Merlin's Beard!

Is this an update I see before me?

I can only apologize for the delay in updating this story. I have no excuse

Many thanks to everyone who's been kind enough to review, favourite, or add this story to their alerts list- hope you enjoy this next chapter.

V: Friends and Floo Powder

William Sirius Black watched his oldest friend as she disappeared into the Gryffindor changing rooms. It might be a little too early to say for certain but since Harry had come back Robyn had been happier- it was as if a weight she'd been carrying for the past ten years had lifted.

Will had been in love with Robyn since the beginning of third year- he'd realized it when he'd walked in on her kissing Oliver Wood. Seeing the red head in Oliver's arms had sent a violent surge of jealousy coursing through him. Fortunately (for him at least) that relationship didn't last longer than the first Hogsmede visit of the year when the dozy git had insisted on taking Robyn to Madame Puddifoot's teashop…

"You still haven't told her, have you?"

Will flinched at the sound of Teddy's voice. The Metamorphomagus was standing right behind him, broom over one shoulder.

"I don't know how" Will admitted. He and Robyn had been friends longer than either of them could remember and he didn't want to risk that friendship if their relationship didn't last.

"Have you tried?"

No, no he hadn't- he wasn't his father and he didn't want to end up like Prongs, he'd rather stay friends with Robyn than annoying her and driving her away, asking her out daily (which, and he'd never freely admit this, he probably would end up doing). "What if she just sees me as a brother?"

"You'll never know unless you try" Teddy reasoned, changing his turquoise hair to Gryffindor red and gold in celebration of their win. "C'mon Will, where's your Gryffindor spirit?"

Harry was sure he'd never forget the way to the Headmaster's office; he'd been there so many times since arriving in this world. It appeared that James knew something that he wasn't telling his wife or son. He led them up the stairs to and into the office.

"Ah" Dumbledore smiled as they entered the office. "Did you enjoy the match?"

"Yes sir" Harry nodded

"Robyn's one hell of a captain" James grinned, proudly. "Just like her dad- you chose well"

"James said you wanted to see us, Albus" Lily said, smiling indulgently at her husband's behaviour- by now she'd worked out that he couldn't help the bursts of over inflated ego that he exhibited sometimes. It was endearing, in a strange sort of way.

"Yes" Dumbledore smiled, his blue eyes twinkling. "I think it would be best if Harry were to go home with you until the New Year"

Harry was stunned- he was going home with his parents. Two months to get to know the parents he'd never known, he'd always wanted a family. He was dimly aware of the adults discussing him- something to do with his health, but he was too caught up in his own fantasies of what the next two months might entail to care what they were saying.

Robyn set down her load of the refreshments that she and her fellow Marauders had smuggled from the kitchens on one of the tables as she caught sight of Hermione Granger, sitting on her own in the corner of the common room, nose buried in yet another book.

"Save some for me, yeah" she requested, as the main bulk of her Housemates descended upon the food. "And for Granger"

Will and Percy looked at her strangely, but Teddy nodded- seeming to understand what she was planning. He handed her two of the bottles of butterbeer.

She crossed to where the first year was sitting, but the younger witch didn't acknowledge her presence.

"Hi Granger"

Still nothing

"Hermione?"

Granger started- as if unused to hearing her first name. She probably was, Robyn realized with a jolt. It wasn't as if she had any friends here at Hogwarts.

"Oh, hello Potter" Hermione gave her a fleeting smile. "Can I help you with something?"

"Call me Robyn" Robyn told her. "And no- I just came over to ask if you wanted to join the party"

"Oh" the younger girl blushed slightly. "I couldn't"

"Sure you could- you're as much a Gryffindor as the rest of us" here she offered one of the bottles she held. "Here, try some of this- it's called butterbeer"

"Thank you" Tentatively Hermione took the bottle, which Robyn opened with a tap of her wand. "But won't professor McGonagall get suspicious if she sees all the food?"

"Nah" Robyn smirked, opening her own bottle and taking a swig. "Minnie's likely down in her office, celebrating our win- she's one heck of a Quidditch fan."

At that moment the portrait hole opened and Doris Abercrombie, Robyn's stuffy roommate and Percy's fellow prefect, entered the common room. She looked at the partying Gryffindors in disapproval (reminding Robyn of Aunt Petunia) before crossing to Robyn and Hermione

"Potter, Professor Dumbledore wants to see you- you too Granger"

The two girls looked at each other, confused, but pausing only to drain their drinks, they left the common room.

