Thank you all of you who have read this story and to every one who has taken that extra minute to post a review. Thank you Anon, Harriverse

Harry Potter and the Trip to the Past

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Chapter – 23

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Harry and his friends went to the library where Harry wrote a short letter to Sirius and went to the Owlery to send it. He reached it and spotting Hedwig, petted her a bit and tied his letter and told her to take it to Sirius and Remus and walked back to the library, grinning and smirking in anticipation of the fireworks that Hogwarts would witness the next day.

He spent the rest of the day talking with Hermione and a very sulky Draco Malfoy was had already written to his father about his muggle relations. While Draco did not mind Hermione, he became livid with anger and horror as he thought of Colin Creevy. And the worst thing was the fact that both of them were Gryffindors. Why could he not be related to someone in Ravenclaw or Harry, if it had to be someone from Gryffindor?

Draco was very jealous indeed as he sat there fuming about the dirty fates; Snape! Harry was related to Snape of all people. Snape was nice and all that, but he was not in the Malfoy family league; but then the Malfoy family league had taken quite a beating, when Colin Creevy was added to their family.

Hogwarts was raging that day with purebloods dismayed with the extra baggage they had collected, almost all of them, pretty unhappy with their lot. The Slytherins and Ravenclaws were in particular displeased to see the muggleborns who were in Hogwarts and even a few who still had no magical children and still lived in the muggle world as muggles, without knowing they belonged to the magical world once upon a time, added to their family. It was so insulting they felt.

The parents and the press turned out the next day. Owls had been sent to all the parents informing them about the potion and also inviting them to the school so that they could see the result of the potion for themselves. The press headed by Rita Skeeter came gushing and eager to know all details and try and find if they could poke any holes into the whole thing.

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All the parents were ushered into the Great Hall and the teachers stood on either side of the Headmaster as parents, Ministry officials and reporters came eagerly and waited for Dumbledore to speak about the potion and the results. The Malfoys along with a lot of other pureblood families were there glaring at everyone and looking very displeased. Draco letter and its contents had reached Lucius, apparently. Two other people stormed in, looking furious as well. Sirius and Remus.

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That morning had started well for Sirius. He had woken up early, thinking about the potion results and had like so many others been planning to go over to Hogwarts to see the results being announced that day. He was hoping Harry would be related to him; that would make Harry officially his family. He thought of Harry as his family already, as the child he never had and perhaps may never have either and if Lily was related to the Blacks it would be nothing short of magnificent, really.

'What do you think Remus?' he asked the quiet man, who was making breakfast for them.

'About what?'

'About Lily's family, what else?' Sirius asked impatiently. 'Today's the day, we'll know.' Wistfully he added, 'Harry would've known yesterday. I hope he's related to me, Remy.' Sirius finished softly, longing in his eyes.

Remus smiled, but did not say anything. Sirius was simply thinking out aloud. Remus though thought differently. If he knew Harry, Remus felt that he would have himself related to some spectacular person, no one would have thought of. But he did not say it and allowed Sirius to dream.

They ate in silence afterwards and Sirius was just finishing the cleaning up when Hedwig sailed in through the window and landed on the table, holding her leg out. Remus had gone out of the kitchen and Sirius suddenly sat down very nervous and excited. He knew it was from Harry and he was so excited that he could not think straight for a second. Then, his hands trembling, Sirius slowly removed the letter and opened it.

Dear Sirius and Remus,

I took my potion today and found out who Mum was related to. I am so happy Sirius that I am related to him, because he is so clever and intelligent. Yes, Sirius, you have got it right in one. It's Professor Snape.

And Sirius, you won't believe who is related to you. It's Hermione and she wants to say she's happy about it too.

