PS, here are the Translations.
Tiens moi serré. Ne pas lâcher is French for Hold me Tight. Do Not Let Go
бижу на сърцето ми is Bulgarian for Jewel of my Heart.


Chapter 14
More abuse, more comfort

Filius' POV

"Lily was my favorite student and all that has been done to her son was disgusting and terrible. Albus, you better watch out, because you're really going to pay." I steam on the inside, trying to hold in my magic as my talent as a Master Duelist makes my magic stronger if my emotions are too. I then shake my head and say: "I would like to read next."
Of course no one stands at the owl stand anymore as Mrs. Malfoy hurried to her cousin and his family the minute the book was over and so, while feeling very happy at the fact that this book is reuniting the Black family, do I simply levitate my seat over to the stand and stand on it, using my wand to raise the chair a little so I can reach the book.
I look at the next chapter and think: "This might explain the reason behind all those letters. Minerva, Pomona and I were going stir crazy having to constantly send those letters and hearing from Bella how those Muggles just destroyed them." And with that, while trying not to fume at the insolence of those monsters, do I read.

Letters From No One
The escape …longest-ever punishment.
And not having to go to school was both a blessing and a curse to Harry. Every day he had to work in the garden and make sure nothing was out of the ordinary as the Annual Garden Contest was coming up. For hours on end Harry would mow the lawn, paint the fences, tend to the flowerbeds, water them, pull out weeds, take old and dried leaves out of the tree and plants around the garden and all of this was done in sweaty old and ripped cloths.
Aunt Petunia had even given him his oldest, dirtiest cloths because she didn't want to smother or bring dirt to 'good' cloths – cloths that had tears, but no stains and weren't color-worn – which was the only set of cloths he could wear to stay warm during the winter, thus making it even warmer for him outside.
And of course, whenever Dudley would come home Harry would have had prepared a good meal for him and serve it to him while he sat on the garden bench. And if Dudley ever left the bench Harry was told to clean it and repaint it.
Once all of this was done Harry was told to go back to his cupboard until dinner, of which he got less than the usual leftovers – uncle Vernon made sure only half of that was left every meal and Harry had to tar on that until the next day.
And they might think he didn't hear them, but the Dursleys always waited for him to sleep so they would open his door and then hiss all kinds of terrible insults at him before laughing and locking the cupboard door until 08 o'clock the next morning.

This turns everyone furious, many of the older students whispering about how they can use the spells they learned to get back at those monsters and I myself, while holding the book with one hand, use my other to cast fire spells at the gargoyles around the Hall, lighting their torches and the candles flying overheads to vent my anger.
Starting this once I started reading about the punishments, the students had been amazed as the first gargoyle almost exploded with the flames, but now seem used to the amazing bursts of flame coming from some of the candles and torches and this distraction no longer working makes them unable to not focus on their own anger.
Then Poppy says: "No wonder he pulls such dangerous stunts. Hearing those insults in your sleep is, psychologically, the best way to undermine someone's self-confidence and self-preserve. It makes us remember it sub-consciously and that is often worse than when we know and remember something by having heard of it consciously."

I shake my head and Pomona says: "No child deserves that." And then she asks: "Mr. Potter, how –?" But the boy, being as intelligent as I often saw him, knows her question and says: "The hissed insults were not part of the punishment; that was a monthly activity. They've been doing that since Dudley knew what he was talking about."

Everyone's fury rises even more and then suddenly I turn to the Three other Champions, knowing Cedric Diggory to really care and worry for those that are important to him and apparently he, Andromeda and Viktor are holding back a furious Fleur Delacour, who in her anger has transformed into her Veela Form.
Andromeda has her wand out and is swishing circles with it, obviously casting silencing charms as I don't hear any of the Veela's shrieks or shouts and while Cedric keeps shouting for Fleur to calm down and that this won't help, does Viktor seem to be casting Bulgarian curses to keep the Veela calmed down.
After about 10 minutes of this, me watching intently and with that drawing other people's interest to the event, Fleur calms down and her blond hair, beautiful face and soft skin all return back to normal, but she still whispers: "Tiens moi serré. Ne pas lâcher." Cedric, of who I know had French as second language taught by his dad, nods and I read on.

By the … cupboard again – uncle Vernon telling him his punishment was over and his aunt agreeing he would no longer needed to work in the garden – the summer …her crutches.

"Which is exactly one of the reasons I'm delighted to get back at that fat, selfish, spoiled pig." Bella smiles sneeringly and I shake my head as Arabella had once tried on the Sorting Hat during a party of the Order – a little prank the Prewett brothers had pulled – and it had Sorted her into Slytherin, which is now proven by her devious smirk.
I shake slightly as Arabella has a hunger for vengeance that can sometimes be deadly, seeing how she reacted at Order Headquarters when she heard that the Prewett brothers had been killed – later we discovered that Arabella had taken the two under her wing and had helped them try to be the greatest they could be.
I shake my head and think: "I don't know whether or not it was wise of Amelia to request for Bella's help in this. Surely she'll ask for a punishment worse than – wait, these are the Dursleys I'm thinking of. The ones that hurt Lily's son." And immediately any pity I feel for the Dursleys vanishes and I smirk as I read on.

Harry was … the leader.

"That makes no sense." Draco Malfoy scoffs, beating his father and several Ravenclaws to the bush and then Harry says: "Malfoy, these are five boys that never make sense, no matter what they do. Of course they follow the dumbest leader theory possible." The Snake smirks and says: "Couldn't have said it better myself, cousin."
I see Harry whiten a little and this seems to confuse Draco, which Harry sees and makes him hang his head down in shame as he says: "Sorry, reading about my home life gets some old wounds and fears to come back up." Draco nods, his silver eyes filled with understanding for his cousin and Sirius softly hugs him as I read on.

The rest … Harry Hunting.

"What exactly, if I may ask, is Harry Hunting?" Amos asks, his face contorted in pure fury and his fists holding onto two Golden goblets with a bend stem under the drinking parts and while I am amazed that the man can still speak as he often had a vocal problem when really angry, does Harry answer with a shrug:
"I run, they chase and if they catch me they got to beat me to their heart's delight. Why do you think I enjoy going fast so much, Mr. Diggory?" The man looks shocked and then Alastor, who has only been grunting since we started reading, says: "I'm all in for ruthless training, but even I would never think of bullying as a good form of training."
I can't agree with him more together with most of the school and Sirius says: "And his training really was ruthless." Remus snickers and says: "I know. The first night you came back from training to be Aurors, you and James actually crashed at my place because you were too tired to apparate or floo and my house was just around the corner."
Sirius punches the man and Moody says: "Okay, so I was harder on them the first day than I was at others. But hey, deal with it. I had heard all about your reputation and could easily tell from your faces you were too young to understand true danger." Sirius shrugs and says: "Hey, I'm not complaining, am I?" Moody smirks in pride and I read on.

