Hey everyone,
I'm going to be honest with all of you; I had almost NO inspiration to write these chapters this month. The first half I worked on editing To Read Into The Universe and I got about 10 to 15 chapters in and after that a story idea that had been bugging me all month kept my attention for almost another week. I wrote 11 chapters in just three days, just to get the whole thing out of my head and even then I just wanted to write on.
I was actually planning to just write first page previews for all of these stories – bar Harrison and Harry, The Fidelius Kept Secret and The Unspeakable Escape Program which had chapters pre-written – and just promise you guys two chapters for next month alongside posting the 11 chapters of my new story this month. But I decided on the 22nd to just see how far I could get with all these stories and go from there.
Wish me luck,

Venquine1990
PS. I have something special planned for this chapter, a little surprise. Read and find out.
Shout-Out To:
V.L. Crawford
Wishfull-Star
BellaK26
Yaw6113


Chapter 77
A Mother Returned

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

Somehow, when Harry made his first trip to Destiny Islands, I felt my soul traveling with him and noticed that those of everyone who had ever died in England at either Dumbledore or Voldemort's hands had done the same. Yet we hadn't ended up at the Islands, but in a huge lake that actually consisted of millions of other souls, multiple ones joining it and some trying to climb up on horrid looking boats, only to abandon it upon finding it empty.
James and I had just stayed close to the shore and this, somehow, allowed us to watch everything as it happened. We watched as our son read of his Second and his Third year, as someone who looked like a younger, nicer, female Dumbledore and a sweet girl with black hair came from a huge set of doors, as the obvious Lord of this Realm trained two horrible young men who actually ditched robes with the Slytherin crest on them.
We watched our son become friends with several new people, saw Dumbledore's phoenix change into a young man who could easily pose for my own son due to his hair and eye color and as two sweet-looking couples got together. We even watched on as our son moved from the Islands to this world to one that was home to a huge beast – one that James muttered looks like Remus during a bad full moon – and as he was almost kidnapped.

The Lord of the Realm also noticed us, but ignored our presence. Or so I thought, yet then he suddenly acknowledged us while in the other world and, to my and James' shock, did both Snape and Karkaroff and Harry and Fudge make a deal with the devil, Severus for our souls and Harry and Fudge about the Dementors and the souls they collect. James had been mostly shocked about the duel-deal, but I had felt terrified of my son for making his deal.
I had felt relieved that the God had given Severus and his students time to prepare and that Fudge had taken the deal over from my son and watched with anticipation ever since. The duel took place and James and I felt horrified when realizing that it had basically ended in a tie. The God had told Daphne to make her choice and James and I had said goodbye to each other. And before we could share one final kiss – had I been taken.

Now I am back, back in a new body that feels just like mine did, even though I know that Petunia never allowed for a preservation charm to be cast upon my casket and that my own body is now nothing more than bones and dust. I feel horrible over the fact that I am now a widow without a husband, but also exhilarated over the fact that I am back in my little boy's life. And the fact that I am inside the castle just makes that even better.
I know the others are probably waiting outside and so I quickly look down, loving the simple looking dress that I am wearing. Black with poof-sleeves up the upper arm and form-fitting sleeves down the lower. The skirt goes up to my knees and flares out slightly and there is a belt around my waist and the neckline goes up the left side of my neck. I'm wearing heels underneath this, but this makes me wince and then I feel it.
Stuck to the left side of my belt is the one thing I actually didn't have on that faithful night. I pull my wand out of the belt, feeling an incredible rush of power go through me upon my first touch with the almost 11 inch long willow bit of wood, and instantly use it to change my heels into a simple pair of regular shoes with a mostly open top. I put my wand back, casting a bit of wandless magic to make it stick and blend with my dress and head for the door.
And because I have been a soul for the last thirteen years, can I not help but check my reflection in the windows next to the huge double doors before I open them. This makes everyone turn around in shock and some even in fright, but I only focus on one person. He has actually started to look a little more like Remus and Sirius, thanks to the way that they adopted him little over a week ago, yet I still recognize my baby from anywhere.

