Disclaimer: I still don't own Harry Potter as much as I wish I did. Please don't sue. You'll get about $20 for your trouble! (Is this really necessary for every chapter...)

AN: Well I think I've filled the plot hole. I only hope I haven't given too much away in this chapter. Now you'll know some of what the Trio is planning and get more of an idea about what kind of powers they may have down the road. Please review and I thank everyone for reading up to this point. Don't worry you'll see some other characters besides the Trio soon but the story mostly focuses on them as well as Remus, Sirius, and Dumbledore at least until school begins.

The next morning each member of the Trio woke quickly, almost as if they could sense that the other two were also awake and eager to get to the business of the day. Ron was eager for a hearty breakfast and hoped to send an owl without being caught by his friends. He scrambled into some clothes a full two hours earlier than he ever had woken up voluntarily before and made his way out to the common room. Fifteen minutes and eight drafts of his letter later he was tying the finished product to Pig's leg when he sensed his friends entering the room. "What are you sending Ron?" Harry asked.

"Um...just a letter," Ron said, his face slowly turning crimson.

"We can see that Ron. Are you writing to your family?" Hermione asked.

Ron thought for a moment about lying and saying that it was for his family but he didn't want to lie to his friends. "No, please don't laugh, it's to Luna," Ron said quietly.

"Why would I laugh? Luna is a very sweet girl . . . a little different, but very nice," Hermione answered.

"I was hoping maybe she, Ginny, and Neville could join us before the school year starts. We'd have the run of the school. Hey, maybe we could find a way to lay some pranks for the Slytherins," Ron said.

"It would be nice to see Ginny again. And Harry's dad did seem awfully sure we were the new Marauders," Hermione said.

"There's no doubt there," James spoke up after listening to the conversation.

"I'm afraid Dad is right, Mione, we've already gone on too many adventures to not have picked up the mischief title," Harry said.

The three jumped as they heard a portrait swing open and hit the stone wall with a thump. "Hmm that was louder than I expected. I hope I didn't scare too many years off of your lives," Dumbledore said, entering the room in a swirl of majestic deep purple robes with millions of silver stars charmed to twinkle in response to the Headmaster's mood.

"Not at all, Professor Dumbledore, we're used to loud unexpected noises by now," Harry said.

"That you are my boy," Dumbledore said. He moderated the merry twinkle in both his eyes and his robe for a moment. "I came to discuss your dream last night. If it's easier, I've brought my pensive," he said, pulling a stone bowl from his pocket and setting it on the table.

Harry didn't answer he simply pulled out his wand, placed it at his temple and pulled several strands of shiny silver from near his hairline, watching as they splashed into the basin and swirled ominously. The trio and Dumbledore leaned closer to the basin until they fell in with a splash.

Instantly the air turned cold and clammy. The deep inky blackness was broken only by the evil green fog at their feet. Harry felt Hermione's hand in his as he struggled to control his breathing and remind himself that it was just a dream and nothing in here could hurt him physically. The dream replayed itself slowly as the details in the stone chamber showed themselves more clearly. Then they popped out of the pensive all a little shaken, even Dumbledore, Harry thought in surprise.

"Grindelwald's chamber," Dumbledore said softly.

"I was in Voldemort's head again. I . . . he was talking to the Death Eaters about finding the last piece of his power. Something about a wand," Harry said, trying to remember more clearly what he had heard since the words had mainly been lost while they had been in the pensive. Then he remembered, "Grindelwald's lost wand," Harry said.

"I would think after he was defeated that Grindelwald's wand would have been snapped," Hermione said, rubbing Harry's hand soothingly as she sensed his fear.

"It would have been had we found it. It disappeared during the battle and hasn't been seen since. If Voldemort gets it and combines its core with his own wand he'll gain immeasurable powers. I'll alert the Order," Dumbledore said, tucking his pensive back into his pocket and pulling out three official looking envelopes from the opposite pocket. "That's enough of that topic before breakfast. Before I go here's some mail. They came special delivery early this morning," Dumbledore said, handing them each a letter with the large, almost gaudy, Ministry seal.

