Parseltounge

"Speech"

Thoughts/Telepathy

/flashback/

Map writing

Chapter 15

Choices

Morning arrived. The sun rose early with a bright cerulean sky scattered with soft fluffy white clouds. The day looked like perfection, but perfection is an illusion. The Post Owls arrived as the school sat down to breakfast. Only those involved with the previous night's events were unsurprised by the front page of the Daily Prophet. The excitement of the end of the year Quidditch match was dulled as students looked at the picture of the ministry building and the headline of the article.

The building and even the headline weren't what turned stomachs. The part of the image which terrified on an unconscious level was the body of Professor Quirrell. The man was spread eagle, strung up between two of the Roman style columns of the building. Written in blood, probably his, was the message, "Baphomet you are no more a Dark Lord than you pathetic servant. There is only one Dark Lord and that is ME!" The Dark Mark floated under the message like a signature.

Hushed whispers could be heard about the Hall. The headline clarified any confusion as to what the message really meant. The headline read, "He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, Has he returned?" The article told anyone who did not know about the Dark Mark being He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named sign. The reporter pondered if the message was truly from He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named or if it was simply one of his followers. He also questioned who Baphomet was. The article did exactly what Voldemort wished, it made people question his "death".

Albus Dumbledore, leader of the light, kind caring headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Defeater of Dark Lord Grindelwald was virtually quivering in rage. Minerva was shocked at the waves of anger flowing from the normally calm, composed man. Severus glanced at Albus after skimming the story and knew the man was about to blow up rather spectacularly. He knew he would protect Kira Riddle if the old man lashed out, he only hoped Albus hadn't lost all semblance of reason.

Kira and Harry skimmed the article before handing the paper off to Draco and Blaise. The quartet had expected something like this. Kira and Harry remembered the crafted message to the muggle crime boss a few years back and thought about how clear their father always was when he threatened someone. They didn't let the story ruin their appetite, no one at the Slytherin table did.

Hermione and Neville looked at the article. The look they gave each other clearly said "We Knew". Hermione whispered, "We couldn't have done anything." Neville nodded.

Neville whispered, "Baphomet must be the wanna-be Dark Lord."

Hermione looked thoughtful, "I wonder if he was muggle born."

"Why?" asked Neville.

"Because Baphomet is a dark god worshipped by muggles who pretend to practice dark magic and sometime do really cruel things," answered Hermione.

Neville thought over her words but before he could say anything else Dumbledore's voice thundered across the Great Hall. "Ms. Riddle!"

The hall grew deadly silent. Kira looked up at the head table. She kept the smirk at his anger from gracing her face. She responded, "Yes Headmaster?"

"Where is the Stone? Theft is grounds for expulsion!" He was standing with anger burning in his blue eyes. His voice was harsh and commanding. The threat he could pose to a person was not hidden by his normal grandfatherly façade.

The quartet looked at each other in surprise for a few moments. They had figured Dumbledore would be angry, they didn't know he would be stupid about it. Kira rose to her feet, Harry beside her. Her voice rang out clearly as she said, "I have stolen nothing."

"I demand a gathering of the school governors and presentation of proof on behalf of my sister," said Harry. "Unfounded accusations will cost you your job headmaster!"

"I will not stand here and be slandered by a senile old man who thinks he can control whoever he wants," Kira proclaimed.

Albus Dumbledore growled, "You were both in the forbidden corridor last evening..."

The Doors of the Great Hall burst open with a loud bang, interrupting his rant. Screams erupted from the students nearest the doors as a tall serpentine figure strode it. His crimson eyes swept the Hall. "I don't recall seeing any children last night when we met in the third floor corridor."

The hall froze in fear at the sound of his voice. The Slytherins, while fearful, hid their smirks of satisfaction. The color drained from Dumbledore's face. Twice in as many days, Voldemort had gotten into Hogwarts without setting off the Dark detection wards. He raised his wand and pointed it at the Dark Lord.

