AN/ Hey there, big, big, huge sorry about the wait, this last couple months has been absolute hell trying to get anything done. I know this chapter is another shortish one but it will only be a couple more until they get to Hogwarts, so yeah. I put a brief summery at the start to brush you up on what has happened so far, skip it if you wish, other then that, I hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: Not Mine, nope.

Ch: 10 Rats and Snakes

Harry is devastated at the end of the war. Neither side has won and both he and Voldemort are reduced to their dregs. In a last ditch effort to end everything, with the pain of the deaths of all he knew, Harry turns his wand on himself sending the killing curse through his connection with Voldemort, taking them both out.

Unfortunately, (or fortunately) the fates intervene. They tell him that the prophecy was sent as a test in order to regain the natural balance within the world. Only one soul was to be taken, not both of them he is given the option to go back to his younger self and start over, this time, along with his younger soul, they have the chance to set things right. Unknown to them thought, Voldemort is sent back as well and he plans to set things in motion as fast as he can, to continue their battle where they left off. Harry has gotten in contact with Remus and told him everything and with his help they have alerted the Headmaster about Sirius never having had a trail and they have set things in motion to get him freed. Harry has also uncovered the Potter mansion and after Remus is awarded temporary custody of him, they are preparing to move him out of the Durley's permanently and get him ready for the coming year.

Rats and Snakes

Once the two of them went back to the manor they sat in the study and discussed what their next move would be. It was clear by the headmaster's actions that he knew something was going on even if he didn't know what but it was also clear that he trusted them enough to tell him in their own time. "Or until he finds out everything on his own." Part of Harry mused to himself. That in itself gave them time and with the headmaster onto the case of releasing Sirius, Harry figured he had time to work on the Voldemort problem.

"The first thing we need to do is disassociate ourself from the Dursleys." The spirit stated, leaning forward to rest his elbows on his knees, Harry unconsciously mirroring the move. They were seated below Harold's painting once more and Harry had projected the image of his second self to make it easier for them all to discuss the situation.

Harry nodded at the spirits statement, his face thoughtful, "I agree," he mused, "After all, like you said, as long as no one associates that house with us then there is no reason for the death eaters to target that area." He pulled a sour face and scratched at his messy hair, "Not that I want to go back there anyway." He muttered and the spirit chuckled softly in agreement. Remus merely looked between the two of them in bemusement and shook his head. "I don't know if I should be alarmed or completely confused watching the two of you." He mused. At the identical raised eyebrows he received he chuckled and explained, "I don't know about you but the thought of a set of Potter twins leaves me more than a little apprehensive."

Harry snorted in amusement and shook his head, "Heh, speaking of twins, we have to get the Weasley twins on our side from the start. After all, they have the map, something that will come in handy I think."

Remus blinked at him then laughed, sitting back in his chair, "You mean that the map is still hanging around?" he asked incredulously, "I had wondered what would come of it after the old caretaker confiscated it from Sirius in our seventh year. Just as well he had no idea what it was otherwise he would have handed it over to the headmaster."

The older Harry shook his head, "Not really a bad thing," he said in amusement, "After all it would have been a fair chance that the old man would have given it to me anyway. After all, he did give me dad's cloak."

Remus stared at him in mock horror, "Do you mean to tell me that the Headmaster gave the son of the Marauders back one of the most important tools of the trade? Was the old man senile?"

All three of them laughed at that and they were interrupted by a faint pop as Sissa appeared behind them, "I's is sorry to interrupt, Master Harry sirs, but Tupik sent me to inform you's and Master Remus that dinner will be served shortly." She squeaked softly, bowing low. Harry smiled at the young elf and nodded his head, "Thank you, Sissa." He told her kindly, "Let Tupik know that we will head over to the dinning room momentarily."

The small elf bowed again and vanished while Remus raised an eyebrow at Harry, "Momentarily? Rather high class language for one living with muggles don't you think?"

Harry snorted and jabbed his thumb at the projection of his older self, "Blame it on him." He retorted, "He's the one with all the weird different forms of protocol stuffed in his head."

There was a snort as the spirit vanished and his voice came out of Harry's mouth, "Blame it on Malfoy for that particular trend." He retorted, pushing himself to his feet, "After all, it was in response to his snide comments about the vulgarity of muggle raised wizards that prompted me to imitate his lofty attitude, just to piss him off."