"Harry, my sweet, strong little boy." I whisper, tears gleaming in my eyes and making me almost blind to everything but the young man I am focused on and he seems to realize who I am even before I am done speaking as he rushes at me as I speak and shouts: "MUM!" Sounding shocked and amazed even though he knew about the deal being made and Daphne's decision. And have this young man in my arms makes the last thirteen years worth it.
"Harry, I am so proud of you. You've been so brave, so strong. You listened to me and I'm so proud of you." This makes my son let out a soft confused sound and I whisper: "Those were my last words to you before that monster broke through. I enchanted them, to make sure that, if you survived, nothing would ever be able to bring you down. I know James never believed me, but I always felt as if there was someone worse than Voldemort after you."
This makes my son's arms tighten around me, proving he knows exactly who I mean and I softly run a hand through his hair as I hear footsteps approach us. I look up and smile widely at as Remus and Sirius approach me along with Viktor Krum, my boy's mate by Potter destiny. "Thank you so much, both of you." I tell the two of them and they grin back at me as Sirius says: "We'd love to have our friend back, but – I can use some advice on being a good mother."
Yet at this I shake my head and say: "It's the other way around. James and I have been able to watch over the three of you for years, we saw everything you ever did for our baby. I'm going to be honest with you two, if Harry had been yours and you had been in my eyes and me in yours, I would have adopted him, but not on your level. I would have felt as if I'd be intruding on territory that is too sacred and special for me to dare to do so."
At this the two grin, turn red and Sirius rubs the back of his neck with one hand as I cuddle back with my son and whisper: "It's me who can use advice on being a good mother, not you." To which Harry whispers back: "I don't care who's who, I just want my family with me." And while I know that both Petunia and Dumbledore are partially responsible for this, do I still tear up at hearing my son speak with so much love in his voice.

Then, just because I know him, do I slowly release myself from my son's embrace and turn, looking Severus in the eye as I say: "That was an incredibly risky move you made, Severus." The man wants to glare at me, but I just approach him and softly hit him in the arm as I say: "You really haven't changed a bit. You're still the daredevil that would do anything for me; which made me start to love you like an older brother."
The man grimaces a little at the title, but then sighs and turns to look at Harry, who has gone to stand with Sirius, Remus and Viktor. "I still have trouble believing that all those years of hate, anger and envy – were created out of a huge misunderstanding; that Lucius went to such huge and horrible lengths just to ensure my spot in the Slytherin nest. I'm not saying that they're innocent, but – I'm willing to admit that – I wasn't either."
At which I nod and smile at the man as I say: "And that's all I ever wanted, Severus. For you to stop putting all of the blame with the Marauders. It was changing you into someone that – I won't deny – scared me. And I – I already had so much to be afraid of, I just didn't want that. I'm sorry that I hurt you, but I cut you off – to protect myself." And while he obviously doesn't like it, do I say: "But that was then – and this is now."

This shocks the man and I say: "Like I told Harry, I've been able to see everything, including the last ten or so days. I've seen what you've done for my son, Severus, how you helped him heal, what you've been brewing for him, how you've been working to cleanse his friends, how he led you into the Chamber to help you harvest that monster. I saw it all – and it reminded me of us, in our first few years back at Hogwarts. I want that back, Severus. You?"
Severus nods and I smile, reaching my hand out to him, which he happily grasps before shocking me as he pulls me into a hug. Yet while the hug is loving, do I smile as I notice it really is just like an older brother would hug his younger sister; a hug I have been able to learn to recognize thanks to Remus and Sirius back when I was dating James. I blink a tear away at the thought I will never see him again and return the hug.

And when we part, do I notice that our surroundings are completely vacant, bar Harry, Sirius, Remus, Viktor and Minerva. I turn to the woman and embrace her in a hug as well, whispering: "I miss him too." Making the woman choke back a painful bit of laughter before she says: "Thank you. Now I believe it's best if we just focus on the rest of the reading." I nod at her and let her lead the six of us back into the Ballroom.
There a lot of the students make exclamations and statements of welcoming me back and congratulating my loved ones on having our family – sort of – reunited. I smile at all of this and make sure to thank them, especially the ones that are older and that I recognize from when they were young; when I was working hard to protect them and their families during the war. Minerva and Severus then part from us and Harry guides me over to his blanket.
And while I giggle at how Sirius, Remus and Harry move me to sit exactly between the three of them, do I notice Filius levitating the book over to me, a grin of anticipation on his own face. This reminds me of how he always loved it when I read out my essays in the last two years of my Charms classes, when the man would pick one student to read out their essay to the class. I take the book, page up to the bookmark and start to read.

