Hey everyone,
So it seems I put a little too much emphasis on the whole thing with James and Lily returning to the land of the living – if they even return as I have plans for that. Because of this, none of you spotted Flitwick's little set of mistakes – though I will also be honest and say that, at the point of me writing this, I completely forgot about it myself as well.
Derp,

Venquine1990
PS. Sorry, but the return won't be until April as the Quidditch Finale chapter is in March's update.
PPS. SO SORRY THAT THIS WASN'T UPDATED ALONG WITH THE REST! I HAVE NO IDEA WHY I DIDN'T DO SO!


Chapter 74
A Heart At Ease

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

"Would anyone be against me reading next?" I ask and to my relief does no one object to this. I won't deny that my mind is constantly switching between listening to the book reading, to events I have already been through that are from my POV and that even include a few things that I only vaguely remember and the fact that, in only a chapter or two's time, I might have my birth parents back, that my new parents might have their best friends back.
This thought makes me feel really conflicted and even a little guilty as I silently asked myself: "If I had to pick between them, who would I chose?" And while I know and respect and care for the fact that they died for me, do I know in my heart that I would pick Sirius over James any day of the week, just because of what he has been willing to do for me ever since he came back into my life.
"It really isn't fair to a hero like him, but I can't help myself; it's just what's in my heart. I really hope that, when Professor Snape wins and they come back, I'll get a chance to have some private time with them, so I can talk this out with them." And with this desperate hope blooming in my heart, do I take the book from Professor Flitwick and start to read.

Snape's Grudge … been caught.
Harry himself had hoped that someone would reignite the fire so that he could listen to the voice of Lady Hogwarts again, but unfortunately he just didn't get this chance as there were various other Lion, who, in their need to distract themselves from their fears, wanted to come after Neville.
Yet Harry wouldn't let them and just kept asking: "And how many times did you guys just push him out of the way so he wouldn't hear you say the password and then enter the common room before he could? How many times have you shows 'House unity'?"
And every student who tried to come after Neville backed off, looking guilty and Harry vowed to himself he would report this to McGonagall first chance he got. Neville had been helping him for years and Harry felt it was time he did something back for the shy lad.

"You really came true for your friend, Mr. Potter. Though really, I should have made sure that there was another teacher to keep an eye out before I started searching for your mother. I was so assured of the other students being terrified, I didn't even think of what they would do in an act of fear. Though that doesn't make me sound much better." The woman mumbles in the end and I read on, cringing.

Professor McGonagall … mouse holes.

And suddenly, as I read these words, does it feel as if I cast a Lumos charm inside my own mind and I mutter: "He – he knew." Everyone looks at me and I say: "The – the only one Filch listens to or takes orders from is Dumbledore; these orders must have come straight from him. And they weren't against Sirius – they were against Pettigrew.
Dumbledore wanted to – to keep Pettigrew out of Hogwarts now that he had faked his death, so that Sirius wouldn't get close to me and I wouldn't find out the truth of how he was innocent. He wanted Sirius and Pettigrew to fight it out, but he wanted them to do so outside of Hogwarts – and this was meant to make that happen." And while a lot of students look at me shocked, do I read on.

Sir Cadogan … their clubs.
Yet Harry also noticed that Lady Hogwarts wasn't willing to just leave all of this lying down as, over the days, there were rumors of Dumbledore constantly tripping every time he would pass the Gryffindor common room in his need to reassure the students there. And to some of their shock, did the Fat Lady not even look as if she had any pity for the man every time this happened and the trolls would just let out weird noises that were probably their version of snickers.

"That really was a strange sight as sometime he would trip over absolutely nothing. He was just walking across this flat bit of platform and then suddenly he would need to cast a spell to conjure a cane or he would have fallen flat on his face. Though I feel a little stupid for having helped him up that day." One of the older students grumbles about himself and his friends smile at him as I read on.

Harry couldn't … within it.

"And to be honest, I feel a little mixed about that. On one hand, it's a good thing that a potential evacuation route is still being left open and all. On the other, I don't like the fact that only a bunch of kids know about it." Riku mutters, yet to this Axel says: "Well, at least it's a bunch of kids that would instantly guide other students there in case necessary." And I read on, knowing he's right.

"D'you … to Harry?

