Disclaimer in 1st chapter.

Chapter 6

First Day of School, Situation Normal All F'ed Up

Hermione woke the next morning, washed and dressed all the while grumbling to herself about gossiping girls. She had spent the night listening to Lavender, Paverti, and the other girls of her year talking about the changes in Harry. The slightly longer hair, the more finely toned body even through the school robes the changes had been evident no longer was Harry the scrawny boy he was last year. He had grown both in height and stature. Not that Hermione minded Harry now resembling a healthy 13yo, or Lavender and Paverti noticing, scratch that, she minded those two noticing. She wanted someone else to notice her brother. For that is what Harry was to her, the brother she never had, and she was certain Harry had similar feeling for her. The two of them were family, and always would be. Heading down the stairs, lost in thought, it wasn't until someone spoke to her that she realized she wasn't alone in the common room.

"Hey 'Mione, your up early." a familiar voice said from their chairs by the window. She looked up to see none other that Harry Potter with his nose buried in a book he had obviously been up for hours. But she was certain he had gone up with Ron and the others late last night.

"Morning Harry, what are you doing down here this early?"

"Couldn't sleep anymore, over the summer my sleeping patterns changed and I started sleeping less. I don't understand why, and Dumbledore would only twinkle, smile and say this was unexpected."

Sighing she plopped into the seat across from him. "Harry, he wants you to find out why for yourself"

"I know Mione," he dropped the book in her lap, "and I just did. Yet another way I get to be different." Grumbling, he made his way to the portal and to the great hall. Once outside the portal, he began chuckling to himself. It would take Hermione about three days to read the book, but in that time she would be focused on Harry's sleep patterns, which would give him more time to adjust to being in school again. Focusing Hermione's energies on a puzzle he already knew the answer to, but she didn't, was a pretty Slytherin move. He would do penance later, but it would keep her from noticing any slips he made getting used to being in school again.

He took a seat at the Gryffendor table and started eating breakfast, waiting for the others to show up, as he finished Hermione Ron and Ginny entered and took seats around him. Strangely Ron sat next to him Hermione across from Ron and Ginny across from Harry. Ginny blushed and focused on her breakfast. Harry considered asking her if she was alright but refrained. If he noticed to much too soon it could mess up things. This was the hard part it was pretty easy to change the things that he wanted to, but to keep the things he wanted to stay the same was harder. He had to fight some of his instincts, like when Hermione and Ron would argue, (which they were already doing), he wanted to look at them and tell them to go find a broom closet to snog in and leave him alone. And when Ginny looked uncomfortable, sad or in anyway distressed, he wanted to offer some type of comfort. Also when the now approaching ferret would come into Harry's orbit he wanted to squish him like the little insect he was.

Before Malfoy could even open his mouth Harry had spoken to him, "What do you want Malfoy," the amount of venom Harry said this with caused all nearby conversation to stop it, and it even gave Draco pause. He knew that Potter hated him but this tone of voice went beyond a school rivalry.

Gathering himself, and shaking off the momentary distraction, "Well Potter I heard you fainted on the train. What's the matter can't handle a little. . . " Draco never finished the sentence. Instead he ran away screaming trying to get away from a extremely nasty Batty Bogey Hex. Everyone at the table was looking at Ginny who was staring open mouthed at a retreating Draco, she suddenly noticed everyone's eyes fixed on her.

"Don't look at me, I don't even have my wand out."

"Come on Gin," Ron said "everyone knows that you are famous for that curse, and no one can do it better."

Deciding to let her off the hook, Harry spoke up. "Actually it might have been me, when I get angry I sometimes perform accidental magic. I know it was supposed to stop when I started school, but when my emotions run high it still happens occasionally."

Everyone seemed to accept this except Hermione, who was eyeing Harry suspiciously. But luckily Professor McGonagall choose this moment to come around with their time tables, distracting Hermione momentarily. "Here are your schedules for the term, and I don't want to know anything about why Mr Malfoy ran out of here in such a state. But I would avoid angering Professor Snape if I were you for a while."she said to Harry.