This was … of hope – shockingly enough arranged thanks to Erica's will. When September … with Dudley.

I look at the name and ask: "Mr. Potter, who exactly is this Mss. Erica?" Harry sighs, while he had been snickering at Sirius' earlier conversation and says: "She was a friend of Mss. Crenson and was a retired member of the US army. She met me when I was around halfway through December 1986 and – well, you'll see."
I nod, while his hurt and scared tone frightens me and makes me feel for him as he must really care for this woman. I then look back down at the book and wonder if we'll find out more about this woman in this book and what on earth could have happened to her that makes young Harry sound so scared and hurt. I shrug and read on.

Dudley had … local comprehensive.

"You wish, Dursley." Sirius smirks and then, just when I wonder what the man has planned to keep Harry away from any other plans of that monster, does he turn to Harry and asks: "Do you know what the first thing was that your dad did when he discovered you were coming?" Harry shakes his head and Sirius smiles and says:
"He went, visited Albus and used his right as Potter Lord to make the man write down your name on the Hogwarts register. He of course only put down your last name, he and Lily were arguing about names for you till she was 5 months pregnant, but when you were born and named James immediately made sure Albus put your full name down."
Harry looks shocked and asks: "Dad actually signed me into Hogwarts before I was even born?" Sirius nods and says: "He trusted Albus intently and he loved the time we had spend there so much, he wanted you there as quickly as possible, if only to make sure you would have such as a wonderful time as he had." Harry smiles widely and I read on.

Dudley … he'd said.

"I'm still wondering if he even ever got it." Harry snickers while the whole hall roars with laughter, the twins and their rivals in pranks laughing the loudest. Then Sirius hits his son on the back and says: "A comeback worthy of a Potter, Harry, truly." The twins then look at each other and one of them asks: "Prank 265, George?"
The other nods and Ron asks: "Do I even want to know?" To which the other twin states: "Prank number 265." And the other says: "A prank that only works if you have several victims." And the first says: "As it makes them see each other as something hideous, like a hippo-head, a toilet seat for a lap and that kind of things."
Everyone laughs at this and Arthur says: "That sure does explain your O in Transfigurations." And the two say: "Of course we got an O. We showed the examiner all kinds of Transfigurations spells we either tweaked to serve our own purposes or that we created ourselves." Molly and several of my colleagues look shocked and I read on.

One day … several years. The best was that the shopping started at eight thirty in the morning and didn't end until a quarter to three in the afternoon and even then aunt Petunia didn't want him home, because she wanted to make sure Dudley was prepared to show his new cloths that evening.
And so, Harry finally had a whole day to relieve his tired bones, catch up on his never-ending hunger and heal his wrist – as the break was still smarting thanks to the hard work he had to do all throughout his punishment.

Now relieved smiles are on just about everyone's faces and Harry says: "Thanks again, Mrs. Figg. I needed that." The woman smiles, her eyes obviously tiery over what was actually ailing him that day and she says: "It was my pleasure, Harry. Although I did hate that you were yet to turn eleven and had yet to receive your letter.
When you were there I was just bursting to tell you everything and get you ready for your letter." Now Harry blushes and says: "Preparation might have come in handy." This intrigues and worries me at the same time, seeing the treatment of the Dursleys and Mr. Potter's reputation to find danger and I quickly read on.

That evening …called boaters.

Just about every girl in the room has their faces scrunched up in disgust, while the boys are laughing themselves silly, except those who like the girls have a high sense of fashion like Seamus Finnegan and a few others and Ron says: "You never really appreciate what you have until you see someone who has it worse."
And he pulls softly at his black school robe with red Gryffindor trimming and then tips his wizarding hat a little further up his head with his thumb. The rest of the Gryffindor table nods in agreement and I read on.

They also … later life.

"Those Muggles really are the weirdest bunch I have ever met." Blaise Zabini says with his arms crossed and an eyebrow raised in confusion and Percy, shockingly enough jokes: "And you spend the last four years with these two." Aiming at the twins, who look at their brother in shock before large, proud grins grow on their faces.
Then Amelia says: "I can now slightly understand why that man is so stupid and abusive. Being taught to hit whoever he wanted, no wonder he's that violent to Mr. Potter." Everyone nods and Sirius asks: "You won't let this weaken his punishment, will you Amelia?" And the woman almost cries: "Oh heavens, no!
But I will look into changing that school's policy. It's almost the very source those Muggles have so many criminals and such a terrible rising in the violence ratings." All adults nod, some of the parents looking worried and Lucius says: "I'll help you change that policy, Amelia." The woman smiles gratefully and I read on.

As he … to laugh and he didn't want to take the risk of that coming true or letting his uncle make it be true.

Any possible laughter from the students dies out as I read this and anger takes the place of happiness, but then Harry says: "Wait just a little longer. If I'm not mistaken my first letter should be arriving soon after this." The students nod and I feel relieved as the anger is, this time, replaced with lots of excitement as I read on.

There was … grey water. Then he heard soft taps, like very thin heels, and quickly turned around to find his aunt with her hand slightly raised, obviously with the intent to push his head into the tub.
Harry quickly stepped aside – remembering how his aunt used to do that if he asked for a bath as a toddler – and instead the woman grabs the spoon lying in the tub and starts turning the rags around in the water.
"What's this?" … she said, faking to let her arm slip and giving him an elbow to the stomach, making him gasp in slight pain.
Harry looked .. bowl again, easily recovering as he had had worse blows than that. "Oh." He said … Aunt Petunia, turning the spoon to one side hard enough to splatter the dirty water all over Harry's shirt. "I'm dyeing … I've finished. As if a freak like you is even worth this trouble."

This makes almost everyone glare at the book with furious eyes, their eyes closed like slits and steam almost coming off of some of them. Then one of my favorite Ravenclaws, who seems to hear the reading but not get affected by it as she gazes out the window, says: "Only those that harm others and believe it normal are freaks."
The rest of my House looks at her shocked, while I smile at her and Minerva says: "Very well said, Mss. Lovegood." The girl smiles at her dreamily, which I know annoys Minerva and Severus to no end as neither can really get a reading on the dreamy girl and I snicker, knowing: "Only a chaotic mind is a brilliant mind." Before I read on.

Harry seriously … the table, deciding not to bother his aunt as today was the day of the contest, making the woman snappy and irritable and tried … skin, probably.

"Mate, if you looked like that, how would the other students look?" Ronald asks, the tone in his voice proving he's trying to cheer everyone up and Harry, with a grateful smile, says: "Ron, the other students would at least look as if they were wearing fabric, like silk and stuff. Mine would really look like elephant skin."
The boy nods and Harry says: "Count along with that that I have untamable hair, that the cloths would be oversized and baggy and that my glasses were still kept together by tape and I'd be the scapegoat for bullies all over again – which was exactly the reason I was glad to go to a different school than Dudley." Ronald nods and I read on.