"Now Albus, is that any way to greet a former student?" Voldemort's smile chilled the hall. He continued, "Especially when I came to return something to you?"

Dumbledore thought quickly if there was anyway for him to kill Voldemort without harming the students. He couldn't think of one. The student body as well as the teachers held their collective breath. Albus finally asked, "What are you returning?"

Voldemort laughed a deep sadistic chuckle. The mirth didn't seem to reach his eyes. "The Philosopher's Stone, of course," he said as he held the blood red stone aloft for all to see. The entire hall seemed to gasp in shock.

Dumbledore couldn't honestly believe his eyes. Voldemort had the means to immortality in his hand and appeared to be ready to return it. He knew not to trust dark wizards. Albus asked, "How do I know that is the real one and not a fake you are returning?"

Voldemort's eyes narrowed, "You doubt my word?" His voice held the threat of violence. "Because we are surrounded by so many innocent," he sneered the word in such a way as to terrify the students, "children, I will not kill you for questioning me. Choose someone to retrieve the stone and I will return it to you now."

Dumbledore said, "Ms. Riddle, get the stone." Many students were outraged by his command and silently cheered as Kira answered.

Kira snapped, "Get it yourself! I do not do your bidding."

Voldemort chuckled, "Leave it to a Slytherin to see through you, old man."

Before Dumbledore could respond Neville said, "I'll get it." The entire Gryffindor table, except Hermione, gasped.

Voldemort crooked up one side of his lips as Longbottom stood up and began to walk toward him. He stood imposingly still as Neville approached. He asked, "What is your name young lion?" His voice was not kind, but it was not as harsh as when he spoke to Albus earlier.

"Neville Longbottom, sir."

"I see..." he paused as if thinking, "You have your father's bravery young Mr. Longbottom because I am sure you know who I am." Neville nodded in response. "Can you prove your Gryffindor bravery and say my name?"

Neville gulped slightly and nodded again. He said, "You are Lord Voldemort."

Voldemort smiled, revealing glistening fangs. He held the stone out toward Neville. He said, in a voice strangely un-mocking, "Well done mister Longbottom. Here is the stone."

Neville took the remaining steps to be able to grab the proffered stone. He took the fist sized stone; his hands were not trembling. He knew this "monster" would not hurt him. He nodded slightly before stepping back. He turned around and walked confidently up to the head table.

Voldemort watched Dumbledore watching him and smiled. He raised his wand and Dumbledore's grip tightened on his. The Dark Lord spoke as Neville reached the head table, "I shall be leaving now. Try to remember that I am not as dead as your ministry would have you believe." He didn't lower his wand as he hissed Home. His personal port-key/wedding ring activated. The Dark Lord vanished from Hogwarts' great Hall.

Neville placed the Stone on the head table just as he heard Voldemort hiss something in Parseltounge. He turned and walked back to his place beside Hermione. He was not surprised to note that Voldemort was already gone. Kira said, "Headmaster, seeing as the thief of your precious Stone was Voldemort, I require an apology for your slander or I will take this to the school governors and I will have your job."

Albus glared at her. He couldn't believe how completely she had just assured her position of innocence. If he didn't apologize, the entire school would turn against him and he'd loose his job. He plastered his false smile on his face and said, "I owe you my deepest apologies Ms. Riddle and for falsely accusing you I give Slytherin twenty points as compensation."

Kira, we can't exactly get decent revenge if he looses his job so soon

True.

Kira seemed to think for a moment before she replied, "I will accept that, but if you ever accuse me falsely again, I will see that loosing your job is only the beginning of your punishment."

Harry smoothly followed her by saying, "I will gladly help, but enough talk of punishment. I believe Neville Longbottom deserves some applause, after all he stood before Voldemort without flinching, a true sign of a Gryffindor." Harry began to clap. Quickly the quartet and entire Slytherin house was clapping. As the serpent house stood to make it a standing ovation the rest of the school joined in. Neville blushed as he sat down beside Hermione, who had stood to join the ovation.