Remus just shook his head as he followed him from the room.

The next morning Harry came down to the dining room to find Remus already seated at the table a plate of toast and a cup of coffee in front of him. Glancing up over the rim of the paper he was reading he smiled at him, "You might want to take a look at this, Harry." He held out the paper as Harry pulled up the chair beside him, "It looks as though the Headmaster is working fast on this one. I think maybe you made an impression on his yesterday."

Taking the paper from him, Harry read the Headline on the front page and felt his eyebrows disappear into his hairline.

"About time the Profit reported something useful." His older soul snorted from the back of his mind.

Harry hummed in agreement as the two of them read the short article.

Sirius Black Case Reopened

Doubt Cast On Prisoners guilt

It has come to the attention of this publication that the case of Sirius Black is under investigation once again. As we all know, Sirius Black was sent to Azkaban prison ten years ago for the betrayal of Lily and James Potter leading to their deaths and the murder of Peter Pettigrew and over fifteen Muggles.

Recent developments in the case have led to the reopening of the investigation as it has come to light that Sirius Black was never given a trail before being placed under Dementor guard in Azkaban.

Is this the way that wizarding justice works? Are we to be locked away just because we are under suspicion?

Could Sirius Black have been innocent all along?

For more information on Blacks arrest and incarceration, see pages 3 & 4, for the full coverage given by the Profit at that time, see the subsequent re-release of old editions of the Profit available by owl order.

Harry sat back with a grin of satisfaction, "About time that stupid paper printed something useful." He commented, handing the paper back to Remus.

The Werewolf took it from him absently and picked up his coffee cup, "So what are you planning for today?' he asked mildly.

Harry glanced up at him and smiled slightly at the restrained hope in the mans eyes. Reading that article had finally managed to trigger the fact that Sirius was well on the way to being released but the man was still determined to keep his emotions in check. No that Harry could blame him, after all, the past few days have to have been more then a shake up for the poor werewolf, too much more and he might crack.

Deciding to go along with Remus in not discussing the article, Harry answered the man's question instead. "I think the first thing that needs to be done is to collect my things from the Dursleys and warn Aunt Petunia that she might want to keep an eye on what is going on. I though I would tell her to keep in touch with Mrs Figg, that way she can be kept abreast of anything that pertains to her, just in case. After that I thought that maybe you could help me to test my magic levels. We haven't had a chance to see what changes the merge has made, if any, and we thought that it would be a good idea to have at least some idea of what to expect before we head off to school. It wouldn't do to explode too many things when we first get there, even if they do expect it from the first years."

Remus laughed in agreement and they finished their breakfast talking about inconsequential thins until it was time to leave for the Dursleys.

Harry made sure that he timed it so that Uncle Vernon had already left for work. He was determined to make sure that his aunt was apprised of what was coming and he did not want to have to talk over his uncle's idiotic raving in order to do it.

Both he and Remus had dressed in neat Muggle clothes before Harry had his new guardian apparate them to Privet Drive.

Aunt Petunia met them at the door with her usual sour expression and Harry mentally rolled his eyes. Her griping had become more of a source of amusement in later years then anything else. After all, Vernon's ravings were easy to ignore as they were the ignorant protestations of someone who had no idea what they were talking about. Aunt Petunia on the other hand had at least a brief idea of what she was complaining about but her griping stemmed mainly from the jealousy of her sister and later of her nephew being able to experience a world that she could never share in. In later years, after the war had spilled over into the muggle world as well, she had been much more understanding and her habitual complaining became more of a game between the two of them. They would never have been called a functional family, but at least the two of them could tolerate being in the same room together.

As soon as she let the two of them in, Harry made his way up the stairs, leaving Remus to explain to his aunt what was going on.

Stepping into his room, he looked around at the transformed space and snorted,

"So, was this how you felt when you realised you never had to come back here or what?"

There was the slight twist in his mind and the older Harry appeared,

"Hmmm," he commented, looking around the room as well, "I never really thought about it. By the time I left it had gotten to the point where there was no way that I was staying here any longer. When I was sent back here after seventh year because of the threats levelled against the Dursleys I thought I would scream. I had finally gotten free of them, then because of that irritating snake faced freak I was forced back here in order to protect their ungrateful arses."

