Hey everyone,
I know that A LOT OF YOU are going to appreciate the changes I am about to bring to this chapter. I know I have been receiving a lot of complaints about that old method of me putting down CR parts, but I am afraid I have a small bit of bad news. It seems that of the first 8 OotP chapters, I did save some of them in that old OotP – chapter …, page … – OotP way.
However, I am going to study each chapter very closely and try to change it into the style of chapters 25 and onward. Though I cannot give any guarantee, I did a bit of looking at just the first chapter and I actually think I can put it down more or less the same way I did when first writing this story. So trust me, even years later, this story is still in good hands.
Let's give it a shot,

Venquine1990


Chapter 03
Lupin's mistake and the First chapter

5th of August 1995
Grimmauld Place, London
Remus' POV

I just don't understand. Back in the days I do remember James and Sirius bonding, but ever since James and Lily died, I believed for that to be just a bonding between close friends. Something they did to strengthen themselves and make them more capable of protecting Harry, especially after they lost Sora. And while Moony has always told me that this was wrong, I just never felt like listening to the wolf within.
I know Sora is Sirius' son, but with everything that confused me after James and Lily died, it's been harder and harder for me to understand how this could be possible as I always remembered both Sirius and James to be loyal to a fault, especially to those they consider family. And yet, now I see the ultimate proof of this as Sora is standing here in front of me, a powerful weapon in hand and looking like the spitting image of Sirius.
I look at the boy and I ask the one question that has been confusing me every time I tried to remember that James and Sirius were lovers. I do not at all understand the shocked and devastated looks Sora and Harry are sending me as anyone knowing Veela would know that they die a year after their mates do. Yet while I remember that I never taught Harry about Veela when I was his teacher, I guess that Sora never learned about Magical Creatures where he was sent to.

"Did you have to tell my son that rudely that his mother is dead, Lupin?" Sirius then suddenly spats at me and I whiten as I realize that I really didn't think that question through. The fact that he also calls me by my last name also hurts and he goes on, obviously angry at me for reasons I just can't fathom as he says: "And I lived, because our bonding happened on the same day as the wedding.
We used a Time-Turner to make sure that Lily becoming the new Lady Potter would be on the same day as James becoming my Bonded mate. And because he was pregnant of Sora when we bonded, Lily's magic as Lady Potter lessened the strength of that ritual and Sora's life energy tied me to this plain, would anything happen to James."
I understand his explanation and I feel stupid as that one makes perfect sense. I see that Sirius is still glaring at me. I really just don't get this as I have just been trying to protect the man against his own impulsiveness and he says: "I understand that you still grieve over Lily and James, Remus, I really do, but your behavior to me when I explained my sons the rules I wanted to instate proves that you live in the past just too much."

This shocks and confuses me and Sirius says: "You are behaving as if I'm still the fifteen year old wild lover-boy that was famous at Hogwarts for kissing every girl of his year. As if the responsible man I was trying to become when James told me he was pregnant never existed. As if the warrior that helped you and the others in the Order keep England safe from Voldemort's forces never existed. I really expected more out of you, old friend."
This makes me lower my head, mostly as I can barely believe how well Sirius has seen through me, which I suddenly remember is another trait of the man that I – and sometimes others – forgot about and he says: "Although personally – I wonder how much of a friend you really are." I look at him shocked and he says: "Not to me, but to Harry." This makes me look at the boy, who looks at his father with great confusion.
Then Sirius goes on, his voice actually reminding me of that same warrior he mentioned earlier as it sounds furiously insulted and says: "I can understand that Albus told you stories of Harry's wonderful upraising and that he was not to get in contact with the Magical World until he was ready, but the way he behaved to you in the Shrieking Shack proves he saw you as nothing but a teacher, which means something unforgiveable, Remus."

I look at Sirius and I see his eyes blazing with hidden fury and he says: "You kept your friendship with James a secret from his own son. I don't blame you for doing that concerning your friendship with me, especially considering the situation back then. But with James is a whole other story as I know that you – and with you the other staff members as well, who I blame just as much – would be clever enough to talk of James without needing to mention me."
And while Hermione looks affronted, the man gives me a rough trip down memory lane as he says: "We agreed, when Sora was growing inside of James, that even if one of us would die, we would always be in contact and would play major roles in the lives of every child of the Marauders. Sora's journey to another world made that impossible concerning him, but Harry was in the Magical world two years before you taught him.
You purposely and knowingly kept yourself from Harry and as much as I am still grieving over the loss of my love and Sub, I still remained in contact with my son, for his sake. I was willing to risk my soul and you couldn't even bother to visit him in Hogsmeade. I cannot say the same of you and that hurts me more than words can say." I lower my head in shame this time as I know that all he's saying is true and Sirius asks:

"What I don't understand is why you didn't contact him last year. You were able to teach him a spell four years his senior and you didn't think to help him with a tournament that dangerous? What kept you, Remus? Were you waiting for me to contact you before you would contact Harry? Were you in the belief that Harry would want you as nothing but a teacher? Or were you just falling back so deep into your grief that you forgot about him?"
I cringe harshly at the last one and Sirius, his voice now thick as he tries to hold back some kind of emotion – I can only surmise that it must be a growing sense of anger for the sake of his kids and probably the other kids in the room as well – says: "James and Lily are gone, but we know them better than anyone else, especially Harry and Sora, so it's our duty – ours, Remus – to make sure they know them as well as we do.

And you failed in that." These last five words cut straight through me and I cave in. I lie my head on the table in front of me and I lie my hands around my head in shame. Sirius sighs and then actually proves that he still considers me a friend, that the pack we once formed is still important to him, as he says: "I just don't understand why, but I hope that – with Sora and Harry here now – you will at least try to make up for your failure, old friend."
And I look at my friend in shock as he looks away and says: "Whether you failed or not, it stays our duty to take any chance we get to tell Harry and Sora everything we can about the people we lost. They, more than anyone, deserve to know who their mother and his sister-by-magic were. You know that as well as I do, don't you?"
I nod and Sirius asks: "So when Harry goes back to school, Sora of course joining him as well, I won't be the only one writing the two of them?" I shake my head and know that that is what made Sirius know I stayed away from Harry after resigning from my job and the man nods, before he says: "Then let's start reading." And he seats himself back in his chair, Harry beside him.

Sora's POV

"So one of mum's friends has been keeping himself away from my little brother this entire time, while he had multiple chances to stay in contact and even taught him for a full year? What kind of friend is that? Why would he want to do that? Why would he care for my little brother that little?" I wonder silently as I take the seat on the other side of my father with Riku seating Kairi next to me and sitting himself next to her.
I look at the love of my life, the guy of my dreams and wonder if I, perhaps, have enough of my father's Veela nature in me to make him my mate. I have been in love with Riku for years and dreamed of a future together. But the fact that those dreams were always just that, dreams, kept me from making them a reality. I decide to ask my father later, I look up as he takes the first book, with a yellow front cover, red lettering and a Phoenix in flight under the letters from the stack.

"Good front cover, very promising." He mumbles, yet I remember the negative summary that I read at the back. I grimace before I see him handing the book to a girl with bushy brown hair and brown eyes that I suddenly notice hold a lot of surprise and wisdom. Then Kairi whispers: "That's Hermione, Molly was forcing her and Ron together back in our time. I think she sees Ron more as a brother, though. I also noticed that the three of them spent any time that they weren't forced into things together, they're really close."
I nod and smile as it seems that Hermione is very happy that Sirius offered her the book and at the fact that my younger brother, even if he can't count on adults can at least count on his friends. Then Sirius – dad as I realize I should start to call him – makes me laugh and says: "Best let our most studious read first before they pluck the book out of our hands with their need." Hermione scowls at him playfully while Ron and Harry laugh and she starts reading.

Hermione's POV

Sirius might have made a joke of my need to read, but he doesn't fool me anymore. Just by what he has been doing since Sora and Riku came in I can tell that the man is a lot more observant of his surroundings and those in them than even Professor Lupin seems to realize as I have been looking at the books with fascination quite a few times the last half an hour.
Still, the fact that Harry still has a parent is the best news I have heard in ever so long a time, the last time being when Harry told me that Sirius had invited him to stay with him. Of course the man had made that offer, he was the boy's father and I can't exactly blame him for faking to be different with what everyone else thought.
I hate how Harry could have known almost two years ago now that he still had a living parent and that the man who knew this was also Harry's teacher for a full year. I try not to glare at Lupin myself as I believe that Sirius has vocally punished him enough. Instead of that, like Sirius I try to take confidence and reassurance out of the yellow phoenix on the front cover. I open the book to the first chapter and start reading.

Dudley Demented
The hottest … number four.

"When is this?" Sora asks and Harry says: "If I have to go by the title, I'd say it's about three days ago." This makes Riku asks: "How does the title tell you that?" But Harry, who I know doesn't like it when anything or anyone mentions the Muggles that he grows up with, shakes his head and says: "Let's just say that was not a good day to be me." The two boys nod and we all look at Harry in worry before I read on.

He was … of time.

"Wow, if you're not even complementary about your own appearance." One of the twins says and the other goes on: "Then I fear to hear ours." And the first nods in agreement while I also cringe at the idea of this as I know it will either happen this chapter or when Harry arrives at London. I suddenly notice Sora looking at Harry with a contemplative stare as he asks: "Riku, remember what Master Yen Sid told us about Hearts and the Keyblade?"
"That the Keyblade can unlock a person's heart, you mean?" Riku answers in a question back and Sora nods. I feel even more intrigued with this mysterious new weapon that they seem so familiar with as he says: "What if that counts for more than just what he told us? About that curse that pushes the soul out of the body." I feel absolutely horrified that such a curse exists and Riku hums in contemplation as he says:
"You might be onto something there, Sora, but what exactly are you trying to say?" And Sora answers: "Well, Harry looks ever so much like our mother, but I don't see any traits of our dad. What if I can unlock those traits with my Keyblade?" Now Riku looks at Sora shocked, while Kairi and Sirius smile, Sirius in clear excitement over this prospect and Kairi says:

"Sora, that's a great idea." And Sora smiles at her while I notice the others also nodding in agreement before he asks: "Can I give it a try, Siri – eh I mean, dad. Sorry, still getting used." To this, while Sora rubs the back of his says, Sirius smiles and says: "Nineteen years old and raised by perfectly good parents, I'm not surprised you're getting used to this idea. And if Harry agrees, I would love it if you could try."
"Me too. Try ahead." Harry answers happily as he looks at his brother with a look of childish excitement I actually rarely see on his face. Sora smiles just as widely and nods, before they both stand up. Sora summons that strange weapon yet again, again out of thin air and I wonder how he actually does that. He then aims the end of it straight at his brother and Harry closes his eyes as Sora seems to gather his focus.
I look at the two, actually able to see some similarities between the two that definitely prove their relation to each other and see stars and tendrils of light start to swirl and shine around the end of the weapon. This precedes a bright beam of white light that is shot out of Sora's weapon and hits Harry right in the chest, where I can almost see the beam connecting itself with Harry's actual heart, something that shocks me deeply.

Then suddenly, as if from the background, I hear Harry's heart. To my shock it doesn't beat like a regular heart, but at a slightly slower pace. This makes me worry for Harry's health all over again. And a quick look at Sirius shows me that the father has realized the same. Then, even with all that I have been through these past years and that I have seen wizards be capable of, something I will never be able to explain happens.
The light beam that Sora shot at Harry seems to suddenly grow from Harry's heart to every part of his body, as if the energy split itself down inside his heart and now flows through his veins. And before my very eyes – before the shocked eyes of everyone here – Harry starts to change in appearance with every single heartbeat, a wave of light going through his entire form with each beat, reaching and changing a little bit with each heartbeat.

His hair turns slightly longer and grows quite thicker, almost to the same extend as Sora, but it stays the same ebony black color. The light that now surrounds him seems to makes it shine a lot more and makes it look healthier even if it is still very messy. His face grows slightly fuller and grows slightly longer as well. This gives him an aristocratic look that gives him a much closer resemblance to Sirius than he had before.
His entire body seems to grow as well, even if it's only by another couple of inches, but when it stops it almost seems as if he now grew in a much healthier way than described in the book. Then, while I can no longer see any changes surround Harry, I can almost tell that Sora is still unlocking things – like abilities – inside Harry's heart as Sora seems to keep his focus.
This keeps up for some time, but I don't notice Harry getting anxious or impatient as instead a content look is on his face. Finally after almost ten minutes the beam of energy disappears. And when Harry opens his eyes, Sirius is the first to gasp. The same sea-blue eyes as Sora, but then with a dark brown ring around the edge of the iris look up ever so slowly and I gasp myself as magic seems to shine wildly inside the blue color of the eyes.

I have always looked up to Harry because of the amazing way he held himself and the amazing aura of magic I could feel around him when he would talk to us about something important – like when he convinced Ron and me that he had to get through the trapdoor. I now actually feel that same amazing aura surrounding my friend.
I am amazed that that power has always been a part of Harry, something that he was supposed to have to his ability all the time and not just when it came down to something dangerous. I can only imagine how Harry must be feeling right now as Sora must have unlocked incredible things within Harry's heart to have these results. And for some reason I hear a soft voice whispering in my heart: "He's not worth it. He won't be able to control it. You must stop him." Yet I ignore this.

Then suddenly I see Harry squinting and wonder what could be wrong with the boy I have considered my brother since First year. He slowly raises his left hand, the muscles in his upper arms having strengthened, yet those in his lower arms seeming to have slimmed out and pulls his glasses off his face. And the brightness of his eyes is almost blinding me without the glasses in front of it and Harry gasps as he must be seeing much better now.
He then looks from his brother to the weapon still aimed at him to his own right hand. Sora, Riku and Kairi look at him in intrigued shock and Harry slowly raises his hand, his eyes showing his confusion and his attempt to focus on something. And before all our eyes another weapon like Sora's appears in Harry's hand, this one gold colored with a dark colored handle and a red-colored rain guard.