Dudley and … Uncle Vernon stroked Dudley's hair and hit Harry with the morning paper before he opened his … the table – but not before trying to give Harry a good hit with it under the table.

This raises the anger of everyone yet again and I whisper: "Please let this junk with those monsters be over soon." Hating to hear more and more of this garbage come out of my mouth. To which Harry says: "I couldn't have said it better myself, professor." I smile at the boy, amazed at how developed his senses are and say:
"You have good ears, Mr. Potter. Quite good ears indeed." But the boy says: "No, the anger just rises the tension and makes it easier to hear things. Plus, I don't think you really know how to whisper." The students laugh and I see the boy winking at me. I smile at him, realizing he just wanted to relief everyone's anger and read on.

They heard … the doormat.

"You mean owls don't just drop them through – oh wait, right! No owls." Brad Stern, a friend of Collin Creevey and a year younger than the boy, even if he is always seen around Collin outside of classes and seems to learn from his friend about the Muggle world, says and he asks: "Then how do they get their mail?"
And Harry answers: "Well, while Muggles, like us, have post offices, but instead of owls, they let people deliver the mail. Some people like doing that and it's a good exercise. To Muggles, it's even the best part-time job to start with when you're a teen." Mr. Stern nods while Collin is excited about the interaction and I read on.

"Get the … get it." Dudley said trying to hit Harry again.
"Get the … get it." Harry said, hoping to get some more time to heal. Uncle Vernon closed his eyes, rolled up his paper and hit Harry on the head with it again before reopening it.
Poke him … stick, Dudley."

"Can't believe that just happened." Viktor says, finally speaking while I can perfectly understand how he's been silently raging and then he stands up, making some other Bulgarians stand up as well, but then he quickly looks at Remus, who nods at the young Bulgarian, while the others sit back down at Slytherin table.
The boy nods back and slowly takes the man's seat, holding Harry close and whispering: "I can't believe someone like you had to live with people like them, бижу на сърцето ми. You, of all people, don't deserve this. I bless all of my Bulgarian Goddesses and stars that you turned out the wonderful way you are."
And he softly kisses the boy's steaming red forehead, before hugging him close, holding him soft enough to give Harry chance to push off, but still having his arms close around to prove his love and care. I smile at the picture and at the fact that Harry seems comfortable enough not to push away from the elder boy and read on.

Harry dodged the Smeltings stick, his move making a few sore joints hurt and went … to him.Erica and Mss. Crenson had wanted, but Harry had never received any of their letters. And because he had made his promise before Mss. Crenson could properly teach him how to write, Harry had never been able to write a letter to either of them.

"Then how is it you write us?" Sirius asks shocked, while my Ravens share scandalized looks that an 11 year old didn't know how to write and Harry says: "Let's just say that the Hogwarts letter arrival and the fact Dudley will never want to learn helped me along." The man seems confused and I too wonder what the boy is talking about.
But on the same time are I myself and – by a quick look proving – my colleagues glad our letter arrival had some help in Mr. Potter's situation and education, even though it took a week before he truly received it. I shrug, remembering what Bella told us and feeling that it's nothing the Muggles didn't deserve and read on.

Who would … books back – even though he and Erica met there all the time to read her own books , her reading them to him for fun. Yet here … no stamp.

"What's a stamp?" Crabbe asks, for the first time speaking more than grunting and to my shock actually asking a sensual question and Harry, while shocked at his soft voice, says: "Well, it's really a Muggle way to pay some extra to the post office.
You see, where wizards pay the post office to let their owls fly out and give them the money to buy the owls treats, Muggles put stamps, small pieces of glued paper, on their letters to pay the mailmen just that little bit of extra money as a treat for their hard work."

He then shrugs and says: "It's really that simple. You just check the weight of your letter, check the info sample or pamphlet how much money goes with what weight and then pay a little extra to the mailmen through the stamp.
So all in all, to put a stamp on a letter gives extra money to a mailmen, like the post office gives treats to the owls that deliver wizarding post." The Slytherin nods and I shake my head, barely able to believe at how easy Mr. Potter makes it for us to understand Muggles and their ways of living without magic. I then shrug and read on.

Turning the … his letter.

"And that mistake became my best move in ten years." Harry smirks before anyone can tell him it would have been better to open the letter later. Everyone looks shocked, some of them already with their mouths open, while the Slytherins all have their eyebrows raised at him with clear interest and I read on.

He handed … Uncle Vernon.

"YOU ABSOLUTE BASTARD!" Lucius shouts, shocking everyone as the man has barely ever yelled before in his life and he says: "To receive your first Hogwarts letter is a privilege. There are over ten different Magical schools in England and to be enrolled in Hogwarts is like a golden ticket to see the queen herself!
Potter senior went through a whole lot of trouble to allow his son this privilege even before birth and now that fat Muggle thinks he can just take all that hard work away? He IS! DEAD!" Almost everyone in the hall looks shocked, except for the other Purebloods, who get over their shock and nod in agreement and Harry asks:
"Is the first letter really that important?" Narcissa smiles at him, having gone to sit with Sirius and says: "Harry, it's a Black tradition to preserve the first letter of every child in a special hall. They get send there once the child steps onto the train for the first time. And both your mother and grandmother are born Blacks, so you are too."
Now Harry winces and says: "Then I guess my uncle made me break that tradition." The woman looks curious and confused and she says: "Harry, no Muggle can stop that magic. It gets transported like a Portkey." But I can see Potter thinking, his eyes turned away from her and up to the enchanted ceiling and read on.

"Who'd be … Uncle Vernon, his glare promising punishment if Harry didn't back down, shaking the …old porridge.

"I'm never eating porridge again." Many students shudder and others nod, apparently too sickened by the amazingly well-detailed story to speak for themselves, while Pomona says: "Better inform the House Elves they won't have to make anymore porridge." Aurora nods and whispers: "And we better organize a meal soon.
The students must be getting hungry, even though I have no idea what time it is." And with a shock I realize that thanks to the many interruptions and long chapters, not to mention that my wristwatch no longer rings at every hour, hours must have past and I quickly read on, not wanting to starve the hungry students.

"P-P-Petunia!" he gasped … Smeltings stick.

"He actually did that?" The teachers ask shocked and Harry throws his arms up and says: "And he hasn't even gone to Smeltings yet." This makes many look at each other, shocked that a boy can actually behave like that, but I think I know what went through Mr. Potter's head as he spoke: "Welcome to my world."

"I want … didn't move.

Now Mss. Granger and Ronald look at each other and Ronald asks: "Remember the Remembrall?" Hermione nods and asks: "And the speech before the Stone." Ron nods back and asks: "And Sirius last year?" Hermione nods again and they share one more look before they chorus: "Oh Merlin." And Harry glares at them while I read on.

"I WANT … the hall, making sure to slam Harry against the wall as he did so, slamming the … and floor.

