Hey everyone,
So the original plan was for only this and Preventing Trouble to have CR content, but then I realized that To Read And To View also had CR content and that the chapter of Destiny's Saying would be too short in content if I didn't add CR content. However, To Read Into the Universe and Fate's Finale will not have CR content.
Now have fun,

Venquine1990


Chapter 20
Many Shocks And Concerns

Harry's POV

As great as all this feels and as worried as I am about Pettigrew and where he could be now, I have one thing I worry about even more and so I say: "I'm reading next." Everyone looks at me as I sounded determined, yet also down-heartened and dad asks: "Harry, kiddo, what's wrong?" And I sigh as I look at the Gang and say:
"It's the future gang. They came here because things went wrong in the future and they told me that my future-self had read the file I read earlier and that I had exclaimed about how badly I had wished to have had that file at the end of my third year. That just worries me and so – I'd like to read." Dad nods and I take the book.
And just by opening the book to where Mr. Malfoy bookmarked the page and reading only the first syllable do I instantly realize that I was right to be worried, yet at the same time does the full title make me shake the book heavily as my hands start shaking in fear and instantly my parents hug me from both sides and dad asks:

"Harry, what is it? What is the title?" And instantly I shake my head and say: "I – I can't read this. I – I'm not ready. I – I didn't even start training. I – I mean, I know that doesn't matter as my book self has been, but –." But then the book flies from my hands and I look up shocked as I see it fly into Madam Bones' hands.
She herself flips through the pages as they had started whipping around as the book flew through the air and when she lands on the bookmarked page do her own eyes widen before she says: "You had all rights to change your mind on reading this chapter, Mr. Potter. I will read for you." And I smile at her in utter gratitude.

Amelia's POV

I really can't blame the poor boy for not wanting to read a chapter like this as just the title alone makes me worry for all those that have been listed inside the book as part of the group – even Snape who I believe was absolutely in the wrong during last chapter – and while I wonder what could possibly happen, do I start to read.

The Dementor's Kiss

And instantly the entire room feels as if a blizzard has just allowed the Dementors to enter the Great Hall as gasps, squeaks and screams of shock go round the entire hall and Mss. Granger asks: "Wait, does – does that mean that we actually watch Pettigrew's punishment or –." Yet she seems too scared to continue and Harry says:
"No Hermione, Pettigrew is going to escape thanks to the intricate magic of the prophesy and then – one of us will somehow come across the Dementors in such a way they will try to perform their Kiss on us. And I can already guess who out of that group are most likely to have that happen to them. Yes, Hermione, them."
And with that does the boy hide himself in his father's embrace, yet while I feel highly worried over how dead and deadly serious he sounds, can I also easily see that he is not just hiding with Sirius out of a need for comfort, but also because he fears for his father's life and while I worry greatly for them both, do I start the chapter.

Harry had … the rear.

"You know, I think we can think up a crazier group." One of the Weasley twins says and before Molly can protest, do the Lupin twins chorus: "You're on!" Making both pairs of twins smirk at each other, to the shock of Molly before the Lupin twins turn to their younger selves – who I decide to call the Evans twins – and ask:
"You want to join us?" And the younger twins look at their parents – who are also glared at by Molly with the silent command to cut them off – yet both Lily and Remus ignore her and Lily says: "I would love to see you try, but I think you two should let your younger brothers wait until they know the rest of us a little better."

And while Molly looks shocked that Lily only advised them and didn't just forbid them from joining in, do the Evans twins nod before one of the Weasley twins hums and says: "Professor Snape – with Professor Trelawney, Collin Creevey, Peeves and Fil – no, Mrs. Norris." And already I have trouble holding back laughter.
"Good one." One of the Lupin twins says and then the other says: "Our turn." And the two of them put their heads together and whisper so softly I can only hear them breathing, but no sounds and then they stop and one of them says: "Hagrid with Madam Pince, Oliver Wood, Irma, Edena and Buckbeak." And they cross their arms.

The Weasley twins look at them shocked and then their younger brother whistles and says: "I think you actually won that round." And the Lupin twins give themselves a high-five with large happy smiles on their faces and I smile at them as I say: "Thank you for the distraction, both of you." To which Molly asks:
"You approve?" And I nod before Albus says: "Molly, please understand. The chapter has an upsetting title already, so having people with your sons' sense of humor will definitely be essential for all of us to get through this chapter without risking the chance of a depression." And while Molly looks shocked, do I read on.

