"Okay uncle Moony, let's make sure you don't hurt yourself or me now that you're here." Harry whispered. Harry rolled up his sleeves as he dodged moony snapping at him. Obviously Moony wasn't going to wait patiently, Harry should have expected that, but that didn't matter.
Harry flicked his arms and two long chains came out, wrapping around the werewolf. Moony struggled, howled, and bit at his bindings. Harry smiled grimly.
"Sorry uncle, you and I are going to be here all night."
The next morning found a naked and asleep moony, and an exhausted harry. He quickly made his way to the second year girls bathroom, and down into the chamber. He collapsed into his bed after saying a quick good night to Tom and naruto.
...
Tom looked at Naruto whose nose was still in her book. "Do you think Harry is alright? He looked a bit pale" Naruto hummed.
"How much trouble could he get into? He's our kid you know. Databane" she said absentmindedly.
"That's what I'm worried about naruto." Naruto didn't even look up. Tom sighed. "If you don't put that book down tomorrow, I will hide it."
Naruto finally looked up, gasping. "You wouldn't!'
Tom simply smirked.