The first day of school passed without much incident, Harry managed to perform the spells as though he had never done them before, mostly by watching Ron a moment then trying to imitate what he done. Tranfiguration, Charms, and Ancient Runes went smoothly. Harry kept from drawing much attention by staying quiet. Although he did remain after class with Hermione to show one of the books he got in Diagon Alley to the ancient runes professor. Proving to Hermione once and for all that he was the only one that could translate them. When the professor showed the same inability to translate even the title that Dumbledore had. When Hermione went to ask a question Harry cut her off,

"What language can I speak that no one else can?"

Hermione's mouth snapped closed as Harry bid the Professor goodbye and they left.

"Well that was interesting. Tomorrow is gonna be fun DADA, Care of Magical Creatures, and Double Potions with the snakes. And you and I have Arithmancy, this is gonna be a interesting year"

"Harry, sorry about back there. . ."

Harry waved her off, "Don't worry about Mione, its part of who you are and why I asked you to be there when I showed the professor the book, If you didn't see him fail to translate it you would have never believed me. And it would have driven you crazy until you had a chance to try and translate them. But knowing how much you like to read, I did think of you this summer while doing this, especially when I discovered the author of the books. So I made you a copy of what I have translated so far."

Hermione was practically beside herself with excitement, "when do I get to read them? Who is the author?" the two questions came so fast Harry barely understood what she had said.

"Whoa slow down Mione, I only have the first two books translated and there are six of them. If I let you start reading them now you will begin bugging me to finish faster and I already have that problem with Dumbledore." He began to walk towards the common room with Hermione following.

"Ok I understand that but who wrote them, Harry, the only other Parseltounge I know about is. . . NO, it couldn't be all books by him were lost."

"Or so we thought"

"Amazing, you have to let me read them now."

"I know Mione, I know, the thought of not letting you read them never crossed my mind. I have no wish to be cursed into the next life for denying you something like this. But I must warn you everything you thought you knew about magic will change. This is going to be a very unpopular book in some circles." Harry said thoughtfully.

"What makes you say that Harry?"

"You'll have to read the translation to understand, but lets just say Salazar wasn't viewed as a dark wizard in his time. If he were, would the others have worked that closely with him to make the school?"

Hermione was thoughtful a moment but did not respond. The two of them entered the portal after Harry gave the password. Only to be met by a very angry Ron Weasley.

"YOU KEPT THAT MANGY CAT AWAY FROM SCABBERS! I TRIED TO BRING HIM DOWN TO THE COMMON ROOM FOR SOME AIR AND THAT CAT OF YOURS ATTACKED HIM ON SIGHT! I AM TELLING YOU HERMIONE, KEEP HIM AWAY OR ELSE!" Ron bellowed.

Harry and Hermione stood there with gaping mouths, Ron looked livid. His face was red, his fist clinched, and he had a very threatening look in his eye. Harry had forgotten how much Ron loved Scabbers, before they found out the truth.

Hermione mumbled something about being sorry and darted up the girls stairs with Crookshanks, her sobs could be heard before the a door slammed.

"Can you believe the nerve of her letting that wild animal run loose like that?" Ron asked looking to Harry for support. Instead Harry simply moved past Ron and took a seat next to Ginny and Colin Creevy at the second year table, leaving no room for Ron sending a clear message the Harry did not approve of his actions. "Oh so you are gonna side with her then!"

Very calmly and softly Harry spoke, but the entire common room heard him, "No Ron I am not taking sides, you are my best friend as is Hermione, you two are the closest thing I have to family. But this is for you two to work out. Oh and by the way you just attacked her because her pet cat acted like a cat and tried to eat a mouse was unacceptable. What if Hedwig had seen Scabbers running loose at your house last summer and swooped down and tried to gobble him up? Would you have yelled at me like you are yelling at Hermione. Because a owl tried to eat a rat? Remember before they were Hedwig, Scabbers, or Crookshanks they were animals, and animals have instincts that they follow. I am sorry Crookshanks tried to eat Scabbers, just like I would be if Hedwig ever tried. But I don't think it justifies what you did. You have to think before you act Ron, that is something I learned this summer, and the lesson cost me dearly," holding up his hand to stop the question from a no longer angry Ron, but a stunned Ron. Sometime during Harry's speech Ron had calmed down, partially because Harry had hit him with a very weak calming charm to mellow him out enough to hear reason. The other reason is that Ron had realized Harry was talking sense, " Don't ask, I am not ready to talk about it just yet. Let's just say that I had a real eye opener this summer. I learned to listen to others more, and to think about a strategy before rushing in where even angels fear to tread."