Sora and Riku look at the Keyblade in shock and Harry looks at it, tilting his hand a little as he tries to look at it from different points of view, but then Kairi recovers from her shock and asks: "Why are we surprised?" Sora looks at her and she asks: "He is your brother, it's only natural his Keyblade looks like yours, right?" Yet Riku frowns and says: "But that's the Kingdom Key D, the Keyblade from the Realm of Darkness. How did Harry get it?"
This worries me and I hear that voice whispering: "All those weapons are dark. They are evil and Harry needs be kept away from them." Yet I ignore this as Sirius sighs and says: "It's because of his past. This Keyblade proves everything I have been trying to say for weeks." He turns to the rest of the Order and says: "My son has been through one harrowing experience after another and this – this is the result of that. The result that the help we have been offering him – isn't enough."
Sora nods in agreement with him and Harry smiles at his father, before he asks: "So – how do you work this – Keyblade?" And Sora says: "Don't worry, we'll teach you all about it later, okay? And give you the help you need. And don't worry, Keyblades are connected to the Heart. The lighter the Heart, the lighter the Keyblade." Harry nods, the excitement and relief almost radiating off of him and then Sirius, who is now smiling again says: "So you're an Empathic Veela." And we all look at him as he looks at Harry.

"An – an Empathic Veela?" Harry asks and Sirius says: "It's the term for Veela who let their magic make their emotions be felt like some kind of Aura. Teenage Veela usually only use this when certain emotions rise up, yours are currently all over the place. It will be handy to help you find your mates." And while that stupid little voice keeps trying to gain my attention and demand things of me, I keep my focus on my surroundings as Harry asks:
"Mates? As in plural?" And while his voice sounds a little higher in his obvious embarrassment, Sirius nods and calmly says: "Empathic Veela are the most powerful of all Veela kind and thus need more than one mate. They need multiple. Sometimes two, sometimes three or four. It depends on how strong they can let their emotions become a magic of its own. That magic after all needs a strong base and Mates are a Veela's base for power."

Harry nods and Sora, who actually looks hesitant for the first time, stutters as he asks: "Siri – dad – do you – do you think I'm Veela too?" And we all look at him as he seems worried about this, but then Sirius smiles at him and wraps an arm around his son as he says: "Well, you are born before Harry was and he is Veela, so I'm pretty sure I passed my Veela gene onto both my offspring. So yes, Sora, I think you're a Veela too."
This makes Sora smile widely and Riku says: "Why don't we see if we can unlock the Veela inside Sora's heart once we've read a few chapters, have our back-up here and are a little more settled in?" Everyone nods and the two boys go back to sit with their father, Sirius wrapping a proud arm around them both. And while I try not to let the others notice how that voice is by now annoying me as it seems against all the great things that have happened so far, I just read on.

His jeans … by law,

Now Sora looks at his brother and mutters: "You know, I think I can convince the three fairies to make you a piece of armor like they did with me a few years – I mean –." He then seems to contemplate the years and says: "I think that was about half a year ago or so, from this timeline, that is." He then shakes his head and says:
"Time travel is so confusing." And I think: "Don't I know about it?" I feel glad that we're not reading about Third year as I don't want the twins to find out that I had broken the rules to save Sirius. I just know that they would never let me live it down, even if they are probably also grateful to me over it at the same time. Especially because of Harry's relation to Sirius. I try not to think of the event and so I focus back on the task at hand and read on.

but as … flowerbed below.

"How big was that chance?" Sora asks and Harry answers: "Until that day, pretty damn zero. They were too content with staying indoors and trying to keep cool to really wish to be outside." Sora nods, yet I can tell that he is worrying about his younger brother nonetheless. And while happy for Harry to have Sora in his life now, I wonder what could have happened to change that, before deciding that the book will answer my question and read on.

On the … and uncle.

This shocks me and I ask: "You don't even watch the news during dinner together?" And Harry laughs hard and coldly, the atmosphere changing with his emotions apparently. I shiver before he stops and asks: "Oh wait, you were serious?" I nod and feel confused as to why he would think I was joking. This has been part of my family's routine since I myself was old enough to understand what was being said on the TV and he says:
"No way, dinner time is Dudley's time for the TV and when it's Dudley's time not even Vernon can decide to change the channel." This shocks me as no child should be able to have that kind of power over an adult other than when they deserve to be rewarded for a job well done or getting good grades for a certain subject and Sirius asks: "You do realize that, if we had a TV, that would not go for either you or Sora, don't you?"

And while Lupin still seems amazed at Sirius' parenting, something he now obviously tries to hide, Harry smiles and says: "I know, and I'm glad you won't let me be that spoiled. I've met enough spoiled people to know I never want to be like them and always believed my parents wouldn't let me be like that either. Glad I was right." And he hugs Sirius ever so shortly, the atmosphere around me warming up quite comfortably with his happiness and I smile at them.
Sirius smiles back at his son and Moody says: "That the boy is an Empathic Veela just made this whole reading thing a whole lot more interesting." And all the adults nod, the twins doing so in clear excitement, while Harry turns red as he finally seems to realize his effect on the atmosphere around us. I hear that damned little voice again as it tells me that Harry's Veela side should be blocked. I strongly disagree with this and read on.

Almost as … he, anyway?"

"Trying to butt in? How is wanting to see the news trying to butt in?" Kairi asks confused and Harry leans back in his chair in order to look at her from behind Sirius as he asks: "Kairi right?" Kairi nods and he says: "The best way to try and understand what Vernon thinks is to not try at all. I did for a few years and then I just gave up." The girl nods, while the twins snort at my best friend's ever sassy sense of humor and I read on.

"I don't … Minister is!

"How is that a good thing?" I ask appalled and Harry says: "Hermione, remember. This is Vernon we're talking about." But then, while I personally think: "How is that an answer? What does that man consider to be proper intelligence anyway?" Sirius says: "You know, Harry, I am really starting to wonder about your home life, with how you're talking about that Muggle and all." Harry cringes and again the atmosphere changes.
For the shortest of seconds, just after Harry cringes, I feel as if frost is growing on my shoulder and instinctively try to shake it off. I see others do the same before we all realize what we're doing and then Harry asks: "Can we just read the chapter?" Sirius and a few of the other adults around me looks at him worriedly. But I simply continue reading as I just know that the book will reveal more than my best friend ever will.

Anyway, it's … to herself.

"Wait, Figg – not – not Arabella Figg, right?" Sirius asks and I wonder about the anger and worry that seems to sound through his now thick voice and Harry asks: "I think so, why?" Sirius shakes his head and says: "I – I need more proof. There are plenty of people named like that in the magical world. I just need some more proof."
This worries me and I wonder who Sirius could have known that was also named Arabella as it seems as if the man has a really bad history with this person. But then I see something that makes me rethink this thought as the arm Sirius has around Harry seems to have tightened for some reason, even if only ever so slightly. And Harry seems to notice the same as the concern in his eyes grows a little while he looks at his father.
I wonder what could have happened to the Potters that Sirius knows about and I hate the fact that the teachers hardly ever told us, especially Harry, about them. I decide to go with Sirius' idea of letting it go for now until we know for sure that this weird cat-lady is the same Arabella Figg as the one Sirius seems to know this bad thing about. And while I hope that it isn't the same, for Harry's sake, I continue reading.

Harry was … son, Dudley.

"And even more so about how to act normal and like a perfectly normal family." Harry snorts and Sirius asks: "What do you mean with that?" And Harry shrugs as he says: "I think I thought about it that day. It's a pretty stupid thing they did, we'll probably read about it." Sirius nods, while he is still looking at Harry and I read on.

They had … and children.

"Harry, how can you be sure they would do such things?" Lupin asks him shocked and Mr. Weasley goes on: "Surely Dudley respects his parents enough not to lie to them." But while I can't help but think: "Every teen lies to their parent at one point or another. Even Harry is going to break that rule, I'm sure." Harry snorts again and I feel another need to shake off that same frost as earlier, before he says: "This is Dudley we're talking about, Mr. Weasley."
This shocks the adults and Ron and I share a glance as Harry had never really talked a lot about his family and any time they were mentioned he often tried to change the subject as quickly as it was brought up. And during the spare times he did, it was never really anything positive and most of the time made Ron and me worry about what Dumbledore was thinking sending Harry back there every summer again.

But then my mind works as quickly as it always does when it comes to situations like this, situations that can help or hamper my friends. A sudden thought shocks me and I say: "Harry, Dumbledore can't send you back there anymore." Everyone looks at me and she says: "You told me he constantly sends you back there for your own protection, that you're safest there because of your mother. But your mother is James, James has no relation to them."
Harry's eyes are wide and he is slightly gaping as he looks at me and the whole atmosphere seems to have frozen. But this time not with some kind of cold, just the feeling as if every bit of wind and air has stopped moving. Then tears appear in Harry's eyes and I feel the air around me move again as Harry seems overwhelmed with happiness at this very fact.
He then turns to Sirius and while he had talked to Sora with childish excitement before, my best friend now actually sounds like he is ready to beg as he asks: "You'll let him know this, won't you? You'll let him realize I have no relation there anymore, won't you? This will convince him! He'll be without reason to send me back! Please dad, don't let him send me back." And the strong hope with which Harry speaks almost chokes me up.

Sirius seems just as choked up, if not shocked by the desperation Harry shows and he hugs his son tightly as he whispers: "I worry over your need not to go back there, Harry, but I promise to make sure Albus stops sending you there anyway. You're right, as my son, you have no relation there and he has no reason to send you there."
Now Harry cries and I feel as if an amazing weight has been lifted off my shoulders, a weight I never wanted to have in the first place. Touching my heart at the emotions Harry sends me, I feel my own fear mounting as it almost feels as if something inside that house has Harry absolutely terrified of going back. This really makes me wonder why Harry never tried to get away from that more often, but then remember how stubborn Dumbledore can be.
Looking at my brother in all but blood and fearing for what could have happened in there. Harry always seems so reserved and closed-off for the first few days after he comes back from that House and he looks more resigned every time we take the train back to London, especially last June. I suddenly wonder why I never brought my fears and worries to people like Mrs. Weasley, Lupin or the teachers – or to Dumbledore for that matter.

I then remember the man's stubbornness again and the fact that a lot of people just believe in him blindly and sigh at this fact. After a while Harry stops crying and Sirius says: "We'll have a few pillow talks about this, okay?" Harry nods and I wonder what pillow talks are and Harry wonders the same as he asks: "Pillow talks?" And Sirius answers: "Small talk before bed. Charlus and I used to have those in his before he would send me to mine."
Harry smiles at this and Sirius turns to Sora and says: "And those are available to you as well, of course." And Sora almost shines with the happiness he feels at hearing this. A small part of me feels amazed at how easily Sirius seems to slip into the role of father to both boys. Then Sirius moves closer to Sora and whispers something in his ear that I can't hear, but that makes Sora nod in agreement before I read on.

Harry had … the way.

"Why scavenge for old newspapers?" Riku asks and while it is quite obvious that Harry doesn't like the fact that we put this much focus on his Muggle homelife, he still answers: "The Dursleys were kind enough to have at least one news channel on from time to time. I wanted all the information I could get, so I tried to get it from different sources and seeing as how the news on the TV isn't always the same as the news from newspapers."
Riku nods and asks: "But why old ones?" And Harry, sighs, looking away resigned as he answers: "As I said, they were kind enough to put that channel on. Asking them for the newspaper would go too far in their book. And if there's one thing I learned these past few years, it's to not push them too far." This shocks Riku and makes Ron and me share another glance. Both of us nod and after this I quickly regain everyone's attention as I read on.

The opening … the night.

"What were you waiting for?" Sora asks and Harry seems to be feeling just as morose as he apparently did then. I can almost feel the shadows creeping up around me in response to his softly mumbled: "You'll see." Sora nods and softly clasps his brother on the back, making Harry smile and making the atmosphere light up again.
"So distress is shadows creeping up." One of the twins says and the other goes on: "Cringing causes a small frost to grow on the shoulder that you want to swipe off even if it isn't really there." Then Ron, shocking the twins, goes on: "Happiness makes this room seem to light up." And while trying not to smirk at them, I finish it the listing and say: "And desperation makes the air around people feel like it stopped moving."
"Sure is interesting so far." The twins chorus and Harry turns red. I want to wave myself some coolness as Sirius says: "And embarrassment makes the temperature rise up." Which makes the twins snicker and makes Harry hit himself on the head. Sirius wraps another arm around him with a smile and I read on.

"Record numbers … to unclench.

"You actually consider that a normal reaction from that man?" Lupin asks in shock, while I can barely believe that anyone would even say such a thing, especially a parent or someone responsible for the upraising of a young child or teen and Harry shrugs and mumbles: "He's been saying that since the whole strike started hitting the news. Nothing new to me, really." This shocks me and I barely hear Sirius mumble:
"How can Albus condone you staying there if people like him say such things?" Harry shrugs again, proving he really doesn't expect any less of either Dumbledore or the man he once thought was his uncle and asks: "He doesn't know?" To this Sirius shakes his head and says: "Whether she is who I think she is or not, I know Albus gets all his information about them from her. There's no way he couldn't know about this."
But Harry and I share a look as he rants and I know he and I think the same thing. If that woman really is someone who once hurt the Potters, then she wouldn't exactly hesitate to not tell Dumbledore everything if that, in turn would hurt Harry. We nod at each other to show that we indeed think alike, yet at the same time this also increases my concerns for my best friend. "He's not going back there." I think as I read on.

If anything … stranded holidaymakers.

"Death and destruction?" Sora asks shocked and Kairi goes on: "Why would you want to know about that?" And Harry says: "Because we're on the brink of a war and I'm just wanting to know when it will really commence. The news telling me about those things will let me know when to start preparing. I know it will come, I just want to know when."
Sora, Kairi, Riku and several of the adults around me look at Harry in shock and Sirius says: "And that is why I don't think Harry's age should matter the way Molly has been going on about it." Everyone looks at him and I feel curious as to how the man is going to prove his hidden intelligence this time as he says: "Anyone with brains would know that age isn't just a number, the amount of experience someone has is also an important factor.
And whether I like it or not, Harry has more experience with Voldemort than anyone here and that is something I think should be put into consideration. We can't just accept it and then deny it whenever we feel like it; that's neither right nor fair." Every one of the adults around me looks shocked at this, while Riku seems to nod in agreement and Harry smiles widely at his father who whispers: "We'll talk later." And I read on.

He let … in Surrey,

"That near crash could have been something." Sora says and I wonder if, at the time of the crash, the Order thought the same, but Harry shakes his head and says: "The book is only covering a bit of it, not the whole story. The Pilot had not taken the wind into account when he flew and got stuck in a crosswind. It also happened closely after he took off, so no follower of Voldemort could have planned and achieved such a thing with so little time."
Sora nods and Riku asks: "Am I the only one hating how, even though his biggest fight is still to come, Harry has just as much knowledge about his enemies and is just as able to predict their plans as we were after all of our journeys?" And both Sora and Kairi shake their heads at this as Harry asks: "Journeys?" To which Sora says: "We'll explain once back-up's here, it's not pretty." His brother nods and I read on.

then a … out more."