Harry had surprised himself by asking for Hermione to be sent for when Professor Dumbledore had sent for Robyn. He knew that this Hermione was not the friend he had left behind in the other world, but there was no reason why they couldn't become as close, was there?

Hermione followed the fifth year Quidditch captain to Professor Dumbledore's office. The ease with which the red head navigated the castle was astonishing, Hermione still got lost occasionally.

When they reached the office door Robyn knocked thrice then breezed in leaving Hermione to follow in her wake.

"Shouldn't you have waited until the Headmaster invited you i…?" She broke off as Robyn moved away from her towards a couple in their thirties who appeared to be her parents

"No harm done Miss Granger" Professor Dumbledore assured her. "I'm sure you're wondering why you're here?"

Hermione nodded

"Well then, Miss Granger, allow me to introduce you to Mr Harry Potter" Dumbledore gestured to the gaunt looking boy of about her age who stood awkwardly nearby. Harry caught her stare and offered a watery smile in return

"Hello"

"Hi" Harry returned, running a hand through his messy black hair, nervously

"Mr Potter here will be joining your year after Christmas" Dumbledore stepped in, in order to prevent the awkward silence which was looming on the horizon. "After his arrival yesterday I felt it prudent that he take the rest of this term to get to know his parents"

It was only now that Hermione allowed herself to believe the rumours of the return of the boy whose death had ended the last Wizarding War.

"Back where I came from" Harry began nervously. "There was a Hermione Granger, and she was one of my best friends- I was wondering if… if you and I could write to each other, while I'm out of school I mean?"

Hermione blinked. "You want to be friends?"

Harry nodded, watching her to gage her reaction

"I'd like that" she replied. "I haven't got any friends"

Harry grinned suddenly and offered a hand. "I'm Harry Potter, pleased to meet you"

"Hermione Granger" Hermione smiled, shaking his hand. "And the pleasure is all mine."

"Hate to break up this tender moment sport" Harry's father laid his hand on his son's shoulder. "But it's time to go"

Harry and Hermione smiled at each other

"It was nice meeting you Harry" Hermione told him. "See you after Christmas"

"Yeah" Harry nodded. "You too"

"Thank you Miss Granger" Dumbledore smiled. "Now I'm sure you don't want to miss anymore of the party going on in your common room"

Hermione, deciding that this was a subtle(ish) hint that she should leave so Harry and his parents could say goodbye to their daughter/sister, nodded and left the office

As soon as Hermione had gone Harry and James walked over to Lily and Robyn, the latter of whom pounced on Harry, crushing him in a hug.

"See ya at Christmas Harry" she smiled as she released him. "And if the weather's ok, we'll play Quidditch- you, me, Will and Teddy"

"Sounds great" Harry beamed, overjoyed at the prospect of playing Quidditch again, he couldn't wait to fly again- his dad had promised him a broomstick as soon as they could get him one.

Robyn ruffled his hair and took a step back

"Try not to get too many detentions before Christmas love" Lily pleaded, kissing her daughter's cheek

"Mother, you wound me" Robyn put the back of her hand over her forehead in mock anguish. "I am a Marauder after all"

"Bye princess" James hugged Robyn. "Don't do anything your uncles and I wouldn't do"

"Duly noted" Robyn saluted. "Say 'hi' to everyone for me"

"Sure thing kiddo" James ruffled her dark red hair. "See you at Christmas"

"Harry" Lily called him over to Dumbledore's fireplace where she was standing with the Headmaster; Dumbledore was holding a small pot in one hand. "Take a handful of the powder; throw it into the fire and say 'Potter Manor' then step into the fire"

Harry took a handful of the powder, which reminded him of soot. He threw it into the fireplace, which erupted into green flames.

"Potter Manor" to his ears it sounded like a question and stepped gingerly into the fire; the second later he was whisked away.

~V~

And there we have it.

Let me know what you think and I'll try and update before the end of the month

In the next chapter we meet up with the Potter's 'extended family'

- I was considering attempting to write a prequel to this; I have two options on where to start writing that.

1) Starting out in the start of the Marauder era

2) (which is more likely actually) starting out in the Marauders' fifth year

Either way it will chart what's happened in the world of this fic up to the point that Harry arrives in it

What say you my dear readers?