Hey everyone,
I'm going to be honest with all of you. When it comes to stories like To Read and To View as well as To Read Into The Universe, I'm a little worried about the upcoming release of KH III. There is, after all, the chance that I might decide the fates of Axel and Roxas – and maybe a few others – based on what happens to them at the end of the game.
Also, I would really like to know who else of my readers is excited for the game? How many of you both loved the Final Battle trailer that came out in December for its graphics, but hated it because it reminded you of how much longer you had to wait before you could play it. And have any of you been waiting for the game to release as long as I have?
Let me know,

Venquine1990
Shout-Out To:
V.L. Crawford
Wishfull-star
Lilly-flower15


Chapter 73
The Battle Approaches

4th of July 1995
Ballroom, Beast's Castle
Snape's POV

A large portion of the ballroom is in shock over the knowledge that Black's target this entire time was Pettigrew, the same bastard who would have been behind Mr. Diggory's death if not for Mr. Potter and his ability to cast the Time Reading Spell. And while I would, before this, never admit that Potter could be that powerful, have these books truly proven me wrong.
A lot of other things have also been proven and while I always begrudged the fact that I worked for two people who both thought they knew what was best for the Wizarding World, do I actually find myself sometimes wishing I hadn't betrayed the Dark Lord by siding with Dumbledore and trying to help me beat the monster, regardless of the fact that the Dark Lord took Lily from me.
"Not for much longer. Once I have my two fighters up and ready to beat those two monsters that were once students of mine, Lily will be back. And with Potter junior now the son of Potter senior's friends and her marriage voided by her death, I might have another chance with her. I just have to hope that she will forgive me for how I've been treating Potter up until now."

This makes me grimace as I know just fine that, as wonderful as Lily was, she really had a temper and could hold a grudge unlike any other, though to this day I still don't get what made her give up on her grudge against Potter and his insistent bullying. Yet I decide that there are more important matters to handle and so I take the book from my colleague.
Yet when I read the title, do I grimace as it proves a problem to me. "Darn this, I thought I'd have more time to prepare and train my fighters. Guess I'll have to take action first and partake in the reading later." I put the book down and say: "Mss. Greengrass, who else in Slytherin do you know to have a solid grudge against Crabbe and Goyle?"
The girl looks shocked, but Filius has already taken the book from me and read the title. He nods and says: "You better answer, Mss. Greengrass. You, Professor Snape and your upcoming partner will only have a few chapters left to train." But then Roxas wants to stand up, only for Axel to pull him down and say: "You can't volunteer, love. Snape said his best students."
Roxas frowns at this, but I nod at the two and then, to the shock of quite a few, Draco stands up and says: "I should join Greengrass for this. No one knows Crabbe and Goyle better than I do, even if they managed to hide how dark they actually are from me. I know their every move and how they twist and turn when casting spells. I'm your best shot."
At this I nod and motion with my head as I say: "Meet me in the courtyard and leave your robes behind. Filius, good luck with the chapter. I have some training to do. Arthur, you can expect the antidote to your illnesses later tonight." The balding man looks startled, proving he has forgotten about that and him nodding is the last thing I see before closing the doors behind my fighters.

Filius' POV

Mr. Malfoy may have known Crabbe and Goyle better than anyone else here, but no one knows Severus Snape better than Lucius Malfoy and myself. Because of this was it quite easy to see what was going through the man's mind as he prepared himself for the battle ahead and yet I grimace as I am quite sure that he is just setting himself up for disaster.
"Lily fell in love with James. Even if her death means that she is no longer married to him doesn't change anything about her feelings for him. And Severus is just setting himself up for a failure and disappointment if he continues to believe that he can still have a chance with her, even now that he has started treating young Harry much better than he ever did before now."
These thoughts really concern me and I vow to myself to speak with Lucius, who was one of the reformed Death Eaters that actually treated me and my kind with respect after the war ended and who hired my Goblin father to oversee his finances, about this before the fight starts. Yet that might still be sometime away and so I focus on the here and now and start to read.