With that said Harry turned from Ron to Colin, Ginny, and the other second years asking them if they would like some help with their homework. They all simply nodded awed by what had just happened. Ron stood their a moment before going to across the room and sitting with Dean Seamus and Neville. He sat quietly until dinner time came, with no Hermione as of yet, Harry asked one of the girls to check on her. Hermione came down with Paverti, she had been crying. Harry asked if she was alright, then turned shooting a glare at Ron, that said fix it. He then led Paverti out of the Dorm, leaving the two of them alone.

"Look Hermione I' m sorry about what I did, I wasn't thinking, Harry set me straight though. Its just that I don't want anything to happen to Scabbers. I'll try to make sure not to bring him around Crookshanks. Deal?

She nodded then smiling weakly hugged him before they started out the portal. They had barely gone five feet when they realized they were holding hands. They both stopped, stared at each other, then down at their hands, and then back at each other. They both jerked their hands away from each other and took a step away,

"I er.. that is. . . sorry." Ron stammered.

"I umm.. you see.. its all right" Hermione stammered back.

They both stared at each other a moment, then laughed smiling as they made their way to the hall for dinner.

Harry had a decent conversation with Colin, convincing him to tone down the hero worship. Ginny listened as a patient Harry explained things to Colin. It was amazing the way Harry talked calmly to him, never losing his temper. She smiled softly as she watched, a small voice in her head softly whispered. It was never a crush you know, you just fell in love with him at first sight.

I know she told the voice. Unlike the last year she knew whose voice that was, her own. Ginny had many conversations with herself growing up in a house full of boys. Being the only other girl other than her mother made it strange when she wanted to talk about girly things, which the boys wanted none of. Ron was the closest to her age and the most understanding of her, he would even defend her to their older brothers sometimes. Telling her one time "being the youngest to its us against them".

But all that had changed when he went away to Hogwarts, she was alone. She wanted to go with her big brother to the school so she wouldn't be alone. But it was not to be, and seeing Harry on the platform hadn't helped. She felt she had to know this boy, learn about him. She knew that he would never hurt her or poke fun at her, and last year he had shown how much he cared. Though probably not for her but for her family. To be honest she could see Harry doing what he did for anyone, well except Malfoy. Scratch that, last year he might have done that for Malfoy, this year, something was different. Harry and Ron had always despised Malfoy, but now Harry hated the boy with a passion. She had not seen that kind of loathing before in anyone except Tom Riddle, when she had mentioned Harry in the dairy. It scared her a little that Harry was capable of the same kind of hate that Tom was, and that she didn't know what had happened between that would cause such hatred. As far as she could tell Malfoy was clueless that every time he came near Harry he very close to being hexed into another incarnation. Harry would literally seep magic, she could feel it pouring off of him. But she wasn't the only one to notice, she had seen Hermione staring at Harry all during breakfast. What confused her the most is whenever this happened and she was around, if Harry saw her or they touched, he would instantly calm down. It was almost as if Harry needed to know she was alright. It had been that way since the train ride. She wasn't sure why but the classes Harry had tomorrow with Malfoy scared her. Something was bound to happen between the two of them. Harry was too volatile, around Malfoy, and Malfoy was too stupid to realize that Harry was that close to throttling him senseless.

"Harry," she said tugging on his sleeve, "I need to talk to you a moment."

A confused look came over Harry's face and he nodded. She stood up and he followed telling Colin they would talk more later. Ginny lead the way to the door the two of them exited just as Ron and Hermione entered. Ron called after them asking what was up, but Harry was the only one to acknowledge him, and all he did was shrug mouthing the words "not a clue, talk later".

Harry followed absently paying attention to where they were going. He knew they were in the entrance and that instead of going outside they had approached some painting, "this is private enough no one comes here, I found out about it last year, during , well you know"

Harry nodded not trusting his voice at the moment, thinking about Ginny hurting, hurt Harry. And made him want to reach out to her, but it wasn't time yet. He followed he through the doorway behind the painting and looked up to take in the new room, trying to place it in the school. His eyes bugged as recognition dawned on him. The voice coming from the guest apartment's bathroom told him all he needed to know.