The applause died down and Dumbledore tapped his glass to gather everyone's attention again. "I wish to say a few words now that this morning's most unusual activity has ended. I hope to see everyone at the Quidditch Championship this afternoon. I wish the best of luck to both Hufflepuff and Slytherin in the game. I also hope the rest of the day is much less dangerous. Thank you." He sat down. A house elf popped in next to him about halfway through breakfast. Albus left moments later.

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"No, God dammit! Are you deaf or just daft?" the voice was enraged, echoing in the Headmaster's circular office.

"Sirius, please listen to me," Albus softly pleaded.

"No! I told you after you first explained everything to me. I will not put Harry through that."

"But don't you care? Don't you want to know what that monster did to him?"

Sirius took a deep breath and said as calmly as he could, "Listen to me Albus, I care. I love Harry as my own son. He is all I have left of two of my dearest friends and I desperately wish to know what his childhood has been like up till now." A brief smile of victory flitted across Albus' face and was quickly wiped away as Sirius continued. "But I will not authorize the use of Veritaserum. I know what that shit feels like and I will not subject a child to it."

"I know you want to protect him, but..."

"But nothing!" Sirius screamed as he slammed a fist into Albus' desk. "I am his Godfather! I am his legal guardian and the only family he has left. You are the reason he spent the last decade with a mad man, not me! I don't want to hear any more of your shit concerning him. From everything you've told me he is a happy well adjusted young wizard with five incredibly close friends."

"Slytherin friends."

"And two of them are bloody Gryffindors, unless you're lying again."

"I have never lied to you Sirius."

"No you only lied to the ministry," he said bitterly. "You told them you KNEW I was James and Lily's Secret Keeper. You were not present when the spell was cast, you had no way of truly knowing anything, yet you told them under oath that I was the Secret Keeper. The only reason I got a trial with the use of Veritaserum was because Peter showed up and claimed under oath that I wasn't. Your lies almost sent me, an innocent man, auror and member of the Order of the Phoenix at the time to Azkaban! God forbid if something had happened to Peter, I would have rotted in that hellhole because of you. Then you had the nerve to send Harry to the Dursleys even though Lily and James made you promise to give him to Peter or Remus before even considering Lily's sister. You fucked up Albus and rather than admitting it, you tried to cover it up."

"I apologized to you after the trial."

"Yes you did... but did that bring Harry back to me? Did that erase the time I spent surrounded by dementors? Did your apology mean anything to me? You betrayed me Albus. You betrayed Lily and James. You betrayed Harry."

"I only did what I thought was best."

"Best?! You only did what you thought was best? Harry spent his most formative years with a monster hell bent on conquering the world because you 'did what you thought was best'. Well clearly your idea of best just isn't good enough now is it?"

"Sirius, please calm down. Do you remember why Voldemort went after Lily and James?"

"Yes, I do, some stupid prophesy about their son being strong enough to defeat Voldemort."

"That is why I need to know what he did to Harry. I need to know if we can still save Harry and if he can still fulfill the prophesy."

Sirius grabbed a chair and launched it across the room in fury, "If you think I'm going to let you manipulate Harry like that you have another thing coming. Harry is no one's pawn, least of all yours. If you really truly hope Harry will turn to the light and fight Voldemort than you are going to have to butt out!"

"He needs my guidance."

"He needs nothing from you," Sirius ground out angrily. "You will keep your nose out of his life. I will try to bond with him, but if you continuously interfere, you will drive him away from the light forever. Just from what you've told me, I know he is going to be more like Lily than James. And unless you've forgotten in your old age, Lily could not be manipulated. She was a Slytherin, through and through, my guess is so is Harry. But I'm praying that if you butt out, he will be very much like her and be the kind caring person she was. Now I am going to go out to the quidditch pitch and find a seat for the game. Afterward you will introduce Harry and me, preferably in your office. Tomorrow, he and I will use your Floo connection to go to the manor I have been preparing for us since I received you letter. I will see you after the game."

