DISCLAIMER: I do not own Harry Potter, he belongs to J.K Rowling and if you are reading this and think any different then St. Mungo's should be your next port of call.

I recommend Jeanne2 "A Werewolf Betrayed?" If you like fics about Sirius and Remus.

Chapter 14: The World Stood Still

31st August

It had been a frantic day at Hide and Seek cottage with all three members frantically helping Harry to get ready for his departure to Hogwarts the next day. For such a momentous day that would end the ten-year exile of Harry Potter from the wizarding world and take him away from his Guardians who he had never gone more than a day without seeing, apart from when he was a baby, the mood was surprisingly upbeat.

Harry was the happiest he had felt ever. He had two loving guardians and he was about to go to Hogwarts that he had been hearing about since he was a baby and best of all he was going to prove his guardians innocent if it was the only thing he accomplished this year.

Harry had especially enjoyed his birthday and finally got to know what his special gift was; Sirius and Remus taught him how to apparate. They had woken him at four in the morning by pouring cold water on him and as soon as he went for his wand they stunned him. Harry woke up a short while later on the coast with a smirking Sirius and Remus standing over him shouting "Happy Birthday". All could think was "Sirius obviously hasn't forgotten that animal comment in a hurry"

After recovering from the initial shock where Harry had to stem the urge to stun Sirius for being so smug, the pair set to teaching Harry the theory of apparition and the common traps that most wizards fall into when getting it wrong. Two long hours later and Harry was able to apparate a few feet and was getting further on each try. Due to the fact that it was his birthday and the fact that Sirius and Remus didn't want Harry to suffer from magical burnout they called an end to the lesson and went home for a birthday breakfast.

Once that was out of the way the day went better than could have been expected. Harry nearly cried with joy at the owl Remus had managed to buy him and named the owl Hedwig after a name in one of his books on Magical Creatures. The pair had also bought Harry any last minute items he may need and all in all prepared him for a year at Hogwarts. This included a trunk that had three compartments. While not the most spacious trunk on offer it would hold everything Harry needed and more so it was not necessary to get Harry one with his own personalised dungeon in.

The month between his birthday had gone in an extraordinarily quick fashion as though the world was hurrying the re-entry of Harry Potter in to society. His training in apparition had gone well and he was now fully qualified in the sense that Remus and particularly Sirius could trust him to apparate correctly without them worrying that he may have done it wrong. His learning schedule had been slowed down, as Harry in certain areas of the curriculum knew more than most seventh year students. Of course this didn't stop Harry practising his duelling and sword fighting as much as ever as he really loved doing these activities and hoped that he would get a chance to continue with them once he arrived at Hogwarts.

Harry had been doing a lot of thinking in the month that had just passed and now on the 31st of August 1991 he found himself ready to enter the world that had labelled him a hero, to seek justice for the two people he cared mostly about. Sirius and Remus had told him that he would be subjected to a hell of a lot of attention as he was one of the most famous wizards ever and apparently a public hero. This had little affect on Harry as he didn't quite comprehend just how famous he was, in his mind it was just luck and the only thing special about him was a stupid scar that he hated.

Harry however had absolutely no intention of telling his guardians his plans concerning the school year. He was going to get their freedom if it killed him. They had done so much for him and it was time he repaid the favour. Of course there was the little matter of Dumbledore, the oaf of a minister Fudge who Remus had told him about and how it was likely that he would make life hard for Harry. Not to mention Voldemort to deal with if the rumours are to be believed. But if there's one thing Harry James Potter liked it was a challenge.