Getting back … prevent this.

"I can only assume that it was a mix of my fury that Snape was willing to endanger Harry with the sight of a Dementor's Kiss and the rivalry I was so sure had been existing since we came to Hogwarts as students." Sirius mutters, yet his voice sounds distant and cold-hearted and I can only imagine how he is feeling as I read on.

"You know … said Harry.

"Even though you found out through all the wrong means instead of through someone you know you can trust." Ron then says and then his mother asks: "How did you find out?" Yet Sirius seems to take offence to her tone as he says: "He didn't get proven that others trust him, however he didn't go looking for it either.
He just accidentally heard it all, because four people who each had had plenty of time and chance to tell him thought it wise to speak about it in the middle of a bar filled to the brim with students instead." And Molly looks shocked whereas Minerva, Filius, Cornelius and Hagrid look guilty and Molly asks:
"Minister? Minerva?" And the woman looks down as she says: "I was of the belief that, because the bar was so crowded and filled with noise, that we could talk safely." To which Sirius grumbles: "Yeah, you just overlooked the fact that three of you have strong reputations." And the woman cringes as I continue reading.

"Well… your … said Black.

"Send me to Azkaban next time I say something as ridiculous as that, please." Sirius grumbles and James, in a clear attempt to hide his concern, says: "I think I'll keep it to the couch, thanks." And Sirius looks shocked, before he smiles at his partner in grateful guilt, James and his kids hugging him as I continue reading.

"But… well … thought I'd – "

"Eeeeh dad, did you at that time perhaps forget that I had run away from the Dursleys?" Harry asks and then, shockingly enough, Molly responds instead of Sirius and says: "Oh Harry dear, we all know that means nothing. It was just a small altercation that got settled by the Ministry. Of course you'll be returning there –."
Only then she falters and stops her sentence as the glare Harry sends her makes me almost feel as if I am looking at a Manticore glaring down at another creature entering their territory and then Harry almost hisses: "Mrs. Weasley, you are not implying that I should chose those Muggles over my own newly returned parents, are you?"
And the woman whitens as she realizes that Harry is right and Harry says: "Surely, you don't believe that my parents would want to find a place to raise both forms of Jeremey and Jeffrey, yet that they would send me away after not having been able to raise me for over a decade. Surely, you're not believing you can imply that, are you?"

The woman looks absolutely flabbergasted at Harry exposing her for her statements and then Harry says: "Mrs. Weasley, I appreciate the Christmas and birthday gifts and the weeks I got to spend at the Burrow, but now – I have my parents, so I would appreciate it if you would give them their long-awaited chance to raise me now."
Yet the woman seems too shocked to respond and then Arthur says: "We will try not to be the main rulers, Harry, but please understand that Molly really cares for you and that she always voices her opinion to those she cares for." To this Harry shrugs and says: "Fine by me, just don't expect me to always listen to it."
And while this seems to push Molly out of her shock, does Arthur keep her from replying as he says: "That is perfectly understandable, Harry. You have been raised to be very independent and even the teachers, Molly and I have had trouble getting you to trust us, so I can understand why you would rather take your own route over ours."

But then Harry shakes his head and says: "That's not it, well, not really. Yes, I have been raised to rely on no one but myself and yes, there have been many instances where I have gotten proof that elders that I am supposed to trust in and rely on are just too self-confident or frazzled to take the action that is necessary, but –
I think the two main reasons it will come easier for me to listen to my parents is because – for one, they both have different manners of experience that are – in a way – equal to what I have gone through and two, they are the people I have always wanted and dreamed to raise me; not the Dursleys, not the teachers, but them.
And while I have no doubt that my independence will probably cause for some conflictions to happen between my new family and me – I just feel that it will be lessened by our united need to be together and be a family after all these years." And Arthur nods, while Sirius and James happily hug their son and I read on feeling proud.

"Are you … move in?"

"We're heading for Gringotts to check for a good home as soon as possible. And James, sorry, but I am not opening Black home accounts. Sorry, Cissy, but there is still much of the MMB inside me and because of that – I just don't know if my youth has been as bad as I currently remember and I just don't want to take the risk."
Here Narcissa nods and says: "I do indeed also remember that Aunt Walburga was absolutely horrid to you and it really wouldn't be smart to approach her home until we know if that is true or not, especially now that you have at least one Primal Heir to House Black. She will just take that the wrong way, at least under the MMB she will."
"Is grandma Black really that bad?" The elder Jeremy then asks and Sirius shudders before he says: "On one of her bad days – she could easily become my Boggart, let me put it like that." And while this seems to shock his sons, do I share a look with Albus and the Minister and both of them nod at me in agreement before I read on.