"I had instantly spotted that my target wasn't there and to be honest I still find it amazing that I hadn't been caught that night. There were so many portraits that saw where I was running, I still don't get why –.""Fear." I interrupt my father and the man looks at me weirdly: "Dumbledore didn't want to do it directly, because he feared you'd confront him the same way you did Pettigrew.
That's why he locked up all of those holes. He didn't want you inside the school as there are just too many witnesses inside, both students as well as House Elves, ghosts and portraits. And sooner or later, the amount of words against his would be too much, regardless of how popular he was at the time." My mother grimaces, realizing that I'm probably right and I read on.

Black had … the teachers… That is – unless we're dealing with another Quirrell situation here."
Ron had looked at him strangely, but Harry had shaken his head and said, "I just – I can't shake that feeling – you know, about my parents and them being his friends and all – off my mind. I just – heh, I hate the fact that he ran. It was my first chance to get some answers and he's just – who knows where.""Would you rather he'd have killed me?" Ron had asked, but Harry had only send him a disbelieving look and Ron muttered, "Right, never mind. Well, let's just – wait, where are you going, Harry?" As Harry had suddenly realized he had forgotten about something important.

Mum grimaces at this, but I move closer to him and say: "You couldn't have done anything, Sirius. You heard about what the teachers were doing; how they were upping their security all because Dumbledore wanted to keep you out. You did all you could and then come." Remus nods at this and Sirius smiles at us both as I turn back and continue to read.

Neville, who had Harry promised to stand up for on the night of the match but who he had forgotten about thanks to Ron's rise to fame and his own happiness for his friend, was in … at him.
Yet Harry had, after hearing the second years that Ron had just talked to giggle about this, instantly gone to McGonagall and told her the entire story, including what he had needed to do while she searched the castle. "Leaving him out of the common room, Professor? That's the whole reason all of this was even possible. Neville wouldn't have needed that damned note if his House was a little, you know, willing to live up to that saying you told us on our first night here. 'Your House is like your family'. That one."
And McGonagall, shocking enough to Harry had listened, gone to the common room again the same night and told Neville that his last punishment was revoked before taking the students that Harry, who McGonagall had promised she would keep out of all this, had pointed out to her to her office.
None of these punishments, however even the one that McGonagall thankfully enough revoked, came close … year before.

"And Augusta, I just remembered, never sent Frank one for all of the years that we spent together at Hogwarts. I know I thought it confusing that she would sent Neville one, but I just thought it was because she felt that Neville needed a different kind of upraising. Though looking back, I'm just not sure about that anymore." Remus mumbles and then Kingsley says:
"And you'd be right about that, Remus." We all turn to him and he says: "I did a quick spell to check Molly and Augusta's style of handwriting, which the Aurors have access to due to having access to various files that both women have had to sign over the years, and their handwriting styles are truly quite similar. Combine that with the grin that was just on No-Name's face."
The man turns to the woman he is still holding prisoner and who he had brought back into the room under wand point earlier today and sneers: "One and one makes two, No-Name. And you can try to use the reference to your own Howler all you want, I saw you starting to smirk the minute the words A Howler were read out, so that doesn't cut it." The woman glares at him and I read on.

"Run for … thanks, Hedwig. Stay behind, would you? I'll have a letter for you to deliver later."
Harry tore … Neville's cornflakes.

"Your owl has one strange appetite, Harry." Neville laughs, but to this Hagrid says: "Not really. A lot of Muggleborn owned owls are trained to eat stuff other than their usual owl food and the stuff they hunt for. It's because the pet store doesn't always send owl-orders out to Muggle homes, at least not if the community there has a large amount of unaware Muggles." This really intrigues my friend and awes a few others as I read on.

The note … said Ron. He then turned to Harry and asked, "Who are you writing?" And while Harry pulled out a bit of old parchment, a quill and ink, did he say: "Madam Longbottom, to make sure that she knows the truth about how little help her grandson gets from the rest of our House and how that led to all this as well. She might have been in the right to scold Neville for not paying better attention to his possessions, but calling him a disgrace is just going too far." Ron grimaced and muttered, "Rather you than me, mate. This is Madam Longbottom, after all." And Harry made sure to keep this in mind as he wrote the letter, but he also remembered how he had managed to help Neville over summer; an era that felt so long ago now.

"How did that go?" Hermione asks and I sigh as I answer: "Not too well. I did get a box of candy as a thank you for your concern or something, but she also wrote me a very firm letter in which she told me leave Neville's upraising to me. As if I was criticizing her or something when all I really did was just explain the situation." Both of my friends wince at this and I read on.