Professor Trelawney's Prediction

This makes Harry tense up against me and then suddenly a young man who sits with Cedric asks: "Wait, is that – what I think it is? The prophesy that made Potter do all he did this last week? The reason he started this whole reading the books thing?" And while a lot of students look startled, proving they forgot all about that, does Harry look down and with a dark tone of voice he mutters: "It is." Making me pull him closer as I read.

Harry's euphoria … a week. He did notice Dumbledore watching him closely for the following Sunday, but the man seemed to relent by dinner and the fact that he looked disgruntled only disturbed Harry for the shortest of seconds, before the euphoria of Gryffindor overwhelmed him again.

"He noticed that Hogwarts broke whatever curse he tried to put on you, only better." Ron smirks, yet my son shakes his head in disagreement and says: "No, that is what made him aware that Hogwarts was no longer under his control. It made him hurt and weaken Hogwarts even more. And that has and would have negatively affected the students in the long run." This makes everyone grimace, but I mutter: "It would have, no more." And I read on.

Even the … the windows. Some students even mentioned that, when they wanted to take their textbooks outside, the doors would be mysteriously locked and unlocking charms would just see them caught by Filch.

"Now that is Dumbledore just being a sore loser." Minerva snarls in disgusted annoyance, but Harry actually shakes his head again and says: "I found out later. The House Elves were actually working on degnoming the grounds and setting up certain spots for the students to relax and unwind after their exams. But they needed to be able to focus properly, so they kept the students inside while they worked." Which really amazes me as I read on.

Even Fred and George Weasley, of who Harry knew they had their own way of learning, had been … was Hermione.
Yet Harry knew both of them well enough to know that they would fail horribly if they went into their exams like this, so he used the fact that Hogwarts was slowly regaining to ask her for a favor. He also made sure to warn Parvati and Lavender as well as Oliver about what he was planning. They asked him how he'd be able to and he smirked and said, "I have my secrets. Just trust me." And thanks to his brilliant safe of the Snitch they did and complied.
And so, three days before their exams, Hermione and Percy suddenly found themselves locked in their dorm with only their favorite book to read and no way out. According to Parvati, Hermione had panicked for a bit, but then noticed her book and relaxed and just fallen asleep reading. Percy had also been reported worrying about what could happen to Gryffindor without him to watch over things, but his book had also calmed him down. He on the other hand had managed to lay it to the side before he fell asleep. And both of them spent the weekend before the exams a lot more relaxed.
The two had been shocked to hear that the same had happened to the other, but had also understood why and Harry even heard Hogwarts whisper, "Thank you, dear. This hardly takes any of my power. Now I can help more students like them more efficiently."

"I actually had it happen to me at the start of this year. Apparently I chose a wrong subject and Lady Hogwarts, I guess, knew I would fail at it. And well, you know what I get like when I fail something I want to do. So Hogwarts made it so that I was locked in my room every time we had Arithmancy." A Third year badger tells her friends, who laugh at her and I hear Septima whispers: "I better return those points when we come back." At which I read on.

Harry and … cautiously, because even with her chance to relax last weekend she was still liable to … these occasions. Instead he just pulled a few strings here and there by whispering just the right words in the right ears of students who were real animal lovers. This made it much harder for Malfoy to get to his exams in time, made him realize too late that he was missing certain quills and that he had less time to study his exams, though it did nothing for their chances at winning Buckbeak's appeal.
And the worst thing of all, bar Harry's personal belief that Mr. Malfoy might not have been the only one behind Hagrid having such bad chances at winning, was that … one-eyed witch.