"Our OWL scores," Hermione said nervously.

"You did fine, Mione. I'm the one who has to worry about getting into Potions to become an Auror," Harry said.

"Well come on then, they won't open themselves you know," Ron said, starting to break the seal.

"I should be going," Dumbledore said, his eyes and the stars on his robes back to full twinkle.

"Wait, Professor, please stay," Harry said, slowly unsealing his letter and pulling it from the envelope. He began to read it aloud.

Dear Mr. Potter,

Congratulations on surviving one of the toughest OWL sessions in recent (and not so recent) memory, and on tying for first rank amongst all Hogwarts students of your year. Here are your results:

Ancient Runes: N/A

Arithmancy: N/A

Astronomy: 75-Acceptable-1 OWL

Care of Magical Creatures: 100-Outstanding-1 OWL

Charms: 93-Outstanding-1 OWL

Defence Against the Dark Arts: 150-Double Outstanding-2 OWL's

Divination: 70-Acceptable-1 OWL

Herbology: 95-Outstanding-1 OWL

History of Magic: 70-Acceptable-1 OWL

Muggle Studies: N/A

Potions: 90-Outstanding-1 OWL

Transfiguration: 98-Outstanding-1 OWL

RESULTS: 10 OWL's (out of 12 possible) Includes extra OWL for Highest DADA score in 50 years.

Congratulations you have the necessary OWL's to pursue a career as an Auror. You must have five OWL courses. We recommend the following: Potions, Charms, DADA, and Transfiguration plus one Elective. The course selection sheet will be sent out in two weeks time.

Respectfully,

Griselda Marchbanks

Head Wizarding Examiner

Ministry of Magic

"Oh Harry, that's wonderful. We got the same number of OWL's, although you beat me in DADA again," Hermione said, throwing her arms around Harry's neck and kissing him briefly.

"How did you do, Ron?" Harry asked.

"Ten, the same as you. I can't believe I got a Double Outstanding in Care of Magical Creatures," Ron said.

"I got my Double Outstanding in Arithmancy," Hermione said.

"Wait. Mione, didn't you take the Ancient Runes exam? You should have 11 not 10," Harry said.

"I was taking it independently so no, Harry, I didn't sit the exam. We were halfway to the Ministry when it was being held," Hermione said, squeezing his hand.

"Well Miss Granger, as I said before there were some unusual circumstances during the exams. As such, any student who wishes is encouraged, especially this year, to retake certain exams they feel they could have performed better in. Also allowed is independent course work leading to additional OWL's being placed on your records. Ah here they are," Professor Dumbledore said, materializing three books which he had summoned from his office. These books will allow you three to write down whichever courses you wish to pursue OWL's in regardless of whether you finished the class or not. It may help to remove those zeros from your record, Miss Granger, the ones you are so ashamed of in Muggle Studies and Divination. If you proceed correctly, you could be the first three students with 13 OWL's that we've had for nearly a century," Dumbledore continued.

"That would be one more than Percy," Ron said.

"I would like to see what I learned in Ancient Runes, and we don't have any summer work for the year as we haven't picked our classes yet," Hermione said.

"Well it would give us something to do besides the plans we already made. Most of it shouldn't take too long since we would just need to improve most of our scores. Muggle Studies will be easy, we'll help you, Ron, and Hermione can teach us Arithmancy and Ancient Runes while we teach her Divination. Maybe we'll get to use our new found Seer powers," Harry said.

"Why not, we might get bored otherwise and then look out Hogwarts," Ron said.

Hermione couldn't believe that Ron just agreed to study, but smiled. "Watch out indeed. I think now with three projects for the last month of summer we won't be bored," Hermione added.

"So we just write down all the courses we either didn't get an OWL in we didn't get the grade we wanted in and we'll be able to study them and then take the OWL?" Harry asked Professor Dumbledore.