Now some of the students look sad and defeated and Harry says: "First of all, that boy had the size of a baby killer whale and I was the size of a – a straw. He could have easily gone and sat at me. Second, I'm glad he was so interested in that letter or I would have had worse." The casuality with which he speaks makes many of us shrink back and I read on.

"Vernon." Aunt Petunia … dangerous nonsense."

This makes me fall silent and the silence that rings around me is more deafening than when we discovered where Harry slept for the first ten years of his life as these are words I was sure no Muggle would ever be stupid enough to speak about. Everyone around me is shocked silent and Amelia says: "We've got him."
Making many smirk and Tonks, her ever changing hair now pure, onyx black and her eyes a devious red it's almost scary, almost pushes through her own parchment as she writes the sentences down, a large grin on her face so devious and cynical it's almost too easy to recognize her as a member of the Noble and Ancient House of Black.

I myself feel a little scared of this as Tonks, being her usual, unusual self and expressing her rights as a witch and an individual had always been one of the things I liked about her so much, especially when people pestered her about being the cousin of a mass murderer or that her special powers would let her end up as a whore.
I look from the young Auror, who looks so different from the bubbly teen I used to know to said murderer and see that he's biting his lip in worry and concern, softly stroking Harry's hair as the boy is held by Krum, but that his eyes are set aflame like they often were when he was arguing with Severus as a teen.
I know the man is furious about that Muggle trying to harm his son, not to mention saying stuff like that and that he wants to go and make the man pay, but the way the worry and concern overpower the anger shows me how much the man has grown up and how much he really loves his son. I smile at my old student and read on.

That evening …burned it."

"HE WHAT?" Lucius shouts and Harry says: "Told you. Told you my uncle broke the tradition." But Narcissa smiles and says: "Harry, we have our room very specially charmed. If something happens to the first letter, the letter that lets out child know he has been accepted at Hogwarts will take its place in the room."
Harry smiles and says: "Good to know, Mrs. Malfoy. Too bad that took a little too much use of parchment.""You still got it, didn't you Harry?" Hagrid says with a wink and Harry laughs and says: "That I did, Hagrid. And thanks." The man nods, while I wonder what he did when he went to pick up young Harry and read on.

"It was …the ceiling, one of which his uncle threw at his face. But Harry was so used to spiders he just sat stock still and the little creature easily tripled over his shoulder back to the wall and up to the ceiling.

Ron shudders and Harry shrugs, saying: "I don't mind spiders, but I never more want to meet Aragog. That's for sure." And a trembling Ron, who squeaked softly when that name was mentioned again says: "Hear you there, mate." But these words not only intrigue me, they also have quite the interesting reaction.
Viktor smiles worriedly down at his crush and jealously pulls the boy closer when Ron calls him his mate. I shake my head at the implications and Sirius seems to whisper comforting words in the Bulgarian's ear as he relaxes his hold again. I smile, wondering how deep that bond between them can grow and read on.

He took … second bedroom."

"Still can't believe that git actually has 2 rooms." Ron grumbles, his face almost as red as when he shouted at his mother and Draco, who doesn't even seem shocked as he speaks says: "I know. I mean, sure the family wing gives each member a set of rooms of their own, but even we have a joined dining room and study."
Now the Weasleys look at Draco incredulously and Lucius mutters: "Not really what they meant, Draco." The boy shrugs and Sirius says: "Draco, the real reason behind their disbelief is the fact that pig gets 2 rooms, while being spoiled stupid, and that Harry has to do with a cupboard, while he never did anything to deserve that kind of treatment."
Draco nods and Sirius says: "And besides, Malfoy Manor might have that kind of rooms, but the Centre home of the Black Family, Grimmauld Place is only furnished with one kitchen and study room and with several separate bed and bathrooms." Draco seems shocked at such – as I believe he thinks – poverty and I read on

"Why?" said Harry … first bedroom.

"EXCUSE ME!" Almost the entire hall shouts, something I know they wanted to shout before, but that I overpowered by reading quickly and Minerva says: "It's bad enough that the brat has 2 rooms and Mr. Potter just a cupboard, but there was actually even a 4th bedroom? And they still had the guts not to give Mr. Potter a proper room?"

Everyone seems to think the exact same, their faces almost red enough to resemble the red hair of the Weasley family and then Luna, who seems best at keeping her anger at bay says: "Maybe a Thestrall visit will remind them of what they are losing and what they have already lost." Everyone looks at her confused and then Hagrid says:
"That is a very good theory, Mss. Lovegood. The Thestrall is after all known to only be seen after you've seen death." The girl nods, but then Parvati says: "But professor Trelawney said it can only be seen before some kind of terrible misfortune meets you." The woman nods, smiling ethereally, while Hermione snorts and then Harry asks:
"Parvati, is seeing death not the worst kind of misfortune you can imagine?" The girl looks shocked and nods slightly and then Harry asks: "So what would make more sense, before or after?" And the girl whispers: "After." Making Harry nod and causing the smile to be wiped off my colleague's face as I read on.

It only …this room.

"Only one? And you were almost eleven?" Narcissa asks, looking shocked and worried as Arthur, while his sons all share shocked looks with each other and Harry nods and says: "I only had two extra sets of cloths, a pair of old sneakers and some old toys that were so broken and overused even I couldn't play with them anymore."
The woman looks shocked and hurt and then Remus pulls out some parchment and as he writes he says: "Things to do once we get out of here. Make Albus pay. Get Muggles to court. Buy family new wardrobe." And while Harry wanted to protest once Remus started the last sentence, does he stop and smile once he hears the word family.

I shake my head at how hard it is for the boy to accept anything nice, which is now more than clear to be blamed on those disgusting Muggles and their treatment and then Narcissa says: "Do write down with that that Andy, Dora and I will come along, Remus. I want to be there when my cousin goes for his first shopping spree."
To which Sirius shouts: "YES, I GET TO SEE SOMETHING HE DOES FOR THE FIRST TIME!" And everyone laughs while Remus hits him over the back of the head and then writes the names down before pulling Sirius back down and strongly into his arms, cuddling with the excited and happily smiling man as I read on.

He sat … of books and Harry couldn't wait to use them to read, so he wouldn't be behind or make a bad impression on the teachers once he went to Stonewall. There were even some books on the alphabet, which he could use to learn how to write.

Now my colleagues and I smile and Sirius, his face still showing the excitement over going shopping with his son, says: "Normally, I'd be against you learning so much, but seeing how much has already been taken from you, can I only be proud at how you still want to achieve and accomplish after all those Muggles did to you."
The others sitting around Harry nod and the teachers smile at the boy, even Severus and Minerva, who then says: "This sure does explain why your essays are wonderful in summary, but severely lack structure, paragraphs and have quite some grammar mistakes. You only had one month to teach yourself what others learn in 6 to 7 years."
Harry nods and many students look impressed, while Hermione, Remus and the Malfoy elders smile in pride of the boy being able to do so. I too smile at the amazing talent of the young boy, wondering what else he can learn now that he has people who want him to do his absolutely best and then read on, wanting to know more.

