Wot!

Smiling broadly he tossed it lightly to me and catching it easily I unwrapped it. It wasn't my Firebolt, but it was still pretty good! A Nimbus 2001!Not bothering to wonder how Remus had gotten me one I smiled again and I looked eagerly at Remus who had a second one in his own hands and began cheering. I was ecstatic! I hadn't ridden a broom in sooo long! Consequently, we ended up wolfing down breakfast (no pun intended) and shrunk my stuff, put it in a bag with a zipper on it fixed my eyes (about bloody time! I had hit my head on the door again earlier that morning) and hurried into the yard. He also concealed my scar, but the charm could be broken and Mad-eye would probably see through it. He clipped a compass onto his broom (a Nimbus 2000) which I assumed Sirius had bought for either himself or Moony and with a last glance at each other (Remus looking slightly ill) kicked off. Next stop, Hogsmeade!

Now, it's a good thing that we weren't being escorted as I'm sure that I would have made at least a few of them sick. Remus made a beeline for Hogsmeade while I did loop-de-loops spirals and a good assortment of stunts all the way there. Imagine about 4 order members trying to keep track of me! Now, watching Quidditch is one thing, but watching someone flip upside down and under too many times, not a pleasant experience. But I had a good time! Of course, we had left early in the morning so it was dark out and I couldn't go to far from Remus. After a while I got a little less enthusiastic, mostly sticking to Remus.

Eventually we reached our destination and landed at the Shrieking Shack. Remus grumpily led me down the streets of Hogsmeade (lack of sleep will do that to you I figured) until he found what he was looking for. I assumed it was Mad-Eye's house, but it was so, normal. Well, for wizards anyway. Now, I didn't have much experience in these things but it looked to be in the same style as all the ones next to it; more normal if anything. It lacked decoration of any kind, save an old set of pots and pans attached to the door. If we tried to open the door without being asked in, Moody would know about it. Remus then approached the door (quite a brave thing to do in my opinion) and knocked a sing song tune on it. We didn't hear anything for a moment, then we heard a clunk, clunk on the floor inside and the door was edged open slightly. Mad-Eye's head popped out and checked to see who was there; his magical eye whizzing around checking for unseen people behind us. He proceeded to open the door all the way, grabbed the front of my rather enormous shirt (having to quickly twist his hand through the material multiple times it was so big) and with one tug pulled me inside. Remus was given the luxury of walking in himself and closing the door behind him.

The second he had us in he held us at wand point and began asking us questions to confirm our identity. Once satisfied (by then I'd wracked my brain trying to remember everything I'd done yesterday morning) he led us to the kitchen where he began setting up some food for a lunch. We each made our own sandwiches (poorly made as he seemed to lack the normal definition for lunch meat) and sat down at a very sturdy table to eat them which, by the way, was very uncomfortable. There was no talking, Remus and Mad-Eye it seemed were trying to ignore each other and I wasn't about to try anything to fix that problem. It was almost 9:00 now so I hadn't eaten for hours, not to mention that the ride here had made me hungry. It seemed the reverse for Remus, that or turkey, mustard and mayonnaise shouldn't be mixed together; he was hardly eating at all.

Lunch done, Moody got down to business. Looking at me he cleared his throat and said simply "You know why you're here. I didn't invite ye, so you stay outta my way, and I'll do the same for you."

Remus didn't take this very well and the argument began. "S'cuse me? Harry isn't exactly jumping for joy to be here either!"

"Stupid mutt! Don't call him that! I'm sure your nephew thing has a different name!" Moody yelled back, his usual paranoid self. But he really did need an alias. Maybe like Morgan or- His thoughts cut off abruptly by Remus who growled nastily, enough to rival any dog.

"You think I want him here with you?" he spat out the last word as if it was poison. "He should be with me! But we'll think up a name before I leave, don't want Mad-Eye going crazy you know." Oh man, maybe I should hide behind the counter or something? Eager to see what Moody looked like, I drew my eyes from the safety of the counter.

He was pissed; you just didn't insult that guy. He made his way to the front door in the other room, swung it open, pans rattling and said loudly pointing his finger to the street "Out!"

Remus didn't seem to know what to say to this and instead muttered "I'm here to help him get used to you, this way he won't blow out all your windows."

"Hey!" I said talking for the first time.

This eased the tension a bit and Mad-Eye closed the door with a snap and asked "He could do that?"

Remus nodded, a smile on his face and said "by accident." Turning to me he added "I heard you once broke all the Dursley's windows because your aunt said that your mom was a horrible freak."

"And the ones on the side of the neighbors house too." I admitted remembering the incident. Needles to say, my relatives hadn't been too happy.

Remus grabbed my head and started rubbing his knuckles into my scalp saying fondly "Well done. Couldn't have done better if you tried."