Sirius strode from the room. Albus looked at his door after the man had left. He had no idea the man still harbored such anger toward him. He had wronged Sirius Black ten years ago and would never be forgiven. Albus wondered if he really was the best choice for Harry's guardianship. He couldn't do anything now, but in a few years something else may just turn up.

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Hermione and Neville shyly approached the quartet after breakfast. Harry smirked, "I think you almost gave your house a heart attack Neville."

Neville smiled slightly at the joke. He and Hermione had agreed to tell the quartet about telling Snape. They just hoped they'd be forgiven for betraying the Slytherins' trust. Hermione was almost certain that they wouldn't be.

"What's wrong?" asked Kira as waves of guilt and uncertainty washed over her and Harry's empathic senses. Harry tilted his head in inquiry.

"Can we go talk in private?" asked Hermione quietly.

"But not the clubhouse," added Neville uncertainly.

Harry nodded, "Sure, we can go to the Slytherin common room or an empty classroom if you're not comfortable with our territory." He was beginning to suspect why they were so nervous. Do you think they told Dumbledore?

I don't think they would have betrayed us that way. If they told anyone my guess would be Professor Snape.

Harry agreed with his sister. Hermione said, "An empty classroom would be nice."

Harry nodded somewhat grimly. "Follow me," he said as he began to walk toward the astronomy tower. He thought to Kira, They did tell someone... if it was Snape I think we can forgive them, maybe. If they told Dumbledore we have to rearrange their memories so they don't know anything important.

I agree, I just hope we don't have to manipulate their minds. I hate hurting people I care about.

I know, so do I, but with what they know...

I know, Kira's mind-voice was rather sad.

Harry opened the door of an empty classroom near the base of the tower. He ushered everyone inside. Kira cast a quick dusting charm and hopped up on the teacher's desk. Draco and Blaise strode in and leaned against two of the students' desks. Harry closed the door and cast a locking and silencing charm on it. Hermione and Neville were in the middle of the room as he did this. Hermione felt a small shiver run down her spine. She suddenly knew that if Harry and Kira felt the betrayal warranted it, she and Neville would not leave the room the same way they had entered it.

Harry said, "Okay, we're somewhere we can talk privately. What do you have to tell us?"

Neville gulped slightly. Hermione hardened her resolve and was still barely able to whisper, "We told Professor Snape."

The room was deadly silence. Did they only tell him or did they also tell Dumbledore?

I'll ask. Harry asked, "Is he the only one you told?"

Hermione took a deep breath and said softly, "No... we also let slip to the Weasel trio that Quirrell was after the stone, but that was an accident." She seemed to be begging with her voice, but begging what Harry wasn't quite sure.

"How did that accidentally slip?" asked Draco in his most sarcastic voice.

Neville replied, "They were sneaking out when we got back. They thought Professor Snape was stealing it for Voldemort. It just kind of slipped out that Quirrell, not Professor Snape was after the Stone."

"So you led them to believe that Quirrell worked for my Father?" asked Kira.

"Kind of," replied Hermione. "We only told them that Professor Snape was not after the Stone, but Quirrell was. They are the ones who assumed that meant he worked for Voldemort."

The quartet chuckled. Harry said, "They must really be wondering what the hell is going on now. Okay, so you screwed up and let three idiots know a bit of the truth, but why did you tell Professor Snape?"

"We hoped he'd stop Quirrell from reaching you guys..." Neville whispered.

"We didn't want his blood on our conscience," completed Hermione just as quietly.

"Is that really a valid reason to betray your friends?" asked Blaise sharply.

Hermione nodded. Neville looked down at his feet unable to speak. Kira asked, "Would you do it again?"

"If I thought I could keep someone who doesn't deserve to die alive, I would," Hermione said. "I don't want to betray my friendships, but there are some things that I inherently must do if I am to live with myself. I can't even fathom killing another person and the fact that Voldemort was going to kill one of my professors... I just..."

