A small time skip as things have calmed down a lot since the horrific end to the war. Oh and yes a tribute to Freddy here.
Wembley Stadium July 13, 1985:
Severus marveled at how much he got to see of the world. He was respected and feared yes but well liked by his students. He only had to teach defense, his grading was done by a quill and so he had lots of time to brew experimental potions and in the summer he traveled. He had no idea that witches and wizards, mostly muggleborn would sign up as roadies for major concerts. This was one of the biggest yet, everyone thought magical people could solve famine and that was not true, one had to have rain and supplies or food was not going to grow. Add mismanagement of resources by government and you have the horrible situation in Ethiopia. Which was why the biggest rock stars of the era were holding this concert.
Severus was having the time of his life, he had to work and as a master curse breaker he could set protections like no other. That and he was here as security, there simply was no way he could hide that he was a roadie, he looked far more like security. He was clad in jeans, a tee shirt that did read security and his heavy boots. He looked intimidating at six foot with his long black hair tied back and a cross tattoo on his left forearm. He had a Celtic cross around his neck and he looked like one who could take down unruly people and he well could. He got to speak to many of the bands and they were actually very nice, this concert was somewhat about them but mostly about helping others.
"How did I do love?" Freddy asked flouncing off stage, as if he did not know he owned the stadium.
"Brilliant, I have seen you lot before but this was the best." Severus said.
"Oh you have seen us before?" Freddy asked, "and now you are working here?"
"Sure, I had free time and so here I am." Severus said.
"Good on you, governments will not listen so here we are." Freddy said.
"Indeed." Severus replied.
Queen walked away, a great band and Severus absolutely loved Queen. Something in his eyes got Freddy to walk back. He grabbed a program, signed it asking Severus his name and handed it back with a wink. Severus was stunned, he was going to frame this, the message was friendly and he was not sharing that. It would mean more later after Freddy died. All the bands were nice to him and he did not see the massive egos he expected. Perhaps because he was actually working they were nicer? It was a very long day, and he got to see acts he grew up with and new acts too. The Who he thought did well though there was a small mistake but he liked their style. Led Zeppelin tried, but without their drummer they were lost. But they had come and so he did not mind, this was for a good cause.
Severus loved rock stars in that most British ones came from working class stock just as he did. That they made it (as had he and his family) was a thumb to the upper class that they were not so special. Working class rock stars did something and were doing something today. In fact he found himself talking to more of them and finding that while famous and rich most still had those strong working class roots. They liked him because he came from a world that they understood and he understood and so they warmed up to him. By the end of the day he had not only helped keep the stadium and concert safe, he had met some really nice people.
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Crawley Infant School October 1, 1986:
Little Harry sat looking very sorry for himself with his mum, dad and uncle Severus seated before his teacher. She was the only one who still knew that he had turned her hair blue, the principal and the students thought Harry had acted out and that was that. Harry had turned her hair blue, it had been an accident and he felt very bad for that. Now he knew he was in trouble and wondered what was going to happen. He was not aware that Mrs. Flint was actually a squib and understood a little of the fear he had. She had guided her own children through what Harry was going through now.
"I-I am sorry, I got upset at what Felicity said to Hermione and it happened!" Harry said tears in his eyes.
"Well you are a powerful wizard, yes I know what you are, I am a squib, I have just the thing!" Mrs. Flint said taking out a small cube, "worked a treat with my little girl, you practice on this and in no time you will be able to control the changes."
"A very good idea." Severus said, "very good indeed, he is strong."
"That he is." Vernon said, "we are honored to have him, had to tell him off for levitating a cookie jar after he and Dudley were told no."
"Yes that was wrong, one should listen to their parents." Petunia added.
"Sorry mum and dad, but this is wicked!" Harry said.
Petunia and Vernon had adopted Harry fully. Oh he always would be a Potter and he knew who his birth parents were, even had their photos in his room. But he had Petunia and Vernon too and they loved him. Uncle Sev came over all the time as did Uncle Moony. They were good and kind and they had clung to him and Dudley as that was all they had. Lily was gone, James, Sirius and Peter, all had died fighting that evil dark lord Voldemort. At least Frank and Alice came over now with Neville and indeed Neville went to school with Harry. His magic being earth magic meant he did not have the magical outbursts Harry did.
Harry started to use the cube and found he could control his magic far better. A book of personal mind control was given to him by Remus. A few days later Harry performed his first magical prank ever. Remus had dared him, sort of and so when Severus visited he sat down to eat lunch with the family. The snickering from Dudley got Severus to see that his hair was now a dark green. He put his fork down and glared at the far too innocent look of one Harry Potter.
"Intentional?" He asked.
"Er yes?" Harry replied, "uncle Mooney thought you could use cheering up."
"I see, Petunia might I have permission to use magic?" Severus asked.
"Don't turn the house inside out, fold it up or anything else." She replied.
"Right." Severus said.
"Now Severus it is a lovely shade and no, no, now don't oh I forgot you were a curse break er not a bunny!"