Black turned … parents' wedding.

This makes the man in question release a small smile and then Hermione says: "He's right, you know. Even with the treatment you already got the last few days, smiling really does help make it easier not to see the person in the Prophet in you." And while Sirius sends her a grateful smile for her gentle compliment, do I read on.

They did … the castle.

"That is so not good. Didn't Professor Snape say that the only reason he followed Professor Lupin was because he had yet to have given him the Wolfsbane? Also, did anyone hear Snape giving it to Lupin? Or even Snape having it on him?" A first year named Edward who is in Ravenclaw asks and he sounds more afraid the longer he speaks.
This makes Remus grimace and he says: "That must be it. The magic of the Prophesy must have made Severus –." But then Snape himself shakes his head and says: "That prophesy is only a few hours old. I should have given it to you days before that event." And then suddenly I whiten as I remember something highly lethal.

"We can consider ourselves grateful you didn't take that draught with you! I had a werewolf for a freelancer for a few years sometime back and he helped me solve a ton of cases, yet one time he was so tardy with taking the potion he didn't take it until the day before the full moon and not even half a day before the moon rose.
It was about eleven and a half hours before full moon rise and he actually became a case of his own because the Wolfsbane potion, having been taken too little too late, actually had an opposite effect to what it usually did. If Severus had taken the potion with him and if you had drunk it there, with only a few hours before moon rise –."
Here everyone whitens and I shake my head and say: "I actually had to forbid him from ever working for the Ministry again and had to just sit by and watch how Dolores made freelance jobs illegal for werewolves and – and because of that case and my honor to my job, was there nothing I could do to stop either of it happening.
I couldn't stop that poor man from going absolutely wilder than Greyback, I couldn't stop him from being forced to leave the Ministry and I couldn't stop Dolores from making profession and job application even harder for werewolves." And while everyone looks at me with great levels of sympathy, do I read on.

Without a … on television…!

Here Harry shakes his head, but then his sense of displeasure gets replaced by a sense of humor that really reminds me of his parents before he says: "Even if something bad happens, I'm sure I will be telling the Dursleys that Sirius is supposedly my godfather. Though I think I will forget to mention he is innocent, accidentally of course."
Here most of the tables laugh at how innocent and amused he sounds at the end, yet then Molly says: "Harry James Potter, that is absolutely unacceptable. You shouldn't lie to your family." Yet Harry seems just as unaccepting of this reprimand as he was of her earlier comment as he turns furious yet again and snaps back:

"Then they shouldn't have lied to me either – and no! I don't mean about the whole thing with Sirius; I mean about how my MMB parents – Lily and James – were nothing but a drug-abusing whore and a worthless unemployed drunk, who just loved enjoying each other's company, but had no interest in parenthood and drove themselves to death."

And this causes a silence worse than when I read out the chapter title and then Harry snarls: "And that is the truth as I have known it since I was four years old, so don't reprimand me about lying to those Muggles, it's the only way they will even treat me with even the smallest acknowledgement that I am a human and not some House Elf."
Molly looks flabbergasted at what was just told to her, but then she shocks me as she shakes her head and says: "Harry, Harry, Harry, Professor Dumbledore would never –." And instantly she gets interrupted by James and Sirius who jump up and shout: "DO NOT CALL OUR SON A LIAR, MOLLY ANNE WEASLEY!"
And the woman yelps in shock, yet I suddenly notice how both groups of the Gang also stand up to shout in Harry's defense and even her own sons, Hermione and several other Gryffindors all jump up in angered defense of their friend and fellow House Mate and all of them shout the same thing: "HARRY ISN'T A LIAR!"
And these combined shouts of so many people together actually sound like a pack of lions roaring in anger at a hyena trying to attack their pack cub and while I can barely believe that this group can emulate their House mascot so incredibly well does Albus then draw Molly's attention as he sighs deeply before he says:

"Molly, I would send Harry to Muggles like that – if I believed in the goodness of their heart instead of knowing how dark and tainted those hearts actually are. You are right in believing I would not have send Harry there if I had known this, but that is exactly the problem, Molly. I didn't and my friend there never told me any of this."
And while Harry seems intrigued to hear who this friend is, does the famous Mss. Rosa then turn to the ancient man and says: "Albus, the reason Arabella never told you of this is because she and Vernon made a deal on her keeping quiet to the so-called right people early on after she moved in there on your request.
She fakes to be able to talk to her cats and video-records this and then uploads it onto the internet. Through this she makes money and half of that money she pays to the Dursleys. In return she uses what little magic she has to keep the wards active in just the right ways to keep you from realizing that there is something wrong.
They are working together and tricking you, Albus, and they have been doing it for years. And yes, all those who have worked together with Pettigrew on the kidnap and the raising of the kidnapped kids have someone just like that. Someone who makes money in an obscure manner and then shares half the profit with them for child abuse."