See you guys in School tomorrow,

Harry

Sirius looked at the short note in disbelief; it was a prank, surely; Sirius sat still for a second and then feverishly, he took out his wand and started casting many spells to check the authenticity of the note. It was unfortunately for Sirius very authentic and there seemed no spell that could tell him it was a prank. Sirius was stunned; stunned at the betrayal he was feeling with Lily. Sirius banged his head on the table and swore aloud; of all people in the whole wide world, Lily had to go and to be related to Snape. Snape! It had to be the snivelling git she was related to; and that was just too bad and completely unacceptable. And Harry was thrilled and happy? What was wrong with that boy? Sirius crumpled the note and threw it on the table. He had not even noticed Hermione being related to him and at that moment he would not have cared,

He gnashed his teeth and in a rage took a plate from the table and threw it against the wall. It smashed with a very satisfying sound and Sirius grit his teeth again and threw a few more plates at the wall. Snape would be unbearable. One thing Lily had never spoken to James or anyone for that matter had been her friendship with Snape. He knew James had been very curious and terribly jealous about it; and he had fumed about Snape for hours. Even after they were going out, Lily never spoke about Snape, and the first time James and all of them had laughed about Snape the death eater; she had looked stormily at James and strode off. James had to literally beg his way into her good graces and from then on, Snape was a word never spoken in her presence.

Though that had not stopped them from hexing him whenever they met him, Sirius grinned in a feral manner as he remembered; James had been wounded and very envious that Lily would not hear them joking about a death eater, and a stinking git in Sirius's opinion. In seventh year, their fights with Snape had been very fierce, though they took care to see that Lily never knew that they even met Snape outside of classes, let alone fought with him.

Snape had also not spoken a word about Lily to anyone in the School as far as Sirius knew, after they had broken up the night their OWLS had ended, all because Snape had called Lily a mudblood. Sirius grinned as he remembered that night; he and the others were underneath James's invisibility cloak, seeing the friendship that had given James so many sleepless nights come to an end. It was Snape's fault, for calling Lily a name she had hated with such intensity and James had rejoiced.

She had been awfully quiet for the rest of that year and all of sixth; burying into her schoolwork and hardly talking to others and becoming completely withdrawn. In their seventh year, James and Lily had been made Head Boy and Head Girl and their duties had thrown them together. Slowly James had managed to thaw the girl whom he had been hopelessly in love with and it had been after Christmas that they had had their first date. Sirius was lost in nostalgia, as he remembered the panic James had indulged in for a week, before that day when he would finally take Lily out.

Somehow from then that romance had grown in leaps and bounds. James had been thrilled and had lived with his head in the clouds and his feet not touching the ground for the rest of their school year. Then he had proposed and Lily had accepted at once and then that was that. They had got married and then had Harry and then, Sirius's eyes darkened as he remembered what happened next.

'Sirius, are you ready? Hey! What happened here? And why are you standing like this, when we should be leaving for Hogwarts?' Remus had just come in and was shocked to see plates smashed and in pieces and Sirius standing with such a vengeful expression on his face.

'Just read this Remy.'

'Wha, oh!' Remus saw the letter and smoothed the badly crumpled letter and started reading and his eyes widened in disbelief as he finished the short note.

'How?' he stammered. 'How can this be? Lily was related to Snape of all people? How?'

Sirius glared at Remus and scowled. 'I don't know. But I'm sure Snivellus has had something to do with this. Come on. Let's go and find out and Remus, I'm assuring you, I am going to make his face as greasy as his hair and DON"T ask me how. You watch Remy. Just see how I'm going to do this. I'm going to kill him; that's the best thing. I'll kill him and go to Azkaban and you take care of Harry.' Sirius shouted, his rage overtaking him once more.

'Sirius, have you become insane. Stop this nonsense at once.' Remus shouted, shaking Sirius and shocking him out of his helpless rage.

'Huh! What the hell?' Sirius glared at Remus who was looking very worried.