"How is that even news?" Moody asks in shock and I sigh as I say: "Some news reports have what they call fillers. Small pieces of news that can interest only very certain groups of people, but that are mostly used to make sure the full time frame a news hour has is filled." The Auror grunts in disgust at this and I read on.

Harry opened … quick succession.

"And when several things happen in quick succession around Harry." One of the twins says and the other goes on: "You can be assured that those things are never good." And Ron and I sigh as I wish that I could argue that statement, yet my best friend really does seem prominent on finding trouble all the time.
Then I snicker as I remember what Harry always says to that statement. I don't go looking for trouble, it always finds me. I look at Sora, remembering what he said only minutes ago and think: "I guess it runs in the family." But while this makes me smile, I know that it will only gravely worry Sirius. Yet at the same time I can't help but admire how strong and durable all three of them look and with that do I read on.

A loud, … open window.

"Epic, terrified, well-prepared – painful." Sora cringes at the end and Moody says: "Good place to put your wand, Potter, better than when we met a few hours ago." To which Tonks asks: "I still want to know who that person is that lost a buttock to putting his wand in the back pocket of his jeans, hmm?" Moody growls at the younger Auror, while the twins and Ron look at Moody astonished at hearing this and Sora asks:
"Is that even possible?" And the Auror answers: "It is if you say even half a spell while trying to pull your wand out and finding out that it's stuck under your waistband." This causes for new frost to appear on my shoulder as we all cringe. I try to fight the urge to shake it off, as I know it's not really there before reading on.

The resultant … his throat.

"And WHAT?" Sirius shouts and while I can see how furious the man is, the temperature in the room seems to lower dramatically and Mr. Weasley says: "Sirius, control your anger, you're scaring Harry." And instantly the man – who had shot up in anger and who had looked as if he was about to undergo some kind of transformation, which I guess is thanks to his Veela heritage – sits back down and takes his son in a firm hug as he whispers:
"We really should have picked you up weeks ago. If only I had told everyone the truth when they got here. I should have ended this secrecy when the whole Order was together, but I just felt as if I would be betraying the secret to someone dangerous. But that doesn't matter. You should have never gone to that awful place." And while he keeps mumbling things like this, the temperature of the room returns to normal and Kingsley, who has a thoughtful frown on his face, says:
"What I'd like to know is why Dursley thinks he can do such a thing. Surely, when Harry was first left there or at some point over the last four years that he has come back from school, someone of the Magical World has told him of the severity with which we punish Muggles that commit one of the five crimes against a minor." But then Harry proves the tanned Auror wrong and asks: "The five crimes? What five crimes?"

And while Tonks actually gawks at my best friend as if she expects him to know about this, which just annoys me as even I don't know about it, Kingsley answers: "The five crimes Muggles are more likely to perform on Magical Minors than witches or wizards are. They're therefore punished harder than witches or wizards, but that's only because this fact was proven by extensive research which is performed at least once a century by the Unspeakables."
This makes me feel slightly better as I had felt slightly insulted when the man told us about the difference between the two worlds and he goes on: "The five crimes are Neglect, Starvation, Abuse, Rape and Murder. For the first two, a Muggle is send to life-long prison and the Muggles on the neighborhood where he lives are told that the Government has found his name on a list of members of whatever terroristic organization is currently at large, or that they were Neo-Nazi's."

Harry nods, while I shudder at the idea of Neo-Nazi's actually being here in this country and then suddenly remember the few times over the last few years that perfectly harmless people were suddenly found to be actual Neo-Nazi's. One of these times was actually only a few blocks away from my home and it had been on the grapevine of the neighborhood for weeks. I wonder if those people had actually been starving or neglecting a magical minor and listen on.
"For the third sentence – and only the third because we have stumbled upon quite a few forms of abuse over the years – the Muggle will be sentenced before the Queen herself, usually with banishment from the country. The neighborhood is then told that he or she has been ordered to move to the Queen's court."
"And those in the neighborhood would then instantly think that it was for something good and leave it at that, right?" I ask the man and he nods, while Harry is still looking at Kingsley. And just by the small changes I feel in the atmosphere I know that Harry is listening intently in an attempt to keep a firm hold on his emotions. Yet the changes are still there and I feel like a bit of frost is keeping a slowly growing sense of heat at bay.

Then Kingsley says: "The last two, because they really should never be committed, are sentenced with immediate transport to Azkaban. The Muggle committing either of these crimes gets one day out of Azkaban to explain himself, but the rules are very clear that, no matter the explanation, the Muggle is never to leave prison again."
"So like when I was send to Azkaban after that whole thing with Pettigrew?" Sirius asks and while Kingsley and Moody cringe at this, Tonks says: "Exactly like that, only that in your case it was illegal to do so and in the case of a Muggle even attempting to rape a Magical Minor, he gets a Port Key thrown at him and that's that. An excuse to the neighborhood and done. The only other thing we do is keep it all out of sight of other Muggles."

But while the young woman sounds very upbeat and light-hearted, I can tell by looking at her and how her hair has changed to a very deep brown and has lengthened to reach under her chair, that she is taking this conversation quite seriously and then Kingsley says: "So seeing what we just discovered, I think I will need to contact her Royal Majesty as soon as possible."
"What? What for?" Harry asks shocked and this makes everyone turn to him with shocked and astonished looks before Kingsley asks: "What for? Harry, what we just read already happened and is – by anyone with common sense – considered a clear sign of abuse. That man is to be arrested on the spot." And just by these words the temperature in the room drops below zero so quickly it almost shocks me.

Looking at Harry and seeing his pure white face, his labored breathing and his trembling hands, I can only surmise what else Dursley has done that Harry obviously fears will come to light if the man were to be put on trial. Instantly my mind recalls the other two potential crimes and my heart stops beating for just a moment. I decide to calm my brother in all but blood down as my body starts to, involuntarily, shiver and I turn to Kingsley as I ask:
"If a Muggle were to be arrested for this, would his arrest be published as well, Kingsley? I'm sure people like Skeeter would love to get their hands on things like that." But while Harry gasps, proving he hadn't even thought of that and I cringe and grimace at him, Kingsley calmly shakes his head and says: "We have a small section in the daily prophet where we write Muggle this committed certain number out of five crimes.
That's all, it's a small section on one of the last pages, just next to job offerings for certain more specified career possibilities such as Aurors and Hit Wizards or Healers of Certain Illnesses." I nod at the man and the temperature rises again. I smile at Harry, who smiles back at me tentatively but with relief in his eyes. Yet there is no denying the fact that his beautiful blue eyes now look darker than the midnight sky.
Then Kingsley turns to Harry himself and says: "Sorry if I worried you, Harry, but we never allow for crimes committed by Muggles to be published. And with people like Malfoy having shares in that paper, I don't think anyone will ever be interested enough in actually reading it anyway." This makes Harry smile in relief and I read on.

"Put – it – … to hold.

This astonishes me and shocks the others as well. Yet Sora just smiles as he hears this and then, while he sounds as if he doesn't have a care in the world, he says: "It must have been one of the blocked abilities in his heart. The terror of being suffocated must have released some of it, just enough to help him." The others nod and then Riku hums: "I wonder." As he looks at Harry and – upon closer look – at his scar. Harry sees this too and covers the scar instinctively.
Then Ron asks: "What? What do you wonder?" And Riku, who actually sounds like he could be an excellent tutor if not all-out teacher, answers: "Keyblade Wielders can use specific forms of magic. Fire, Ice, Time and a few others and even those at varying levels. I'm just wondering if perhaps Harry has an affinity with the Thunder magic of Keyblade Wielders and if that could be what surged through him that day."
Harry looks shocked and says: "That might just be it." While Kairi and Sora smile at the silver haired boy brightly and I find myself wondering what it would be like to be taught other subjects by this slightly older lad. Then suddenly I shake my head and look closer at Sora as I could have sworn that I saw a hint of adoration in the boy's eyes. I look from him to Kairi and I see her catching my glance and see her lips move:
"Help me get them together, will you?" And with a shock I realize that Sora is indeed looking at Riku with adoration – because he's in love with the silver-haired boy. I look between the two and wonder why they allowed Kairi to sit between them, but then realize that it must be because they don't know it of the other. I turn back to Kairi and she silently taps her finger on the table in a rhythm of three times each. "She must have been trying for three years."

I shake my head at this fact as I hear Mr. Weasley ask: "Are you alright, Hermione?" And I look at him before deciding to encourage Sora a little and send a very quick wink Kairi's way as I can only imagine how frustrated the girl must be feeling at this point before I say: "Yeah, I'm fine." I then turn to Sirius and while just sounding friendly curious, do I ask: "Sirius, how long did it take you to realize you loved James as more than a friend?"
Sirius looks shocked and confused, but I motion ever so softly for his right and he seems to get the hint as he leans back on his seat, with his arms crossed and says: "Well, I have to admit that didn't take me all that long, Hermione. It was getting the courage to tell him that took me quite a few years of my school time."
"Did it now?" Kairi asks with a smirk hidden behind the same friendly smile and Sirius says: "Yeah, you wouldn't say that for a Gryffindor, which is considered the House of the Brave at Hogwarts, but I was so afraid of ruining our friendship, it took me from the first Hogsmeade weekend in my fourth to the Valentines Weekend in my sixth. Two years and four months before I had the guts to even ask James on a date."

Yet then the man sighs and a goofy, loving smile comes over his face as he continues and says: "After that things quickly went uphill and within the month we were sharing just about everything. James even insisted within 2 months that I mark him as my own as I had been holding in for so long. I refused, of course, marking a mate deserves more than a quick make-out session and back then exams were right around the corner."
He then shakes his head, his eyes closed and a look of loving remembrance on his face and says: "But James was nothing if not persistent, something all Potters are naturally known for. Right after the exams, he took me on his broom, took me to that secret little spot we found on the Astronomy tower and there he showed me just how much he wanted to be mine. He even threatened that he would officially propose if I didn't mark him."
This shocks me, yet seems to make some of the wizards around me, like Bill, Remus and Tonks, snicker and Harry asks: "Is that bad?" Sirius shrugs and says: "For an unbound Veela Dominant, that's bad, yes. A proposal from a Submissive is – for us Veela – like a sign that our loyalty to our mate isn't strong enough and Veela are a lot, but we're not the purest creatures of love since Ancient Greece without reason."

Harry nods in understanding, while I feel amazed to not just learn more about my best friend's father, but Veela culture at the same time and Sirius pulls his sons close as he says: "So word of advice to both of you. If you think you've found your mate, gather up your inner Gryffindor courage and approach him, her or them first chance, but make sure you have firm rules when it comes to the marking, understand?" And both boys nod solemnly.
I then see that, while Harry is happily smiling at his father, that Sora's smile lacks the same happiness as he seems reluctant about something. And then Kairi makes matters worse, at least for her best friend, as she asks: "So how big is the chance that either Sora or Harry's best friend becomes a possible mate?" And Sirius looks at her shocked, before he seems to catch onto us. He laughs hard before he says:
"With me as their father, at least fifty percent, Kairi. At the least." Kairi grins and says: "Well, I know that Sora has a good way of bonding himself to his possible mate, don't you Sora?" Sora turns red at this and asks: "Huh?" But while it's obvious that the boy is trying to feign ignorance, Riku proves he isn't falling for it as he smirks and answers: "The Paopu fruit you stocked, remember?" And Sora, even redder now, says:

"Oh yeah, you're right." And from the bag on his back the boy pulls out the same kind of fruit as I saw dangling from Kairi's keychain. Large and star-shaped, orange colored and with two green leaves attached to one end of the fruit. He then lies it down in front of him and Sirius, who is obviously not happy to see this, asks: "So what's so special about it? I mean, other than that it was switched with the both of you all those years ago."
And while a lot of us cringe at this, Kairi gently answers him: "It's an ancient fruit, Sirius, one as old as the islands we grew up on. The legend behind the Paopu fruit says that, if you share it with someone you care about, your destiny becomes intertwined with that of theirs and you remain a part of each other's life forever. Kind of like a fruit creating a soul bond, don't you think?" Sirius smiles again and says: "Yeah, does sound like that."
He then looks at the fruit apprehensively and says: "Sure would have been nice to have had that when James was still alive. Then maybe our intertwined destinies could have found a way to save him." To this Harry hugs him closely and Sirius wraps a strong arm around his son as Sora puts the fruit back in his bag and I read on.

Panting, Harry … a turn!"

"Got to admit, that's a good excuse." Tonks says with her arms crossed on the table and Kingsley grimaces as he says: "Yeah, but I don't like how easily he makes that excuse. He's obviously had practice and if he made those same excuses to Harry, then that proves he's also guilty of neglect." To this Ron says:
"But Harry knows about magic." And Kingsley answers: "I don't mean in the current time, Ron. I mean before Harry got his letter." To which Mr. Weasley says: "Surely that's impossible. How would they be able to explain to him how his mother died then?" And suddenly I see Ron looking at Harry with wide eyes.
I realize what his wide eyes mean and see Harry trying to send Ron a pointed glare and. As I don't want Harry to get angry at Ron for spilling the beans, so to say, I glare at him myself. With my glare I tell him that he shouldn't be so obvious silently. The redhead turns to me and I ask: "Could you hand me that jug, Ron? I'm getting a bit of a sore throat." Ron nods, his eyes proving he got my silent hint and I take my drink before I quickly read on.

He continued … cracking noise.

"Good instincts, lad, wish we had realized you were that observant earlier on this summer. Would have let us know you could be onto us." Moody growls and Harry growls back: "I wasn't and neither do I like being watched without knowing it. I feel like I'm some caged animal locked in a cell with a hidden camera or something."
All of the adults cringe and Sirius says: "Harry, I did agree with Dumbledore that you needed to be watched, but that was for two reasons. One, Voldemort was after you and I was unable to do anything about it, thus I wanted to be able to rely on others to do what I couldn't. And two, if you were to find out about it, it would only be a matter of time before Voldemort did as well. And because our best were watching you, that could risk our numbers – and you as well.
That was just a risk we couldn't take as he could very well let Lucius Malfoy tell Fudge that – say – Kingsley was guarding you without direct orders. It could endanger the Order. Or worse, they could try to trace the guards and find out where you were living, which was the last thing any of us wanted. Do you understand?" And while I feel shocked at his wisdom, Harry sighs in defeat and says: "Yeah, I guess that makes sense." And I quickly read on.

