Vernon and Petunia Dursely made wizarding history, in more ways than one.

For the first time since the Wizengamot had formed, there was a unanimous decision on both of the Durselys trials. They were sentenced to 7 years, 8 months, and 16 days in high security in Azkaban, the first muggles to be sentenced to the wizard prison ever. At the end of that time, both muggles would also be the first non-magical people to receive the Dementor's kiss.

Much history had been made on May 2nd, 1988, but for all of the wrong reasons. The nation mourned the loss of the child and anti-muggle sentiments were higher than they had been even at the height of the witch burnings. Severus worried about what this would mean when Voldemort would return because he would return.

It was July 30th, the day before what should have been Harry Potter's 8th birthday, when Albus was stripped of all of his titles, kicked out of Hogwarts, and put on magical probation for the next 8 years. Albus' popularity may have saved him from going to prison, but just barely, His name was in disgrace and that was before Rita Skeeter was able to publish a book with all of Albus Dumbledore's misdeeds. She might have received some anonymous help from a certain potion master, but that was for him to know and Harry to smirk about.

In a surprise move, the board of governors and the Wizengamot move Filius Flitwick into the headmastership instead of Minerva. In a severe overhaul of the school during the summer a lot of changes had been made. Minerva was forced to choose between being head of Gryffindor and being the deputy headmistress, in a fit that Severus would relate to something his godson would have done when he had not gotten his way, she decided to retire early.

Thankfully the board did not leave Filius to flounder in filling not only the newly vacated roles but also new positions for classes that should have never been removed in the first place. This new school year they would be re-introducing wizarding culture, politics, alchemy, magical theory, and warding. With more classes to be added in the coming years.

Filius enlisted the goblins to remove the curse on the defense against the dark arts position and in a surprise meeting with Severus told him that the contract that Albus had chained him to Hogwarts with in exchange for his freedom was now null and void. Severus had to sit down for that conversation but ultimately had decided to stay at Hogwarts if only because of a 7-year-old ghost that depended on him.

Changes were made to his contract, he was going to be paid more, and he would remain head of Slytherin house but move to the professor of DADA. They would be getting a new potions professor but Severus would still be helping Poppy by supplying the more difficult medical potions that she needed.

Pomona Sprout would be taking over the position of deputy headmistress and would be the part-time head of Hufflepuff while she helped trained up a new head of house, similar to what Filius would be doing for the new head of Ravenclaw. With Minerva gone, Filius had asked Severus to help train up the new head for Gryffindor as well. Which Severus couldn't find a proper argument against, he often thought Minerva was too hands-off with her lions.

The new school year would be rough with so many new faces and changes, but Severus felt a small spark of hope that this would be good for them in the long run. Wards were strengthened and updated, competent professors hired even one for history of magic to replace Professor Bins who agreed to help Pince with the library and archiving instead of teaching, and Severus spent all of his free time with Harry.

Harry had grown in his confidence and his power. With a stroke of luck when one of the goblin ward masters had been in the castle and had run into Harry, he had the knowledge to help the boy that Severus had been desperately searching for. Unfortunately, it was not knowledge to help the boy move on to the afterlife, but it was knowledge of what Harry was and how to help him control his powers.

Ward Master Dirn was a balm to Severus' soul and his sleep as he had been spending many nights searching for ways to help the boy, to no avail. Master Dirn had sat down with Severus to explain that most ghosts were shadows and shades of their real selves. Most ghosts had the option of being able to pass on and join the rest of their soul in the afterlife. Ghosts were typically only a portion of their soul, strong emotions and regrets that tied them to this plane until they were able to move on. Harry on the other hand had his whole soul trapped here, all of him and his magic.

In old times Harry would have been called a Spirit Guide. Old tales spoke of fate tying certain people to the earthen realm because they had a job to do. They would often aid in times of great need or provide refuge to the shades of souls that needed help to move on to the afterlife.

Of course, Severus immediately protested that such a task was too much for a 7-year-old and fate could bite him if it thought he would allow such a daunting responsibility to fall on the boy's shoulders. That had made Dirn smile, or at least Severus thought it was a smile which was quite terrifying, and he had said that Severus would be good enough. He never explained what he would be good enough for, but from that moment forward every Thursday Dirn would show up at Hogwarts and teach Harry how to control his unique powers.

But for the first time in many years, Severus held hope that good things were happening. Harry nearly visibly glowed after his lessons, gaining confidence in his powers and in himself. Harry soaked up knowledge like a sponge and could now communicate quite efficiently through sign language, although he didn't speak often even with the knowledge of how.

Severus wondered if it was possible to hire a mind healer for a ghost.

Things were good, but unfortunately, good things don't last.

—-

"Severus? Are you okay?" Filius asked gently after their last staff meeting before the start of the new school year.

"He should have been getting sorted tomorrow," Severus said with regret, he knew this day was going to hit him hard but this gut-wrenching feeling felt hard to breathe past.

Filius sighed and nodded, knowing a lot of his staff was quieter today for this reason. "The sorting hat and I have been talking, and with Harry's help, we think that maybe he can be sorted with his classmates tomorrow evening. I can't give him a full Hogwarts experience, but with Master Dirn's tutoring over the last several years, I think we should allow Harry to participate in as many classes as he can." The fragile hope in Severus' eyes made Filius want to cry, the man was usually so stoic and closed off, but Harry really brought all the good out of the man.

"Are you sure? What about the governors?" Severus asked, hesitant to hope.

"As if they would say no to this. I already have it signed off on, you just have to speak to Harry. I was thinking we could even make a club for the weekends so his classmates could learn sign language. I know you have been unofficially helping students learn in your free time but we can make it official to better integrate Harry in with his classmates."

"You are a good man Filius. Thank you." Severus said sincerely. Filius smiles and lets Severus go tell the good news to Harry. The last couple of years had been hard but the changes in Hogwarts have been good. Everyone considered Harry to be unofficially Severus' son, this would be good for them both.

—-

It is happening. Harry was sorted.

Several surprises happened. One was the students were surprised to see Harry amongst them being sorted. His small size among the already small 11-year-olds made Severus want to bundle Harry up and protect him. But then Harry was able to be sorted during his turn and was for a second surprise, put into Hufflepuff.

Everyone was in shock.

Harry Potter was a new badger.

Severus was the one to start the clapping for everyone else to follow. It didn't matter what house Harry was in. Just that he got to be part of the Hogwarts experience. Harry deserved to have as much of a life as they could provide him.

—-

Harry was so smart. So bloody smart and it made Severus endlessly cocky. Pomona and Poppy were taking bets how long it would take for someone to burst Severus' proud Father bubble. Master Dirn had warned them that since Harry was a Spirit Guide, he could adapt and mature and learn more than a normal ghost could, but he still was forever 7 and there would come a point where he wouldn't be able to take in any more. But no one knew when that point would be. Filius worried that when that point came it was going to be a devastating blow to both Harry and Severus but for right now, they were leaving them to their small slice of happiness.