They were … without it. Of course a combination would have been good too, but this room felt as much given away after being overused as all of his cloths and other things. Next morning …room back.

"He actually got to do all that without any of his parents stepping in?" Lucius asks shocked, while some of my students look white, obviously thinking of the punishment they'd get for doing so and Amelia and Narcissa ask: "How on earth did they hide that from the neighbors?" And Harry answers: "They didn't and wouldn't want or need to either."
Everyone looks at him, the parents shocked and appalled at his answer and he says: "You've read and heard what tha – Dudley and his friends are like to me. They're the same to other kids in the neighborhood and it doesn't matter how many times their parents complain about it. Those Dursleys always ignore it."

Harry then shrugs and says: "So it wouldn't have mattered if the neighbors had seen, they're too used to this kind of behavior from the boy and his parents denying that it's wrong what he does." To this the twins and Percy look at each other and then at their ex-mother, the twins moving their head to Percy and Percy giving the woman a stern look.
The woman looks confused and then angered and asks: "What?" Everyone looks at her, shocked at the sound of her voice as Arthur has been keeping her silenced up until now and the twins ask: "Sound familiar?" But the woman only glares and spats: "As if I would ever behave like that." And Percy spats back: "You did, with me."
The woman looks shocked and Arthur says: "Boys, just leave Molly alone. She'll be pointed out to her mistakes throughout the books, but I don't want you to have any more contact with her. I don't want her making you even more miserable." The boys nod, while I wonder what the Family Meeting was about and read on.

Harry was … to Harry as he had yet to hit Harry over the head or make a rude comment, or even order him to do something, made Dudley … Privet Drive –"

"Is he actually that stupid? Anyone wanting to read that letter would have had enough brains not to shout about it." Draco sneers and then Harry says: "To be honest, people might want to compare him to Crabbe and Goyle, but even that would be an insult – to them that is." This makes everyone in Slytherin laugh and he goes on:
"They at least passed their tests and exams by themselves. I still wonder to this day how Dudley even passed his first year at Smelting, let alone the last three." Everyone snickers, while Crabbe and Goyle obviously don't seem to know whether or not they were insulted and I read on, shaking my head that anyone can me dumber than they are.

With a … from behind.

Now Ron and Hermione share a look before looking at a blushing Harry who had seen their glance and Ron says: "You really jump everything attacking or forming a threat, don't you mate? Your ex-uncle, Halloween, Sirius." He then sums up and I wonder what means, but his friends laugh, Harry still slightly red and I read on.

After a … at Harry, his nails digging into Harry's skin. Harry walked … a plan.

"Oh Merlin." Ron and Hermione moan and so do Sirius and Remus and Sirius says: "Please tell me he got Lily's amazing brain in coming up with plans." But the two shake their head and Ron says: "The only plans that ever work are plans Harry comes up with when he's in the face of danger. Else –." He shrugs and says: "They suck."
This makes the two grown men moan, while Harry glares at his best friend and Sirius says: "Just like James. The only plans we ever let him make were prank plans. Else – Oh Merlin – he was a terrible planner." Now the hall snickers while Harry turns from glaring at his friends to smiling angrily at his mum and I read on.

The repaired … four first.

"Okay, not a bad idea, but a little simple to think of, don't you think?" Sirius asks his son sweetly and the boy moans and says: "Tell me about it. Escaping the house through the cupboard had been much easier." This both intrigues and worries me and a lot of the rest of the hall – especially the teachers – and I read on.

His heart … uncle's face.

"Way, way easier." Harry moans while Sirius now looks at his son worriedly and says: "Had I escaped the cupboard the darkness outside it wouldn't have been as thick as the darkness inside and I would have been able to see that man. Would have made me know in time that I could better escape through the back door."
Everyone shakes their head, the eyes of the Weasleys, Remus, Sirius and Hermione closed in pain and Ron says: "That you still think living in that cupboard is right. No wonder you didn't mind it when she took some blankets out of that cupboard near my bedroom." Everyone looks shocked and then Ron thinks again and shouts:
"HOLY MERLIN! THAT I DIDN'T NOTICE SOMETHING WRONG THERE! WHAT THE HELL WAS I THINKING?" And Harry lies a hand on his as he has jumped up and has his hands on the table and says: "You were probably still with your head at the rescue and the punishment she thought was right to give you for it."
And then Sirius asks the question that was on my mind – along with probably the minds of many others: "What rescue?" Harry shrugs and says: "Just wait until the start of the next book." This intrigues and worries me about the contents of the next book – of which I know concerns the Chamber of Secrets – and I read on.

Uncle Vernon … an hour, holding him by the back of his shirt and pushing him against the wall and into a small side table holding an inexpensive vase as he shouted and then …the kitchen, trying to pull some broken pieces out of his shirt without cutting himself or worsening the few small cuts he had gained and by … his eyes.

This seems to be the last straw for many in the Great Hall as their shouting can now be compared to a rampaging elephant while Viktor and Sirius grab Harry tightly around the back with one arm as Vitkor uses his other hand to rise the boy's shirt up, showing skinny flesh, small signs of a few visible ribs – but no scars or left over wounds.
Harry blushes and says: "Don't ask me how, but I really heal fast." To this, while some of the students calm down in relief over hearing this, do I say: "I might have two theories on that, Mr. Potter, and I don't really like the second one." The boy looks at me, while his parents and crush hold him tightly and I say:
"The first is that your magic has been protecting you all this time, making sure you didn't catch any flue or other diseases and healing what it could heal of your wounds. The other –." I wince and say: "The other is that your magic put up glamours all over your body and that the glamours take away the pain you should be feeling."
The boy looks shocked, while Viktor pulls the boy close against his side and almost onto his lap in worry and Poppy, sounding ever the professional says: "I'll be sure to look into that later, Filius. And Mr. Potter, if you don't mind I would like to do that full physical once we reach the Hogwarts chapters." The boy nods and I read on.

Uncle Vernon … that day.

"Was that bad for you?" Ginny asks worried, while others bite their lip at the answer and Harry shakes his head and says: "I stayed in my room. Decided I could just as well learn how to read and write. Thought that if I had to stay out of their way and pretend I didn't exist, I could just as well take my own profit out of it."
This makes the Malfoys smile, but I feel worried about his words and the casual tone with which he said it and then Susan asks: "What do you mean, pretend I didn't exist?" Harry shrugs and says: "The Dursleys like to pretend I don't exist, I like to pretend they don't exist. It's just our way to live under one roof together."
This makes me shake my head and I think: "That is just so plain wrong. Just plain wrong." And then Luna speaks up again and says: "Home is where the heart can be and rest. Home is where the mind is appreciated. Home is where the soul is loved." Her fellow Ravenclaws are shocked at her intelligent words, but I smile at my little smart Raven.