As he lay down to sleep for the night, his thoughts pondering what could be and what could have been he decided one thing, the three Marauders would return and he would lead the way in style. For one thing you can say about Harry, he don't do things by half, not by a long shot.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

September 1st, just another day for billions of people around the world but not for the inhabitants of Hide and Seek cottage, it was the end of an era. Sirius and Remus being the kind and considerate guardians that they are decided to charm Harry's school robes pink and the unfortunate child spent half an hour muttering counter-curses until he found the one that worked. All the time Harry was cursing "those two flea-bags" under his breath using words that Sirius was shocked to hear coming from his mouth but then remembered that he was probably the one that taught him so he kept his mouth shut. That prompted Remus to lecture him for a while after he had stopped laughing at Harry's robes. This only turned into another shambles though as when Remus threatened to wash out Harry's mouth out with soap and got a reply in the tune of "I'd like to see you try". Sirius thought that it would be funny to conjure a bar of soap to chase his Godson around. After about ten minutes Sirius repented on his Godson and handed him back his wand that he had managed to summon before Harry, just after he had conjured the soap.

After that it dawned on the trio just how much they would miss each other and when they looked at the clock they were horrified to learn that it was now gone ten o' clock and the Hogwarts Express would be leaving in under an hour. Harry quickly checked everything he had packed and also made sure that he hadn't forgot anything.

"You going to miss me then?" Harry said with a grin that in no way resembled the feeling of sadness that was passing through him.

"No" Sirius replied with a grin that looked about as real as Harry's one was.

"Will I be able to see you in the holidays?" Harry asked the question that he had been asking everyday since he knew he was going to Hogwarts.

"It depends Harry on what the world is like. If we can then you will see us straight away but if not don't lose hope Harry." Remus replied with a tired smile gracing his warm features.

"Remember Harry, no magic until you get to Hogwarts understand. We don't want the Ministry arresting you before you get there." Sirius told the child for the hundredth time.

"Yes mother!" Harry told his Godfather, which earned him a clip round the head from an outraged Sirius.

As the minutes to Harry's departure beckoned a solemn mood spread over all three of them as if the reality of the situation had finally sunk in. Remus took this time to ask Harry if he remembered everything.

"You got your school books Harry?" Remus asked.

"Yes"

"Wands?"

"Yes". Harry patted his wrist for reassurance that his wand was still in the wand holster and then did the same for his fathers' wand that was placed in his ankle holster.

"Broom?"

"Yes". Harry put his hand over his left pocket that his shrunken trunk was in.

"Sword?"

"Definitely!" Harry eagerly rubbed the invisible sword that was slung over his shoulder securely in its sheath.

"Potions Equipment?"

"Yes". Harry said with an exasperated sigh as he patted his left pocket again.

"Pranking Stuff?" Sirius butted in eager to know whether his Godson would uphold the Marauder legacy.

"Of course!" Harry replied with what had become his trademark lopsided grin.

"One last thing Harry." Sirius told Harry after casting a time spell. "Remember, the Marauders Map was in Filch's Office last time we heard, just look for the filing cabinet marked "James Potter and Sirius Black 6th-7th Year, that was when it was confiscated." Sirius told Harry and Harry nodded in response laughing at how Sirius and his father had three filing cabinets all to themselves.

"Sure" Harry told Sirius as his Godfather pulled him into a big hug with Remus soon joining in.

"I love you two, thank you, I owe you my life." Harry choked out; his voice trembling with emotion as waved his hand and a small crack Harry Potter re-entered the wizarding world.

"It's time." Sirius said to Remus who answered with a knowing nod.

"Let's go rat hunting." Sirius viscously told Remus with an evil vindictive smirk plastered over his normal happy and carefree face as he got prepared to find his one time best friend who had ruined, no hampered his life for the past decade as he was happy with Remus and Harry.

"I agree Padfoot" Remus slung his arm over his best friends shoulder as they prepared for leaving the cottage.

*/*/*/*/*/*

With a quiet pop followed by a thankful sigh, Harry Potter apparated into a side alley that was only a minute's walk from King's Cross-Station. He had apparated there with Sirius and Remus the week before as a trial run although they couldn't leave the alley because they didn't want to be seen.

