Hi everyone!

I hope that you have enjoyed the story thus far. Please remember to leave reviews to let me know how you are likg the story so far. As always I look forward to your comments!

Chapter 8

Faster than you can say quidditch, the foursome was deposited on the sidewalk in front of the Black ancestral home in London, England. Luckily for Harry, Regulus had grabbed a hold of her arm to keep her steady as they landed; otherwise, her first experience with portkeys wouldn't have gone so well.

Finally standing steadily on her feet, Harry began to look around in confusion. '10, 11, 13,' Harry thought, 'Wait a minute! That's not right.'

"Sirius," Harry called out. "Didn't that you say number 12 Grimmauld Place? It doesn't exist."

Harry tried to think about the problem but found herself unable to focus and nearly forgot what the problem was in the first place. As her head started to spin, a slip of paper was placed in front of her eyes. 'The Black family can be found at number 12 Grimmauld Place, London, England.'

As soon as Harry processed the words on the slip of paper, number 12 suddenly appeared before her. It seemed that the home grew between 11 and 13 before her very eyes in a startling display of magic.

"Wicked!" Harry exclaimed as the rest of the family chuckled behind her. "Was that the fidelius?"

"Correct in one," Sirius praised as he pats her on the back. "In a way, it didn't matter what I told you. If Calliope didn't show you the secret, you'd still be trying to figure it out! Let's get inside before we attract too much attention. It's not every day that people just pop up out of nowhere. I'll need to make sure to reapply some of these muggle-repelling wards. I swear that old lady at that park bench looked over here for a moment."

With that said, Sirius opened the door and held it open for his charge. As soon as Harry walked into the recently rejuvenated house, the lights flashed and momentarily blinded her.

"Surprise!" was suddenly shouted, startling Harry, who reflexively countered with a quick chain of stupefy, incarcerous, stupefy and petrificus totalus before she leaped behind the sofa. There were several shouts, and a few thumps, as a couple of redheads went down in a heap!

"Yep!" shouted a familiar voice.

"That's our Harry!" agreed another.

"Do you think," the first voice continued.

"That we could get her to hex Mum and Ronniekins more often?" finished the other.

"I'm sure that we can make quite the case in our favor!" declared the first behind some horribly disguised laughter.

"Fred?" Harry asked from her cover. "George? Is that you?"

"Of course it is, kid!" Fred shouted from behind a chair.

"Who else would drop everything," said George.

"To come to wish you a happy belated birthday?" finished Fred.

Peaking over the top of the sofa, Harry was shocked to see the entire Weasley family, Prof. Remus Lupin, Prof. Minerva McGonagall, Rubeus Hagrid, a pink-haired woman that he didn't know, an unknown woman who had a smile like Sirius, an average looking man who looked like a solicitor, and finally the person he wanted to see most.

"Harry!" shouted a bushy-haired missile as it tackled her from her position and onto the floor. The air was slowly squeezed out of her as Hermione began to give one of her patented "Hermy Hugs" to her unprotected ribs.

"Hermione!" Harry gasped. "Need to breathe!"

"Oh, Harry!" Hermione worried. "I'm so sorry! I was ever so excited to be invited to finally see you, and I just couldn't help myself! Have you finished your summer homework yet? Are you doing ok? I have missed you ever so much. It's been so long since we've been able to talk, and everything that Sirius has told us was just so hard to believe. I want you to know that I am here and that I will always be here for you if you need me. I hope that we have time to catch up before it's time for us to go back to school. I want to hear everything that's happened with you over the summer, and I can tell you all about everything that you've missed! Mum and dad have given me permission to stay for the next week, so we should have plenty of time to catch up before heading off to school!"

"Hermione," Harry chuckled at his best friend's antics. "When will you ever learn to breathe when you talk? I promise that we will talk and that I will tell you everything that has happened since school let out. But to answer your most pressing question, yes, I have finished my homework. I'm fine, and I missed you too. Thank you for caring. We can talk more later tonight, ok?"