He stayed … work, Vernon."

"Is that woman really the smartest in the house? Because I can't really call her intelligent with the way she treats her son." Narcissa sneers and then one of the twins says: "Of course she's not the smartest." And the other says: "Harry is." Narcissa and many others nod, while Harry turns slightly red in the face and I read on.

"Oh, these … downstairs toilet.

Now Arabella smiles deviously and Minerva shocks the Hall as she says: "Quite creative work, Bella. Thank you." The woman nods and says: "No problem. It was my pleasure to annoy them, so I'm glad you send those owls to my place for me to properly deliver them." The students snicker at the weird creativity of the Squib and I read on.

Uncle Vernon … small noises.

"Is that a good song?" A Seventh year asks and Harry shakes his head frantically, but then he stops and says: "Well, the song's not too bad, but that Dursley humming it gives me the creeps." And he shudders, making others shudder as they try to imagine it, while others laugh, believing it a joke of a song as I read on.

On Saturday … food mizer. All the while Harry kept pretending he didn't exist, unless he went to get some food and continued to learn how to read and write by trying to write down every word he read in his books.

"Good technique, Harry. No wonder you picked up reading and writing so quickly." Hermione smiles at the boy and Harry blushes, but then she asks: "But then how come you didn't know how to put structure to your writing?" And Mr. Potter's answer shocks me as he mumbles it, but when I realize what he said, I have to laugh: "They were dictionaries."

"Who on … in amazement as he passed his room that night to go to bed. On Sunday … his newspapers.

"Is that really true?" Blaise asks shocked and he asks: "I mean, they really don't get mail on Sundays?" Harry nods and while Arthur looks at him in excited intrigue for his answer, does he say: "You know how some stores, like apothecaries, are closed on Sundays, right? Same goes for the Muggle post offices."
The tanned Slytherin nods and Hermione, deciding to aid her friend in his answer, says: "It's mostly because of the Christians, one of the Muggle cults. They believed it to be a day of rest and where you went to church, a large building where you praised your God, in their case a man they named God and his son, Jesus."
The Snake looks intrigued and asks: "So Muggles actually meet together somewhere to praise a god?" Hermione nods and says: "Like the end of the first chapter. Only they don't drink wine or other beverages and instead sing songs dedicated to the two and read from an ancient book called a bible." The Snake, and some other students nod and I read on.

"No damn … catch one –

"Why?" Hermione asks, while Oliver shouts: "My Seeker. That's my Seeker." Making many of us shake our heads at the lad and Harry says: "It's not like that Oliver. I was trying to get a letter and get the hell out of that house. I saw it as my only way out." Oliver pouts, while many others look hurt that Harry actually wanted to flee and I read on.

"Out! OUT!" … the hall making sure his head hit the balustrade of the staircase. When Aunt … dared argue.

Harry shudders, probably envisioning the image in his memory again and Viktor, his other arm still around Harry's back softly moves his head to push the boy's face into his shirt as he softly strokes the boy's hair in a comforting way as Sirius pulls them both closer and Remus leans in, both wanting to be there for their son.
The others sitting around also look worried, while students outside the group whisper angrily at the fear their fellow student feels over his uncle, Narcissa urging her husband and son to sit a little closer to her cousin and Ron and Hermione switching seats to sit next to Remus, while Fleur, Cedric, the twins, Bill and Charlie take their places.
The table now has quite the united front at the midst and on the left side are in exactly that order; Bill, Charlie, Fred, George, Ginny, Arthur, Cedric, Fleur and Gabrielle on the left and Ron, Hermione, Remus, Harry, Viktor, Sirius, Narcissa, Draco, Lucius on the right. I smile at the unity between Houses, schools and family and read on.

Ten minutes … sports bag.

"His first hit and he actually thinks he has the right to sniffle and whine about it?" Ron growls and Hermione says: "That hit can't even be 1% of what his father constantly did to Harry." And Harry's slightly defeated, agreeing nod angers everyone as it confirms the words of the young Gryffindor. Everyone glares at the book and I read on.

They drove … his computer.

"The food I can – slightly – understand, but honestly. The television and those games? Is he really howling because of those?" Arthur asks angrily, making many of those around him growl at the disgusting behavior of that pampered boy and Bill says: "And what's worse. If he's hungry, how would Harry be feeling?"
This worries the group, mostly the girls, Sirius and Viktor, and I think: "I hope the House Elves will soon fetch us lunch. And I better ask Severus for some malnourishment potions." But by looking at the man, can I tell he already has that planned and I smile at him, the man nodding when he sees me smile before reading on.

Uncle Vernon … next day.

This sentence makes the whole Hall gasp and when I look up, I see that all five tables are filled to the brim with foods and drinks, bowls of it, plates of it, cans with drinks and so on and so forth and that the midst of Gryffindor Table is even filled further, almost to the point where the food and drinks threaten to fall off the table.
But Sirius only grabs a few sandwiches and a few pieces of fruit and he places those on Harry's plate, stopping others from putting on more by wrapping his arms around the plate and bending over it and telling the boy: "Make sure you eat this and I mean, only this, okay?" To this Harry nods and Hermione asks: "But, Sirius –?"
But the man shakes his head and says: "The first thing you need to know with a malnourished person is that their stomachs shrink the longer they stay malnourished. If I now fill Harry's plate like this table is filled, I can count my Galleons on it that he'll be puking half of it out later – if not all of it – and I don't want to take that risk."
The girl nods and I smile at the man, but while he talks, do I see Harry quickly grabbing a piece of Treacle tart and hiding it under his few pieces of fruit. I snicker at how the boy is as crazy over his Treacle tart as James was over pineapple pie and then walk over to the Head Table to take a small lunch of my own.

For about half an hour all that is heard is the scraping of cutlery against golden plates, the chewing of food, the gulping down of drinks and the chatter about everything the students have so far discovered and the main topic is their anger at the Headmaster and the Dursleys and plans on how to get them back buzz all over the Hall.
Some of the plans make me fear for the old man's life, while others, especially those of my ravens, make me proud of their intelligence and some students – mostly the Slytherins already sitting at Gryffindor table – even join the twins in coming up with plans, making me fear for the lives of those three Muggles.
But even at the Head Table teachers and Ministerial members are plotting revenge – the Ministerial members trying to make it look as if it's just routine behavior to embarrass criminals before a trial – and the plan of Arabella Figg reminds me of why I never wanted to get on her bad side when we were both part of the Order of the Phoenix.

The woman plans to put an illusion charm on the house to make the Dursleys believe her cats to be monsters as the windows will show them as 40 foot tall creatures whenever they pass by and to let it appear as if the cats can speak, but then with Harry's voice, accusing them of their abuse and neglect on him throughout the years.

