AN; I have begun posting for Imprisoned in the Past Part III again. I will continue to post for this story as well as I am already halfway through as of this chapter.
Evans Farm, Durham County, England, 8/8/1975, 18:22
Sirius sidestepped Harry's stunner and returned fire with a pain curse. Harry lazily batted the spell aside before he brought his wand down, firing a nonverbal fulmus hex at Sirius.
Sirius hastily transfigured a six-foot-tall metal rod embedded into the dirt floor in between him and Harry, intercepting the bolt of electricity before he cast three stunners back at his opponent.
Harry avoided Sirius' spells before transfiguring the metal rod into a snake that lunged at Sirius forcing the boy to roll away before he was wrapped up in its coils.
Sirius fired a wide area banishing charm at the snake, forcing Harry to cast a shield charm that easily withstood the blast of magic and the dead boa constrictor that thumped off of his shield.
Dropping the shield, Harry tapped his head and cast a disillusionment charm on himself. He then cast a spell to create thick fog, causing the training room to be completely obscured in a dense white mist.
Silencing his boots, Harry cast a homenium revelio charm and located Sirius' position in the room before he began to silently creep up behind his opponent.
Sirius was repeatedly trying to cast a ventus charm but it had little effect on the mist that seemed to get thicker as the seconds went by. He was starting to panic now and had given up vanishing the mist in favor of firing blindly into the fog, aiming in random directions as he cast stunner after stunner.
Sirius stopped firing as he felt something prod him in the back before everything went black.
Sirius was definitely getting better, Harry had been working with him for a week now and he had already noticed a significant improvement in his form and spellwork.
Andromeda was a little upset with him for taking away her evening entertainment but she had gotten over it fairly quickly. This may have something to do with Harry giving her full control of Sirius' hand-to-hand training but he wasn't about to ask how those sessions went. As far as Harry was concerned, if she was happy with the arrangement then that was all that mattered.
Clearing the fog from the room, Harry fixed the damaged floor and then enervated Sirius.
"What did you learn?" Harry asked the boy as soon as Sirius woke and got his bearings.
"That when a spell doesn't work it's stupid to keep trying it?" Sirius asked hopefully.
"Close. You should always keep your wits about you, you panicked and I crept right up behind you. You didn't even notice my location spell when I cast it over the room," Harry lectured as he helped the dazed boy to his feet.
"What was that fog spell anyway?" Sirius asked as he shook his head to clear the cobwebs.
"Either look the spell up for yourself or find a way to defeat it on your own but the spell is in that book I gave you," Harry said flatly.
"Do you want to try again?" Sirousasked
"No, I'm tired and we have a meeting with your Grandfather after physical training tomorrow," Harry told his pupil, a smirk playing on his lips.
"Why didn't he want to meet with me first thing in the morning?" Sirius asked as they both exited the Barn/Training Room.
"He did, but Andi suggested waiting until lunchtime that way we could all come over, and he agreed with the idea," Harry told the now gaping boy.
"She did it on purpose! She's evil I tell you, she loves torturing me in training!" Sirius exclaimed dramatically.
"Now, now Sirius don't talk that way about my Angelic wife. She is too kind of a person to stoop to what you're suggesting," Harry chastised, just barely keeping a straight face while saying this.
Harry knew perfectly well that Andromeda loved making Sirius miserable. He was sure it was a Black family trait or something, and he really had thought about standing up on Sirius' behalf. Then a more pressing thought overrode that one.
'Better him than me.'
Cowardly sure, but he wouldn't cross his wife, not for something as trivial as Sirius' happiness.
They had just stepped through the front door and Sirius gave him a withering glare before he stomped off to his room without even saying goodnight.
"That was just rude," Harry chuckled only to start when he heard a familiar voice.
"What's the matter with Sirius, daddy?" Nymmie asked curiously.
Harry turned to where he heard her voice and found his daughter standing in the hall already dressed in her unicorn pajamas and giving him an inquisitive look.
"Sirius is being a big baby," Harry told her very seriously as he scooped her up in his arms, causing her to giggle happily as he lifted her off of the floor.
"Why were you out here and not in there with mummy and Iggy? Harry asked her curiously as her grey eyes changed to the same shade of green as his own.
"I was waiting for you to come inside," Nymmie said matter-of-factly.
"Really?" Harry asked in faux surprise.