"Making a … window, boy?"

"Because you don't know how to behave like decent people and give your nephew the opportunity to watch the news. It's almost as if you don't want him to learn anything with how you were talking about your own son." Mr. Weasley snarls. And while I can barely believe that the Muggle loving man is angry at Muggles, I realize that reading about Harry's treatment by this one must be dashing a lot of his beliefs on my home culture. And while I feel for the man, I read on.

"Listening to … said Harry.

"And that's my pride coming out, right there. I wouldn't have used that kind of wit, but I definitely would not have allowed for Muggles like that to talk in such tones to me, no sir." Sirius laughs and Harry smiles widely, the atmosphere in the room heating up quite nicely as he does so. I smile at my friend as I know how much pride and joy he always takes out of others telling him he is like his parents before reading on.

"Don't you … our news!"

"Seeing the few cases where I heard of people being accused of being Neo-Nazi's, I'm not too sure if that's true anymore." I then mutter and Kingsley asks: "Could you name one, Hermione?" I mark the page and put the book down. I think back, racking my brain as I say: "Andrew Hornsby?" And instantly I know I hit it right where it hurts as Kingsley hisses, while Tonks cringes and even Moody looks gloomier than usual.
"One of the worst of all cases I have ever encountered. He actually turned three of his children from witches and wizards into squibs with how little he fed them. Only gave them a small loaf of bread and a single cup of water a week, both of them overflowing with way too many vitamins and whatnot to still be healthy for the kids."

This makes me cringe and Harry asks: "Starvation can actually lead to a loss of magic?" And just the fact that his tone is full of worry and fear concerns me, even as I ignore the bit of frost. Kingsley nods and Tonks answers: "A healthy diet and full course meals are really important for kids between age 11 and seventeen. From when you first receive your wand your magic becomes very dependent on how you are raised.
The healthier your upraising – diet, exercise, physical signs of parental affection and stimulation in magic and theory – the easier it is for your core to fully develop. The exercise is one of the reasons the Hogwarts staff has their classes so far apart. Still, if any of these cases lack in your upraising you can severely damage your core or even fully block yourself from your magic, which can have severe consequences."

"Consequences? Like what?" Sora asks and Tonks shrugs as she says: "I only heard rumors, but apparently one girl was once so badly abused by Muggles for showing magic that she pushed herself to never perform again. She was just still very young and accidental magic was still very powerful inside her. It caused major problems."
Harry and I look at each other shocked and Moody nods, his lips thin and his scars standing out as he says: "Some who know this rumor, also know of the rumor that, in the end, the girl's magic lashed out at completely the wrong time and with such force it ended everything around her – including her mother's life."
Everyone looks shocked at this and Moody says: "No one knows who this mother was, so we're not sure if the whole thing is true or just a rumor, especially because the girl disappeared off the face of the earth shortly afterwards. Since then she's been more or less a motivation for Aurors to never let such a thing occur again."
Harry nods and then he asks Mr. Weasley: "Is that why – why she was always so adamant on me eating so much if I stayed with you guys?" Mr. Weasley nods and says: "She might have dark plans for your future, Harry, but she really did care for you at some point and really wanted to help you get healthy again, I'm sure of it."

"I'm not." One of the twins suddenly says and we all look at him shocked as neither of them has ever sounded this negative. He and his twin then increase our level of shock as they look as angered as the first one sounded before the second goes on and says: "We read up on this ourselves after our little escapade with Harry and his Muggle relatives. Apparently because Harry eats so little at the Dursleys, her actions only worsens the whole thing."
The other then goes on, while all of us are shocked at this and he says: "Harry has a shrunken stomach. We know this because we've seen his eating patterns back at Hogwarts." This makes Harry turn red and in his eyes I can see that he hates the fact he got caught as the twin goes on: "He eats very little at the start of the year, regular to a little over during Christmas, and even less than very little at the end. His stomach is in turmoil, we're sure of it."
Everyone looks at them shocked and the second one says: "We know this because we read up on diagnostic spells after Harry was attacked by that Bludger, because of that whole thing with Lockhart. Harry's stomach is damaging his core, but Harry doesn't have a choice. He doesn't get the food he needs at the Dursleys, so –."
And while Sirius is now holding Harry quite close to his form and while Sora is looking at his little brother in great concern, Mr. Weasley ends: "He makes sure he doesn't starve when staying with them by purposely shrinking his own stomach before the school year ends." And the twins nod, both faces looking more firm and serious than I have ever seen them and I can barely believe how far these two have gone for my best friend.

Yet while I think about Harry, I suddenly realize that the atmosphere around us hasn't changed at all, while I was actually expecting it to become freezing cold due to Harry's fear. Instead of that is that same nice warmth embedded around us, like on a nice summer day just before the heat wave truly hits the English Isles.
I look at Harry in curiosity and I see that he is no longer feeling bad for being caught. Instead I catch him smiling at the twins, the same adoration in his eyes as I saw in Sora's eyes earlier. And I suddenly realize that Harry's Empathic Veela side might have very well been reaching out to Fred and George this whole entire time. That it caused for them to worry about him as much as they have and thus do all of the research that they did.
I wonder how Harry's life will be if he mates with the twins and I suddenly realize something that makes me smile at the whole idea. The twins are all about laughter and humor, even if they sometimes don't take vital situations as serious as I feel they should. And with You-Know-Who chasing after my best friend's life, him having people who can almost constantly keep him happy is something my best friend really needs and deserves.
I turn to my other best friend and I see him looking between Harry and the twins as well, the same content smile on his face as I am sure is seen on my own. And when he sees me looking, he nods and I happily nod back, knowing that we will try to get Harry together with Fred and George. I then remember the pictures that Riku took with him and remember the one with George all alone. And while I wonder what that's about, I read on.

"That's all … admitting it.

This makes Ron and me lower our heads in shame and Sirius says: "Harry son, listen. The only reason I agreed with Dumbledore on that and didn't fight with him over it, is because of the distance between Privet Drive and here. I know Hedwig would never let anything happen to the letters, but what can an owl do against Death Eaters? And while Hedwig may be smart enough and Pig evasive and excited enough to evade capture to some degree, it was just too risky.
You can't deny that there isn't plenty of space between here and Privet Drive for those monsters to hide and attack whatever owl they see – without any of us knowing as we would be unable to see the owls after they take off. Though I did tell Dumbledore off when he tried to make Ron and Hermione stop writing you all together, I did agree with this decision. Do you understand?" Harry nods and I smile at Sirius, happy that he made Harry understand as the boy says:
"I would just have liked it if somebody at least told me that. Just reading all those hints made me bloody irritated, especially after reading the same stuff three times in a week." This makes me cringe as the boy has a point and Sirius: "Good point and I did let Ron know the same thing a few days ago. I just wanted you to understand why that had been happening this last month." Harry nods and hugs him as I read on.

"The owls … said Harry,

"Uh-oh, you're definitely showing signs of having dormant Veela blood inside of you. That was definitely the temper of a Veela." Sirius then says and he lies his finger on his chin and looks up thoughtfully as he goes on: "But not that of a Dominant, I would say. A Dominant Veela would have gone further than that, especially one of my blood. And at this age, it might have even sparked the start of a transformation, if you were Dominant."
"What are you saying, Siri – dad? That I'm a Submissive?" Harry asks and I feel the nice warmth leaving the room, a slight chill now growing around us, not really uncomfortable, but still noticeable enough. And yet Sirius just gently smiles at his son and runs a hand down the boy's now longer hair as he asks him: "Well, with everything you've been through, wouldn't you want a Dominant mate to help care for you?"
This makes the chill leave the room just as fast and Harry looks down, smiling and softly grabbing hold of the hand that caressed through his hair and down his cheek as he says: "I guess so, yeah. Didn't think of it that way." Sirius smiles and says: "I can get that you won't. With how you've been assigned to depend on yourself for all these years, to have someone be called your Dominant partner must feel a little wrong."

Harry nods and Sirius hugs him closely with one arm as he lies the other on Harry's heart and says: "Don't you worry, Harry, if Dominant Veela are known for one thing, it's that their love and care for their mate always comes first. And the same goes for witches and wizards who are chosen as Dominant over a Veela. In fact, there is a rumor going around the community that, the more powerful the witch or wizard, the stronger their bond with their chosen Veela."
Harry smiles at this and then Sirius says: "Just imagine it, Harry. You, me, Sora, his mate and yours, sitting together on the veranda of some really beautiful country home, you on the lap of one of your mates and the other standing behind the both of you and all of us talking, hugging and laughing together. That's an image I'm working forward to. Maybe even with either you or Sora or his mate carrying the next generation. You in with me, kiddo?"

Harry nods, even though his face is Weasley red at the thought of him being pregnant, a thought I have trouble wrapping my mind around, the air now almost electrical with excitement and Sirius hugs him tightly and says: "Then all that leaves us now is finding your mate, unlocking Sora's inner Veela and finding his. And making sure Kingsley gets me my freedom, of course." He mutters as if the matter is just an afterthought or something.
Both his sons laugh at his tone, the air heating up again very comfortably and I smile at how amazing Sirius is as a father and think: "I can only imagine how wonderful he would have been in raising Harry – had he had the chance." And yet again I curse Bartemius Crouch senior and Peter Pettigrew for their actions. Then I realize that Molly Weasley has been doing the same all summer and I curse her as well as I resume my reading.

his temper … haunts automatically.

"That's not good." Tonks says, but Moody grunts in disagreement and says: "No, it actually is. If Potter knows where he's going instinctively, then he'll be better capable of shaking off whoever tries to catch him. He'll know his surroundings inside out and that is something anyone in danger is supposed to know. Good of you, lad."
Harry shrugs and says: "I've always had to make sure I knew where I was. In Hogwarts more than anything, seeing how far some of the classes are apart and how much Filch loves to catch students out of bounds and all. Not to mention how some Snakes would try and knock me out before important Quidditch matches from time to time." To this I can't help but feel as if there's more to it, but Moody simply nods and I quickly start reading again.

Every few … leaked away.

Harry hangs his head and says: "And now you'll find out why not giving me even the slightest of hints of any of this was a bad idea." This makes me cringe and then, as I remember the blundering mistake I made over the Christmas of my Third year, I say: "Actually Harry, that was my idea." Harry looks at me shocked and I say: "I know you, Harry, and if you had gotten wind of it, you would have investigated it.
You weren't supposed to know, remember? Sirius just explained why. You, me and Ron always tried to figure out Hogwarts' secrets, no matter how dangerous. But this time, we couldn't risk you showing signs that you knew about something as we feared it would alert Death Eaters. We knew You-Know-Who didn't know where you lived, but Pettigrew did and we didn't want him reporting back to his master about hidden things or people."
Harry sighs and says: "And if I had known that Dumbledore would have allowed me to have some back-up or something of the like, then I would have probably been constantly doing what I did back then, with that gazing over my shoulder and all. Yeah, I guess I see your point." I smile at him even though I also feel for him and I silently read on.

Perhaps it … neighbor's house?

"Potter, if there is anything I have learned from what others have told me of you and of what we have been reading up to this point, it's that your instincts, kid, are better than any others, even seasoned Aurors who have been trained for years. You knew it was someone using magic and you just have to make sure you keep that belief strong. With that belief and that instinct we can win this, if you use it the right way, of course."
Moody mumbles in the end and Tonks laughs as she asks: "I was already wondering, where did that positive attitude of yours come from, Moody?" The man glowers at her, but I can tell by the look in his good eye that he isn't really mad at the young Auror. I also notice that there are quite a few adults nodding in agreement with the Auror. Her former mentor rolls his good eye and I shake my head at their friendly banter before reading on.

Harry felt … once again.

"I take it now Sora will have his answer as to what you were waiting for and I will get some more intel in why you were scavenging old newspapers?" Riku asks Harry with no real bite in his strict tone and Harry nods. Yet at the same time he is holding himself close to Sirius in an obvious attempt not to feel like he did back then. Sirius is very aware of this and he pulls Harry just a little bit closer in his need to comfort his son and I quickly read on.

Tomorrow morning … been dashed.

"Which, I am sure, caused for a little issue back up there while we were meeting?" Sirius suddenly asks and Harry asks: "How do you know?" To which Sirius answers: "Veela can tune in to the emotions of their young, kiddo. I felt your anger all the way down here, you know. Pretty chilly feeling, that was."
Harry cringes and I say: "I understand that you were angry at Ron and Hermione, but you should have thought that one through as they are more likely to listen to the orders of adults than you. This should have told you that your anger should be directed at us, not them and you know that. I hate it, but I expect an apology, young man."
But then I say: "Harry already apologized, Sirius, don't worry. He does get angry sometimes, but he always feels bad afterwards. He apologized after the twins and Ginny went back downstairs." Sirius nods and smiles at his son as he says: "Then all is forgiven." And Harry smiles at both of us widely before I read on.

We can't … see you…

"You send that in your letters? No wonder he wasn't expecting anything out of you anymore?" Sora almost shouts in shocked disbelief and Riku says: "If those letters had been addressed to Sora, he would have used the first the best Keyhole he could find to get to you guys." And Sora, apparently obvious to the fact that his best friend is just taking the mickey out of him, strongly shouts: "You know I would!"
This makes the two other friends smile at each other and makes the twins laugh as Ron asks: "What's a Keyhole?" And Sora, who seems to have realized his earlier mistake, sends a short, faux-angry glare at his friend as he answers: "They're usually the portal to the heart of a world, but they can also, by Keyblade Wielders, be used to travel to different worlds and they keep the pathways for Gummi ships open between worlds too."
To this Ron shakes his head and says: "The heart part I understood – sort of – and you had me at the Keyblade part, but Gummi ship?" And Sora answers: "A space ship that we use to travel between worlds." To this I decide to help my clueless friend and say: "Kind of like a boat, Ron, but then for outer space.""Wait, you guys can breath in space?" The twins ask shocked, but Riku shakes his head and says: "It's closed on all sides."