I shake my head at this and think: "I wonder if she'll try to get that done next time the spell ends." But I don't pay attention to it, instead conversing with Pomona, Poppy, Severus and Minerva how we can best help heal Mr. Potter once we know what injuries he still has and whether or not he hides other injuries under glamours.
This conversation takes to the end of lunch when the food disappears and to my shock, Harry whines as it does. Sirius laughs and Ron says: "Harry was about to take his treacle tart. I think the House elves took the whole only this thing that Sirius said a little too literally." This makes many of the students laugh at Harry's pout and I read on.

They had … the way, the strain in his arm proving how badly he wanted to do more. The woman … hear her.

"He really should have. She after all spend almost 17 years with a witch for a sister, or what she must have thought was her sister. She would know we wouldn't give up on one of our own." Charlie says vehemently and I smile as I had missed the sparkly, energetic Weasley boy with the wild dreams and love for the outdoors.
I smile at my ex-student, knowing he came out almost perfectly, as his ex-mother obviously forced him away from those he seems to love more than his creatures – his siblings. I shake my head at Molly's actual actions, having heard from Minerva this week what Charlie discussed with her during his Carreer Day and read on.

Exactly what … that afternoon.

"Wow, if even pork chops can realize that you know it means bad news for the sanity of that elder Dursley." One of the twins says shocked, but then the other slaps his brother on the shoulder and with a tone that sounds as if he worries for his brother's sanity, does he say: "Fred, Fred, Fred. My dear brother, my dear, dear Freddy."
He then smiles at his brother, his smile obviously trying to burst through his face and says: "It was never critical for that elder Dursleys sanity, because he never had a sanity to begin with. I mean, a life with no imagination? What do you mean, no sanity." Everyone laughs, mostly because of the serious tone the boy uses and Fred says:
"You're right as always, dear brother mine. What was I thinking that man having a sanity?" He then turns to Harry, who has his face still in Viktor's shirt to hide the snickers, which makes Sirius smile from his son to the twins and Fred goes on and say: "Harry, I'm sorry I insulted your ex-uncle and said he had a sanity."

Now even the shirt of the Bulgarian Seeker isn't enough to cover the tremendous laughter rocking the boy's form and Viktor has to hold him tightly to make sure the boy doesn't fall from his seat, while Lee and Ron fall off their seats laughing and Charlie falls face forward onto the table, his fist hitting hit as he laughs.
Others seems confused and those sitting close to the twins explain, word for word, what had happened, causing a domino effect of laughter to roll throughout the hall from the midst out to the sides and even a few of my colleagues are unable to keep professional, calm faces as they snicker and hide their smiles while I read on.

Uncle Vernon … eleventh birthday.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" The twins and quite a few other, exuberant students shout together, making Harry laugh and he says: "Thanks, you're only one month and four days early." To which some of the students pout, feeling their actions to be in vain, but then the twins high five and shout: "Yes, we're the firsts!"
This makes the Trio hit themselves on the head together with Percy, who also has a hand on his mouth, obviously trying to hide his snickering. I smile at the slowly reuniting family, knowing that their love for one another is still quite strong, even if Molly tried – and almost succeeded in – to break it apart, and read on.

Of course … old socks. And when he turned eight – Harry shuddered and tried to sit a little less on his ass as he thought back to it.

This makes me look at the boy worried and while Harry's emerald green eyes now gaze at the table looking dark forest green, does he mutter: "He's been making me wear it since I was eight, but I always pull it out secretly whenever I leave the place. I just put it back on the train back to London to make him believe I wear it all the time."
This really doesn't sit well with me and Sirius, who is obviously putting the facts together like my mind is currently doing asks: "Harry, is this what I think it is?" And, from an inside pocket, Harry pulls a small string with four balls of less than 1 inch long attached to the string, shocking all those realizing what it is.
Sirius furiously takes it from the boy, while Remus lights a torch up against the wall and Sirius throws it at the flames, while Viktor pulls his crush close against his own body and whispers sweet nothings in his ear, the two men following his example once they've seen the string of balls disappear in the fire. I look at the boy worried and read on.

Still, you … was smiling.

"W-was it a – painful one too, Harry?" Fleur asks, trying to hold up against the glare on Viktor's face telling her to back off while her question is obviously to try and pull Harry out of his dark thoughts and Harry shakes his head and says: "It was terrifying. It was one of the only times I was actually scared of him."
This angers me even further – something I didn't think possible – as no child should feel scared of their own relatives and I think: "No wonder the lad has so little trust in adults. I just hope we didn't do anything in the last couple of years that gave him reason to fear us as well." And with that – and new hope in my heart – do I read on.

He was … below them.

"Let me get this straight." Remus growls, still holding onto his three favorite men, and he looks at me straightly and asks: "The place they stay in is the most miserable shack you could imagine, it's in the middle of the ocean, there's a storm forecasted that night and still that MONSTER thinks it wise to go out to that place – in an old rowboat?"

I nod and then Sirius, his voice strained and his eyes no longer blue-gray, but pure grayish black, says: "Narcissa, please take Harry from me for a minute. I'll be right back, pup." He kisses the boy on the forehead, softly ruffling his hair a little and then Viktor, Fleur, Cedric, Remus and he himself leave for the antechamber.
I myself and several of my colleagues quickly cast several protection and silencing spells on the room as we all know the vocubalary of the Blacks and just as we're finished the first, quite strongly muted, explosion is heard; the sound not all that strong, but the power of it enough to cause a small tremor to go through the Great Hall.
Then many others are followed, all of them muted and yet all of them strong enough to make the Great Hall shake, making many elder students look shocked while some of the youngers now grab onto their tables feeling terrified. Then suddenly something that doesn't sound like an explosion, but a crash is heard and Harry shouts: "NO!"
Running out of the arms of Narcissa and into the antechamber before the woman even realizes it. We all look shocked and worried as I had seen Minerva cast several locking spells on the door, but Harry's form was filled with enough energy to break through the enchantments and open the door before he raced through.

Then, after a few minutes of us all worrying for him and the others as no more explosions are heard, does he come back out, slightly coughing as smoke starts to rise out of the door and he carries an unconscious Sirius Black in his arms, his hands wrapped under the man's arm pits and a large hole in his head, the wound bleeding freely.
Harry is crying as he carries the man out of the room and lies him down in front of me as he shouts for Poppy, who is already at his side as she was the only adult not to freeze in shocked concern at the sight. The woman quickly jumps to the other side of the man, using her wand to conjure a mattress under him and asks:

"What happened?" And Remus answers: "Sirius ripped a shield from the wall and threw it at some point without looking at where he was throwing it. The wall he threw it at was quite close to him and was, at the same time hit with a cutting spell by Charlie, causing the wall to crash. He got a large rock to the head and fainted."
He then looks at the man worried, his eyes dark amber with fear and love for the man and while Harry holds Sirius' hand and cries, does he say: "Had Harry not come in at that time exactly he would have been caved in. He would have been completely crushed by the wall coming down had Harry not quickly grabbed him."
He then smiles at his crying son and says: "He saved his life. He really is a fast little bugger." And Minerva says: "And his accidental magic is absolutely unbelievable. I had several of my strongest locking spells on that door and he burst through them even before reaching the door. He didn't have to open it, it just flung itself open."