Harry just snorted in agreement then proceeded to pack all his new belongings in his trunk. Looking around once he was done, he carefully scooped up Tabitha where she coiled on the mattress watching him and shrank down Hedwig's perch to tuck into his pocket.

"Is that everything?"

Scanning the room one last time he nodded in satisfaction, "I think so, lets get down there and rescue the werewolf from Aunt Petunia. I haven't heard any shrieking yet, so maybe she hasn't decided to dice him up for dog meat."

Almost choking on his laughter, Harry skipped down the stairs and found his Aunt and Remus sitting at the kitchen table actually having a rather civil cup of tea.

They both looked up as he entered, Remus with a slight smile, his aunt with a faint frown. Giving his Aunt a nod he slipped into one of the empty chairs and turned to Remus, "So what have you told her so far?" he asked straight out.

Remus sat back in his chair and sighed, "I explained about the guardianship changeover and the fact that you are leaving, I thought that I would leave the rest to you, seeing as you know more about what is happening then I do."

Nodding once, Harry turned his attention to his Aunt, "Do you understand at all why I was placed in your care to begin with?" he asked her neutrally. He wanted to get through this with as little pain as possible and provoking his Aunt would not be the ideal way to go about that goal.

Frowning slightly, the woman took a sip of tea, her pinched face testimony on how reluctant she was to discuss these matters, "From what was explained to me," she started finally, "It has something to do with my relation to Lily. That barmy old man went on about some sort of blood protection not only for you but for my family as well if I took you into my home. He said in that letter of his that I had no choice in this matter as it was too dangerous not only to you but to me as well if it was found out that we were related to my sister but other then that, I have no real idea."

Harry nodded thoughtfully, that was about what he thought. Sitting back in his chair he studied his aunt carefully, trying to judge how receptive to his information she would be. Deciding that she would be glad to get rid of him one way or the other, he wasn't going to sugar coat anything.

"What Professor Dumbledore told you was the truth," he began carefully, "But he did not tell you everything. What happened on the night that mum and dad died is very much the reason that you will need to be careful once I leave." Looking her straight in the eye, he watched her eyes widen as he almost whispered the next words, "The wizard who killed them was after me."

A look of confusion came over her face and she shook her head almost mechanically, "But… you were only a baby, why…?"

He smiled rather sadly at her, "The question of the century." He said rather rhetorically, looking back up at her he noted her confusion and shook his head, "Never mind. The truth is there was a prophecy made that there would be born a child that would have the power to defeat him he targeted the two children that fit the criteria, me and another boy named Neville. Anyway, when he killed mum, she was protecting me, she gave up her life to save mine, in the process activating some very strong, very old magic. When Voldemort tried to kill me, her protections cast his curse back into his own teeth." Harry could see a variety of emotions flitting across his aunt's eyes, the horror at finally hearing how her sister died, shock that the target had been her young nephew, pain at realising exactly what she gave up when she rejected her sisters love and awe at what that love had accomplished. Harry smiled sadly at her, knowing that this was hitting her harder then she would ever admit. Deciding to let her sort through everything later, Harry continued, "The reason I was placed here was because Dumbledore placed protections on the house through some rather complicated blood magic. The protections cast by my mother were strengthened and expanded to cover my place of dwelling through your blood connection to her. The wizard who killed her was not killed that night, merely defeated and he will be back, it is only a matter of time. Not only that, but his servants are still free to take revenge if they ever find out where I am. With me leaving, there are good points and some not so good. I will no longer be placing a target on your roof, but on the other hand, once I leave, so do mum's protections."

He watched as this information settled home and watched the faint frown of apprehension flit across her face. Before she could reply however, he reached into his pocket for something he had prepared as soon as he had planned on leaving. Sitting the round crystal on the table, he tapped it lightly, giving off a musical sound, "I am not leaving you unprotected." He told her softly, "This is a warning crystal. I will place protection wards around the house that will remain even after the headmaster's wards dissolve. They will act as a shield of sorts if there is ever trouble and this crystal will light up. I have a twin of it and it will alert me if anything is wrong, the shields will give me time to get you out of here."