The red-heads nod and Mr. Weasley asks: "Do you have one near? Can I see one?" Sora laughs and while I suddenly realize that the two share an incredible sense of childish excitement over things, the brunette says: "Sorry, but the only one we have is back in the Mysterious Tower and now that we travelled back in time, we can't visit our other worlds until time has returned to where we came from, which is August the Second in 1998."
Mr. Weasley nods and I feel sorry for the three as they decided to leave the world they called home their whole lives behind for us for three years. I hate how Mrs. Weasley caused for them to make this decision as I see Sirius wrap a warm arm around Sora and he says: "You're still home here, son, all three of you." I realize that this is very much true for both Sora and Riku, who are born here and the three of them smile at him as I read on.

But when … Privet Drive.

Now Sirius laughs and says: "Trust me, those two were not having fun. None of us were, for that matter. It was either cleaning this place up, conversing on what to clean up next or having Order meetings. Dull, boring and something that just got us nowhere as the meetings were constantly about the same subjects. To be honest, the only excitement I got was when I was trying to make Molly's little arguments end up in a tie.
You didn't miss a thing, kiddo, trust me on that one." Harry nods and while I can't help but think back on how little we have accomplished with our cleaning over the last month, my friend says: "Then I can only wonder how quick the beliefs of my book self will be crushed once we start reading of the future." Sirius nods, still softly snickering as he agrees and I look at Sora, knowing he will make sure Harry is all but bored. Smiling at this, I read on.

In fact, … that night.

"Wait, she can clearly see how skinny and thin you are compared to other teens your age and definitely compared to your cousin and still she gives you wilted salad? Why that? Why put you on a diet?" Bill asks in pure shock and while I really worry for my friend, especially now that I know how vital his nourishment is for his health and growth, Harry answers: "I wasn't the one on a diet, Dudley was. School ordered him to."
And Kingsley goes on: "That still doesn't explain why you were given wilted salad." And Harry sighs before he says: "Aunt Petunia believed that if Dudley should be on a diet, then that we should all be on a diet. And because she knows Dudley and I don't – see eye to eye, so to say – she makes it worse for me. She was just trying to encourage her precious – urgh – Duddiekins the best way she knew how, the same way she's done for years."

"By feeding you even less than she is forced to feed him?" Kingsley asks and when Harry nods, he says: "And that's another case of neglect and a case of starvation I can add to that list. Better write it all down if I want to get a good shot at that family." This shocks Harry, while I notice that all of my friends, as well as Mr. Weasley, Sora, Riku and Kairi are all glaring and frowning and Sirius says: "Make sure to make copies for Albus."
Kingsley nods and writes everything down – I see – in four different lists. I look at the parchment on which he writes and I read the names Petunia, Dudley, Vernon, Marge upside down. The man is seated a few seats away from where Harry and his family are and realize he is making lists to make sure he punishes exactly the right people for exactly the right crimes and after the Auror finishes, I continue to read on.

And what … had done?

Then suddenly Harry looks up and he says: "I can't believe I'm saying, but Professor Snape is actually correct for once. When locked up at the Dursleys I really do start to sound as arrogant as he always claims me to be." But then Ron, who has stood up while Harry talked, walks over and hits Harry over the back of the head, hard.
"Never, ever say that again, buddy, because you're dead wrong. You're not arrogant, you're just finally admitting that what you did all those years is something amazing, something I know you always deny whenever you get the chance." Harry turns red and Ron sits back down while I smile at him and Sirius says: "Thank you, Ron. I was about to do that myself." Some of us grin and snicker before I read on.

Hadn't it … nearly killed?

This shocks me senseless as Harry had said absolutely nothing about the incident after coming back from Professor Dumbledore's office. A small silent part of me has always been furious with the man for making Harry report his trauma before he could start to heal from it. And while Ron and I had really wanted to know what had been bothering our best friend so much, we had respected his need not to talk about it until he felt that he was ready.
Then I read on and wince as I say: "I know we agreed with Harry to wait asking about that night until he was ready, but him being around the Dursleys apparently didn't exactly help with his waiting and silent healing process." This makes the others look at me worried and Harry has his head down. Sirius hugs him, while his older brother shares a worried look with his two best friends on his father's other side as I read on.

Don't think … tantalizing hints:

This makes a small smile appear on Sirius' face and he says: "I worried for you. You were so eager to come with me when I offered it to you a few years back, I just felt that you didn't feel comfortable where you were. Didn't think you had it this bad though." And he hugs Harry closer at the end of the little speech.
Harry smiles at him and he says: "I really should have told Dumbledore I was your father the first chance I got. That same night in his office back in June. Now there was an opportunity if I ever saw one." To this Sora tilts his head at his father in confusion and asks: "Then why didn't you take it?" And Sirius makes Harry and the rest of us smile widely as he looks straight at his youngest and says: "Harry needed me more."
Sora nods and Sirius wraps the arm not around Harry around his older son, pulling the boy close and whispering something in Sora's wild mop of hair that makes the elder teen hug him close, something that apparently inspires Harry to do the same as he wraps both arms around his father and as I smile at the three of them, do I read on.

I know … anything rash…

"Don't do anything rash? Is that really coming from the wildest Ladies Man Hogwarts has ever known?" Remus asks in shock and Sirius says: "Hey, first of all, I already knew that Harry had inherited some of my wilder traits and that just really brought out the parent in me. Also I knew what kind of dangers were out there and I had faced them myself during the war. I didn't want to risk my son doing the same, because he could have inherited it from me."
Now the Werewolf looks shocked and Sirius says: "Yes, I was one of the wildest students Hogwarts has ever known, but that also allowed me to know what to look out for when it comes to things that can endanger my son. And as much as he can take care of himself, I like to think that I'm watching out for him as well. Even with and especially because of all the limitations that I know – and others constantly remind me – that I have to deal with."
The man nods, now almost white with shock and I smile at Sirius as I know that even Mrs. Weasley could not have fought up against that as that is actually almost the same kind of guilt-tripping she has been trying to pressure him with several times over. I still wonder what Kairi and the others have seen her do as they seemed really angry at her. I look up at the ceiling of the room, as if seeing the room she's in before I turn back to the book.

Well, thought … by himself.

"That is indeed quite the achievement, seeing the wild people you are actually born from." Sirius then says with a large smile and Remus says: "I agree, he sounds like how you were back in those days. You couldn't sit still for more than ten minutes, half an hour if we were lucky and slightly longer if we tied you up."
This makes me wince as I wonder if it might remind the man of his stay in Azkaban. Instead Sirius sticks his nose in the air and he says: "A privilege only James was allowed, I assure you." And everyone laughs once this sentence has sunk in, while Remus rolls his eyes with a smile and Moody simply snorts. I know this is his way of showing his amusement, while keeping a wary eye on the room as a whole. I calm down and read on.

In fact, … stolen Hippogriff.

Now Lupin laughs hard and says: "That is so James right there!" But I see that Sirius isn't laughing along and instead the man looks at his best friend with a raised eyebrow and he asks: "What are you talking about, James never made comparisons like that. You did." Lupin stops laughing and looks at Sirius in shock. "You used to make them all the time. It was your way of teaching us stuff we just didn't understand, remember?" Sirius asks and Lupin turns red to prove he does.
Then Sirius rolls his eyes and says: "Merlin, how far off is this world when it comes to caring for my son? Even my best friend, who has hardly spent any time with my son in the first place, gets people mixed up when he compares my son to someone else." To which Sora, who is actually frowning for the first time, says: "Something that I've heard happen quite a lot so far." And Sirius nods in agreement and he is now frowning heavily as he says:

"You're right, son, people really are comparing your little brother to others a lot. And with the age he is, that isn't a good thing." To this Lupin looks at his friend and his friend's son in shock and while I clearly remember the incident that happened shortly before Sora arrived. And just like that time, Harry asks: "Why? What's so wrong about that?"
And while I actually remember having asked my teachers the same question when I was nine and trying to become a librarian, Sirius answers: "It's wrong, because it can affect someone's sense of self-worth. If someone is compared to other people by someone else too much, he can grow to think that he can only win that other person's affection by becoming the people he is being compared with and that is – for someone your age – highly dangerous."
Harry looks shocked at this and Sirius says: "I hate saying this, but Harry, could you make a list of every year and write down in numbers how many times you were compared to someone else in that year?" Harry nods, while he looks slightly confused. I already know that list will be really, really long and that he will probably ask for my help later. And while I think: "A good way for me to make it up to him." I smile at him as I continue reading.

Harry vaulted … dark corridors.

This seems to worry all of the adults and Harry asks: "Is something wrong? The bad part of that hasn't even been read yet." To this I quickly read on and cringe before asking: "Harry, why didn't you write about this?" And Harry retorts: "Other than for the reasons Siri – dad – just mentioned?" I nod and he says: "Just read." Which I do.

All finishing … prickled uncomfortably,

"Excuse me?" Sirius asks in shock and then he goes on: "And that's what I mean with an affected sense of self-worth. You're in pain, but you don't believe others to be worried about that." He then hugs Harry and looks at Sora as he says: "We'll change this." And the older brother nods agreeing, the same look of determination on his face as when that strange glowing light brought him back to us earlier today, before I read on.

but he … old news…

"And more evidence." Sirius groans, but then Kingsley says: "This isn't just done by all that comparing, Sirius, this runs deeper." And while I spot Harry cringing a little deeper into his father's embrace, does the Auror say: "This sounds more in the direction of mental abuse, where a victim has been told how worthless and unneeded he is so many times he starts believing it – at least in small portions at first.
Sounds like Harry is in that stage. I best listen on and see in what part of my list I can write this down." Sirius nods angrily and holds Harry so tightly, the boy is almost on his lap at this point. Yet I know my friend and I know that he really doesn't mind this as I ask: "How do you know this, Kingsley?" And the man shocks me as he says: "That is the only form of abuse that wizards also use from time to time.
It's quite a common form of abuse with the Pureblood lines that adults use when a Pureblood Heir – specifically one directly in line for inheriting everything – ruins an important party, a chance for their Lord or Lady to grow in rank or something like that. My own division has caught and arrested so many Purebloods on this one kind of case, it's more than all the Muggles that were arrested for the Five Crimes together."
To this Sirius nods and says: "I can personally vouch for that one. My mother was often arrested for that one. I think she even holds the record of most arrests on a single person for that crime." To this I ask: "How is that possible?" And Sirius, who now has the same annoyed tone in his voice as he always does when talking about this, answers: "She escapes justice as easily as Snakes around Snape." This makes me cringe and I quickly read on.

The injustice … along, too?

"Damn, if you put it like that, we really should have thought of a better way to protect and keep an eye on you. This was just ridiculous, especially with these aftereffects." Tonks says as she looks slightly guilty and Sirius says: "We could have easily let Remus come by to check on Harry during his walks, like I said so many times." This last bit shocks me as I think: "Why didn't anyone in the Order listen to that? It's genius!"
"Sirius, the Muggles –." Lupin tries, shocking me as I hadn't expected him to be one of the people against this idea, especially now and Sirius asks: "What Muggles, those abusers? As if they would have cared. Stay away from them and they won't care a bit, you've seen that yourself." The man sighs and Mr. Weasley says: "I could have also visited Harry every now and then. No Death Eater would have found that suspicious."

"Why didn't you?" Harry asks and he looks at the man slightly hurt. Mr. Weasley smiles at my best friend as if he is his own, which I know both Sirius and Harry appreciate greatly as he answers: "I never proposed it to Dumbledore and Molly believed that you were looked after just fine and that I should focus on my job more." This makes everyone sigh, especially the Weasley kids and I look at them with sympathy.
Ron catches the glance and sends me a small smile, while I know that he and the others now feel bad for listening to the woman, when it's ever so obvious that Harry needed us. I hope that, over time, the boys can find a better mother – and Mr. Weasley a better Mrs. Weasley. Then I remember that Riku and the others said something about back-up and this makes me curious. Yet I focus back on the book and continue to read.

How much … wheeling along.

"What's a bike?" Ron asks and part of me wants to stare at him as those things are seen all over Muggle London. Yet Harry calmly answers: "It's like a Muggle version of a broomstick, only then build different. You know how a motorbike is build, right?" Ron nods and Harry says: "It's quite similar, only then with paddles in the middle that you need to move with your feet to get the bike to move as well."
The redhead looks shocked, but interested, with his head tilted to the side and he asks: "You mean those things you see Muggles ride those special red paved roads on." And Harry answers: "Yeah, those things." While I can barely believe how easily Harry just explained something Muggle to my best friend. I stare at Harry for a moment and wonder if he could do the same with other Muggle things as well before I read on.

Harry knew … noble sport'

"What's Boxing?" Bill is this time the Weasley asking and I turn to Harry as I wonder how he will explain this one. The boy sees it and smiles at me. His eyes even light up with grateful excitement and I feel the room around us start to crack with the same sensation before he says: "Imagine your hands wrapped in thick round gloves, like the Dragon Hide gloves you wear at work, but then made of much, much thicker material."
Bill nods and Harry goes on: "You're in a square ring with another person, you're supposed to use those gloves to hit the other out, but you're not allowed to badly damage the other, cause a break or hit below belt. Lifting someone up to then throw them down is legal and they have to be down for ten counts for you to be winner. There is always a referee also in the ring to make sure that the rules are followed and in case something goes wrong."

The redhead now looks interested, while I feel personally amazed at how Harry sounded while he was explaining this. Then Harry shrugs and says: "Short said, a way to make bullying legal without really damaging the opponent. Really good way for people with anger disorders to blow off steam." The Weasley Heir nods, while I'm shocked that Harry knew about this second bit and when Harry sees my shock, he says:
"Vernon had us watch several documentaries the first day of summer to prepare Dudley for his big finale. I just got to watch a bit of that before he put it off and grumbled about it for over half an hour. Was interesting – till he started." This makes the twins snicker, but I can tell that it bothers Harry. Again, just like a few times in the last few years, I wonder if Harry might suppress personal preferences or something and quickly read on.

as Uncle … for celebration.

"And that goes under Dudley's list, heavy abuse." Kingsley writes and Harry says: "It wasn't all that heavy, it was just a game." This makes Kingsley raise an eyebrow and Sora asks: "How can being a punching bag be just a game?" And I can tell by his tone that he is very worried for how lightly his little brother takes this.
But Harry shrugs and says: "I'm not happy with it, but Dudley had this game named Harry hunting where he and his gang were allowed to chase me, I had to run and if they caught me – which rarely happened because I grew super-fast and trained to have crazy reflexes at an early age – they were allowed to go down on me." This description, even with the few words of pride, worries me even more and others too as Riku asks:
"Go down on you? And I take it that resulted in broken bones and fractured ribs?" Harry shrugs, his head down and yet he still keeps his careless tone as he says: "Sometimes, but really, they barely ever caught me. I was wicked fast, even then. Really, by the time I was ten, they just stopped all-together because it always tired them before they could catch me. I owe all my speed – even on a broom – to those games."