With a casual look about him, Harry pulled the muggle overcoat he had put on just before apparating closer to him, shielding his robes and he started to walk the short journey to the train station. He blended in well with the muggles and nonchalantly made his way towards where Sirius told him the barrier was. He was starting to get slightly worried that he wouldn't be able to find the barrier when he saw a large group of red heads seemingly vanish into thin air as they disappeared through a section of wall.

Harry with a air of ease around him calmly walked at the section of wall he had just seen the red heads walk through and with an indescribable sensation he walked through what looked to be a solid wall.

When Harry first looked up he took an instinctive step backwards; there was so many people. He had never seen so many witches and wizards in one place, even on his trip to Diagon Alley and it was making him feel very nervous indeed. Losing most of his calm and collected persona, Harry quickly made his way towards the train walking as inconspicuously as possible trying not to draw attention to himself while nervously patting down his fringe in an attempt to cover his scar. Sirius and Remus had told him that when they had been seen in Diagon alley it was mentioned that he had a lightning bolt scar on his forehead apparently where the killing curse struck him but the less he thought about that the better.

As Harry approached the train he saw many children lugging trunks and wondered why their parents didn't just shrink them for their kids and when the children get to Hogwarts they could enlarge it, it seemed much easier.

Harry entered the train to a barrage of noise that he hadn't heard while outside. "Silencing charms," he thought as he made his way to find an empty compartment, as he had no desire yet to have company.

Harry made his way down the train more and more nervous that he would not be able to find a compartment to himself, as every one seemed full. His impromptu prayers were answered when around three quarters down the train he found a empty slot and with speed most people dreamed of shut the door and placed several locking charms on the door accompanied by a sign on the outside that read "Out Of Order". He was using magic again as though he was still a novice, he could sense the huge amount of magic on this train, he could almost taste it, and the magic was that strong it would definitely shield his use of magic.

Once Harry was settled he took out his trunk and with a brief wave of his hand and a concentrated look his trunk enlarged. After taking a deep breath to compose himself as wandless magic still tired him however slight, Harry settled down reading one of his Quidditch books to make the time pass.

Harry fell asleep reading his book and awoke a couple of hours later if his interpretation of the sky was correct and it was confirmed when he cast the time spell. Once Harry had regained his senses he realised it was the lady with the sweet trolley as Sirius had given him some money to get food along with a pouch of money that he was told not to touch unless he needed it.

Harry quickly realised that the lady with the trolley would know that his compartment was not out of order so he quickly willed his wand to his hand and with rapid incantations undid the locking charms and then vanished the sign. He was hoping that no one would notice that the compartment that was out of order was now open.

Luck was on Harry's side today as the lady with the trolley saw nothing out of the ordinary and hadn't noticed the "out of order" compartment. All she saw was a lonely first year that had a hungering for sweets.

After the trolley lady had departed, Harry waited ten minutes before re-locking the door and re-attaching the sign in case the trolley lady turned round but she just kept going so Harry settled down again to eat the mountain of sweets that he had just purchased.

Harry had obviously dozed off again as he awoke to shouting that seemed to be right outside his compartment. His brain then caught up and he realised there was shouting outside his compartment. In a flash his wand was in his hand and he quickly and as quietly as possible cast a hearing amplification charm followed by a disillusionment charm fearing the worst as he caught snippets of the conversation.

"I'm Head Boy and I'm in charge." The person that was obviously head boy said.

"I'm Head Girl and we're in charge." She corrected the boy dislike evident in her voice.

"I swear someone is in there." A new voice spoke up, a squeaky high-pitched girl's voice.

"Alohomora" The person that Harry knew as the Head Boy cast but Harry knew nothing would happen.

The Head Girl then muttered a charm that Harry couldn't quite catch then spoke to the Head Boy in a low voice so Harry only caught bits of the conversation.

"…Several locking charms…powerful…only a sixth or seventh maybe …teachers may have locked it…both of us together…should be enough…on three…one…two…three."

"Explico" Two voices suddenly bellowed in unison and with a bang the compartment door slid open.