Remus smiles at his son, while his eyes show his shock that Harry had done so and in the mean time has Poppy closed off the wound, has Severus put a soft balm on the flesh to ease the pain and has Narcissa come to sit next to her cousin, softly pull Harry away and hold him close to her chest as he cries at the sight of his mum.
Poppy then softly lets the man drink a potion with steam coming out of the vial and slowly the man's eyes flicker open and when he sees Harry crying, he looks worried and while leaning up on his lower arms does he ask: "Harry, pup, what's wrong?" Making Narcissa, Remus and I myself hit ourselves on the head.
Harry then grabs Sirius around the neck and cries in his shirt, his fear obviously making him overreact a little, but I can honestly say I can't blame the poor boy as Sirius is finally in his life in exactly that way that can be most profitable for both mother and son and of which both must have definitely dreamed about endlessly.

I smile at the small family picture and then slowly, Sirius raises Harry up in his arms and while he holds the boy tightly and Harry keeps sniffling in Sirius' shirt, does the man carry his son back to their seat. They all sit back in their old seats and after the rest of the group that had entered the antechamber returns to their seats, do I read on.

"I've already … four bananas. Harry was given one and a half a banana (the half because Dudley didn't like his banana), but in return did Dudley take all of his chips and afterwards he only got to snag a few chips off the sandy floor that had fallen out of Dudley and uncle Vernon's hands – he knew better than to touch those that fall out of their mouths as they smacked. He tried … said cheerfully pulling off his jacket and actually throwing it over Harry while there was a rotten old coat hanger only three inches to the left of him.

Everyone growls at this and Harry, who still sniffs every now and then, lies his head against Sirius' growling chest. The man realizes that his son's sleepy and to everyone's shock, he softly starts to purr, making sure the sound comes from his chest and softly stroking his son's hair as he holds him against his body with one arm.
Harry slowly falls asleep and I quickly cast a spell, making Sirius look up, but I say: "It's just to make sure that me reading and the reactions throughout the hall won't disturb him. Little like a Dreamless Sleep potion." Sirius nods, his eyes showing his gratitude and I read on, knowing that Harry will really need it after the fear he just felt.

He was … ragged blanket. In the end he just pushed as much sand together and formed a small bed with it, the heaps actually making it look like a basket, but Harry had formed it that way so cold winds couldn't reach him from the ground.

This makes the students smile, those sitting around Harry and Sirius showing the biggest smiles of them all and Sirius mutters: "That's my clever little boy." And Remus says: "He's a fighter. No way will he let those Muggles have their fun at his expense." And the Weasleys nod, while the twins and Viktor say: "And neither will we."
The twin Beaters look at the Seeker and then smile widely, obviously approving of the young man's love for their Seeker, while Wood seems ecstatic that members of his old team have something in common with a famous Seeker, and then Sirius mutters at Remus: "We better include something about Harry in our Marauders' oath."
But Remus whispers back: "We already included cubs in our oath, remember? Because James was so sure he would one day get Lily and have a kid with her, if not more." Sirius smiles and says: "And now we're doing this for them. And for Harry." And Remus mutters: "Merlin knows how much he deserves it." To this I nod and read on.

The storm … with hunger, his wrist smarting, but only on such a low level Harry knew it was soon completely healed again, as he laid his head on it to get a bit more comfortable. Dudley's snores … at all, not that he wanted them as them remembering his birthday always meant either extra chores, yells, punishments or worse, like when he turned eight, wondering where the letter-writer was now.
He wondered if maybe the letter writer would soon come to find him and if he would then take Harry away, but even if that happened, Harry knew it wouldn't be forever and that turned his happy thoughts down.
Five minutes … it did. And if he died by it, it wouldn't matter as he would be with Erica and his parents again.

This makes people look shocked, some of the girls even screaming softly at the very idea, while Minerva and Pomona get teary eyed at hearing this and Harry grunts in his sleep as Sirius tightens his hold. The man looks down at the boy in his arms and Cedric asks: "Harry actually thought of dying at that age? At barely eleven?"
Now all of the girls at Gryffindor table, mostly those sitting close to Harry (Hermione, Fleur, Ginny, Angelina, Katie, Alicia and Narcissa) all have tears streaming down their face and while Lucius, Arthur, the twins, Bill and Ron start to comfort the girls, does Sirius whisper with a hollow voice: "I almost never met him."
Making me blanch as Sirius is right. Had Harry indeed died at that age, he would have never known the love, care and comfort his godfather-uncle-now-dad could give him and would have died with the belief that his parents died in a car accident. I shake my head, feeling relieved at the fact that that never happened and read on.

Four minutes … the sea?

"You actually heard that?" Hagrid asks shocked and then hits himself on the head as he asked a question to someone who is currently unable to answer. But Harry stirs a little and quickly Remus conjures a blanket and Sirius lies the boy over his, Viktor and Remus' lap, before Remus lies the blanket over the boy.
Harry pulls the blanket close, while Remus charms the blanket to wrap around Harry like a sleeping bag and then casts another charm, probably to make it a little more comfortable for the boy to lie on the laps of three men. I smile at them and when I see the small smile peaking out of the sleeping bag, do I read on, feeling relieved.

One minute … one – BOOM!

I squeak the last word, trying to shout it without making it too loud and everyone laughs at the strange tone leaving my throat. Only Remus, Sirius and Viktor don't laugh and instead keep their focus on the little boy sleeping in their laps, while Narcissa and Percy try to slightly shush the laughter of Draco and the twins.
I smile at the fact my spell kept the boy from waking and then charm the sleeping bag not to let any sound through, a new way to make sure Mr. Potter won't hear us when we shout or speak loudly. I smile as the charm takes effect and quickly explain it to those sitting around the sleeping boy before reading on.

The whole … come in.

I stop and think: "And this was just the Third chapter. That Mr. Potter actually thought of killing himself." I shake my head, worried for the youngster and hating how Albus placing him with those monsters made an eleven year old think such things and then suddenly a new, terrifying thought enters my mind:
"The last chapter had Mr. Potter thinking had it not been for Erica, I. Does that mean that on the 24th of November that year, this Erica person kept Harry from killing himself? He was only six! What on earth happened that made him want to do that?" But I quickly shake my head before any possible thoughts can worsen my anxiety.
I look at the boy in pure fear, trying to use his current form to calm my worries and think: "Please let this book have some answers." And with that I spare one last, worried glance at the family of three – with a possible future fourth – and sit back down, moving my seat back to the table and quickly tell my colleagues of my beliefs.