'Sirius, CALM down. Were going to Hogwarts anyway and we'll see there, okay. Just don't get yourself into knots and hurt Harry, for heaven' sake. That'll do us no good. Harry says he likes Snape. Tread carefully old boy, and don't lose Harry because of your anger.' Remus told him, trying to put some sense into Sirius, who was looking wild and his eyes were furious as he heard Remus reason it out.

'If James had been alive…' Sirius stopped there and looked at Remus.

That was the point. James would not have accepted this at all. Both friends knew that. Sirius and Remus knew was that, James was terribly jealous of Snape, who in his opinion, was still protected by Lily. That was something he could not stand, and his hate jealousy of Snape, had never diminished. This was something Harry had not known, because James and Sirius had never discussed Snape in any capacity except to degrade him in front of Harry in the other life.

Now Sirius felt that he was letting his friend's and his brother in every way's memory by even thinking of Snape as Harry's relation. He knew how devastated James would be, if he, Sirius was feeling this way. Along with his anger was also a deep disappointment that ripped his gut. Harry was not related to the Blacks. He would be only Sirius's Godson and not his blood relative. Sirius felt like changing into Padfoot and howling loud and long and then rushing off to bite Snape's nose off his face. For a moment, Sirius pictured Snape without a nose and grinned, alarming Remus who was watching the emotions fly across his friend's face.

Sirius looked at Remus and shook his head. 'Come on. We have to go.' And looking down at the note, he finally registered something that had been written. 'Sirius, Hermione is related to you. Did you read that at all?'

'What? Where? Has Harry written that as well?' Sirius held out his hand for the note and Remus rolled his eyes and handed it over. Sirius re-read the letter and smiled slightly before he frowned again. But he was more or less calm now.

Remus was apprehensive now and he looked at Sirius, who had apparently calmed down and sighed. He wondered what would happen at the School. He only hoped Sirius would not say the wrong words and push Harry away. He turned to Sirius as they walked to the fireplace, intending to floo to The Three Broomsticks and walk from there. He did not say a word, knowing his friend well; it would only make him more stubborn.

Remus was shocked himself; but he could deal with it. If Snape was really Harry's blood relative and Harry was happy as he had said so in the letter, Remus could and would accept it. He only hoped Sirius would see sense. This was not something Harry or even Snape chose and to snarl and smash things would not help; it would only make Harry move away. Remus sincerely hoped that would not be the case. That would break Sirius and he would not want it either. He sighed as he threw the floo powder and stepped into it.

They stepped out of the floo and joined a large number of parents walking to the School, talking excitedly among themselves. Sirius and Remus walked fast in grim silence and soon reached the gates of the School and jostled along with the others and entered the Great Hall, Sirius sweeping his eyes over to the Head Table and snarling, startling a couple who looked at him in fear and tried to move away.

Remus placed a calming hand on Sirius, warning him by pressing his hand slightly and Sirius reluctantly subsided, and contended himself with simply glaring at Snape, who was talking to Dumbledore.

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At the appointed time Dumbledore straightened and turned a beaming face towards the eager, anxious and angry parents and expectant news reporters and disbelieving Ministry representatives. 'Welcome parents. Yesterday was truly a remarkable day in our world. We have with the assistance of the Potions Master Severus Snape who is also the Head of Slytherin House; prepared the Ancestry potion that has revealed the magical relation of every muggle born student. The Ancestry Potion which is extremely expensive to brew was made possible by the contributions our students and teachers. Harry Potter contributed the most and it was his idea that has come to fruition today. He had some time last year read an article about this and acting upon it, requested Professor Snape to brew the potion for him and the rest as they say is history.' Dumbledore beamed as he looked around, and his twinkle increased as he saw the two glowering faces in the crowd.

'Yesterday the potion was administered to all out muggleborn and half blood students all of them had a wizarding family in their ancestors who for one reason or other had moved to the muggle world and made it their home, completely forgetting the world that they had once been a part of. All the students have been provided with a copy of their ancestry and we will hand over another copy to the Ministry of Magic. Here in the Great Hall, the Professors have also posted lists for everyone to see the names of the students tested and the wizarding families to which they have been found to have belonged to at one time. Lists are posted all over the Great Hall and all of you may take your time to peruse it. Thank you.'