"I don't get this. I mean, what's Dumbledore's problem? Is he really that vile that he is willing to make Hagrid suffer the loss of a pet, just because Hogwarts doesn't obey him the way he likes?" Someone from Seventh year in Slytherin asks, but Hagrid shakes his head and says: "No, it was another one of his political schemes. Something to increase my loyalty to him." This confuses the young man, but Hagrid keeps quiet and I read on.

Exam week … against me?"
Harry himself had just resigned himself to his decision to never perform up to the best of his ability, but he also shared a quick look with Neville, who calmed down from his own worrying just long enough to give Harry a single blink of the eye – a new way the two had developed to interact without anyone watching them to notice.

"That is incredible." A Ravenclaw Sixth year says breathlessly and the two boys smile at her before turning to each other. And to even my shock, do they seem to hold an entire, silent conversation by just blinking at each other. This causes everyone else turn look on with hushed awe and suddenly Harry bursts out laughing and says: "Good one, Neville." Shocking everyone and making Sirius mutter: "That's just creepy." At which I giggle and read.

Then, after … Charms. Harry, who had actually heard a portrait on the way there whisper, "Wonder when he'll finally do his mother proud.", slightly overdid … Charm himself. Yet the fact that he had done the spell so well made Harry feel that he had answered the portrait's question. Though he also wondered what he would have to do in the following year to make sure he could just keep to his new standard.

My son rubs the back of his head at hearing this, but I just pull him close and whisper: "You're my son. I don't and won't ever expect you to have my talent. I did believe in the chance that you might have inherited, but I never expected it. Please understand the difference, sweetheart. And know that James was exactly the same." And while it feels horrible and heartbreaking to talk of James in past tense, does Harry nod and I read on.

After dinner… and Astronomy.
Harry and Neville did this by quietly quizzing each other on all three topics on Neville's bed after feeling sure that Ron, Seamus and Dean had gone to sleep. Neville also practiced the Mobilicorpus, a spell that lifts and moves objects through the air. "This is so I can keep an eye on you tonight. Your nerves have been giving you nightmares this last year and I want to protect you from those, especially seeing as how we'll barely have time to sleep tomorrow night." And so Harry fell asleep in Neville's bed that night, Neville truly guarding over him like an older brother and Neville silently moving him back to his own bed before their dorm mates woke the next morning.

This makes me smile at the boy in grateful pride, but then notice that my son is frowning. "You don't remember this either, do you dear?" And Harry really worries me as he mutters: "It's worse. I remember different. I remember - or remember, I guess you can say – me keeping the others awake all freaking night because I am stressing over my next three exams so badly. I even remember recasting the Cheering Charm and overpowering it again."
"Why would Dumbledore make you remember something like that? Wouldn't that just serve the purpose of you not performing up to your full potential?" Yet at this I say: "Exactly. In fact, it would serve to hamper his potential all together – and that's what Dumbledore wanted. For Harry to not just not want to use his full potential, but for him not to be able to either." This makes Alicia, who had asked the question, grimace and I read on.

Hagrid presided … the other –"
Harry left that exam with his mind fully focused on the whole thing and going over everything he knew. And suddenly a few facts hit him with concerning severity. "How has Malfoy been able to disgrace Madam Pomfrey's reputation and healing ability for so long? And why aren't Flitwick, Sprout, McGonagall or – heck – even Charlie helping Hagrid? Surely they don't want Hagrid to lose a pet and surely Hagrid is still in contact with Charlie after Norbert?" And as he reentered the castle, Harry swore he would be at the inquiry, if only to get some answers to these questions.

Yet while most of the school smiles and grins in proud excitement over this, does Harry frown in annoyance. He turns to the staff and asks: "I'm about to ask a question, though I apologize in advance, because I am sure I already know the answer. Let me guess, our year was the only year where Divinations – was in the afternoon?" And both the staff and several students who all have this class nod in answer, making me frown as I read.

They had … moving away.
Yet as he did, did he miss Harry trying with his hardest might to keep a snort hidden as he thought, "Potions Master? You can't even recognize a Confusing Concoction that has a bullfrog heart put in ten minutes early. Guess that's just what happens when you keep deciding to skip preparations classes." And with that, Harry pulled his heart out, cut it up the right way and putting it back, which made sure he still managed a decent enough concoction at the end of the exam.