Gryffindor Versus Ravenclaw

Instantly everyone is excited, even my own House, even though I'm sure they remember the fact that we lost this match and then I suddenly realize that this has been happening with every match that got to be described in detail. I smile at this as it proves that, whether they win or lose, everyone just loves some good Quidditch and I happily start to read.

It looked … Hermione's friendship.

And just that one sentence is enough to destroy the excited mood that had been brewing for the shortest of time so far. Ron and Hermione grimace at each other, yet I also share a grimacing look with my colleagues as I know this is partially our fault as well as we had just ignored various obvious signs over the course of the year. And as I swear to myself to do better, do I read on.

Each was … Magical Menagerie.
The two had tried to get Harry involved, but he had glared them both away and snarled, "Your problem, you solve it. I'm your friend, not a judge." And he had angrily walked to another table, pointedly ignoring Madam Pince glaring at him over not whispering in her precious library.
Personally, Harry … Scabbers, and after a while of noticing that the two just refused to take his advice, he begrudgingly decided to give it one single try, simply because he had no interest in seeing his friendship with each of them respectively become strained, just because they no longer liked each other. Yet when he … to do!"
Yet the girl had shrunken back when she saw Harry glare at her and he snarled: "If you want to end this friendship just because you consider your studies more important than that and training your pet, fine. Then we're through. Good luck, Granger."
And while it hurt to do so, did Harry know in his heart that he had to. He was not the one in the wrong and he had to make sure Hermione realized that as well. He felt that, if he walked back now, he would start a trend that just wouldn't be healthy, not for him, not for Hermione, not for anyone.
Yet Harry was also smart enough to notice that, whether knowingly or not, the teachers were turning a blind eye to their brightest student's plight and because he could, still, feel a strong connection to Hogwarts, did he make sure he was alone before he whispered, "See if you can get those dorm mates of hers to help her. If the staff won't help her, then she needs at least a haven to feel safe in. And that can't be just the library." And the way that his trip to the common room went quite a bit faster made him smile, feeling sure that Hogwarts was happy to comply.

Hermione turns a teary-eyed smile her friend's way, Harry smiling back as he says: "No matter how angry I get, I will never stop looking after my friends." This is something that both makes me smile in pride over the boy's noble character and feel even worse over the fact that his book-self is right. I just shake my head at my own stupid behavior and read on.

Ron had … of moaning?"
Harry only partially agreed with the twins, but he also didn't work as hard as them to cheer Ron up. This because the fact that Ron would moan and complain the loudest the few times that Hermione was actually in the common room annoyed him. "Pushing her will just keep you from your goal, Ron. For goodness sake, you've been friends for years. Surely you know her well enough by now to know that. She's stressed out enough as it is, this is just going to end your friendship with her. Leave her be and let her come to you, by herself."
And just like with Hermione, did Harry leave Ron behind him, not at all caring for the way Ron asked, "Are you seriously siding with her over this." Though that also made the wand in his pocket burn with a need to curse the boy. Luckily enough, Hogwarts interfered and Ron was almost too late for breakfast, something Harry considered a fitting revenge and he quietly thanked the castle as he headed for class.

"I know you two won't like this, but I'm glad. Glad that Harry isn't allowing this friendship to become one-sided. And no, you're not giving me the impression that you want it to be one-way, but you do sometimes give me the impression that you take Harry for granted a little more than he deserves. Though I doubt you even realize it about yourselves.
Trust me, I didn't. Not until it was too late and my best friend was dead." Sirius mumbles and instantly Remus and Harry are hugging him tightly. I look at the man, worried for him as the potential of having his best friend back must be bringing back all of the pain of losing him all those years ago. Hoping that the battle will commence soon and have some positive results, do I read on.