"I was only 8" I stated defensively, getting free of Remus's hold and evil attempt to make my hair even messier. Maybe this was the wrong thing to say because any anger left on Moody's face immediately vanished to be replaced with a very creepy smile.

"Well, so long as you don't break all my windows we should be fine. Break one o these and alarms go off loud enough to be heard at Hogwarts." Grinning evilly he asked casually if I would like a short tour of my new home, at least for the rest of the summer. After agreeing he took us around and I found that the house was pretty much all the same. No different colours or nothing. Along the short trip he explained that I had a hair appointment in about 2 hours and that if I moved anything in his house without permission he would have to turn me into some kind of animal and bounce me off the walls. What shocked me was when Remus said "Hmmmm agreed" and shook Moody's hand. We ended up stopping in the living room for a bit before we went out, to make the rules clear.

There were always rules, and his were easy to follow; or at least that's what Moody claimed. I seriously doubted that he'd ever had another young guest to test that statement out on though. When going out for any reason I had to make sure that my disguise was perfect, I had, had, absolutely positively had to tell mad-Eye before even thinking about leaving in the first place and if and when I got on his nerves I had to agree to get out of his way. No problem. So far it was better than the Dursley's.

When we ran out of conversation he asked where I wanted my room. He had two spares for guests (I seriously had to consider if he ever had visitors period) he said were for emergencies. We agreed on the larger on as, well, it was bigger. Nodding he made his way to said room and conjured a curtain across the window. "Afterall" Moody said "can't have people poking their noses in when you're busy" Assuming he meant my disguise we put my trunk and things in the room, and went back to the living room. A good spot for conversation that room.

At 10 to 12:00 we headed out to the hair dresser. Now, this was Hogsmeade, a magical community so a trip to the hairdressers wasn't quite the same. They used a wand for trimming and magical devices for fancy does and shaving. This, I had to admit was more fun than the muggle way. The witch that did my hair was a bit scared when we walked in with Mad-Eye. She had heard that he moved in but we confirmed it. She seemed determined not to make a mistake or displease us in anyway for fear of her life but in the end I got her to cut it shorter than I'd ever had it. The lower back was little more than spikes sticking up but I had more hair the closer to the top. For the first time ever I got ride of the bangs (as I didn't have to hide a scar) and instead had it spiked which, apparently wasn't a common wizard fashion because when I tried to explain what I wanted she thought I was crazy. But she did have wizarding hair gel for sale, which I bought. It came in different smells, and some changed colours after a few minutes and some tasted like fruit if you'll believe that; I ended up getting plain clear non scented thank you very much. Moody agreed that I was crazy as did Remus but hey, do I really want a hair cut THEY like? No.

Despite the fact that it was called a village, it was more like a small town really and although Harry had been there on school trips he never went down the residential streets so that's where they went next. The place wasn't put together logically and he found that you could quite possibly get lost in the small place. So Remus took me for a tour, telling Moody we'd see him back at his place for supper. Hehehe; unless he wanted to eat out. Mad-Eye would never eat out of course, and we went on down the road. As it turned out, we seriously needed to pick a name and did so whispering to each other for about an hour. Neither of us suggested Sirius. In the end we settled for Darian. It was a different name, one that nobody we knew at Hogwarts had and fit well with Everson. So, Darian Everson. We wanted to make my middle name Wot because then you had Wot Ever and I'm sorry to say that that was just fricking funny at the time. But no, we needed something that didn't sound like my mom had been insane when she gave birth and instead ended up with Darian Michael Everson. It didn't sound like me, but that was the whole idea any way. Besides, Remus said that his grandfather's name was Mikey so it connected that way too.

Name decided we headed into the Three Broomsticks to get a light-snackish-lunch-that-we-really-should-have-eaten-at-12:00-not-4:00 and a drink. I asked him if someone was replacing me at the Dursleys already and answered that yes someone was but refused to tell me who. Just that he'd been there since late last night (hopefully he not a she) we agreed entirely to feel sorry for whomever had to live with them, especially if they were under the illusion that I was spoiled. He told me stories from the days of the marauders, and sure it was hard to hear about all the fun times Moony got to have with Sirius and my parents, but I learned a lot about them through his memories. Remus bought me a paper to read later when I got tired of Mad-Eye and we headed back. About time too! The afternoon had flown by and we were now starving for some food; all we could do was pray that moody had some edible food left.

Upon entering the house Remus removed the charm that allowed me to see and returned my eyes to their natural green colour. We found Moody in the kitchen making spaghetti and ate happily and Remus and Moody mostly got along until it seemed they were getting tired of each others company. I decided that maybe it was time for Remus to leave about the same time Moody sent a stinging hex his way, which got Remus in the side. A very grumpy Remus Lupin headed to the fire and disappeared, probably home.