"You did notice it, didn't you?" I can't help but ask my old friend and he nods and says: "I did, though I never suspected that he might have done it on purpose. I thought it was just another one of his blunders." I giggle at this and say: "He played you like a fiddle, Severus." And the man makes my day as he says: "I'd rather it be him, Lily, instead of Dumbledore, who did the same with us all." And many of those around me nod as I read on.

Then came … tallest tower which Harry used to send a letter with Hedwig to Charlie about Hagrid without anyone noticing; History of … be over. Harry, however, actually became nearly as frantic as both Hermione and Percy as he studied everything he had learned for DADA in the past three years and more and he had good reason.
Their second … success, Harry
, who was determined Not to perform to his usual standards around the only link he had to the past he so longed for, hung around … Hermione down. Harry and Lupin actually shared a look and then Lupin started retelling another story, though this one was different. It wasn't about Harry's father, James, it was about his mother, Lily, and what she had been like when first studying for her exams. Harry, Ron and Hermione all listened with rapt attention and Hermione felt greatly reassured in the end when Lupin smiled at her and whispered, "You remind me of her, Hermione. Trust me, you'll be fine."

I spot the girl in question looking at me curiously and I smile at her as I say: "You're not me, Hermione, no more than that Harry is James. You definitely have traits that might make friends of mine see a strong similarity between us, but you also have plenty of traits that make you you." At which Blaise pulls her close against his side and whispers: "Don't I know it." And the two share a loving smile as I read on.

When at … it, Fudge?" This startled Harry as the note from Hagrid had only described a date, but no time and Harry, with a start, realized that he had his Divinations exam just before that time. Instantly he suspected foul-play and the sight of the other new arrival further confirmed this.
The black-mustached … entrance hall.
Harry made sure to pass the Minister quite closely as they left and whispered: "A story always has two sides, Minister. Just like a Galleon. I hope you will remember that." And before the man could comment, Harry left, catching up with his friends.

"I really should have remembered that advice later." Cornelius Fudge sighs in resignation, but I only smile at the man and say: "Minister, I think it's about time you start dropping this act. After all, you kind of gave yourself away earlier on." The man looks shocked and confused and I smile as I say: "You never gave Sirius a trial after the Fourth book or even declared him innocent." And yet, while this confuses a lot of others, do I read on.

"Why'd you … But Harry, who felt that his advice to Fudge didn't just count for Buckbeak as he had yet to get his answers in regards to Black, could tell … join in.

"We really didn't get that, you know? We had thought that you three, you especially Ron, would be excited to be free of studies soon." Dean tells his dorm mates and Ron asks: "Don't tell me you had actually forgotten about Buckbeak?" And Dean shrugs as he says: "Kind of thought Dumbledore had just settled the matter after Malfoy stopped wearing his sling." And while Ron frowns at this, do I consider the belief valid as I read on.
Or at least I want to, but then suddenly Lord Hades reappears and asks: "Okay, how many more times am I going to have to hear that horrible goddess' name?" And Harry winces as he says: "Probably for the next several books, Lord Hades. At least until my Fifth as I will probably drop the class after that." The God groans, throwing himself in a chair that appears out of nowhere behind him and making those sitting there scramble away as I read on.

Harry's and … last-minute studying. Harry took a short look outside and the fact that they were this high up, this away from Hagrid, didn't sit well with him. The time of the appeal kept nagging at him and he just knew that it was deliberate. He just didn't know if it had been done by either Malfoy or Dumbledore.

"Neither." I mutter and everyone stares at me in shock as I say: "Remember, James and I have been allowed to watch over you all these years. We saw all of this happen and were even allowed to see things that you couldn't. We saw Crabbe and Goyle, the younger versions that you just dueled, use all of their savings to bribe Macnair. He was the one to set the time. Though they didn't have to use all of their savings." And with that I read on.