Dumbledore beamed as the parents moved to the lists which were posted all around the Great Hall, except two of them who were determinedly moving towards the Head Table. Sirius and Remus were pushing through the crowds and walking as swiftly as they could towards Dumbledore who was beaming at them, inwardly laughing at their expressions. Sirius looked so fierce and Remus looked very worried. Dumbledore turned to his side to see Snape smirking at them and noticing Dumbledore watching him, he raised his eyebrow, and 'I would like to sit in on this Dumbledore, when they would speak to you about my relative.' He said softly.

Dumbledore stared at Snape. Snape wanted to see Sirius and Remus livid, furious and helpless, he could understand that; but was he just acknowledging Harry as his relative? Lily as his relative? Dumbledore was absolutely stunned and it was with great effort that he refrained from saying anything and nodded his head. All the others in the Great Hall were now looking eagerly at the lists and talking hard. Certain pure bloods like the Malfoys, Parkinsons and others looked disdainfully at the rest, and Lucius Malfoy looked at the Head Table and caught Snape's eye and nodded.

'Lucius is calling me Dumbledore. I will meet him and come to your office later and I will bring Potter with me.' Snape murmured softly and started walking down, waiting only for Dumbledore to slightly incline his head in agreement, before he stepped down to meet the parents and talk to them. All the Professors were there moving around and Dumbledore met with the Ministry officials and the reporters who caught on to him and answered questions with his own inimitable style. Meanwhile Snape had just stepped out of the crowded hall and met Lucius who was standing there.

'Severus.' Lucius said softly, 'How are you?' He asked with a mild sneer and his lips curled in disdain. 'I am fine Lucius. How are you and Narcissa? Is she well? You did not bring her?' he asked. Lucius shook his head in silence and walked a little further away, leading Snape away from the Great Hall.

Snape smiled as he followed Lucius, his eyes slightly amused as he thought of just who was related to Lucius Malfoy. Snape himself was very much confused about his being related to Lily. He had wanted to be related of course but not like this! Still, Snape thought a tad morosely, it was probably better than nothing else. He wondered what Harry was not telling him. Something to do with him and Lily, he knew. What had Lily actually said when she had known? If Snape knew, then he would feel so much better, even if she did not like it very much, because it would only show that she was still angry with him for not choosing her and instead going out with the death eaters.

'Severus? You are miles away?' Lucius's voice brought him down to earth. He mentally shook himself and smiled at Lucius. 'Yes, I was. What a mess inside the Great Hall, isn't there?'

Lucius Malfoy snarled. 'Whatever made you do this Severus? Did you make it right my friend?' at Snape's face turning indignant, Lucius smiled humourlessly, his eyes very frustrated, 'Severus, do you know whom I am related to? If you do, then surely you will not look at me so.'

'And do you know whom I am related to Lucius? Harry Potter of all people in the whole wide world, when I knew, I almost fainted.' Snape let bitterness glaze his tone. 'Harry bloody Potter, that's who, and I was wondering if I had made the potion properly myself, but I did Lucius, very much so.'

Lucius Malfoy sighed at the bitterness in Snape's voice. He would have loved to be related to Harry Potter. That would have worked for him, if the Dark Lord would return or if he did not, but Snape was probably thinking about only James Potter and was already hating Harry Potter and being related to him, even when he had a crush on Lily. But Snape was perfectly capable of accepting Lily and discarding Harry as a good Slytherin would, Lucius knew. A small smile found its way out for the first time after he received Draco's note today morning.

'What did Dumbledore say?' Lucius asked curious.