Are they strong enough to remain our friends?

They are still very innocent, brother. Perhaps if we agree to keep them out of the darker loop of our lives, at least for now...

That should work. They are already bound to keeping our other secrets and I really hate loosing friends, especially when their only 'crime' is having a light-side view of the world.

Harry broke the silence. Draco and Blaise had remained quiet, knowing the heirs were telepathically communicating. He said, "We don't want to loose your friendship. We care about you and can even understand your having a conscience. But we need you to decide if you can have friends like us. We are Dark, we are ruthless when necessary, and we are not going to change who we are for anyone. In spite of that we still want you as friends."

"And we are willing to leave you out of the loop when we feel you would be unable to handle it," added Kira.

"We can remain your friends?" asked Neville hopefully. Kira nodded slightly.

Harry said, "But only if you think you have the intestinal fortitude to handle knowing we are capable of killing. I will tell you this now, Kira and I have the blood of five people on our hands already. We do not regret that and if we feel it's necessary we will kill again."

"Five people and one troll for me," commented Kira.

"And one troll," amended Harry with a smirk.

"The troll would have killed us," said Hermione, "That was self defense."

"And the other five were revenge," responded Harry. "Can you handle knowing what we are and have done? Or will you decide we are too evil and walk away? The choice is yours."

The two lions both seemed lost in thought. Kira said, "We will leave you to think about it. Tell us at the Quidditch game or after it. All we ask is that you tell us before we leave for the summer. Think carefully about your decision. If you choose to sever our friendship, there will be no coming back."

Harry nodded, "Tell us soon." He then undid the charms on the door and left the room.

"I hope you're strong enough," murmured Blaise as she followed Draco and Harry out. Kira followed Blaise, her thoughts were an echo of Blaise's sentiment.

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The quidditch stands filled up rather quickly. The teachers' box once again had guests. Severus Snape scowled as he approached the box. Sitting behind Albus' seat were two of the Marauders. Sirius Black was seated comfortably next to Peter and Jasmine Pettigrew. Their two little rug-rats, whose names eluded Severus, were squirming in the seats between their parents. Severus nodded toward Jasmine and glared at Sirius, his eyes skipped over Peter all together. The ex-auror looked at the ex-Death Eater and smirked.

Severus remembered that smirk as if he had seen it only yesterday. He felt irrational anger grow inside himself. Severus truly did not want to be there at that moment. Severus attempted to walk past them without a confrontation, but lady luck was not with him. Sirius said, "Do my eyes deceive or do I spy Snivelus (forgive the spelling) before me?"

Severus stiffened and his onyx eyes bore into the cobalt he had grown to hate over the years. "Well if it isn't the black sheep of the Black family. Aren't you supposed to be six feet under by now?"

Sirius chuckled, "Nope. As old Mad Eye would tell you, constant vigilance keeps you alive. That was one lesson he drilled into my head and I never forgot it. But enough about me," he flashed one of his patented smiles, the smile which would turn a woman or man into putty in his hands. Severus always had hated that smile. "I hear you are the Potions Professor and head of your old house. How does it feel to have the son of James Potter lead your house to victory?"

"Sirius, leave him be," Peter said to his fellow Marauder.

Severus sneered, "I am proud to have Lily's son lead our former house to victory. I find it rather easy to forget the boy is James' son because he is nothing like the arrogant prick is father was."

Sirius stood and growled, "Do not ever insult James in front of me." His voice was soft and threatening.

"Struck a cord did I? Miss your ex-lover?" Severus taunted. He knew that nothing had ever happened between to two best friends because James had been straight as an arrow. But Sirius had been openly bi-sexual and everyone in their year had assumed Sirius had his eye set on his best friend.

Sirius darkly said, "If this was not a stand full of innocent people, I'd curse you into the next millennia."

"Ah Gryffindor nobility, or is that stupidity? I forgot how annoying it could be when fully developed in a grown man. I wish you hadn't reminded me."