"She's seeing … the landing.
And just his tone made Harry's nerves stand up and made the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end. Neville wasn't acting like he had taught himself to do these past few months just to keep up the act of him being forgetful and clumsy; he was genuinely terrified. He hadn't just been told he'd have a terrible accident, Trelawney had outright threatened his secret best friend.

"I – I think she actually used her Godlike powers on me. I – I don't know what happened, but – she told me that if I said anything, I would get in an accident –." Neville falters and turns to Harry as he whimpers: "That would cost either Ron or Hermione their lives. And I actually saw it happen. But she – she didn't use it just to keep me from spilling what I saw." And instantly everyone's hackles are raised, yet Neville just shudders and keeps quiet.
Instantly Harry is all over him, acting exactly like I would expect him to and making me think: "He may have grown up unloved, but he is a natural sibling." Harry shows genuine frightened concern for the slightly older boy, just like a younger brother would and the two seek solace and comfort with each other. For this I keep quiet for a bit, feeling that Neville deserves that kind of respect after all he's done for my son, and I read on only when he nods at me.

"That's convenient," … said Harry, even though he knew this wasn't the case and was worrying over his brother and Hagrid, looking at … toward Lavender. The fact that the girl was actually allowed to say this made Harry even more worried about Neville and made him wish the boy had stayed behind so he could reassure him. But that would risk the secrecy of their friendship so Harry decided on a simpler, more secretive and still effective plan; tonight he would give Neville the chance to rest in his bed with Harry keeping watch.

This makes a lot of those around me smile at the two boys, only to notice Harry grimacing again. "You don't remember this either?" Hermione asks, but Harry shakes his head and says: "I do, I just – I hate the fact that I didn't get that chance. No offense, Sirius." But my late husband's closest friend shakes his head in understanding and while I curse my mind for reminding me on the fact that I'm a widow now, do I read on.

"Ronald Weasley," … at Harry, who suddenly started wondering if there was a secondary reason behind Trelawney not being like the other teachers and doing these single tests in the alphabetical order, and climbed … with Hagrid. Yet he also gently lied a hand on the floor and whispered, "Lady Hogwarts, where is the one who is hurting you?" And the castle, sounding weaker the higher up Harry was inside her form, whispered back, "He's not with you, little one. He's with those with sneaky hearts and minds."

Hearing me say this makes Fudge cringe and frown, but I gently smile at him and say: "Minister, if watching my son tricking and surviving Dumbledore's hair-brained schemes has taught me anything it's that there are different ways for someone to have a tricky heart or mind. Besides, we both know she means my son's kind of tricky, not Dumbledore's." And while the man still seems to try and play dumb, do I just read on.

Finally, after … "Harry Potter!"

"And that is what they used the rest of their savings on. To bribe Trelawney and Professor Vector to make sure that Harry and Ron would be last and Malfoy first in his own exam." At this the other staff turn to Septima, but the woman just frowns and says: "I refused. They then tried to threaten and even blackmail me, but they had nothing on the latter and I used my skills in non-verbal magic against them for the former. They relented." At which I read on with a smile.