Snape growled. 'The loon that he is, he had the nerve to say I had family now. Family! And family was James Potter's son of all people. What a joke! As if I would accept him as a Prince. I told him that I would never accept the son of my enemy as family and Potter both senior and junior could go to hell. Dumbledore sighed and hummed and hawed in resignation, but I think he'll let me be.' Snape finished with pride and satisfaction in his voice. Lucius snorted in sheer exasperation.

'Severus, you are amazing. What would you have done, if the blasted Creevys were related to you? You are lucky it was only Potter. I wish Potter had been related to the Malfoys. It would have worked well for me.'

Snape darted a swift glance at Lucius and retained his expressionless face, though he was snorting inside too. Lucius would have preened with Harry now and if the Dark Lord returned, Snape knew he would not have hesitated to hand over Harry to the Dark Lord too. He looked at Lucius and said very softly 'I have to go and meet Dumbledore. The number of times he calls me; sometimes I feel he still doubts me after all the trouble I have taken to tell him I have well and truly changed.'

'Shh! We can never be too careful, Severus.' He replied in a low voice. Snape nodded and shook his hands with Lucius and walked away from the man and went towards the Headmaster's office. Lucius turned back to leave for his home. As if he would stay to meet the Creepys or whatever their names were. He had no relations apart from those he was willing to acknowledge and for him that was enough. He wanted no more relations, especially not those who were muggleborns.

Suddenly another thought came to him and he turned and almost ran back. 'Severus!' he called as Snape was just beginning to climb the stairs. Snape turned and walked back to where Lucius was coming swiftly towards him.

'I don't want to go back into the mess that is the Great Hall and meet the Creepys.' Snape grinned at that name, but did not correct Lucius as he was looking very peeved every time he thought of the Creevys, apparently. 'But I would like to know if Bellatrix is related to some muggleborn. Narcissa would feel happy.' He finished.

'Oh! Dear Bellatrix is related very much to a muggleborn. Remember Potter's friend Hermione Granger; well she is related to Black and Bellatrix and Narcissa as well.'

Lucius scowled and nodding to Snape left Hogwarts and Snape turned around and walked towards the Headmaster's office, snapping for an elf as he turned the corner and away from Lucius's eyes. 'Ask Harry Potter to come at once to the Headmaster's office.' He told the elf and walked on briskly thinking about Lucius and the upcoming scene with Sirius and Remus. He reached the gargoyle and waited for Harry to come. Harry came running and screeched to a halt and was about to say something, when Snape's eyes warned him to stay silent. Harry smiled at Snape and stood by his side.

'Cockroach clusters.' Snape said sourly and led the way inside and silently pointed out a chair for Harry to sit and took the chair next to Harry.

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Sirius and Remus pushed and jostled their way to Dumbledore and waited to speak to him. Dumbledore noticed them and smiled at them but was not able to tear away for sometime. 'Dumbledore…' Sirius started and Dumbledore smiled at him. 'Not now Sirius. I am busy answering reporters and will meet you later in my office. Perhaps you will wait by the gargoyle and I will come as soon as possible.' He said and turned away.

Sirius stared at him for a second before he felt he was walking backwards and realized Remus was dragging him and he turned reluctantly and left for the Headmaster's office and waited there impatiently for Dumbledore to come. They did not know the password and so they were unable to join Snape and Harry who were already seated in the office. Sirius and Remus sat down by the gargoyle and waited.

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Dumbledore spent the whole day answering questions, noting that Snape had not come back. Hermione Granger was searching for Harry and also for Sirius, perhaps; both of them were not anywhere in the Great Hall and Dumbledore was impatient to join them and see the fireworks especially when Snape would call Harry his relative and Sirius would splutter and foam at the mouth with rage. He however, moved around answering questions from one and all, with a wide smile on his face. It was almost afternoon before the bulk of the parents left Hogwarts, with the parchments they were given by their children and the pureblood families left as well; some of them happily chatting with their new found blood relations and others completely ignoring their long last muggleborn relatives.