"Harry that you? Be out in a minute." The male voice called, "been a while since you came to see me getting to good to associate with . . . . oh shit" the last word was spoken as Sirius walked into the sitting room and saw a wide eyed open mouthed Ginny and a panicking Harry behind her. Without thinking he turned on his heel and made to leave the room thinking retreat would maybe by Harry some time to figure out what to do.

But Ginny was faster, her wand out in a flash she stunned Sirius knocking him against the wall. Backing against Harry pushing him against the wall she began screaming about protecting Harry and how Sirius would never get his hands on him. The whole process had happened so fast the Harry was effectively stunned as well. So when Albus Dumbledore Minerva McGonagall and Fillius Flickwick, entered the room wands drawn the sight they beheld was comical. Harry backed against the near wall pinned there by a hysterical Ginny. Who was brandishing her wand and screaming like a banshee at a prone figure of a man on the floor across from them.

Albus sighed and plopped into one of the chairs in the room and strengthened the silencing charm on the room. He then looked Ginny directly in the eye and softly said, "Ms Weasley would you be so kind as to calm down and come sit with me over hear and let Mr Potter off the wall."

And just like that Ginny stopped screaming. She looked around, for the first time and noticed that they were no longer alone with the dangerous criminal. She lowered her wand and moved to sit down blushing. "Sorry for causing such a fuss Professor, I just thought that the guest quarters were empty and I needed to talk to Harry about something private."

"May I assume you learned of their existence last year?" Dumbledore asked, she nodded the affirmative. And he continued, "and you believed them to be a good place to discuss something you didn't want broadcast all over the school?" another nod, "very well no harm done,"

"No harm done Albus she saw him and you brought Minerva and Fillius with you!" Harry stood up almost screaming.

Dumbledore merely twinkled and McGonagall looked indignant at being called by her first name by the young boy in front of her. But before she could begin, Dumbledore held up his hand to stop her, "Harry I have taken care of things on my end, as Headmaster of this school. As far as that goes nothing will be said about the two of you being out of bounds. As to why I brought the professors with me they were in my office when the wards I put on this place went off to warn me if anyone had discovered what we hid here. Lastly this is your mess not mine. I promised you I would let you be the one to inform people about what was going on, that way you would know exactly who it was that knew your secret. The only person I have told is Remus Lupin who is still digesting the news. And should be here any moment."

At that moment Remus Lupin burst into the room, "SIRIUS GET YOUR MANGY. . . . what the bloody hell?" Remus stated as he noticed Ginny, Albus Harry and the two professors staring at him. He then noticed a prone figure on the floor and began to laugh.

"Its not funny Moony." Harry said as he walked over to the figure then turned to face the professors.

"As you have probably been able to ascertain this is none other than Sirius Black, but please don't react negatively after I awaken him, all will be explained. But I feel that he should be awake to tell his part of what you are about to be told. Some of which certain people weren't supposed to know for quite some time. But that is part of having plans, they don't always go the way they should.

Harry envenerated Sirius who sat up and looked at Harry then the others, "Harry what's going on I vaguely remember seeing Ginny Weasley before someone hit me with a stunner."

"Nothing Sirius just another day in the life of Harry Potter, SNAFU, nothing to report."

Harry and Sirius moved to empty chairs joining the others. "Snafu Harry? What's that,"Sirius asked

"Situation Normal All. . ."Harry began.

"Fucked Up," Finished Lupin, "would rather I said that on school grounds than you Harry sorry but at the moment you are still a student."

"No problem Moony," noticing the death glare he was getting from Ginny he decided it was time to let them in on what was going on.

"Well I wasn't planning on this happening this early. Professors I had planned on approaching you with Albus with in the next week or two, Gin I am afraid I hadn't planned on telling you for a year or two."

"Why Harry can't you trust me?

"More than anyone, the problem is I am from the future, before you say yeah right, listen to me. I know things, I can either prove it to you now or later when I had planned on and in private, because I have only one way to prove it to you."

"Really what's that? She said getting more angry.

"The secret location of a certain birthmark."

Ginny's face turned white. "How do you know that not even Ron knows that."

A/N: HAHAHAHA evil author leaves cliffy. by the way I have a yahoo group for this and my future fics, don't worry not leaving this one. you can get there through the homepage link on my author's bio page. will update soon.