The tower … it…"
Harry
, who felt his hackles rise at the words "Take your time", bent over … to pretend. Though at the same time, did he move his hands underneath the table, grabbed his wand from his pocket and waved it, casting a very silent Mobilicorpus to move the perfume away from him. Instantly his mind cleared and he realized he had almost been a victim of some kind of scented drug, which infuriated him.
PS. I removed the three sentences between here. For the sake of the plot and my little surprise.
"A Hippogriff," … slightly sick and also pissed off as everything finally fell into place for him.
"No blood? … your best."
At this, feeling reassured with the fact that Dumbledore was too far away to interfere and that the Minister was probably either with him or Hagrid, Harry jumped out of his stool and stated: "Mobilicorpus scented drug." And the woman's misty eyes widened as Harry gained perfect control over the perfume that was waifting through the room.
"The only thing that's disappointing, Professor, is the fact that you seem to be on the wrong side of this here conflict. And just so we're clear, I may be too late to save Hagrid's case, but I 'do' have Susan Bones in my year. Madam Bones will hear of this, all of it. And I don't need a crystal ball to predict that this will end as badly for you – as that "accident" you predicted for my dorm mate, Neville Longbottom, another thing Susan will be hearing about very soon."
The woman tried to get up, her hand reaching for her wand, but Harry was determined to prove that she wasn't the one in charge. He moved and flicked his wand and made the perfume come together, forming a cloud that almost looked solid and had it fly down at Trelawney with the same speed he used when hunting for the Snitch against Malfoy a few months ago.
Trelawney shrieked and fell back into her chair, yet Harry whisked his wand and made all of the perfume shoot for the fireplace instead. Instantly the gas exploded and Harry used his robe to cover his mouth. Trelawney was not as lucky and could not do the same in time. Instead the blast of air hit her full and made her almost tumble over before she fell limp into her chair, looking as if she was miles and miles away.
"That one was for you, Hagrid." Harry spoke softly through his robe and once he was sure that the air was clear again, did he lower his robe and turn around, but then … wheeled around, unable to believe that she had recovered so quickly.
Professor Trelawney … said Harry, wondering if he was wrong and suddenly realizing he had no idea what side effects the drug might have had.
But Professor Trelawney didn't seem to hear him. Her eyes started to roll. Harry
stood there in a panic. Was he really going to be able to report this to Susan Bones if he himself could, through it, be arrested for attempt of murder of a member of staff? She looked … HIS MASTER…"

"Now that is both quite interesting and just petty." Lord Hades says, muttering in annoyance in the end and we turn to him as he says: "That drug actually did affect her. And she must have been in that disguise for so long that she was becoming a little more mortal the longer she stayed in. So the only way to save her disguise, in her eyes, was by unleashing her full Goddess power – and she used it to predict a pity-party prophesy."
The God rolls his eyes and shakes his head at the same time as he says this and Harry asks: "A – what?" Lord Hades sighs and says: "A pity-party prophesy. One that is usually made by Gods or Goddesses who have prophetic powers and who didn't get what they want. So in return, they create a prophesy that makes sure the one who kept them from what they want won't get what he or she wants either. Just sad, really." And while this astounds Harry, does he then ask:
"So, so everything that happened over the last year, everything that – that could have happened – all the – the lives that could have been lost due to Voldemort's return – were over Nemesis not getting her way with the sentence of an innocent animal?""Keep in mind, kid. Every plan she makes, is for Dumbledore's sake. His power makes her stronger."
Hades says, yet at this Harry crosses his arms and asks: "Then how was she able to keep her disguise up for almost another book and a half? Dumbledore was caught at the end of the First book and there was almost a week between that and you revealing her." At this Hades rolls his eyes and says: "That's simple. You've yet to fully destroy Dumbledore's reputation. As long as that's strong somewhere, so is she." At this I grimace and read on.

Professor Trelawney's … that!"
Harry
stared at the woman for another minute and muttered, "This changes nothing." Yet the woman just blinked at him and then turned around, humming as she noticed how, during the explosion, some embers had ended up on her chair and working to put them out.
Harry, in the mean time, climbed back … the test? Or had she tried to terrify him out of reporting anything to Susan Bones, the same way he now suspected she had terrified Neville. And what had she used to do this to his friend?
Five minutes … it. Hagrid

This makes me turn to my friend, both feeling greatly for him for the pain and fear he must have been feeling that night, but also feeling a strong sense of disbelief. "They had seen too much. I didn't want them to see something like that. I knew Macnair, I knew he – he wouldn't hesitate. He would thrive and try to make it bloodier than necessary. I didn't want him to do that to them." The man mutters, making me smile at him as I read on.

"We've got … rather flattered.
Harry, though, also noticed something. There may not be a fire lit in the fireplace, but he did notice a few sparks shooting from the logs lying there. Instantly he smiled as this meant that Hogwarts had helped Hermione go unnoticed.

"That explains it." Filius mutters with a smirk on his face and he says: "I knew the exams had ended and wanted to give those who were going to work for the Ministry a warning on what they might have to expect once they did. Only every time I wanted to use a staircase to head to the entrance of the Gryffindor Tower, I would end up at the one to Ravenclaw instead." This makes a lot of the ball room guests laugh and I read on.