"Yes. The books will fill with a study guide for each subject and you have all the books you need in the library and in your own trunks. When you pass each of the year end tests, it will grade them automatically on the OWL scale, and when you achieve the grade you desire you'll pass to the next year of information. You may want to study each subject one at a time and get the OWL out of the way before moving on to the next subject," Dumbledore said smiling. So the Golden Trio were the top students of their year. He couldn't wait to see how they did on their projects.

"We'll need to make a schedule to get this and our other main project done by September 1," Hermione said.

"All right, but let's have breakfast first please," Ron said, his stomach rumbling loudly just at that moment.

"The bottomless stomach has spoken," Harry said.

"On that note I'll leave you, but would you three mind company for breakfast? I hope not as Remus and Sirius are very eager to spend some time with you," Dumbledore said.

"You're welcome to join us, Professor," Harry said, happy that his godfather and Remus were there to talk to. He had a million questions for them.

"Maybe at another meal. I have some business to attend to. Oh and Ron, Luna, Neville, and Ginny are more than welcome to stay here for the week before school begins, I know you sent them a letter. Rooms can easily be added to your haven for your friends," Dumbledore said. He smiled at the trio once more, seemingly twinkling louder than ever before, and then walked back to the portrait of a phoenix in the corner that led to his office.

"Well that was interesting," Ron said.

"Now we know where the last door leads to anyway," Harry said.

"Come on you two let's feed the monster and then get to work on one of our projects, we have less than a month," Hermione said.

"Let's not keep Remus and Sirius waiting too long. They're probably telling mum and dad all sorts of stories about us," Harry said.

"We were not," Sirius said as they entered the dining area which had been warded off from where they had been conversing with the Headmaster.

"Were too, Padfoot, and you cut off a very interesting story. Something about a 12-foot mountain troll," James said.

"How are you Harry?" Remus asked.

"I'm fine. How are you? The last full moon doesn't seem like it was as hard on you," Harry noticed. For once the older man's face didn't seem so drawn and his robes weren't as shabby as they had been after previous transformations.

"I had Padfoot to keep me company this time," Remus said, a faint smile on his face.

"Moony is sharing Grimmauld Place with me and I had a room prepared for the full moon. It's much easier on him than the shrieking shack," Sirius said.

"So I hear from Prongs here that you three are taking over the Marauders," Remus said.

"We might as well with as much trouble as these two drag me into anyway. If this hurts my chance for Head Girl next year though you'll both hear about it for the rest of our lives," Hermione said.

"Down lioness. My dad still made Head Boy and you are a shoo-in especially with your grades. No one will be able to beat you once we have 13 OWL's," Harry said.

"13," Remus and Sirius said in unison.

"I think you two have spent too much time together. You even sound alike now," Harry said with a laugh.

"Well we're both your godfathers now. It takes both of us to watch out for you, knowing all the trouble a true Marauder can get into," Sirius said.

"You . . . You're both . . . " Harry said, trying to speak.

"Look, Moony, he's speechless," Sirius said with a barking laugh.

"Well, Sirius named me godfather in his will and when he came back he didn't have the heart to take the title away. So we're both living in Grimmauld place and fixing it up for you to come home to. You and your friends of course. We've heard that you three are best kept together," Remus said.

"Home," Harry said, thinking of all that word meant to him. "I'll have a home outside of Hogwarts," he whispered softly. Remus's eyes filled with tears as his enhanced wolf hearing allowed him to hear his godson clearly, including the emotion present in his voice.

"Yes you'll have a home," Remus said just as softly, reaching out to pull Harry gently into a hug.

Harry accepted, almost desperate for the contact from one of the few people he trusted. "Thank you both," Harry said, wiping tears from his eyes. A long-held dream of Harry's was coming true. He had a family and Hermione loved him. Before he could get too lost in his thoughts Harry's stomach gave a rumble and he pulled away from Remus. "Maybe we should eat," Harry said.

"Of course," Remus said, sitting at a place to Harry's right. Harry sat at the head of the table and pulled Hermione into the seat to his left. Sirius found a place next to Remus and Ron nearly threw himself into the seat next to Hermione. Harry noticed that the utensils were a duller stainless steel since Remus had joined them. Usually they were gold-plated sterling silver which of course would have been deadly for the werewolf. They all ordered their meals and started to eat in silence.