"Really," Nymmie agreed.
"Is there something you want from me?" Harry asked already having a suspicion as to what she wanted.
"Will you read me a story daddy? I asked mummy and she said for me to ask you," Nymmie asked hopefully.
"I don't know," Harry said with a put-upon sigh.
"Please, daddy," Nymmie begged with an adorable pout.
Harry wilted under the look knowing didn't have a fighting chance of saying no.
"Okay, what story do you want me to read?" Harry asked her in a defeated tone.
Nymmie scrunched her brow cutely as she pondered her answer, making her hair shift through the rainbow.
"Babbitty Rabbity," she answered as her hair reverted to pink.
Harry smiled and then carried her with him to the sitting room where Andi was sitting on the sofa reading a muggle book, something about Prejudice while Iggy was playing with blocks on the floor at her feet.
Andy looked up when he came in.
"How was training, and where is Sirius?" She asked as she set the book in her lap.
Harry gently set Nymmie on the floor and she immediately ran over to the bookshelf to get the Tales of Beetle the Bard.
"It went well, he is really improving. As to where he is, he's convinced you like torturing him and making his life miserable. I told him that was ridiculous and he stomped off to his room," Harry answered her, the corner of his mouth twitching
"The poor dear he's very confused, would you mind if I take his dueling practice tomorrow night? I don't want him to think such awful things of me," Andi asked him innocently, a smirk playing on her lips.
"Sure Andi I think you should explain that you only have his best interest at heart," Harry said ln the most level tone of voice he could manage.
Whatever Harry was going to say next was cut off by a glaring Nymmie pulling on his arm impatiently while holding her book.
"I see that she got you to read her a story, you are too soft on her," Andi said In amusement.
"She did that pouting thing." Harry defended with a shake of his head.
"Hmmm, it seems she's already learning that her father will cave to her demands with just a pout," Andromeda smirked.
Harry couldn't argue her point no that he had much time as Nymmie pulled on his sleeve again.
"Daddy, you promised," Nymmie whined as she pulled on his sleeve again.
"I did promise, didn't I?" Harry agreed as he allowed Nymmie to lead him to his chair.
As soon as Harry had taken his seat, Nymmie climbed up on the arm of the chair and bounced in excitement as he turned through the pages of the well-worn book to find the story she wanted him to read.
Before he found the story, Iggy wandered over and sat in front of the chair, looking just as excited as his half-sister.
Both children listened intently as Harry started reading Babbitty Rabbity and the Cackling Stump.
Andromeda watched as Harry read and couldn't help but smile at how Harry had their undivided attention. He even made a funny squeaky voice for Babbity Rabbity and a pompous-sounding voice for the king that made her stifle a giggle.
Harry had the children laughing and completely enthralled by the story and Andromeda felt a pleasant warmth in her chest.
Harry was a wonderful father and he was an amazing husband.
Yes, Andromeda was very happy with how her life turned had out and couldn't help but wonder how she had gotten so lucky to find a man like Harry.
/C.o.t.R\
Black Cottage, Wales, 8/9/1975, 12:00
Harry and his family were gathered around Arcturus Black's table along with a very subdued Sirius.
Harry couldn't fight again as he glanced over at his godfather Sirius looked utterly worn out, it almost seemed that lifting a spoon was too strenuous for the lad.
"So Sirius how has your training been going?" Arcturus asked casually, his eyes glinting with amusement.
Sirius hastily looked over at Andy who narrowed her eyes and he gulped before answering his Grandfather.
"I-it's been okay. Harry has started taking over my dueling training. I've also been learning silent casting and spell swatting from him," Sirius stammered.
"Good, a Lord Black must be just as formidable in a fight as he is in the Wizengamot. Now, what has Andromeda been teaching you?" Arcturus pressed, looking quite pleased with his answer so far.
"Andi has been teaching me muggle fighting, but she was teaching me dueling techniques until last week," Sirius responded hurriedly. glancing nervously at Andromeda as he spoke.
Harry almost snorted soup out his nose watching Sirius tremble in fear at his gentle wife's gaze.
After a few moments of silence, Harry spoke up when it seemed that Sirius didn't have anything else to say on the subject of his training.
"He has improved significantly in magical combat since the start of training, Lord Black, but I believe he needs to study the mind arts to help calm his mind. In the heat of battle, he has been prone to panicking under stress," Harry told Arcturus candidly.