So at … their minds.

At this a lot of older students want to glare at me and Ron, Bill and Charlie doing so with grins on their faces to prove that they're not really angry, but then Sirius rolls his eyes and says: "They obviously feel bad, so just forget it. Besides, that's just regular teenage behavior, which I, for one, only prefer over the stuff Dumbles tries to force on them." And to a lot of nodding, do I read on.

Hagrid poured … said Hagrid.

Yet at this Remus turns to the man and says: "Hagrid, no. This is Minerva's job and you should have left it to her. Not to mention that this isn't fair to Hermione. This is basically you gossiping about her troubles behind her back, even if it was in an effort to make them be friends again. This just isn't the way." And while the man looks down guiltily, do I say:
"You're right, Remus, but trust me. It was only better that Hagrid did so. It gave me a chance that I – I admit – don't feel like I get given all that often. I needed this meeting, really." And Ron nods in sheer empathy and agreement, making Remus look intrigued as I read on.

"What about … continued doggedly, which made Harry look at him feeling slightly attacked because he had Hedwig who never even did such a thing even once. "She's cried … began awkwardly feeling bad for not helping his friend, but also growing to feel a little annoyed with Hagrid as his tone was starting to remind Harry of Percy.
"I'm not … said angrily
yet at this Harry glared at him once again because he still hated his friend for thinking he could demand such a thing. "But she's … Hagrid's pillow.

"My cat sometimes comes to lie on my head, only to fart in my hair." Someone in Ravenclaw suddenly giggles and then Neville laughs: "Trevor has grown to love playing hide-and-seek, as apparently Muggles call it.""My tarantula actually makes actual faces out of the webs he makes in his terrarium. Sorry Ron." Lee winces as Ron shudders at hearing this and I snicker as I read on.

Yet Harry, feeling that, if he can't confide in his first friend he won't be able to confide in anyone and feeling slightly vindicated over the fact that Hagrid made it sound as if everything was Ron and his fault and their responsibility, decided to speak up.
"Hagrid, allow me to ask and say a few things of my own, alright?" The gentle, but large man nodded and Harry burst out on his spiel, everything that had been bothering him all year about several kinds of things – though he took great effort to keep the whole situation with Black out of the conversation.
"If you and the other teachers are so obviously seeing that Hermione is biting off more than she can chew, then why am I the only one trying to get her to drop one of her subjects? Why aren't you trying to find someone else to help you with the case, so that she won't have to worry about it?
And as for Crookshanks, I don't agree with Ron that Hermione should get rid of him, but I don't agree with your analogy on cats either. Not all cats – or predators for that matter – eat rats. Hedwig hunts for rats all the time, but she would never turn on Scabbers and I didn't have to train her to leave him alone either; she just doesn't. The same counts for other owls, such as the school owls and even Lee Jordan's tarantula.
And if the teachers have been noticing this whole thing between Ron and Hermione causing them both so much tension then, again, why am I the only one trying to actively solve this stuff between them? Why haven't you tried to invite the two of them over here? Why hasn't McGonagall tried to call for an intervention between them?
And as for the Firebolt, the only reason that even bothers me, as I already told others several times, is because Hermione had an entire morning to warn me about how she felt, but because of an argument between her and Ron – surprisingly about Scabbers and Crookshanks – I was suddenly untrustworthy in her eyes.
Now I'm not saying I'm blameless, I could have gone to all of you weeks if not months ago. Why didn't I? Two reasons. One, you, Hagrid, know better than anyone what kind of Muggles I grew up with, that is enough said. Two, and I do apologize for this one, Ron, but the both of them shout at me as if I committed some kind of heinous sin when I even suggest the damned thing. What am I supposed to do?" He ended, panting and with his arms crossed over his chest.
They spent … their visit in awkward silence at first, but discussing Gryffindor's … Quidditch Cup after the silence just became too much for them and Hagrid muttered, "I knew you 'ad a lot on your plate, but I didn't know it was that much. Tell yah what? After my case, I'll go visit Professor McGonagall and discuss stuff with her. that sound okay to yah, Harry?" And Harry had gratefully agreed before Ron, still looking a little uncomfortable, started the Quidditch conversation. At nine … the castle.