Peter interjected then, "Stop it, Dumbledore is almost here. If he sees you sparring he'll get annoying."

Sirius nodded, "Well I guess our verbal sparring will have to wait until later. I know Albus will tell you, but you need to bring Harry up to his office after the game so we can be introduced."

That was the information Severus had been dreading. He did not want his favorite Slytherin wait did I just think that? turning into a miniature James and spending time with Sirius was a sure way to push him that way. Severus decided to ask, "Do you know where your godson has been the last ten years?"

Sirius nodded, "Yes, Albus told me. But have no fear; I am certain that a couple summers with me will set him straight."

"So to speak," muttered Severus as one last barb before moving past the Marauders and finding a seat. Sirius glared at him but refrained from retaliating as Albus smiled at him. Sirius nodded in return and resumed his seat. Severus was steaming. He hated the easy going arrogance which Sirius and James had always had while at school. Though perhaps it was a feeling of betrayed friendship which truly drove Severus to hate Sirius; Severus could still remember pre-Hogwarts when Sirius had been a good friend.

His musing was cut off as Lee Jordan began announcing the teams. Severus couldn't help the satisfaction dancing in his eyes as Harry flew out as Slytherin seeker. The boy had his father's natural flying talent and in spite of Sirius' words he knew the Gryffindor alum wished Harry was in Gryffindor not Slytherin. Severus watched his team take to the air and had a feeling that he would be holding on to the Quidditch Cup for another year.

Sirius watched his best friends' son fly around the pitch. He smiled; it was a sad, sweet reminiscing smile. He watched Harry and in his minds eye saw James soaring on his old Silver Arrow. Sirius wiped the moisture from one eye before a tear could form. He clapped loudly as Harry flew past the teachers' box.

The fourteen students landed in the center of the field. Madame Hooch released the snitch. A few moments later the Bludgers and Quaffle were released as well. The game was on. The Hufflepuff team once again showed mettle the likes of which Hogwarts hadn't seen from them in ages. Scoring went back and forth, almost goal for goal. Slytherin began to have penalties called on them after about forty minutes as their dirtier tactics came to the fore. The score soared to dead even 200-200 at the mark of eighty minutes. Suddenly Harry dove.

Harry had spotted the snitch less than two meters behind Cedric's head and decided to attempt a Wronski Feint. He heard Lee announce his dive and internally cheered when the Gryffindor announced that Cedric was following. His timing was impeccable as he pulled out of his near vertical dive at the very last second. Cedric didn't catch the feint in time and ploughed into the ground. There was a crunch as he hit, either his arm or broom, Harry couldn't tell.

"Potter executes a flawless Wronski Feint and takes out the Hufflepuff seeker," announced Lee. "Madame Hooch calls a time out as Cedric Diggory is taken from the field. This game is over ladies and gentlemen. Without a seeker Hufflepuff has no way of winning."

Sirius had been on the edge of his seat as Harry dove. When he pulled out of the dive, Sirius cheered. You should see this James. Harry truly has your gift for quidditch. Sirius watched Harry during the time out. He noticed his godson using the time to continue looking for the snitch. The boy's emerald green eyes sparkled as they darted about the pitch.

The whistle was blown after Madame Pomfrey took Cedric from the field. Not more than five seconds after the whistle sounded Harry dove again. He shot toward the Ravenclaw stands and pulled up holding the small winged golden ball aloft. The final score was 350-210. Sirius cheered as loudly as any Slytherin was. In fact he was almost as loud as the entire Slytherin section.

Severus just smirked in satisfaction. He had the Black Heir cheering for his Slytherins. Severus nodded to Albus as the old man gave him a meaningful look. He prepared himself the interrupt Harry's well earned celebration. Severus left the teachers' stand before anyone else did.

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AN: This is about half of what I had left, so I decided to stop and post this much... that means there now is only one chapter to go in year one... sorry this is taking so long, but I added stuff to this chapter.