"All Blacks go through basic occlumency training, Walburga should have instructed him in the mind arts after his seventh birthday. Unfortunately, she was a Crabbe by birth and occlumency wasn't practiced in that family. I had thought Orion would have informed her of this, or at least taught him the skill himself," Arcturus said, giving Sirius an inquiring look.
"Dad never taught me anything, Grandfather... well other than how to avoid my mother," Sirius corrected.
"That is a valuable skill to learn, dear," Melania giggled from her place at Arcturus' right.
"Quite right, I swear that woman is part banshee," Arcturus chuckled.
"I remember her from the meeting," Harry agreed remembering her grating voice that did sound very similar to a banshee's scream.
"Well back to the matter of occlumency, perhaps I have been remiss in educating Sirius in the art. Would you be willing to instruct him, Hadrian?" Arcturus asked, his grey eyes meeting Harry's.
Harry thought about the question as he sipped his wine. Occlumency was a very tedious subject to teach and it would probably take months to instruct correctly, especially if he was instructing a teenager as their minds were more often than not focused on the opposite sex and quidditch.
On the other hand, maybe he could get something out of this that would make it worth the trouble.
"I would be happy to teach him but It will take a lot of one-on-one lessons and Sirius returns to Hogwarts in less than a month's time. I don't have permission to enter Hogwarts so we could only meet during his Hogsmeade outings," Harry replied before taking another sip of his wine.
"That problem can be easily solved. I have a couple of associates on the board of governors that owe me a favor or two. I can have you hired on the staff as a part-time tutor, though you should know that the staff can assign you to tutor other students if they feel their students require one-on-one teaching. But that would allow you access to Hogwarts anytime you wish," Lord Black offered.
Harry sighed internally, he was half-expecting for Arcturus to tell him about some ancient pureblood law that allowed old families to hire private tutors to instruct their heirs at Hogwarts. Apparently, such a privilege didn't exist at the school or perhaps it did at one time and Dumbledore put a stop to it.
Still, he would be able to get into Hogwarts anytime he wanted and Harry was knowledgeable on most subjects so it could work if he was forced to tutor other students.
Harry still hadn't explored the Chamber of Secrets properly, having never had the time to go back to the castle after he and Andromeda had captured and killed the Basilisk.
There was also the room of hidden things that had all sorts of hidden treasures buried in the mountains of junk and of course the Library.
Yes, Hogwarts was somewhere he knew that there were treasures to be found. So if it meant having to tutor a few students in their core classes, then it would be worth it.
"Thank you, Lord Black I would be happy to accept". Harry answered at once.
"Are you going to reach me occluminnie, mummy?" Nymmie asked from her seat next to her mother.
"When your older, Nymphadora," Andi smiled as she wiped a bit of soup off of Ignotus' chin.
"And me?" Iggy asked as he tried to squirm away from her.
"No, your father will be instructing you," Andromeda said as she succeeded in cleaning his face.
"That's right son, I will have you trained up in no time," Harry chuckled.
Iggy beamed at him before attacking his soup with gusto and undoing all of Andi's work in cleaning up his face.
The rest of the meal passed by with light-hearted conversation, while Arcturus and Melania doting on their great-grandchildren.
At times like this Harry had trouble believing the rumours he had always heard about the Blacks. True they were a bit obsessed with blood purity but there was no doubt how much Arcturus cared for his family.
/C.o.t.R\
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Scotland, 9/7/1975, 19:00
Well, a few children would have been nice, Albus Fucking Twinkle-Eyed Dumbledore had seen fit to set him tutoring students five nights a week!
He would be tutoring students in one of the core classes every weeknight. So far he was only teaching the fifth and seventh years students who asked for help or were otherwise assigned tutoring by their professor.
Harry read over the schedule for what seemed like the hundredth time since he had gotten a letter from the headmaster informing him he had gotten the position as a part-time staff member.
Hadrian Black, Tutoring Schedule
Monday: Transfiguration Tutoring
5 pm-7 pm
Tuesday: Charms Tutoring
5 p.m-7 p.m
Wednesday: Potion Tutoring
5 p.m-7 p.m
Thursday: Defense Tutoring
5 p.m-7 p.m
Friday: History of Magic/ Astronomy Tutoring
(Alternating every other week)
5 p.m-7 p.m
This schedule shot his plans of training Sirius in occlumency of the evening all to hell! He would have to meet with Sirius every morning at six for his occlumency training though he had yet to inform the boy, deciding to let Sirius get adjusted to school once again.