Luckily enough, Ron came to Harry after Charms and muttered, "Sorry, I know you're not really taking sides and – and you were right. We still cool." And Harry had smiled at him, feeling only slightly bad that he was putting Ron down even further when the boy was already grieving his pet, even if he also knew he was in the right with what he said. In a … field together.

"This is going to be awesome. I mean, we've seen Potter fly on it several times now, but now we get to find out how it feels for him." Cho happily tells one of her team mates and the Chaser nods, a smile on her face that shows just as much excitement. "I wonder if your reaction is like mine." Viktor tells his mate, who smiles at him as I turn back to the book and the reading.

Madam Hooch, … Cho Chang.

Harry turns to the girl at this and laughs: "Wow Cho, you actually managed what Wood tried in my first. You kept the fact that you were the Seeker a secret. Oliver didn't manage a week, but here you are, several months into the schoolyear and even a few matches into the season." The girl looks startled, but then like many others starts to giggle as I read on.

She's a … air again –

"Wow, that sounds even better than it looks." Collin says excitedly and Ron turns to his friend as he asks: "How were you able to realize all of this? When I rode this thing, all I could think of was how awesome it was to fly that thing." Harry and his brothers laugh at this and Harry says: "I'm not you, you're not me." Ron nods at this and I read on, proud of the two boys.

"Harry, I'm … it again.

"Hey Beast, would it be alright if I did a bit of training on my Firebolt after this?" Harry suddenly asks and this question comes quite out of nowhere, shocking and confusing many. Yet his parents seem to get why as they nod encouragingly before Remus says: "You should let him. But Harry please, don't get your hopes up too high." And instantly I get it.
Harry smiles at his father and says: "I don't. I mean, I'd love to get them back, but even if I don't, I still have you and Sirius. I just want to have this little thing prepared for when Professor Snape wins and they come back, give them a little welcome back present." Everyone smiles at this and the Beast says: "You may use the courtyard outside later." At which I happily read on.

It was … her seat.

"That doesn't make sense. It was the first time anyone at Hogwarts got fly a Firebolt, the best broom at the time. How could you fall asleep at seeing such a thing?" Lee asks shocked and the woman sighs as she says: "I was – dealing with a family problem at the same time. It cost me many sleepless nights for those three weeks." Lee winces and apologizes as I continue reading.

"Here you … the Grim.

Sirius smirks at this and says: "I wasn't there. I was hiding in the stands, in the same place you spotted me during your last match. I couldn't stay away, I had to see you fly my Christmas gift at least once. Though don't worry, I had cast a spell to draw the Dementors to the other side of the forest first." Harry nods in relief at this and I ask:
"What spell did you cast, Sirius?" The man snickers and says: "Cheering charms – on a family on squirrels. I didn't think it would work, but then I started sensing their presence and hightailed it out of there." I gape at the man and think: "Dementors can be tricked away from somewhere – through cheery squirrels?" And I read on, shaking my head at the stupid simplicity of it all.

They set … of toast.

The twins snicker at this, but Percy sighs and asks: "Remember that line? Of Penelope thanking Harry? She wasn't thanking him for letting her hold it, as I later found out, she was thanking him, because she didn't believe he had the skill to fly on and she thought he had thrown the match for Gryffindor. We actually argued about that quite a bit the last few months."
The twins instantly stop their snickering at hearing this and their father hugs Percy close as he says: "Perhaps it would be better if you invite Penelope over to our home, Percy. So we may discuss your future and her potential part in that." Percy nods, sending his father a grateful smile and while I feel a little disgusted with one of my own alumni, do I read on.

"Sure you … a Firebolt.

"I'm proud of you." Sirius tells his son, who looks at him confused and Sirius sighs as he says: "If that were me, I would have stood up, moved to be nose to nose with Malfoy and then laid into him, hard. I would have felt like I'd need to make him pay for trying to make me look bad. You just threw his own insult back in his face with one of your own."
Harry gapes at the man and Remus hugs the boy close as he says: "I know you love and respect Sirius now, kiddo, but he was practically a worse version of Draco and Dudley combined. Though, bar one single unfortunate event, even Sirius never wanted any of his rivals dead." This makes young Mr. Malfoy cringe, yet Remus just sends him a smile as well before I read on.