And as I read this, do I let out a long, relieved sigh, feeling just as justified and satisfied as I did the night I said all of this and Remus nods as he says: "I still don't think this was Hagrid's job, but now I am glad that he did it instead of Minerva. It gave you the evidence that confiding in adults is still a possibility, kept your belief in us strong." I nod at him, Hagrid beams and I read on.

A large … this time."
He turned on Ron and hissed: "And you better have talked this whole bunch of crap out with her by that time or so help me. We only left Hagrid twelve minutes ago and you're already behaving as if he didn't give us the lecture we deserved. And I admitted that myself in my speech, Ron, you heard me. End this stupid feud or no rant or whatever is going to stop me from taking this straight to your father." And with that did Harry storm up to his dorm, the rage in his heart not as gone after his spiel as he had thought at first.

The other Weasleys all wince at this, but then No-Name shrieks: "Why Arthur? Why not me?" And I coldly snap back: "Because I still remembered your idiotic mistake of telling gullible teens about love-potions, remembered how the jacket I was wearing felt and because Mr. Weasley was and stayed an adult I felt I could trust, unlike you." And before she can complain, do I read on.

On Saturday … last night!"
Harry did feel bad for trying so hard to blow Neville off, but he was slightly hoping to see Ron and Hermione patch things up in a more neutral environment and felt like he needed to go there.

The boy himself nods in understanding at this and then asks: "Did it work?" But I sigh and say: "No. I mean, they did become friends again by the end of the day, but it wasn't Hogsmeade that caused that. And to be honest, I'm kind of amazed that it's taking this long to get to the chapter title's meaning." At this Neville cringes and I read on myself.

"Great, you … Teacup apiece.
They also visited a few other shops, but suddenly Harry noticed something. He had spotted Hermione a few times during their walks, but every time Ron did, he would actually abruptly turn around and walk the other way.
The day … overgrown garden.
Harry only came up here because he was determined to give Ron a piece of his mind and remind his best friend of the warning he had given him the previous weekend.
"Even the … their climb and the annoyance he now felt as he realized that Ron was just trying to distract him in the hopes he would forget the warning or something, was just … few minutes and let Ron know this would never happen when they heard voices nearby.

"You got off easy, Ronny-boy." The twins chorus and Ron groans as he says: "Not just that. I even got to have some entertainment to booth. Oh, and Hermione, I'm sorry. I was willing to stand up for Harry that day, but I should have been willing to talk things out with you as well. I should not have played that avoiding game Harry so obviously noticed." The girl nods and I read on as I sigh.

Someone was … to miss, not just to vent his frustrations over his best friend lacking in responsibility but to get back at Malfoy for, again, wanting someone he, Harry, cared for. Harry, who had yet to forget the other time when Malfoy threatened Hermione during the previous year, crept silently … Hippogriff's –" SPLAT!

At this I spot Sirius and Remus sharing slack-jawed, wide eyed looks of shock and then McGonagall says: "I can't believe it either. James would have done much worse. He would have pulled out his wand and just gone to town on the three, not just – throw some mud." And to this, while I feel horrified to hear this, do my parents chorus:
"Our son's a saint." At which I instantly turn redder than my best friend's hair. And Ron then makes matters even worse as he says: "You have no idea. I mean, I might not have pulled my wand or anything, but Malfoy definitely would have needed those former goons of his to carry him to the Hospital Wing." And while this makes his father frown at him, do I read on.

Malfoy's head … dull eyes.

Yet at this my parents turn to me in great concern and I instantly say: "They tried to get to me a few days later. I made a run for it, went for Professor Sprout, told her an altered version where I had a snowball fight with Ron over winter and hit them with one just because I felt like it and that they've been trying to get me ever since and she stopped them."
At this the two sigh in relief and then Professor Sprout says: "I don't like it that I was lied to, Mr. Potter, especially not about something you shouldn't have been doing at the time, but seeing as who the people chasing you were and what we've learned about them, I'll let it slide." I nod at her gratefully and so does Remus before I continue reading.

"It came … said anything –

"And now I want to thank the blonde for not having gone to him." Sirius groans and I say: "Don't. Thank Dumbledore." Making everyone gape at me, except No-Name, who shouts: "EXACTLY! Wait what?" She asks, realizing what I said and I roll my eyes, yet also push away Hermione's hand as she tries to feel my temperature.
"Seriously ya'll, think about it. If Dumbledore hadn't been ruining his image in the eyes of the Malfoy family by pretending to be as opposite of the beliefs of the Malfoy Line as possible, he would have been the first Malfoy would have thought of going, just because he knew how much Dumbledore meant to me. Dumbledore shot himself in the foot there, really."
By now everyone is, again gaping at me and I just smirk at them all. And this comedic gesture is enough to make the twins burst out laughing and make No-Name silently fume at me, Kingsley once again aiming his wand at her and only mockingly trying to glare Tonks back into taking her own role as guard seriously as she follows the rest in laughing loudly. I smirk and read on.