Harry knew that he really couldn't complain, Dumbledore was only making him do the job he was supposed to be doing anyway. Harry just never figured the staff would be so receptive to having a tutor on staff. He had been assigned an unused classroom tutor on the third-floor corridor.
Tonight was his third tutoring session this week and he was currently putting away potion supplies and preparing the classroom for tomorrow's defence tutorial.
There were only two students attending tutoring this evening, Peter Pettigrew and Bertha Jorkins a seventh-year Hufflepuff.
The entire season was counterproductive as Jorkins tried to flirt with him the whole time and made no effort in the potion he was trying to help her with.
Peter Pettigrew was trying to complete his potion but the boy was a nervous wreck and ended up melting his cauldron during his attempt at the draft of peace.
Though that might have something to do with the scowl Harry couldn't keep off his face every time he looked at the younger version of Wormtail. Harry was starting to understand Snape a little better this evening and that thought pissed him off even more!
He had excused them for the evening about ten minutes ago and he was already dreading next Wednesday.
After he had finished up with his preparations for tomorrow's lesson, Harry decided to head home for the night.
Exiting his classroom, Harry began the walk through the castle to the gates since he didn't have an office or a convenient Floo connection nearby.
Harry made his way through the school coming upon a group of four boys in a huddle whispering to one another not far from the library.
"Harry," a voice called out of the group and the others turned to see who Sirius was talking to.
Harry's heart dropped at the sight of the other two members of the group. James Potter and Remus Lupin, It took all his control not to gape at the two boys.
Getting to know Sirius at such a young age had eased him into the situation a little bit. Seeing his father at fifteen looking just like he did in Snape's memories was a bit of a shock.
The real surprise was seeing the father of his Godson staring back at him, looking much younger than Harry had ever seen him.
Harry had never really gotten to know Remus or Teddy very well due to circumstances beyond his control.
Remus had been killed in the battle of Hogwarts along with Tonks. The thought of Tonks' death in his timeline made Harry's chest feel much tighter. He had already vowed to himself that he would not let that happen even if it cost him his own life.
Thinking about Teddy, made Harry feel a different kind of sadness He had been kidnapped by the unspeakables before Teddy's first birthday. He could count on one hand the number of times he held had held his godson due to his single-minded focus to round up the death eaters who had escaped capture after the battle at Hogwarts.
After Harry became promoted to his position on Spectre VII, he checked in on Teddy but he never approached him as he doubted Teddy even knew who he was. From what Harry had gleaned watching the boy from afar, Teddy was a healthy six-year-old with blue hair and a playful disposition.
Teddy lived with his grandmother who spoiled him a bit but Harry couldn't really blame her for that, Teddy was the only thing she had left of her daughter after the war.
Pulling himself back to the present, Harry was surprised at the conflicting emotions he felt upon seeing a fifteen-year-old Remus Lupin standing before him.
The first emotion was easy to place, Harry felt happiness at Lupin being alive and healthier than he had ever seen him.
The other emotion was harder to place but Harry soon figured it out, what Harry felt was a strong dislike of the boy for going anywhere near his daughter, even if it was in the future (Even if Nymphadora wasn't his biological daughter), Harry saw Lupin as a future threat and would definitely keep an eye on the situation in twenty years time.
Shaking his head at those thoughts, Harry finally spoke after a few minutes of awkward silence.
"It's Professor Black, heir Black," Harry corrected.
"You have my apologies, Professor," Sirius corrected.
"I see you have your own entourage. What are you fine gentlemen up to this fine eve?" Harry asked in a cheerful voice.
"We were planning a prank for the Slytherins," Sirius responded candidly.
"Well I don't want to know anymore," Harry said, giving Sirius an exasperated look.
Harry didn't want to know about their pranks as he was technically a member of the staff, plausible deniability was definitely the best bet here. The last thing he needed was Albus foisting the overseeing of detentions on his schedule
"Because you're a teacher?" Sirius asked curiously.
"Exactly. If I see you lot breaking the rules then I am supposed to do something about it or some such," Harry agreed.