At a … crowd, watching. He did hope so, even though he had done some last-minute late night practicing the other night and had somehow managed to make it so that his Patronus, which was still nothing more than a shield, would bend over and form around him, blocking from several angles at one side. He knew it wouldn't do much if more than one Dementor showed up, but he hoped it would, if nothing else, alert the others of their presence.
He still didn't quite understand why he wasn't able to produce an actual Patronus as the last few times he tried to cast one, he felt as if there was something keeping him, as if he was running for the finish line, but there was a large gap in the road that he couldn't jump across. Harry wanted to blame Dumbledore for this, but this time it didn't make sense as to why the man would do that. Harry was well-aware that the man wouldn't want him to get too strong, but this spell was meant to keep him alive, so it wouldn't help Dumbledore's plans any to keep him from mastering the spell.

A lot of those around us look at this confused and whisper with each other about potential explanations, yet Remus smiles at his son and says: "I think you're overthinking this one, kiddo. It's just a matter of your age combined with the fact that you hardly had any real positive memories to use at this point." Harry shrugs at this in acceptance and I read on.

"You know … two – one –"

Yet here I stop and hand the book to Rolanda as I say: "I think it's better if you read this bit, Rolanda. I do love Quidditch, but my tone of voice just wouldn't quite capture the excitement of this match right." The woman smiles and students mutter amongst each other excitedly. I see Viktor smile at his mate and then listen as my colleague starts her own bit of reading.

Harry kicked … his wand.

"That thing was so bright, no one was able to see what it was. It was the talk of the day for weeks. Everyone kept discussing with each other what they thought it was. Though you know what's funny? None of them were even close." Hermione laughs and a lot of students ask: "How do you know?""I saw it later." This intrigues me and I read on.

He knew … milling Gryffindors.

Yet here Rolanda hands the book back and says: "The match is over, the celebrations and everything that follows is yours to read, Filius." I nod at the woman, loving how her voice had kept everyone, even the ones who had played the game themselves, enthralled the entire time. And while I hope to show my respect for this by bringing this chapter to a worthy end, do I read on.

"That was … British Muggles.

Yet here I stop as this is something even I cannot accept and I think: "Even the most studious members of my House who study for their NEWTs do not push it this far. Even they know when it's time to study and when it's time to take a break. How could we not see how far we were pushing this poor girl?" And I share a guilty look with Minerva before I read on.

Harry broke … to her, hoping that the cheerfulness of the environment could finally mend up their broken friendship as he did miss her presence when he sat at a table for three in some of his classes.
"Did you … asked her
, not just out of personal pride but also out of concern for her welfare.
"Of course … by Monday."

"Mss. Granger, I had already seen you read the appointed chapter in my class. There was no need for you to do this, I told you this when the class let out." Charity gently tells the girl, who turns red and whimpers: "Sorry Professor, I – I must not have heard you in my need to get to Herbology." The woman sighs but nods and I read on, hoping things will get better.

"Come on, … the hatchet or at least keep his mouth shut.
"I can't, … or something."
Harry glared at him over this and snapped, "Never admit she's wrong? What do you think she's crying about for goodness sake, you blind prat?" Ron winced and Harry snapped: "Apologize before the end of the year and end this stupid feud between you two – or I'm going to look for new friends. Friends who don't try to get at each other's throats five weeks a month."
And then, to prove his willingness to come through on his word, Harry turned on his heel and went over to where Neville was in a cheerful conversation with Parvati, her sister Padma who had apparently been invited and their best friend, Lavender. And while the topic was mostly on things Harry didn't always have the most interest in, did it still liven up his mood and put him back in the happy, cheerful spirit that was going around the common room.