Looking into his aunt's eyes he tried to convey the seriousness of the situation, "All of this may not be necessary," he told her softly, "I certainly will be looking to prevent it, but you need to be prepared. Keep in touch with Mrs Figg at all times, she will be your contact with the wizarding world," if this hadn't been so serious he would have laughed at the look of shock on his aunts face, "If you ever need to get hold of me, she will be able to help you."

Petunia stared at him in silence for a long moment then shook her head, "What has happened to you," she finally said softly, "You have changed."

Harry just sighed, "I just acme into some information of what is actually going on." He answered her, "There are many things that I could explain to you that you would never comprehend but the simple matter is that there are things going on that even Dumbledore is not aware of."

Petunia nodded in understanding and reached out to take the crystal, "You will be alright on your own then?" she asked him softly and he smiled at this first sign of concern he had ever had from her.

Rising to his feet he reached out to clasp her hand softly, "Yes, Aunt Petunia, I'll be fine. Just remember to keep your eyes open and contact me if there is anything wrong."

With that, he and Remus left her sitting at the kitchen table and Harry walked out the front door of the Dursleys, never to enter the place as a resident ever again.

In a decrepit inn located in an out of the way village far to the north, a pale set of eyes scanned the article on the front page of the Daily Prophet, "It seems you are moving fast, Potter." A faint voice, dripping with malice hissed. Rising from the table, the tall, thin figure knelt down by the crumpled body on the floor. Pushing aside the ridiculous turban the man was wearing, he drew his pale finger down the still forehead, "How about we leave a message for the Boy-Who-Lived." The voice hissed again. Picking up a gleaming silver dagger, he carved a sign into the forehead of his late host, a sign his opponent was sure to recognise. Then climbing to his feet, he had his new host pull back the sleeve of his robe. Using the same knife, he had the man drive the point into the black brand on his left arm, all the while hissing an incantation under his breath. He may not be able to summon his followers as he once was able, but there were a few fail safes he had worked out in later years, if he had ever found himself in this situation again, fail safes that he now put into practice. He put in the summons for the man, who had been uniquely situated the first time round, but this time would be compromised, he put in a call for the one who had been responsible for his resurrection.

Unfolding the morning Profit, the red headed wizard scanned the headlines as he listed to his wife calling for their hoard of children to come to breakfast, as they took seats around the table he almost swore in shock, "Molly dear, listen to this." He called. He read the article out and his wife sunk into one of the clear chairs, shock evident on her face, "Is it possible?" she almost whispered. He shook his head as he read through the rest of the information, "It certainly seems possible." He answered, "I t looks as though the Headmaster is the one who initiated the investigation."

Molly shook her head, her hand over her heart as tears came to her eyes, "Oh my." She whispered, "Oh Sirius." The children all looked at each other in confusion and shrugged, none of them knowing what was going on.

The youngest boy however frowned in confusion as the lump in his pocket shivered in fear, taking the grey rat out and setting it on the table he studied it carefully, "Hey mum," he called, "Something is wrong with Scabbers." Glancing over at him she sighed in exasperation, "Ron, get that rat off the table. If there is something wrong with him we will take him to get looked at when we head to Diagon Ally. Now, all of you eat your breakfast, before it gets cold."

Later that morning, while the boys were outside doing their chores, the plain grey rat sat on the desk in the youngest boy's room and panicked.

"If Sirius is still sane after all this time, then he will tell them everything, I have to get out of here." He thought frantically. He ran through his head all of the hiding places he'd had prepared ten years ago, discarding them one after the other until a crippling pain shot through his body almost making him topple off the desk. In panicked shock he looked around to make sure that the boy was still outside then shifted into the form of a short, balding man. With a trembling hand, he pushed back the sleeve of his robe and almost fainted. There on the skin of his left arm, the sign that had stood faded for ten years burned black and ugly once more. With a deep feeling a horror and fear, the rat turned man disappeared with a crack in answer to his master's summons.

AN/ There we are, hmmm, things are getting intersting now, olf Voldy has started to make his move. Let me know what you think, and a big thank you to all the reviewers and those of you who are still reading. I know there has been a big hold on the last few chapters but I am still working on this, so never fear.

See Ya