Harry then saw the head boy and girl enter and he could tell that they were powerful as their combined version of the powerful unlocking charm proved. Behind them was the other voice that Harry heard. There stood a little girl with brown bushy hair and an intellectual look upon her face. Harry knew immeadiatly that this was the girl that told the head boy and girl about the compartment.

As the head boy and girl scrutinised the room Harry wished that he could turn invisible but Sirius said he only knew one person that could turn invisible for longer than a few seconds using magic and that was Dumbledore. Sirius after years of practice could only turn invisible for a few seconds while Remus couldn't do it at all so Harry knew that he had no hope.

It must have been Harry's lucky day as the head boy and girl didn't spot him and left with the head boy muttering about Gryffindors, Weasley twins and stupid older students whilst the head girl looked like she was about to laugh.

Where Harry's luck nearly run out was when the bushy haired girl sat to down and to Harry's horror pulled out a book he was familiar with out of her rucksack, "Hogwarts: a History". It was the longest book Harry owned and would take days to read.

"Damn" Harry thought, "She's going to be here for hours, how can I prepare for my entrance?" It was if a God was helping Harry today because after half an hour as the train got closer to Hogwarts the bushy haired girl rose and left with one last glance around as if expecting to see something she had missed.

After Harry had counted to thirty to make sure the girl was not coming back he began to make his way cautiously to the trains exit still disillusioned but that wouldn't stop people seeing him if they looked hard enough. It was because he his in the shadows whilst in the carriage that no one saw him but out here there was no hiding.

It was a quiet trip to where the exits were located and Harry only had to pass one small chubby boy who was running around looking for "Trevor", whoever that was.

As Harry reached the exits it seemed from the view he got and the sudden lurch in his stomach that the train was slowing down. After another couple of minutes the train screeched to a complete halt and all the exit doors opened. Harry quickly made his way out on to the platform so that he wasn't squashed by hundreds of hungry students. Making his way quietly past where the carriages were located Harry silenced his footsteps wandlessly as he made his way to the lake. As he approached it was with a pang of sadness that the saw the majestic Thestrals looking back at him with what could have been a look of respect if Thestrals were capable of human mannerisms.

Harry swiftly made his way to the lake praying that people would leave him alone when he got to Hogwarts but knowing that it wouldn't happen. Harry cancelled the disillusionment charm that he had placed on himself hours before and took to regaining some of the magic that had been lost as it was quite taxing on Harry to keep the disillusionment on himself for that long.

During the short trip to the lake where Harry was visible, he mentally prepared himself for what was to come. He knew that everyone would be in shock and that some people may even try to curse him and he may even have to defend himself. Harry hoped it would never come to that as Sirius and Remus had warned him about revealing the full extent of his powers even if he may well skip years.

Harry then had to rush to join the rest of the first years who like Sirius had told him, had to cross the lake on boats just like it had been for centuries for reasons no one really knew just that it was tradition.

"Firs' years! Firs' years over here!" A booming voice rang out that Harry identified immeadiatly as Hagrid the Gamekeeper who Remus had told him about. He had said that though Hagrid was half-giant he was kind and a good person who Harry should get to know and Harry intended to try and make friends with Hagrid as if Remus and Sirius like him then he couldn't be that bad.

Harry clambered into one of the rickety boats quickly and was joined seconds later by two girls that were so interested in talking to each other that they barely even noticed that Harry was in the boat. As the boats left the shores and self propelled themselves to Hogwarts, Harry was thinking about his new owl Hedwig that Sirius had promised to send to Hogwarts the next day.

As the boats got closer to Hogwarts, Harry saw for the first time the true beauty and brilliance that was this wonderful castle. It took his breath away and a sense of returning filled him as if it was a part of him had been missing all of his life and had just came back to him.

Harry quickly clambered out of the boats and quickly dropped to the back of the crowd as the group walked up a huge flight of stone steps towards a massive Oak door. Hagrid knocked three times and Harry prepared himself to face the crowds.