This shocks and flabbergasts everyone and Rosie sighs as she says: "Trust me, I have very little friends in that neighborhood and the only friends I do have, have jobs that are so far below the stations of the abusers, there is just nothing we can do other than open our homes and organize activities for those poor abused souls.
I may not be alone in my efforts, but my friends and I are definitely the minority in that community there and the hidden motto they all live by just makes me disgusted that I even rent half an inch of land there. Pretend to be normal to the community, but force normality on your own family no matter the way or cost. Utterly disgusting."
And everyone around us nods in agreement, yet I also notice how – at each House Table – there are a few students that are actually shuddering in something other than revulsion for what they are hearing and I quickly memorize their faces and facial points of recognition before sighing and focusing back on Rosie as I say:

"Rosie, I would like to meet with you once we know for sure that everyone in the book is safe. I may not have authority over the Muggle world, but I am in contact with authority functions like Scotland Yard and other Secret Agencies among the protective forces of the Muggle world." Rosie smiles at me and nods as Cornelius asks:
"Amelia, how – how did you –?" And I smile at him as I always believed that the Ministers of the last few decades treat their Muggle Counterparts way too loftily and disrespectful and say: "I always knew that Muggles were much more variable in their protective services so I started creating connections when I started as a Senior Auror."
This shocks the man and I say: "Cornelius, just because I may not meet or work with them on a daily basis, do we still share a set of common goals; to keep the Stature of Secrecy exactly that a secret and to protect our division of this world with all our might. And that, Cornelius, deserves respect." The man nods and I read on.

"One wrong … in moonlight.

And instantly it feels as if the oxygen has left the entire Great Hall, yet before this great sense of fear can consume us, do I see Harry gazing at his youngest older brother as well as his younger sibling and the two boys nod before breathing in, moving their arms from their sides up above their heads and then down to their chests.
Then, as they breath out, do huge gusts of wind blow from them to all corners and sides of the Great Hall and this instantly takes most of the shock and fear out of everyone as they get overwhelmed by this new strengthened ability to breath and while some shake their heads and others send the boys grateful smiles do I read on.

Snape collided … me – RUN!"

"BLACK, YOU HAD BETTER SAVE MY SON, YOU HEAR!" Molly suddenly shouts and everyone yelps at hearing her voice before suddenly Severus jumps up, looking more furious than a nesting mother with a stolen egg before he swishes his wand at the woman, yet while a silent spell hits her does nothing else happen.
"This chapter is tense enough as it is. We don't need your shouting to make half of us faint before it's even over." Severus snaps before sitting down, his glare proving not only his own anger at getting shocked, but also his annoyance at the story being interrupted at this vital point and while Molly opens her mouth, does no sound come out.
"You – you silenced her?" Frank asks shocked and Severus answers: "I actually wanted to just stun or paralyze her, but I felt it would just make her wake up even more crazy with worry later and I didn't feel like going through an event like that. Now Mrs. Weasley, sit down so all parents can worry for their kids in peace."

And while the woman is opening her mouth in a huge silent rage is her anger obviously not strong enough to get through Severus' spell, yet this doesn't seem to be enough to stop her and her apparent rant seems to anger Severus more and more before he suddenly shocks us yet again as he snaps: "Stop that, only Dorea has that right!"
And this does indeed stop Molly from continuing her silent rant as she looks at the man in shock and Remus asks: "Dor – Dorea?" Yet James seems happy instead of shocked and says: "So you remember it then? Our summers together at my or Frank's place?" And this shocks all of us into looking at the once sour man.