"Guess we saved a friendship there." Sirius smiles at his son and Harry nods. "Though, no offense meant to Ron and Hermione, I fully encourage you to branch out, kiddo. Someone who is noble, loyal and friendly like you can never have enough friends, not in my opinion, at least." Remus tells his son and a lot of my colleagues and I nod in agreement to this before I read on.

The Gryffindor … the match, though Harry was doing so with Seamus as a way to prove to Ron that he was being serious with his final warning. Ron did try to join in, but Harry just kept quiet when he talked and let Seamus reply. At last, … "AAARRGGHH! NOOO!"

"Wait, what? What just happened? Was that a nightmare?" Su Li asks, but Harry winces and says: "You made a bit of a mistake there, Professor. That was Ron who screamed that bit. The scream just woke me from my dream before I could see what it was." I wince at this and notice Sirius rubbing the back of his neck. Instantly I get what just happened and I hurriedly read on.

Harry woke … he saw –"
Instantly, thanks to the adrenaline rushing through him at hearing that name once again, Harry's mind started whirring and he looked from his best friend to the one person who has constantly been there for him. "That filthy – wait, how did he even manage that?" Harry thought to himself and for some reason the events of the other night, of him spotting Crookshanks outside, came to mind, but he ignored it, not able to understand how that could possibly be linked to all this.

"Minerva, I just want to apologize for making you punish Neville for something he had no control over. Neville, I apologize for the trouble I got you into. I really hope you both will understand, by the end of this book why I did what I did." Sirius tells the two, a look of genuine guilt on his face and the two both nod at him, Minerva a little more begrudgingly as I continue reading.

Glaring suspiciously … common room, yet Harry could actually hear Hogwarts whisper through the dying embers in the fireplace which he was standing next to.
"They waited too long with changing this moron back with the original guardian. I've been trying to get Dumbledore to tell Minerva about this for months. They got this on themselves. Though I wish he hadn't brought that knife. If only I could –." Yet at that point the embers died out and Harry was left wondering what the castle wanted to tell him.

"Did you ever find out?" Dennis asks the boy and Harry nods as he says: "I did, though not through her. Meeting Sirius at the end of the year explained everything. ""Ugh, how much longer do we need to wait for this stuff?" Cormac McLaggen asks and I check the contents page before I say: "Four more chapters, Mr. McLaggen." The boy groans and I read the final bit.

"You – you … the air. The other students all walked away from the boy, but Harry glared at them, especially Ron who moved all the way to the other side and then did the only thing he felt was right; he went and stood at the boy's side, not caring what others thought of this, least of all the two who might soon become his former friends.

"You know, it's stupid, ironic and yet also incredibly logic that the one boy who grew up a lonely orphan turns out to be more loyal than the entire House put together." Leon mutters and his friends nod as Sirius turns to the woman and asks: "You didn't go too hard on them, did you?" The woman shakes her head at him and says:
"No Sirius. If anything, seeing Mr. Potter there reminded me of my mistake of two years prior and I made sure not to repeat that." The man nods and I had made sure to read ahead a little as I say: "And we will be able to read about it too. The next chapter starts off with it." Neville grimaces at this, but then Harry smiles at the boy and motions him over. And Neville happily complies.


I'm an idiot.
I don't know why, but for some reason I kept this CR story for last, even though it has the least amount of pages. I could have finished this weeks ago, but instead I didn't start on it until THREE DAYS BEFORE THE RELEASE OF KH III! And I was originally planning to post all this the day before release, but I changed my mind.
The chapters are written, I am now going to work hard to edit them and then post them once I'm done with that. And once I'm done with that, I'm going to post them and then instantly start on the chapters for February. "Why?" Sorry, but anyone who asks why needs to pay attention to the one thing all of my chapters of this month have in common with each other.
Or at least most of them,

Venquine1990
PS. Flitwick didn't just make one mistake, he made two. Can you lot spot the other mistake he made?