But Harry being the son of a Marauder and raised by two others couldn't resist making the situation more extreme than it already was. He quickly changed his black school robes for the more intimidating battle robe that he owned using a transfiguration spell that he had learned specifically for this purpose. Adding to the fact that he quickly used a spell to make his hair stick up effectively showing his scar. Harry also used the strongest glamour spell he knew to hide his scar temporarily but knew it would last 15 minutes at most. Harry now looked much more dangerous than he did before.

There was one thing that was still puzzling Harry though and that was how you got sorted. While Harry knew all about the four houses, Sirius and Remus adamantly refused to tell him how it was when you get sorted. Although Sirius had Harry believing for a week that you had to wrestle a troll in which time Harry read up on the best spells to defeat them with. Remus had even gone as far as vanishing the pages in Hogwarts a History that contained the relevant information.

Once Hagrid knocked the doors opened immeadiatly. A tall, black-haired witch in emerald-green robes stood there surveying the first years with a stern look upon her face. Harry knew this to be Professor McGonagall, the Head of Gryffindor house. True to his thoughts she introduced herself a second later and then went on to give the speech that Sirius says she gives to students every year. Harry tuned it out, as it was something of a competition between Sirius and Remus to repeat the speech in the best McGonagall voice.

As they walked through the massive entrance hall, Harry could hear the buzz of noise that came undoubtedly from the Great Hall and he begun to get nervous. Then McGonagall spoke up again telling the students that she would be right back.

He listened to some children talking about how it might be a test and heard the bushy haired girl whisper all the spells she knew. Harry thought if he did that that he would be here for hours. Harry hoped it would be a test but he got the feeling in his stomach that it wouldn't be that easy. His nerves were eased as he heard a red headed boy tell others that his brothers had told him that he would have to face a troll. This brought a smile to Harry's face.

Just then many ghosts came flying past talking but at the same time McGonagall came back and ushered them in single file into the great hall. Harry was the last but one in the line, a small girl behind him.

As Harry stepped in to the hall he was in awe, he had never seen such a grand place. The hall was lit by thousand upon thousand of candles and there was four long tables to represent each house with what looked like a staff table looking over all four. These tables were laid with glittering golden plates and goblets. Harry looked up and saw an enchanted sky and it was even more beautiful than it sounded when Remus described it too him.

Harry quickly looked down in shock as Professor McGonagall placed a four-legged stool in front of the first years without a word gracing her lips. On top of the stool she put a pointed wizard's hat. This hat was patched and frayed and extremely dirty. Harry wondered if this was a joke or that maybe as in muggle fairy tales you had to pull a rabbit out of it and what colour the rabbit was defined what house you were in.

Then Harry was in a state of shock and wonder as the hat opened it's mouth and started to sing a haunting melody that had everyone in the room shocked.

"When the world was dark

And skies were grey

Evil ruled the universe

Held the light at bay

But four refused

They would not fall

They founded this school

Stood so tall

Brave Gryffindor so strong

Smart Ravenclaw wise

Sweet Hufflepuff so loyal

Slytherin's cunning surmised

Years later the dark

Is re-materialising

The world is doomed

Unless you are realising

Evil was not banished

It only went away

It will get much stronger

A world in disarray

But fear not people

The power has come

I feel it in the room

It will right a tragic wrong

The world is on a knife-edge

It could go either way

Years to come will only tell

Whether evil goes away

The dark is bleak

It crushes hearts

Can corrupt poor souls

Don't let it last

I'll give fair warning now

Heed my call

Unite or Crumble

You must stand tall

So be as one

Come together

Let hope brim up

And we may last forever.

With that the Sorting Hat stopped singing to deafening silence as everyone was pondering the words that it had just said. Then the talking started and it got louder and louder until Dumbledore raised his wand a fired several bangs that shut the hall up. Luckily for Harry, Dumbledore was too pre-occupied about the noise in the hall to realise someone was standing there in Non School uniform.