REVIEW RESPONSES:

Szihuoko Well as you can see the Heirs really do care about their friends... it will be up to Hermione and Neville to decide. They didn't really punish the Gryffindors because Severus "is" a Death Eater.

jlmac Thank you very much. I plan (if I find it within myself and my muse to keep to it) to parallel all the books.

Shadowface (smiles) Yeah isn't it... I figured this is a HP fanfic, he might as well do something.

lonelysltherinslowlydying Dumbledore is the antagonist for me, I can't kill him yet. Though I love your suggestion...(I'm bi too)

LizaGirl Thank you. Yes Dumbledore was angry (but he's not completely stupid) he is however beginning to plot for next year... Severus is marked... that is all I will definitively say for now.

PhoenixFangScar Thank you. I try my poor best.

Tiffany Kleinhans Thank you very much... and I love long reviews... makes me feel special. I actually don't hate Dumbledore, I just really have problems with manipulation of innocence (and he makes a most entertaining antagonist). Thanks again and I really hope I'm able to do the other years as well.

Romulan Empress Thanks. Believe it or not, except for the name, I had the wanna-be Dark Lord stuff worked out before I started writing.You'll see more of Baphomet later in the series.

Kage Mirai Thank you. I will endeavor to do my best.

James-Padfoot THANK YOU. Now I will answer your questions as best I can (without spoiling future story lines). The question will be in italics and the answer will be normal.

1. From whom did Harry get the map from?

Well, even though this is AU, one of the Marauders may in fact work for Voldie... didn't I mention the Pettigrews were part of the Dark Family?

2. How did Harry get the cloak, if James left it under Dumbledore's supervision?

Well... Kira also has a cloak. These were gifts from Voldemort. Harry's isn't James' old cloak.

3. How did Sirius Black get off scott-free if Peter Pettigrew wasn't convicted? Even if they did blame him, surely they'd hunt him down? After all, he married, and will be having his daughter attend Hogwarts? If I am not mistaken...

You are not mistaken. The simplest explanation is that someone other than Peter or Sirius was the Secret Keeper, but I may be misleading you.

4. Will you still be using the canon for OOTP? If so, what about the prophecy? Wouldn't that mean a father-son head off?

Who's to say the Prophesy isn't a fake?

5. You never did mention when Kira was born, but referred to Harry and her as twin. They are even the same year. If Voldemort was threatened by Harry, and went out of his way to kill him, why didn't he kill him/take revenge when he could? Did Ann influence that? Please explain.

Sorry I can't give everything away yet.

6. Where is Remus Lupin and Sirius Black?

Well here was Sirius. As for Remus, he doesn't even know Harry's been "found" yet.

7. Why didn't Dumbledore administer any form of punishment when Harry returned from the Yule/Christmas holidays??

Dumbledore still wants to convert Harry. Punishing him will only alienate Harry. Dumbledore is a lot of things, but being a complete moron is not one of them (though he does some pretty stupid stuff every so often)

8. JK has stated that Blaise is a male. However, it is only recently she has cleared that for us, and by the date of this story, you had no way of knowing.

Yeah, but as I've said before I needed a female best friend for Kira and I just couldn't see the other Slyth girls in the role.

9. Even though Harry has been raised by Tom and Ann, does he now have any resentment towards Tom for killing James and Lily? For being left an orphan and tortured by the Dursleys..Does he know WHY Tom tried to kill him? And why he chose to later keep him? Why did Tom send Death Eaters to find baby Harry, was it to kill him at first? How did Tom know before DD what happened, had he sent the killers?

Harry knows a lot more than any of my readers. Tom sent a very TRUSTED Death Eater to kill the Dursleys and... well that's more of the twists to be revealed later.

10. Is Harry's wand core still the same, and what is Kira's wand like?

Wands? Oh yeah... you'll find out first chapter of second year.

Thank you again for your review, I hope I've answered enough to keep you interested. Also I promise that if something happens and at some point I decide not to finish this series, I will explain what was going on.