"Alright, Harry," Hermione said with a blush at Harry's closeness. The bushy-haired girl had realized that she had fallen for Harry quite some time ago and had decided that it was time that her best friend knew how she felt about her. True, Hermione had never before been attracted to a girl, but this was her Harry. She could read Harry like a book when she really wanted to, and Harry was sending out all kinds of signals due to her new abilities as a metamorph.

"So, Harry," Hermione smirked as her face inched closer to Harry's. "Is there any reason why your face and hair are turning such a lovely shade of pink?"

Turning an even brighter pink, Harry quickly jumped to her feet and helped Hermione up.

"No reason!" she quickly lied to her friend. Taking a moment to calm herself down, Harry's hair returned to its natural black state. "Just an odd effect of my new abilities."

The spikey-haired punk-rocker laughed from where she was chatting with Remus, causing Hermione to doubt her friends' words. Before she could interrogate Harry any further, a familiar voice boomed from behind them.

"There yeh are, Harry!" Boomed Hagrid's voice as he hoisted Harry and Hermione up and into a great big hug causing the girls to giggle as his beard tickled their faces. "I'm so glad ter see that yeh are happy an' healthy. We were all worried when we heard that yeh had disappeared. Now that yer back, things can get back ter normal round here."

"I don't know if my life can exactly be called "normal" Hagrid," Harry replied to her first friend. "But it is great to see you. How's fang?"

"Yeh may be right about that," Hagrid chuckled. "The bloody coward went and ran off again during that storm the other night. Don't know why he's always running off. He's too bloody scared ter get too far with all the beasts that live in the forest. My friendship with Aragog is the only thing that keeps the mutt from becoming some acromantula' s dinner."

"Hey, Hagrid!" shouted Remus. "You can't keep young Harry here all to yourself. Everyone here is still waiting to see the birthday girl."

"I s'pose yer may have a point there Lupin," Hagrid agreed before giving Harry a final squeeze. "Don't be a stranger now Harry. I had only a few moments ter spare terday and have to get back ter Hogwarts. Big things are happening this year! I shouldn't have said that… I should not have said that!"

Disappointed that he may have given something away, Hagrid trudged out the door and headed back to the school. Harry, Hermione, and Remus each chuckled at the friendly half-giant as the man never could keep a secret.

"Hi, kids," Remus jovially greeted them "Sorry to pull you away from your reunion with Hagrid, but there are others that are wishing to speak with you and wish you a happy birthday."

"Thanks, professor," Harry replied with a grin. "I don't know if our bones could have survived another hug from Hagrid. As gentle as he normally is, those hugs could crush a boulder!"

"Just Remus or Mooney, Harry," Remus laughed. "I'm not your professor anymore. It was fun while it lasted but it was time to move on. I hear that Sirius has spent this past month training you in defense and battle magic. I shall have to check on your progress to see how far you have come along. Then again, from that spell chain you hit Molly and Ron with, I'd say that you have come along quite well in your studies."

"Thanks, Mooney," Harry blushed. "Padfoot had Reggie and me training nearly every day this month. He also found my Mum and Dad's journals in transfiguration and charms packed away in the family vault. The things that they came up with were amazing, and I've come a long way in both subjects! I can't wait to show you what I've learned while I was away."

"I think that I would like to see what you can do now as well, Harry," Hermione said beside her with a grin.

"Well, in that case, we will need to make a day of it!" Remus exclaimed. "Sirius has a dueling room down in the basement that we can use to let off a little steam. I'm sure he'd love a rematch from the last time I mopped the floor with him!"

"What lies am I hearing come from this mangy cur?!" shouted Sirius as he entered the room. "I'll have you know that it was I who mopped the floor with your shaggy hide!"

"You most certainly did not, you old fleabag!" countered Remus.

The two continued to argue as they walked away, Remus winking back at them as the old Marauders left the room. Harry and Hermione laughed at the duo's antics and found a larger area in the sitting room where they could sit and catch up with everyone that had come to wish her well.

Harry spent the rest of the day opening presents and spending time with his friends. Harry had received many presents, and each was impressive in its own way.