In short order where Remus had been was a cute tawny bunny. Severus sat down and Dudley crouched down to study the bunny. He looked up at his uncle in awe, he could do this but only after his mum let him! His mum was so cool to have control of his magical uncle like this! The spell did not wear off until dinner when Vernon came home and saw the state of Severus and then saw the bunny. With a pop Remus was back and Severus smirked as his hair turned back to black.
"Who started it?" Vernon asked.
"Remus, he told Harry to cheer me up." Severus replied, "I did ask permission before I turned Remus to a bunny."
"Thank you, I don't mind you two and James and Sirius and of course Lily God rest their souls. But most magical just do as they please."
"That they do, that is not okay." Severus said, "we are not better than you because we can alter reality as it were."
"Too right that." Vernon said.
"Do you have any carrots?" Remus asked.
"Guess the spell did not fully wear off, pity that." Severus replied.
Harry giggled and Dudley went and got a carrot. He handed it to Remus who ate it getting Vernon to snort a bit. Severus went back to the kitchen where he was cooking dinner and brought out a fine roast with all the trimmings. He liked to cook and helping Petunia and Vernon out was something he enjoyed. Vernon did not like magic much but he respected hard working people like Severus and Remus who treated him like an equal. Now if only Severus could get him to stop being such a racist then things would be perfect. But he would take the relationship one step at a time for the sake of Petunia.
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Crawley January 1986:
Roger and Theodora Granger sat looking at Severus in awe. Hermione their daughter and a friend to Harry and Dudley had shown a strong case of magic. Which was why Severus was here now. He told the Grangers that their daughter could do magic and showed them some of what he could do after being trained. He told them he preferred potions and curse breaking as one had to really work at those and then sat back and waited for the questions.
"Where does magic come from?" Theodora asked.
"Well the scientific theory is that it is an energy all it's own." Severus said, "and that certain humans and others can tap into that energy due to having a genetic disposition. Sadly most magicals at least here do not follow science and are not willing to explore as I have done."
"Do you think it is from God?" Rodger asked.
"Everything is from God, this whole universe is, I believe and there are many that do that those that can use this energy are to use to help not hurt." Severus replied.
"Well, I am glad you came to let us know, what sort of jobs are there in the magical world?" Theodora asked.
"Well there was prejudice against muggleborn for a long time, but with the equality act endorsed by lord Black which was a shock to me, she can gain any job she wants." Severus said.
"I somewhat want to be a dentist." Hermione said.
"The magical world could use one such as you, teeth are very much a problem there." Severus replied.
The day went on, Hermione learned more and more of this new world she would enter. She started to take the same classes Harry, Neville and yes Dudley did. Dudley was not a wizard but was not fully muggle either, he could see ghosts and had been able to brew a potion already. He would stay in the muggle world with magical connections. Two more were added to the lessons for now, Fred and George Weasley-Prewett as they showed interest in the lessons. It would be well prepared and trained children that would go to Hogwarts and hopefully take it by storm.
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The Burrow June 1986:
Harry was standing his ground. He held out his broom to Ginny Weasley. It was a training broom as he was not old enough yet for a true broom to fly. He would get that when he turned nine. He was not backing down and Ginny took the broom and mounted it. Then she took off and showed she could fly. Harry took a tennis ball and tossed it to her and she caught it easily. Fred and George nodded, so their sister could fly. Ron looked a bit jealous but then he found himself lifted up by two twins and placed on a broom.
"There, now let's see what you can do." Fred said.
"Yes, keeper, the goals are right over there." George added.
"They are too low." Ron said.
"And you are not old enough for a regular broom, mum would go spare." Fred said."
"Right you are." George added, "and we will use our training ones with you until you can use a proper one, only fair."
The Weasleys had gained a lot after the war with Voldemort. They were able to sue the Lestrange estate, the family that killed Fabian and Gideon and were now doing very well. They had redone the Burrow, it was still the same tall structure but now they had a hall attached and each floor had a full bathroom. It was lovely and wacky and Harry loved it. It was made of concrete and runes and sided with many different sidings that made him love it all the more.
In the backyard Ron was at the one keeper goal, and he looked determined. Fred and George lobbed tennis balls at him and he was able to keep them at bay. Harry tried to get a few past him and was not able. Only Ginny got one past him and only one. It was clear Ron would make a great keeper as he was fast and agile.
"Children it is time for lunch." Mrs. Weasley said.
"Hermione, Neville you should really try flying." Harry said seeing them seated with books.
"No, I would fall off." Neville said.
"It does not appeal to me." Hermione added.
"You will need to practice before Hogwarts, would be a shame if you went in not able to fly." Harry said.
"Prat." Hermione said, "I am reading a story of Merlin."
The children gathered around the kitchen table and had a great lunch. All too soon it was time for Harry, Hermione and Neville to head home. They would be back as the Weasleys really were a fun family. Ginny liked Harry and found for a boy he was very nice as was Neville. She could stand having them as friends.
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So a little lighter chapter. I am not going to make Harry and Hermione a love interest here, nor will she be with Ron. There will not be bashing in this story and Ginny is going to be a force to recon with for sure in the future but I am branching out in pairings here.
Anyway, do review please!