"Let the Sorting commence." Dumbledore said in a weary voice.

Professor McGonagall now stepped forward holding a long roll of parchment.

"When I call your name, you will put on the hat and sit on the stool to be sorted," she said.

"Abbott, Hannah!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!" shouted the hat.

"Bones, Susan!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

"Boot, Terry!"

"RAVENCLAW!"

"Brocklehurst, Mandy"

"RAVENCLAW"

"Brown, Lavender"

"GRYFFINDOR"

"Bulstrode, Millicent"

"SLYTHERIN"

"Finch-Fletchley, Justin!"

"HUFFLEPUFF!"

By now Harry was getting worried waiting in line and could have killed Sirius if he had been there. "I am going to be the last one left and everybody is going to look at me and wonder what the hell I am doing at Hogwarts. Great!" he thought

Harry was so worried he tuned the sorting out and barely remembered the bushy haired girl and the boy who was running down the train corridor both were sorted into Gryffindor. He also saw that Draco Malfoy got sorted into Slytherin. He took attention to this as Sirius said he was distantly related to them once and that they were very evil. The hat just topped his head before shouting "SLYTHERIN."

The Sorting was coming to an end and Harry knew that everyone would soon realise that he hadn't had his name called out. People were already beginning to notice him dressed differently now that most of the people had sat down. Once the last person "Blaise Zabini" had become a Slytherin, Professor McGonagall rolled her parchment up and began walking to the staff table until she saw Harry standing there.

By now the whole of the Halls eyes were boring into him and distantly Harry saw Dumbledore rise from the staff table. Harry quickly checked that his shields were erected and were at full strength as McGonagall looked at him.

"Who are you and how did you get in to Hogwarts, you are not on the list." McGonagall told Harry thinking that he looked familiar.

Harry would have cast Sonorous but there was no need, the entire hall was deadly silent waiting for this stranger's response.

Harry drew himself up and let the feeling of power swirl around him as his bright emerald green eyes flashed with power and when he spoke it was in a dangerous tone.

"My name is Harry Potter!"

McGonagall fainted, children screamed, people grabbed their wands

The world stood still, the lost hero had returned.

AN

I Officially Hate Coursework Big Time! Sorry, Sorry, Sorry, time kept running away from me.

Does the Hogwarts Express leave at 11 as I said or was it 10. I'm not sure and haven't got a copy of the book handy.

Now that is what I call a better-sized chapter. Sorry about the delay but I've been swamped but now it has subsided and many updates should be forthcoming over the duration of Easter. Those people who encouraged me thank you and remember; "good things come to those who wait!"

About Ron and Hermione and what part they will play. The answer is I'm not sure. Give me your own ideas as I've had many about them some good some evil but at the moment it's up in the air.

To all my reviewers who answered the issue of how the year should be you all raised some good points. I've decided to… Wait, I'll just let you read on and find out.

Potter Reader: I had the same notion.

Jeanne2: I'm touched that you put my story on your bio, so as you've probably seen I've returned the favour. It's the least I could do. Don't fret Padfoot and Moony will play a large role in the story right till the end.

kateydidnt: I agree completely, while Harry will be the same person and his personality will remain the same mostly, he will definitely not act like he would do in canon. It's an AU story after all.

Darak: Thanks for your review. While I don't totally agree about the prices I have gone back and changed that part of chapter seven and if you read that part again I hope it's up to your expectations.

Faceless One: I do understand and thanks for the continued input.

Yana5: Harry already has two wands, his and his fathers, I don't see the need for more.

Midknight: Thanks again for the review. I heard about your story on Omagic's review page. Is it going to be H/T as that is the best fic? You had better start posting soon. Do you need a beta? I'm available for beta reader if you want one.

Badbugz: Interesting theory that's all I'm saying.

Once again I thank my reviewers for giving me great feedback

Cheers

Halstead