The first gift had come from Sirius, who had given her a pocketknife that could pick any lock and had Harry's name engraved along its side. Calliope had given her a brush that was enchanted to untangle even the most difficult of knots, along with a matching pocket mirror. Regulus had given her a quidditch almanac from the twentieth century that showed off some of the greatest plays known to date. The next gift had come from Prof. McGonagall, who had given Harry a book on transfiguration that the professor had written herself! The Weasleys had gifted Harry with a new broom maintenance kit, which her Firebolt was in desperate need of, along with an assortment of fudge and other sweets that Molly had baked for the young Potter heiress. Fred and George had given Harry some pranked candies, while Ron and Ginny had gifted both Bertie Bots Every Flavored Beans and a couple of Chocolate Frogs. Hagrid had gifted Harry an acromantula silk cloak that he had harvested from the Forbidden Forest, and the Tonks family had given her a book titled Metamorphmagi: The Power of Change. Even Percy had gifted Harry with an updated book on Hogwarts and all of the rules that students were expected to follow. Harry thanked all of them for their gifts before finding one more that had been hidden in the back.

The final present had come from Hermione.

Harry slowly unwrapped the gift as she made sure not to damage the paper that the item was wrapped in. Within the perfectly wrapped box, Harry found a beautiful silver bracelet with several charms affixed along its sides. Each charm held a significant meaning to Harry's life, and her breath caught in her throat when she gazed upon them. There was an owl, a broomstick, a snitch, a wand, a basilisk, and the last was a grim. Each charm on the bracelet sparkled in the light of the room, and Harry was blown away at the thought behind the gift.

"Thank you so much, Mione," Harry said as he hugged her best friend. "I can tell that you put a lot of thought into that gift. Help me put it on?"

With a gentle smile, Hermione placed the charm bracelet around Harry's wrist and shut the catch to hold it in place. Harry raised her hand and admired the gleaming silver as the light of the room shimmered across its surface.

After the gifts had been passed, a celebratory feast was held for everyone to partake in. After filling themselves with the available stew, meat skewers, veggies, and fruits, the gathering dwindled down, and everyone went their separate ways to chat and catch up on what was happening in each other's lives.

Regulus had become unnerved at Ginny's blatant staring, and Harry teased the younger girl that she was beginning to drool on herself. As stoic as always, Regulus told Harry that he would go and keep his mother company. Harry had learned that a male Veela could mask a female Veela's allure with his own and could nullify some of its power. This was a defense mechanism that their race used to protect their females from unwanted attention.

Harry wasn't doing much better herself. She couldn't keep her eyes off Hermione. As far as she was concerned, her best friend had become even more breathtaking over the summer hols. She couldn't believe that it took her so long to see Hermione as more than just a friend. The way that her wild hair framed her face and how she worried her bottom lip just so when she was thinking about something. Just watching Hermione was making Harry's mouth salivate.

The only drawback to this day was Harry's best mate, Ron. The redhead seemed to be a little standoffish since Harry's arrival and hadn't spoken a single word to her since he had been innervated. Ron had given her several furtive glances but never once attempted a conversation. Harry had blasted him with one of the stunning spells when they had arrived at the manor, and she was certain that's why he was behaving so oddly. Then again, the looks Mrs. Weasley was throwing her way were starting to creep her out a little.

"Don't worry about Ronald, Harry," Hermione whispered to her distracting her from her thoughts. "He's just sulking because of the attention and gifts that you're getting. Jealous prat. One of these days, his jealousy is going to get him in trouble, and he will have no one to blame but himself."

"Are you sure that's all it is, Mione?" Harry asked, using the nickname she always used for her. "You don't think that he's upset about finding out that I'm a girl?"

Hermione looked at Harry as if she had sprouted a third eye.

"Oh my!" Hermione gasped. "I didn't think of it that! How could I have been so stupid? Of course he would feel that way! His best mate of three years is now suddenly a girl! Why didn't I see it?"

"Hmmm," Harry mused. "You must be getting lack witted in your old age."