The second the fire returned to normal he signaled me over to him. Once we were seated he pulled my wand out of his pocket and said "I wanted to give this back to you but Remus was here. Reckon it might come in handy!" "

"Thanks, I believe it might." I replied to express my appreciation. But one thing crossed my mind. "Mad-Eye, students aren't allowed to do magic over the summer."

This seemed to make Mad-Eye very happy. Just one more reason for his nick name I guess. He said as close to happy as a guy named Moody can get "I say it's a good thing you aren't enrolled yet then eh!" I must have looked very surprised at this statement because he went on to say "Look, the poor soul in your place can't use magic over the summer, but you can."

Now I was getting it. It's how I was blamed for Dobby's magic in second year, because it was done in my house where nobody else magical lived. They were monitoring each house a student lived in, not the wizard himself. I could have used magic last year too; maybe not when I was at the Weasley's though. The ministry probably knew I was there. But not any more! Two Questions. "Why couldn't I use magic last year? And why didn't you want Remus to know?"

Moody snickered at the last one. "Tell 'im yourself." was all he said and in response to the first "Hmmm. Not sure. Either they forgot to mention it or it was because of all those friends you had over." Cor! They didn't want it common knowledge that if they didn't know where you were you could do magic. Alrighty. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad here.

"Yes!" I yelled in a slight adrenaline high. I proceeded to do a cartwheel in Mad-Eye's living room and luckily Mad-Eye didn't seem to mind. Maybe it was just the knowledge that if I did knock something over, then I could fix it myself. I stopped abruptly and stared at my wand in concentration. If he was right then, well, then let's try some magic. With a choppy wand movement I created a small firework show and bowed when Mad-Eye applauded. "Don't worry. No owl is coming to send you to Azkaban." He looked impassive for a long moment (through which I waited to see if he was right) and asked to see my patronus, just to make sure it was still up to scratch. That and that he'd never actually seen it.

I cast the spell lazily and watched as it paraded around the room. It really was magnificent to watch if you weren't in a life or death situation and had glasses on; as it was I only saw a fuzzy white blur but I knew what it was. As it disappeared my attention was drawn to Mad-Eye who was staring at me for some unknown reason. "Everson" he said using my new name so I could get used to it "you want to be an auror?"

Where'd this come from? Well, the man was expecting an answer. But to tell the truth, I wasn't so sure anymore. At least, not if the ministry remained as useless, frustrating and annoying as it was now; and I told him so. "Well, if it's what you wanted, I reckon there'd be a spot held for a boy with skill like yours. Your problem is that you're not used to following the rules." He said shaking his head. "The job of an auror is to get around them AND do their job. But we all know that if the ministry is impressed with ye, you can break a law, and it may be over looked ye see?" And with that amazing bit of insight he got up with some difficulty (due to the peg leg) and marched of to his room. I sat there a while thinking it over. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do anymore. I wasn't rich enough that I could go without a job. Was the Potter money even available to me this summer?

The next morning I got up at my usual time, around 7:00 just glad that Moody hadn't woken me at 5:00 or I swear he would have had a bucket over his head. I had looked through my trunk until I found my list of spells and such that I had made up at the beginning of the summer; spells that I either wasn't good at or hadn't learned in class. They were a lot easier to do now than I remember, course I was a lot farther along in my magical education. I spent the morning doing this, and Mad-Eye woke around noon, and was surprised to see me up. He taught me the charm for my eyes do I could do it myself in case of an emergency he said (more to the point; until my contacts came in) and the concealer for my scar. That done he left me alone for the rest of the day, which suited me fine. It gave me a chance to see who was around Hogsmeade to hangout with. Course, I had never in my life gone looking to meet people. Dudley had discouraged that when I was younger and then I entered the wizarding world, where anyone would pay money to see my face up close.

Two days later (and still under use of the eye charm I might add) I still hadn't seen anyone near my age around the village. There must be someone I thought frustrated. I asked Mad-Eye if I could borrow his collection, for a bit of additional work; he said it was alright. Having nothing else to do all day left me with lots of time to plan my escape to meet Fred and George for my first lesson in thievery! They said something about the weekend, and it was already Wednesday, so I laid out my plan but in order for it to work, I had to look like Harry Potter again and this was a problem because, I didn't look like me anymore! How was my replacement doing it anyway? So, of course I researched anything that sounded promising in Moody's books. I needed something that would change my face temporarily. The rest should be a piece of cake! Hehehe

The day after, I hadn't found a way yet but my contacts finally came in (though not by owl post, Moody handed them off to me) and there was a note with them. I took it outside to read by the sunlight and read:

Dear Harry,

You didn't get the wrong parcel, they are yours. I took the liberty of changing the colour from clear to that blue grey that looks so much like Remus's eye colour. I have also enclosed some money for whatever needs you may have and hope you are enjoying your stay. I am sorry to say that your cousin Dudley has suffered a minor concussion, which I am told is a head injury. The Dursley's don't remember what happened, they believe that Dudley hit his head on a lamp post and got hurt that way. Don't worry; he's probably in perfect shape by the time you read this.