"So when are we going to start our lessons, sir?" Sirius asked looking a bit apprehensive.
"I will be starting your lessons tomorrow morning at six o'clock, so don't be late," Harry warned.
"Why so early? I have been doing my runs in the mornings," Sirius asked, sounding a bit put out at this change in schedule.
"Thank Dumbledore for that, he has my nights booked all week. We will have to meet every morning before breakfast for your lessons, and every Saturday from ten until noon," Harry replied with a touch of exasperation in his voice.
"What lessons are you taking Sirius?" James asked, speaking for the first time.
"His grandfather wishes me to give him Occlumency lessons Mr..." Harry answered before Sirius could answer, he wasn't above forcing an introduction.
"Potter, James Potter oh and this is Remus Lupin and over there is Peter Pettigrew," James introduced, pointing to each boy as he said his name.
"I just had a tutoring session with Mr Pettigrew, but it is a pleasure to meet you Mr Potter, and you as well Mr Lupin," Harry said noting how much his father's voice sounded like his own at that age.
"You as well, Professor Black," James said politely while Remus and Wormtail nodded.
"Well gentlemen, I must be off. Sirius, don't get caught in whatever shenanigans you lot are up to or I'll be having Andy taking over your hand-to-hand training," Harry said casually before leaving a pale Sirius Black behind as he headed toward the grand staircase.
That meeting was strange but he couldn't help but smile at seeing his father alive and healthy. Harry walked on autopilot through the castle and before he knew it, he was stepping out of the castle into the chilly September night.
As Harry crossed the lawn, he was feeling a bit conflicted about whether or not he should get to know his parents in this timeline.
They were so much younger than him that he really couldn't see them as his parents. He was pushing thirty now and he was nearly old enough to be their parents which was an amusing thought in and of itself.
Harry realized that for the time being it would be best to keep a distance. He would get to know them as their professor but there was no reason to be overly familiar with them
As Harry stepped through the gates he pushed those thoughts from his mind, It was time to head home.
/C.o.t.R\
"What's the matter with you, Sirius? You look like you just kissed Snivellus." James asked curiously.
"Andy is a sadist! She's been teaching me muggle fighting techniques and some dueling over the summer. She's evil I tell you!" Sirius exclaimed somewhat dramatically.
"You're having me on," James sniggered.
"I'm not. Every training session she was screaming and throwing stinging hexes at me the whole time. It was a bloody nightmare," Sirius said looking close to going into hysterics.
"I've met Andy before, come to think of it I talked to her in Diagon Alley last summer. She's very nice, I think you're making this up, mate," James said, giving his best mate a sceptical look.
"I swear that I'm telling the truth" Sirius implored.
"Alright, I believe you. So why was she training you to fight, anyway?" James asked, deciding to humour Sirius as the Blackheit seemed to be committed to the lie
"It was supposed to be Harry teaching me but she tricked him with her evil ways and he let her train me in dueling. Then a month ago, Harry took over training me to duel and she coerced him into letting her 'teach' me hand-to-hand fighting," Sirius said looking a bit unhinged.
"Is Harry any good at dueling?" James asked trying not to laugh at Sirius' dramatics.
"He's terrifying with a wand. But he is a really good teacher." Sirius answered seeming to have finally calmed down.
"I don't think he likes me very much." Peter put forth timidly.
"Why do you say that Pete?" Sirius asked looming a bit confused.
"In the potions tutoring I just had, he kept scowling every time he looked at me. He was so terrifying that I ended up melting my cauldron," Peter answered sounding embarrassed.
"Huh, usually he's pretty friendly with everyone. Well anyway, we have a prank that needs setting up, And... We... Can Not... Get... Caught!" Sirius exclaimed emphasizing the not getting caught part.
Remus who had kept quiet up until now nodded and then spoke decisively.
"Okay we already have the potions so let's get Down to the kitchens and arrange for delivery to the Slytherins at eight o' five," Remis said as he looked at the other three to see if they had anything to add.
"Agreed," James nodded, an excited glint in his eye at the pandemonium this prank would cause.
"Then let's hop to it, I have to get up early," Sirius agreed.
With a nod from the other Marauders, they all headed toward the kitchens to manage some mischief.
AN: The next chapter for Imprisoned in the Past Part III should be up by tomorrow or Friday at the latest, I have already finished the rough draft and just have to go back through it.