Hermione smacked Harry upside the back of her head for her cheek, causing her to huff indignantly.

"You haven't changed, have you?" Hermione laughed. "You're still the same Harry that I met on the train back in our first year."

"You know it," Harry declared. "I'm still just Harry. Well, I'd like to think I'm much better looking now. Who would have thought that I would be such a babe?"

"Harry!" Hermione groaned and smacked her friend with a cushion. "Still such a prat!"

"You know you love me!" Harry said before giving that sexy smirk that she was known for.

"Of course I love you!" Hermione said without much thought before realizing what she admitted to. She suddenly squeaked and ran up the stairs in a manner eerily similar to a young Ginny Weasley. Harry quickly followed her to hopefully have a private conversation that was long overdue.

"Well," George said from his position in the entryway.

"That was quite interesting," Fred followed up.

"But not quite unexpected," George carried on.

"What are the chances," came Fred.

"That these two still get together," said George.

"Regardless of what anyone has to say?" finished Fred.

"Well, I look forward to the results of that conversation," Sirius said as he and Remus snuck up from behind the twins with a laugh, causing the two redheads to jump in surprise.

"Whatever happens, boys," Remus said. "Look out for those girls. I know that Harry can take care of herself, having studied with Padfoot here, but she wouldn't forgive herself if anyone went after Hermione because of her."

"If this goes the way that I think that it will, Mooney," Sirius started. "Hermione could become the target of bullying. As a half-blood, Harry won't have such a hard time. However, Hermione is muggle-born and will be seen as an easy target."

"Got it, boss!" the red-headed twins said in unison.

"Wait, Padfoot?" Fred asked.

"Did you say Mooney?" followed George.

"As in the Marauders?" Fred asked.

"Ah, that's right," Sirius chuckled. "Harry said that it was you two that found our map and have been the top pranksters of the school. After us, of course."

"I believe that an induction is in order," Remus followed up with mock seriousness. "You have truly done the Marauders proud.

"We are not worthy!" the twins cried as they fell to their knees. The duo began groveling in worship of the mythic heroes that were standing before them.

"Listen to my words of wisdom, boys," Sirius ordered solemnly as Remus fought the urge to split his sides. "Each generation has its version of the Marauders who take up the mantle of Pranksters Extraordinaire. Will you take on this holiest mission and prank till you can prank no more?"

"Will you make it your sworn duty to target the bullies of the school and teach them true humility?" asked Mooney.

"Will you bring justice to the students who can't defend themselves and protect them from the bullies of the school?" asked Sirius.

"We will!" declared George and Fred, more serious than they had ever been before in their lives.

"Then rise a Marauders!" declared Padfoot as he knighted the twins with a rubber chicken that he withdrew from the air, giving it a little honk as it passed over their shoulders.

"Mr. Padfoot would like to congratulate you on your induction into this most sacred order," Sirius announced.

"Mr. Mooney would also like to extend his heartfelt appreciation for the addition of Messrs. Gred and Forge to our most illustrious of ranks!" exclaimed Remus excitedly.

The old wolf hadn't felt this alive in years. With Padfoot free, and the idea of all the mischief that was bound to be inflicted upon the Wizarding World, Remus Lupin was bubbling with excitement!

"Fred, do you know what this means?" George asked his brother.

"I think so, George," Fred replied. "But how are we going to get young Malfoy to dance around the great hall in a tutu to swan lake at the opening feast?"

'Not that!" barked George. "However, that is an excellent idea, just not the right time!"

"We're Marauders!" Fred said, finally connecting the dots!

"That you are my friends," Sirius said with a mischievous smile as he stood beside them. "I can't wait to help you get ready for the year!"

"Tell us more about this idea involving young Draco and the great hall," Remus whispered conspiratorially. "We may just be able to help you out!"

At that comment, the four marauders erupted with laughter and quickly left the room for Sirius's office. They spent the remainder of the evening drafting plans for several pranks that the duo would share with Hogwarts and its students, which would be remembered for years to come.

Hopefully, the school will remain standing by the end of their reign!