(Here I had to stop and laugh a bit as I had this absurd image of a sphere ball with Dudley's face on it)

Also, I hope you are enjoying your stay, for does allow for more freedoms than were previously available to you. Remus has asked to pass on that he will be visiting on your birthday, and would like to apologize for it will be a small party. Your OWL results are included and I would like to congratulate you on your grades and add that you should have received the captaincy of the Gryffindor Quidditch team but due to circumstances in this coming term, I don't feel that is an idea I can support. I will discuss this issue with you on Aug, 5.

Yours Truly,

Headmaster Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore

I didn't make captain! As disappointment welled inside me I could only hope that he had a very good reason to explain in August, I didn't even laugh at his abnormally long name. He never used it, except in my Hearing last year. With a shaky hand I pulled out my OWL results and read it through, praying that this was some better news.

Dear Mr. Potter,

Below are you classes and the grade you got in each, listing your official OWL score.

Astronomy- Acceptable

Care of Magical Creatures- Outstanding

Charms- Exceeds expectations

Defense Against the Dark Arts- Outstanding, with honours

Divination- Terrible

Herbology- Exceeds expectations

History- Dreadful

Potions- Dreadful

Transfiguration- Oustanding

You receive one OWL for each Exceeds expectations grade and 2 for each Oustanding and a bonus for doing the best in your year. Your total number of OWL's scored is 9.

Congratulations,

Griselda Marchbanks:

Wizarding Examiner

That wasn't so bad, except that he didn't make the potions class, which meant that he could never ever be an auror now. Better start lookin for a new career! In frustration crushed it in my hand and threw it in the garbage. Looks like Snape got his way in the end; I won't be in his class. Bitter thoughts raced through my mind and I charged outside to a fresh and sunny afternoon, clashing badly with my current temper serving only to make me madder.

As I walked past a shop the window immediately shattered and everything in the display window fell over. Oooops. I thought, surprised by my anger. I had to keep my magic under control or it could get expensive around here. Wishing I had a hat I abruptly turned back around, heading for Mad-Eye's to get my broom. I could seriously let off some steam and a good fly seemed the best way to do it.

Turning the corner I heard the shop keeper yelling "Hey, who did that! Merlin, I just finished setting up!" Not a happy camper.

10 minutes later I had retrieved myNimbus (while wishing I was allowed my Firebolt)from my room and was looking for a good spot to kick off from. Deciding that Mad-Eye's back yard was as good as anywhere I tiptoed through the house, not sure if I was allowed shoes on inside and into the back. (Remus had told me that in Hogsmeade you can fly as high as you want, there isn't a muggle community for a ways away so you're not going to be seen.)

I kicked off and immediately my problems left me. I felt as if they were million miles away. Mad-Eye's house got smaller and smaller below until it was the size of a needle, that's about when I decided that it actually was colder that high up and fell into a long free fall towards the ground, holding the broom between my knees. I let the wind take me and smiled as it ran through my hair, and after tumbling a good ways towards the ground I grew tired of falling and prepared myself for some physical strain. With one strong movement I thrust my shoulders forward, legs straight bent my waist and grabbed the broom, now straddling it again and pulled my broom level again. This wasn't a stunt, it was just some fun. A few minutes of this would leave you breathless and exhilarated whereas tricks were more like showing off and gave you a feeling to having been on a roller coaster, but fun all the same; the same ways that a roller coaster was fun.

Damn it! His team was losing 30 to 10 and it didn't look like they were about to make a comeback anytime soon. That and their seeker was really bad at his job. It was like he kept forgetting that he was after the snitch, and instead was after a certain female chaser. At least the quaffle was on the other side of the field, well away from his net!

Glancing around for the teams' beaters he saw something higher up than even the seekers were, and it was falling, fast. Perhaps, it was someone's owl? No, he could see now it was too big. It was a person! He abandoned his position and tried to call his friends to help, this guy was going to hit the ground, but they were to far and didn't hear. Taking off on his comet 2 sixty he darted towards the figure, thinking that without his wand he could at least try to catch him. Then the figure leveled off with the ground and proceeded to do death defying burn outs, jacks and such. What? He was on a broom! That was, amazing! Forgetting the game all together he flew up to the other flyer to introduce himself. The teams were uneven after all; perhaps he'd be interested in playing?