Severus is looking down with a pained expression, one that looks like a mix of mental pain and the pain of having lost someone precious and he says: "I – yes. I do remember – at least – one summer where – where your mother treated me with – with a kindness that I had – had never experienced before that time.
It – it was what made me accept Regulus as my partner. She – she inspired me to do so, because she constantly told me how she believed that – that I deserved – to be happy." And with those words do I see a single tear leak down the man's eye before Regulus lovingly wipes it off his cheek and when Severus looks at him, he says:
"I remember that summer as well. It was the summer before we all became a team. Before then we were just friends who often had our emotions, hormones and the beliefs of our Houses cause us to argue and fight. Yet over the course of that year, one by one, our pairings came together and we became a true band of friends."
By now something is going on that is actually making many of the students around them to look shocked as Severus is actually smiling back at the man and he nods before he softly whispers: "Best summer ever." And all those who are part of this incredible group of unusual friends nod in agreement before I read on.

There was … backing away –

Here many people shudder and Severus quickly swishes and flicks his wand towards the Antechamber from where hundreds of bottles fly from the door and he expertly moves them over to all those who had been shuddering the worst as he says: "I had a feeling that the climax of this tale might be too much for some here to handle."
And while I smile in pride at the fine way the man handled a proper precaution for a probable possibility, do I then feel greatly worried when I see that Susan and Hannah are two of the girls who get a Calming Draught handed to them and I quickly send them stern ordering looks to have them drink it before I look down.

"I can barely believe this, but this is actually the first accurate description of a proper werewolf transformation. There is, of course, one of a werewolf transforming while under the influence of the Wolfbane Potion, yet this is of a werewolf who hasn't taken it." And with that do I remember another werewolf and ask:
"Mr. Potter, I know these books are actually from the future, but they are in your Point of View and everything. Can I have your permission to copy and paste this part of the tale and send it to editors and writers of Magical Creature books?" Yet here Harry looks at Remus in question before he turns back to me sternly and says:
"As long as you promise not to reveal who the werewolf is that is being described there and make sure that the books this text comes in doesn't contain any form of bias, whether personal or otherwise." At this I nod and give him a silent promise through my thankful smile and Harry sends me one back before I focus back on reading.

As the … each other.

"Sirius, can I take another look at your Animagus form, perhaps?" Albus asks and while this confuses me, does Sirius still do as said and while Albus looks thoughtful for a short while, does he then sigh and say: "Even if you gained a few pounds in between now and the time of this event – it would not have been sufficient enough."
Instantly Sirius transforms back and asks: "What do you mean?" And Albus looks at Remus as he says: "Before I hired Remus, I had him testing his strength while under the influence of Wolfsbane potion. Because he was in full control of himself, was it safe for me to observe both his transformed state and the test.
I know Remus' form and power and if you take into account that the Wolfsbane actually takes the instinctual strength out of a werewolf, then – as noble and welcome as your attempt to keep Remus away from Ron and Pettigrew is –." Here the man shakes his head and says: "Your weakened state will make you lose that fight."

This shocks the entire hall and then Harry says: "So – so the only chance – WHY ARE WE EVEN DOING THIS? WE'RE RUINING THE WHOLE CHAPTER AND CAUSING OURSELVES TO BE MORE CONCERNED THAN WE NEED TO BE!" And while everyone looks at this shocked, do we then look abashed and I read on.

Harry stood … the ground.

"Was – was – was – was Ron –?" Arthur asks and then suddenly Irma answers: "Ron was part of the final battle at the end of his Seventh year at Hogwarts and he had had years of training under an experienced, but still slightly naïve teenager." And while this comforts the concerned father and his kids, do I continue my reading.

Another bang … a heap.

"I guess Pettigrew decided to get revenge on all those who had mocked and harmed him that past year. Sure hope that cat still has some lives left in him." One of the fourth year Lions sneers only to get cursed by the twins, causing him to yelp in pain thanks to the stinging hexes they send his way before one of them shouts:
"YOU BLOODY NITWIT!" And the other goes on: "Don't you realize –!" And they chorus: "That that includes HERMIONE!" And while the Gryffindor cringes as if he just got hit with another stinging hex, does Hermione asks: "Ehm, what does that matter? Shouldn't you guys be more worried about Ron?"
And the twins huff before the left one says: "Of course we are." And the other goes on: "But this doofus here is being a total hypocrite." And his brother says: "Speaking so casually about those that harmed Pettigrew." His brother goes on: "While he knows that includes you." And they chorus: "And the doofus has a crush on you."