But then he stops as Sirius presses Harry's face in his shoulder and says: "It never should have existed. The whole game is a positive sign of physical abuse. How on earth did anyone allow for that game to exist?" And Moody growls: "A question I will be sure to ask those rotten people back in that little community, especially the teachers and local authorities. Surely someone believed it wrong for a group of lads to go down on someone like Potter."
But Harry shakes his head and says: "You hit the nail right on the head there, Moody. Because it was me no one bothered. The Dursleys made sure of that. Just wait, the chapter will probably explain why." This worries me even more, especially the deadpan tone that proves how assured Harry is of his own words. All of the adults around the room also look heavily bothered and while I read on while I feel horrid that this has happened.

Neighborhood children … Criminal Boys.

"Attended WHAT?" Sirius shouts. Several others join him or shout other exclamations, but then Harry says: "And there's why no one ever bothered. I discovered that one when you escaped." And he smiles at his dad, while everyone else is in pure shock that Harry takes such an insult so lightly. Mr. Weasley who had jumped up when he heard what I read, even slumps down. Apparently the reason behind our shock is quite obvious as Harry sees it and says:
"Guys, I already had my chance to get angry over it, it didn't help. I still didn't get my slip signed, remember?" This confuses me and Ron asks: "What does this disgusting lie have to do with you not getting your slip signed?" But apparently is that all Harry is willing to let loose about it as he shudders and he does something shocking.
He looks as if he's actually 5 instead of 15 as he climbs onto his father's lap and hides his face in his father's shoulder, one of his hands clinging to Sirius' robe and the other grabbing Sora and also pulling him close. And Sirius – worried over his son – hugs the boy tightly as he whispers at Kingsley: "Figure that one out, will you? Question those Muggles." The Auror nods, his anger and concern visible in his eyes and I read on.

Harry watched … a go…

"Wow, is that your inner Veela coming out early? Spicy little thing, isn't it?" Sirius asks as he obviously tries to get his son to forget about whatever frightened Harry enough to try and hide himself. And while I can only imagine how much the twins might further entice this side of my friend, Sirius' attempt seems to work as Harry moves his face up a little and says: "No, that was just a month anger at being locked up coming out."
Sirius shrugs at this and says: "I can understand that." To which the old Harry seems to come back as he pulls away, eyes wide and asks: "Really? You? I never would have guessed." And the way that he winks and sticks his tongue out at the end makes everyone laugh as Sirius softly swats him over the back of his head and says: "Cheeky little bugger." Before I read on as I feel glad that Sirius can pull his son out of his shell so easily.

If Dudley's … life hell.

"I would like their names, Harry, in case I find evidence that proves I have to question them as well. Would you mind giving them after this chapter has been read?" Kingsley asks quietly and Harry shakes his head. His head is now lying on Sirius' shoulder and he has gone back to sitting next to him again. And while Sirius happily smiles at his son and gives him a pat on the shoulder to prove how proud he is of the boy, I read on.

But they … have done.

"Maybe if you weren't around, but I certainly wouldn't have done it either if you had been. Not unless they really pushed me." Sirius tells his son with a slightly stern voice and Harry smiles at him as Sirius says: "After all, I have to be an example you can look up to and there is very little that will make me want to ignore that goal in my life – no matter what Mr. Disbelief over here might think of me." He ends motioning for Lupin.
The other man sputters as the twins, Sora and Harry laugh their heads off and Tonks' hair turns red even as she tries to keep herself from laughing as Lupin indignantly asks: "How was that comment supposed to be setting an example?" And already I know that the man dug his own grave as Sirius says: "It's an example of how to fight off other people's beliefs of you and be your own person, and a very fine one too."
Lupin hangs his head and I laugh, but I know that Harry will need all the encouragement and help in exactly that department that he can get. Especially with what the students are sure to start thinking after what will be two months of what the Daily Prophet has been sprouting and because of how easily many of them turned on Harry the other two times. I really hope that Sirius will continue setting this example as I read on.

He got … park gate.

"I'm not exactly sure how to describe that one. I'm a little in fight with myself as to under which category I should place that. A verbal sign of abuse or a sign of neglect towards a person's rightful living space." Kingsley mutters, the end of his quill tapping against the side of his lips and Tonks scowls as she says:
"I would put it under both. And by the way Harry thought about it, after thinking about all that other stuff, it almost sounds as if it wasn't the first time he did such a thing. Kingsley, I'm in on this and I want to know all about why that Muggle thinks he can threaten Harry like that. I'll question him about it." Kingsley nods, but then Harry states: "Only if you are the last one added to the case." And both Aurors nod in acceptance to this as I read on.

Magnolia Road, … the householders.

"And that is one of the reasons why the Dursleys just stink in their need to be normal and considered such. They don't do anything to improve my appearance and that ruins their chance to truly be considered normal. But do they realize it's their fault, because they don't treat me, right? No, they just blame me and are done with it."
Harry grumbles and Kingsley mutters: "Neglect of human rights and proper treatment of a child. This is really getting interesting. I can't wait till we get done with these Muggle chapters, I'll be heading straight for those Muggles after that and I won't be back for a while, I can assure you that." Everyone nods and I read on.

He walked … Big D!"

"Well, that's three names. Now I just need their last names and I can question them when needed. Do you know any, Harry?" Kingsley asks my friend, who answers: "Piers' last name is Polkiss, the others I don't know, but I do know that Malcolm lives on Privet Drive number seven, because Petunia always talks of his mother." And despite myself I can feel a smile grow on my face as Harry seems to have stopped calling the woman his aunt.
The man nods and says: "I'll be sure to ask both Piers and Malcolm then." And he quickly seems to make a note about this at the bottom of Dudley's list. Then suddenly Harry remembers something as his head snaps up and he asks: "Hey, is there a Mark Evans is on the list for Hogwarts?" Everyone looks at him and he says: "I know that there's an eleven year old boy named Mark Evans living near Privet Drive.
Dudley and his gang had beaten him up only a few days before the day of this chapter. I just wonder if he's magical too, because then you have a valid reason to arrest the other guys for abuse of a magical." Everyone looks shocked and then Ron says: "That's Harry. Always looking out for others, before thinking about himself."
And I nod, but I also spot Riku and Kairi sending their best friend a proud and knowing grin. Harry turns slightly red at this and Sirius wraps a proud arm around his shoulder while the temperature turns slightly hotter and Tonks says: "I will surely look into that before questioning that Muggle on why he thinks he can get away with threatening you with that shed thing." Harry smiles at her over this and I continue to read on.

Harry waited … to me."

This makes the twins snicker and then Harry asks: "How can you laugh about that? Your nickname for Ron isn't much better." The twins turn white as they realize this, while Ron sends my best friend a grateful smile and the twins bow their head as they apologize to their little brother, something I never thought I would see happen.
I shake my head and see them sending very small glances at Harry. I wonder about this as I had been seeing them do so ever since Harry's transformation. Then as I look from them, to Harry, to Sirius, I suddenly remember my earlier thoughts about the Empathic Veela side in Harry that is coming out and that might just be attracting the two of them to him.

Then suddenly Sirius, who more than probably is thinking along the same lines as me when it comes to the romantic trio – the name actually startling me as I think it – turns white as he turns to Sora and says: "We have to De-Age you guys!" And everyone looks shocked as Sora asks: "De-Age us? But why?" And Sirius hurriedly explains: "You're a Veela, Sora, and Veelas have exactly one year after their sixteenth birthday to find their mate or they die of heartache.
The only reason that didn't happen is because you were too far away from your homeworld to be affected by all of this, but if you stay here for a few days more, the whole process will surely catch up with you and – as 19 year old – your Veela will feel that it failed in finding its mate – and I don't want to lose my son again." And the end of his explanation is the man near tears, his voice sounding as if it has already happened or something.

Everyone looks at this shocked and then Lupin says: "I will contact Severus, it will take some time to convince him, but surely –." But then suddenly, just when the man wants to make a motion for the fireplace in the far corner of the room, I notice Harry looking at me in great worry and ask: "Is something wrong, Harry?" Everyone looks at him and he asks in a very soft tone: "Don't tell the teachers, please?"
And after we all nod, he runs up the staircase and, a few minutes later, he comes back with one of the robes I suddenly recognize as the one he always wears if we have Potions in our schedule. My best friend lies the robe on the table and opens a couple of buttons which I didn't even notice were buttoned up.

He opens the robe further and he suddenly withdraws another robe from inside it and to my shock, this one is stacked full with potion bottles, all stuck to the robe with bits of Velcro wound around the thin part of the bottles. Harry gently lies the robe down again, his hands going over the fabric and adjusting the way certain vials are spread out over the robe as he says: "Madam Pomfrey discovered that I have many allergies.
Most of them are bad, because they concern certain ingredients that are highly required for certain healing potions, like the horn of a Unicorn for Skele-grow. She discovered this in First and since then have we been fixing potions together to make sure I don't drink anything I can be allergic to. We always do it when I get sick again and sometimes a few weeks before either an important match or the end of the year exams."

He then finds the bottle he was searching for and says: "Because I have been in her care so much, she has become a bit of a confident to me. Madam Pomfrey knows almost all of my secrets and she always told me that, if I wanted, I could drink this once I finished school and start over, but then glamoured so that no one would recognize me and I could be just another student. We agreed that I could pose as her nephew from another country."
Everyone looks shocked at this story and he holds the bottle to his face. He sends a look of clear, broken longing at it before he hands the bottle to Sora and say: "You need it more than I do. I would rather be famous for the rest of my life than be without my newfound brother." Sora smiles at him widely, small tears visible in his eyes and takes the bottle as Harry says: "Three and a half gulps should do the trick."

Sora nods and asks: "Would that take three and a half years of my age?" Harry nods back, even though his eyes are still conveying how hard it is for him to go through with this and Sora says: "Then I would still be sixteen. I'm born the fourth of January and it was the second of August, so I'd be sixteen and a month old." This makes Sirius cringe and as Sora looks at him, he says: "The first week of your birthday."
Now Lupin cringes as well and says: "Veela get certain specified dreams of their mate in the first week of their birthday. We need to think of a way to get you to that age." And Sora says: "Or I just take four gulps and become fifteen and a half." Lupin shrugs as he must realize that the idea to be pretty good and Sora gulps down the potion. And as he does, I smile at Harry as I instantly realize what this means. "Sora will be in our year now."

Instantly, while not entirely visible, I can see that Sora is a few years younger as he shrinks at least an inch and his muscles seem to lessen ever so slightly. His hair also shortens a slight bit, yet the look of experience and strength doesn't leave his gaze. Sora looks at his arms himself as he groans and says: "I forgot, I didn't do my Mark of Mastery until half a year after my sixteenth birthday." Riku laughs at this and says:
"Don't worry, I'm sure Master Yen Sid won't let you redo the test again." And Sora says: "Actually, in a way, I will be redoing the test. My young-older self is still going to be doing the test, remember? It's August and in July of 96, we took the Mark of Mastery Exam. The one where you passed and I got captured by Master Xehanort."

"CAPTURED?" Sirius asks shocked and instantly I want to turn to where Ginny is seated. Then I remember that she too was sent away as Riku answers: "Story for another time. We need everything else explained first before we get there." Sirius nods, but is obviously still worried and then Riku says: "Well, 4 gulps for Sora, 4 gulps for me. We're in this together, after all." And Kairi nods before Riku takes the potion as well.
With him the changes are less prominent as he only shrinks less than an inch, his muscles actually tone out a little and his hair grows longer, proving he has cut it sometime recently. All in all the boy now looks like the kind of guy I know Lavender and Parvati would swoon over. Riku grabs a few strands of hair that are hanging in his eyes before groans and summons his Keyblade. Then he shocks us as he cuts the hair off with it.
We all look at him shocked and he asks: "What? We have a hellish barber back on the Main Island. He once tried to trim Sora's hair because he believed he was an Animal trimmer instead of a barber. He's a nutjob and we swore never to go to his place again." To this I nod in understanding as Sora grabs his hair in remembrance.

"Until our journeys, that was the scariest thing that ever happened to me." He says while tugging on the strands and Riku laughs as he says: "I remember that. You didn't know how fast you had to run out of that chair and hide behind me when your mother recognized that trimming device that nutcase was about to use on you.
And he even insisted he had been using it on all his customers." Riku shakes his head and Kairi asks: "How come I don't remember that?" And Riku answers: "Sora was just about to turn four, that was before you came to the Island, Kairi." The girl nods and I wonder where she's from. But then she takes the potion from her friend and while Harry has a look of longing on his face, she gulps down the last bit before I focus back on the reading.

"I said … his self-control.

"He shouldn't even think about hitting you in the first place. He should just try and banter back." Tonks spats in anger and Harry growls: "Then I would rather that he hit me." We all look shocked and Kairi, who seems to have changed the least of the three of them asks: "You don't mean that, do you?" But Harry just mumbles: "Just wait, you'll understand." The tone of his voice is as ominous as the atmosphere around us as I read on.

"So who've … nights ago –"

"I thought you said Mark Evans was eleven?" Bill asks and Harry answers: "It was the day before Mark's birthday." Kingsley nods and Tonks growls: "I sure hope that pig has a good reason for beating someone up." But Harry retorts: "Nope." He pops the p with his hands behind his head. And it's mostly the look of resigned disregard, which I have hardly ever seen on his face, that makes me read even faster.

"He was … that's true."

"Do you know what Mark Evans said, Harry?" I ask and Harry answers: "Yeah, I heard Mss. Evans talk about it on my way home. She was pretty pissed and not even at Mark. Apparently he said Dudley should focus on his classes as much as he did on boxing. How Dudley thought that was cheek, I'll never understand."
This makes me shake my head and I ask: "Mark Evans gave your cousin some good advice and he gets beat up over it? How does that work?" Harry shrugs, his hands still behind his head and his head tilted back as he says: "Dudley is as much a mystery as the rest of them, one I don't want to solve." I nod at this, even though it also slightly astounds me as I remember Harry's interest in Hogwarts' mysteries and I read on.

A muscle … same time."