Finally Dumbledore was free and he left for his office to see Sirius and Remus sitting by the gargoyle. He smiled and called out to them. 'Sirius, Remus, how are you? Come,' he added seeing Sirius open his mouth, 'let us go to my office and discuss whatever you wish to ask me.' And led the way silently.

Sirius and Remus followed and Dumbledore opened the door, to see Snape and Harry sitting silently. Snape was sitting next to Harry. Sirius who came next saw them and gave a strangled cry and took out his wand. Snape heard the noise and stood up so fast Harry was astounded at his reflexes. Snape quickly flicked his wand, silently just in time as Sirius flicked his wand equally silently. A flash of red burst from Sirius's wand and hit the shield Snape had thrown up, the moment he heard the noise and rebounded and hit Sirius. A second later, Sirius was hanging upside down, his robes falling down his shoulders. He was shouting, but only muffled sounds could be heard in the silence as Harry, Dumbledore and Remus looked on in astonishment and Snape was smirking.

'Severus. Please let Sirius down.' Dumbledore told him a minute later and Snape flicked his wand again and Sirius fell on the ground. He got up a bit unsteadily and struggled with his robes and glared at Snape, his wand held high. Snape was ready too and Harry sighed and came and stood between Snape and Sirius.

'Harry, you are not to come between us. I will not allow you to be hurt by that thing. Move.' Snape told Harry smoothly, his black eyes glittering in laughter. Harry scowled and then sighed once again. Snape was taking it too far; but Harry could not blame him; it was his fault, he had actually given Snape the idea the day before.

'Please Professor Snape. Sirius meant no harm. Please don't attack him.' Harry told him, pleading all the while with his eyes. Snape looked into Harry's eyes and stepped back, his shield still in place and his wand still held alertly, ready for anything.

'He can't attack me Harry. You just step back and I'll show you how it's done.' Sirius told him, his eyes hungry to hex Snape.

'How it's done? But for that you are missing two of your group, Black.' Snape told him his voice still smooth, but now with a very dangerous undercurrent.

Sirius leaped and was caught by Remus who pulled him back and Dumbledore who clapped his hand loudly. 'There is a child here and I think none of you are setting an example to him. Come, come and sit down and let us discuss this like adults.'

Sirius reluctantly obeyed the power in Dumbledore's voice and sat down. Harry went to sit with Sirius, but Snape pulled him back and silently gestured to a chair next to him. Sirius was about to say something, but Dumbledore cleared his throat and he subsided, and glared at Snape.

'Has this potion been brewed properly?'

'Yes indeed, Sirius. It has been. I have complete faith in Severus's potion making skills.'

Sirius was silent, not knowing how to proceed. Harry took matters into his hand and spoke softly. 'Sirius I am happy I am related to Professor Snape. You know I admire him so. You do not wish for that? Then it is no problem. I will not talk to Professor Snape outside of Potions okay?'

Sirius looked up at that, stunned at what Harry was saying. Harry would give up his relationship to Snape for Sirius's sake? He opened his mouth to agree and Remus's warning came to his mind. If he agreed Harry would obey, but it would hurt Harry and Sirius stopped the words that wanted to rush out and sighed, running his hand through his hair.

'Is this potion really brewed properly Albus?' he asked again, not knowing what to say.

Dumbledore nodded, not saying a word. Sirius sighed again and turned to Snape. 'Hurt him and I'll kill you and go back to Azkaban. That's a promise.' He said very softly and extremely menacingly and stood up. 'Harry, we are not friends. I think you know that by now. But I'll not stop you from interacting with Snape, if he wants it and if you want it too.'

Harry ran from his chair and hugged Sirius, very relived and moved that Sirius would give in like this. It showed how much he cared for Harry, once again and Harry felt very warm inside indeed. Snape had not uttered a word and simply looked on his face inscrutable. Dumbledore was beaming at Sirius's words and Remus was smiling looking very relieved.

End of Chapter – 23

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