Back into … said Snape.

"I think you guys should just let me read. Snape's not here to defend himself and this event is now more than a year ago. Not to mention that we now know more about where this whole feud is coming from." And as I say this, do I turn to Mr. Malfoy, who grimaces, but nods in acceptance. And after receiving nods of the same nature from everyone else, do I continue the chapter.

Harry followed … say anything. He knew that Neville would vouch for him in a heartbeat, but he was not going to put his secret friend through that kind of hardship a second time in one year.
Snape's thin … it. Snape didn't deserve it with how he kept treating everyone Harry cared for and he had no … Harry yelled. "You think my dad and I are the only ones who consider themselves above the rules? Who are 'too arrogant for their own good'? What do you call all those times you bully my friends? When you threaten Neville in and outside of class and even humiliate him in front of your colleagues? Why do you think you're his Boggart for Merlin's sake? Trust me, you're no saint yourself.
Besides, I know … his lip, hating the fact that Snape wasn't even willing to address the fact that Harry had pointed out his own faults, but was expecting him to admit to his own and those of his father, if there even were any.
He didn't … Harry stared from the map, that actually had even two more words written as the man turned around that said Hello Prongslet, making Harry wonder yet again who these four were and why they were revealing extra bits about themselves to him and him alone, and then at the … quick thinking, yet he also noticed that the man's eyes wouldn't go further than the words of Messer Wormtail and he was again reminded of the fact that the Map, for some strange reason, had this sense of loyalty to him that made him see things others didn't. It reminded him of the year previous, when he was able to hear the Basilisk slither through the pipes hidden in the walls around the school.
"Well?" said … talking about though he also fought the urge to, again, look at those two words that only he could see written on the parchment.
Nor, apparently, … Harry quickly though the nickname now made him wonder if this was really true. Were these nicknames from people who had gone to school before him, before the twins and who had – and suddenly it struck Harry, but he tried his hardest not to let his revelation show on his face.
"You see, … the manufacturers? Did those – did those people – know my father?"
"Because…" Lupin … said shortly.
Harry frowned at this and said, "You didn't answer my question? Did they know my father?""Why do you think that?""The – the map. It – it shows me things, things it doesn't show to others. When those – those messages were on the map, there were also two – two other words. Hello Prongslet."
He was looking at Harry
, who was looking at him expectantly, more seriously than ever before.
"
I can't tell you. I – I'm not ready. Don't expect … Snape's office, especially over the fact that the man would just leave Harry hanging about those two words and what they could mean. Slowly, he … get it.

Yet at this point, I just sigh, having kind of hoped that someone would speak up before I got to this point and I lie the book down, knowing I'm not done yet, but wanting to hear a voice other than my own at this point. "I'm grateful that you're willing to make our boy more careful, Remus, but in this case, you're being a bit of a hypocrite.
Just minutes ago you were admonishing Hagrid for doing something that wasn't his job to do and now you're doing it yourself. And daring to talk about Lily and James when you just said that you're not ready to talk about James. That's just too double-sided for my taste, especially considering the fact that Harry doesn't even know that fact." My dad sighs in guilt and I groan as I just read on.

"It's my … said Hermione while Harry felt ready to lay into Ron one last time as he suddenly remembered why he was in Hogsmeade in the first place. She was … be executed."

And at those words do I do the only thing I feel I'm able to. I close the book and throw it, causing some people to yell and shout and some to look shocked. Yet no one seems to really blame me and then I explain why. "It – it won't do it – anymore. I – I – I don't know why or – or what – what happened, but – it just – it stopped." And everyone looks at me worried.


Wait, what happened?
Well, the next chapter is where we are going to dive into this and to be honest, I just want to let you all know one little thing. NO! DUMBLEDORE IS NOT THE ONE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT – THIS TIME! Also next chapter, I'm going to start by giving a little summary or what Snape, Daphne and Draco are doing, while they prepare for the fight ahead.
Sound like fun, right,

Venquine1990