"How can you say things like that to him? You're never like this." I say to my best friend appalled and he answers: "Hermione, when we both thought I'd be going to Stonewall, he told me they put your head in the toilet there on the first day and asked if I wanted to practice. And that's just one of the many things he told me."
I look at this shocked and he looks down on me as he says: "You don't know my cousin, Hermione. And trust me, you can bless yourself with that fact. Why do you think I always fake that they don't exist when I'm at Hogwarts?" This shocks me as I realize that Harry's behavior to the Muggles was that extreme. I notice that a few of the adults share worried looks with each other as they hear this and Kingsley makes more notes.
I start to think back on the last four years and I realize that Harry is right as the only times those Muggles are mentioned is when either Ron, I myself or one of the teachers mentions them. Instantly I feel horrible that I never noticed such a clear sign of dislike between my best friend and his so-called family. But then I focus on the sight of Sirius and Harry seated together and then I quickly focus back on the reading.

Harry pulled … laughed softly.

"Good battle strategy, Potter. You make your opponent unsure of what you can and cannot do. Very clever." Moody grumbles. Kingsley nods in agreement and Tonks sends my best friend a proud grin and a thumb's up, yet Lupin ask: "Should we really consider Dudley Harry's opponent if he's his cousin?" But Harry coldly answers: "Of course we should, because he isn't." I look at him as he's looking up at the ceiling again and says:
"Sirius is my father and James my mother, remember? I have no relation to them. Hermione said so herself a few pages ago." But I shake my head at this as I stumbled across a little thing Harry forgot and say: "Other than that you are. Lily became Lady Potter and that still makes you related through family." Harry shrugs and says: "But not through blood."

"How does that matter?" Sora asks, his tone – I now notice – a few octaves lighter and Harry answers: "Dumbledore once told me that Voldemort couldn't touch me because Aunt Lily had put a special protection in my blood when she died. One – one Voldemort took from me when – when he took my blood back in – in June. Still now – heh – that I know I'm not blood related to her, I know that that is not true and no longer relevant."
But then, just like when he actually spoke of June – something I really didn't see coming – the easy look on his face disappears and he says: "That does bring back an old problem though." And Ron asks: "What problem?" To which my best friend retorts: "If it wasn't Lily's blood sacrifice that protected me – then what saved my life all those years ago?" And we all look at each other, none of us knowing the answer, before I read on.

"You haven't … as you.

"Of course he was twice as heavy as me. Anyone who boxes has to be at least that. They need a firm body to stay strong when their opponent hands out a strong punch. Calling his opponent twice as heavy is probably even an insult to that opponent." Harry says hauntingly, as he is obviously finally getting agitated with having to experience this day all over again and then Sora seems to want to calm his brother down as he says:
"Don't worry, a little bit of Keyblade training and you'll be fine muscled in no time." This makes Harry smile at his brother and Sirius says: "As long as we make sure to add a healthy diet to it, that is. And no, that doesn't mean you'll be eating even less than you did tonight. Just that we'll be building up your meals until you no longer require to eat more at certain points in the year and less in others." Harry smiles at his father and I read on.

You just … sneered Dudley.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Ron asks angrily and then Harry, who now seems really angry, says: "And this is why I don't want Dudley to bicker with me. He's nastier with words than he is with his fists – and that's saying something." This worries me as I can almost see the pain in my best friend's eyes. And that same emotion almost makes me feel as if part of me is getting bruised up. I shudder at this and I read on.

"This is … sleep. Moaning."

"What is he talking about?" Tonks asks angrily and Harry asks: "You really can't guess?" The woman looks at him and he says: "I'm in my bed, moaning and during a time I'm supposed to be asleep. What would I be having?" And the woman whitens, my own eyes widening and several of those around me gasping in shock and disbelief as I whisper: "No – no way – he wouldn't – ." But this makes Harry look at me.
The dead look in his eyes and the way the atmosphere around me almost freezes so badly I feel like the Dementors are back instantly makes me realize that Dudley Dursley would indeed go down to such levels. That he really is immoral enough to speak ill of the dead just to get one over a cousin he obviously hates so badly and Kingsley says: "That kid is so getting the full procedure on his neck or my name isn't Kingsley Jonas Shacklebolt."
This makes the temperature go back up some and enough to make me feel comfortable again as Harry smiles at the tanned man and he says: "Thanks Kingsley, but I think you just showing up and saying you're from my world will be enough to scare the crap out of that little piggy." I notice Harry having a hint of humor in his voice at the end and wonder if he was speaking in code or something. Kingsley shrugs before he says:

"I don't care. He shouldn't talk about things he doesn't know about and he should definitely not talk ill of the dead. Maybe I should invite the Diggorys to his arrest and let them know what he said." This makes Harry laugh and he says: "Oh Merlin, I do not want to be Dudley when Mr. Diggory finds out about that."
But then Sora asks: "Wait, Merlin?" And we all look at him as he asks: "Why use his name?" And while confused at this strange change of topic, I answer: "Because he was the first wizard to have ever lived. He's considered the greatest in all fields of magic. He's a right-out legend." And Sora seems confused by this as he asks: "A legend? He lives in Radiant Garden." This shocks each and every one of us to the core.
"You know Merlin?" Ron asks in awe and Sora asks: "Know him? I learned most of my Keyblade magic from him. Or at least the most basic forms. So did Kairi and one of our other friends named Lea." And the twins shout: "You were TAUGHT by MERLIN?" Before fainting off of their chairs in pure shock and Riku says: "Ehm Sora, I think they were serious when they said that Merlin is but a legend to them."

The brunet looks at his friend and asks: "You think? I mean, we can't exactly ask him to come here or open a Corridor of Darkness and go to him – even if Master Yen Sid did give me permission to use my Summoning Powers for some of my friends – but how can he be old enough to be a legend to them?" And Riku shrugs as I suddenly remember something.
"Wait, Legend does say that Merlin travelled an amazing lot before settling down to teach Arthur. Maybe he did so again after teaching Arthur and travelled so far, he accidentally travelled through time and came there." This makes Sora look at me shocked and I ask: "It's possible, isn't it?" And at his nod and Riku muttering: "Especially if his method of travel is similar to the one we used to get here." I read on.

"What d'you … your boyfriend?"

"THAT UNBELIEVABLE LOW-LIFE!" Sora shout, which instantly makes him the voice of everyone else in the room, especially those too furious to use their own and Riku spats: "I've seen Heartless that are less cruel than that pig!" And Sora goes on: "Xemnas might have lied to his men, but even he didn't exploit their weaknesses like that! For his own amusement! Even he had more heart than that!" And Kairi asks:
"How can any human being, especially someone who is only still in his teens, be more cruel and cold-hearted than the Nobody and Heartless of Master Xehanort? A man that led three people into a Darkness that they were unable to be saved from until a full decade later!" But none of us have an answer to this, while Harry smiles at the three and whispers: "Thank you." The three of them look at him in shock.

"Thank you? Why are you thanking us?" Sora asks, again voicing what many of us, especially Ron and I, are thinking and Harry happily answers: "You haven't known me for more than an hour and already you're – you're this enraged. You care for me this much. I don't often see signs like that and especially not when it concerns the Dursleys. When they do something, people are usually indifferent about it."
"INDIFFERENT! How can they be indifferent about THAT!" Riku asks, his hand pointed at me with pure fury, the way this happens making me meep in shocked fright and then suddenly Sora shouts: "RIKU!" And when Riku looks at his friend, he sees Sora looking at his hand, which I now suddenly see swirling with the same darkness that I saw around the hands and eyes of Mrs. Weasley, the same darkness she tried to use to attack Sirius.

Riku looks shocked about this and creases his forehead in focus, the tendrils of smoke disappearing and he takes a deep breath as he says: "I still don't control the Darkness enough, I guess." But then, while I am shocked that anyone even thinks that controlling Dark magic – or the Darkness as they apparently call it – is possible, does Sora say: "We haven't had anything challenge your hold on the Darkness for the last three years, it was bound to weaken."
Riku sighs and says: "I guess so – huh – guess it's back to intensive training for me." To this Sora smiles and says: "Good idea, and then we can teach Harry about Keyblade Wielding while you're at it." Riku smiles at this and says: "Yeah, good idea." My best friend smiles widely at the prospect before I read on.

"I – you're … Boo hoo!"

"THAT LITTLE!" Sirius is this time the one shouting as he has grabbed onto the arm rests of his chair to the point that the rests are almost breaking in his grasp and Sora goes on: "NO ONE INSULTS MY MOTHER! NO ONE!" But then, as if out of instinct, Riku hugs the boy close and apparently this helps Sora calm down as he clings to Riku's vest in pure rage, while Sirius has his knuckles white and his eyes blazing.
I am barely able to believe that any boy of my age can be cruel enough to not only mock the dead but use Harry's dead parents and his nightmares against him. I read this again and suddenly I am reminded of Draco Malfoy and how he taunted us last train ride. Yet at the same time I now more than ever understand why Harry would rather feel his ex-cousin's fists than hear him taunt him and I look at Harry, as a part of me does not want to know what else he's been through.

Harry in the mean time seems quite busy calming down his father as well as trying to make the man release his hold on his chair as I actually notice that there is blood dripping from his grasp. And when it seems as if nothing else will help, he slowly crawls onto Sirius' lap and I see him making himself as small as possible, as if trying to shrink back into infancy, something that seems to shake Sirius out of his angered state.
The man looks down at his son and quickly takes his arms off the arm rests as he hugs his son tightly and whispers: "I will present this evidence to Dumbledore, Harry. This is obviously nothing new to that brat and I will point that out as evidence that you are never to go back there. I promise you, son." And while he says this, Kairi summons her Keyblade again and whispers: "Cure." As she aims it at the man's hands, actually healing his cuts.

Harry softly rubs his head under that of his father, while I feel shocked that they can wield such powerful magic while using such simple terms and chants and Sirius sighs: "If only James were here. How I wish he was here to help me remain calm and raise you like you and Sora deserve." But then Lupin says: "Whether he's here or not, you're doing a brilliant job of it already, Sirius, and I'm sorry that I doubted that."
Sirius nods at his best friend and I smile, glad that that friendship overcame another terrible hardship as I know that Lupin's trust in Sirius is something the man takes very seriously. Especially when it comes to Harry – even if my best friend himself doesn't exactly realize that. I shake my head at his ignorance and I notice that Sora has also calmed down, yet he also put Kairi back between him and Riku. This makes me sigh before I read on.

"Shut up," … at me!"

"And there you know Dudley went too far." Ron moans and he goes on: "Harry never gets physical or draws his wand unless you really anger him." And I nod at my best friend, while Sirius smiles at his son, obviously proud of Harry's self-control. And Harry seems really comfortable where he's seated, enough so that I wonder if he is even aware of what's going on around him. I actually feel pleased and hopeful at this and read on.

Dudley backed … sprouting feelers…

"Wow Harry, you've been holding back fourteen years of anger?" Sora asks and Riku says: "That's not good. That can really hurt you or make you weak to the Darkness. I suppose that's one of the reasons why you are able to wield the Kingdom Key of Darkness." This makes Ron and me share a look and I think: "Harry can't really be weak to the Darkness, can he?" And when I voice this question, Riku answers:
"Maybe not, but that anger will definitely call the Heartless to him. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if that woman has been spotting this for years and just took control of any Heartless Harry spawned around him. I think the only reason as to why his own heart hasn't given into the Darkness yet is because he has friends like you guys to keep him from giving in. You're the Light that keeps the Darkness away from his heart." He then nods and says softly:
"It's a good thing he has you guys." And while Ron and I smile at each other, as we know that we will always be there for Harry when he needs us, even if he doesn't know it. Others look at us in pride over this and Sirius, his voice full of hopeful warmth as he looks down at his son, says: "And it will be even better when he has his mates. Two or more beacons of love and light? Those Heartless won't ever be able to find him."

This makes Kairi gasp and she says: "Of course, that's how there were so many Heartless around the Burrow. Harry couldn't fully count on his friends, because they too were surrounded by those fiends and he was forced away from his mate, so the Darkness must have been evident in his heart, drawing even more Heartless out."
This shocks everyone and Harry asks: "The Heartless – were my fault?" Ron and I hit ourselves over the head as I was already expecting this, because I feel confident that Harry might still be blaming himself for Cedric's death. Sora asks: "What? Of course not. Didn't you hear what she said? You were forced away from your beacons of light, you didn't have any control over it. The Darkness was forced out of you."
This makes Harry look down as he softly touches his heart and says: "But – it's still in there. It's still my Heart." And Riku says: "Can't believe I'm saying this, but Harry, that Darkness is not your own. It's forced onto you, just like that situation three years into the future was forced onto you. You have no control or say over it."

Harry still has his head down, but then Lupin says: "Harry, it probably wasn't just your Darkness. This was after the war. The others probably had Darkness in their hearts as well." And this seems to finally reassure Harry before Riku asks his friends: "Was I really like that?" And Sora laughs: "Yep, you were just like that. Your other self is still like that, right now." Riku shakes his head with a groan and asks: "How could you stand that?" And Sora, with his hands behind his head, says: "Easy, we knew you'd grow out of it, stronger than ever before."
Now the frustrated scowl changes into a smile and says: "Ever the confident one, aren't you?" And he moves out of his seat to grab Sora into a headlock. This causes for the brunet to smile as I look at Harry, who still has his head down and his hand on his chest, but then – I suddenly notice – with a small smile on his face. This reliefs me greatly and then the way that Riku and Sora are laughing and struggling with each other makes Harry laugh as well as I read on.

"Don't ever … blinding them.

Instantly Sirius freezes up and Harry cringes. He silently reaches for his second robe and he grabs a bottle, not even looking at the robe as he does. And while keeping a close eye on his dad, he moves his hand to the goblet Sirius was drinking from during dinner, only to be stopped by Lupin grabbing his arm before he can tilt the bottle over.
Harry looks at the man and Lupin shakes his head as he says: "Sirius is allergic to the Moondust inside it. Don't." But then Harry pulls his arm free, yet there is a content smile on his face as he says: "There's no Moondust in here. I'm allergic to that too. I guess I got that from dad, though I didn't know it at the time. Don't worry, I switched it with Glittersprinkles left over by fairy wings." The man looks shocked and nods.