They went … the trees.

"Wait, why were they sneaking? It just said that they had been sure that the hall was deserted, so why not just head on out?" Someone on the balcony upstairs asks and someone else up there answers: "Two reasons, probably. One, rushing could have made the cloak slip and show some of their feet or other body parts. And two, there were still the portraits there. And Harry did, even then, suspect Dumbledore." At which, after a minute of waiting, I read on.

They reached … sleeve. Harry, who would have told Hagrid of his theory about Dumbledore and Malfoy if not for the fact that this would just make Hagrid feel even worse, glanced … to him. "Does Susan Bones know about any of this? Surely she would inform her aunt if she knew. And what about Dumbledore –"
"He's tried," said Hagrid
, who seems to have not even heard Harry mention Susan. "He's got … beside him… and I don' want you lot there when it happens … you don't want to …"
Hagrid swallowed. … man, Dumbledore…"

"Wait, that's what you meant! You said Dumbledore let this happen to increase your loyalty to him. He's going to swoop down and be the hero who will stop the execution from happening. He's going to pretend to suddenly remember something that does give him the power to overrule the Committee, isn't he?" Yet Hagrid just keeps quiet, so I read on.

Hermione, who … shaggy head.
"
I told yeh I don' want yeh to put something like that on your souls. Yeh're ter … it's Scabbers!"

And instantly I feel almost incapable to read on as a memory overwhelms me. One of the night before we switched Secret Keepers, when James held me in his arms and gushed over how much of a brilliant idea he thought it to be that we were secretly going to switch. How happy he was that Peter would get his chance to be a hero. "The Hero of the Potters, Lils. Who can say they have that title, huh?" James had asked me before falling asleep.
"I – I'm sorry. I can't. You all now know that that rat is the bastard that took James from me and almost ended Cedric's life way too prematurely, but – he also betrayed James in ways he will never be able to understand. I – I just can't read on." And everyone around me nods in understanding before, to my pride, Nella Diggory walks over and takes the book from me. She sends me a smile that only a mother can send another mother and then reads.

Ron gaped … free himself.

This actually confuses me and I can't help myself. I turn to my son, but Harry shakes his head and says: "I never got that either. Maybe Sirius spotted him a few times on the grounds. I know it can't have been Crookshanks as Hermione actually kept him in her dorm while she was studying. She said he helped her sleep." I nod in understanding to this as I actually had something similar back when I was their age as Nella reads on.

"It's okay … dying sun, making it so that Harry could see the grave look on the man's usually cheerful face. Next to … the cloak. Harry, studying Dumbledore's face, for a moment wondered if he had been wrong about the man, after all. "I'll let … the cabin. Harry noticed that Dumbledore's voice sounded strangely forced. Hagrid looked … ruby-red glow.
Harry wanted to try and get in contact with Hogwarts, but didn't want to risk Dumbledore finding out. The grave look on his face now actually scared Harry and made him wonder if the man didn't already know. And if he didn't, what would he do if he found out?
Ron stopped … did it!"

Nella sounds breathless with horror as she reads this and the Slytherin Seventh year speaks up: "This doesn't make sense. Was that Hippogriff a fake or something? Did Dumbledore pull a trick? Some kind of scheme to make it look as if the job had been done and then told Hagrid the truth and made him hide the beast? What's going on here?" And because I know what actually happened, do I mutter: "You sure are close." But I keep quiet after this.


That's definitely true.
So yeah, Harry actually decided to show his true colors and did so to a Goddess. But because she made her Pity-Party prophesy, she never saw a need to tell Dumbledore about his advesary's actual powers and progress. She just did her job and then watched the world go to hell for whoever was against the one that made her feel strong. Just a bit of a shame that she never saw Harry for the right kind of tricky, but that's her own problem.
Now expect James to return sometime in the next couple of chapters. I plan to return him in the chapter titled after the Marauders and will probably return the other two sometime over the course of the first half of the book. Also, I managed to edit the first 15 chapters of To Read Into The Universe and will probably post them all sometime in the coming weekend or the week after that. Expect the rest before the end of June.
Hope you enjoy,

Venquine1990