And instantly silence rings through the hall, yet instead of the few times it happened before is this a stunned silence instead of a fearful silence and then Hermione turns beat red before she shakes her head and while I am amazed at how well the girl manages to keep herself under control does she then speak up and ask:
"So this guy has a crush on me and would probably try and ask me out sometime over the course of the next few years, yet when we read about who my friends are and an event in which they get hurt, he shows an extreme lack of care for both their health and my safety?" And the twins angrily chorus: "Exactly." Making him cringe.
Here Hermione shakes her head and says: "I may constantly fight with Ron, but at least he cares for me when my life is in danger – or at least when my health could be put in jeopardy – and he knows I worry for him in the same way. Anyone who doesn't care for that, I can't call my friend, let alone a potential boyfriend."
"OH COME ON! Weasley is nothing! Potter is even less! He's nothing like any of us got told –." Yet here Hermione interrupts him and snarls: "Have you seriously not been listening? Harry held a speech about how much he hates that fame and those stories just a few days ago." And while the fourth year cringes, do I just continue reading.

"Expelliarmus." Harry … the forest –

"What a relief." Arthur mutters in sheer emotional exhaustion, yet for some reason Harry and Hermione seem to try and repress an instinctive shudder and Ron asks: "What's with you two? Lupin headed for the forest, not you two." Yet neither of his friends seems to have the answer and they just shrug before I read on.

"Sirius, he's … the grounds.

Here the boy looks down and says: "I shouldn't have done that. I should have checked to see how you were doing and see if I could have treated your wounds." Yet Sirius hugs him and says: "At the time Pettigrew seemed vital to proving my innocence. You have nothing to feel guilty about." And his son smiles at him as I read on.

Harry and … recognize them.

Here Sirius' eyes widen and he whispers: "He better not have." Everyone looks at him and says: "I have one clear memory above all, one that haunts me almost as much as Azkaban. A glimpse I caught of myself in a bit of shiny granite rock before I got thrown into prison. I – I had the exact same look as was just – described."
This shocks everyone and then the man whispers: "That – that bastard. He – in – in the books he – he just used Ron to further power the MMB. In – in that future – getting our memories and everything else back – he just made that impossible by using a living host as the catalyst to his spell. Ron's life energizes the MMB spell."
And everyone looks at the man before he says: "Think about it, it makes perfect sense. He made use of me the first time, because I have been so strongly in contact with my inner Veela for all these years. So suppressing my Veela helps Pettigrew suppress the memories that unite us – and now he's done the same to Ron in the books."

And that seems to be the one thing that Molly needs to break through Severus' Silencing spell as she shouts: "THAT MONSTER IS A GONER! HE IS MINE! I WILL PERSONALLY KILL HIM!" And her voice is loud enough to make us all slap our hands on our ears and for the whole hall to shake with the vibrations of her voice.
Many of us tremble as we hear her scream and rant and I even hear a few voices scream as she rants until suddenly an even louder voice shouts: "MUM, YOU'RE SCARING GINNY!" And this makes everyone look at a furious looking Edena who is glaring at her mother, her shout having silenced Molly at last.

Yet as she glares at her mother, is she also holding onto a trembling Ginny, which shocks Molly into sitting down, her eyes slowly filling themselves up with tears of guilt and then Severus seems to share a new stock of potions with at least 80% of the Great Hall's inhabitants and this time everyone takes the draughts instantly and gratefully.
I too get handed a draught and when I look, does he say: "Hearing restoring potion. You were covering one of your ears with the book, yet were covering it with the wrong part. Your left ear probably experienced a bit of damage." And only then do I notice how I can barely hear anything happening to my left.
I shake my head out of instinct at feeling this and then take the draught, the concoction itself tasting horrible, yet the strange whistling sound I had only just started noticing instantly quieting down and I send the man a grateful smile and when Molly has offered a guilty apology, do I continue reading as I think: "She is definitely Molly's."

"I don't … behind him.

Here Harry actually glares at Hermione and says: "I appreciate the loyalty, Hermione, but you should have stayed with Ron. Someone needed to stay there who could – at least – try and levitate Ron and the others to the castle, even if only one at a time." And while the girl looks chastised, does she then stubbornly reply:
"As if I would leave you alone, Harry. As if." Yet then Harry leaves her the finishing blow as he says: "At least I was conscious. Had anything come at me, I could have tried casting spells against it. Ron and Snape didn't have that luxury. They needed you." And while the girl looks down, does Sirius shake his head and says:

"Neither of you are guilty there. I made the same mistake I did all those years ago, when I thought Hagrid would keep you safe. I should have taken the situation into account and taken the responsibility I wanted to take over you and should have stayed with you." And while Harry looks at his father worriedly, does Ron shock us all:
"None of us are guilty here. We are dealing with a prophesy here. We've already established that it is making our thought process muddled so stop taking responsibility for something that is beyond our grasp already." And while everyone looks at the redhead shocked, do they then smile and nod before I read on, feeling slightly calmer.