My best friend then tilts the bottle into Sirius' goblet and allows for a few drops to fall into the water filled goblet, before he hands the item to his dad and softly, calmingly whispers: "This will be enough for half an hour. Just about enough for the reading of this thing. I'll be here, in your lap, when you wake, I promise." Sora also moves himself to sit a bit closer against his dad and puts a reassuring hand on the man's leg.
Sirius nods and takes the drink as he obviously heard the discussion between ex-teacher and ex-student. And while he drinks the water, Lupin waves his wand over Sirius' chair and changes it into a brown colored recliner with bendable backrest. Soon Sirius is fast asleep and lies himself back, the backrest bending with him.
Lupin makes sure the goblet doesn't fall out of his friend's hand and puts it back on the table as Harry smiles, snuggling into his father's chest and half lying-half sitting on the recliner as he does so. Then Lupin asks: "Harry?" But Harry shakes his head and says: "I'll take it if I think I need it." The man nods, yet he also makes sure that Harry doesn't see him sending a significant look at Sora, who nods as I read on.

For a … weightless veil.

"As scary as this sounds." One of the twins says and the other goes on: "You have to admit." And they chorus: "It's an amazing description." And I nod, while I try not to succumb to my own memories of what they felt like approaching us back in my Third. I see that Harry turns more red than he would have done had it been anyone else making the compliment. Again I wonder back on my earlier thoughts as I glance at Ron.
My best friend seems to have caught onto the same as I did if his smile is anything to go by and I already know that he is envisioning what it would be like if Harry did have Fred and George for mates. I know that Ron would just love the idea of Harry officially being his brother and I also know it will, at the least, help Harry keep the Darkness that Sora, Riku and Kairi mentioned in his heart down and perhaps even banish it. I smile and read on.

Dudley's terrified … saw them…

"Am I the only one weirded out that Harry has such amazing experience with Dementors?" Tonks asks and I cringe as I know that none of the teens around me are. And while I wonder if this is just more stuff being kept quiet by Fudge, I tell her: "They attacked Harry three times when they were supposed to keep Sirius out of Hogwarts." And the two Aurors and Ex-Auror all shout in fury and rage: "ATTACKED HIM THREE TIMES?"
But then Harry shushes them as Sirius cringes slightly, only his eyebrows. The other adults cringe and send Harry an apologetic look as Harry cuddles closer into Sirius' sleeping form and says: "I was attacked three times because the Dementors were attracted to my memories of when my mum and Lily were attacked. It's thanks to them that I now know what mum and Lily said when Voldemort attacked us all those years ago."
The three adults look shocked and Moody says: "I know the lad's been through a lot, but even I don't want to be attacked by Dementors for more than once, thank you." And the two other adults nod, while Harry turns red like he always does when the attention is on him. I try not to giggle as I can only imagine what he'll be like once the twins start showering him with theirs and then I decide to relieve him of this as I read on.

"I'll t-tell … shut –" WHAM.

Now Kingsley hits himself on the head, Lupin groans loudly, the twins hit their heads together and Ron, Moody and Tonks all smash their heads against the hard-wooden table. And while I feel as if the lad is dumber than a brick and an insult to all Muggles, like my own parents, Bill is the one to ask: "Is that Muggle completely retarded? Something dangerous and magical is happening so he attacks the only safeguard he has?"
And Harry says: "I never said Dudley was smart now, did I?" To which Ron says: "No, but even I wouldn't be stupid enough to knock Malfoy out if he was the only one able to protect me from something Slytherin like the Basilisk or something." And this alone says enough about Dudley's intellect as it's common knowledge how much Ron despises the Malfoy line. Yet the same three adults also whiten at hearing about the monster.
I shake my head at the fact that this family would only give You-Know-Who more incentive to kill all Muggles, that his behavior is enough to make Malfoy able to make Muggle-baiting legal and that that reason and such acts would even be accepted by the rest of the Magical Community if they knew of this. I sigh and think: "And Harry ended up with this bunch of retards, how exactly?" Before I focus back on the reading.

A fist … AT IT!"

This horrifies me as it reminds me of how I felt when I realized that Harry had approached the Dementor-filled lake in order to save Sirius. "Can this get any worse?" Kingsley asks in exasperation, but apparently is that the wrong thing to ask. Harry shudders and quickly reaches for the bottle and his own goblet. He fills the water with a few drops of the potion and swallows it wordlessly. He falls asleep on his dad only mere moments after putting the goblet down.
Everyone looks at the sleeping boy, who – even in his sleep – seems to cling to his father's robe and Ron says: "Yes Kingsley, apparently it can get worse. Harry would not have reached for that Dreamless Sleep potion if it didn't." And while I agree with my best friend, I worry about this fact as well as it definitely isn't easy to scare my best friend. I sincerely hope to find out what did and while I spot Sora softly threading a hand through Harry's hair, I read on.

There was … than one.

"Oh no!" Everyone shouts and Kingsley looks at Harry as he says: "Yep, he definitely had reason to reach for that bottle." But then Ron and I share a glance and I say: "Wait a minute, we knew there were more than one. Harry wrote us about this in the last letter he sent three days ago. And Dung reported the same thing afterwards. That's not why Harry took the Dreamless Sleep Potion." The Auror looks from me to Harry and Sora asks:
"But if that's not the reason, then what is?" I shake my head and say: "I don't know, but there is one common fact that always gave me courage. It's really hard to make Harry feel real fear and this obviously does. He really is scared of what will be happening – or already happened – and that scares me." Sora nods, yet then Riku frowns and asks: "Is it hard to scare him or for him to admit and show that something scares him?" This startles me as I read on.

"DUDLEY, KEEP … had ignited.

"The what?" Everyone asks in shock, Lupin, Kingsley and Bill looking most astonished of us all and yet Sora smiles shortly after and says: "Harry's heart must be in contact with his wand. There are a couple of moves and techniques with the Keyblade where you actually let go of the blade, but where you are still capable of performing spell or technique. This must be the same, the wand must be acting like a reserve Keyblade."
Everyone nods, while I feel amazed – yet again – at Harry's incredible power and how closely his magical core must be connected to his heart and then Ron says: "Wow, I wonder what Harry's life would have been like if he had had the Keyblade this whole time." And I nod again, while grateful for the change of topic, even if it's only short-lived and when everyone has calmed down again, I read on once more.

Harry snatched … worked properly;

"The spell hadn't WHAT?" Ron and I now shout and while I feel like reexperiencing the horrified fear I felt when we first heard of this attack. Then Lupin almost whispers: "That's what made Harry reach for the Dreamless Sleep potion. He must have heard his parents again and he doesn't want to do that now." I nod while I look at my slumbering friend with pained eyes. And while I read on while I try to blink the tears away.

tripping over … the spell.

My stomach shrinks on itself as I read this, fear almost overpowering my reading voice and I stutter almost at every word, barely able to believe that this is what Harry had gone through only three days ago. "We should have picked him up right away." Kingsley suddenly says and I embarrass myself by screaming loudly, yet luckily enough I am not the only one as Tonks also yelps. Moody glares at her and Mr. Weasley jumps in fright.
I look at the man in shock and he says: "Dementors are the foulest creatures ever. Even those that can fight them get left with aftereffects and now that we know how those Dursleys treat him – we should have never left him there. And that's not even taking all of his past experiences into account, especially what he told us about Halloween." I nod at this, even though I still find it stupid that we could have been here for weeks and Harry couldn't and so I ask:
"If Grimmauld Place is supposed to protect us, why didn't Harry come here first? Why did we have to keep telling him that we didn't know when he'd be able to come here? I mean, this whole place is obviously better protected than Privet Drive." And Lupin sighs as he answers: "Dumbledore believes that Harry is safest at the place he calls home." This makes me snort and Ron says: "Then Dumbledore needs a reality check."

Everyone looks at him in shock as the boy's loyalty to Dumbledore has often been compared to be on par with that of his mother and Hagrid and he says: "Harry has been claiming Hogwarts as his home since just about the first day of First year. Even when all students went against him because of those points lost he still claimed it to be better than at Privet Drive. He never saw that place as home, it was a living hell – literally."
This makes the adults lower their heads and Lupin asks: "How does Dumbledore not know of this? Does Harry not tell him this?" And I share a look with Ron as we both remember Harry's first visit to the Hospital Wing after the Third Floor adventure. I decide to answer this one for our joined friend as I say: "Harry tried asking Dumbledore not to be send back during the end of his first. He said Dumbledore just dismissed all his protests."
To this Lupin shakes his head and he too looks at the sleeping father and son for a few minutes before he nods and says: "I'll make sure to tell Dumbledore the full story first chance I get and make sure he doesn't interrupt me with any of his wise speeches or excuses as to why Harry should go back. If I start with the fact that Harry has no blood relation to Lily because he is James' son, then I should have a good chance."
This makes me nod with a smile, glad that, slowly but surely, Harry really is getting more and more adults to support him and Moody says: "Let's diverge after the last Muggle chapter. Then Kingsley and Tonks can arrest and question those Muggles, I can go check on those wayward Weasleys and question them if needed and Lupin can go and convince Dumbledore not to send Potter back." And with that I read on.

There was … never died…"

"That's not JAMES!" Lupin shouts, even while Bill quickly casts a series of spells at the sleeping pair on the chair and Tonks frightfully whispers: "It's – it's – it's Him. Harry can't even remember his parents' attack anymore because the Graveyard is still so fresh on his mind." This tears me apart as my friend should have found solace with that event weeks ago and I look at Harry with tear-filled eyes before reading on.

He was … and defeated.

This shocks me into silence, the last few words read out almost breathlessly and Ron asks: "We? He – he thought of us for a Patronus?" And yet, while I feel sure that Sirius would have felt left out if he had been awake to hear this, Sora says: "Of course he did." We turn to him and he says: "You guys are a constant in his life, a positive constant. Something he can always fall back on and come back to. That means a lot.
Remember, we told you before. You two … are the light that keeps the Darkness from invading my brother's heart." This makes Ron and me smile at each other and while I can barely believe how much Harry actually relies on us. I always thought it was the other way around yet I feel stupid for thinking that I considered my friendship with Harry and Ron more valuable than either of the boys did and with that happy thought, do I read on.

"THIS WAY!" … kiss him.

"Okay, that kid may be facing trial by the Queen and her court themselves, but no person, Muggle or Magical would deserve the Kiss. Like others I even tried to argue the Kiss on Sight order against Sirius a few years ago." Kingsley growls and Tonks says: "I will be sure to have that in my report. I can say you told me to keep an eye on Harry in case Black decided to attack him and that I couldn't conjure a Patronus myself."
Kingsley nods while I feel ever so happy with the excuse that can grant us a witness in case Fudge tries to make the Hearing hard on Harry. Something I just know the crazy minister is planning to do, if only to discriminate and humiliate my best friend. I hate that Harry even has the government against him, yet then I again remember what Riku said about back-up. This almost makes me smirk in excited glee as I read on.

"GET IT!" … silver mist.

And, as if on cue, Sirius yawns and asks: "Did I miss it all?" I nod while I actually feel slightly envious of the man for this and Lupin says: "Harry made the Second Dementor float away from Dursley Junior just as it was about to Kiss him." Sirius nods, a look of relief on his face. He then looks down and is shocked at seeing Harry asleep on his chest as he asks: "What happened? Was the story too detailed? Did Harry have a relapse?"
We shake our heads and Mr. Weasley answers: "He had trouble conjuring. It almost sounded as if he wouldn't conjure the Patronus at all. He even heard You-Know-Who's voice instead of James and Lily's." This shocks the man and Kingsley says: "It's my fault. I asked if anything else could go wrong and he took the potion. He must have remembered how much trouble he had with the spell and didn't want to relive it."

Sirius looks from the Auror to his son and then, slowly, stands up. He takes Harry in his arms and the boy actually looks several years younger as he lies there, fast asleep in his father's arms. The man whispers: "I'll be right back." He leaves the room for a few minutes, before he comes back and says: "I laid Harry in my bed and charmed the pillow and the blanket to warn me if he has a nightmare or if he's waking up."
Everyone nods and I feel glad that this might be the final chapter for the night, even if it's also the first, and Lupin says: "Seeing as how that Muggle lad will think that it was Harry who attacked him and will probably report this to his father, I think it's only best that Harry will not have to re-experience that on top of everything else, not tonight." Everyone here nods and Sirius sits back down, this time taking Sora's hand as I read on.

Moon, stars … the newcomer.

"Now what? He just faced those Dementors, don't tell me he has to face more!" Ron shouts exasperated, but I shake my head and say: "No, but – Sirius, remember what you asked about that woman at the start of the chapter?" And instantly Sirius sits ramrod straight, his focus solely on me as I read on.

Mrs. Figg, … Mundungus Fletcher!"

"She's the Figg woman Dumbledore's in contact with, alright. And she sounds just as crazy as that old witch that attacked James all those years ago. I just won't know if it's the same woman until I hear her first name and more of what she's like." Sirius mumbles worriedly and I say: "That will have to wait then, Sirius. It's the end of the chapter." And with a deep sigh of relief, I close the book and put it down on the table, something that rarely happens.
The man nods and says: "We best just get to bed and do the next chapter tomorrow. Merlin knows we'll need our energy – especially if this is only the start of it all. Sora, you can have my brother's old room, it's your good right as the Heir. Riku, if Ron's okay with it, you can stay in his room. Kairi, the same counts for you, if Hermione accepts." We all nod and I say: "I'd rather have Kairi over Ginny any day, no offense." But the Weasleys shake their heads and I guide Kairi up to my room.

The girl seems a little shocked at seeing the two large beds that are set up for us and then puts a small bag at the foot of one. Then the fatigue of worrying all morning, the pain of being bitten by Hedwig, the turmoil of emotions I felt while Harry was shouting at Ron and me, the worry and fright of during the fight between Sirius and Mrs. Weasley and everything else that I've been feeling since Sora, Riku and Kairi arrived catches up with me.
I feel absolutely drained and so I don't even put on my sleeping wear and only undress and quickly brush my teeth, Kairi entering the bathroom on the other side of the hall after I'm done. And upon coming back to my own room, I feel myself giving into the comfortable, inviting warmth of the comforter, bedspread and blanket that are lying on the large bed. I only mutter out a soft goodnight before I lay my head on the lush, thick pillow and fall sound asleep.


Goodnight, Hermione,
WOW! This chapter took an entire weekend – though that was also because I wasn't feeling 100% on Sunday. I got to say, there is a high chance that I will only work up to chapter 18, which is the last chapter with the old CR form of text this month and leave the rest for next. It really is going to depend on how much work the next couple of chapters are going to be and how long it will take me to properly fix that old method.
We shall see,

Venquine1990