"Professor Lupin?" Harry asked nervously a few minutes later.

"Call me Remus," Lupin said.

"But if you're going to be our teacher again I'll have to get into the habit so I don't call you by your first name during class," Harry said with a Cheshire cat grin on his face.

"How? Oh never mind I know how. James, you could never keep a secret. What did you want to ask Harry?" Remus asked.

"Well, we um . . . have access to the Restricted section of the library for the summer and Dumbledore told us that Wolfsbane is in the book Moste Potente Potions, and I was wondering how we would know it was made properly, without testing it on you. We wanted to make a few batches in case Sn...Professor Snape decided not to or wasn't able to for some reason," Harry said.

"Harry, the ingredients are dangerous and hard to come by. But I appreciate your concern. I have some stored at Grimmauld. It's enough to last for two months and Severus can make another batch in that time," Remus said.

"We know where to get the ingredients, and what if Snape is called by Voldemort and can't escape. We'll lose the only useful DADA teacher we've had so far," Harry persisted.

"How will you get the ingredients? I've thought of Snape being called and I guess I would have to face the risk and brew it myself," Remus said.

"But you can't come in contact with the Wolfsbane in its raw form, it will kill you nearly as quickly as silver," Hermione said.

"There's a catalogue you can use through owl order that has a section for the apothecary. I've set up an account and can have the ingredients sent here. I just want to be sure it isn't poison before I give it to you," Harry said.

Sirius looked at Harry in surprise. He couldn't believe how much his godson seemed grown up. But then there were the scenes like the one a few minutes ago where he seemed like a lost little boy. Remus finished his last sausage and took a sip of tea to clear his throat. "There is one test for wolfsbane. You take one hair from a werewolf and test the potion on it. If the hair burns, then it is wolfsbane poison. If the hair grows then it is the correct strength for the potion. I will give you some of my hair before I leave," Remus said.

"Don't worry I'll have Hermione help. She's better at the more dangerous potions," Harry said.

"Nonsense, Harry, you'll be fine. We'll each brew a batch, it will be a good test of our skills since it's well past NEWT level," Hermione said, thinking about their revision work. "I wonder if the books Dumbledore gave us would allow us to continue our studies in the subjects we aren't taking through to NEWT level, once we get the rest of our O's on the OWL's that is. We could take the other seven subjects and work through sixth year work this year and maybe even part of seventh year and then take the NEWT's for those as well," Hermione said.

"Well if it works for our OWL's I don't see why not," Harry answered, and Ron nodded his agreement.

"So that's how you are getting top marks on OWL's," Sirius said.

"But how are you getting thirteen when there are only twelve subjects?" Remus asked.

"We each got a Double Outstanding in a different subject. Mine was in Care of Magical Creatures, Hermione's was in Arithmancy, and Harry's of course was in DADA," Ron said.

"Well, I may not have to teach much in that case, Harry. Maybe you can show me some of the things you taught the DA last year. Are you continuing the club this year?" Remus asked.

"I don't know. I did it last year mostly because I didn't have quidditch anymore, thanks to Umbridge. Now you're back, so I'm not sure," Harry said, scowling at the memory of last year's wicked witch. Hermione and Ron shared similar scowls.

"Well, we should let you three get studying then, we'll just pop upstairs and have a chat with the Headmaster," Sirius said, grinning broadly. None of them had suspected that he would also be teaching here this year.

"Bye Remus, Bye Sirius," Hermione and Ron said.

"Thank you both," Harry said, his voice back to a small whisper. Both men reached out to hug Harry who lost control of his emotions and cried. Hermione took one look at the scenario and wrapped her arms around Harry to help him regain his emotions.

"You are welcome Harry," Remus and Sirius said as they opened the portrait door to Dumbledore's office.

"Well now what should we study first," Hermione said, eager to get started.

"How about Divination, get it out of the way first thing," Harry said.

"And then History of Magic," Ron added.

"Come on boys," Hermione said, turning to the study area.