The yelping … must mean –

And just like that has the calmness that I felt a second ago left me and instantly I cut my nails into the book as I tense up with great concern and then Ron moans: "Oh come on! Pettigrew escaping is one thing, but them?" And Albus groans as he says: "They are part of the title, Mr. Weasley." And Ron groans as I continue reading.

The yelping … toward them.

"At least – HOW MANY!" Over a hundred voices shout in perfect chorus and this only brings all of the shock and fear for the two students and exonerated ex-murderer home to all those not screaming all the more and while I feel as if their shout could have knocked me off my seat, do I say: "No more interruptions." Before I read on.

He spun … "expecto – expecto –"

Here the girl shakes her head and actually goes against my previous order as she mutters: "I can't do it. You were right, Harry, I should have stayed with Ron." Yet Harry himself shakes his head and says: "There was no way you could have known this would happen. I don't blame you." And his friend smiles at him as I read on.

But she … with him –

This time Remus is the one shaking his head and he says: "Those aren't happy thoughts. They're the desperate thoughts of one's personal desire. They won't work, not against a few Dementors, let alone that many." Only for his wife to hit him over the head and snap: "Not. Helping." Making him blush as I read on with a sigh.

"Expecto patronum!" … expecto patronum –"

"They're not interested in Sirius, not anymore at least." Luna suddenly whispers, yet her voice sounds deafening in the otherwise silent hall and all those around Harry whiten and tense up as Sirius whispers: "No – no, not – they – they can't –." And then the man proves that Azkaban still did a number on him as he shouts:
"THEY CAN'T TAKE HIM!" And as he clings to his son, do tears of fearful desperation slip from his eyes as he cries out of clear horrified fear over just the thought that he has actually just lost his son; the same way part of him must still be believing he has lost his friend and mate. And still his wailing shocks us all crazy.

Harry is the first to recover and he hugs the wailing man close as he whispers: "I'm here, dad. They can't take me. They're gone, dad. They're back where they belong. They're far away, dad, far enough they can never get to me. I am safe, dad, I am safe right here. Right here with you. I'm in your arms, dad, and I'm safe."
And to my utter amazement do the words seem to have an actual healing effect on the man as Harry keeps his body close and relaxed while he holds his dad and softly rubs the man's back in calming swirling motions of both his hands and as Sirius listens to his son's calming words, does his wailing get reduced to tearful hiccups.
"Ha-ha-ha-ha-Harry." The man whimpers, making my heart break for how scared he sounds at the thought of not having his son with him and yet Harry keeps his stance and the look on his face the same and whispers only five words: "I'm here, dad, I'm here." And to that does Sirius try to cuddle even closer against Harry.

Then suddenly something happens that shocks me as two different gusts of winds suddenly start to surround the two, yet when I look at where the powers are coming from, does the older Jeffrey says: "Dad just can't handle this chapter anymore." And the younger says: "He needs Harry more now." And I nod before Molly asks:
"But – but isn't this like with what Severus wanted to do with me at the start of the chapter?" But the two brothers shake their heads and the older one says: "No, the situation is totally different here." And the younger brother says: "It's different, because dad carries short-term emotional scars of all of us, especially mum and Harry."
Then the older goes on: "As far as his instincts still know, Harry is all he has left of his past." And the younger says: "So to hear about the chance of losing him only so close after leaving his emotional hell is something he just can't handle." And then the elder says: "You are more emotionally stable than he is, you understand?"
And the woman nods, while her eyes are wide with shock with how well the two brothers, even with several years of time difference and a whole journey of time-travel between them, can work together and think like one entity and then the two brothers return their focus to their brother and father and as they do, do I read on.

He could … its hood.

This makes me drop the book in revolted shock and Albus whispers what everyone is thinking as he whispers: "It didn't." Yet I know I don't need to repeat the words by just looking at all of their looks of utter horror, fear, concern and revulsion and with trembling hands, do I pick the book back up, gulp and shakily continue reading.

Where there … death rattle.

By now I regret beyond words that I offered to read this chapter and I quickly shake my head and decide to distract myself. I grab my wand, summon a bit of parchment and hurriedly cast a copy and paste set of spells, perfectly copying the bit of text over to the scroll and mutter: "More new entries for Magical Creature books."
And this seems to be what everyone needs before suddenly Albus says: "Fawkes." And the phoenix flies in from the doorway as Albus says: "The Mind healers that worked on Alice and Frank as well as Andromeda Tonks. On the double, Fawkes." And the Phoenix lets out a confirming thrill before bursting into flames.
"Good idea, Albus. Might I suggest we cut the rest of the reading off until everyone has had a few sessions?" Minerva asks, but Albus shakes his head and says: "We will postpone until everyone who needs it has made an appointment. It would be unwise to postpone a possible positive ending." And his colleague nods as I read on.

A paralyzing … take him…

This makes my eyes widen and a girl in Harry's year and House tears up as she asks: "E-e-even now he – he still – he still tries to – to protect someone other than himself? Why?" And Hermione down-heartedly mutters: "Because that is how those monstrous Muggles raised him." Which instantly makes me make a decision.
I look from the girl to Lucius and when I have the man's attention, do I say: "Lucius, we both know that you weren't a Death Eater, so make sure I do not catch you doing anything helpful to Mrs. Evans' sister and brother-in-law, understand." And the man looks shocked before he smirks and says: "Sorry Amelia, but I don't."
Yet I smirk at the man, fully convinced that he has indeed picked up on my rhetoric order and then quickly hide my gleeful pride with a snarl and say: "Damn it, Lucius, must you be so obsolete all the time." Yet the man merely raises his eyebrow at me and when everyone's attention is back on me, do I read on – winking at him.

But a … ever heard –

Here many eyes turn to Harry in utter horror and concern and James moves to hug his son, but then the older Jeffrey says: "Don't!" And when his mother looks at him as he says: "I can hear them talking and Harry is helping dad heal and calm down. That and you would be pushing against our power. Give them some time."
The man looks conflicted, yet he does nod and asks: "How long will they need?" Yet Jeffrey shakes his head and says: "More time than either Harry or us can give them." And his younger brother says: "So we want to keep the wind shields up until the Healers get here." Here James nods with a relieved smile and I read on, feeling better.

And then … were leaving…

"Did Severus come to their rescue?" Regulus asks shocked, but his husband actually shakes his head and says: "Like Pot-Harry himself in this world I have yet to start training with the Patronus charm and I doubt my MMB memories are going to help me with that. And let's not forget, I am a Slytherin in heart and soul."
Yet this makes Regulus asks: "Yeah, so?" And while Severus looks shocked, does he then sigh and say: "I meant the kind of Slytherin described in the book. The kind that cares only for themselves and that hates Gryffindors. I doubt my book-self would risk their neck for the son of their supposed rival. I probably waited until they left."
This makes Regulus look sad and disappointed and then Draco asks: "Wait, the image of a True Snake – isn't like that for you?" And Regulus shakes his head and says: "We call that the Voldemort kind of Snake, not the True kind. Though that image definitely lasted quite long." And with that do I read on and think: "Longer than you knew."

The air … he fainted.

"Wait, so we don't get to hear who it was?" Oliver asks shocked while he still looks highly worried for his boyfriend and his boyfriend's father and friend and I shake my head and say: "No, it seems that will be explained in next chapter. Though the title confuses me." And when others look at me, I say: "It's called Hermione's Secret."
And this causes many of those around me to look utterly confused, yet then I suddenly see Minerva's eyes widen before she looks at the girl and the woman doing so seems to explain this title's strange explanation to the young girl as she squeals in shock before Minerva sighs and says: "I gave her that secret, so I will read next."
And while I can only wonder what this so-called secret could be, do I hear many of the other students whispering, one of them asking: "Is this that same secret that Professor McGonagall said she would discuss with Potter so he could keep an eye on her?" And another asks: "How should I know." Before Minerva hushes him.


And I hush this story.
Holy crap, this chapter went ALL over the place. At first I tried to just make it as funny as possible, then I tried helping the others relive memories, then I focused on those who could cause issues, then I turned the focus to Sirius still being an Azkaban survivor and then the rest just went and happened. Bloody hell.
To be honest, part of me felt like adding the next chapter into this one, seeing how short the CR chapter was, yet I just couldn't do that. This chapter – like last month's had drained me and that wasn't because it had taken me the better part of a full weekend, but because its contents were just so – emotionally heavy.
Whew, that's over,

Venquine1990